Blackwater Crocodile and Three Yuan Grass

A flicker of fighting spirit flashed in Xu Chunniang's eyes.

Besides the White Lion, White Lion Ridge was also home to other demonic beasts that might appear.

The demonic beasts there were generally at the third level of Qi Condensation, making them suitable opponents for her.

Below the same cultivation level, the strength of demonic beasts and cultivators varied. Each type of demonic beast had different strengths and weaknesses in their abilities.

However, one thing was undeniable: demonic beasts' physical bodies were stronger than cultivators', a natural advantage.

Unless they possessed Spiritual Artifacts or Talismans, low-level cultivators generally couldn't defeat demonic beasts of the same level.

This was because low-level cultivators didn't master many Sorceries. Once their spiritual energy was depleted, they were at the mercy of the demonic beasts.

This was also why Xu Chunniang chose demonic beasts at the third level of Qi Condensation as her target.

Although she was at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, she lacked practical combat experience. Facing a demonic beast at the same fourth level of Qi Condensation wouldn't guarantee her a high chance of victory.

Moreover, even if she managed to kill a demonic beast of the same level by chance, it was uncertain whether she could return safely in an environment as perilous as the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range.

Venturing into the mountains alone, Xu Chunniang had to be extra cautious.

Upon re-entering the mountains, after changing out of her Carefree Sect disciple robes, she immediately blended into the crowd, appearing no different from ordinary rogue cultivators.

However, in a large group of people heading into the mountains together, her solitary journey was quite unusual, drawing many curious and wary glances.

After all, anyone who dared to go alone in the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range was no ordinary person.

Xu Chunniang paid no mind to the gazes of others and headed straight for White Lion Ridge after entering the mountains.

White Lion Ridge was considered a relatively famous spot in the outer regions of the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range. Xu Chunniang noticed that quite a few teams were heading in the same direction as her.

However, these teams had clearly been living here for a long time and were quite accustomed to each other.

Upon entering White Lion Ridge, they each chose a direction, seemingly keeping to themselves.

Xu Chunniang felt a slight sense of relief and chose a direction to continue forward.

After walking for about half an hour, she hadn't encountered any demonic beasts.

Xu Chunniang wasn't surprised. Many people came to White Lion Ridge, so she figured she'd have to go deeper to find anything. She kept walking further in.

After walking for another hour, the surrounding vegetation gradually changed, becoming taller and denser. This was already the depths of White Lion Ridge.

Xu Chunniang slowed her pace, silently becoming alert.

After cresting a small hill, she spotted a pool of water in the distance.

Xu Chunniang's sharp eyes noticed a spiritual grass growing beside the pool – it was the main ingredient for refining Vitality Pills, Three Yuan Grass.

Her spirits lifted. Three Yuan Grass was very precious and the primary ingredient for refining Vitality Pills.

Just one stalk of Three Yuan Grass, along with some other medicinal herbs, could be used to refine a batch of Vitality Pills.

This single stalk of Three Yuan Grass was worth at least fifteen Spirit Stones!

Although Xu Chunniang was tempted, she didn't immediately go to pick it. Spiritual grasses like Three Yuan Grass were never unguarded by demonic beasts.

She cast her gaze towards the pool, a thoughtful expression flashing in her eyes. The demonic beast was likely hidden within.

There was only one way to find out!

Xu Chunniang activated her Spirit Void Steps, making a move as if to pick the Three Yuan Grass.

The moment she approached the Three Yuan Grass, a massive dark shadow shot out from the water, its mouth opening to reveal rows of sharp white teeth as it lunged at her ferociously!

It was a Blackwater Crocodile at the third level of Qi Condensation!

Xu Chunniang's heart sank slightly. This Blackwater Crocodile exuded a powerful aura, indicating it had been at the third level of Qi Condensation for quite some time, only a hair's breadth away from the fourth level.

It was likely guarding this Three Yuan Grass, waiting to consume it when it was ready to break through.

The Blackwater Crocodile was a water-element demonic beast, known not only for its speed and powerful bite but also for its ability to cast water-based sorceries.

Its body was covered in tough, black scales, making its defense quite formidable.

Its only weakness was its fear of fire, making it one of the most ferocious and troublesome demonic beasts in White Lion Ridge.

Xu Chunniang hadn't expected to encounter such a tough opponent as soon as she arrived at White Lion Ridge!

While her mind raced, her feet didn't slow down. She dashed backward.

The Blackwater Crocodile pursued relentlessly, keeping very close to Xu Chunniang and occasionally spitting out water arrows to hinder her.

