14: Kill the foundation-building monster and get an explosion of experience!

The Bloodthirsty Jackal's corpse lay on the ground.

It was everywhere, a mess.

The air was heavy with the smell of blood.

The scent was almost impossible to dissipate.

Li Dong stood there.

His breathing was steady.

His expression was the same as usual.

The battle just now.

For him, it was merely a warm-up.

He glanced at the System panel.

His experience points had increased significantly.

A small smile touched the corner of his mouth.

Five hundred seventy experience points, enough.

He could immediately upgrade to Body Refinement Sixth Level.

However, he did not upgrade right away.

Zhao Zhen had put a lot of thought into arranging a "highly dangerous" mission for him.

This mission couldn't possibly involve only a dozen Bloodthirsty Jackals of Body Refinement Third and Fourth Rank. Even with a Body Refinement Fifth Level leader, it couldn't be this simple.

The real danger.

Should be later.

"Zhao Zhen, are these all your tricks?"

Li Dong sneered inwardly.

He wasn't afraid.

Instead, he was somewhat expectant.

Black Wind Ridge, for him, was indeed a good place for training.

Experience babies, I'm coming!

Li Dong focused his mind, raising his perception to its highest level.

He continued walking towards the patrol area mentioned in the mission scroll.

The further he went, the more rugged the terrain became, and the denser the vegetation, blocking out the sky.

The Demonic Qi in the air grew thicker and more varied.

It seemed that this area housed more types of Yao Beasts, and they were also stronger.

Li Dong walked without stopping, weaving through the trees like a ghost.

His eyes were sharp.

He observed his surroundings.

Paying attention to every slightest movement.

Suddenly, Li Dong stopped.

A very powerful and sinister aura suddenly appeared, emanating from deep within the dense forest ahead.

This aura was far stronger than that of the previous Body Refinement Fifth Level Jackal leader!

It carried a terrifying pressure.

Li Dong's eyes narrowed, his muscles tensed, and his primal energy began to circulate, ready to strike at any moment.

He held his breath, carefully parting the bushes in front of him, and looked towards the source of the aura.

He saw an open space ahead, in the middle of the forest, where a huge creature was coiled!

It was a giant python!

Its entire body was covered in black scales.

The scales were large.

Like palms.

In the dark forest.

The scales shimmered.

Cold as metal.

Its body was thick.

Like a water bucket.

It was coiled there.

Its body winding and twisting.

Its length might exceed fifteen meters!

Its head was large.

It was triangular.

A pair of cold vertical pupils.

Was staring towards Li Dong.

With a fierce glint in its eyes.

Its forked tongue flicked out.

Then retracted.

Making a "hissing" sound.

Carrying a foul odor.

Black Scaled Python!

What made Li Dong's heart sink even further was.

The Demonic Qi fluctuations from this Black Scaled Python.

Had already surpassed the Body Tempering Realm!

Foundation Establishment Realm!

This was definitely a true Foundation Establishment Initial Stage Yao Beast!

Body Tempering Realm and Foundation Establishment Realm.

Although only one major Realm apart.

Their strength difference was immense.

Body Tempering Realm.

Is about training the body.

Including muscles and bones.

Condensing primal energy.

Foundation Establishment Realm.

Is about opening a Qi Sea within the body and condensing true essence.

Any slight movement could stir the Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth, making one's strength far superior to a Body Tempering Realm Martial Artist.

A Body Tempering Realm Martial Artist, even at the Body Tempering Ninth Level Peak, would have almost no chance of winning against the weakest Foundation Establishment Initial Stage.

This was Zhao Zhen's true killing move!

He never thought those Bloodthirsty Jackals could kill Li Dong.

He intended to use this Foundation Establishment Realm Black Scaled Python.

To completely kill Li Dong here!

A tremendous pressure weighed on Li Dong's heart.

The coercion brought by the Foundation Establishment Realm Yao Beast slowed down the circulation of primal energy within Li Dong's body.

It felt like being on a small boat amidst raging waves, liable to capsize at any moment.

Desperate situation!

This truly seemed like a desperate situation!

