Chapter 294 - 196: Shanyang Prefecture (2)

Chapter 294: Chapter 196: Shanyang Prefecture (2)

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

With a series of loud crashes, one towering tree after another was snapped in two.

BAM!

The last great tree was sent flying, revealing a behemoth dozens of feet tall!

It was a python, pitch-black from head to tail. Its body was covered in thick scales, and its gaping maw could easily shatter steel bars. A row of razor-sharp teeth glinted with a cold light.

The python raised its neck and charged toward the carriages of the Zhou Family caravan.

"Audacious beast!"

At that moment, Zhou Zhengyang stood up, drew the Longsword from his waist, and roared, "Cut this beast down!"

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

The Zhou Family guards immediately nocked their arrows and fired at the Black Python.

WHOOSH!

A dense volley of arrows reached the beast in an instant, embedding themselves in the Black Python’s hide. Yet, they couldn’t harm it in the slightest and only served to enrage it.

ROAR!

The Black Python roared at the sky. With a flick of its tail, it kicked up a cloud of dust and lashed out viciously at the caravan guards.

SPLAT!

Blood splattered. The guards couldn’t withstand such immense force and were sent flying.

The Black Python seized the opportunity to lunge forward, catching two other guards and swallowing them whole.

HISS!

Seeing this, the remaining Zhou Family guards couldn’t help but gasp.

’That Black Python is so ferocious and cruel?!’

"Damn it!"

Zhou Zhengyang’s expression was thunderous.

He vaulted into the air, Longsword in hand, and cleaved down from above.

Zhou Zhengyang shouted, his Primordial Qi erupting—he was a Qi Sensing Martial Master.

He leaped into the air and brought his longsword down in a sweeping cleave.

"Get lost!"

The Black Python sensed the danger as well. It raised its head, opened its mouth, and spat out a thick, foul-smelling liquid that shot toward Zhou Zhengyang.

"Petty tricks."

Zhou Zhengyang snorted coldly and, with great speed, dodged the venom.

BANG!

The next moment, Zhou Zhengyang’s fist slammed heavily onto the Black Python’s head. The immense force sent the beast flying, and it crashed into a large tree.

CRACK! The tree snapped in half and toppled over.

AWOO!

The Black Python let out a mournful wail and tumbled a great distance away.

"Haha, exhilarating! Come, let’s fight again!" Zhou Zhengyang laughed heartily. With a flicker of his body, he charged at the Black Python once more.

BANG! BANG! BANG...!

The Black Python was pinned to the ground, completely unable to fight back.

Zhou Zhengyang grew more courageous with every strike. Finally, he drove his sword through the Black Python’s throat, killing it for good.

"Master is mighty!"

"Master is mighty!"

The captain of the Zhou Family guards exclaimed in awe.

Zhou Zhengyang’s performance had been nothing short of extraordinary. Such a powerful Fierce Beast, actually killed by their master!

"Quick! Drag this Black Python away. We must find a clean place to skin and wash it today. Otherwise, the stench will be too strong and will likely attract other Fierce Beasts!" Zhou Zhengyang commanded.

"Right away!"

Hearing this, the guard captain immediately acknowledged the order.

The Zhou Family caravan stopped there for an hour, dragging the behemoth to a nearby river to be cleaned before hoisting it over a bonfire and starting to roast it.

SIZZLE!

The Black Python’s meat was tender. Once roasted, golden grease bubbled to the surface, and the rich aroma that filled the air was truly mouth-watering.

The Zhou Family guards, in particular, were like a pack of starving wolves. Daggers in hand, they frantically carved up the meat, quickly portioning out piece after piece of the python before devouring the roasted flesh in huge mouthfuls.

"Master, try some of this roast meat! How does it taste?" The guard captain offered the plumpest cut to Zhou Zhengyang.

Zhou Zhengyang shook his head, his gaze fixed on the corpse by the bonfire.

This Black Python was enormous, over fifty feet long. Its entire body was covered in tough scales and a thick keratinous layer that ordinary blades couldn’t penetrate. That was why he had gone to such lengths to kill the beast with his Longsword.

However, after the beast died, a lustrous, translucent Elixir Pill had actually flowed out from within its body.

The Elixir Pill was dark red, with mysterious patterns winding across its surface. It emitted waves of medicinal fragrance, indicating it was of a high grade.

’Is this a Demon Core?’

