Meeting Liu Hao Again, White Jade Golden Pattern Python!

"If only I had a gang of nearly a thousand people at my beck and call, how great would that be?"

Qin Shuang looked at the three fierce tigers he had just slain, a look of regret in his eyes.

He couldn't possibly carry the three tiger carcasses away, but leaving them here was a waste.

One had to know.

Tiger blood and tiger bones were the main ingredients for refining Tiger Blood Pills, not to mention the tiger penis and tiger paws... those were potent tonics!

If he could have a gang to handle things for him, it would be incredibly convenient.

Furthermore.

With subordinates at his disposal, the "Dragonfly," "Earthworm," and "Pig Slaughtering" techniques he needed to simplify his martial arts, as well as purchasing medicinal herbs and searching for stone tablets—all these tasks could be delegated to his subordinates, saving him from wasting his own time!

His time should be spent simplifying more martial arts and increasing his strength.

In this martial world where the weak are prey to the strong, only by constantly improving his own strength could he feel a sense of security.

"With my current strength, I am equivalent to the Marrow Jade Realm with blood like a dragon. Added to the Tiger Form Divine Intent, my strength should be comparable to the master of a martial arts hall, right?"

Qin Shuang calculated silently in his heart, planning to find a way to recruit some people for his own use once he returned.

After all.

He currently had nearly seven thousand taels of silver, which counted as a not-insignificant fortune.

Qin Shuang dragged the three fierce tigers onto a large rock and decided to hunt eight more tigers to advance his Tiger Roar Divine Intent Skill to the Mastery level first.

"Swish!"

Qin Shuang utilized Grass on Flying and headed deep into the Xuan Yin Mountain Range, searching for tigers along the way.

By noon, with grass stuffed into the soles of his shoes and a low tiger roar in his throat, Qin Shuang stood fifty miles away from the mountain stream, listening quietly to see if there were any more tiger sounds.

He had already killed nine fierce tigers and was only two short of advancing his Tiger Roar Divine Intent Skill to Mastery. However, after searching for two hours and covering fifty or sixty miles in the vicinity, he hadn't found a tenth tiger, and he couldn't help but frown.

"Could it be that there were only nine tigers in this hundred-mile radius? Have I wiped them all out?"

Qin Shuang pondered silently.

He remembered that fierce beasts like tigers seemed to have territorial instincts. It appeared that if he wanted to find the tenth tiger, he would have to expand his search range.

Thinking of this.

Qin Shuang unfolded his figure and sped off into the distance.

"Hmm?"

Qin Shuang galloped for twenty miles when suddenly, he heard a cacophony of human voices and cries of alarm from five miles to the northeast. Faintly, beyond the cliffs in the distance, he could see over a dozen figures wielding swords and blades sprinting toward him. Behind them, sand and stones flew and trees toppled, as if something terrifying were hunting them down.

Qin Shuang stood upon a moss-covered boulder, watching the group flee in his direction. He immediately flashed his figure and hid in a tree.

Before long, the group reached a point half a mile from Qin Shuang. He finally saw what was chasing them: it was a white python as thick as a water barrel and four to five zhang long!

At this moment, the dozen or so martial artists with blades and swords reached a spot not far beneath the tree where Qin Shuang was hiding. When Qin Shuang saw two of them, his eyes widened. "Huh? Liu Hao? Jin Yang?"

He had not expected to run into Liu Hao, the head disciple of the Golden Tiger Martial Arts School, and Jin Yang, the old man who recruited disciples at the entrance, in a place like this.

It seemed that when the martial arts school met with disaster, both Liu Hao and Jin Yang had managed to escape.

"Rustle, rustle, rustle!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

At this moment, the giant white python closed in, knocking down trees along its path.

As the giant white python approached, Qin Shuang noticed that its entire body was covered in white scales that shimmered with a pale light. On its head was a protrusion about an inch high, resembling a single horn. Its scarlet tongue flickered in and out, radiating a ferocious aura!

This is... a White Jade Unicorn Python?

Qin Shuang felt a shiver run through his heart.

This python was recorded in his insights on alchemy. It was known as a White Jade Unicorn Python; its blood and flesh were the primary ingredients for refining Dragon Blood Pills. Moreover, the blood and meat of this python were highly nourishing—even just boiled and eaten, they were excellent for increasing one's Qi and blood!

