Chapter 61

Daxuan, Jie Li Mountain.

The mountain rises several thousand meters high, its shape like a knife cut, piercing the clouds.

On a perilous mountain path halfway up, two young men were walking one after the other.

The one in front was a slender youth, wearing a straw hat, with a determined face.

The youth following behind looked a few years younger but was robust, with thick eyebrows and a simple, honest demeanor.

At this moment, the robust youth wiped the sweat from his forehead and plopped down: "Erlang, let's take a break. We've been walking for half a day, and I really can't go on."

The slender youth turned around and handed him a water flask: "There are occasionally fierce tigers and wild beasts in these mountains. It's not safe to rest here. I know there's a hidden cave not far ahead. If you're really tired, we can rest there."

The robust youth took the water flask and drank a few large gulps, then let out a long breath and asked curiously: "Erlang, are there really any immortals in these mountains?"

"Definitely. I saw them with my own eyes," Erlang said, looking up at the mountain peak hidden in the clouds, his tone firm.

The robust youth, however, looked unconvinced: "Ever since five years ago, you've been obsessed, always coming to this Jie Li Mountain whenever you have free time. You've made countless trips, but you've never found any immortals. In my opinion, you should give up on this idea. Seeking immortals and asking for the Dao is too abstract and elusive. I think you should practice martial arts like me..."

The robust youth was interrupted halfway through by Erlang, who frowned: "Wang Xuanba, why have you become as nagging as my mother? If you keep talking nonsense, you can go down the mountain by yourself!"

The robust youth awkwardly scratched the back of his head and shut up.

The two continued climbing the mountain path toward the summit.

Not long after, a cold wind suddenly blew through the mountains.

Wang Xuanba's ears twitched, and his face changed. He stepped forward, pressed Erlang down, and made a gesture to be quiet.

"There's something ahead..." He narrowed his eyes, about to warn, but then froze.

A drop of cold sweat fell from his forehead.

On the mountain path ahead, with a rustling sound, a huge white python slithered down the mountain.

The python's body was massive; just the part of its head that was visible was about seven or eight meters long.

The rest of its body was hidden in the grass and trees, and it was unknown how long it was.

The python was as thick as a washbasin, with huge red eyes that glowed with a chilling red light.

It flicked its tongue and raised its head, sliding down the cliff along the mountain wall.

Seeing this terrifying creature, Wang Xuanba and Erlang were both terrified, not daring to move, even holding their breaths.

The python's massive body dragged on the ground for a while before slowly disappearing from their sight.

Phew...

Wang Xuanba let out a long breath, about to speak, but then heard a hurried sound.

The huge snake head suddenly reappeared from below the cliff, staring at the two!

Wang Xuanba and Erlang were petrified again.

Hiss...

The python shook its head and slowly moved closer to the two.

Its huge mouth opened, bringing a gust of foul wind.

Under the shadow of the python, Erlang's head was almost about to be swallowed. Wang Xuanba finally couldn't bear it anymore.

He let out a loud roar, his muscles bulging, and his body suddenly expanded.

He leaped up, raised his fist, and smashed it down at the python's head below.

"Clang!"

It actually sounded like metal clashing!

At this moment, Erlang also moved.

He stomped his foot, shattering the mountain rocks, and his figure became blurry, appearing behind the python in an instant.

He turned his fist into a finger and fiercely stabbed dozens of times.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!..."

The sound of collisions echoed continuously.

However, the two's attack couldn't even scratch the python's skin!

The python hissed, twisted its body, and struck Wang Xuanba.

"Bang!"

Wang Xuanba was instantly thrown back, smashing into the mountain cliff, causing rocks to fly.

The python didn't chase after Wang Xuanba but turned its head, opened its huge mouth, and bit at Erlang.

Erlang couldn't dodge in time and had to stretch out his hands to hold the python's mouth.

The python let out a strange roar and suddenly exerted force.

Erlang's body almost disappeared in the python's huge mouth, but he let out a muffled groan and managed to hold on.

After a long stalemate, the python, unable to swallow this small human, became furious.

