Chapter 17: The Lion Bear

The Scarlet Python Beast, enraged, lunged at the group, but Autumn Han and the others quickly dispersed, surrounding the beast in a four-point formation. Chi Yi soared into the air and unleashed his Ice Needle technique upon the serpent’s eyes. This spell was a tier above Ice Arrow, belonging to the intermediate water element spells—fast, fierce, precise, with greater power and extraordinary penetration.

In an instant, the beast’s eyes were pierced and blinded, blood gushing forth like fountains. The serpent howled in agony, its rage manifesting in fireballs and venomous arrows hurled in all directions, while its massive tail, nearly thirty feet long, swept indiscriminately. Zhang Xin, closest to the tail, was struck; her spiritual shield shattered, and she was flung several yards away, blood surging from her mouth.

“Strike at its vital spot!”

Impatient, Chi Yi called out to his companions. Autumn Han quickly employed several attack talismans, joining the others in assaulting the serpent’s vulnerable point. Yet even the Ice Needle could only pierce shallow wounds in its tough hide, incapable of inflicting greater harm. At this moment, Zhou Hong was struck by a fireball, her shield broken, and a venomous arrow embedded in her body. She collapsed, completely incapacitated.

The situation grew dire; the Scarlet Python Beast was now in a frenzy. The group’s spiritual energy was nearly depleted, and with two wounded companions, they lacked the power to sustain flight for long. If they continued the battle, their spells would prove ineffective, and when their energy was spent, death awaited.

Autumn Han drew spirit stones from his storage pouch, replenishing his energy as he desperately searched for a way to kill the beast.

Spells were useless; perhaps spiritual weapons could help. Unfortunately, he could not wield such weapons, and even Chi Yi, at the fourth stage of the Qi Refining realm, had not produced one, suggesting he too was unable to use them. The Scarlet Python Beast, as a serpent, surely had its weakness at the vital point. Yet with spells ineffective and weapons unwieldable, he struggled to find any solution.

Suddenly, inspiration struck. Autumn Han pulled from his pouch a dagger, just over half a foot long—a supreme spiritual weapon gifted to him by Gu Sui Feng upon his induction as a disciple. According to Gu, this blade was unmatched in sharpness and power; it could be wielded at the Foundation Establishment stage, and none at the same level could withstand its attack.

“Black Feather Blade,” Autumn Han murmured as he drew the weapon from his pouch. Though he could not channel spiritual power or consciousness into it, he could still use it as an ordinary blade.

“Brother Chi, Sister Xu, attack the beast’s head with spells to draw its attention!”

Chi Yi and Xu Yalan obeyed, unsure of Autumn Han’s intent but willing to follow his lead. Autumn Han flew forth, landing atop the serpent, clutching its body at the vital point. With the Black Feather Blade in hand, he drove it deep into the beast with all his strength. A sharp hiss rang out as the blade buried itself fully within the serpent’s flesh. Autumn Han gripped the hilt and pulled downward, and blood sprayed forth like a fountain.

The beast writhed in agony, its body twisting violently in an attempt to fling Autumn Han away; he held on tightly, nearly thrown off several times as the serpent thrashed. Clutching the blade, Autumn Han continued to slice horizontally at the vital point. The serpent let out several tragic wails, then collapsed, finally slain.

Wiping the blood from the Black Feather Blade and returning it to his pouch, Autumn Han gripped spirit stones in both hands, replenishing his depleted energy.

“Junior Autumn is truly remarkable. The credit for slaying the Scarlet Python Beast belongs mostly to you. As agreed, the spiritual flower will be divided among us five, and the beast’s carcass shall be yours alone. May I ask, what kind of weapon did you use just now? To pierce the hide and flesh that even spells could not harm?”

Chi Yi descended from the air, smiling at Autumn Han, though a strange glint flickered in his eyes.

“You flatter me, Senior Chi; I dare not claim credit. The weapon I used was bestowed by my master. Senior, perhaps we should check on Sister Zhou and Sister Zhang’s injuries first.”

With that, Autumn Han walked toward Zhou Hong and Zhang Xin. Seeing that he did not wish to discuss the weapon, Chi Yi refrained from pressing further. As Autumn Han moved away, Chi Yi’s lips curled into a cold smile, quickly concealed.

“Sisters, how are your wounds?” Autumn Han asked, concern in his voice.

“I have antidotes and healing pills. Take these, meditate for a while, and we’ll rest for an hour. Once we’ve picked the Face-Preserving Flower, we can return.”

Chi Yi, approaching, handed bottles of pills to Zhang Xin and Zhou Hong. After taking the medicine and meditating, the two showed signs of improvement.

The group sat cross-legged, resting. Just as Autumn Han began to speak, a thunderous roar echoed from nearby. Alarmed, the group spread their spiritual senses and activated their shields. In the distance, a black brown bear—large as two men—charged swiftly toward their resting place, entering within fifty yards in moments. Its presence exuded such oppressive force that even flight techniques were impossible.

“What kind of beast is this? Judging by its aura, it must be a second-tier demon beast. Damn it, how can there be a second-tier beast on the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Mountains? What are we to do?” Chi Yi’s voice trembled with fear. The others fared no better; against such a beast, they were hopelessly outmatched. Was this where they would meet their end?

In a tall building in the rear mountains of Hengyuan Sect, Gu Sui Feng and the beautiful woman in palace attire gazed in the direction of Autumn Han’s group, their expressions unreadable. When the group encountered the black bear, the woman glanced at Gu Sui Feng, noting his calm demeanor as he continued to watch.

Just as she prepared to speak, her expression shifted, as if she had discovered something.

“Elder Gu, you truly are foresighted. I had thought you indifferent to your disciple’s fate, but you had already dispatched someone to follow and protect them. My own eyes nearly missed it. With your man present, it seems the second-tier Black Lion Bear poses no threat to your disciples.”

The palace-attired woman regarded Gu Sui Feng with a half-smile.

“Sister, do not tease me. When it comes to caring for disciples, I am not fit to compare with you. Last time your new disciple returned home, did you not send a Core Formation disciple to protect her in secret? You truly treat your disciple as your own daughter, making me quite ashamed.”

Gu Sui Feng smiled faintly at the woman, then turned his gaze back to the window, watching over Autumn Han’s group.

In the canyon, beside a large stone on the mountain, a youth of about twenty-four or five was leisurely observing the valley. At the moment the black bear appeared, he muttered, “This is bad,” and flashed from sight, swiftly flying down into the canyon.

The black bear was now within five yards of Autumn Han’s group. It roared, raising an arm thick as a barrel to strike. Yet as its limb neared Autumn Han, a wall of water suddenly appeared, blocking the beast. Before anyone could react, a figure appeared before them.

“Brother Zhou, what brings you here?” Autumn Han was puzzled, but mostly relieved and joyful.

“Hmph, Master long ago discovered your secret and sent me to follow you. You all are bold indeed.”

Zhou Yi scolded the group sternly, though his priority was to resolve the immediate danger.

“A second-tier demon beast, the Lion Bear. This one seems to have just advanced to the second tier; its aura matches the early Foundation Establishment stage. Fortunately, it’s not a problem.”