Fang Zhiluo was initially puzzled, but she gradually understood and a look of appreciation entered her eyes.
Compared to her initial recklessness, the current Yun Xiao had matured significantly, knowing now to secure a path of retreat for herself.
The elixir melted instantly upon entry; Xie Yunfan didn’t even have time to spit it out.
Swallowing an elixir from an enemy was more agonizing than being beaten.
The veins on his tightly clenched fists bulged. The humiliation he suffered today, he vowed to reclaim it a hundredfold, a thousandfold.
And Fang Zhiluo, he was determined to make this despicable wench, who sided with an outsider, pay the price.
Yun Xiao paid no heed to Xie Yunfan’s thoughts. She found a spot to sit and asked, “Are we going to keep dragging this burden along?”
Xie Yunfan erupted in fury again, glaring at Yun Xiao, wishing he could cut her into a thousand pieces.
Seeing Xie Yunfan’s eyes turn bloodshot, Fang Zhiluo sighed helplessly and explained, “The Green Cloud Sect and the Tianyan Sect have always maintained good relations. Now that Senior Martial Uncle Xie is severely injured, I cannot ignore him, both out of kindness and principle.”
She paused for a moment, then added, “If you have matters to attend to, you should feel free to go about your business.”
She couldn’t treat Xie Yunfan as if he didn’t exist, as Yun Xiao did, nor did she want to escalate the conflict between Yun Xiao and Xie Yunfan with inappropriate words.
Yun Xiao did not hide her disdain: “Having such an obnoxious trash here will only drag you down. I can’t rest easy.”
She was uneasy about leaving Xie Yunfan and A’Luo together, and she was equally worried about A’Luo’s safety.
Recalling the Azure Ox Beast’s words, she glanced at Xie Yunfan. “Trash, which direction did you come from, and by whom were you injured?”
Fang Zhiluo took over the conversation: “I asked. Senior Martial Uncle Xie came from the northwest and was injured by a tenth-tier Black Sky Giant Python.”
Yun Xiao stood up, her gaze fixed intently on Xie Yunfan: “Where is that Black Sky Giant Python now? Where is it located?”
The giant python clan, like the apes, is known for holding grudges.
As the male protagonist, whose Master is the Venerable Sovereign of Cloud-Splitting, Xie Yunfan certainly possessed life-saving items. Despite this, he was still severely injured. Excluding the difference in cultivation levels, the most likely possibility was that Xie Yunfan had completely enraged the Black Sky Giant Python.
She didn’t know what method Xie Yunfan had used to temporarily shake off the Black Sky Giant Python, but the python would definitely not let the matter rest.
Thinking of this, she said, “Let’s go.”
Fang Zhiluo’s thoughts coincided with Yun Xiao’s. The reason she stayed was to wait for Yun Xiao to rendezvous.
She nodded to Bai Mofeng, who immediately stepped forward: “Junior Grandmaster Xie, I’ll help you.”
Xie Yunfan did not put on a brave front this time, allowing Bai Mofeng to assist him with a sullen face.
The group of eleven boarded Fang Zhiluo’s flying spiritual artifact and sped away.
Two hours later, Yun Xiao suddenly felt something amiss and said gravely, “Not good, it’s catching up.”
The Black Sky Giant Python’s speed, allowing it to catch up in such a short time, surpassed their flying spiritual artifact.
The people on this flying artifact were either weak or injured; they were no match for the Black Sky Giant Python.
Clutching the sword in her hand, she decided resolutely, “You all go first. I’ll meet it.”
Fang Zhiluo handed a seventh-tier defensive array disk to Chu Hui, instructing her, “Most of the one-year period has passed. You all head directly to the exit and wait for me.”
With that, she turned to Yun Xiao: “I’ll go with you.”
The Black Sky Giant Python came because of Xie Yunfan. Since she had kept Xie Yunfan, she had to take responsibility for her choice, and she could not let Yun Xiao face the danger alone.
Seeing that Fang Zhiluo was determined to join her, Yun Xiao nodded. She jumped off the flying spiritual artifact with Fang Zhiluo and actively headed in the direction of the Black Sky Giant Python.
Bai Mofeng, though worried, did not forget Fang Zhiluo’s instructions. He silently threw two high-grade spiritual stones into the flying spiritual artifact and stuck two Swiftness Talismans onto it, quickly disappearing from this area.
The Black Sky Giant Python smelled Xie Yunfan’s aura on Yun Xiao and Fang Zhiluo. Its rage erupted, and it swept its tail toward the two of them.
The pair narrowly dodged. Yun Xiao cautioned, “A’Luo, you retreat to the side first and act according to the situation.”
Fang Zhiluo knew her own strength was inferior to Yun Xiao’s and followed Yun Xiao’s instructions, retreating to the side.
