chsdbacks Chapter 20 Snatching the Medicine from the Python's Mouth
Chapter 20 Snatching the Medicine from the Python's Mouth
It did not attack immediately, but slowly stretched out its coiled body, its neck slightly retracted, ready to strike.
Chen Fan remained unmoved. His left hand gripped the Ice Cone Talisman, while his right hand held the Golden Flame Spirit-Slaying Blade, its tip pointing diagonally at the ground. His gaze was fixed intently on the python's vital point. The man and the python faced each other across the pool, a standoff lasting no more than three breaths.
The Crimson-Scaled Python made the first move!
The snake's body shot forward like a taut bowstring! Covering the distance of several feet in an instant, its mouth gaped open, two curved fangs gleaming coldly, their tips condensing dark red venom. Simultaneously, a surge of scorching red mist erupted from its throat, engulfing Chen Fan!
Chen Fan did not retreat! His feet planted firmly on the ground, and his magical power instantly surged into his right arm, penetrating straight to the hilt of his sword! The Golden Flame Spirit-Slaying Blade hummed, and the crimson-gold flame patterns on its blade suddenly lit up, a layer of solidified golden-red spiritual light enveloping the blade! He raised his left hand, and two ice cone talismans were activated simultaneously! Six thumb-thick, chilling ice cones shot out in a fan shape, meeting the poisonous mist head-on!
With a hissing sound, the icy chill of the ice spikes clashed violently with the red mist, causing the mist to condense into tiny ice crystals that fell in a flurry. Three ice spikes pierced through the poisonous mist, aiming straight for the python's head! The red-scaled python tilted its head, dodging two spikes, but the third struck its neck with a crisp "clang," sparks flying everywhere, leaving only a white mark before shattering into ice shards that drifted down.
The snakeskin was completely unharmed!
The crimson-scaled python was enraged! It lashed out with its body, its thick, powerful form sweeping across like a steel whip, creating a piercing, tearing sound! Chen Fan exerted force with his feet, his figure gliding backward like a willow leaf, barely dodging the attack. Where the python's body swept past, rocks shattered, and a deep gash, about an inch deep, was scraped into the hard rock wall!
This is the moment!
"armor!"
The golden-backed mantis leaped out from the shadows of the rocks beside the pool! Its speed was like lightning; its six legs pushed off the ground, unleashing the mantis's unique jumping power, and it leaped to the python's head! Its two scythe-shaped bone blades on its forelimbs were raised high, their edges gleaming coldly, and with a piercing shriek, it stabbed fiercely towards the python's left eye!
Sensing the ominous wind overhead, the Crimson-Scaled Python lashed its head violently! The armored scythe missed its target, piercing the scale above its eye socket with a "crack!" A thin crack appeared in the tough scale, and dark red snake blood seeped out! The Crimson-Scaled Python hissed in pain, wildly thrashing its head, trying to shake off the armor. Its six hooked legs gripped the crack in the scale tightly, and the scythe's bone blade rose again, stabbing at the same crack!
How could Chen Fan miss such a golden opportunity! He flicked two more ice spike talismans with his left hand! Six ice spikes whistled through the air, forming a triangular shape, all locking onto the seven-inch vital point! The Crimson Scale Python was driven mad by the iron armor on its head, and its seven-inch protection finally showed a flaw, revealing a corner of that light-colored triangular scale!
The ice spikes whistled through the air! The crimson python instinctively twisted its body, four of them grazing its tough scales and sparking as they flew past. The fifth, however, struck precisely at the edge of the triangular scale! With a muffled "thud," a crack appeared! The sixth followed closely behind, embedding itself perfectly into the crack!
"Crack!" The triangular scale shattered with a sound!
The red-scaled python's body suddenly stiffened! Its vital spot, its strongest defense, had been breached! No longer caring about the iron armor on its head, it whirled its head towards Chen Fan, its neck muscles bulging, spewing out a crimson poisonous mist several times denser and almost viscous than before! The mist was so real that wherever it passed, the moss on the ground instantly turned into charred powder!
Chen Fan didn't parry! He took several quick steps back, his figure retreating rapidly, while simultaneously channeling his power into the Golden Flame Spirit-Slaying Blade in his right hand! The golden-red flame patterns on the blade shone brightly, and the foot-long golden-red blade light flickered erratically! He exhaled, his arm muscles bulging, and unleashed a full-force slash!
"cut!"
A condensed, almost tangible, golden-red blade of light, its edges radiating intense heat, shot forth, tearing through the air with a sharp, piercing whistle! The blade of light cleaved into the thick, poisonous mist, hissing and cracking as if boiling water had been poured over snow, forcibly splitting a gap in the red mist! The blade of light, its momentum undiminished, struck the Crimson Scale Python precisely at its seven-inch mark, where its scales shattered!
"Pfft!" Snake blood gushed out like a fountain!
The crimson-scaled python let out a piercing hiss, its body trembling violently as it twisted and thrashed, finally flinging off the iron armor on its head! The armor nimbly rolled twice in the air before landing steadily, its six legs slightly bent, completely unharmed. Chen Fan gave it no chance to catch its breath! With his left hand, he unleashed the last ice spike talisman, three ice spikes forming a triangular shape, carrying a chilling aura, all plunging into the seven-inch wound, a bloody mess!
At the same time, he kicked off with his feet, his body rushing forward like an arrow released from a bow! He gripped the hilt of the Golden Flame Spirit-Slaying Blade tightly with both hands, the flames on the blade surging to their limit. Aiming at that fatal wound, he poured out his remaining magic power and slashed down fiercely!