【Warning! Foundation Establishment Realm Yao Beast detected! Target strength: Foundation Establishment Initial Stage!】

【Warning! Host is currently at Body Refinement Fifth Level Peak. Strength difference with target is too great. Danger Rank: Extremely Fatal!】

【Warning! Host is advised to flee immediately! Repeat. Host is advised to flee immediately!】

In his mind. The System's alarm blared. It was urgent. Repeatedly giving danger alerts.

Flee?

Li Dong took a deep breath. His eyes, however, brightened considerably.

A path to escape. Perhaps there was one.

But Black Wind Ridge was so vast. He might not be able to outrun this Foundation Establishment Realm Demonic Python.

More importantly. He didn't want to flee!

Zhao Zhen tried every means to kill him. He insisted on living!

Moreover. This was not just a life-or-death crisis.

It was also a rare opportunity!

Fortune favors the bold!

If he could kill this Foundation Establishment Realm Demonic Python. The experience points gained. Would surely be immense!

Enough to greatly enhance his strength!

Fight!

Li Dong's Battle Intent surged in his heart. There was no longer any hesitation in his eyes.

He no longer hid. He stepped out of the bushes.

"Hiss—!"

The Black Scaled Python had clearly discovered him long ago.

Seeing such a small human dare to come out voluntarily. A trace of cruelty and disdain flashed in its huge snake eyes.

In its view. This Body Tempering Realm human in front of it. Was merely food delivered to its doorstep.

The next moment. The Black Scaled Python moved!

Its huge body sprang up fiercely. Kicking up a gust of wind. It opened its massive maw. And bit towards Li Dong! Its speed was incredibly fast!

A A fishy wind. The teeth were terrifying!

Its speed was much faster than the previous Bloodthirsty Jackals!

Facing such a swift attack. Li Dong did not dodge.

The primal energy within his body circulated wildly. All of it poured into his right palm.

Ripping Sky Demon Suppression Seal!

Buzz!

A very strong power gathered in his palm. Carrying an aura that suppressed evil. It was terrifying.

He struck out with a palm towards the python's open mouth!

"Bang!"

The palm print hit the python's head. It was solid.

However.

The scene of a head exploding did not occur.

Li Dong felt as if he had struck a piece of iron. Extremely hard. A powerful counter-shock force came back. Numbing his arm. His Qi and blood surged.

The Black Scaled Python was only momentarily stopped by the blow. Its huge head tilted back slightly.

On its hard scales. Only a shallow white mark was left!

The defensive power of a Foundation Establishment Realm Yao Beast was truly too strong.

Although Li Dong's Ripping Sky Demon Suppression Seal could restrain Yao Beasts, his cultivation was only at Body Refinement Fifth Level Peak.

The Rank of power was too different, he simply couldn't break through the opponent's defense.

"Hiss roar!"

The Black Scaled Python, struck by a Body Tempering Realm human, though unharmed, was completely enraged.

It let out a huge hiss, its voice filled with brutality and fury.

Its huge snake tail, like a black steel whip covered in scales, swept towards Li Dong with a sound that tore through the air.

The force of this sweep was estimated to be tens of thousands of pounds.

Its speed was also terrifyingly fast, almost blocking all of Li Dong's escape routes.

The strong wind stung Li Dong's cheeks.

The feeling of death came upon him instantly.

Li Dong's pupils suddenly contracted.

The huge snake tail, carrying a destructive power, was instantly upon him.

He couldn't dodge at all.

Just at this critical moment, Li Dong used his movement technique to its fullest, and his bones let out a series of cracks.

He dangerously moved a tiny bit to the side.

"Whoosh—!"

The steel-like snake tail swept past, almost grazing his body.

The terrifying strong wind it generated, struck him like a heavy hammer.

"Puff!"

Li Dong felt a tightness in his chest, a sweetness in his throat, and almost spat out blood.

He was sent flying several meters, slamming heavily into a large tree before stopping.

Just the wind had such immense power.

Foundation Establishment Realm, truly terrifying.

A direct confrontation was definitely not an option.

Flee? Hope was slim.

What to do?

At the brink of life and death, Li Dong's mind raced.

Ripping Sky Demon Suppression Seal wasn't powerful enough to break through defenses... That's right!

He suddenly remembered that when he killed Wang Wei, the System rewarded him with a skill fragment—【Ghost Pill Technique】.

This was a secret technique with Yin-Sha attributes, perhaps... it could fuse with Ripping Sky Demon Suppression Seal?

