Wandao 031
The mountain's breath grew heavy, clouds thickening to obscure the path ahead. Between the peaks, the terrain twisted sharply, resembling a colossal dragon coiled in slumber, exuding an ancient and bloodthirsty aura that seeped from the distant ravines.
Wan Xiaochuan stood amidst the forested ridges, his tall figure clad in a form-fitting Azure Profound Sword Robe, embroidered with wind and thunder motifs draping from his shoulders. At his waist hung the Wind-Thunder Sword, its hilt a blend of azure and violet, coursing with electric veins. His gaze was sharp, lips curved in calm composure. Beside him, Renee crouched, caressing a stone, tilting her head with a playful blink.
"Xiaochuan, don't you think this damp and gloomy place feels like it's hiding some creepy crawlers ready to bite us?"
Wan Xiaochuan responded with a soft hum. "The spiritual energy here is turbid and heavily yin; undoubtedly, spirit beasts of Foundation Establishment level or higher are present—and not just one kind.
Lin Qixian had already opened his spirit insect pouch, releasing several luminous spirit fireflies that transformed into light, slowly patrolling the mountain walls. Dressed in a herbalist robe patterned with grass motifs, his sleeves concealed talisman and pill pouches, his demeanor elegant and serene.
"Better to be cautious. I've reviewed ancient scrolls; the 'Dragon-Coiling Earth Formation' was once a sealed spirit array used for trials, containing many hybrid variant beasts. If the formation remains unbroken, the emerging monsters will only be more troublesome."
Jiang Lingshan stood quietly to the side, gripping her Frost Spirit Feather Sword, its icy blue blade flickering like the moon amidst the mist. She spoke softly, "I sense intertwining cold veins and beast souls, with a faint aura of bloodthirst... I'm afraid cultivators have already perished within the formation."
Before her words settled, the ground suddenly trembled, a thunderous rumble echoing forth.
Boom—!
The mountain wall cracked open as a beast, entirely crimson and covered in hard scales, leaped out. It bore twin horns on its head, a long tail overlapped with serpent scales. Its eyes blazed yellow like torches; opening its bloody maw, it let out a roar that tore through the forest.
"Fire-Scaled Rampaging Python! A mid-grade Tier Three variant beast, fond of heat and fury, its fangs imbued with fire poison!" Lin Qixian shouted urgently.
"I'll intercept its assault," Wan Xiaochuan declared, guiding his sword with a gesture.
"Zephyr's Subtle Shadow · Thunder's First Cry!"
Wind and thunder intertwined, sword energy swirling like willow catkins, hidden thunder within, directly targeting the python's eyes. The python roared in anger, sweeping a claw that shattered the ground, sending debris flying. With a light laugh, Renee had already leaped into the air, her dual swords shifting in stance.
"Wind Dance Thunder Bind · Heart-Entangling Threads!"
Thread-like sword energy wove into a net in the air, binding its neck. Jiang Lingshan instantly executed the first form of the 'Nine Frost Feather Techniques'—'Snow Feather's First Soar,' sword energy like drifting snow feathers, momentarily disrupting the python's vision.
Wan Xiaochuan called out, "Qixian, now!"
Lin Qixian flipped his palm, swiftly throwing a crimson pill that struck the Fire-Scaled Rampaging Python's wound, instantly enveloping it in red smoke. The beast shuddered violently, its wails piercing.
"Explosive Spirit Fire Poison Pill, specifically designed to breach the body walls of Tier Three fire-type beasts. Don't hold back, Xiaochuan!" Lin Qixian shouted with a grin.
Wan Xiaochuan gathered force in both palms, unleashing sword energy: "Wind's Astonishment, Thunder's Movement · Twin Shadows Severing Sentiment!"
Twin sword shadows crisscrossed like lightning, slashing down. The python let out a final roar, its head severed, blood gushing like a fountain, collapsing against the mountain wall.
Jiang Lingshan frowned, sweeping her Frost Spirit Feather Sword to freeze the splattered blood, her voice cold, "It's not over yet."
At that moment, the earth formation activated; nine gray stone pillars rose, rune patterns flashing, mist swirling. The ground trembled again—twin-headed demonic lions, feather-boned ghost crows, mighty battle apes, and mutated human-faced bats all surged from the formation, each wielding unique spells and ferocious attacks.
"I'll take on the twin-headed lion!" Wan Xiaochuan's voice resonated like a chime, his Wind-Thunder Sword executing 'Heartfelt as the Wind · Thunder's Wishful Shatter,' thunderous explosions, a single sword piercing its throat. The twin-headed lion roared, one head severed, blood spraying like a pillar, staining his robe red.
"Senior Sister Jiang, I can't hold off the ghost crow!" Renee exclaimed.
"Mirror Ice Twin Shadows!"
Jiang Lingshan's figure split into two, flashing forward, ice blades slicing through the ghost crow's feathers, freezing its bone wings. With a shriek, the ghost crow plummeted, Jiang Lingshan's sword piercing its brain core, cold energy freezing it to death instantly.
Lin Qixian engaged the mutated human-faced bat in close combat, his form constantly shifting, eyes glowing red, unleashing a talisman that exploded violently.
"Die, you creature!"
With a loud bang, the human-faced bat's chest burst into a spray of blood. Qixian quickly retrieved a healing pill, "Take this, it's a Blood-Coagulating Muscle-Regenerating Pill."
Wan Xiaochuan, having suffered a claw wound to his leg, blood streaming, swallowed the pill, swiftly stopping the bleeding and regenerating flesh.
After the battle, the group panted, exchanging glances.
Wan Xiaochuan crouched, extracting a crimson beast core from the Fire-Scaled Rampaging Python's corpse, his long fingers gently wiping it:
"A Tier Three fire-attributed beast core, suitable as the main ingredient for refining strong meridian fire pills."
Jiang Lingshan also retrieved a 'Night Soul Crystal Feather' from the ghost crow's feather bones, its faint light resembling ink jade: "Can be used to refine a Cold Moon Spirit Feather Sword Casket."
Renee picked up a 'Purple-Patterned Blood-Drawing Needle' from the mutated human-faced bat's pocket, cheerfully stuffing it into her storage pouch: "I like this~ perfect for pranks!"
Lin Qixian carefully extracted the crystal nucleus from the battle ape's brain, his expression serious: "This is a rare 'Frenzied Ape Marrow Pearl,' I can concoct three types of Bloodburst Pills."
Wan Xiaochuan watched as the nine-pillar formation slowly descended, his brows tightly knit: "These variant beasts... seem to have been awakened, not naturally gathered. Is someone manipulating the trial formation?"
Jiang Lingshan said, "Perhaps it's a deeper scheme; we must leave quickly."
Lin Qixian nodded, "I doubt this valley will remain calm for long. I'll distribute the remaining pills—Xiaochuan, Renee, you both have sword wounds. I have Cold Bone Healing Ointment and Fire-Origin Qi Recovery Powder."
He handed out pill bottles one by one, each person taking them to regulate their energy. Renee giggled, cupping her face as she looked at him: "Qixian, you're like a walking apothecary. Wherever you go."
Wan Xiaochuan's expression remained calm, but a slight smile touched his lips: "With him around, our chances of survival are always higher."
The mist had yet to fully dissipate when a deep beastly roar echoed through the valley once more, faintly carrying indistinct human speech...
Wan Xiaochuan held his sword in hand, eyes like torches: "Let's go; this is only the beginning."