Half an hour later...
After eating the roasted spirit beast meat cooked by her master, Scarlet sat down to meditate.
The meat came from a spirit beast and was rich in spiritual qi. She needed to properly refine the energy and absorb it into her body.
A short while later, Scarlet slowly opened her eyes and stood up.
She felt completely refreshed.
The fatigue from the morning’s battles had disappeared, and the spiritual qi within her dantian had nearly recovered.
She looked toward her master.
"Master."
"I can fight again."
Raeshan had been resting on a tree branch.
Hearing Scarlet’s voice, he looked down at her.
"Good."
He jumped down from the tree and landed lightly on the ground.
"Scarlet."
"You’ve been fighting spirit beasts below your cultivation level."
"You performed well."
"But if you truly want to become stronger, you need to face stronger opponents. Only intense battles can temper a cultivator."
Scarlet listened carefully.
She felt that her master’s words made perfect sense.
If she wanted to become stronger, she had to face stronger enemies.
There was no benefit in bullying weaker opponents.
Seeing the determined look in Scarlet’s eyes, Raeshan smiled.
"Now that’s more like my disciple."
"Scarlet."
"So far, you’ve only dealt with small prey. Now your real test begins."
"I’ve prepared a small gift for you."
He stepped onto his sword.
"Come."
Scarlet followed him onto the flying sword.
The sword shot into the sky.
After a few minutes of flight, they arrived in front of a cave hidden halfway up a mountain cliff.
Scarlet looked at it curiously.
"Master..."
"What is this place?"
Raeshan smiled mysteriously.
"This is the place I’ve prepared for you."
The two of them walked into the cave.
After a short distance, they arrived before a small pond.
Above them, a hole in the cave ceiling allowed sunlight to stream inside, illuminating the center of the pond. There, a beautiful Spirit Water Lily quietly bloomed.
Faint streams of spiritual energy drifted from the flower, filling the cave with a refreshing aura.
Beside the pond lay a massive white python. Its cold eyes slowly opened as it sensed their presence.
Scarlet gasped.
"A Ninth Stage Qi Refining spirit beast..."
Raeshan calmly nodded.
"This is your test."
"That is a Spirit Water Lily. It is protected by a Ninth Stage Qi Refining Cloud Swallow Python. This spirit herb will help you break through to the Foundation Building Realm when the time comes."
He looked at Scarlet.
"Now..."
"You must defeat the guardian beast and claim it."
Hearing her master’s words, Scarlet’s heart trembled.
A spirit herb capable of helping a cultivator break through to the Foundation Building Realm was an extremely precious treasure.
Although the guardian beast was at the Ninth Stage of Qi Refining...
She had mastered the Vermilion Sword Art and the Seven Feather Movement Technique.
She could do this.
Raeshan spoke calmly.
"Go."
"Fight."
"If you fail, I’ll intervene."
Scarlet gripped the Crimson Flame Sword tightly.
A determined smile appeared on her face.
"Yes, Master."
Her fighting spirit surged.
The battle began.
The Cloud Swallow Python slowly raised its enormous head.
Its icy golden eyes locked onto Scarlet.
A low hiss echoed throughout the cave.
Hiss!
The pressure of a Ninth Stage Qi Refining spirit beast swept across the cavern.
Scarlet tightened her grip on the Crimson Flame Sword. She slowly exhaled, forcing herself to remain calm.
This was the strongest opponent she had ever faced.
Raeshan stood near the cave entrance with his hands behind his back.
He made no move to interfere.
He simply watched.
The Cloud Swallow Python struck first.
Its massive body shot forward with astonishing speed, its jaws opening wide enough to swallow Scarlet whole.
Scarlet’s pupils contracted.
"So fast!"
She immediately activated the Seven Feather Movement Technique.
Whoosh!
Her figure blurred into a crimson afterimage.
The python crashed into the spot where she had been standing only an instant earlier.
Boom!
The stone floor shattered beneath the impact. Fragments of rock flew in every direction.
Scarlet appeared several meters away. Without hesitation, she swung her sword.
"First Form..."
"Rising Scarlet!"
A crimson arc of sword qi slashed toward the python.
Clang!
The sword qi struck its snow-white scales.
Instead of cutting through them, it merely left a shallow mark.
Scarlet’s expression changed.
"It barely injured it..."
The Cloud Swallow Python let out an angry hiss. Its tail swept through the air like a giant whip.
Scarlet barely raised her sword in time.
Bang!
The terrifying impact sent her flying backward.
She landed hard on the ground and slid several meters before stopping.
Her arms trembled from the force.
"So powerful..."
The python gave her no time to recover.
It lunged again.
Its enormous body twisted through the cave like a white blur.
Scarlet gritted her teeth and forced herself to stay calm.
Master said...
A cultivator must observe before striking.
She focused on the python’s movements.
Its speed was terrifying.
Its scales were incredibly tough.
But every time it attacked...
Its neck was exposed for a brief moment.
Scarlet’s eyes sharpened.
"I found it."
She circulated the Seven Feather Movement Technique to its limit.
Whoosh!
Her figure vanished.
The python’s jaws snapped shut.
But Scarlet had already slipped past them.
She appeared beside its neck.
"Second Form..."
"Setting Sun!"
A brilliant crimson crescent flashed across the cave.
Slash!
The sword struck the python’s neck. This time, blood splashed into the air.
The Cloud Swallow Python roared in pain.
Its massive body thrashed wildly, smashing pillars and sending rocks crashing from the cave ceiling.
Scarlet quickly retreated.
Her breathing became heavy.
That attack had consumed a large amount of spiritual qi.
Yet the wound wasn’t deep enough. The python was still full of strength.
Raeshan silently watched the battle.
He gave a slight nod.
She had stopped relying on brute force.
Instead, she had begun looking for her opponent’s weakness.
That was the mark of a true cultivator.
The injured python became even more ferocious. Its body glowed with white spiritual qi.
The cave shook violently as it charged again.
Scarlet’s expression turned solemn. She knew this next exchange would decide the battle.
She slowly raised the Crimson Flame Sword. The crimson patterns along its blade shone brilliantly.
Her spiritual qi surged into the sword without reserve. The blade let out a clear, excited hum.
Scarlet fixed her gaze on the charging python.
Her heartbeat slowed.
Everything around her seemed to become silent.
Only the approaching python remained in her eyes.
She tightened her grip on the sword.
"I’m ending this... with one strike."
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