It kept thrashing its body, smashing Erlang against the mountain path and the mountain wall, trying to shake him off.

Each time Erlang was hit, his fingers pierced deeper into the python's flesh.

After a long time, the mountain path was covered with the marks of Erlang's collisions with the rocks. The python's red eyes flashed, and a blackish-brown liquid spurted from its mouth.

Erlang narrowly avoided the liquid on his head but was still drenched in the poison.

"Sizzle..."

The poison corroded his flesh, revealing a faint golden glow.

He let out a muffled groan, unable to continue, and was thrown to the side, landing next to the unconscious Wang Xuanba.

Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he struggled to prop himself up, looking at the approaching python with a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

Ever since that evening when he saw an immortal flying in the air in Jie Li Mountain, he had been obsessed with seeking immortals and asking for the Dao.

He had entered the mountains countless times, hoping to find this immortal and become his disciple.

For this, he even had a conflict with his mother.

Who would have thought that he wouldn't find the immortal but would end up being killed by this beast.

Thinking of himself, Sun Erlang, born with divine strength and skilled in all martial arts, ending up like this, how could he be content?

But under the shadow of the python, he had no strength left to resist, and Erlang could only close his eyes in despair.

Just as Erlang resigned himself to death, a loud crane call suddenly came from the distant mountains.

The python, hearing the call, seemed to encounter its natural enemy. It suddenly raised its head, flicked its tongue, and stared at the direction of the sound.

Erlang, seeing a glimmer of hope, also opened his eyes.

A white crane flew from somewhere in the mountains and engaged in battle with the python.

The crane kept flying, skillfully dodging the python's attacks while pecking at its body, causing it to bleed.

Although the python was not as agile as the crane, its thick skin and flesh made it immune to the crane's dozens of pecks.

But if the python managed to bite the crane once, it would be severely injured.

Gradually, the crane was at a disadvantage.

Seeing the two creatures fighting fiercely and ignoring him, Erlang struggled to get up, trying to pull Wang Xuanba and escape.

At this moment, a sound like a tidal wave came from the mountains.

Erlang was stunned. He looked up and saw a strange sight.

In the sky, countless birds flew in from all directions, like dark clouds, heading toward this place.

On the mountain, rats, insects, and even monkeys, tigers, leopards, and countless other animals Erlang had never seen before, suddenly emerged from all directions, forming a flood of beasts, rushing toward the battle between the crane and the python.

Erlang realized at this moment, his face pale.

In this flood of beasts, they had no chance of survival!

The red-eyed python also sensed the danger and tried to leave.

But the crane wouldn't let it go, as if it had a deep-seated grudge. Even though it was bleeding and torn apart, it refused to let the python escape.

In a moment, the birds and the flood of beasts arrived.

They ignored the crane and Erlang, focusing only on the huge python!

The python let out a terrified cry, but it was already surrounded by countless beasts, with no way to escape.

These beasts went mad, trampling each other, fighting to bite and tear at the python's body.

Even if their teeth broke and blood flowed, they wouldn't let go.

Many beasts were killed by their own bites, but they were quickly replaced by others.

The python seemed to have committed an unforgivable sin.

All the birds and beasts, one after another, vowed to devour the python completely.

Until death!

The python was overwhelmed by the flood of beasts, and its struggles grew weaker.

After a long time, it was completely silent.

After that, the beasts gradually dispersed.

The huge red-eyed python was left with not even a bone.

Witnessing such a bizarre scene, Erlang was stunned, not daring to make a sound for a long time.

He swallowed hard and finally came to his senses.

Suddenly, he seemed to think of something, looked around, and shouted loudly: "Immortal Master, is it you?"

"It must be you, right?"

In his view, the abnormal flood of beasts that just occurred must have been the work of the immortal hidden in Jie Li Mountain.

Erlang was both excited and eager.

Unfortunately, even after shouting until his voice was hoarse, he didn't see the immortal.

He fell into deep disappointment.

Not far from him, Li Fan was smiling at him.

The immortal was right in front of him, but the mortal couldn't see him.

"This child is good, with a somewhat special constitution and a firm heart for the Dao," Li Fan looked at Erlang, his eyes showing some appreciation.

