"Where should I go? Naturally, it will lead you to find the Soul Melting Ginseng," Su Qi mused, as the Fire Silver Snake twisted its body and shrank to a smaller size. It wasn't accustomed to being so small; it preferred its usual lofty stature.
A thought suddenly crossed Su Qi's mind, and he asked, "Do you claim to know whether the Spirit Grass in the world is real or fake?"
"Of course, it's an honor for you to have contracted with me," the Fire Silver Snake Demon Beast replied, exuding pride.
Despite the earlier fierceness, Su Qi sensed a slight difference in the Fire Silver Snake's demeanor, but it was still somewhat unsightly.
"But, little master, what will you do about the group of greedy people following you?" the Fire Silver Snake inquired.
"For now, let's ignore them. Time is running out," Su Qi replied, a haze flickering in his eyes. As long as they didn't make a move against him, things would naturally unfold. But was it really possible?
"Ji Gongzi, the silver snake next to Su Qi is quite beautiful. I wonder what kind of monster it is?" Helan Min greedily stared at the Fire Silver Snake, finding it to be the cutest demon beast she had ever seen.
"I don't know either. This is the first time I've seen a silver snake beast," Ji Yu replied, his expression gloomy. He regretted not personally entering the cave earlier, missing out on the opportunity to contract a beast pet.
"When Ji Gongzi kills Su Qi, Helan Min can claim it as her beast pet!"
"If it wants to go with you, then take it," Ji Yu dismissed Helan Min, his eyes fixed on Su Qi's back. He wouldn't let this opportunity slip away.
As Su Qi moved forward, the Fire Silver Snake led him over a small mountain, revealing an endless expanse of leaves. Yes, just leaves. Su Qi was certain he hadn't made a mistake.
Amidst piles of hollowed-out rocks, there was not a single tree in sight. Everywhere, there were thick and verdant foliage and vegetation that Su Qi couldn't even name.
"Fire Silver, are you saying that the Soul Melting Ginseng is here?" Su Qi's eyes widened as he observed the dense mass of leaves. Could he truly find the Soul Melting Ginseng within it? Doubts about his abilities surfaced in Su Qi's mind.
"Little master, the Soul Melting Ginseng is indeed here, but it resides in the chaotic grotto amidst these Tianchan Spirit Leaves. It is guarded by the Blood Soul Beast, which can be seen but not its body. It coexists with the Tianchan Spirit Leaves, but it's also quite powerful, at the ninth stage of the Holy Beast Period. We must not provoke it. It sleeps during the day and awakens at night. Little master, you must move quietly. Once the Blood Soul Beast realizes the Melting Soul is gone, it will awaken quickly during the day," the Fire Silver Snake explained.
"You're not going?" Su Qi scrutinized the Fire Silver Snake, a beast that could only be seen as a shadow. Was it a demon beast without a physical body? How did he manage to encounter the strangest things in the world?
"I, I'm not going..." the Fire Silver Snake hesitated, flicking its pink tongue. A trace of fear flashed in its red eyes, which glimmered like gemstones in the sunlight, more beautiful than ever.
Su Qi noticed the flicker of fear and sneered, "Are you afraid of the Blood Soul Beast?"
"Who said I'm afraid? This god isn't afraid," the Fire Silver Snake hastily retorted.
"If you're not afraid, then lead the way," Su Qi challenged, his eyes shining brightly.
"Alright, let's go. Who's afraid of whom?" The Fire Silver Snake instantly enlarged its body, becoming dozens of times larger than before.
"Come on, if you want to obtain the Soul Melting Ginseng, we must pass through these Tianchan Spirit Leaves," Su Qi declared.
Under the clear sky, a black shadow appeared in an instant, causing the eight men and Ji Yu, who were following Su Qi and Helan Min, to stop in shock.
They were astonished, fearful, envious, jealous, and filled with hatred.
The eight men were terrified and didn't dare to move forward. The man in white, in particular, narrowed his greedy eyes.
The towering body of the Fire Silver Snake cast a shadow over them, making them feel like ants beneath a giant.
"What kind of Warcraft can freely change its size?" Ji Yu seethed with jealousy. There must be powerful monsters guarding the Soul Melting Ginseng, and this time, he couldn't let Su Qi succeed.
"You all stay here. I'll be back soon," Ji Yu declared, realizing that bringing Helan Min would only burden him.
"Don't leave me behind! Ji Gongzi, take Helan Min with you to retrieve the Soul Melting Ginseng!" Helan Min frowned and coquettishly pleaded, her voice soft and charming. However, the lines on her forehead deepened, undermining the beauty of her delicate features.