Yun Xiao soared into the air, attacking the Black Sky Giant Python with her self-created sword technique.
She quickly understood the Azure Ox Beast’s words: although both were tenth-tier demonic beasts, the Black Sky Giant Python was clearly stronger than the Azure Ox Beast.
But what did that matter? With the spiritual spring water in her inner space, fighting the Black Sky Giant Python for a whole year was no problem.
With this thought, Yun Xiao did not exert her full strength this time, focusing instead on attrition.
The Black Sky Giant Python gradually realized what was happening and used its ultimate move against Yun Xiao.
Yun Xiao was already prepared and dodged the earth-shattering blow.
After fighting her for so long and using its ultimate move, its spiritual energy must have been significantly depleted.
She glanced at the ready-to-attack Fang Zhiluo, exchanging a look. She then flew up into the air again, injecting eighty percent of her spiritual power, and used the Rain-Summoning Talismans and Iron Wall Talismans to maximize the power of her lightning.
Lightning bolts, thicker than water buckets, coursed over the Black Sky Giant Python’s body. The excruciating pain stimulated the python into a furious charge.
Yun Xiao narrowly avoided it and pressed her advantage, swinging out another sword strike.
She also used eighty percent of her power in this strike, successfully inflicting further wounds on the Black Sky Giant Python.
Fang Zhiluo formed hand seals, blocking the Black Sky Giant Python’s path of retreat.
Yun Xiao drank half a bottle of spiritual spring water and kept her eyes fixed on the battle between Fang Zhiluo and the Black Sky Giant Python.
Due to her efforts, the Black Sky Giant Python’s internal spiritual energy had already been somewhat depleted.
Even with the disparity in cultivation, Fang Zhiluo was not being completely suppressed by the python.
Perhaps it was due to having watched Yun Xiao fight the Black Sky Giant Python, or maybe it was because she had consumed the spiritual spring water, but she actually leveled up during the fight.
Yun Xiao didn’t give the Black Sky Giant Python a chance to catch its breath, nor would she allow it to interrupt Fang Zhiluo’s advancement.
She lured the Black Sky Giant Python ten miles away, not forgetting to throw a triggered sixth-tier defensive array disk toward Fang Zhiluo before she left.
This infuriated the Black Sky Giant Python: “Arrogant whelp, I will surely swallow you whole.”
“With the little spiritual energy you have left?” Yun Xiao shook the spiritual spring water in her hand. “I can replenish my spiritual power anytime, anywhere. I will exhaust you to death.”
The Black Sky Giant Python’s eyes spat fire. Anyone who saw that sinister gaze would feel their scalp tingle.
Yun Xiao, however, waved her hand dismissively: “Admit it. You can’t kill me, but if I put in a little effort, your decades of cultivation will only serve to nourish this secret realm.”
The Black Sky Giant Python angrily lashed out its tail at Yun Xiao.
Yun Xiao easily dodged, her open hands silently challenging the python.
With Yun Xiao’s inexhaustible spiritual power, the Black Sky Giant Python temporarily could not think of a way to kill her with a single blow.
After much deliberation, it decided to return to its cave dwelling to recover first.
Yun Xiao closely followed. To catch up with the Black Sky Giant Python, she even revealed her original form.
Seeing this, the Black Sky Giant Python exclaimed in astonishment: “You are actually a demon cultivator!”
Yun Xiao flashed a brilliant smile: “Well, what do you think? Surprised? Unexpected?”
Black Sky Giant Python: “…”
“In such a hurry, are you inviting me to your cave dwelling to give me a welcome gift?”
The Black Sky Giant Python’s tail lashing out was its only answer to Yun Xiao.
“Hmph, I have a tail too.” As she spoke, she used her tail to meet its attack.
The Black Sky Giant Python was electrocuted again and ground its teeth: “You use lightning! Despicable!”
Yun Xiao rolled her eyes: “What? Is it only okay for you to launch sneak attacks, but not for me to use lightning?”
Estimating the time, A’Luo should have completed her advancement. She immediately said, “How about this: you give me a few gifts and stop fixating on that trash, and I won’t bother you anymore.”
“I have nothing left. The male cultivator stole everything while I was away.”
Yun Xiao’s mouth dropped open: “He stole your house? No wonder you’re relentlessly pursuing him.” She leaned closer. “Is there absolutely nothing left?”
The Black Sky Giant Python’s surrounding spiritual energy surged violently: “I will definitely take his life. If you don’t obstruct me, I promise you two spiritual treasures.”
Yun Xiao’s eyes darted. She negotiated, “I can refrain from obstructing you, but you must only act when he is alone. Also, you are too stingy; only two spiritual treasures? You should at least give me four.”
