Chapter 43: The Blood Spirit Fruit in Hand, and Li Xingge’s Deal with the Blood Spirit Fla Python
Under Zou Jin’s guidance, the group entered the Qinghe Mountain Range under cover of night, carrying torches.
They had only just entered the mountain when a shrill wolf’s howl rang out.
At night, the deep mountain forests were a paradise for savage beasts.
Because it was the middle of the night, the group’s pace was very slow.
After traveling for half an hour, Li Xingge suddenly raised a hand.
The Li Clan cultivators imdiately drew their sabers and warily guarded against all directions.
Awoooo!
A long, mournful wolf’s howl echoed through the forest and lingered without fading.
Then, pairs of red-glowing eyes erged from the darkness.
They stared at these intruders who had stepped into their territory, their eyes flickering as they itched to make a move.
The Grand Elder stepped forward and released his aura without the slightest reservation, frightening the wolves into tucking their tails and fleeing in panic.
The group continued onward, advancing through the darkness for who knew how long.
Only when dawn was about to break did Zou Jin slowly point at the waterfall ahead and say, “We’ve arrived. The Blood Spirit Fruit is in the valley behind that waterfall.”
Li Xingge glanced at A-Liang.
The latter nodded. “My lord, he didn’t lie to you. But there is one thing he didn’t say. That Blood Spirit Fruit is guarded by an extrely powerful demonic serpent!”
Li Xingge shot Zou Jin a cold glance.
The latter was clearly feeling guilty and turned his head away.
“Lead the way.”
Thinking of the demonic serpent’s power and savagery, Zou Jin’s face beca rather ugly, but he did not dare disobey Li Xingge’s command.
He could only steel himself and jump into the pool. The others followed him in.
Passing through the surging waterfall, they saw the narrow ravine path beyond it.
Li Xingge had Zou Jin and A-Liang walk in front.
The group entered the valley in orderly succession.
As they looked upon that endless sea of dicinal herbs before them, even though they had long prepared themselves ntally, they were still deeply shaken.
When they walked farther in, they finally saw the legendary Blood Spirit Fruit Tree.
The strange fragrance drifting on the wind caused the qi and blood within everyone’s bodies to churn.
“Family Head, it is indeed the Blood Spirit Fruit without a doubt!”
The Grand Elder said with an excited face.
Li Xingge inhaled the strange fragrance deeply, almost intoxicated by it.
If he ate even one of these Blood Spirit Fruits, it would equal several months of bitter cultivation.
In an instant, Li Xingge’s gaze toward the Blood Spirit Fruit turned burning hot with greed.
He leapt into the air, his body coming to a halt atop the great demon’s skeleton. Looking at the enticing Blood Spirit Fruits above him, he reached out, preparing to pluck them.
But at that very mont, a sudden change occurred.
HISSS!
An angry serpent’s hiss ca from the depths of the cavern.
In the next instant, the demonic serpent’s enormous body burst out of the cavern with overbearing violence.
Li Xingge imdiately retreated.
The demonic serpent coiled its body and guarded the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree. Yet, contrary to expectations, it did not launch an attack. It rely continued flicking its tongue and issuing warning hisses.
Its intelligence was far from low. From Li Xingge, it had sensed a dangerous aura.
This furless monkey was not easy to provoke.
Li Xingge narrowed his eyes and sized up the massive creature before him.
Compared to it, the human body was as tiny as an ant.
At the side, the Grand Elder recognized the beast’s origin at a glance.
With a solemn expression, he said to Li Xingge, “Family Head, be careful. It is an adult Blood Spirit Fla Python! It excels at controlling fire. An adult Blood Spirit Fla Python possesses strength comparable to a human Qi-Blood Realm cultivator. But according to the Record of Myriad Demons, an adult Blood Spirit Fla Python should not grow this large.”
Li Xingge guessed, “It should be because it consud the Blood Spirit Fruit, causing it to undergo a mutation. That is why its body has grown so enormous.”
“That should be the case. This Blood Spirit Fla Python will not be easy to handle.”
The Grand Elder’s tone was heavy.
“In the end, it is only a beast.”
Li Xingge’s voice was filled with confidence.
With those words, Li Xingge’s figure shot into the sky. A powerful and peerless pressure spread out from him at the center, sweeping across the entire valley like a tidal wave.
Under that terrifying pressure, everyone felt as insignificant as ants.
As they looked at the figure hanging high in midair, the awe in their eyes deepened further.
Even the Grand Elder, who was also a Qi-Blood Realm cultivator, felt a sense of powerlessness rise in his heart.
The Family Head’s strength had likely reached a level he could not even imagine.
