The python's scales started glowing. The trio knew that it was charging up an attack and hurriedly set up defenses.
"Frozen Fortress"
A huge ice wall formed and separated the group from the Albino Spirit Python. An ice cultivator not only has great combat capabilities, but also boasts defensive skills that rival those of the earth attribute.
However the huge python was not deterred and a mass of blinding white light shot out of its mouth. To their surprise, the light passed through the ice wall with ease, as if it had no solid form.
"Phantom Sword Curtain"
Three sword curtains formed to protect them and collided with the white light. The result was not an earth shattering explosion but a mental shockwave that shook the trio's mental spheres. Bing Xue and Xiao Hua had traces of blood at the corner of their mouths while Sheng Tian was better off as he had the Origin grade treasure Soul Nourishing Clear Jade.
Collecting himself, he said "that should be the Albino Spirit Python's spiritual attack"
The python laid on the ground bleeding profusely. It had poured everything into that last attack and every bit of its strength had been drained. Sheng Tian thanked the sect for possessing such a useful technique that could protect against both spirit and physical attacks.
"We'll have to thank senior brother Tian for protecting us" Xiao Hua said while swaying her hips seductively.
"How can I watch two beauties get hurt?" Sheng Tian said with a smile.
"We should hurry and finish it off" Bing Xue cut in. Sheng Tian and Xiao Hua smiled wryly at her cold demeanor though they did as they were told.
They first finished off the Albino Spirit Python and extracted its neidan and core. Storing its corpse, they walked into the beast's den and their attention was caught on a single tree bearing seven fruits.
"Spirit Fruit Tree!" Xiao Hua exclaimed.
Even Bing Xue expressed surprise and desire once she saw that tree. A Spirit Fruit Tree can bear eight fruits so it seems that the Albino Spirit Python had already eaten one. Luckily they had arrived soon enough or the value of this tree would have fallen. The reason the fruits on this tree are coveted is because it contains a large amount of energy capable of allowing one to break through the bottleneck between the Soul Tempering stage and the Foundation stage. Not only is its energy pure but it also contains laws that can loosen the bottleneck to the Core Formation stage and thus opening the doors to the upper realms.
Sheng Tian voiced his desires "I only want one fruit. In exchange I also want the neidan and core of the Albino Spirit Python"
The two women looked at each other and nodded. The core and neidan of the python may be valuable but it was of little use to them. Furthermore, they could now split the rest of the fruits evenly in half.
Just as they stored everything away however, a voice called out to them "hand over everything you got. Oh, and the women too"
They looked over to see a youth dressed in luxurious gold robes with half a dozen guards all at the early Foundation realm. He had an arrogant expression on his face and Sheng Tian sighed at the fact that there would always be idiots everywhere.
The young man, still retaining his arrogant expression, called out once more "I am a disciple of the Flowing Wind Pavilion and the young master of a great clan in the secular world. You ladies would have a better tim-"
Before he could finish his sentence, Xiao Hua slashed the air with her sword and limbs flew in the air. Sheng Tian looked at her in surprise as he was just about to draw his sword too. He looked and saw that the youth's arms had been cut off and the guards had their cultivations suppressed. They looked at the group with newfound fear.
"Just a few nobodies, Flowing Wind Pavilion? Never heard of it. Hand everything you have over"
The seductress had become a demoness, and the ordinary Foundation guards from an ordinary sect handed all of their spatial rings over and scampered off, dragging their young master with them.
"I didn't know Xiao Hua could be so... domineering" Sheng Tian commented.
Xiao Hua wrapped her arms around Sheng Tian and leaned against him. He regretted talking and felt his body heat rise as he felt her large and soft breasts press against his arm. He freed himself and cleared his throat, taking a third of the spatial rings at random.
They all looked in the spatial rings and were surprised to see that there were actually plenty of valuables in them. From small mountains of spirit stones to techniques and natural treasures, that young master had them all. Not anymore. Robbing was truly the most profitable thing to do.
"People like him are the reason the Lotus Fairy Valley exists. If it didn't then we women would have a difficult time in the world"
Sheng Tian nodded and asked if he could know the history of the Lotus Fairy Valley. They continued their journey through the Dark Lightning Valley.
"There are rumors that our sect is backed by a greater sect in the upper heavens. Those rumors are true. Apparently there is a great sect in the Celestial Heavens that act as a protector for females"
Sheng Tian descended into thought. The upper heavens. He would have to ascend soon and most likely would once the Gathering of Geniuses was over and he went to the secret realm. That way the Sky Sword Sect would regain some of its former prestige.
"You should also get rid of the Sacred Blood Sect and the Everlasting Temple"
Sheng Tian's face darkened as he remembered that those two sects are demon worshipers. Not even wicked sects worship demons and it would be best to get rid of them while he was here.
The trio continued to traverse through the Dark Lightning Valley in hopes of finding more treasures or perhaps a tomb. They were fine until a bolt of purple lightning struck the ground next to them. Looking up, they saw a dark cloud in the already dark sky.