“I will add one more. Don’t be too greedy.”
Yun Xiao decided to stop while she was ahead: “Fine,” she reminded him. “Remember, you must only act when he is isolated. Don’t worry, I will provide you with the conditions.”
This way, the Black Sky Giant Python could get its revenge, and she could use the python to eliminate Xie Yunfan.
A perfect scenario for both parties.
“If you break your promise to me, I will take your life.” With that, the Black Sky Giant Python took out three spiritual treasures from its inner space and threw them to Yun Xiao.
Yun Xiao excitedly caught the three spiritual treasures. Just as she was about to make a move against the python, the Black Sky Giant Python vanished.
Sigh, forget it. The spiritual treasures are in hand anyway. These are items superior to extreme-grade magical artifacts and can still be used even after ascending to the upper realm.
It was a pity that only one of these three spiritual treasures was an offensive type, while the other two were defensive.
Hmm, why does this sword look somewhat like mine?
Yun Xiao hurriedly took out the spiritual sword she had obtained from the illusory beast. Unexpectedly, as they neared each other, the two swords merged into one. The original silvery-white blade turned purple, and the sharp edge shone with a cold light under the slanting sun.
Her heart pounded, and a look of excitement burst forth from her eyes; she loved this sword.
Changing back into human form, she reached out and grasped the hilt, seeing the two characters “Zishuang” (Purple Frost) engraved upon it.
Without hesitation, she took out a drop of her blood and established a contract with Zishuang.
Initially, Zishuang trembled incessantly, resisting the contract. However, it couldn’t withstand the strength of her divine soul.
The moment the contract was formed, the sword’s origin appeared in her mind: it was crafted by an Immortal-grade Artificer tens of thousands of years ago. Zi is for thunder, and Shuang is for water.
Zishuang’s original master was a cultivator with a Dual Spirit Root of Water and Thunder who was skilled at using two swords, which led to the creation of Zishuang. Over twenty thousand years ago, during the Great War in the Immortal Realm, Zishuang’s original master perished, and the sword was swept into the void, ending up here.
Looking down at the sword, Yun Xiao whispered, “Aren’t you coming out yet, Sword Spirit?”
Since Zishuang was crafted by an Immortal-grade Artificer and nurtured by its original master for tens of thousands of years, a Sword Spirit had long been born within it.
A soft, sweet voice sounded in Yun Xiao’s Sea of Consciousness: “Hmph, my master hates demon cultivators the most.”
Yun Xiao tapped the sword body: “What’s wrong with being a demon cultivator? Whether you admit it or not, I am your master.”
“I won’t listen, I won’t listen.”
Yun Xiao twirled the sword with one hand and said with a wicked smile, “Since you don’t want to be used by me, then there’s no need for me to keep you. I happen to want to see the difference between a ‘Shit-Stirring Sword’ and a ‘Shit-Stirring Stick.’ You’ll be a perfect subject for an experiment.”
“Waaah… I don’t want to be a Shit-Stirring Sword! I… I acknowledge you, I acknowledge you.”
Yun Xiao smiled in triumph, thinking: You’re still too green to contend with me.
Perhaps because this area was the Black Sky Giant Python’s territory, it was not only extremely quiet, but medium-grade and high-grade spiritual herbs were scattered everywhere.
Operating on the principle that even a small fly is still meat, Yun Xiao joyfully dug up spiritual herbs.
Sensing Fang Zhiluo approaching, she immediately stood up and waved to her: “A’Luo, come quickly! There are so many high-grade spiritual herbs here.”
The two spent two full days digging up spiritual herbs, finally emptying a large portion of the nearby vegetation.
Yun Xiao cast a Dust Cleansing Spell on herself, pointed toward the southeast, and suggested, “A’Luo, let’s go that way. We might find something unexpected.”
This time, it wasn’t her intuition; the Dragon Egg in her spiritual beast pouch wanted to go there.
Fang Zhiluo looked hesitant: “But we’ve already delayed for half a month. What if the Junior Nephews and the others—”
Yun Xiao interrupted Fang Zhiluo before she could finish: “A’Luo, from my perspective, you, as a Senior Martial Aunt, have done enough for your fellow disciples. They have their own paths to walk; they can’t rely on you forever.”
“Besides, half a month has passed. Even if the trash surnamed Xie isn’t fully recovered, he’s mostly healed. With the seventh-tier defensive array disk you gave them, they should be able to protect themselves, provided they don’t encounter ninth-tier or tenth-tier demonic beasts.”
Fang Zhiluo was convinced: “After we go there, regardless of the outcome, we must go and meet up with them.”
Yun Xiao readily agreed. Before leaving, she did not forget to leave a message for the Black Sky Giant Python.