Blood Spirit Fruit in Hand, a Deal with the Blood Spirit Flame Python

Led by Zou Jin, the group entered the Qinghe Mountain Range under the cover of night, torches in hand.

The moment they entered the mountains, they heard a mournful wolf howl.

The deep forests of the mountains at night were a paradise for savage beasts.

Since it was the middle of the night, the group moved slowly.

After walking for half an hour, Li Xinge suddenly raised his hand.

The Li Family Cultivators immediately drew their blades, warily guarding against danger from every direction.

"Awoo!"

A long, mournful wolf howl rang through the forest, lingering without end.

Then, pairs of glowing red eyes emerged from the darkness.

They stared at these uninvited intruders into their territory, the light in their eyes flickering as they stirred with restless intent.

The Elder stepped forward and released his aura without reservation, frightening the wolf pack into fleeing with their tails tucked between their legs.

The group continued onward, not knowing how long they had traveled through the darkness.

It was not until dawn was near that Zou Jin pointed at the waterfall ahead and slowly said, "We're here. The Blood Spirit Fruit is in the valley behind this waterfall."

Li Xinge glanced at A Liang.

The latter nodded. "My lord, he did not deceive you. But there is one thing he did not mention: a very powerful Demonic Snake guards the Blood Spirit Fruit!"

Li Xinge shot Zou Jin a cold look.

The latter was clearly feeling guilty and turned his head away.

"Lead the way."

Remembering the Demonic Snake's strength and brutality, Zou Jin's expression turned ugly, yet he did not dare defy Li Xinge's wishes.

He could only grit his teeth and leap into the pool, with the others following after him.

After passing through the raging waterfall, they saw a narrow gorge.

Li Xinge had Zou Jin and A Liang walk in front.

The group entered the valley in orderly succession.

Looking at the boundless sea of medicinal herbs before them, everyone was still deeply shaken, even though they had long prepared themselves mentally.

As they went farther in, they saw the legendary Blood Spirit Fruit Tree.

The unusual fragrance carried on the wind made the Qi and Blood power within their bodies boil.

"Patriarch, it is indeed the Blood Spirit Fruit!"

The Elder said excitedly.

Li Xinge inhaled the fragrance deeply, slightly intoxicated.

If he ate a single Blood Spirit Fruit, it would equal several months of bitter cultivation!

In an instant, Li Xinge's gaze toward the Blood Spirit Fruit became scorching and greedy!

He shot into the air and landed atop the Great Demon's skeleton. Looking at the tempting Blood Spirit Fruits overhead, Li Xinge reached out to pluck them.

However, a sudden change occurred.

"Hiss!"

An angry snake hiss came from deep within the cave.

Immediately after, the Demonic Snake's enormous body charged out of the cave with brutal force.

Li Xinge quickly retreated.

The Demonic Snake coiled its body before the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree. Yet, contrary to expectation, it did not attack. It merely kept flicking its tongue and issuing warning hisses.

With its considerable intelligence, it had sensed a dangerous aura from Li Xinge.

This hairless monkey was not someone to provoke.

Li Xinge narrowed his eyes and assessed the massive creature before him.

Compared to it, a human was as tiny as an ant.

The Elder immediately recognized the origins of this giant.

With a solemn expression, he said to Li Xinge, "Patriarch, be careful. It is an adult Blood Spirit Flame Python! It excels at controlling fire. An adult Blood Spirit Flame Python can rival a human Qi and Blood Realm Cultivator in strength. But according to the Myriad Demons Record, an adult Blood Spirit Flame Python should not grow this large!"

Li Xinge guessed, "It must have mutated after consuming Blood Spirit Fruits, which is why its body has become so enormous."

"That should be the case. This Blood Spirit Flame Python will not be easy to deal with."

The Elder spoke gravely.

"It is nothing more than a beast!"

Li Xinge's words brimmed with confidence.

With that, Li Xinge soared into the sky. An overwhelmingly powerful pressure erupted from him, sweeping across the entire valley like a canopy covering heaven and earth.

Under that terrifying pressure, everyone felt no different from ants.

The group looked toward the figure in midair, the reverence in their eyes deepening.

Even the Elder, also a Qi and Blood Realm Cultivator, felt a sense of helplessness rise within him.

The Patriarch's strength had likely reached a level beyond anything he could imagine.

The Elder stroked his beard in amazement.

