The next morning, Lin Tianming opened his eyes.
It had been nine days since he left Qingfeng Town Clan Territory. During these nine days, he had traveled by day and rested at night to recuperate and ensure his condition was stable.
After a night of recuperating, his body was filled with strength, and both his spirit and Divine Sense had reached their peak state. He was about to set off once more and tread the path of exploration.
Lin Tianming took out the map and carefully observed the situation and directions of this area.
He should now be near Qinghe Mountain, less than a hundred miles away from the cave dwelling's location.
This place had already entered the central area of the Purple Cloud Mountain Range. First Order Late Stage Demon Beasts were everywhere, and he had to be fully alert, otherwise danger could strike at any time.
Having confirmed the direction, Lin Tianming summoned his Qingfeng Sword and held a First Order Defense Talisman in his hand, carefully making his way through the jungle, not moving as fast as before.
Lin Tianming was extremely cautious, taking a step and then using his Divine Sense, observing his surroundings for any dangers before continuing on his journey.
After half a day, he had only covered a little over thirty miles. During that time, he encountered many First Order Inferior and Medium Grade Spiritual Medicine, which he collected one by one.
Lin Tianming was elated as he put three Purple Mysterious Flowers into his storage bag, which already contained more than twenty First Order Spiritual Medicine.
Seeing so many Spiritual Medicine materials, Lin Tianming frowned slightly. Even if he didn't locate the cave dwelling, with the Spirit Medicine materials collected over the past few days, the value had reached no less than a hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
Lin Tianming's journey of over thirty miles had been very safe, without encountering a single demon beast. However, the abnormality indicated that something strange was going on.
Lin Tianming stopped and carefully observed his surroundings.
Three peaks converged at this place, with several rivers converging at the bottom of the valley. A dense mist covered the entire valley, severely limiting his Divine Sense, which could only probe a few hundred feet. There were dozens of caves of various sizes in the mountains, and it was unclear where they led.
Taking out the map, he carefully compared his position and realized he had deviated over thirty miles from the route.
It seemed that his greed for the low-tier Spiritual Medicine had clouded his vision, gradually causing him to stray from the path.
Lin Tianming decided to return the way he came, to the place where he had previously sat and recuperated, and then restart his journey following the route on the map.
Just as he was about to turn his head to leave, he lifted his eyes to see that, without his notice, a gigantic python, dozens of meters in length, had raised its enormous head and was looking at him, hissing with a long forked tongue, looking extremely terrifying.
"A First Order Late Stage Spirit-Connecting Python!"
It was actually a Spirit-Connecting Python. An adult Spirit-Connecting Python was a Second Order Late Phase Beast, carrying a hint of the ancient dragon's bloodline, with unparalleled attacking power. Among Second Order Demonic Beasts, it was one of the most formidable.
Seeing the dozen or so caves of varying sizes on this section of the mountain, it was likely a den belonging to a group of Spirit-Connecting Pythons.
It was critical to escape immediately, as waiting for an even stronger Spirit-Connecting Python to emerge meant certain death.
Lin Tianming, fully aware of this, turned and transformed into a streak of green light, quickly weaving through the forest.
As Lin Tianming fled, the Spirit-Connecting Python watching him swiftly twisted its body, pursuing him. Despite its massive size, it moved through the forest with great agility.
Having only run a few miles, Lin Tianming was already caught up by the Spirit-Connecting Python.
The Spirit-Connecting Python opened its vast mouth and lunged straight for Lin Tianming.
Lin Tianming leaped, swiftly dodging behind a big tree and avoiding the Spirit-Connecting Python's deadly strike.
Several large trees were bitten in half, their thirty-meter-high trunks crashing down, while Lin Tianming was panting next to a large tree.
It seemed that escaping was not going to be easy.
The speed of this Spirit-Connecting Python was at least half faster than Lin Tianming's—competing in speed was certainly not an option. His only chance of escape was to either beat back the serpent or kill it.
The piercing pain in his arm and a few palm-sized scars brought Lin Tianming back to the present.
The mere droplets of the python's saliva had corroded his arm, its venom fiercely potent indeed, befitting the exceptional among First Order Demonic Beasts.
Ignoring the injuries on his arm, Lin Tianming's entire body shone with spiritual light.
He drew out the Qingfeng Sword, slashed several times, and without concern for the precious Spirit Stones, immediately brought out a First Order Superior Attack Talisman.
A blue giant sword and several sword Qis charged straight at the Spirit-Connecting Python.
The Spirit-Connecting Python was no less fierce, sweeping its tail as thick as a water barrel directly at Lin Tianming.
The azure sword clashed with the green and white tail of the python, metal-on-metal sounds echoing throughout the valley. Immediately, sparks flew in all directions, and trees fell in swathes—an extreme spectacle.
The python was exceedingly furious now, its eyes the size of a human head fixed deadly on the cultivator before it, readying its next wave of attacks.
Lin Tianming carefully calculated; to kill the serpent, finding its weak point was essential.
The python's body was enveloped in green scales with fearsome defensive power; achieving a kill was tough. The only chance was to risk targeting its vital seven-inch section.
Having settled on a plan, he had no choice but to hazardly approach the serpent's main body. To attack a snake's critical seven-inch section was the only path to victory; lingering longer only spelled greater danger if he wished to leave safely.
He slashed thrice more, drawing the python's attention.
Availing of its momentary distraction, Lin Tianming moved swiftly. His body turned into a blur, and while moving, he didn't forget to form hand seals, directly summoning his strongest Divine Skill, Fire Origin Decision.
Half a breath later…
The fiery giant sword, with a massive blaze, struck the python right below its head at the seven-inch position.
With a thunderous boom!
The seven-inch section of the python burst into bloodshed. Its massive body twisted frantically, blood spurting all around, a ghastly sight to behold.
In torment, the Spirit-Connecting Python rolled, lashing out with its remaining strength, sweeping its enormous tail at Lin Tianming.
Lin Tianming couldn't evade in time and got struck by the tail's end, sustaining minor damage—several ribs broken, a gash across the chest revealing a grim white bone.
Dragging his injured body, Lin Tianming showed no mercy, furiously continuing to wield the Qingfeng Sword, gutting the python.
Strike when the enemy is sick, take their life—after all, compassion for an enemy is irresponsibility towards oneself, a truth well known to all.
After some moments, Lin Tianming extracted the Demon Core from the Spirit-Connecting Python, cut off the reverse scale on its back, and took out a Jade Bottle to gather a large amount of blood, nearly enough to fill a small pond.
Before leaving, he also peeled off the python's skin and stored it in a bag, transforming into a shadow and retracing the path he'd come by.
Half a day passed.
Following the path he had taken, Lin Tianming returned to his previous route on the map, settling down cross-legged atop the canopy of a large tree.
He had been too busy fleeing to recover his mana or tend to his injuries.
Once out of danger, he hurriedly took out a Huadu Pill and a Consolidating Essence Pill. The power of both elixirs rapidly mended his body's meridians and internal organs.