The Grand Elder stroked his beard in amazent.
Li Xingge’s gaze turned sharp. Zhanxu left its sheath at his waist, and gripping the blade that could cut iron like mud, he slashed downward from high above. The sword qi descended like thunder, striking toward the demonic serpent.
HISSS!
Facing this murderous blow from the heavens, the Blood Spirit Fla Python’s bronze-bell-sized eyes showed unmistakable wariness.
It opened its mouth, and blazing flas poured out endlessly from within, like an erupting volcano capable of lting all things.
Sword qi and fla collided, the two clashing ceaselessly.
Yet in the end, Li Xingge held the upper hand.
The tyrannical sword qi broke through the flas, split them apart, and slashed heavily across the Blood Spirit Fla Python’s body.
Sparks burst everywhere. Its hard scales were torn open by the sword qi, leaving behind a vicious wound as scorching demon blood gushed out like a spring.
The Blood Spirit Fla Python cried out in pain, releasing a miserable wail that echoed throughout the valley.
Stung by pain, its serpent eyes filled with ferocity.
With a violent sweep of its thick tail, it smashed it against the stone wall. The terrifying force shattered the wall, and countless stones rained down.
Seeing this, the Li Clan cultivators hurriedly raised their sabers to block.
Yet one boulder weighing several thousand jin ca crashing down with the force of Mount Tai pressing overhead.
That was no longer sothing a Physical Body Realm cultivator could face.
Fortunately, the Grand Elder stepped forward in ti. His powerful qi-and-blood power erupted as he leapt up and clenched both fists, smashing one punch into the several-thousand-jin boulder. The giant rock exploded apart on the spot.
anwhile, another round of combat between Li Xingge and the Blood Spirit Fla Python had already begun.
One wielded a sword, the other spewed fire, and for a short ti the two were locked in a fierce stalemate.
After its mutation, the Blood Spirit Fla Python’s strength was astonishing. Even Li Xingge, who had reached Minor Accomplishnt in the Qi-Blood Realm, could not defeat it quickly.
“Family Head, let assist you!”
The Grand Elder roared and joined the battle in a flying leap.
Under the siege of two Qi-Blood Realm cultivators, the demonic serpent found itself unable to fend off both front and rear. More and more wounds appeared on its body, and it gradually fell into a disadvantage, its aura weakening.
With its high intelligence, it knew very well that if the fight continued, it would lose its life.
Though it was extrely unwilling to part with the Blood Spirit Fruit, its own life was ultimately more important.
After forcing the two n back once again, the Blood Spirit Fla Python let out a hiss, then, under their surprised gazes, swiftly shrank back into the cavern.
“This demonic serpent is rather clever.”
Li Xingge returned his sword to its sheath and smiled.
“What do we do now? Shall we press the advantage and kill the serpent demon?”
The Grand Elder suggested.
Li Xingge shook his head. “No. Inside the cavern, our movents will be restricted. It will be difficult to kill it there.”
“That demonic serpent really is cunning.”
The Grand Elder said angrily.
“It does not matter. Our goal was never to kill it, but to obtain the Blood Spirit Fruit. And now, the Blood Spirit Fruit belongs to us.”
Looking at the heavy fruits hanging from the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree, Li Xingge said with a smile.
“Hurry and pluck every Blood Spirit Fruit. Be careful with your movents.”
The Grand Elder gave the order in a deep voice.
Two Li Clan cultivators imdiately began picking the Blood Spirit Fruits with utmost care.
Before long, every Blood Spirit Fruit on the tree had been picked clean.
There were seventeen in total.
A single spirit fruit was worth ten thousand gold.
This ti, the Li Clan had made an imnse profit.
Li Xingge looked over the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree, and a thought suddenly flashed through his mind. “Grand Elder, if we only take the fruits, that would be too much of a loss. Why not transplant the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree back to the clan? That would be a lasting enterprise.”
The Grand Elder was sowhat tempted as well upon hearing this.
But he quickly shook his head. “This Blood Spirit Fruit Tree has extrely harsh requirents for its growing environnt. It must grow on the flesh and blood of a great demon.”
“That great demon has already rotted away, and its flesh and blood seeped into the earth, continuously providing nourishnt to the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree and allowing it to bloom and bear fruit. If we move it, the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree will certainly die.”
“What a pity.”
Li Xingge said with so regret.
If they could not move it back, then it might one day benefit soone else.
But if they destroyed it, that would be far too wasteful.
As he was worrying over it...
Li Xingge looked into the depths of the cavern, where a pair of scarlet eyes were glaring at him with hatred. Suddenly, a smile curved his lips.