Li Xinge's gaze turned sharp. The Void Cutter Sword at his waist left its sheath. Gripping the blade that could cut through iron like mud, he slashed down from the sky. Sword Qi crashed toward the Demonic Snake with the force of thunder.

"Hiss!"

Facing this killing strike descending from the heavens, apprehension appeared in the Blood Spirit Flame Python's bell-sized eyes.

It opened its jaws, continuously spewing scorching flames, like an erupting volcano capable of melting everything.

Sword Qi and flames collided, clashing again and again, but Li Xinge ultimately held the upper hand.

The tyrannical Sword Qi broke through the blockade of flames, splitting the fire in two before heavily striking the Blood Spirit Flame Python's body.

Sparks flew. Its tough scales were cut open by the Sword Qi, leaving behind a savage wound as scorching demon blood gushed forth like a spring.

The Blood Spirit Flame Python cried out in pain, its sorrowful wail echoing throughout the valley.

Consumed by pain, the Blood Spirit Flame Python's snake eyes filled with savagery.

Its thick tail swept sideways and smashed against the stone wall. The terrible force shattered the wall, and countless chunks of stone rained down.

The Li Family Cultivators hurriedly raised their blades to block them.

However, a massive boulder weighing several thousand jin came crashing down with the force of Mount Tai bearing down overhead.

This was no longer something Body Realm Cultivators could withstand.

Fortunately, the Elder stepped forward in time. His surging Qi and Blood power erupted as he leaped up, clenched both hands into fists, and punched the enormous boulder. The several-thousand-jin rock exploded with a thunderous blast.

Meanwhile, a new round of battle began between Li Xinge and the Blood Spirit Flame Python.

One wielded a sword, while the other spewed fire. For a time, neither could gain the upper hand.

After its mutation, the Blood Spirit Flame Python possessed tremendous strength. Even Li Xinge, at Minor Accomplishment of Qi and Blood Realm, could not defeat it in a short time.

"Patriarch, I'll assist you!"

The Elder roared.

He leaped into the battle.

Under the joint assault of two Qi and Blood Realm Cultivators, the Demonic Snake could no longer attend to both head and tail. More wounds appeared across its body as it gradually fell into a disadvantage, its aura beginning to weaken.

With its high intelligence, it knew clearly that if the battle continued, it would lose its life.

Though it was extremely reluctant to part with the Blood Spirit Fruits, its own life was ultimately more important.

After knocking the two of them back once more,

the Blood Spirit Flame Python hissed and, beneath their astonished gazes, swiftly shrank back into the cave.

"This Demonic Snake is rather clever."

Li Xinge sheathed his sword and smiled.

"What should we do now? Should we press our advantage and kill this Snake Demon?"

The Elder suggested.

Li Xinge shook his head. "No. Inside the cave, we cannot fight freely. It will be difficult to kill it!"

"This Demonic Snake truly is cunning."

The Elder said furiously.

"No matter. Our purpose was not to kill it, but to obtain the Blood Spirit Fruits! Now, the Blood Spirit Fruits belong to us."

Looking at the heavy Blood Spirit Fruits hanging from the tree, Li Xinge said with a smile.

"Quickly harvest every Blood Spirit Fruit! Be careful with your movements."

The Elder gave the order in a deep voice.

Two Li Family Cultivators immediately began carefully picking the Blood Spirit Fruits.

Before long, every Blood Spirit Fruit on the tree had been harvested.

There were seventeen in total.

A single spirit fruit was worth ten thousand gold.

This time, the Li Family had truly made a killing.

Li Xinge examined the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree. An idea suddenly flashed through his mind, and he said, "Elder, merely picking the fruits is too much of a loss. Why not transplant this Blood Spirit Fruit Tree back to the clan? That would be a long-term business."

The Elder was tempted upon hearing this.

But he soon shook his head. "The Blood Spirit Fruit Tree has extremely harsh requirements for its growing environment. It must grow atop the flesh of a Great Demon."

"This Great Demon has already decayed, its flesh and blood seeping into the earth and continuously providing nourishment to the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree, allowing it to flower and bear fruit. If we transplant it, the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree will surely die."

"What a pity."

Li Xinge's tone carried some regret.

If they could not take it home, they might end up benefiting someone else.

But destroying it would be far too wasteful.

As he was troubled by this...

Li Xinge looked toward the depths of the cave, where a pair of scarlet eyes was glaring at him with deep hatred. A smile suddenly curled at the corner of his lips.

