With all three Vermilion Fruits stolen and years of guardianship effort gone like bubbles, the Emerald Water Black-Scaled Python's cold vertical pupils were instantly filled with endless madness and violence! It raised its head to the sky and let out an earth-shaking hiss containing ultimate pain and will to destroy. The sound waves spread like substance, making the entire ring-shaped valley buzz and causing stone to rain from the rock walls.
In this moment, Qingxu Temple, Liyang Sect—in its eyes, all distinction was lost. All living creatures remaining in its territory had become targets for venting its rage and destruction!
"ROAR—!!!"
The massive dark green form suddenly rose like a person, like a terrifying demonic dragon selecting its prey, blotting out the sky! It no longer focused on attacking Mu Qingfeng or Liu Yun. Its thick python tail carrying power to crush mountains, like a massive steel whip, swept without discrimination toward the most crowded area—the Liyang Sect disciples chasing the Qingxu Temple group!
"Not good! This beast has gone mad! Scatter quickly!" Zhao Yan's expression drastically changed at the valley entrance as he screamed, no longer caring about chasing Xiaoqi, his form rapidly retreating.
However, the python's enraged strike was faster than imagination!
"BOOM! BOOM!"
Two slightly weaker Liyang Sect disciples couldn't dodge in time. Like being struck by a rapidly moving mountain range, their protective spiritual light instantly shattered. They sprayed blood wildly, their bodies flying like broken sacks to slam into distant rock walls with all bones shattered—they were clearly beyond saving.
Several other Liyang Sect disciples were also grazed by that terrifying fist wind. Though not directly hit, their qi and blood churn as they scrambled to dodge in disarray. Their formation instantly collapsed.
The power of a single strike—terrifying to such an extent!
And this was only the beginning. The Emerald Water Black-Scaled Python had completely entered a berserk state. Its massive body madly twisted, slapped, and charged through the valley! Dark Yin water arrows sprayed in all directions without discrimination, the corrosive liquid hissing where it landed, emitting rolling black smoke. Its cold vertical pupils locked onto every moving figure in its view—whether Liyang Sect disciples trying to steady their formation or Qingxu Temple's five urgently withdrawing.
"Now! Go quickly!" Mu Qingfeng suppressed his churning qi and blood from forcibly countering Zhao Yan's talisman. Seizing the brief chaos from the python attacking the Liyang Sect, he gave a low shout.
No need for words—Qingxu Temple's five demonstrated extremely high coordination.
Mu Qingfeng and Liu Yun no longer tangled with the python. Sword light protecting their bodies, they pushed their speed to the limit, rushing toward where Xiaoqi, Shi Jian, and Chen Feng were converging.
Shi Jian roared, his arm muscles bulging. Earth-yellow light flourished as he charged like a barbaric bull, knocking aside two Liyang Sect disciples attempting to take advantage of the chaos for a sneak attack, clearing a path for the group.
Xiaoqi clutched the three scorching-hot Vermilion Fruits in his robes, his heart pounding wildly, but his steps were remarkably steady. He employed the "Willow Catkins in the Wind" movement technique to its limit, weaving through the stone, water arrows, and chaotic energy flows from the python's crazy attacks, like a storm petrel narrowly avoiding fatal aftereffects time and again. That frying pan was no longer used for attacking but instead occasionally deflected splashing corrosive liquid and shattered rocks, issuing "hissing" and "thumping" sounds.
Chen Feng stayed close beside Xiaoqi, his sword light dancing to help share the pressure.
The five quickly converged, not lingering for battle. Along the relatively concealed and easily traversable route they had planned earlier, they fled desperately toward the valley exit.
"Don't let them escape! The Vermilion Fruits are on them!" Zhao Yan, dodging one of the python's slams, watched Qingxu Temple's five about to rush out of the valley entrance. His eyes nearly split with rage as he screamed hoarsely. He tried organizing the remaining Liyang Sect disciples to intercept, but the scene had now completely spiraled out of control.
The rampaging Emerald Water Black-Scaled Python was the sole ruler of this valley! It locked onto these "thieves" trying to escape, abandoning the nearby Liyang Sect disciples. Its massive body became like a war machine crushing everything, charging toward the valley entrance with devastating momentum! Where it passed, the ground cracked and vegetation turned to powder!
"RUMBLE!"
The earth quaked and mountains shook! The entire valley seemed to tremble in the python's rage.
"Quick! Faster still!" Liu Yun glanced back at that terrifying form pursuing like the apocalypse, urgently urging.
Xiaoqi grit his teeth, madly injecting spiritual energy into his legs, his speed rising another notch. The Vermilion Fruits in his robes emitted warmth as if flames were burning, but he now held only one thought—escape!
Finally, in the instant before the python's hideous head could crash into the valley entrance, the five shot out like arrows leaving bows, narrowly escaping the ring-shaped valley!
"This way!" Mu Qingfeng didn't stop at all, directly turning toward an area of complex terrain on the left filled with massive strange rocks and dense fern vegetation. This was a zone they had noted during earlier exploration—easy to hide in and shake off pursuit.
The five plunged into the strange rock forest. Using the complex terrain as cover, they pushed their speed to the limit, fleeing without looking back in the direction away from that valley of death.
Behind them came the earth-shaking boom of the Emerald Water Black-Scaled Python crashing into the valley entrance rock walls, and its疯狂hiss filled with unwillingness and violence, resounding through the clouds. One could imagine what desperate straits those Liyang Sect disciples who couldn't escape in time would face.
But now, Qingxu Temple's five had no attention to spare. Like startled birds, they sped through the dense forest and strange rocks, not daring to slow their pace until they had left the heart-palpitating beast roars and energy fluctuations far behind, confirming that terrifying python hadn't chased far from the valley.
Each panted heavily, dripping with sweat, bearing wounds large and small. Especially Mu Qingfeng—his face was pale. Clearly, forcibly countering the talisman and the python's attacks had exhausted him greatly.
But in their eyes, beyond the relief of surviving calamity, was even more irrepressible excitement.
Xiaoqi touched the three heavy Vermilion Fruits in his robes emitting vast spiritual energy, feeling their tangible presence, still somewhat unable to believe it.
They had succeeded! Under dual threats of a second-tier demon beast and hostile sect, snatching food from a tiger's mouth, they had obtained supreme treasures enough to drive any Qi Refining cultivator mad!
Though the process was perilous beyond measure and the cost not small, this harvest was enough to compensate for everything.
"First, find a safe place to heal and rest." Mu Qingfeng suppressed his churning qi and blood, speaking deeply. His gaze swept across everyone, finally landing on Xiaoqi with unspeakable complexity. "This time, it's all thanks to Xiaoqi."
Liu Yun, Shi Jian, and Chen Feng also looked toward Xiaoqi, their gazes filled with amazement and recognition. This junior brother who had entered last with lowest cultivation had displayed courage, quick-wittedness, and that bizarre movement technique and pan technique at the critical moment—thoroughly winning their respect.
Xiaoqi somewhat embarrassedly scratched his head, about to say something, when suddenly, the transmission talisman in his robes transmitted an extremely faint but definitely present fluctuation!
It was Senior Sister Su Xuan's marker! She was nearby!