After cautiously exploring the periphery of the secret realm's core region for several days, harvests and risks came hand in hand. On this day, the four of them passed through a strange bamboo forest filled with pale purple mist. The bamboo trunks were hard as iron, and the leaf edges sharp as blades, requiring careful avoidance. When they emerged from the bamboo forest, their vision suddenly opened up to reveal a secluded small valley surrounded by ring-shaped mountain walls.
The spiritual energy within the valley was so dense it had almost become visible milky-white spiritual mist, slowly flowing. In the center of the valley floor was a small emerald-green pool, its water clear to the bottom, emitting a refreshing chill. But what drew the most attention was the massive, jade-like white boulder beside the pool.
Upon the boulder grew a small tree merely three chi tall. Its trunk was gnarled and twisted, presenting a crimson color as if flames flowed within. The tree had sparse branches and leaves, but at its top hung three fruits the size of longan, entirely crimson as blood, with faint golden patterns flowing across their surfaces. The fruits had not yet fully ripened, but already emitted an enticing exotic fragrance—just a light whiff made one feel their spiritual energy becoming lively and their spirits greatly invigorated.
"Vermilion Fruits!" Liu Yun exclaimed in a low voice, her voice filled with disbelief and delight. "And they're about to ripen!"
Shi Jian's eyes instantly widened like bronze bells, his breathing growing heavy. Vermilion Fruits! These were heaven-and-earth spiritual items that could cleanse the marrow and massively elevate cultivation! For them as Qi Refining cultivators, a single ripe Vermilion Fruit was worth years of painstaking cultivation and might even allow direct breakthrough of bottlenecks!
Even the usually composed Mu Qingfeng's eyes blazed with fervent light. But he wasn't swept away by the surprise. His gaze rapidly swept across the pool and that Vermilion Fruit tree, finally settling on the depths of the pool.
The pool water was deep and still, seemingly calm without ripples. But beneath that clear surface, a massive shadow like a water bucket's thickness could faintly be seen coiled at the bottom near the Vermilion Fruit tree's roots, motionless as if merged with the boulder. A faint but heart-palpitating fierce aura emanated from that shadow, jarringly at odds with the valley's tranquility and peace.
"A guardian demon beast…" Mu Qingfeng's voice was low, carrying unprecedented gravity. "It's a second-tier demon beast—Emerald Water Black-Scaled Python!"
Everyone's hearts tightened as they followed his gaze, indeed seeing several grinding-wheel-sized dark green scales flashing with a cold metallic luster at the shadow's edge. The Emerald Water Black-Scaled Python, a second-tier water demon beast, possessed immense strength, impenetrable scales, and could manipulate the cold pool's water while spraying highly corrosive Dark Yin water arrows. Its strength was outstanding even among second-tier demon beasts—definitely not something their Qi Refining squad could match head-on.
The giant python seemed to be in a half-dormant state, guarding the soon-to-ripen Vermilion Fruits, paying no heed to the uninvited guests at the valley entrance. But everyone understood that once they attempted to approach the Vermilion Fruit tree, they would face this fierce beast's most violent attacks.
Three soon-to-ripen Vermilion Fruits were within reach—the temptation was enormous. But the guardian python stood like an insurmountable mountain in their path.
"Eldest Senior Brother, what do we do?" Liu Yun gripped her sword h tighter. Though knowing the strength disparity, she couldn't easily accept giving up.
Shi Jian also rubbed his fists, speaking in a muffled voice, "This big snake looks tough, but we're not made of clay either! Let's think of something—let's take a shot at it!"
Xiaoqi didn't speak, but his gaze was fixed on those three crimson fruits, his heartbeat involuntarily quickening. The Vermilion Fruits held even greater significance for him. His spiritual root talent was ordinary to begin with; reaching his current cultivation was largely due to the jade pendant's subtle influence and his own hard work. If he could consume a Vermilion Fruit to improve his aptitude and solidify his foundation, it would provide immeasurable help for his future cultivation path.
Mu Qingfeng didn't immediately answer. He carefully observed the valley's terrain, the pool's position, the python's location, and the Vermilion Fruit tree's state, rapidly calculating various possibilities in his mind.
After a moment, a decisive glint flashed in his eyes as he spoke deeply, "The Vermilion Fruit opportunity is rare—we cannot lightly give it up. However, a head-on clash would be like striking an egg against a stone. We must take it by wit."
His gaze swept across everyone as he began deploying: "This python is powerful, but its spiritual intelligence likely isn't very high, and it must guard the Vermilion Fruits, not daring to leave the pool area far. We can exploit this point."
"Liu Yun, your sword art is sharp and your movement technique fastest—you're responsible for luring. No need to clash directly—just draw its attention away and lead it from the pool area—the farther the better."
"Shi Jian, your defense is strongest—guard the critical position at the valley entrance. If the python is lured away but quickly returns, you must temporarily block it, buying time for Liu Yun to escape and our actions."
"Xiaoqi," Mu Qingfeng looked at Xiaoqi, trust in his eyes, "you're meticulous and your movement technique isn't weak either, plus you're sensitive to spiritual plant auras. When the python is drawn away, you're responsible for harvesting the Vermilion Fruits at maximum speed. Remember, the fruits are about to ripen—you must use jade vessels to hold them, not damaging them in the slightest. Once obtained, immediately withdraw—no greed!"
"And I," Mu Qingfeng said finally, "will provide support here, intervening to interfere with the python as needed, or coming to your aid."
This plan was bold and risky, assigning the most dangerous task to the strongest Liu Yun, and the most critical harvesting task to Xiaoqi who had the lowest cultivation but agile movement and special sensitivity to spiritual plants.
Liu Yun nodded without hesitation: "Leave it to me!"
Shi Jian pounded his chest: "Don't worry, Eldest Senior Brother—I'll guard that valley entrance tightly!"
Xiaoqi took a deep breath, suppressing the nervousness in his heart, and nodded firmly: "Yes, Eldest Senior Brother! I'll give it my all!"
"Good!" Mu Qingfeng's gaze grew sharp. "The Vermilion Fruits will ripen within a day or two. We need to patiently wait for the optimal moment and familiarize ourselves with our tasks. Now, let's withdraw from the valley, conceal our auras, and plan in detail—we must succeed in one strike!"
The four quietly retreated from the small valley, finding a concealed crevice nearby to hide, beginning more thorough deduction and preparation for the plan to seize the Vermilion Fruits. In the secluded valley, the Emerald Water Black-Scaled Python remained coiled at the pool bottom, guarding those three crimson fruits about to bring blood and storms. A scheme to snatch food from a tiger's mouth against a second-tier demon beast was about to unfold.