“Hiss-”
Cassian had just stepped near the Eightfold Fruit tree when a massive green-scaled python-thick as a barrel-suddenly reared up from behind it.
Its yellow eyes gleamed with killing intent, coiling into a strike stance.
“Shit, a spirit python!”
He was jolted, but the shock faded fast, replaced by a grin.
It was a spirit beast, no doubt, and only at spirit tier one-low rank.
Beasts had their own ranks, from spirit tier one up to spirit tier six, each divided into Early, Mid, and Peak.
After tier six’s peak, they could reach divine transformation.
By human standards, this one matched a spiritblade realm level two.
“Hiss!”
Without warning, the giant python lunged, gaping jaws coming straight at him, attempting a surprise kill.
“Beast is still a beast!”
Cassian didn’t flinch.
He stepped in hard, raised a fist, and smashed it straight toward the python’s skull.
“Bang!”
Fueled by his spiritblade realm six power, the punch landed like an iron hammer with over eight thousand kilograms of force, crushing the spirit python’s head on impact.
Its green blood burst out, splattering him from head to toe.
Blood reek filled the air in seconds.
“Raaahh…”
The python twisted violently in its death throes.
Cassian quickly backed off several steps, watching as the beast died completely.
Then he pulled out the blood sack given by Bloodfiend and started collecting the spirit beast blood without delay.
‘Where there are spirit herbs, a guardian beast’s always near.
Thought that was just talk, but guess there’s truth to it.’
This spirit python probably stayed here to feed on the Eightfold Fruits, hoping to refine their power.
Cassian popped one into his mouth, but as soon as he bit down-
“Ugh, hell!
That’s bitter as sin!”
He’d thought a tier-two spirit fruit would taste good.
Clearly, he was wrong.
Still, he didn’t leave disappointed.
His objectives-Eightfold Fruit and spirit beast blood-were both secured.
“Still not awake?”
Sunset was near.
He was ready to leave when his eyes fell on the woman lying in the grass.
He hesitated.
She’d been drained dry of spiritforce-there was no way she could get out of these mountains alive on her own.
“Water…
I need water…”
A faint whisper slipped from her lips.
Her eyelids fluttered open-and the face looming above her made her jump.
She tried to slap him, but her arm wouldn’t move.
Her thigh throbbed with pain.
“Thirsty, huh?”
Cassian smirked, pulling out a leather water pouch and shaking it in front of her.
“You…
you damn pervert…
I’ll kill you…”
She writhed with what little strength she had, clenching her teeth.
“Kill me?” Cassian laughed aloud.
“You sure you don’t want me to just have my way with you before I do that?”
“You dare!” she hissed.
If her glare were a blade, he’d have been shredded a thousand times over.
Hearing that, the corner of Cassian’s mouth lifted slightly.
He gave a crooked grin and teased, “Out here in the wilds, you really think there’s anything I wouldn’t dare do?”
“If you so much as touch me, I swear you’ll die horribly!” the woman snapped, furious but also clearly unsettled.
She had no strength left to resist.
Cassian shook his head, exasperated.
“If I wanted to do anything to you, I’d have done it while you were still out.
Why would I wait for you to wake up-and even tear up my own clothes to wrap your wounds, you spiteful witch?”
The woman lying on the ground was momentarily stunned, then retorted coldly, “The only reason I’m hurt is because of your vile tricks!”
Her anger bubbled up as she thought of how humiliated she was-a princess, lying helpless like this, completely disgraced.
“My fault?
I told you it was a misunderstanding, but you wouldn’t listen.
You went straight to trying to kill me-how was I supposed to react?” Cassian threw up his hands.
“And how the hell was I supposed to know you’d be bathing in a place like this?
I’m the real victim here!”
“Shameless bastard,” the woman spat.
“Once I’ve recovered, I’ll dig your eyes out myself!”
Cassian’s explanation made sense, but it was clear it didn’t matter to her.
The fact remained-he had seen her bathing.
That alone was unforgivable.
Just then-“ROAR!” A deafening beast’s cry thundered from deep within the mountains.
The sound rolled across the land like thunder, cracking through the sky.
From the direction of the Eightfold Fruit tree, a monstrous centipede slithered out.
Eight meters long, as thick as a barrel, silver scales glinting coldly-it twisted its segmented body and crept toward the spirit python’s corpse.
Its many legs scraped across the rocks, sparking and shrieking.
“Hell no…”
Cassian’s scalp went numb.
The thing looked like it crawled out of some nightmare-massive, grotesque, and oozing deadly intent.
It wasn’t just huge; it was at spirit tier two.
Its aura practically screamed murder.
No doubt it smelled the spirit python’s blood.
And with the sky darkening, there was no telling what else might come crawling out.
Cassian didn’t hesitate-he spun around and prepared to bolt.
“Stop right there, you scum!”
The woman on the ground sucked in a sharp breath, her voice suddenly sharp with panic.
Seeing him about to leave, she couldn’t hold back.
“What?” Cassian paused and glanced at her.
“You afraid of that thing too?”
“If I hadn’t lost all my spiritforce, do you think I’d fear it?” she bit out, voice cold.
“Whatever you’ve done before, I don’t care right now.
You’re getting me out of here.”
She wasn’t stupid.
However her spiritforce had been drained, she knew Cassian wasn’t innocent-but now wasn’t the time to argue.
Cassian laughed dryly.
“Why should I take orders from you?” He glanced back at the centipede.
“Taking you along is just asking for death.”
That fired her up.
Anger boiled in her chest, but she had to hold it down.
“Fine.
Get me out of here, and I’ll let go of what happened earlier.”
“No deal,” Cassian replied flatly.
“I’d be losing too much.”
In truth, he would’ve helped her anyway.
But her spoiled, haughty attitude rubbed him raw.
“Then what do you want?”