This was pretty much his only hope now.

He could only take a gamble!

"System! Fuse Ripping Sky Demon Suppression Seal and 【Ghost Pill Technique】 skill fragment!"

Li Dong shouted in his mind.

【Detected fusable skills: Lie Kong Zhen Mo Yin (Proficient), Skill Fragment: Ghost Pill Technique.】

【Fusion requires consuming experience points: 200 points. Confirm Fusion?】

"Confirm!"

Li Dong didn't hesitate for a moment.

【Experience points - 200! Skill Fusion in progress...】

【Fusion successful! Congratulations to Host for acquiring new skill: Heavenly Pill Rifting Demon Seal (Beginner)!】

【Heavenly Pill Rifting Demon Seal (Beginner): Fuses the powerful burst of the Celestial Pill Secret Technique and the Yin-Sha corrosive power of the Ghost Pill Technique, doubling its might! Has stronger restraint and destructive effects against demonic entities, ghosts, and other evil beings!】

A brand new, more powerful sensation immediately filled Li Dong's entire body.

Within the original pure Demon Suppression Seal power, there seemed to be an indescribable heat, yet also a cold, corrosive feeling.

Two completely different powers perfectly combined in his palm, transforming into an even more terrifying destructive energy.

"Hiss roar—!"

Just then, the Black Scaled Python, having missed its strike, became even more furious, and its huge body lunged again.

In its open maw, one could even see black Demonic Qi gathering, as if it were about to unleash some innate ultimate move.

It absolutely could not allow this human to live.

"Good timing!"

Li Dong's eyes gleamed, advancing instead of retreating.

The primal energy within his body circulated at an unprecedented speed, all concentrating on his right hand.

The nascent power gathered and compressed in his palm.

【Heavenly Pill Rifting Demon Seal】!

Buzz—!

This time, what appeared in Li Dong's palm was no longer an invisible force.

It was a strange imprint woven from blazing white light and dark black Qi.

The imprint emanated a terrifying aura that was both sacred and sinister.

"Break for me!"

Li Dong roared, and with immense power, slammed a palm heavily onto the giant python's head, which was biting at him again.

"Bang!!!"

This time the sound of impact was so dull it was unsettling.

No longer the metallic clash from before.

"Crack—!"

The clear sound of bones cracking rang out.

Under the terrifying power of the 【Heavenly Pill Rifting Demon Seal】, the Black Scaled Python's extremely hard skull, actually shattered directly.

The power woven from blazing white and dark black, like poisonous insects clinging to bone, frantically drilled into the python's head, destroying its Life Qi.

"Hiss—aow—!"

The Black Scaled Python let out an extremely mournful cry, its huge body twisting and thrashing wildly, knocking down surrounding trees.

Its huge snake eyes were filled with unbelievable pain and fear.

It couldn't understand how this human, who had been so weak just moments ago, could suddenly unleash such terrifying power.

But Li Dong wouldn't give it time to think.

Strike while the iron is hot.

He endured the surging Qi and blood within his body and charged forward again.

Another 【Heavenly Pill Rifting Demon Seal】, heavily imprinted on the wound of the giant python's head.

"Pfft!"

This time, the palm imprint entered without any obstruction.

The python's head, like a watermelon smashed by a heavy hammer, completely exploded.

Red and white matter mixed with black Demonic Blood, splattering everywhere.

The huge snake body fell heavily to the ground, twitched a few times, and then became completely still.

The surroundings immediately fell silent, leaving only Li Dong's heavy breathing.

【Ding!】

【Killed a Foundation Establishment Initial Stage Yao Beast: Black Scaled Python, despite being at a lower Rank!】

【Gained experience points: 5000 points!】

【Current total experience points: 570 - 200 + 5000 = 5370 points!】

A series of System prompts, like the most beautiful music, rang out in Li Dong's mind.

Five thousand experience points.

Looking at the terrifying number on the System panel, Li Dong's heart pounded fiercely.

The experience given by a Foundation Establishment Realm Yao Beast was indeed immense.

He leaned on his knees, gasping for air.

The battle just now, especially the last two 【Heavenly Pill Rifting Demon Seal】 strikes, had almost depleted all his primal energy.

But in his eyes, an incredibly excited light shone.