Chapter 34

Watching the poison gland in Niugeng's hand, Luyuling's lips curved into a faint smile. She looked at Huanongying, still not speaking. Hearing Niugeng's words, Huanongying was stunned, not expecting that Niugeng, who appeared honest and straightforward, was actually a master of poisons.

Poison, there's no denying that it is a force that instills fear, yet it is also very powerful. Once used well, poison can enable one to challenge higher levels or provide undeniable support.

In the Endless Mountains, there are indeed many venomous insects, making it easy to be poisoned. Having someone who understands toxins would make things much safer. Thinking of this, Huanongying nodded, acknowledging Niugeng's value. The four of them finally formed a team.

Niugeng collected the snake gallbladder and other such things from the colorful venomous python. Luyuling also took out a small jade bottle and collected some of the essence blood from the python's heart. The group quickly left, as the scent of the beast's blood in the air could easily attract other beasts.

Using branches, they made a simple stand and placed the Yin Gu Pot on it. Beneath the pot, dry branches were burning. The snake gallbladder of the colorful venomous python was completely crushed. Niugeng's expression was solemn, and he looked very serious.

Beside him, many collected poisonous herbs, insects, and fruits were mashed into juices, mixed with the snake gallbladder, and slowly boiled over the fire. His movements were skilled, clearly showing his expertise in this work...

Zhuge Xiang, Huanongying, and Luyuling watched quietly from the side. They couldn't understand what Niugeng was doing with the poison, but they didn't disturb him. It was almost dusk, and the Endless Mountains would become even more dangerous at night. Having some poison would increase their safety.

The mixture of poisonous herbs, fruits, insects, and the gallbladder of a near-first-rank superior beast, the colorful venomous python, formed a highly toxic substance. As it was boiled, colorful poison mists rose, spreading out and emitting a foul odor.

"These poison mists won't harm the human body, but they can attract poisonous creatures from within ten miles. Do you want to move away?" Seeing the poison mists rise, Niugeng turned his head and asked Zhuge Xiang and the others.

Zhuge Xiang and the others nodded and sat on a nearby tree, looking down. Not understanding poisons, staying might cause trouble for Niugeng. Besides, Huanongying and Luyuling were girls and would likely be repulsed by poisons.

Soon, a venomous snake slithered out from the depths of the forest, seemingly drawn by something, heading straight for the Yin Gu Pot. With the appearance of this snake, other poisonous creatures also emerged: spiders of various colors, snakes of different sizes, scorpions, centipedes, toads...

In no time, the ground was covered with a dense crowd of poisonous creatures. Their target was the Yin Gu Pot. Whether it was a snake, a spider, or another poisonous creature, their goal was to enter the pot and consume the boiling poison.

However, the lid of the Yin Gu Pot was specially made with small holes, too small for even the tiniest snake to enter. Yet, these poisonous creatures still circled the pot, trying their best to get in, drawn by the lethal allure of the rising poison mists.

All the poisonous creatures wanted to get in, and the area near the Yin Gu Pot naturally became a battleground. All the poisonous insects fought each other.

Hundreds of poisonous creatures fought, all for the impossible goal of entering the Yin Gu Pot. This was a method of raising a poison. The primitive slaughter made Zhuge Xiang and the others, sitting on the tree branches, feel a bit uneasy, as there were too many poisonous creatures.

After a fierce battle, only one poisonous creature remained—a venomous bee. It looked different from ordinary venomous bees, with a blue, highly toxic stinger. Just by looking at it, one could tell it was extremely poisonous.

This method of raising a poison resulted in the surviving venomous bee absorbing the toxins of hundreds of other poisonous creatures, leading to a mutation and evolution. At this moment, Niugeng opened the lid of the Yin Gu Pot, and the venomous bee hurriedly entered.

"Alright, let's go. After some cultivation, this venomous bee will become a powerful ally." After the venomous bee entered the pot, Niugeng put it away and looked up at Zhuge Xiang and the others. It was indeed getting late, so they quickly left.

Roar...

Traversing the forest, they searched for a safe place to rest. Suddenly, a roar echoed through the forest, a powerful and strong roar, clearly from a powerful beast. Many disciples had fled into the forest, so encountering one wasn't surprising.

Zhuge Xiang and the others exchanged glances, all agreeing to check it out. If it was a strong disciple, they would try to help. In this dangerous forest, having strong companions would increase their chances of survival.