He slowly said, "Flame Python, I know you are quite intelligent and can understand my words. How about we make a deal?"

No response came from the cave. The Blood Spirit Flame Python remained curled up inside and refused to emerge.

"If you still refuse to come out, I will spare no effort to kill you. Then your century of bitter cultivation will be destroyed in a single day."

Li Xinge threatened coldly.

"Hiss!"

The Blood Spirit Flame Python reluctantly crawled out of the cave, staring at Li Xinge with extreme apprehension.

A wretch that would not yield without force, Li Xinge cursed inwardly.

He took out two Blood Spirit Fruits. "Flame Python, let us make a deal. I will give you two Blood Spirit Fruits. In return, you will guard this valley for me. What do you say?"

At the sight of the two Blood Spirit Fruits in Li Xinge's hand, the Blood Spirit Flame Python's eyes went straight. Drool streamed uncontrollably from its mouth.

It flicked its long tongue and instinctively tried to snatch them.

"Hmm?"

Li Xinge snorted coldly.

The Blood Spirit Flame Python instantly came to its senses.

This hairless monkey was too powerful. It could not defeat him!

"You will only receive them if you agree!"

Li Xinge said with a smile.

After a fierce Heavenly Man Battle within its heart, the Blood Spirit Flame Python nodded.

"Hiss!"

Lord Flame Python agreed, though it had definitely not surrendered because of violence.

Li Xinge readily tossed the two Blood Spirit Fruits to the Blood Spirit Flame Python. It swallowed them in one gulp, a blissful expression appearing on its face.

"Flame Python, I know you are a clever snake. You should understand the consequences of breaking our agreement."

"Hiss!"

The Blood Spirit Flame Python lightly nodded its head.

Li Xinge was very satisfied with the Blood Spirit Flame Python's tact.

He took a command token from his sleeve. It was black, with two dragons entwined upon it and a striking golden Li character in its center.

"Those holding this command token may enter and leave the valley freely. Those without it will be killed without exception, and the hunt will not cease until they are dead!"

The Blood Spirit Flame Python stared at the command token as though engraving its appearance into its mind.

"Hiss!"

Lord Flame Python remembered it.

A smile reappeared on Li Xinge's face.

Using two Blood Spirit Fruits to buy over the Blood Spirit Flame Python appeared to be a loss.

But in truth, Li Xinge had traded two Blood Spirit Fruits for a fighter equivalent to Minor Accomplishment of Qi and Blood Realm, a Blood Spirit Fruit Tree, and a naturally renewable medicinal field.

"To celebrate our pleasant cooperation, I'll give you these little snacks."

Li Xinge said with a soft laugh.

Behind him, A Liang, Zou Jin, and Zou Jin's young son were pushed forward, their faces blank with confusion.

Upon seeing A Liang and Zou Jin, the Blood Spirit Flame Python froze for a moment.

Then it realized that they were the hairless monkeys who had escaped from its grasp yesterday.

It was because these two escaped hairless monkeys had brought this damned Baleful Intent here, who had stolen the Blood Spirit Fruits it had guarded for years.

Damn it! The Blood Spirit Flame Python flew into a towering rage.

"Hiss..."

Zou Jin instantly felt as though the world had turned against him.

His teeth chattered as he said, "M-My lord, what does this mean? I... I already found the Blood Spirit Fruits for you."

"Yes, but you know too much. I do not feel at ease. I only trust the dead to keep secrets."

Li Xinge said expressionlessly.

"You promised to spare my life. You can't go back on your word!"

Zou Jin roared, his face flushed red.

"My agreeing doesn't mean anyone else agreed."

Li Xinge sneered repeatedly.

"I must have been blind as a bat to believe your nonsense!"

Zou Jin laughed madly, his eyes filled with despair.

"You're ruthless and cruel. You'll surely die a horrible death someday!"

He pointed at Li Xinge and cursed viciously.

Li Xinge did not care in the slightest about Zou Jin's curse.

If curses worked, he would have died countless times already.

"Even if that day comes, you won't live to see it. So, Flame Python, what are you waiting for?"

The Blood Spirit Flame Python, which had long been unable to wait, opened its blood-filled maw and swallowed all three of them in one bite. Full and satisfied, it let out a blissful burp.

Before Zou Jin died, he wondered whether he would not have ended up with his family destroyed and his life lost if he had not let greed cloud his mind.

Sadly, there was no medicine for regret in this world.