On the outskirts of Hidden Beast Mountain.
“Hiss… hiss…”
The grass rustled slightly as a dark red shadow darted past like lightning.
“It’s here!” Zhou Kai’s spirit lifted.
It was one of his targets for this trip—the Red-Eyed Snake. This first-order demonic beast was fast. Its venomous fangs were not lethal, but they could paralyze a person for a while, more than enough time for it to enjoy a meal.
Instead of retreating, Zhou Kai advanced. His footwork shifted in a subtle, mysterious pattern, narrowly avoiding the Red-Eyed Snake’s lunge. At the same time, a yellow talisman was already clasped between his fingers.
“Go!”
With a low shout, spiritual energy surged into the talisman, activating the Fireball Talisman.
Whoosh!
A fist-sized fireball roared forward, striking the snake precisely at its vital spot.
“Hiss—!”
The Red-Eyed Snake let out a shrill cry as the smell of burning flesh spread through the air. It twisted frantically, but it was already beyond saving. Flames spread rapidly, and soon it lay motionless.
Zhou Kai did not approach immediately. After observing for a moment to confirm there was no further danger, he stepped forward. With practiced movements, he used a dagger to peel off the relatively intact snake skin and carefully pried out the two faintly glowing fangs.
“A good start.” Zhou Kai weighed the snake skin in his hand, feeling satisfied. With his cultivation at the 4th stage Qi Refining Realm and well-prepared talismans, dealing with first-order demonic beasts in the outer areas was indeed much easier.
“Too bad I haven’t encountered a single Horned Boar.”
He looked toward the deeper forest.
Adult Horned Boars were mostly mid-stage first-order beasts. They lived in groups, had thick hides and immense strength, and the single horn on their heads was a valuable material for refining magical artifacts. They were worth far more than Red-Eyed Snakes.
After confirming his direction, he headed deeper into the forest.
The further he walked, the taller the trees grew and the dimmer the light became. The surroundings were so quiet that only his own footsteps and occasional insect and bird sounds could be heard.
Zhou Kai suddenly stopped and sniffed sharply.
“What a strong smell of blood.”
He immediately became alert, lightening his steps as he slowly pushed aside the obstructing shrubs.
Ahead lay seven or eight Horned Boar corpses, scattered haphazardly.
Some had been cleanly split in half from the middle, their entrails and blood spilling onto the ground. The cuts were so smooth they reflected light like mirrors.
Others had a small, neat blood hole through their skulls, pierced cleanly from front to back.
Several large trees had also been struck. A few trunks thick enough to require two arms to embrace had been broken in half, their jagged edges revealing the desperate strength of the boars before death. Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping.com.
A faint residue of spiritual energy lingered in the air—cold and sharp, carrying a chilling killing intent.
“What powerful techniques,” Zhou Kai thought, startled. Judging by the wounds, the attacker’s cultivation was far above his own, likely at least at the Late stage Qi Refining Realm, perhaps even higher.
Each strike had been fatal and clean, leaving no unnecessary struggle.
“However…” Zhou Kai’s gaze lingered on the boar corpses, especially the valuable horns. “To just leave so many good materials behind? What a waste.”
Horned Boar meat might not be top delicacy, but it was rich in blood vitality, beneficial to low-level cultivators and mortal martial artists alike. Though the bisected bodies could not be directly handed to the Chen family, selling them at the marketplace would still bring in a fair amount of spirit stones.
What a pity.
Zhou Kai licked his lips, his eyes drawn to the intact horns.
These were excellent materials for refining magical artifacts and could fetch a good price at the marketplace.
“The ones cut in half are mine…” he muttered, drawing his dagger.
At that moment, a faint explosion of clashing spiritual energy echoed from afar, along with the sharp ring of colliding weapons.
“Someone is fighting?”
Zhou Kai’s vigilance sharpened.
The person who had left such cleanly slain Horned Boars was no ordinary cultivator. Now there was a battle nearby. If both sides were injured, perhaps he could pick up some gains.
Pushing aside the final clump of shrubs, the sight before him made him hold his breath.
In a clearing within the forest, two male cultivators wearing the robes of the Celestial Spring Sect were jointly attacking a woman.
The woman’s dark hair was tied high, with a few strands falling beside her cheeks. A jade crown gleamed against her snowy complexion, and her phoenix-like eyes shone like cold stars.
