Chapter 16: The Crimson Python Beast

Qiu Han carefully accepted the items, placing them into his own storage pouch, and nodded, promising to be more cautious in the future. Zhou Yi gave him a meaningful look, recalling what his master had instructed him two days ago.

Back in his room, Qiu Han took out the low-grade talismans from his storage pouch and, infusing them with spiritual power and divine sense, examined them carefully. It turned out these were all basic offensive and defensive talismans, requiring only a sliver of spiritual power and divine sense to activate—perfect for a low-level cultivator like himself, who was unable to wield magical tools.

"Five days remain until the two-month deadline. Should I go, or not?" Qiu Han weighed the risks and rewards thoroughly in his mind. At last, he arrived at a decision.

"Since I've decided to go, I must prepare everything in advance." He lowered his head in contemplation for a moment, then sorted through his three storage bags, organizing one specifically for this venture. Into it, he placed the low-grade talismans, a portion of low-grade spirit stones, and some medicinal pills. Having learned from his previous experience, he now made it a point to plan ahead.

After tidying his belongings, Qiu Han sat in meditation to adjust his state to its best. Over the next few days, he reduced his meditation time and instead devoted himself to perfecting the spells he had already learned. According to Zhou Yi, this would help train both the strength of his divine sense and spiritual power.

During these days, Qiu Han behaved as usual, showing no sign of abnormality. Yet on the evening of the fifth day, after confirming that Zhou Yi and He Yitong were not at home, he quietly changed into dark clothing and headed alone toward the back mountain.

At dusk, the path up the back mountain was deserted. Upon reaching a clearing, Qiu Han released his divine sense and detected four people hidden behind a large boulder ten meters away. They, too, had noticed his arrival.

"Junior Brother Qiu, you've come as promised."

Chi Yi stepped out, followed closely by three young women—Xu Yalan, Zhou Hong, and Zhang Xin—whom Qiu Han had met here before.

"Haha, you are all perfectly on time. Forgive me for being a bit late," Qiu Han replied.

"No matter," Chi Yi said, "now that everyone is here, let's set off."

"Wait, Senior Brother Chi," Qiu Han interjected, "could you now tell me exactly what it is we're going to do?"

He had not agreed outright; after all, not knowing the full story, rushing in blindly would be reckless.

"Very well," Chi Yi replied, "since you have come, there's no harm in telling you. A little over two months ago, Sister Zhou and I discovered a rare flower roughly a hundred miles from the sect's back mountain. From what we know, this flower is called the Everlasting Bloom. Its name suggests it has miraculous beauty-preserving properties."

He paused, glancing at Qiu Han, whose expression remained unchanged. Most cultivators pursue the ultimate Dao, caring little for appearances. It was mostly female cultivators who valued such things. Whether the Everlasting Bloom was worth the risk was something to consider carefully.

"When Sister Zhou and I saw the flower, we were naturally excited—its magical effect means it's quite valuable. If we could retrieve it and present it to the Grand Elder, we might receive a significant reward. So we decided to try to collect it. But as we drew within twenty meters, a giant serpent, over thirty meters long, suddenly appeared and attacked us.

"We quickly recognized it as a first-tier demon beast, its strength equivalent to a sixth-layer Qi Condensation cultivator. We fought but were no match and had to retreat. We then informed Sisters Xu and Zhang, hoping together we might slay the serpent and claim the flower.

"Well, Junior Brother Qiu, have you made up your mind? If you choose not to join us, we won't force you, but we ask that you never breathe a word of this."

Chi Yi recounted the entire affair in one breath, emphasizing the final words as he fixed his gaze on Qiu Han, awaiting his reply.

Qiu Han pondered the matter carefully, weighing the advantages and disadvantages. After a moment's silence, he nodded his agreement, and the five of them set off down the back mountain together.

Half an incense stick later, they had left the Hengyang Sect's back mountain behind. Before them lay the foothills of the vast Ten-Thousand Mountains Range, where they paused.

"Now that no one is around, let's use flight spells to reach the mountains. I'll lead the way; follow me," Chi Yi said. Qiu Han and the others immediately took to the air, soaring toward the range. Unbeknownst to them, ten miles behind, a figure stood where they had gathered, watching their direction. With a flicker, this person began to follow.

After about an hour's flight, the group was roughly a hundred miles from Hengyuan Sect. At Chi Yi's guidance, they descended into a valley. Below lay a vast plain, stretching a thousand meters across, overgrown with wild grass. Occasionally, the distant roars of beasts could be heard.

Led by Chi Yi, Qiu Han and the three young women proceeded cautiously toward their destination, each spreading their divine sense to guard against sudden beast attacks.

"Look, the Everlasting Bloom is right there."

Chi Yi's delighted cry drew everyone's attention. They focused their senses in the direction he pointed, and sure enough, less than ten meters away stood a peculiar flower, as tall as a person, its yellow and white petals intermingled, growing alone.

"Everyone, be careful. The demon beast must be nearby."

Chi Yi continued to scan the surroundings with his divine sense, warning the others. Qiu Han and his companions activated their spiritual shields, advancing warily toward the spirit flower. As they drew near, the silence of the place seemed to deepen.

Nine meters, eight, seven... Closer and closer. At five meters, a sudden roar shattered the calm. Qiu Han's divine sense swept out—thirty meters away, a massive dark-red serpent, ten meters long and as thick as a cart wheel, was charging swiftly toward them.

"Be on guard! Prepare to attack!" Chi Yi shouted, leaping into the air and casting Fireball Technique. Qiu Han and the others also soared upward, unleashing their own spells at the serpent.

This was a first-tier Crimson Python, a beast said to be born at the first tier, possessing strength on par with a Qi Condensation cultivator. With each advancement, its skin color would change, eventually evolving into the Seven-Colored Devourer, whose might rivaled that of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

The python before them was but a juvenile, yet it was formidable enough to instill terror.

The Crimson Python raised its neck to glare at them, its head as large as a square table, flicking out a crimson tongue over a meter long—a terrifying sight indeed. As spell after spell struck, its tail lashed out, dispersing the attacks with ease. Even when a spell landed, it did no harm.

The group ceased their assault. The python’s hide was indeed thick—ordinary low-level spells were useless. What to do now? They needed to find its weakness.

For about an incense stick’s time, the five cultivators and the beast remained at a stalemate. Then, Chi Yi launched Ice Arrow Technique at the python's eyes, and the others followed suit, targeting its eyes with their spells.

Furious, the python opened its jaws and spat a stream of venom at the group, then immediately unleashed a massive fireball toward them. Their spiritual shields were shattered, but fortunately, the python's attack was also dissipated. Once on the ground, they quickly reactivated their shields. At this moment, Qiu Han drew several low-grade talismans from his storage pouch, infusing one with spiritual power to activate a defensive charm, gaining an extra layer of protection around himself.