Chapter 26

Warm sunlight filtered through the tiny gaps, permeating the air. The fresh scent of ancient trees filled the bright day, filling the space between heaven and earth with a sense of fullness. Under the sunlight, a fine trail of dust danced, whispering of the cold and the lingering traces of a once profound and ethereal presence.

Struggling to suppress the dizziness that threatened to overwhelm him, Jun Wuming was in a rather dire state. He had underestimated the power of the purple flame.

Even with the Black Water Banner protecting his body, he was still scorched by the purple flames. His entire body turned a purplish-copper color, resembling a roasted purple sweet potato. Stumbling, he could no longer control the Kui Water power beneath him and floated up to the surface of the water.

Splash, splash. The splashing water sent droplets flying.

At the moment his body became unstable and rose to the surface, a black light shot out from Jun Wuming's abdomen, forming a nearly three-zhang-long black ribbon that instantly wrapped around the somewhat disheveled black figure in the water. It then darted to the shore and into the forest, transforming into the form of a human and a snake under an ancient, verdant tree.

The black-clothed youth was drenched, his black hair and clothes tightly clinging to his purplish-copper skin, making him look particularly disheveled.

Leaning against the ancient tree, Jun Wuming opened his eyes and scanned his surroundings. The forest was quiet and serene, fitting his mood. Nodding, he then gave a slight nod to the black, extremely yin spirit snake, which was somewhat uneasy, and closed his eyes to regulate the chaotic magical power within his body.

Black light slowly rose, and Jun Wuming suppressed the intense pain from the purple flames burning his meridians. The Divine Water Dao Technique slowly circulated, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth and refining it into black divine water power, which nourished his dry meridians and gradually expelled the purple fire that had invaded them.

As the Divine Water Dao Technique circulated, pain from his heart meridian intensified, a result of the internal damage caused by the golden-clothed woman's palm. Thinking of this, Jun Wuming couldn't help but feel a deep resentment. This was truly an unforeseen disaster, not only causing internal damage and meridian injuries but also nearly costing him his life.

He let out a cold laugh. However, the purple-clothed woman wouldn't be faring much better. Pierced through the chest by the Yin Extreme Sword, her heart was struck by the Yin Extreme Thunder, and he personally delivered a final, extremely yin and cold palm. Even if she didn't die immediately, she wouldn't last much longer.

The black divine water power circulated throughout his body, transforming into black light that nourished and purified his injured meridians.

The black-clothed youth, sitting cross-legged, emitted a faint cool aura, radiating black light. As time passed, the purplish-copper burns on his skin gradually healed, turning back to a jade-white color.

In front of him, the black, extremely yin spirit snake transformed into a three-zhang-long giant python, releasing its aura to deter any wild animals or fierce beasts from disturbing Jun Wuming as he recovered.

By now, the sky had grown dim, and the sparse, yellowish sunset cast a desolate light over the damp forest. This place was deep within an unknown forest, with towering ancient trees and green vines entwining the ground, covered in gray, withered branches and leaves. The sounds of unknown insects chirping echoed through the silent, slightly dark forest, emitting a musty, decaying smell.

The entire Lingming Province was dotted with forests and hills, and such wetlands were not uncommon, with hundreds of such places. The wetlands were filled with dense forests, miasma, and swamps, often hiding fierce beasts, and if one was unlucky, they might even encounter an ancient demon.

As the moon rose and the stars shifted, Jun Wuming's injuries gradually improved. A point of black spiritual light shone between his brows, and the purple fire in his body was gradually expelled by his magical power. Sitting cross-legged, the black-clothed youth exhaled purple breath, and a vital force began to spread over his purplish-red skin, gradually turning it snow-white.

Water mist surrounded him, and a green aura continuously flowed from a large acupoint on his back, nourishing his injured organs.

Suddenly, a vast black wind swept in from the distance.

The black demonic wind illuminated the sky, forming a huge tornado that spanned the treetops, blocking out the sun. The intense black wind made the leaves of the ancient trees rustle.

Crack, crack!

Leaves flew, and the sounds of several tall ancient trees breaking echoed through the forest, piercingly loud!

