Chapter 37: Gentian

Just as Lu Xingchen flew toward the center of the pond, a pillar of water erupted from the depths, striking fiercely toward him. He promptly activated his Shadow Sword, teleporting back to the edge of the pond.

The water churned violently as a serpentine demonic beast emerged from the depths. The creature was blue-white, its scales reflecting a cold, metallic light as it opened its blood-stained maw at Lu Xingchen.

Lu Xingchen’s heart sank. He had anticipated that precious medicinal herbs would be guarded by demonic beasts, which was why he had left his Shadow Sword sheath on the bank. However, he had not expected this beast to be so powerful.

A Third-Order, Three-Star beast! That was equivalent to a human Three-Star Great Martial Master!

Inside the mount space, Xiao You said, "Lu Xingchen, this beast is six minor realms higher than you. If it's too much, perhaps we should let it go. Even without the Dragon Gall Grass, I can still reach the Third Order; it will just take a little longer."

Lu Xingchen shook his head slightly. "How can we just give up? I am not one to bully the weak and fear the strong. The herb is right before my eyes; I must at least try. If I truly cannot defeat it, I can use the Shadow Sword to escape—it certainly won't be able to catch me."

With that, Lu Xingchen immediately unleashed the "Heaven Swallowing Technique." His cultivation level climbed steadily, quickly reaching the peak of the Martial Master realm. Sensing the shift in Lu Xingchen's aura, a flicker of wariness appeared in the snake demon's eyes. As a fellow Great Martial Master, although the opponent’s level was still lower than its own, it was now capable of posing a genuine threat.

Lu Xingchen drew his Shadow Sword and struck at the snake demon with a "Void-Breaking Slash." With the increase in his cultivation and proficiency, the startup time for the "Void-Breaking Slash" had grown shorter, allowing him to cast it almost instantly.

The snake demon ignored the attack and sprayed a pillar of water at him. Lu Xingchen hurriedly used the Shadow Sword to teleport to the other side. The "Void-Breaking Slash" struck the snake's body, sending sparks flying with the sound of clashing metal. Lu Xingchen’s full-force blow had failed to pierce the beast's defenses.

Lu Xingchen frowned. Generally, demonic beasts and humans of the same rank differed in combat power because of the beast's formidable physical body. Undeterred by the initial failure, Lu Xingchen continued to dance around the snake, sending a barrage of "Void-Breaking Slashes" toward its body.

The snake demon was incensed. Although Lu Xingchen's attacks couldn't break its hide, it couldn't land a hit on him either. The human's movement technique was far too erratic, leaving no openings to exploit. But soon, the snake demon's anger turned to fear. If the first strike couldn't pierce its armor, what about the second? The third?

As Lu Xingchen dodged the snake's attacks, he zeroed in on the "seven-inch" mark—the beast's most vulnerable spot—landing every "Void-Breaking Slash" in the exact same location. By the fifth strike, the snake’s scales shattered, revealing raw, bloodied flesh.

The snake demon let out a roar and unleashed its innate skill. Hundreds of water pillars erupted from the pond in an all-out assault, sealing off all of Lu Xingchen’s retreat paths. Lu Xingchen was startled and quickly produced his Turtle Shell Shield, channeling his battle energy into it. A pale green energy barrier formed around him.

The water pillars crashed against the shield, the immense force hurling Lu Xingchen into the air, yet he sustained no damage. As the water subsided, Lu Xingchen unfurled his battle energy wings and hovered gracefully before the serpent.

The snake demon was terrified. Fearing it might truly die at the hands of this human, it leaped out of the pond and fled the herb garden, abandoning the Dragon Gall Grass.

Lu Xingchen let out a long breath and did not pursue. First, the duration of his "Azure Cloud Wings" was nearly up. Second, even if he caught up, killing the beast would be difficult given its thick hide. Third, with strong enemies lurking throughout the secret realm, he did not want to recklessly use his "Jade Shatter" technique and risk being ambushed from behind.

Lu Xingchen landed on a patch of ground in the center of the pond and plucked the Dragon Gall Grass. Immediately, Xiao You, sensing his intent from the mount space, took the herb and consumed it.

Lu Xingchen checked his status panel:

[Host: Lu Xingchen]
[Realm: Seven-Star Martial Master]
[Experience: 300/800]
[Exchange Points: 1220]
[Talents: Eagle Eye (20), Heavy Strike (20), Frenzy (36), Blade (30), Jade Shatter (50), Devour (30)]
[Profession: Second-Grade Alchemist (500/1000), Third-Grade Spirit Array Master (0/10000)]
[Mount: Nether Dragon (Evolving)]

Xiao You’s status had changed. Lu Xingchen then left the pond. Outside, he found that the other herbs had already been cleared out by Lin Jing and Ning Feng. Seeing him approach, both of them wore smiles.

"Boss," Ning Feng said, "I heard quite a commotion from your side earlier. Who were you fighting?"

Lu Xingchen chuckled lightly. "One of the herbs had a guardian beast. I drove it away."

"Damn, Boss, you're incredible! Any herb with a guardian beast must be exceptionally rare. You hit the jackpot this time!"

"I suppose there was some harvest," Lu Xingchen replied. "Have you finished gathering everything? We should go; the others are surely waiting for us deeper in the realm."

Lin Jing spoke up, "Lu Xingchen, wait a moment!"

Lu Xingchen paused. "What is it?"

"I found a Phoenix Tail Grass in the garden. It matches my constitution perfectly. If I consume it, it should help me break through to the Great Martial Master realm."

Lu Xingchen was delighted. *As expected of a senior disciple! She’s already on the verge of breaking through to the Great Martial Master realm, while I’m still merely a Martial Master.*

"Good. Focus on your breakthrough; Ning Feng and I will stand guard."

"Understood."

Lin Jing sat cross-legged on the ground and consumed the Phoenix Tail Grass. Powerful fluctuations of battle energy immediately emanated from her, though they were unstable, clearly indicating she was in the midst of a breakthrough.

Lu Xingchen and Ning Feng took their positions at the entrance of the garden. Ning Feng laughed, "This is great! Once Senior Sister Lin Jing breaks through, we’ll have two Great Martial Masters. Who will be able to stop our Lingxiao Sect then?"

Lu Xingchen said solemnly, "Let's just hope no one else finds this garden in the meantime."

Ning Feng smiled sheepishly, "That shouldn't happen. All day, only the three of us and those two disciples from the Nine Ghost Sect have been here. Surely they wouldn't turn back, would they?"

Just then, several powerful auras and the sound of footsteps approached from the distance. Lu Xingchen’s face darkened.

"Ning Feng, you jinx!"

It was Ghost Mo and Ghost Yao'er, returning with five other disciples from the Nine Ghost Sect in tow. Upon seeing Lu Xingchen, Ghost Mo was completely stunned.

"Lu Xingchen?"

"You told us you couldn't break the formation and left, yet you turned back and found a way to open it?"

"Damn you... you are truly devious!"