He slowly said, “Fla Python, I know your intelligence is quite high, and that you can understand . How about I make a deal with you?”
No response ca from within the cavern. The Blood Spirit Fla Python continued hiding inside and refused to erge.
“If you still refuse to co out, then even if I must expend a little more effort, I will kill you. At that ti, it will only be a pity that your hundred years of bitter cultivation will be ruined in a single stroke.”
Li Xingge threatened in a cold voice.
HISSS!
The Blood Spirit Fla Python unwillingly crawled out of the cavern, its eyes fixed on Li Xingge with extre caution.
A cheap creature that only responds to force and not to kindness, Li Xingge cursed inwardly.
He took out two Blood Spirit Fruits. “Fla Python, let us make a deal. Two Blood Spirit Fruits, in exchange for you guarding this valley for . How about it?”
The Blood Spirit Fla Python’s eyes nearly went straight when it saw the two Blood Spirit Fruits in Li Xingge’s hand. Saliva dripped uncontrollably from its mouth.
It flicked its long tongue and instinctively wanted to snatch them.
“Hm?”
Li Xingge gave a cold snort.
The Blood Spirit Fla Python instantly ca to its senses.
This furless monkey was too strong. It could not beat him!
“You only get them if you agree.”
Li Xingge said with a smile.
After an intense struggle in its heart, the Blood Spirit Fla Python nodded.
HISSS!
Lord Fla Python agrees, but it definitely is not yielding because of violence.
Li Xingge casually tossed the two Blood Spirit Fruits to the Blood Spirit Fla Python. It swallowed them in one gulp and revealed a look of blissful enjoynt.
“Fla Python, I know you are a clever snake. You should understand the consequences of breaking our agreent.”
HISSS!
The Blood Spirit Fla Python lightly nodded its head.
Li Xingge was quite satisfied with how sensible it was.
He drew out a command token from his sleeve. The token was black, with twin dragons twined around it, and in the center was a striking golden character: Li.
“Those who carry this token may freely enter and leave the valley. Anyone without it is to be killed without exception. No rcy, no retreat.”
The Blood Spirit Fla Python stared fixedly at the token, as though carving its appearance into its mory.
HISSS!
Lord Fla Python rembers it.
A smile returned to Li Xingge’s face.
On the surface, it seed like a loss to buy off the Blood Spirit Fla Python with two Blood Spirit Fruits.
But in truth, Li Xingge had exchanged two Blood Spirit Fruits for a bodyguard comparable to Minor Accomplishnt in the Qi-Blood Realm, a Blood Spirit Fruit Tree, and a natural dicinal field that could be harvested again and again.
“To celebrate the success of our cooperation, I’ll give you these few little snacks as well.”
Li Xingge said with a light laugh.
Behind him, A-Liang, Zou Jin, and Zou Jin’s young son were shoved forward, all three utterly bewildered.
When the Blood Spirit Fla Python saw A-Liang and Zou Jin, it first froze for a mont.
Then it recognized them as the two furless monkeys who had escaped from its jaws the day before.
And it was precisely because those two escaping furless monkeys had brought back this accursed evil star, who had stolen the Blood Spirit Fruit it had guarded for so many years.
Damn them!
The Blood Spirit Fla Python instantly flew into a fury.
“Hiss...”
Zou Jin imdiately felt that sothing was terribly wrong.
His teeth chattered as he stamred, “M-My lord, what do you an by this? I... I already helped you find the Blood Spirit Fruit.”
“That’s true. But the problem is that you know too much, and that makes uneasy. I only trust the dead to keep secrets.”
Li Xingge said expressionlessly.
“You promised you would spare my life. You can’t go back on your word!”
Zou Jin roared, his face flushed red.
“I made the promise. That doesn’t an soone else did.”
Li Xingge sneered repeatedly.
“I was truly blind as a dog to believe your nonsense!”
Zou Jin burst into manic laughter, his eyes full of despair.
“You are ruthless and vicious. One day, you will die a terrible death!”
He pointed at Li Xingge and spat out a venomous curse.
Li Xingge paid Zou Jin’s curse no mind at all.
If curses were of any use, he would already have died countless tis over.
“Even if that day cos, you won’t be around to see it. So, Fla Python, what are you waiting for?”
The Blood Spirit Fla Python, which had long been unable to wait any longer, opened its bloody maw and swallowed all three of them in a single gulp. Full and satisfied, it let out a contented belch.
And before Zou Jin died, what he thought was this:
If only he had not let greed cloud his mind, if only he had not been tempted by avarice, then perhaps he would not have ended up with his family destroyed and his household ruined.
But sadly, there was no dicine for regret in this world.
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