25: Xuanling Python

“What is this?”

At the same time, far away in Qingxia Lake, after several days of searching, Wang Ning finally discovered a Spiritual Plant glowing with a rosy light on a cliff of an island.

Wang Ning was overjoyed. There were less than two days until Ice Peak Zhenren’s lecture, and if he couldn't find it, all his previous efforts would have been in vain.

Fortunately, heaven protected him, and by this day, he had finally found a precious Spiritual Plant.

Although Wang Ning didn't recognize the Spiritual Plant before him, judging by its shimmering rosy light, its grade was likely not low.

But looking at the Spiritual Plant, Wang Ning hesitated again.

Because he knew that all Heaven And Earth Treasures must be guarded by a Yao Beast.

Given the rosy glow of that Spiritual Plant, the guarding Yao Beast must be incredibly powerful. He was only at the fifth level of Qi Condensation, and might not be its match.

However, with the treasure before him, Wang Ning gritted his teeth, truly unwilling to give up.

Therefore, he decided to probe it, to see the strength of that Yao Beast, and then decide whether to outsmart it or brute force it.

“Let’s do it!”

Wang Ning hardened his heart, and his body, standing at the base of the cliff, moved.

But just then, a burst of wild laughter came from the dense forest, “Haha~ Big Brother, I told you following this kid would lead to good things!”

Wang Ning’s expression changed, and he shot up, preparing to flee.

But it was too late.

Just as Wang Ning started to move, three burly men rushed out of the dense forest, surrounding him.

The leader had a scar on his face, a ferocious expression, and was nicknamed Wang Da.

The second brother had long, narrow eyes and a treacherous smile, named Zhao Er.

The third brother was simple-minded, with a strong build, and was Li San.

These three specialized in robbery and plunder, and were quite infamous in this area, nicknamed the “Three Heroes of Tanzhou.”

Now, Li Xiangyun’s words had caused Southern Barbarian Province to boil, with countless Loose Cultivators flocking to search for Heaven And Earth Treasures.

The three of them naturally didn't want to miss such a good opportunity, and had arrived at Qingxia Lake early.

After several days, their harvest was quite abundant, making them overjoyed.

Not long ago, they accidentally stumbled upon Wang Ning wandering around, but they didn't alert him, instead following him for a distance.

They wanted to see if he had any accomplices, but they didn't expect to gain such a harvest.

Looking at the brightly glowing Spiritual Plant on the cliff, Li San chuckled foolishly, “Big Brother, we have a meeting gift for the Li family.”

“Not bad.” Wang Da was in a very good mood, saying with a spring in his step, “Looking at this rosy glow, it’s at least a second-grade Spirit Medicine. With this, our three brothers might be able to join the Li family in one fell swoop.”

Li San was stunned for a moment, then tilted his head and chuckled a few times, revealing two rows of teeth.

Wang Da didn't pay attention, turning his gaze to Zhao Er.

Zhao Er’s narrow eyes swept over Wang Ning, a sinister smile curling at the corner of his mouth, and then he struck out fiercely.

The Aura of a seventh-level Qi Condensation cultivator immediately erupted.

“Damn it!” Wang Ning’s face was very grim. The sudden turn of events caught him somewhat off guard.

But he still quickly defended himself.

His arms crossed, just as he guarded his chest, a powerful punch had already arrived.

“Boom!”

Accompanied by a roar.

Wang Ning was sent flying, his entire body seemingly embedded in the cliff face, smashing a small pit into the stone wall, with dense cracks spreading rapidly like a spiderweb, and shattered rocks scattering.

“Cough~”

Wang Ning coughed up a mouthful of blood, and before he could catch his breath, the second wave of attack followed.

Wang Ning could only quickly get up and contend with him.

“Hiss hiss~”

Below the Spiritual Plant was a hidden cliff cave, its entrance overgrown with vegetation, blocking all sunlight, making the cave dark and deep, without a trace of light.