"Unfortunately, I myself am not yet stable, so how can I teach you?" Li Fan smiled and shook his head.

"Let's wait for the right time, and I'll give you a chance for enlightenment."

He lightly pointed at Erlang.

Sun Erlang suddenly felt dizzy, looked around in confusion, and finally carried the still unconscious Wang Xuanba, heading down the mountain.

Watching the two leave Jie Li Mountain, Li Fan then observed the scene where the python was devoured, feeling pleased.

"Nine years of hard research, this formless killing aura is indeed remarkable."

The flood of beasts in Jie Li Mountain that just devoured the python was his doing.

In this life, because he was already at the late stage of Qi Cultivation, to avoid the influence of the Immortal-World Barrier, he came to Jie Li Mountain to live in seclusion.

He waited for the [Return to Truth] to recharge while cultivating diligently.

Since there was no spiritual energy in the Immortal-World Barrier, he spent most of his time comprehending the heavenly energy he observed in his previous life.

After nine years of continuous, painstaking effort, he finally made some progress, comprehending the formless killing aura.

Once the formless killing aura was activated, it could simulate the heavenly killing aura to a certain extent within a certain range and degree.

When the heavens unleash killing aura, various calamities evolve.

Once a target is locked by the formless killing aura, it will fall into the calamity without Li Fan needing to act personally.

For example, the red-eyed python was locked by Li Fan's formless killing aura and became the target of the heavenly killing aura within the range of Jie Li Mountain.

The will of heaven governs most living beings.

Thus, countless animals were driven to have endless killing intent toward the python.

This killing intent would only disappear when the python was completely dead.

Using the will of heaven, this is the power of the formless killing aura.

Not only is it powerful and mysterious, but the formless killing aura is also highly concealed.

The formless killing aura itself is like the heavenly killing aura, a pure will and rule.

Ordinary cultivators cannot detect it.

With so many advantages, it is truly a must-have for killing and plundering.

No wonder Li Fan was so satisfied.

Of course, the first test subject for the formless killing aura was a common beast in the mountains, so the effect was quite grand.

The specific effect on cultivators of the same or higher level as Li Fan would need to be tested in the future.

After the trial, Li Fan returned to his thatched cottage on the top of Jie Li Mountain.

After tidying up, Li Fan checked the charging progress of the [Return to Truth].

It was already 99%.

"It's time to step back into the world of cultivation."

Li Fan summoned the Taiyan Boat and flew to Xuanjing City.

With the power of an immortal, he gathered a large amount of treasures and food as he did in his previous life.

After filling the Taiyan Boat, Li Fan went to Qian Hong's tomb.

With his current cultivation, the restriction of the Stop-Step Broken Stele could no longer harm him.

Entering Qian Hong's tomb, Li Fan took out the bound Stop-Step Broken Stele from the [Return to Truth] space.

The two Stop-Step Broken Steles merged into a new one.

Unlike the old one, it only had some cracks on the surface.

But it still seemed to be a step away from a qualitative change.

Li Fan was not concerned.

After experiencing the powerful ability of the Sea Pearl, he no longer valued the Stop-Step Broken Stele.

He was going to sell it to the Tianxuan Mirror for contribution points anyway.

He also took the two cultivation techniques and the damaged Taiyan Boat from Qian Hong's tomb and was about to leave.

After flying a distance, he returned, collected Qian Hong's remains, and planned to take them back to the world of cultivation to fulfill his last wish.

With no more attachments, Li Fan smoothly passed through the Immortal-World Barrier and returned to the world of cultivation.

Seeing the blue Cloud Sea again, Li Fan felt as if he had been in a different world.

He took out Qian Hong's remains, turned them into ashes, and scattered them in the sea.

In the sky, a strange phenomenon appeared.

A petal fell from a branch, drifting with the wind, endlessly.

"Qian Hong, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, practiced for 265 years and achieved the Dao with the strange object [Wandering Plum]."

"Having wandered for 3,670 years, his soul has now returned home, returning to the heavens!"

The phenomenon lasted for about half a cup of tea and then disappeared.