Stabilizing his cultivation after breaking through to the second stage of Foundation Establishment, Li Yao wasted no time lingering in the cave he had secured. The memory of the hidden treasure location imprinted itself vividly in his mind, like a burning brand. Determined to uncover its secrets, he gathered his sparse belongings, dismantled the protective formation he'd set up, and stepped into the dappled shadows of the forest beyond.
The air grew thick with damp mist and the scent of moss and loam. As he pressed deeper into the wilds, avoiding provoking the powerful beasts in their habitat, a week passed, and when passing through a forest section, Li noticed the absence of the less powerful beasts in the area like they were purposely avoiding it. This behaviour put him on high alert.
Suddenly, the forest floor shivered beneath his boots. A faint tremor, then a sharp hiss—before him, a massive Serpent erupted from a thicket of twisted roots. Its emerald scales gleamed with a slick sheen of toxin, and a thin mist of venomous vapor rose from its fanged maw. The beast's long, sinuous body coiled and uncoiled in rhythm, its tongue flicking, tasting the air, eyes narrowing as it locked onto him.
A chill coursed through Li Yao's spine. Observation flashed across his eye.
[Observation Result
Target: Venomcoil Serpent – Poison Beast Species
Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Realm – Sixth Stage
Evaluation: Aggressive predator; potent poison capable of corroding even Foundation Establishment defenses.]
Li Yao's muscles coiled. He knew instinctively—this wasn't a beast defending its lair or offspring. It was a predator that saw him as prey. Nature Severance flowed through him, clearing his mind of all distractions, sharpening his focus to a single point: the serpent before him. As the beast lunged with unnatural speed, Li Yao sidestepped using Leafshadow Steps, his silhouette flickering like a leaf caught in a gust. He retaliated instantly with a Falling Ember Slash, fire qi wreathing his axe in a burst of heat that seared scales and flesh.
The serpent recoiled but countered with a venomous tail strike, its movement a blur. Li Yao barely deflected the attack with a Molten Spiral Slash, but even as he struck, the serpent's poison mist thickened, choking the air around them. His breathing slowed, his limbs grew heavier. The longer this battle dragged on, the more perilous it became.
Li Yao gritted his teeth. He knew he had to end this, or the venom would erode his strength and leave him vulnerable. As the serpent lunged again, barbed tail gleaming with deadly toxin, he made his decision.
He took the hit.
The serpent's tail struck him across his ribs, tearing into flesh and flooding his veins with searing poison. Agony lanced through him—but in that same heartbeat, he unleashed his Crimson Cleave. His Fire Qi surged in a roaring tide, and his Axe Intent exploded forth, doubling the force of his blow. The blazing arc of the axe cut clean through the serpent's coiling body. Its head fell to the ground with a wet, final thud.
Li Yao staggered back, his breath ragged, hand pressed against the bleeding wound at his side. His qi reserves were drained by the Crimson Cleave, leaving him lightheaded and weak. However, thanks to his recent breakthrough to the second stage, he wasn't completely empty, though a second strike of that magnitude was impossible.
He stumbled to a knee, fumbling for the medicine his master had given him. The small vial of golden liquid gleamed faintly as he drank it in one gulp. Warmth flooded his limbs, the bleeding slowed, and his pulse steadied—but the serpent's venom still coiled within him, a stubborn toxin gnawing at his meridians.
For hours, Li Yao battled the venom. His attempts to purge it with his Fire Qi failed, the poison stubbornly resisting his efforts. He shivered, his skin clammy, mind clouding. Finally, in desperation, he channeled his Axe Intent inward, focusing its razor-sharp clarity through his meridians. Guided by that singular edge, his intent sliced through the toxic barriers, forcing the venom out of his body in thin streams of foul-smelling mist. His skin steamed faintly, and the stench made him gag—but at last, the poison was expelled.
Gasping for breath, he collapsed against a tree. After a few moments of trembling rest, he stood, more exhausted than before. Yet relief coursed through him. He was alive.
He turned back to the slain serpent and, without hesitation, harvested its long, glistening fangs, careful to store them in a formation container from his master before tucking them into his storage bag. Using fire qi, he scorched and detoxified portions of the serpent's flesh. He built a small campfire, slicing the meat into manageable portions and grilling it. The rich, smoky aroma filled the air, mingling with the fading scent of venom. He ate methodically, replenishing his strength.
As he cleaned up the campsite, Li Yao reflected. The serpent hadn't attacked to protect anything or anyone. It had simply seen him as prey, seeking a meal. There was no guilt in his heart—only the hard-earned lesson.
Once he'd gathered himself, he set off again toward the treasure's location, moving cautiously but steadily. The forest thickened around him, the canopy casting long shadows across mossy stones and gnarled roots. After a day of silent progress, the Heavenly Observation System activated with a soft, ominous chime.
[Heavenly Warning Activated – Consuming 1500 Observation Points
Warning:Ahead lies a Mid-Stage Core Formation Beast cultivating the Dao of Blood.
Species: Bloodbat Fiend
Evaluation: Danger level far exceeds Host's current capacity. If you proceed, death is inevitable.]
Li Yao froze. His breath caught in his throat. A Core Formation beast—one practicing the Dao of Blood? . With his current cultivation realm, to face such a monster would be suicide.
"Heavenly Warning," he murmured. "It was a good decision not to use the observation points earlier."
His mind raced. There was no time to waste or hesitation to indulge. He scanned the terrain around him and quickly plotted a detour around the danger zone. With measured steps, he began to skirt the edges of the warning's perimeter, his gaze sharp and his senses extended. Li Yao tightened his grip on his axe and pressed forward.