"Slice—!" The blade cut deep into the snake's body, producing a dull tearing sound, and the sound of bones breaking could be clearly heard! The blazing golden flames attached to the blade burned the wound, making a "sizzling" sound!
The crimson-scaled python's struggles weakened abruptly. Its massive body thrashed helplessly at the ground, kicking up dust and debris before finally falling silent. Its dark golden vertical pupils dilated, losing all their luster.
Chen Fan drew his sword and took two steps back, his chest heaving violently, sweat beading on his forehead. From the moment the python moved to its death, only a little over an incense stick's time had passed. Yet, within that time, nearly thirty percent of his magical power had been depleted, and all five ice cone talismans had been unleashed. His divine sense was taut, locking onto every minute movement of the python's body the entire time, a process that also consumed a great deal of energy.
He stood there for a moment to catch his breath, and only after his breathing had calmed down did he walk toward the python's corpse.
Dismembering demonic beasts is a specialty of the disciples of Spirit Beast Mountain. Chen Fan crouched down, first using the sharp tip of his Golden Flame Spirit-Slaying Blade to precisely cut along the seven-inch wound. His wrist was steady, and he wielded the blade like the wind. Skinning requires completeness; the blade moved between the tough snake skin and muscle fascia. Before long, a python skin over ten feet long, crimson with gold tinges, and with intact scales, was peeled off. A layer of pale yellow snake fat adhered to the inside of the skin, which he lightly scraped clean with the back of his blade, rolled it up, tied it securely with animal sinew, and put it into his storage bag.
Next, extract the snake's gallbladder. Open the snake's abdomen, avoiding the internal organs and blood, and search near the liver. Retrieve a round, thumb-sized, agate-red sphere; it is icy cold to the touch. This is the gallbladder of a red-scaled python, extremely cold in nature, counteracting fire poison. It is the main ingredient in many antidotes and is even more valuable than snake skin. Carefully place it into a specially made jade bottle and seal it.
Next, retrieve the venom sac. Using the tip of the knife, deftly pry open the snake's snout. Enveloping a finger in magical energy, probe deep into its mouth, carefully removing two crescent-shaped fangs, along with a translucent, bean-sized sac filled with dark red, viscous venom. The venom had a pungent, sweet-smelling odor and fluctuated violently with spiritual energy. Place it in another sealed jade bottle, affixing a sealing talisman to the mouth to isolate its aura and prevent the loss of spiritual energy.
Finally, there was the snake meat. The Crimson Scale Python meat contained pure fire-attribute spiritual energy, making it an excellent food source for spirit beasts. He swung his knife, cutting the snake's body into several sections, selecting the thickest and tenderest pieces from the spine, carefully wrapping them in several layers of oilcloth to isolate their scent. The rest was left untouched. Ironclad had already crawled over, unceremoniously grabbing a piece of snake meat, its sharp jaws cutting and gnawing loudly, clearly extremely satisfied with this fresh, bloody meal.
Snake skin, snake gall, and venom sac. The three together are worth about one hundred and twenty or thirty spirit stones.
But the real surprise is yet to come.
Chen Fan dissected the snake's stomach to clean it, and the tip of his knife touched a hard object. At first, he thought it was an unresolved animal bone, but upon careful inspection, he discovered it was a spiritual herb wrapped in a semi-transparent, tough snake membrane! Cutting open the membrane, a refreshing, herbal fragrance instantly wafted out, invigorating the senses.
The herb is about the size of a palm, pale purple all over, with thick, heart-shaped leaves edged with a ring of fine gold veins, the veins clearly visible. Its roots are gnarled and twisted, well-preserved, and brimming with spiritual energy.
Purple heart grass! It's definitely over a hundred years old!
Purple Heart Grass is a rare spiritual herb with a balanced and mild medicinal nature, compatible with almost all pills, and an indispensable auxiliary ingredient for many high-grade pills. Those over a hundred years old will fetch no less than three hundred spirit stones in the sect's exchange rate!
Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Chen Fan took out a fine jade box, laid spiritual soil at the bottom, and carefully moved the Purple Heart Grass, along with its roots and the little soil that had originally been attached, into the box, placing it upright. He then took out a pale golden sealing talisman, chanted an incantation, and the talisman flashed with spiritual light, firmly adhering to the jade box, completely locking in the medicinal properties and spiritual energy.
They returned to the edge of the pool, and using a knife as a hoe, carefully dug up the century-old Vermilion Fruit tree, roots and all. The Vermilion Fruit was warm to the touch, shimmering with red light. They placed it in another jade box and affixed a spirit-sealing talisman.
Two rare medicinal herbs acquired! A century-old Vermilion Fruit and a century-old Purple Heart Grass! Adding to this the Crimson Scale Python's skin, gall bladder, and venom sac, the total value of this battle's gains exceeds five hundred spirit stones!
This was Chen Fan's first truly substantial gain after entering the forbidden area!
He quickly cleaned up the battlefield, erasing all traces of the battle and his own aura, even burying the soil stained with snake blood deep inside. Confirming there were no further omissions, he then, wearing his armor, headed towards the crevice deep in the valley. After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped, took an oilcloth package from his storage bag, cut off a fist-sized piece of the fattest, most tender snake meat, and handed it to his armor-wearing companion.
As the armored creature was munching on its own flesh, it saw its master offer it even more delicious food. It opened and closed its mouthparts, its whiskers vibrating at a high frequency, and then took the food and began to gnaw on it with even greater gusto.
Chen Fan withdrew his gaze and stepped into the shadow of the crack.
Five Ice Cone Talismans in exchange for two spiritual herbs and a Crimson Scale Python. What a bargain!