The black, extremely yin spirit snake, coiled around the ancient tree, suddenly became enraged. Its head rose high, and its blood-red eyes glowed intensely, like two large red lanterns. The area instantly became much colder, and frost appeared on the ground. Jun Wuming's eyebrows twitched, but he continued to focus on healing his injuries.

The black light around the spirit snake flashed, and it transformed into a black whirlwind, rushing to meet the incoming black wind. With a hiss, it lashed out with its black, scaly tail, blocking the approaching threat.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

Two powerful forces collided in mid-air, causing the air to disperse and surge outward.

In the midst of the demonic wind, a massive figure emerged. It was another black snake, longer and wider than 'You You,' with a black belly and white patterns. Its demonic aura was strong, and its presence was more formidable than 'You You's, fluctuating between the third and fourth stages of the second realm.

The snake's eyes were filled with greed as it looked at the human and the snake, especially at 'You You.' However, a closer look revealed a hint of caution in its eyes.

Though small, 'You You' was not lacking in intelligence. Its ruby-red eyes were filled with killing intent. The black, white-patterned python clearly coveted its bloodline, intending to devour it to advance.

In the vast, ancient continent, the bloodlines of all beasts were ranked in strength. They could be cultivated into wild beasts, fierce beasts, beast kings, beast emperors, and beast gods.

Those who cultivated their spirit could be called demons, from small demons, demon generals, great demons, demon kings, demon emperors, to demon saints.

Beast bloodlines also had their hierarchies, from low-level wild beasts, spirit beasts, and divine beasts, with clear distinctions and few exceptions. Therefore, seeing the black, white-patterned python coveting its bloodline, 'You You' was extremely angry.

The Yin-Yang Spirit Snake was a high-level spirit beast, naturally more intelligent and powerful than ordinary wild beasts, making it easier to become a demon with more formidable abilities.

Looking at the black, white-patterned python, 'You You's eyes were filled with unhidden killing intent. The python not only did not bow and avoid it but also showed intense greed and provocation, clearly intending to devour the superior bloodline to advance. For such a traitor within its own kind, the information in its bloodline told it to eliminate it completely.

With a hiss, 'You You' could no longer hold back and released a black breath, a flame-like black light that shot toward the black, white-patterned python.

The black light struck with great force, creating a series of light waves, indicating its formidable power.

The black, white-patterned python, with high intelligence, saw the threat coming. It twisted its body to avoid the black breath, and its demonic aura surged. A point of green light in its dark eyes swept across, and a multitude of wind blades gathered and transformed into several green, blade-like projectiles that shot forward.

'You You' was not to be outdone, transforming into black light to avoid the green projectiles and entangling the black, white-patterned python, biting down with its venomous fangs.

At this moment, Jun Wuming's eyebrows twitched. The ancient tree behind him instantly withered and turned to ash, and the surrounding water mist began to dissipate. He shook his body, and a layer of purplish-red old skin was shattered by the energy around him. He flicked his fingers, and a black sword appeared between them, its blade glowing with black light. His injuries were mostly healed, and the remaining one or two points would be fine with a bit more rest.

He stood up, looking at the black, white-patterned python entangled with 'You You,' and a flash of killing intent crossed his face. His advantage was not so easily taken.

After a moment's thought, he put down the sword and stood there, supporting 'You You.' A jade unpolished is not a gem; 'You You' was still young and lacked combat experience. The black, white-patterned python was a perfect test, and he couldn't let it go.

The black, white-patterned python was now struggling, frustrated and angry. In terms of cultivation, it was slightly superior to 'You You,' but it was suppressed by the bloodline hierarchy and could only exert 80% of its strength.

Moreover, the black scales were particularly frustrating. No matter how it bit, it was difficult to penetrate them. Even when it managed to break through and inject venom, the black spirit snake showed no reaction, which was extremely disheartening.

On the other hand, the black, white-patterned python itself was not faring well. A bite from the extremely yin spirit snake broke through its black scales, and the snake's breath invaded, causing a numbing, cold sensation. The affected part of its body gradually lost strength. Even with its strong resistance to toxins, it was struggling.