However.

This White Jade Unicorn Python was slightly different; it had a faint golden pattern running along its spine!

Clearly, this White Jade Unicorn Python had evolved into an exotic beast: a White Jade Golden Pattern Python!

Seeing this giant python, Qin Shuang's heart stirred. He realized that the aura of this White Jade Golden Pattern Python was comparable to the "Qi and Blood like a Dragon" state of the Marrow Jade Realm, nearing the appearance of a Qi and Blood Furnace!

If I could kill this White Jade Golden Pattern Python and consume its blood, or refine it into Dragon Blood Pills to nourish my 206 bones, how much would my strength increase?

Qin Shuang looked at the giant python, his heart moved.

He had to keep in mind that his current strength was already comparable to the Marrow Jade Realm. With the addition of his Tiger Form Divine Intent, not to mention his perfected Grass on Flying light-body technique and his Swimming Dragon Steps, it was not impossible for him to fight this giant python.

Thinking of this, Qin Shuang's figure flashed. His Qi and blood surged violently as he unleashed the Fierce Tiger Pouncing, throwing a punch toward the White Jade Golden Pattern Python!

"Hiss~~~"

Sensing Qin Shuang's killing intent, the White Jade Golden Pattern Python raised its massive head. Its scarlet tongue flickered, and its giant tail swept toward Qin Shuang with the force of a thunderbolt!

Qin Shuang executed the perfected Grass on Flying, leaping up in an instant to dodge the python's tail by a hair's breadth!

Rumble!

The White Jade Golden Pattern Python's massive tail swept past, snapping a tree as thick as a bowl instantly and sending wood splinters flying!

At the same time.

Qin Shuang's qi and blood surged like a dragon. With another move, Fierce Tiger Pouncing, he slammed both fists into the White Jade Golden Pattern Python's massive serpent head!

"Boom!"

A thunderous sound erupted. Under the terrifying, immense power of Qin Shuang's punch, the giant python's head was sent flying back thirty feet, saliva spraying everywhere. Yet, it remained completely unharmed. It let out a hiss, whipped its barrel-thick body around, and lunged at Qin Shuang once more!

At this moment.

The White Jade Golden Pattern Python abandoned Liu Hao, Jin Yang, and the others, its cold, sinister eyes locked onto Qin Shuang. Its giant tail swept frantically; it wanted nothing more than to swallow this person who had ambushed it in one gulp!

Wherever its massive tail passed, trees were reduced to powder, as if a tornado had plowed through the area.

What strong defense!

Seeing that the White Jade Golden Pattern Python was completely unscathed, Qin Shuang was startled.

This White Jade Golden Pattern Python was significantly stronger than he had imagined!

However, his Grass on Flying was already perfected. Like a bouncing projectile, he consistently dodged the White Jade Golden Pattern Python's sweeping tail by the narrowest of margins.

Furthermore.

He remembered what Nangong Wan'er had said: if he couldn't silence the witnesses, he must not use the Tiger Form Divine Intent!

There were still over ten people nearby!

"Qin... Junior Brother Qin?"

"He... is he Qin... Qin Shuang? His qi and blood... like a dragon?"

As Liu Hao and Jin Yang fled for their lives, they caught a glimpse of someone blocking the giant python out of the corner of their eyes and felt a wave of relief. But when they saw the figure locked in battle with the serpent, their eyes widened. The two exchanged glances, both wearing expressions of utter disbelief.

Wasn't Qin Shuang the one who had been learning the Fierce Tiger Fist at the martial arts hall just a few days ago, without even reaching the entry level?

How could he possess such terrifying qi and blood?

"Am I seeing things?"

Jin Yang stared at that figure, unable to hide the shock in his aged eyes. He was the one who had recruited Qin Shuang into the martial arts hall, so he had a deep impression of him.

That kid had come to the hall, barely practiced the Fierce Tiger Fist three times before leaving, and was always fishing for three days and drying nets for two. He had even concluded that the kid would never master the Fierce Tiger Fist in his lifetime and that the ten taels of silver for the entry fee had been a total waste.

He never expected.

This kid had actually been hiding his strength, fighting this white python to a standstill!

One had to know.

With his own strength at the Bone Forging Realm with Qi and Blood Wolf Smoke, he would have had no choice but to flee upon encountering that white python!