Greatly Replenishing Qi and Blood—Black Scale Python

"Running a murderous inn and harming countless people—and you still think you can escape?"

The Blade Breaking Swordsman let out a cold laugh. The other inn guests scattered in terror, and the escort party also hurried away, leaving only Lu Wangchuan and the Blade Breaking Swordsman in the shop.

The man stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Lu Wangchuan.

"Your skills are impressive, friend. Let's be acquainted. This Humble One is Deng Sanxi, inheritor of the Water Severing Draw. May I ask where you hail from?"

"Passing by chance—no need to leave a name."

Lu Wangchuan had no desire to make many friends. One or two close confidants were enough; more than that was useless.

Just as he was about to leave, the other man stepped forward to block him again.

"Brother, please stay a moment."

Lu Wangchuan raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of displeasure flickering across his face. The man quickly explained.

"This Humble One means no harm. I merely have a matter to discuss. Brother, you're not in such a rush that you can't spare a moment. Hear me out before deciding whether to leave."

Lu Wangchuan pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"Make it brief. I'm in a hurry."

"Here's the thing: a friend of mine discovered several Black Scale Pythons in a canyon about a hundred li from here. These creatures are already spiritual beasts, rich in blood energy and spiritual qi—a great tonic if eaten.

But their scales are as hard as iron, and they possess immense strength, comparable to Bone Forging realm experts! I can see you're no ordinary fighter, brother. If you're willing to join us in hunting the Black Scale Pythons, we'll give you a share."

Lu Wangchuan's eyes flickered. Lu Xianyuan had told him before that spiritual beasts were greatly beneficial for cultivation.

Some heavenly and earthly spiritual objects could not only replenish blood energy but also enhance spiritual qi cultivation—rare and invaluable tonics.

This was also why most people didn't cultivate the Life Nurturing Art: there were indeed many ways to replenish blood energy.

For him, the more blood energy he gained, the stronger he became.

He didn't want to miss such a good opportunity.

As for the possibility that the other man might be deceiving him, Lu Wangchuan wasn't too worried. As long as it wasn't a Celestial Human Realm expert, no one could suppress him.

Strength was his greatest reliance.

"I can take a look. But I'll say this first: if you're lying to me, I won't go easy on you."

Deng Sanxi was overjoyed.

"Rest assured, brother. The name of Deng Sanxi, the Blade Breaking Swordsman, is known throughout the martial world. Ask anyone—if a single person speaks ill of me, I'll chop off my own head without you lifting a finger."

"Enough. Lead the way."

"Please."

Under Deng Sanxi's guidance, the two quickly headed north. Lu Wangchuan wasn't in a rush to reach the Divine Water Sect; anywhere he could improve his strength was fine.

"By the way, I still haven't asked for your name, brother."

"Lu Jingchuan, from Daze City."

Out in the world, with people's hearts unfathomable, a false name was necessary.

"So you're from Daze City. Something big happened there recently—a Grand Commander of a military camp was killed, leaving the camp leaderless, and the Radiant Light Society wiped it out."

"Radiant Light Society?"

Lu Wangchuan raised an eyebrow. He knew the Grand Commander was his kill, but where had the Radiant Light Society come from?

"That's right, the Radiant Light Society. A newly rising power, said to be growing fast—shaping up to be a second Black Lotus Society."

Lu Wangchuan's thoughts grew heavy. It was likely another sect backing them from the shadows. Da Qian was growing more chaotic by the day, with powers rising on all sides; its fall was only a matter of time.

He felt no sympathy. A dynasty that had lost the people's hearts deserved its ruin.

But it only fueled his desire to grow stronger. If he wasn't strong enough, he'd eventually be the one getting beaten.

A hundred or so li was no trouble for the two of them, especially Lu Wangchuan—it was like child's play. If he hadn't wanted to hide his true strength, he could have let Deng Sanxi run ninety li first!

When they arrived at the place Deng Sanxi had mentioned, several martial artists had already gathered.

There was an old man with a childlike face and white hair, a middle-aged couple in plain clothes, a tall, skinny man with shifty eyes, and a muscular giant standing a full two meters tall.

"Deng Sanxi, what the hell took you so long?"

The muscular giant immediately started shouting in irritation.

Deng Sanxi quickly cupped his hands and smiled apologetically.

"Don't be angry. I ran into some trouble on the way and got delayed."

The others turned their gazes to Lu Wangchuan, who stood behind him.

"Old Deng, who's this?"

"Oh, let me introduce everyone. This is Brother Lu Jingchuan, a master from Daze City with impressive skills. I invited him to join us in hunting the Black Scale Pythons.

Brother Jingchuan, these are the Dust Floating Old Man, the Mandarin Duck Blades Lan Cheng Couple, Iron Spear He Liubi, and Vajra Fist Ao Hu—all Bone Forging realm experts. Senior Dust Floating, in particular, has reached the peak of Open Source, just half a step away from entering the Dantian realm!"

Lu Wangchuan nodded. He Liubi squinted and said:

"Old Deng, this isn't some game. Not just anyone can join. If he wants in, we need to see if he's qualified."

Deng Sanxi shot a glance at Lu Wangchuan, the meaning clear—he hoped the latter would show off a bit.

Lu Wangchuan shifted his foot slightly and gave a gentle stomp; the stone floor instantly cracked into a web of fissures.

"Bone Forging realm!"

The crowd jolted, the contempt in their eyes fading.

Dust Floating Old Man then spoke up.

"Since you're at Bone Forging, you're qualified to hunt with us. But I'll make it clear upfront—when we hunt the Black Scale Python, he'll get a share. That map, though, has no portion for him."

Lu Wangchuan raised an eyebrow slightly.

"What map?"

Deng Sanxi explained:

"It's a mechanism and formation map of an Ancient Expert Fallen Tomb. This hunt was initiated by Senior Dust Floating to replenish his declining qi and blood. Senior Dust Floating will take forty percent, on the condition that he lets us take a look at the map."

"No matter. I only want the flesh and blood of the Black Scale Python."

Being too greedy never ends well—grab the benefits within reach first. Lu Wangchuan had always been clear on his goals and priorities.

Hearing this, Dust Floating Old Man nodded.

"Good. Then it's settled. Let's move."

The group immediately advanced into the canyon. Deng Sanxi stayed behind to explain to him:

"Years ago, there were no Black Scale Pythons in this canyon. A century back, someone spotted traces of them—no one knows who released them. Later, people wanting to boost their qi and blood started forming teams to hunt them here.

For us loose cultivators, it's a natural treasure trove, but also extremely dangerous. Once inside, the death rate is high."

"I see. But why not go to a sect? Don't sects have plenty of pills?"

Deng Sanxi gave an awkward smile.

"Getting into a sect isn't that easy. We Bone Forging experts are impressive out here, but inside a sect, we're just mid-to-low tier. The competition there is no lighter than out here, and without connections, it's an uphill battle.

Brother Ao Hu used to be from the Heavenly Martial Sect. He couldn't stand the exclusion, so he left."

"I see."

Lu Wangchuan couldn't help feeling a trace of relief—thank goodness for Lu Xianyuan, or he wouldn't have gotten into an immortal sect easily either.

Still, this only made him yearn for the immortal sects even more.

If even Bone Forging was just mid-to-low tier, just how strong were the limits of those sects?

Please, everyone, give more votes. Thank you all.