Five-Colored Poisonous Python

(PS: Our index is 9,000 for third place, while second place has 10,000—a mere 1,000-point gap. Can we blow up the chrysanthemum above us?)

The lush forest stretched farther than anyone knew. After walking for at least half a day, Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng still could not see its edge. Moreover, the deeper they went, the denser and taller the trees became. The Endless Mountain Range stretched for a hundred thousand li; naturally, it could not consist entirely of mountains. Amid its rolling peaks were vast marshes, forests, plains, gorges, and every sort of terrain imaginable.

Zhuge Xiang's choice had indeed been correct. Since entering the forest, they had not seen any Monster Beasts pursuing them over the past half-day, nor had they heard any more screams. However, after turning left and right through the woods, Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng discovered that they were lost, with no idea where they were.

Along the way, they occasionally encountered One-Star Low-Grade Monster Beasts at the limit of their grade. Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng easily killed them and gained some experience, but nothing dropped. Clearly, killing targets below one's own level not only reduced the experience gained, but also lowered the item drop rate.

Of the Grand Tournament champion's five rewards, the storage belt offered no help in battle, while the Artifact Quality Upgrade Certificate could only be used at the Sect Headquarters. The Yin Gu Pot and Five Poisons Palm had been given to Niu Geng. Thus, for Zhuge Xiang, the only useful reward at present was the cloak.

Flowing Cloud Cloak (One-Star Artifact): Defense 8-12. Special Effect: If not attacked and no skills are used for thirty seconds, gain a shield that absorbs 20 damage. Durability 28/35. Weight 3.

These were the Flowing Cloud Cloak's attributes. It increased defense and possessed a shield skill. So long as he went thirty seconds without being attacked or using a skill, he would gain a shield capable of absorbing 20 damage.

Though the shield would not reactivate once it was gone during battle, having such a status before a fight was equivalent to having 20 extra HP. It was extremely practical. With this Flowing Cloud Cloak, Zhuge Xiang now possessed five artifacts. This number alone would surely make the other disciples green with envy.

Blood Refinement Saber, Blade of Blockade, Flowing Cloud Cloak, Frost Headband, and Star Chasing Boots—with Zhuge Xiang's Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer cultivation and the support of these five artifacts, even without using Bloodthirsty Technique, he believed he could fight someone at the Qi Cultivation Realm Fourth Layer. Of course, that was assuming the other party did not possess powerful artifacts or badass skills as well.

They had been fleeing for most of the day, and evening was drawing near. Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng cautiously searched for somewhere to shelter. This was the depths of the Endless Mountain Range, after all. Monster Beasts here were nothing like those on the outskirts; high-star Monster Beasts were plentiful. Once night fell, the forest would inevitably become even more dangerous, so finding a safe place before dark was of utmost importance.

However, not long afterward, the sounds of battle suddenly drifted over. Amid the roars were faint, sharp cries from a woman. The voice sounded familiar.

Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng exchanged a glance, then nodded. The two carefully made their way toward the source of the fighting. After advancing more than two hundred meters, they finally saw both sides of the battle.

A gigantic python, brilliantly mottled in five colors, as thick as a thigh and roughly thirteen or fourteen meters long. When it opened its jaws, a reeking gust washed out. One look was enough to tell that it carried terrifying venom. Fighting this python were Hua Nongying and Lu Yuling.

Hua Nongying used Ghost Step at Mastery Level to circle the python at high speed, her short blade striking again and again as she drew the Five-Colored Poisonous Python's attention. That short blade was precisely the One-Star Artifact she had won during the Grand Tournament.

Ordinarily, given Hua Nongying's speed and her short blade's attack power, she had a chance of killing any Monster Beast that had not reached two stars. Yet although this Five-Colored Poisonous Python had not reached two stars, its body was covered in scales the size of fingernails. Its resistance to blows was astonishingly strong; Hua Nongying's short blade could barely cut through its scales.

Lu Yuling's Clear Wave Palm, supplemented by Ice Silk, greatly hampered the Five-Colored Poisonous Python's speed. Her Mechanical Puppet was also assisting Hua Nongying's attacks, but they did not do much damage to the python. Moreover, it looked as if this Five-Colored Poisonous Python was about to Breakthrough to a One-Star High-Grade Monster Beast. Its strength was comparable to a cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Realm Sixth Layer.

"Oh my, what a coincidence. I never thought we'd run into you here," Zhuge Xiang said lightly as he and Niu Geng stepped out upon seeing Hua Nongying and Lu Yuling.

"Zhuge Xiang?" Lu Yuling and Hua Nongying's eyes lit up when they saw Zhuge Xiang emerge. Clearly, they had not expected to encounter him here either.

But this was perfect. Lu Yuling's Clear Wave Palm had slowed the Five-Colored Poisonous Python, and the only reason they were locked in a bitter battle was the python's scale resistance. In terms of raw attack power, Zhuge Xiang was naturally formidable.

"Are you going to come help or not?" Seeing Zhuge Xiang stroll out so casually, Lu Yuling could not help getting annoyed.

"Of course." Zhuge Xiang swept a hand across his storage belt, and the Blood Refinement Saber appeared in his grasp. He lowered his body slightly and poured Qi Energy into the saber. Scarlet Qi Energy emerged, accompanied by grim Ghost Face phantoms. As Blood Thunder Slash charged, Zhuge Xiang's aura grew stronger and stronger.