Deciding, Zhuge Xiang and the others crouched and cautiously approached. After walking about two hundred meters, they finally saw the battle. However, the sight made Zhuge Xiang's eyes narrow.

It was an open clearing, which was rare in the dense forest. The clearing was created by the battle. A demonic bear stood on its hind legs, over three meters tall, with steel-like, earth-brown fur. Standing before it, the bear's size alone was enough to create a sense of overwhelming pressure.

Its massive paws, when swung, created a powerful wind. Whether it was a boulder as tall as a person or a tree that two people could barely hug, it could be shattered with one strike. If this attack hit a person, it would surely be fatal.

In front of the demonic bear, two men were fighting it, and they were familiar faces—Ling Wufeng and Ji Wuxue. Ling Wufeng's flying knives continuously flashed, and Ji Wuxue had already activated his Bloodthirsty Technique, his sword strikes fierce and covering the area. However, neither Ji Wuxue's sword strikes nor Ling Wufeng's flying knives had any effect on the demonic bear; all attacks were blocked, not even breaking the skin.

"Is this demonic bear's skin too tough?" Niugeng's eyes widened. The strength Ji Wuxue and Ling Wufeng displayed in the competition was undeniable, but their combined attacks had no effect on the demonic bear, which was shocking.

"That's not just tough skin," Luyuling's eyes grew serious as she felt the powerful demonic aura emanating from the bear. "This is a two-star demonic beast, equivalent to a Body Tempering Realm cultivator."

Two-star demonic beast? Hearing Luyuling's words, Zhuge Xiang and the others' expressions became even more serious.

A two-star demonic beast was a significant step up from a one-star demonic beast. Like human cultivators, if a one-star demonic beast had high attack and low defense, a two-star demonic beast began to temper its body with demonic aura, making its body highly resistant to attacks.

A one-star demonic beast could be challenged by a Qi Cultivation Realm cultivator due to its low defense, but a Qi Cultivation Realm cultivator had no chance against a two-star demonic beast. Your attacks would have no effect, and the demonic beast's powerful attacks would be too much to bear. How could you fight?

Although Ji Wuxue and Ling Wufeng were strong, and their combined strength increased their chances of survival, a two-star demonic beast made them hesitate. Rushing in might not save anyone and could cost their own lives.

Should they save them? The group discussed in low voices, unsure. Meanwhile, under the two-star demonic bear's attacks, Ling Wufeng and Ji Wuxue were already in a dire state. Any hit from the demonic bear could shatter their bones.

After a brief discussion, Zhuge Xiang nodded, deciding to act. Facing a two-star demonic beast, Zhuge Xiang formulated a battle plan. Huanongying and Luyuling did not object to Zhuge Xiang's proposal. Although a two-star demonic beast was strong, if they could win, they would gain two stronger companions, making it worth the fight. Hearing Zhuge Xiang's plan, they gained more confidence.

The mechanical puppet and the fox puppet charged in, coordinating their attacks. Huanongying, in her Ghost Step, moved like a fly around the demonic bear, her dagger constantly stabbing. Although her attacks didn't cause substantial damage, her ghostly movements and dagger strikes were a nuisance to the bear.

Although the demonic bear could run faster than a human on all fours, its reaction time was slow when standing upright. If anyone was the most relaxed, it was Huanongying.

With Luyuling and Huanongying's help, Ling Wufeng and Ji Wuxue's pressure was greatly reduced. However, even with the addition of two-star lower-grade demonic beast, they still had no chance of winning.

Huanongying, like a fly, made the demonic bear roar in anger. The massive paws created a whistling sound, but Huanongying's Ghost Step was very agile, allowing her to dodge skillfully. The demonic bear could only roar in frustration, unable to do anything despite its strength.

Hiding to the side, Zhuge Xiang waited for Huanongying to attract the demonic bear. He activated his Bloodthirsty Technique, his center of gravity slightly lowered, and his blood-red eyes fixed on the demonic bear's mouth.

Although a two-star demonic beast tempered its body with demonic aura, Zhuge Xiang didn't believe its mouth, with its soft tissue, could be as tough.

He applied some of the toxin from the colorful venomous python's poison gland to his Blood-Refined Blade. Seizing the opportunity, Zhuge Xiang suddenly lunged, transforming into a blood-red shadow. The blood-red blade light flashed, aiming straight for the demonic bear's mouth.

(Ps: Our index is over 18,000, and the second place is just over 19,000, only a difference of less than 100 points, which is just about 20 recommendation votes. Brothers and sisters, let's burst it and push us to the second place in the new book category.)

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