A gigantic python head lay before him, the head being three zhang wide, with its triangular eyes closed. Along its cheeks grew fleshy protuberances resembling small wings.
This massive creature seemed to be in a deep slumber, but still exuded an overwhelmingly powerful aura.
Hiss----!
An Jing couldn't help but gasp. This was no ordinary black stone; it was clearly an exotic beast.
He had been circling what he thought was a black stone, but it was merely the enormous head of the beast.
Beneath the Qinghe Ferry, such a terrifying monster was hidden!
An Jing's heart pounded wildly. Even in its sleep, this exotic beast imposed such a horrific pressure on him. If it were to awaken, what a dreadful existence it would be.
He had to remind himself that even with his First Grade cultivation, he couldn't breathe before this slumbering creature.
"It is said that a snake swallowing Essence Qi can become a python, and a python can transform into a python after a thousand years. After another thousand years, it can shed its skin to become a Flood Dragon. Is this before me a real python?"
An Jing recalled what he'd read in ancient texts, incredulously exclaiming: "If pythons truly exist, then maybe so do Flood Dragons...."
All along, An Jing had assumed such exotic beasts were mere legends. Yet one now appeared before his very eyes.
"Does it have a Golden Core within it? If I consume its Golden Core, could I possibly directly form the Earth Flower, the Heavenly Flower, and thereby reach the Master Realm?"
"Not to mention, the blood and bones of this exotic beast are bound to be treasures."
An Jing felt like a small ant standing before the colossal python, swallowing hard.
Just then, the Earth Book began emitting a golden glow.
"Tip 2: The host is near the thousand-year-old Black Python. The thousand-year-old Black Python is still in its slumber. If awakened, the host will receive an unprecedented black opportunity."
"Tip 3: The thousand-year-old Black Python is an exotic beast of the world. Killing or subduing it will grant a green opportunity."
"Tip 4: An unowned rare treasure (Bodhi Bead) is near the host."
......
Reading the series of tips from the Earth Book, An Jing licked his lips.
A black opportunity like never before? Does that mean yet another crossing?
No thanks, my wife is waiting for me to come home for dinner.
An Jing took a deep breath and cautiously observed the thousand-year-old Black Python before him, fearing it would wake.
He then carefully moved around the thousand-year-old Black Python, searching for the Bodhi Bead.
"Where is the corpse of the Wandering Sanren? Was it swallowed by the thousand-year-old Black Python?"
Thinking this, a bead of cold sweat appeared on An Jing's forehead.
If the Wandering Sanren had indeed been eaten by the python, all his efforts would have been for nothing.
Clenching his jaw, An Jing continued following the Earth Book's prompts, still searching for the Wandering Sanren's remains.
After a short while, he arrived at what seemed to be the tail section of the thousand-year-old Black Python and found half a skeleton crushed beneath its massive tail.
"Could it be this?"
Stepping forward cautiously, An Jing saw the skeleton was long decayed, reduced to stark white bones, with a red light glowing from the rib and arm bones.
"The Bodhi Bead!?"
An Jing's eyes lit up as he quickly walked over.
The fiery-red bead lay quietly atop the skeleton, emitting a faint glow like a flame burning in the night.
Even after years buried beneath the river, the highest Buddhist aura still flowed from it.
"What a treasure!"
An Jing extended his hand, carefully retrieving the Bodhi Bead. A warm current immediately flowed from his hand into his internal organs, and a scorching flame erupted in his dantian, burning away the residual evil energy inside him.
"I must leave this place quickly."
An Jing toyed with the Bodhi Bead briefly before cautiously departing from the vicinity of the thousand-year-old Black Python.
If he accidentally woke this monster, it would spell big trouble.
This exotic beast had survived for at least a thousand years, making it an incredibly fearsome existence.
Diving down had been difficult, but surfacing was much easier.
Plop!
As An Jing broke the water's surface, water splashed all around. He leaped up, landing lightly on a tree branch like a falling leaf.
With a circulation of his inner strength, the water droplets on his body evaporated instantly.
"The Bodhi Bead is mine."