Seemingly sensing the threat Zhuge Xiang posed, the Five-Colored Poisonous Python hissed uneasily. But Zhuge Xiang's attack was too fast.

Bloodthirsty Technique activated instantly. The Star Chasing Boots boosted his speed, and Explosive Steps added yet more force. This Blood Thunder Slash erupted with the roar of wind and thunder, chilling the soul. A blood-red flash of saber light swept past—enough to cleave even thigh-thick steel in a single stroke. Though the Five-Colored Poisonous Python's scales were highly resistant to impacts, it was ultimately flesh and blood.

"What a razor-sharp attack..." Hua Nongying was deeply shaken by Zhuge Xiang's strike.

Although Zhuge Xiang had used Blood Thunder Slash once against Ji Wuxue during the Grand Tournament, he had only been at the Qi Cultivation Realm Second Layer then, and he had not had Explosive Steps to aid him. How could that compare to the shock he caused now? A Monster Beast nearly at One-Star High-Grade had been instantly slain with one slash. In terms of pure attack power, Zhuge Xiang had already reached a very high level.

"Ding! Killed a One-Star Mid-Grade Demon Python above your level. Gained 212 experience. Obtained Detoxification Pill."

As the Five-Colored Poisonous Python was killed, the system's mechanical prompt sounded. 212 experience? Zhuge Xiang was slightly stunned. He had gained 200 experience just for defeating Lu Yuling at the Qi Cultivation Realm Fourth Layer, yet this Demon Python was comparable to the Qi Cultivation Realm Sixth Layer and only gave 212 experience?

But after looking at Lu Yuling and Hua Nongying, Zhuge Xiang understood. It seemed that while fighting above one's level granted bonus experience, teaming up with others naturally gave less experience than killing the target alone.

Furthermore, the 200 experience from his battle with Lu Yuling had taken the strength of nine oxen and two tigers to earn, whereas these 212 experience had come from a single Blood Thunder Slash. Though party combat reduced experience somewhat, in terms of efficiency, teaming up was clearly much faster than fighting alone. At the very least, cooperating with Lu Yuling would work extremely well: her Clear Wave Palm and Ice Silk restraints gave him time to charge Blood Thunder Slash.

Zhuge Xiang brushed his hand across his waist, and a black pill appeared in his palm. Worth mentioning was that after obtaining the storage belt, every item Zhuge Xiang received from drops would appear inside it. The storage belt was not very large; only twelve slots were displayed before Zhuge Xiang. Items of the same kind, such as pills, could stack in one slot—the Qi Recovery Pills from before had done so—but equipment could not be stacked.

Twelve slots—Zhuge Xiang found such a storage belt rather strange. He had asked Lu Yuling about it aboard the Asura Warship, and her storage belt was simply a fixed storage space. Zhuge Xiang had not said much. It appeared that his had been altered by the Super Game System.

Detoxification Pill (Special Consumable): Removes all poison statuses below three stars.

The description was simple, but Zhuge Xiang was very satisfied. The Endless Mountain Range was filled with venomous snakes and fierce beasts. If one were poisoned, it would be difficult to deal with. Having a Detoxification Pill would clearly make things much safer.

Having encountered Lu Yuling and Hua Nongying, and since Zhuge Xiang had a good relationship with both Hua Nongying and Lu Yuling, the four naturally formed a group. Gathering together would increase their safety, after all. Zhuge Xiang, Hua Nongying, and Lu Yuling were all undeniably strong. Only Niu Geng had merely just comprehended Qi Energy and did not know even a single Martial Art; he was deadweight.

"Wouldn't it be inappropriate to bring him along?" Though Hua Nongying had a lively personality, she was also very straightforward in raising the issue.

Hua Nongying's question might have been somewhat cold-hearted, but it was not unreasonable. Demonic Sects were direct and decisive like that. For profit, they could even slaughter fellow disciples. In this incomparably dangerous escape, bringing along deadweight like Niu Geng naturally displeased Hua Nongying.

Though Zhuge Xiang felt uncomfortable with Hua Nongying's stance, he could understand it. After all, he and Hua Nongying were not particularly close. If Hua Nongying had brought along deadweight herself, Zhuge Xiang would have been dissatisfied too.

"He's my friend. I will never leave him behind. If you truly think it's unsuitable, then we'll leave," Zhuge Xiang said, looking seriously at Hua Nongying.

Lu Yuling said nothing from the side. She had some friendship with both parties, but this was a matter of life and death, and it was not her place to interfere. Otherwise, they might not even remain friends. Friends were supposed to help one another in times of danger, not put each other in a position of resentment and peril.

Niu Geng was deeply moved by what Zhuge Xiang had said to Hua Nongying. Not wanting to make things difficult for Zhuge Xiang, he walked over to the Five-Colored Poisonous Python, took out a small knife, and skillfully removed the Venom Gland from the venomous snake's body.

Holding up the Venom Gland in his hand, Niu Geng said, "Although I've only just comprehended Qi Energy and haven't learned a single Martial Art, I've studied poison extensively. If any of you are poisoned, I believe I'll have a way to deal with it. And I can refine any venom we collect and coat it onto your weapons."