Seeing a cultivator holding a sword in the distance, ready to attack, the black, white-patterned python became even more anxious.

At the same time, a sense of inexplicable委屈 (grievance) welled up in its heart. It had just returned from hunting and encountered this human and snake blocking its entrance. Seeing the young cultivator seemingly injured and the black snake, though of a higher rank, still in its youth and weak, it thought it could take advantage of the situation.

But it never expected this human and snake to be so cunning, blocking its entrance and pretending to be injured to lure it to its death. The black, white-patterned python felt a deep sense of injustice and sorrow. It had grown from a carefree little black snake to its current state over three hundred years, enduring the threats of predators and human hunters. It had finally had a stroke of luck, gaining intelligence and a stable lair, free from the harassment of eagles in the sky. Now, it had encountered these door-blocking fraudsters, truly a year of bad luck.

Leaving aside the grievances of the black, white-patterned python, let's return to the forest where Jun Wuming had fled.

A golden, misty light permeated the dark forest, becoming even more dazzling. At this moment, it was not just the golden-clothed woman.

Five or six graceful and beautiful figures, either sitting or standing, were silent around her. The golden-clothed woman sat in the air, holding a golden peony that emitted a gentle glow. Four other exquisitely beautiful women, with their hands, released streams of light that converged into a thick, golden, spiritual light, repairing the injuries of the purple-clothed woman lying on the ground.

When the purple-clothed girl's abdomen stopped bleeding, the women slowly stopped their efforts. A cold, beautiful woman in green, with a crescent-shaped brow and a flying fairy hairstyle, saw the women finish and coldly said to the golden-clothed woman, "Golden Peony, you must explain this clearly to me. Even if you are the sect's candidate for the Holy Maiden, I will not let this go!"

The golden-clothed woman, Golden Peony, suddenly opened her phoenix eyes, which were filled with authority, and looked at the green-clothed woman, saying, "Junior Sister Qinglian, please calm down. I am more anxious, angry, and heartbroken than anyone else about the injuries of the purple-clothed junior sister. But now, the most urgent task is to stabilize her injuries." She then looked at the purple-clothed girl lying on the ground, a trace of pain and sorrow flashing in her eyes, and continued, "I will report the details to the elders on the Supreme Peak. However, the main culprit is still at large, and we cannot let him escape! I will personally bring his head to the elders to atone for my sins!" As she spoke, her silver teeth clenched, her eyebrows furrowed, and a fierce killing intent filled her eyes, clearly showing her deep hatred for the instigator.

The green-clothed, cold beauty remained calm, neither confirming nor denying Golden Peony's words. She waved her hand, and a green light lifted the purple-clothed girl from the ground. Turning to the other four women, who were holding swords, she said, "Sisters, follow me back to the palace. We must focus on healing the purple-clothed junior sister!"

Five-colored light flashed, transforming into five wisps of green smoke, which disappeared from the spot.

Golden Peony watched the five women leave, her eyebrows tightly furrowed.

After seeing the women depart, she收回目光，沉思片刻，心神催动体内法力，手中盈盈金光透出，一面玉色的古镜缓缓自掌中浮现。

古朴雅观的镜面平滑亮目，一头神秘古兽悄然匍匐在背面，若隐若现，泛出银色的纹路，道道灵光自镜面涌动翻腾，一看便知威能非凡，背面有刻有金色神纹，神纹中灵华似微澜，流转不息。

如有见识广博的修士便可识得这三字为：天机镜！！！

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收回目光，沉思片刻，心神催动体内法力，手中盈盈金光透出，一面玉色的古镜缓缓自掌中浮现。

The ancient and elegant mirror surface was smooth and bright, with a mysterious ancient beast quietly crouching on the back, faintly visible, emitting silver patterns. Spiritual light surged and roiled from the mirror's surface, indicating its extraordinary power. The back was inscribed with golden divine patterns, which shimmered like ripples, flowing continuously.

If there were knowledgeable cultivators, they would recognize these three characters as: Heavenly Mechanism Mirror!!!

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