Exotic Poison Python

Yan Chihuo saw this and thought to himself, The poison I wield seems no weaker than the lethal toxins that struck those three I saw earlier; it is only a pity about that half-step Dharma Tool. It turned out that when he gripped the opponent's long blade with both hands, he had channeled his poison into it, which was how he managed to slay the dark figure.

As a half-step Dharma Tool, the long blade's power was naturally far superior to his own long sword and Snake Scale, but since it had been destroyed so quickly, the Talisman Artifact Primordial Embryo was truly mediocre. Yan Chihuo had taken it mainly to study how the restrictions on such a Talisman Artifact were inscribed, so while he felt it was a pity the blade was ruined, he did not mind it too much.

This time, he dared not be careless. He extended his hearing in all directions while taking a packet of medicine from his robes to apply to his wound. He then leaped into the tall grass and, after a few turns, vanished from sight.

He spotted a cave in the distance and, after peering inside to ensure there were no wild beasts or Demons and Monsters, he slipped within. He rested for a moment before opening the dark figure's parcel. Inside were some spiritual herbs, bones of Demons and Monsters, and a dozen or so Jade Crystals. None of these caught Yan Chihuo's attention, but among them was a pitch-black Metal Token; one side was engraved with a tiger's head, and beneath it was the character "Nine."

Feeling a sense of familiarity, he took an identical token from his robes, though the one he held had the character "Seven" beneath the tiger's head. This was the very token he had obtained from the senior brother of the Heavenly Evil Blood Demon.

Yan Chihuo pondered, It seems these two men come from the same organization. Did this person come to kill me by chance, or was he targeting me specifically?

After a moment of thought, Yan Chihuo stowed the items away and checked his injury. Had the dark figure's blade gone any deeper, it would have severed his ribs and pierced his chest cavity; he had truly escaped death by a hair's breadth.

Just then, he caught a foul, putrid scent in the cave and was suddenly struck by a realization: could this be the lair of some wild beast or Demon and Monster? Perhaps they were simply out hunting, which was why it was empty. Wild beasts were one thing, but if it were a formidable Demon and Monster, he would need to be on high alert.

Thinking this, Yan Chihuo scrambled out of the cave. At that moment, he heard the sound of a strong wind rushing through the grass. He hurriedly leaped to the top of a tall tree and looked toward the noise, only to see an exotic red python, fifteen or sixteen zhang long and as thick as a water barrel, slithering toward him. A bulge protruded from its head. As it moved, it stirred up a gale that bent the weeds flat. Seeing this, Yan Chihuo knew it was the Body Forging Late Stage Exotic Red Python.

Yan Chihuo draped the Five Poison Cloud Smoke Cover over his shoulders and swung his long sword. A massive boulder plummeted from the air as he lunged forward like an arrow. The red python was caught off guard; as the boulder fell, it twisted its long body and managed to slither out from under the rock. Even so, the snake was struck by two smaller boulders.

Though the giant python was formidable, the impact of the boulders sent most of its body crashing to the ground, leaving a streak of blood on its scales. At that moment, Yan Chihuo's long sword thrust forward.

The giant python twisted its body to evade the strike and opened its maw, spewing a cloud of five-colored toxic smoke onto Yan Chihuo. However, the Five Poison Cloud Smoke Cover shimmered with a rosy light, completely absorbing the toxic fumes.

The Poison Python was enraged. It coiled its body and spat out a stream of venom that fell like a torrential downpour, drenching the Five Poison Cloud Smoke Cover. Yan Chihuo, however, utilized the Earth Shrinking Step technique and drifted more than ten zhang away.

Just as the Poison Python prepared to pursue, Yan Chihuo was already far off. The beast could only lash its tail in fury, churning up sand and stone and snapping trees in its wake.

Yan Chihuo arrived beside a stream and stowed the Five Poison Cloud Smoke Cover. He inspected it carefully and saw that the cover was completely undamaged, though the venom had gradually thinned and the color of the fabric had deepened. Knowing the python's venom had been absorbed, he finally set his mind at ease.

The Five Poison Cloud Smoke Cover had no defensive properties, but it could absorb toxins; however, if the poison were too potent, it would be unable to resist. Yan Chihuo relied on his Poison Dissolving Art for protection, so even if some venom splashed onto him, he had no fear, which was why he dared to use this method to harvest the poison.

Even so, he worried that the Poison Python's toxins might be too strong, so he always retreated immediately after a single strike, giving the beast no chance to retaliate. Seeing now that the Five Poison Cloud Smoke Cover could withstand it, he felt more confident about harvesting poison in the future. Nevertheless, the Poison Python was at the Body Forging Late Stage, and Yan Chihuo still could not face it head-on.

Another day passed, and his injuries had greatly improved, his Dharma power fully restored. Only then did he head back toward the giant python's cave. This time, he was prepared, watching the cave from a distance and refusing to get too close.

After a long while, a massive snake head emerged from the cave entrance, and the body slowly slithered out. At that exact moment, another massive boulder fell from the sky.

The giant python was caught off guard and scrambled forward, but it was a step too late; it was struck by the boulder, and Yan Chihuo's long sword was already upon it.

The giant python twisted its body and spat another stream of venom onto Yan Chihuo. Yan Chihuo did not dodge or weave; his long sword struck the python, but it merely slid off, leaving only a shallow gash on the beast's body.

The giant python spat another mouthful of venom at Yan Chihuo. By now, the entire body of the snake had emerged, with only a small portion of its tail still pinned under the pile of boulders.

Seeing this, Yan Chihuo immediately utilized the Earth Shrinking Step and darted more than ten zhang away. The giant python lunged out, only to find that Yan Chihuo had vanished without a trace. It was furious, yet utterly helpless.

This time, Yan Chihuo had obtained two mouthfuls of venom, and the color of the Five Poison Cloud Smoke Cover deepened once more. Over the next half-month, Yan Chihuo relied on his keen senses to repeatedly harass the Poison Python, always retreating while he was ahead. The Poison Python, despite its Body Forging Late Stage cultivation, was repeatedly thwarted and could do nothing against Yan Chihuo.

Although Yan Chihuo held the upper hand, he lacked the strength to completely slay the giant python. Beyond the Five Poison Cloud Smoke Cover absorbing a great deal of toxin, his Earth Shrinking Step technique had also advanced—an unexpected stroke of good fortune.

On this day, after escaping from the giant python once more and cultivating for a while, he was suddenly startled and stood up. At that moment, he heard someone call out, "Fellow Daoist, please stay your step. This Humble One has something to discuss."

Yan Chihuo followed the voice and saw a tall man and a short man running toward him from over a hundred zhang away. He grew vigilant but did not flee; both men were at the Body Forging Middle Stage, and even if they had some trick up their sleeves, he could retreat even if he could not defeat them. When the two arrived, he asked coldly, "Two fellow Daoists, I wonder what business you have with me?"

The tall man, who carried a large gourd on his back, cupped his hands and said, "This Humble One is Yang Kun, and this is my good friend Mao Chuan. May I ask for your honorable name, Fellow Daoist?"

Yan Chihuo replied, "We are but strangers meeting by chance; there is no need to ask. Is there something you two require?" This response made his refusal to engage clear to all.