"Let go, or don't blame me for being unkind," Ji Yu's gaze turned cold as he stared at Helan Min, his eyes resembling those of a tiger or leopard.
Helan Min abruptly released her grip on Ji Yu and looked at him with fear in her eyes, pleadingly. She knew his temperament and that she couldn't provoke this unstable man any further.
Helan Min's thoughts raced as she pondered ways to ensure she wouldn't leave empty-handed this time. But faced with Ji Yu's cold and ruthless expression, she pursed her lips, refraining from speaking, and obediently remained in place.
Observing that Su Qi had already entered, Ji Yu realized he couldn't wait any longer. He summoned his contract beast, the Dark Demon Dragon, and swiftly flew toward Su Qi and his group.
Helan Min raised her delicate eyebrows in surprise and reluctantly stamped her foot. She cursed Ji Yu for not taking her along.
However, as she surveyed her surroundings, she lacked the courage to rush out. She crouched low, trying to make herself inconspicuous, afraid that a monster might suddenly appear behind her.
The eight men watched as Ji Yu rode his demon beast and flew overhead. Not wanting to be left behind, they summoned their contract beast pets and followed suit.
Su Qi glanced back, and a trace of gloom crossed her large eyes.
"Fire Silver, let's retrieve the Soul Melting Ginseng and then awaken the Blood Demon Beast to deal with them."
"Alright! Killing two birds with one stone. Besides, I don't want to fight the Blood Demon Beast," Huoyin exclaimed excitedly. Finally free, she had been sealed in the cave for four hundred years, and time had flown by. Huoyin sighed inwardly and resolved to find the person who sealed her and return home.
"How much longer until we arrive?" Su Qi gazed at the lush green fields below. The scenery was beautiful, but she had no heart to appreciate it. A sense of foreboding, emptiness, and panic loomed within her.
"We're almost there, little master. Have you spotted the largest stone pillar? The Soul Melting Ginseng is inside the cave of that pillar, guarded by three Blood Bat Monsters. You must deal with them quickly to avoid awakening the Blood Beasts," the Fire Silver Snake informed her.
"Good! Leave it to me." Su Qi swiftly transformed her Daye God Bow, summoning three additional arrows.
As she raised her bow, she heard the blood bats' roars. The sound of wings flapping filled the air as they rushed towards Su Qi.
Su Qi's eyes turned cold, her face devoid of fear. Three short swords flew out swiftly.
"Ugh...!" Three pitch-black blood bats fell with three sounds.
Su Qi began refining the blood bat corpses, absorbing their cultivation. The blood bats turned to ashes in an instant.
Ji Yu observed Su Qi's small figure amidst the massive Fire Silver Snake and realized it was best to keep a distance from her.
However, Su Qi dashed toward the stone pillar, knowing that the Soul Melting Ginseng would undoubtedly be inside.
"Demon Dragons, overtake them! Fly straight to the stone pillar," Ji Yu coldly commanded.
"Yes, master." The dark demon dragon's dark eyes shimmered with excitement as it increased its speed.
"Hurry, Ji Yu is catching up!"
"Don't worry, little master." The Fire Silver Snake moved fluidly, effortlessly traversing mountains and rivers.
"Little master, we're here. Quickly retrieve the Soul Melting Ginseng."
Su Qi, wrapped in the coils of the Fire Silver Snake's tail, arrived precisely at the cave within the stone pillar.
Without hesitation, Su Qi reached out her small hand and grabbed three blood dolls, each with the complete form of the predecessor, along with three small red leaves.
"Little master, take these three for now. If you take them all, the Blood Beast will awaken soon."
"Good!" Su Qi swiftly placed the Soul Melting Ginseng into her spatial ring.
Before she could finish speaking, Ji Yu's sword was already aimed at her chest.
Su Qi cursed inwardly for being so focused on retrieving the Soul Melting Ginseng that she had neglected Ji Yu's presence behind her.
"Su Qi, hand over the Soul Melting Ginseng, and I'll spare your life," Ji Yu coldly roared, finally catching up.
Su Qi raised her innocent, large eyes and stared at Ji Yu.
"What's gotten into you, chicken boy? There are a total of six Soul Melting Ginseng, and three more are in the cave. You're an alchemist; don't you understand basic pharmacology?" Su Qi's expression resembled that of an idiot as she dripped with sarcasm.
Ji Yu didn't have time to argue with Su Qi. After a moment of thought, he realized that she had indeed taken three earlier, and there were three more in the cave.
"Look, those eight men are approaching from behind! Ji Gongzi, if you don't act now, you won't have a chance. They're a formidable group," Su Qi pointed meaningfully at the eight men flying towards them, secretly thinking that with so many people present, it would be strange if the Blood Demon Beast didn't awaken.