37: Gentiana

Just as Lu Xingchen flew towards the center of the pond, a water pillar shot up from the bottom, fiercely blasting towards him.

He quickly activated his shadow sword, displacing himself back to the edge of the pond.

The pond was turbulent, and a snake-like Yao Beast emerged from its depths.

The snake Yao Beast was pale green and white all over, its scales reflecting a cold light, and it opened its bloody maw towards Lu Xingchen.

Lu Xingchen's heart sank.

It was expected that precious Spirit Medicine would have a guarding Yao Beast, which was why he had left his shadow sword scabbard on the shore.

But he hadn't expected this Yao Beast to be so strong.

Three-Star Third-Tier!

Equivalent to a human Three-Star Great Martial Master!

Xiao You said from the mount space, "Lu Xingchen, this Yao Beast is already six minor Realms higher than you. If it's really not possible, let's just give up."

"Even without the dragon gall grass, I can still reach the Third-Tier, it will just take a little longer."

Lu Xingchen shook his head slightly.

"How can I just give up? I, Lu Xingchen, am not one to bully the weak and fear the strong. The Spirit Medicine is right in front of me, I have to at least try. If I really can't win, I'll use my shadow sword to escape; it definitely won't be able to catch me."

With that, Lu Xingchen immediately activated the Heaven Swallowing Art, and his Realm steadily climbed, quickly reaching the Peak Great Martial Master Realm.

Feeling the change in Lu Xingchen's Aura, a hint of apprehension appeared in the snake Yao's eyes.

As a powerful cultivator of the Great Martial Master Realm, although the opponent's Realm was still not as high as its own, he could already pose a threat to it.

Lu Xingchen drew his shadow sword and unleashed a Void-Shattering Slash towards the snake Yao.

As his Realm increased and his proficiency grew, the wind-up time for using Void-Shattering Slash became shorter and shorter, basically allowing for instant casting.

The snake Yao ignored Lu Xingchen's attack and shot a water pillar at him.

Lu Xingchen hastily used his shadow sword, displacing himself to the other side.

The Void-Shattering Slash struck the snake's body, sparks flew, and the sound of metal colliding rang out.

Lu Xingchen's full-power strike was actually unable to break through the snake Yao's defense.

Lu Xingchen frowned.

Generally speaking, between Yao Beasts and humans of the same Realm, Yao Beasts typically have stronger combat power than humans.

This was all due to the Yao Beast's formidable Physical Body.

With one strike unsuccessful, Lu Xingchen did not lose heart. Instead, he circled the snake Yao, sending Void-Shattering Slashes towards its body one after another.

The snake Yao was infuriated by Lu Xingchen's attacks.

Although Lu Xingchen's attacks couldn't break its defense, it also couldn't touch Lu Xingchen.

This human's movement technique was simply too strange; it couldn't find any weakness.

But then, the anger in the snake Yao's heart turned into fear.

If one sword couldn't break the defense, what about the second, the third?

While dodging the snake Yao's attacks, Lu Xingchen aimed for its weakest point, its seven inches, striking the same spot with every Void-Shattering Slash.

When Lu Xingchen's fifth sword struck, the snake Yao's scales shattered, revealing its fresh, red flesh.

The snake Yao let out a roar and used its innate skill.

Hundreds of water pillars leaped from the pond, striking across the entire map, blocking all of Lu Xingchen's escape routes.

Lu Xingchen was also startled.

He quickly took out his turtle shell shield and infused it with Dou Qi.

A light green Dou Qi Shield appeared around him.

The snake Yao's water pillars slammed into the turtle shell shield, and the immense force sent Lu Xingchen flying into the sky.

But it failed to cause him any harm.

When the water pillars disappeared, Lu Xingchen spread his Dou Qi Wings, lightly hovering in front of the snake Yao.

The snake Yao was scared.

It feared that it would truly die at the hands of this human.

So it leaped out of the pond and ran towards the outside of the medicinal garden, abandoning the dragon gall grass.

Lu Xingchen let out a long sigh and did not pursue.

First, his Azure Cloud Wings' duration was almost up.

Second, even if he caught up, it would be difficult to kill this snake Yao; its hide was too thick.

Third, with powerful enemies all around in the Secret Realm, Lu Xingchen did not want to easily use Jade Shatter, to prevent being ambushed.

Lu Xingchen spread his Dou Qi Wings and landed on an open space in the center of the pond, picking the dragon gall grass.

Immediately, Xiao You in the mount space had a thought and took the dragon gall grass, consuming it at once.

Lu Xingchen then checked his attribute panel.

Host: Lu Xingchen

Realm: Seven-Star Martial Master

Experience: 300 / 800

exchange points: 1220

Talents: Eagle Eye (20), Strong Strike (20), Berserk (36), Blade Edge (30), Jade Shatter (50), Devour (30)

Professions: Second-Grade Alchemist (500 / 1000), Third-Grade Spirit Formation Master (0 / 10000)

Mount: Nether Dragon (Evolving)

Xiao You's status had changed.

Lu Xingchen then left the pond.

Upon reaching the outside, he found that the other Spirit Medicine had already been plundered by Lin Jing and Ning Feng.

Seeing Lu Xingchen approach, both of them smiled.

Ning Feng: "Boss, I heard quite a commotion from your side just now. Who were you fighting?"

Lu Xingchen chuckled, "A Spirit Medicine had a guarding Yao Beast. I scared it away."

"Damn, Boss is awesome! A Spirit Medicine with a guarding beast must be exceptionally precious. Boss made a huge profit this time."

Lu Xingchen chuckled, "Consider it some gains. Have all the items been collected? We should go. The others must be waiting for us deeper in the Secret Realm."

Lin Jing spoke up, "Lu Xingchen, wait a moment!"

Lu Xingchen was slightly stunned, "What's up?"

"I found a Phoenix Tail Grass in the medicinal garden that is a perfect match for my Physique. If I consume it, it should help me enter the Great Martial Master Realm."

Hearing this, Lu Xingchen's heart filled with joy.

As expected of an experienced Disciple!

She was already able to attempt a Breakthrough to the Great Martial Master Realm.

While he was still just a mere Martial Master.

"Good, you focus on your Breakthrough. Ning Feng and I will be your Protectors."

"Okay."

Lin Jing immediately sat down and consumed the Phoenix Tail Grass.

A powerful Dou Qi fluctuation immediately appeared around her, but it was strong and weak, still unstable, clearly indicating she was in the midst of a Breakthrough.

Lu Xingchen and Ning Feng guarded the entrance to the medicinal garden.

Ning Feng laughed, "This is great! Once Senior Sister Lin Jing breaks through, we'll have two Great Martial Master Realm combatants. Who will be able to stop our Lingxiao Sect then?"

Lu Xingchen said in a deep voice, "Let's just hope no one else finds this medicinal garden during this time."

Ning Feng chuckled awkwardly, "It shouldn't happen, right? In the past day, only the three of us and those two Disciples from the Nine Ghosts Sect have been here. They wouldn't turn back, would they?"

Just then, several powerful Auras and footsteps suddenly appeared in the distance.

Lu Xingchen's expression darkened.

"Ning Feng, you jinx!"

Ghost Ink and Gui Yaoer had returned, followed by five Disciples from the Nine Ghosts Sect.

The moment he saw Lu Xingchen, Ghost Ink was completely stunned.

"Lu Xingchen?"

"You said you couldn't break through this Formation, so you led your people away. But then you turned back and found a way to open the Formation?"

"You're so damn treacherous!"