Wang Hao thought, "He really is here for the benefits. The Li family is just securing support for their younger generation, aren't they?" But he couldn't say that aloud—it would be far too embarrassing!
Chu He looked sheepish:— "It's my fault. My apologies to everyone. Since we all agree, let's set off immediately."
The others nodded, and they made their way toward the swamp.
Qi Refinement cultivators have no protective Qi, so they cannot linger long in miasma-choked places like this. Yet each of them had a solution—either swallowing protective pills or using magic artifacts to generate luminous shields. Their journey, surprisingly, was safe.
As the four neared the Yin Venomous Python's nest, they grew more cautious. For cultivators, every part of a demon beast is a treasure—its materials are a crucial resource for human cultivation. Conversely, to demon beasts, a human body is a potent tonic; its vital blood can help them break through their own bottlenecks. That is why demon beasts attack humans.
Serpentine demon beasts are not very intelligent but have an instinct to devour cultivators on sight. The four therefore decided to set up their formation near the python's lair and then use Chu He as bait to lure out the Yin Venomous Python!
Chu He cultivates Earth-type techniques, excelling in subterranean escape and better able to withstand the python's venom. Besides, everyone here was helping him—he couldn't very well hide while the others risked their lives!
Noticing the sun high in the sky—nearly noon—they prepared to act at once. Chen Qing handed formation discs to Wang Hao and Li Derong, while she took the principal disc. Eight formation nodes still needed to be placed in the corresponding directions.
Wang Hao studied the map, but only the immediate area around the nest was revealed—he couldn't glean much useful information.
With everything ready, Chu He nodded, then deliberately made a racket as he approached the python's nest. The other three hid, waiting in silence for the trap to spring!
Wang Hao stifled his tension. He had faced and even slain second-order demon beasts before. Now stronger and with more tricks up his sleeve, he still clutched several spirit talismans tightly—ready to flee at the first sign of trouble. After all, he only had one life!
Rumble…
With a muted roar, Wang Hao looked up and saw a colossal dark python rising into view—over thirty meters long and as thick as a wine barrel. It shook its head irritably, as if woken from a peaceful slumber.
Chu He, long familiar with Advanced Qi Refinement, did not panic. Instead, he launched several earth spells at the python, causing the newly awakened beast to stagger.
The python roared in fury, spitting a jet of corrosive ink toward Chu He. Calmly, Chu He formed multiple earthen walls before him, then vanished beneath the ground.
The ink ate through the walls and they collapsed immediately—but Chu He was already far away. The python, briefly stunned, unleashed a barrage of strikes at the very spot where he had disappeared.
Chu He reappeared at a safe distance and flung several spirit talismans at the Yin Venomous Python.
Enraged further, the python lashed out with its tail and lunged aggressively at Chu He.
He sprinted toward the formation—though the python was faster, he had the head start and dove in first.
When Wang Hao and the others infused the discs with their Spiritual Power, a vast, earthen-yellow formation sprang up from the ground! Its symbol-strikes battered the python relentlessly.
The Four Symbols Formation excels at trapping enemies. It can kill first-order demon beasts, though its attacks are too weak to fell a second-order one outright.
So the four retrieved their magic implements and worked together to encircle the python.
Chu He continuously wove hand seals, unleashing powerful earth spells that pounded the snake.Li Derong flicked her yellow ribbon, binding its movements, and seized every opening to lash it herself.Wang Hao opted not to use his sword this time, but instead summoned the newly acquired Sky-Turning Seal.
When he channeled his Qi into it, its twelve embedded spirit orbs glowed and expanded with the wind—until the seal reached the size of a small house and slammed down upon the python.
Chen Qing kept the formation intact, preventing the python from shattering its confines.
Under this combined assault, the python's luminous shield finally faltered. The spiritual aura in its body weakened, and its protective barrier dissipated.
Yet success was still far from certain. A second-order demon beast possesses a formidable physique; even unshielded, it would not yield easily to four opponents.
Li Derong took advantage of its momentary weakness—her ribbon snaked around the python's "seven prolix grips," immobilizing it. Chen Qing then tossed a seed-shaped magic artifact onto its back. The seed sprouted roots, which grew into vines that wrapped its tail and climbed up its body.
Chu He and Wang Hao did not hesitate. With the python bound, they unleashed a barrage of strikes. Though the snake's hide was thick, it still bled under their blows!
The python roared in terror, its eyes wide with fear. It unleashed waves of spiritual light from its body—and in that instant smashed free from the vines, ripping them away in shredding bursts.
Seeing the situation grow perilous, Li Derong swiftly retracted her ribbon to avoid being ensnared herself!
But even as the python freed itself, it was battered by the others and driven back under the crushing pressure of the Sky-Turning Seal.
Li Derong sheathed her ribbon and drew a flying sword, slashing at the python's vulnerable underbelly and carving a long gash across its flank.
— "Brother, please recover your artifact!" Chen Qing called out. "If your implement pulverizes the python into pulp, the body will be worthless!" The Qingyuan Sect's mission requires only that the demon beast be slain—not that its corpse be delivered. Cultivators can sell the remains for spirit-stone rewards.
— "Understood," Wang Hao replied, retrieving the Sky-Turning Seal. He wove hand seals and cast a Fire Dragon spell—the Threefold Blaze Transformation he had been perfecting recently, though still incomplete as only a single draconic form. He intended to test its power now.
The Fire Dragon roared around the python, beating it with scorching heat. Under the relentless blaze, the python's thick hide steamed away in plumes of white vapor.