The Old Beast That Became a Spirit

Liang Qisheng clicked his tongue in amazement.

He was surprised by the venom's ferocity—it was even more vicious than he had imagined.

He knew that deep in the ancient forests, things that had aged for years became spirits.

This giant python had guarded the Three-Flower Red-Leaf Ginseng for so many years; if it weren't fierce and venomous enough, it wouldn't have held this territory.

His thoughts raced for an instant, but his movements never stopped.

He had already taken out a small stone, and with a bang, he flicked it out. His fist frame was like a tiger, heavy and forceful.

With his current physique, even the power of a small black stone shot like this was not to be underestimated—it was as deadly as a hidden weapon.

The venomous python hadn't expected Liang Qisheng to have such a move.

Its massive body shifted with lightning speed, but the stone struck its right side, knocking off a scale.

Enraged, it reared its huge python head and lunged forward.

Why would Liang Qisheng want to fight it head-on at this moment?

What made humans the spirit of all things was their ability to use strategies and tools flexibly.

He reached back and flicked the bamboo basket on his back.

A trap prepared in advance sprang up, turning into a large net that flew toward the giant python.

Now the venomous python was completely blindsided. The more it struggled, the tighter the net with its hooked claws wrapped around it.

Seeing that it was immensely strong and about to break free, Liang Qisheng moved with sharp eyes and swift hands. He leaped across, his Ferocious Tiger Fist frame striking with a crackling sound.

A cold, chilling gleam flashed like silver moonlight falling.

Under the sharp chopping knife, the massive python head flew off, black blood spraying three feet wide.

Only then did the blood spurt into the air, the huge triangular snake head already landing not far away.

Its mouth opened and closed, while the massive snake body still writhed and twitched in the net, making a tearing sound.

But now the situation was settled; it could stir up no more trouble.

Liang Qisheng cautiously walked over to the Red Flower Old Ginseng.

He took out the hoe and shovel he usually used for digging herbs and carefully unearthed the Red Flower Old Ginseng.

Especially the roots below—he preserved them completely.

Only this way could the medicinal value and potency of the Red Flower Old Ginseng be fully retained!

After placing the Red Flower Old Ginseng intact into the herb basket, Liang Qisheng finally let out a long breath and straightened up.

Just then, he suddenly felt a chill on his back.

A cold wind swept in like lightning, and his body instinctively ducked forward.

Rip!

Blood flashed on his back, leaving several deep claw marks.

Woo-woo!

When Liang Qisheng turned and rose, his movements were a bit unsteady.

He felt a sharp pain in his back, as if struck by a heavy hammer.

Turning around, he used the chopping knife to guard himself, steadied his gaze, and finally saw that what had pounced on him was a one-eyed wolf.

The wolf was enormous, like a small calf, with many scars on its blue-gray fur.

Even its face bore claw marks, one of which had scraped past its eye, blinding the lone wolf's right eye.

The scarred, one-eyed face only made it look more ferocious.

Its bristling fur sent a chill down one's spine.

That beast had just ambushed him from behind, nearly taking his life.

Liang Qisheng's heart darkened, and he grew cautious.

At that moment, the lone wolf let out a low growl from its throat.

Its ugly, scarred, one-eyed face twisted into a somewhat human-like sneer.

Its deep blue eyes were filled with killing intent and greed, fixed tightly on the herb basket Liang Qisheng carried.

Clearly, the Red Flower Old Ginseng he had just dug up had caught its attention.

"This is a lone wolf!"

When Liang Qisheng saw the wolf's appearance clearly, his heart couldn't help but tremble with fear.

The situation he dreaded most had still occurred.

Deep mountains were full of fierce beasts, and they moved in packs.

Those that could roam alone were often the most troublesome.

Wolves are generally pack animals, but there were no other companions around it—either it was a lone wolf driven out after losing a bid for pack leadership, or its circumstances were special, making it incompatible with the pack.

Regardless, judging by the beast's height and build, it was clearly no easy opponent.

Moreover, the look in its eyes carried a hint of human-like cunning.

In the martial world, which transcends the mundane, humans could train to the point of defeating a hundred foes alone or stabilizing a nation, and beasts could do the same.

A lone wolf like this, especially with injuries showing it had endured countless brutal battles before, was a serious threat.

Liang Qisheng deeply suspected that this creature had likely lost a fight for pack leadership and been cast out.

But this old wolf must have encountered some fortune along the way to have grown to such an enormous size.

If it had truly failed in its bid for leadership before, Liang Qisheng found it hard to imagine what kind of pack could boast such terrifying competitiveness.

Still, the reason this beast had appeared here was entirely because the fragrance emitted by the Red Flower Old Ginseng had drawn its attention.

Yet it also knew Liang Qisheng was not to be trifled with, so it remained cautious—its ambush foiled, it bided its time, waiting for an opening.

It simply refused to launch a frontal assault.

If it could devour that Red Flower Old Ginseng, it would not only fully recover but might also reach new heights, advancing further.

Grrr!

With a low growl, the beast took two more steps, its head lowered, throat emitting a threatening rumble full of menace.

This made Liang Qisheng grip his chopping knife tightly.

Whoosh!

After a prolonged standoff, neither side budged—unexpectedly, Liang Qisheng's patience proved as excellent as that of a seasoned old hunter in the deep mountains.

When contending with a wild beast, the key was to match its patience.

A wolf shadow flashed by; the creature could no longer hold back, or perhaps it wanted a quick resolution.

It possessed highly refined hunting skills.

Just as Liang Qisheng's chopping knife swung to meet it, the beast sidestepped, dodging the blade's arc.

At the same time, it whipped its tail, striking the knife's surface directly.

With a "clang," Liang Qisheng felt as if a steel whip had lashed across.

Pain shot through his tiger's mouth, splitting open, blood flowing, and the scent of gore immediately spread.

But he tightened his grip, the chopping knife still firmly in his palm, showing no sign of flying away.

In just one exchange, Liang Qisheng gained a new respect for this beast.

He had to admit, though it was a lone wolf, it fully rivaled the most skilled and wiliest of hunters.

It even knew how to feint east and strike west—its cunning was no less than a human's.

"Then I'll have a good game with you."

With the chopping knife in hand, Liang Qisheng dared not let go.

After all, compared to wolf claws, his current fist techniques and stances were far from matching such a beast head-on.

Blood dripped from his tiger's mouth, spreading a metallic smell that made the lone wolf greedily extend its tongue to lick its lips.

Liang Qisheng glanced at it, then focused entirely on the creature before him.

He stretched his limbs, still holding the chopping knife, but his stance shifted, already assuming the starting posture of the Black Tiger Fist.

This was the first time since Liang Qisheng had made some progress with the Black Tiger Fist, after killing three ruffians in a row, that he faced such a life-or-death trial.

He felt a breath stuck in his chest, unable to vent, his blood boiling throughout his body.

At that moment, his emotions seemed to catch fire, carrying a hint of eagerness and excitement.