Zhou Zhengyang’s pupils constricted, and he held his breath.

Zhou Zhengyang had only ever heard of such things, but he had never seen one.

He never imagined he would get to witness one with his own eyes today. It was said that its Refinement could enhance one’s cultivation.

This item was priceless, a rare treasure. Even for a great Noble Family like the Zhou Family, it was extremely scarce.

"What’s that in your hand? Let me see it." Just then, a voice suddenly reached his ears.

A young man in brocade robes was slowly approaching on horseback.

The young man was about twenty years old. He was handsome, with bright, piercing eyes, and he exuded an air of nobility.

"Who are you?" Zhou Zhengyang asked with a frown.

Upon seeing this, a maid beside the young man snapped, "Insolence! This is the Eldest Young Master of Celestial King Chen. Are you not going to greet him?"

Celestial King Chen?

Zhou Zhengyang’s heart skipped a beat. After Prince Wucheng conquered Shanyang Prefecture and two other prefectures, he had declared himself emperor. He had seven great experts under him, known as the Seven Celestial Kings.

These seven were immensely powerful. It was said they were once Tributors of the imperial court who had followed Prince Wucheng through campaigns north and south, earning great merit in battle.

And Celestial King Chen was one of them. He was an existence at the Peak of Transformation Realm, his power unfathomable.

"So it’s a Demon Core. I didn’t expect your luck to be so good. Here are ten taels of silver for you. I’m buying this Demon Core." Eldest Young Master Chen spoke nonchalantly, tossing Zhou Zhengyang a silver ingot. He then reached out, directly plucking the Demon Core from his grasp.

It was utterly domineering, completely unreasonable. Yet, Zhou Zhengyang was furious but didn’t dare to speak.

The man’s status was high enough, but more importantly, his strength was far greater than his own. He was actually a Grandmaster at the Innate Realm.

"Whew, I’m finally out."

Just then, a voice rang out.

It was Fang Yue, walking out from Mo Mountain. After leaving the cave, he had gotten his bearings and had been walking ever since. It had taken him three full days to reach Mo Mountain.

Along the way, he had encountered many Fierce Beasts and wild animals, slaughtering his way through and reaping quite a few rewards.

"Hmm? Interesting. To actually walk out of Mo Mountain... I smell a Demon Core on you. Hand it over," said Eldest Young Master Chen, who had been about to leave, upon spotting Fang Yue.

"Hand over the Demon Core? On what grounds?" Fang Yue looked at Eldest Young Master Chen defiantly, his voice cold.

Eldest Young Master Chen’s eyebrows shot up as he barked, "My father, Celestial King Chen, is at the Peak of Transformation Realm, and I am an Innate Grandmaster! You dare to defy me?"

"Oh?" Fang Yue looked at Eldest Young Master Chen with a half-smile. "So what? What does that have to do with me?"

"Insolence!" Eldest Young Master Chen flew into a rage and shouted, "Since you’re looking for death, don’t blame me! You will die here tonight."

SWISH! SWISH!

As his voice fell, Eldest Young Master Chen waved his hand, and the two maids by his side charged toward Fang Yue.

To his surprise, both maids were Qi Sensing Martial Masters. Their attacks were sharp and ruthless, their techniques strange and unpredictable.

Fang Yue’s eyes narrowed. He tapped his foot lightly on the ground and his figure shot out in an instant, clashing with his opponents.

BANG! BANG! Fang Yue had a slim build, but every move he made contained terrifying power. As he collided with the two maids, deafening thuds echoed. In the blink of an eye, the two maids were at a disadvantage.

"Interesting. So you do have some skill. No wonder you’re so bold!"

Eldest Young Master Chen smiled faintly. He opened his palm, and a short blade materialized in his hand.

SWOOSH!

He pushed off his toes, shooting toward Fang Yue like an arrow loosed from a bow. In a flash, he was before him, stabbing the blade toward Fang Yue’s chest.

CLANG!

Fang Yue slapped the blade away with the back of his hand, but he was forced to retreat several meters.

STOMP!

Immediately after, Eldest Young Master Chen pressed forward, his short blade slashing out again in a wide arc.

This time, Fang Yue couldn’t dodge in time. A bloody line was drawn across his chest, and blood trickled down from the wound, dripping to the ground.

"Heh, you really are trash. So fragile!"

A sneer appeared on Eldest Young Master Chen’s lips. His face filled with disdain as he spoke mockingly.