Just then, two crimson orbs of light suddenly lit up like lanterns, accompanied by chilling sounds that sent shivers down one’s spine.

Immediately after, something massive seemed to be moving in the darkness, the sound of scales clashing and rubbing growing louder and louder.

But Wang Ning, currently in battle, had no time to spare.

The gap in Realms was immense; in just a moment, Wang Ning was already struggling to parry, his body having sustained very severe injuries.

His arm bones were broken, and his internal organs were shaken as if displaced.

“Good kid, you can actually take a few of my moves. That’s somewhat interesting.”

Zhao Er licked the blood on his fingers like a pervert, looking at Wang Ning with a hint of appreciation.

Wang Ning’s face was pale and somewhat disgusted, because the blood on Zhao Er’s hand was his own.

“Second Brother, don’t drag it out, finish him quickly.”

Wang Da’s voice came from above, carrying a hint of impatience. At this moment, he was controlling his Magical Artifact to fly upwards, preparing to pluck the Spirit Medicine.

A flicker of displeasure crossed Zhao Er’s eyes, but he didn't object. Black Qi surged in his hand, and he sent a Heart-Shattering Palm towards Wang Ning.

“What should I do? Am I really going to die?”

Wang Ning’s expression was anxious, his heart filled with unwillingness and despair.

Although he had prepared for death the moment he arrived at Qingxia Lake, when death truly came, he still couldn't face it calmly.

He was unwilling; things were clearly developing for the better, but they were ruined by these three people before him.

Even he himself couldn't escape the fate of death.

Just at this critical moment, a deafening explosion suddenly came from the cliff above.

In just an instant, the entire sky seemed to darken, and a strong stench swept across the entire battlefield.

Even Zhao Er, who was attacking, couldn't help but stop.

“What is this?”

Wang Ning was startled, looking up, only to see a giant black python, like a Dragon emerging from its lair, crawling out of the cliff cave below the Spiritual Plant.

The black python was dozens of meters long, covering the sky and sun, and bit towards Wang Da in mid-air.

It turned out that while Zhao Er was fighting Wang Ning, Wang Da, being at the eighth level of Qi Condensation and bold due to his skill, had ventured alone to the cliff to pick the Spirit Medicine, ultimately completely enraging this Xuanling Python.

“An opportunity!”

While Zhao Er and Li San were both focused on the battle above, Wang Ning merely glanced at it and realized this was an excellent and his only chance to survive.

Under the immense will to survive, Wang Ning endured the tremendous pain in his body and desperately ran towards the nearby water.

At the same time, the battle in mid-air also reached a critical moment.

The Xuanling Python had the advantage of surprise, and its massive blood-filled maw arrived before Wang Da in an instant, then fiercely bit at him.

This made Zhao Er and Li San below hold their breath.

Fortunately, Wang Da had been living a life of danger for many years, and his reactions were extraordinary. He immediately reacted and quickly dodged.

The Xuanling Python’s huge mouth snapped shut, its immense power causing the air to explode with a roar, and the strong wind sent Wang Da flying.

Just as Wang Da thought he had escaped, a bloodthirsty glint flashed in the Xuanling Python’s eyes, and then its tail whipped out from the cave, striking fiercely at Wang Da with a powerful sweep.

This strike was powerful and extremely fast. Wang Da had no time to dodge and was sent flying by the blow, like a cannonball, smashing heavily into the ground. Countless trees were knocked down in its path, raising a large cloud of dust, his fate unknown.

Roar!

Having succeeded in one strike, the Xuanling Python raised its head to the sky, letting out a terrifying roar.

Its fierce Aura, accompanied by terrifying sounds, continuously spread outwards, scattering birds and beasts in the forest.

Immediately, the Xuanling Python continued to pounce towards Zhao Er and Li San, clearly intending to devour all these humans who had disturbed its rest.

Zhao Er and Li San gasped, exchanged glances, and then fled in a panic.

Their direction was precisely the same direction Wang Ning had just fled.