An Jing took out the Bodhi Bead to inspect it.
It was an egg-sized stone, adorned with golden Buddhist patterns, feeling scorching hot in his hand.
Supreme Yang, and supremely pure!
Feeling the Power of Supreme Yang within the Bodhi Bead, An Jing thought to himself that with its aid, his cultivation speed could be more than doubled.
Truly the supreme treasure of the Buddhist sect!
Having just formed his Human Flower, his cultivation wasn't yet stable. He needed time to solidify his realm before attempting to form the Earth Flower and the Heavenly Flower in one go.
At his current age, not only did he hold a rare position in the current Jianghu, but also in the entire history.
"Time to go home for dinner."
An Jing put away the Bodhi Bead and leaped towards Yu State City.
........
At the dinner table.
The table had stir-fried yam and wood ear mushroom, braised beef, stir-fried okra, steamed eggs, and fragrant black rice, all of which made one's appetite surge.
"Dear, today's food is really delicious." An Jing said as he picked up a piece of yam.
After a long day of busyness, returning home to the wait of a gentle wife who has prepared a meal perfectly for him, was this not the life every man dreams of?
"Of course, I specially made this for you." Zhao Qingmei picked up a piece of okra and placed it in An Jing's bowl.
"Especially.....?"
An Jing glanced at the table of dishes.
"Yes, this is all highly nutritious." Zhao Qingmei chided gently: "Husband, all medicine has its poison, so you should eat less of it in the future."
An Jing chuckled dryly, "By the way, where is Tan Yun? She usually loves eating the most."
"Master, Master, I'm here."
At that moment, Tan Yun rushed in, carrying a plate of crabs, "Look, I made these crabs especially for you. These are the specialty crabs from Weishan Lake in Lijiang City."
Yu State had many rivers, so crabs weren't expensive.
"Did you make these crabs?"
Seeing the crabs, a burst of appetite surged in An Jing. "I love the crabs from Weishan Lake the most, so juicy and tender with lots of crab roe."
Zhao Qingmei was gentle and understanding, kind and wise, and her maid Tan Yun was vivacious and spirited. It was said they grew up together, like sisters.
Even after Zhao Qingmei's family had fallen on hard times, Tan Yun had stuck by her.
Ever since Zhao Qingmei got married, she had always been the one cooking. He had never heard of Tan Yun cooking before, so today he was eager to try her crabs.
"Wait a moment, Master."
Just as An Jing was about to eat, Tan Yun stopped him.
"What is it?" An Jing asked curiously.
Squeezing her clothing hem, Tan Yun hesitantly said, "Master, I have a small favor to ask. I'm not sure if I should say it."
For the first time, An Jing truly understood the term 'shy and reserved.'
Beside him, Zhao Qingmei said, "Husband, it's not a big deal. Tan Yun's third uncle wants to come to Yu State City to stay with us. He once managed the accounts for my family for some time, not too familiar but reliable. Besides, I think our small medicine shop already has enough people...."
As she spoke, Zhao Qingmei winked at An Jing.
Seeing her look, An Jing suddenly understood and smiled, "It's good if he comes. The more, the merrier. At worst, we can ask a broker to find him a job."
Zhao Qingmei rested her chopsticks down in annoyance, thinking: This foolish man....
"Master, you are too good."
Tan Yun's eyes lit up with joy upon hearing this.
Zhao Qingmei frowned slightly, upset that her husband had easily agreed despite her hinting.
"Can I eat the crabs now?"
"Yes, yes, Master. Eat as much as you want, there's more in the pot."
"Crabs taste best when dipped in vinegar."
"I'll go get some vinegar for you right away. In the future, if you want crabs, I'll make them every day for you."
Watching Tan Yun rush to the kitchen, An Jing chuckled and shook his head.
"Finally, I can eat the crabs."
He reached out with his chopsticks towards a crab.
Just as his chopsticks touched one, the crab extended its claw, firmly clamping onto his chopsticks.
An Jing: "??"
The crab's eyes stood up, seemingly saying: you think you can just touch me casually?
......