Xu Chunniang dodged while using her Spirit Void Steps, contemplating a solution.

The Blackwater Crocodile was water-elemental, so the Water Bind Technique probably wouldn't hold it for long. However, she could exploit its fear of fire!

Having made up her mind, Xu Chunniang stopped her purely evasive maneuvers and took out a Fireball Talisman she had acquired the previous day from her Storage Bag.

Seizing an opportunity, she pinched the Fireball Talisman and hurled it towards the Blackwater Crocodile's gaping maw!

"Fireball Talisman, detonate!"

The talisman exploded inside the Blackwater Crocodile's mouth, igniting a brilliant burst of flame.

The Blackwater Crocodile cried out in pain, startled by the firelight. It roared in fury, its gaze towards Xu Chunniang filled with both hatred and fear.

Xu Chunniang's expression was cold. After detonating the Fireball Talisman, she immediately cast the Water Bind Technique, gritting her teeth as she simultaneously unleashed three Water Bind Techniques.

Three water spheres surged towards the Blackwater Crocodile from three directions, instantly engulfing the roaring beast!

Xu Chunniang didn't stop after that. She unleashed the Spirit Blast Technique at an extreme speed, quickly splitting it into four bursts of spiritual qi.

Just as she was about to split them again, she heard three "poof" sounds. All three water spheres had been broken by the Blackwater Crocodile!

Xu Chunniang's heart tightened, and her movements became even faster. As the Blackwater Crocodile charged towards her, she finally managed to split the spiritual qi bursts again.

She fiercely pushed all the spiritual qi bursts towards the Blackwater Crocodile and simultaneously circulated the Spirit Void Steps to retreat.

"Boom!"

Eight small spiritual qi bursts, each with destructive power no less than the Fireball Technique, exploded simultaneously at the Blackwater Crocodile's head!

The Blackwater Crocodile's body immediately collapsed onto the ground, a bloody, gaping hole torn in its head, from which blood was gushing out.

The Blackwater Crocodile wasn't dead yet, but it was breathing its last.

Xu Chunniang's face was pale, a result of overusing her spiritual qi in a short period.

She didn't dare approach the Blackwater Crocodile. She watched until it completely stopped breathing before walking forward.

Although this battle seemed dangerous, the pace of the fight had actually been under Xu Chunniang's control.

However, the Fireball Talisman used earlier had also played a significant role in ending the battle so quickly.

After robbing the Blackwater Crocodile, Xu Chunniang obtained a total of three low-grade talismans: two Fireball Talismans and one Swiftness Talisman.

The Fireball Talismans were now used up, leaving only the last Swiftness Talisman.

Xu Chunniang mused to herself, it seems she should prepare more talismans in the future.

Although these talismans only had 60-70% of the power of the original sorcery, they could be instantly activated and didn't consume her own spiritual qi, making them very convenient and useful.

After storing the Blackwater Crocodile's corpse in her storage bag, Xu Chunniang's gaze fell upon the blood on the ground. The Blackwater Crocodile's blood could be used to make ink for talismans, so it shouldn't be wasted.

Except for some that had seeped into the soil and couldn't be collected, Xu Chunniang didn't miss any of it, collecting a full seven bottles.

After collecting the blood, Xu Chunniang used the Spiritual Rain Technique to wash the area.

Once the scent of blood had become very faint, she returned to the edge of the pool, took out her medicine hoe, and carefully dug out the Three Yuan Grass.

After placing the Three Yuan Grass into a jade box and storing it, Xu Chunniang smiled faintly.

Although encountering the Blackwater Crocodile today was a bit perilous, danger and reward went hand in hand.

This Three Yuan Grass alone was worth at least fifteen Spirit Stones, and the Blackwater Crocodile in her storage bag was worth even more.

Although she was a bit tired, Xu Chunniang felt more excitement. She had always longed to earn more Spirit Stones to buy a suitable Spiritual Artifact for self-defense.

In a situation like today, if she had a Spiritual Artifact, the Blackwater Crocodile would have been no match for her.

Just by venturing into White Lion Ridge, she had gained so much. She felt that soon, she would be able to save enough Spirit Stones to own her own Spiritual Artifact.

A strong fighting spirit ignited within Xu Chunniang: earn Spirit Stones, buy Spiritual Artifacts!

Thanks to fellow Daoist 20181227222109119 for the reward!

Thanks to all fellow Daoists for your continued reading and recommendations, I bow!