52: This snake... is quite powerful.

"You cowardly rat, come out now!"

The next second, Mysterious Ink's figure suddenly swelled!

His massive python body instantly appeared above the Medicinal Field, Speaking Human Words, his voice booming like thunder!

Seeing Mysterious Ink suddenly appear, and hearing his earth-shattering words, Yang Zhen's expression drastically changed!

He couldn't figure it out!

He never dreamed that his flawless, Certain-Kill Scenario would actually... be seen through by a snake?!

Since things had reached this point, he couldn't be bothered to pretend anymore.

"Hehe... hehehehe..." He slowly straightened up. The humble and kind smile on his face had long vanished, replaced by a sinister, poisonous look that revealed his true intentions.

"Come out, Venerable of the Blood Fiend Sect."

The moment his voice fell, the entire Medicinal Field exploded!

A skinny figure, dressed in blood-red robes and exuding the terrifying pressure of the Early Golden Core Stage, silently appeared like a phantom!

Feeling the terrifying aura that could instantly crush her, Ye Feiyan's expression instantly became extremely solemn. She asked Mysterious Ink in a deep voice, "Do you have confidence?"

"Easily," Mysterious Ink replied, filled with endless confidence.

Ye Feiyan let out a long sigh of relief.

She turned her head, looked at Yang Zhen, who had already dropped all pretense, and asked coldly, "I am very curious. Why?"

"Although the Beast Taming Sect takes most of the heavenly star grass, the profit left for your Yang Family is enough for you to live in luxury and Cultivate without worry.

Why would you do something that leads to your own destruction?"

"Why?" Yang Zhen gave a self-mocking smile, his eyes filled with unwillingness and madness.

"The profit the Beast Taming Sect gives is indeed acceptable, but..."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "That little bit is only enough for my Yang Family to barely survive!

My hundreds of Yang Family clansmen are crying out for resources! Everyone wants to advance further on the Immortal Path! I had no choice but to take the risk!"

"It's just a pity that you ultimately discovered us."

He looked at Ye Feiyan, a final trace of malice appearing on his face.

"But, it's not over yet!"

"As long as I can capture you, the Beast Taming Sect's Personal Disciple! I will still have a chance at survival! I can use you as a hostage to ensure my entire clan leaves safely!"

Before his voice faded, he suddenly erupted like an arrow shot from a bowstring, charging fiercely toward Ye Feiyan!

"Seeking death!"

Murderous intent filled Yang Zhen's eyes, and the majestic Spiritual Power belonging to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage erupted!

At some unknown point, a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact long saber had appeared in his hand. Cold light shimmered on the blade, carrying the might to split mountains and rocks, as he brought it down upon Ye Feiyan's head!

However, facing this thunderous strike, there was not the slightest trace of panic on Ye Feiyan's cool and pretty face.

"Good timing!"

She let out a clear shout, and the Spiritual Power within her body—forged by the Divine Path Foundation Establishment and several times more powerful and pure than that of ordinary Cultivators—roared into operation!

Although the long iron sword in her hand was a mortal item, it erupted with a brilliant Sword Radiance that was no weaker than that of a Spiritual Artifact!

Clang!!!

Saber and sword clashed, setting off a deafening roar!

The violent energy shockwave snapped all the heavenly star grass within a radius of dozens of meters!

After the single strike, the two were forced back several steps, resulting in a stalemate!

"What?!" For the first time, an expression of shock appeared on Yang Zhen's face!

He was a genuine Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator! Yet the opponent was just a young girl who had only just entered the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage!

His full-power strike actually... only resulted in a draw with her?!

"As expected of a Genius from the Beast Taming Sect..." He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, but the killing intent in his eyes grew even stronger!

This woman must not be allowed to live!

Meanwhile, Mysterious Ink and the Golden Core Venerable of the Blood Fiend Sect had already engaged.

The skinny old man was not in a hurry to attack. His cold, snake-like eyes stared fixedly at Mysterious Ink, and his hoarse voice was filled with curiosity and confusion.

"This old man is very curious," he said slowly. "My 'Blood Concealment Technique' is a secret of the Blood Fiend Sect that is never taught to outsiders. Its method of concealment is unmatched among those of the same stage.

Even an Early Golden Core Stage Cultivator might not be able to detect my presence when standing right in front of me."

"How did you, a mere Third Rank Demonic Beast, manage to find this old man?"

A flicker of impatience crossed Mysterious Ink's cold snake eyes.

"Annoying."

He couldn't be bothered to waste another word on someone who was about to die.

The moment his voice fell, his massive python body instantly transformed into a black lightning bolt that tore through space, shooting toward the Golden Core Venerable, carrying terrifying power capable of changing the color of rivers and mountains!

"Hmph! A beast that doesn't know death from life!"

Seeing this, the Golden Core Venerable's eyes flashed with fury! He pointed his fingers like a sword, and a terrifying Sword Qi, condensed from Golden Core Power and filled with bloodthirst and Evil Qi, slashed down toward Mysterious Ink's head!

Bang!!!

The Sword Qi and the snake tail violently collided, resulting in a deafening crash!

Mysterious Ink's massive body was knocked back several meters, but the Golden Core Venerable also swayed slightly in mid-air!

"Hmm?!"

The Golden Core Venerable was stunned.

How could this snake... be so powerful?! Although his strike hadn't used his full strength, it was definitely not something an ordinary Third Stage Early Phase Yao Beast could withstand!

...At the same time, the battle between Yang Zhen and Ye Feiyan had entered a fierce, white-hot stage.

The more Yang Zhen fought, the more alarmed he became!

He couldn't understand! He had clearly made the girl drink the "Spirit Dispersing Powder" beforehand—a substance potent enough to cause Spiritual Power collapse even in Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivators—yet why... why was she still lively and vigorous, showing no signs of Spiritual Power depletion?!

"Heh."

As if seeing through his thoughts, Ye Feiyan let out a cold laugh, and the sword moves in her hand became even sharper.

"You thought a mere Spirit Dispersing Powder could deal with me?"

"The moment it entered my stomach, I had already refined all of it!"

Hearing this, Yang Zhen's heart instantly sank to the bottom!

The battle instantly reached a stalemate.

That Golden Core Venerable, facing Mysterious Ink's savage attacks—which were like a torrential storm, purely overwhelming him with brute force—grew increasingly terrified the longer he fought!

The power of this snake completely exceeded his imagination! Its strength, its defense, its speed—none of it was characteristic of a Yao Beast that had just entered the Third Stage!

"Yang Zhen! What are you waiting for?!" Unable to break through, he couldn't help but let out an anxious roar toward the other battlefield, "Quickly capture that girl! Use her to restrain this beast!"

"I..."

Yang Zhen was also extremely distressed!

Capture her?

Easier said than done!

He wanted to! But the little girl in front of him was as slippery as an eel, and her cultivation was unbelievably powerful; he simply couldn't capture her!