Her white robes fluttered in the wind, golden threads in her skirt flashing brilliantly. As her toes touched the treetops, her long legs seemed to step upon clouds, graceful and agile.
Most striking was the long sword in her hand, its blade flowing with faint golden-white light.
“What a valiant sword immortal,” Zhou Kai thought in admiration, his gaze involuntarily drawn to her.
Boom!
The long-faced disciple of the Celestial Spring Sect unleashed a crimson gourd-shaped magical artifact. From its mouth burst roaring flames, waves of heat surging outward.
The sturdier disciple controlled a green flying sword. Its blade flickered with sharp, vicious light.
Both were at the 7th stage Qi Refining Realm. Working seamlessly together, their spells and flying sword wove into a net, trapping the woman firmly in the center.
Zhou Kai observed closely. Though the woman appeared to be only at the 7th stage Sword Dominion Realm, her swordsmanship was exquisite. Each thrust of her blade was accompanied by dazzling golden-white radiance, sharp beyond compare, like highly condensed metal-attribute sword energy. The source of this chapter is g.com.
(Sword cultivator realms: Sword Dominion – Spirit Shaping – Intent Refinement – Primordial Qi…)
Clang!
The golden-white sword light collided violently with the green flying sword, producing a piercing metallic screech and scattering sparks.
The green sword’s owner let out a muffled grunt, clearly suffering in the head-on clash.
She must be a metal-attribute sword cultivator, Zhou Kai thought. Among cultivators of the same realm, sword cultivators already possessed superior explosive power. Metal-attribute sword cultivators were even more outstanding, their attacks the most fierce and domineering.
Clang! Clang!
Another clash of blades sent sparks flying.
The long-faced disciple maintained the crimson gourd’s flames while raising his voice, “Fairy Shen, why keep us at arm’s length? We mean no harm.”
Though his tone was deliberately gentle, greed glinted in his eyes. “There has just been a massacre here. It is quite dangerous. Our sect elders are nearby clearing out the remnants. Why not accompany us to the Celestial Spring Sect for a few days? Once the turmoil settles, we will personally escort you back to the Lone Swan Hall. It would be an act of camaraderie among fellow cultivators.”
The sturdier disciple intensified his flying sword attacks and added, “My senior brother speaks the truth. Fairy Shen, you are alone. If something were to happen, how could we answer to the Lone Swan Hall? Do not be stubborn. Returning with us is the safest choice.”
The woman known as Fairy Shen shifted her figure lightly, evading a cunning sword strike. Her white robes fluttered as golden-white sword energy gathered once more. Her phoenix eyes were icy, and her voice was as cold and clear as snow.
“You think you are worthy?”
The long-faced disciple’s expression darkened. “Fairy Shen, that is uncalled for. The Celestial Spring Sect only wishes to help. This disturbance is no trivial matter. Though your cultivation is high, you are only at the 7th stage Sword Dominion Realm. If something were to happen…”
He changed his tone. “If there were any mishap, it would not only endanger you but also bring shame upon the Lone Swan Hall. We act under orders. Please understand and do not make things difficult for us.”
Shen Hanyi’s sword hummed softly. She angled the tip downward, dispersing the incoming flames, and let out a cold laugh filled with unmistakable ridicule.
“Under orders? Are you ordered to invite me, or to capture me? The Celestial Spring Sect’s reach stretches far too long.”
“Shen Hanyi!” the sturdier disciple shouted angrily. “You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a penalty! My senior brother speaks kindly, yet you are so ungrateful. Do you truly think the Celestial Spring Sect is weak?”
The long-faced disciple raised a hand to signal his junior to calm down, but his gaze turned completely cold.
“Fairy Shen, it seems you are determined to oppose the Celestial Spring Sect.
I will say this one last time. This matter is significant and not something we can decide on our own. You may either come with us politely, or we will escort you by force. Consider your choice.”
Before his words had fully faded, the crimson gourd in his hand flared brilliantly. The flames pouring out deepened in color, almost forming a sea of fire that sealed all of Shen Hanyi’s possible retreat paths.
The green flying sword also shone more brightly, sword energy surging, killing intent fully revealed.
Beneath her jade crown, Shen Hanyi’s dark hair fluttered slightly. She lifted her gaze, cold starlight flashing in her eyes. There were no more words, only a single syllable, firm and resolute.
“Fight!”