Three-Eyed Centipede

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Although Han Yunzhi had entered the world of immortal cultivation at an early age and endured many hardships, she was not fragile. However, she had one weakness—she couldn't stand dense, swarming creatures.

The bats hanging from the cave's ceiling were just ordinary creatures, yet they made her skin crawl. Fortunately, with Brother Qi by her side, she felt a rare sense of security.

After walking for a while, the bats disappeared, and her discomfort eased. Only then did she realize she was still holding tightly onto Qi Yuan's arm. Her pale cheeks flushed, and she stole a glance at him, only to find that he remained calm as if he hadn't noticed.

Even so, she felt dizzy, and her palms and soles were sweating.

'Since Brother Qi isn't saying anything, I'll just keep holding on.'

Han Yunzhi secretly delighted in the thought.

Qi Yuan, of course, noticed the change. He had expected her to realize their closeness was inappropriate and pull away immediately. But to his surprise, she didn't move.

'She must have noticed… right?'

No, the rising warmth from her skin proved she was well aware.

Could it be… her emotions had shifted?

Since she wasn't letting go, Qi Yuan wasn't foolish enough to bring it up. They walked in silent understanding, though he remained fully alert to his surroundings.

Whether one indulged in warmth or kept their wits about them depended on the situation.

After walking a bit further, they spotted seven or eight fiery-red spirit herbs growing along the cave wall.

Fiery Sunflower!

Han Yunzhi's eyes lit up, and she instinctively stepped forward in excitement.

Qi Yuan found it strange. The journey had been too quiet—no sign of monsters lurking. Yet, spiritual herbs like these couldn't possibly go unnoticed by creatures sensitive to their aura. Something felt off.

"Brother Qi, the sunflowers are right there! I'll go pick them," Han Yunzhi said, letting go of his arm and stepping forward.

Qi Yuan quickly pulled her back. Meeting her confused gaze, he said, "Wait. Something's not right. Stay here, I'll go pick them for you."

Han Yunzhi hesitated for a moment before insisting, "Brother Qi, let's go together. I can't let you face the danger alone."

With that, she released her spirit snake. The creature instantly expanded, its cold eyes scanning the cave, tongue flicking as it slithered ahead to clear the way.

Seeing her determination, Qi Yuan didn't object. As long as they didn't encounter a second-tier monster, he could protect her.

He spread his spiritual awareness, scanning every inch of their surroundings.

There were only two possibilities—either no monsters were in the cave, or the creature hiding was skilled at disguising itself, even fooling spiritual detection.

Unlike humans, monsters had no sects or safe zones. They survived in the untamed wilderness, constantly hunted. To endure, many evolved unique abilities—disguising themselves being one of the most effective.

If something was hiding, what color would it take to blend in?

Qi Yuan stepped forward cautiously, his sharp eyes observing the cave's black rock walls. Taking out several mid-level talismans, he tossed them upward.

Then, he grabbed Han Yunzhi's hand and quickly stepped back.

Hiss…

A chilling sound echoed.

A massive black shadow dropped from the ceiling, stirring up dust. As it settled, its true form emerged—

A first-tier upper-class monster, the Three-Eyed Centipede.

Its tough exoskeleton gleamed in the dim light. It exhaled venom from its maw, while the third eye on its forehead pulsed with a hypnotic glow. Those who met its gaze would fall into a brief daze—enough time for the centipede to strike with lethal speed.

Even among the seven great sects, top-tier Qi Refining cultivators would struggle to kill this beast without suffering serious losses. Ordinary practitioners would flee at the mere sight of it.

Han Yunzhi paled. She hadn't expected the guardian of the Fiery Sunflower to be so formidable.

Qi Yuan sensed the monster's aggression and immediately flung a Flame Sun Talisman forward. The explosion turned the cave entrance into a sea of fire. Simultaneously, two streaks of red light shot from his hand—Han Tianya's legendary twin Crimson Flying Daggers.

The Three-Eyed Centipede leaped through the fire, its tail sweeping aside the flying daggers. A faint white mark was all that remained on its armored body.

It was barely a scratch.

Qi Yuan's expression turned serious. He warned, "Han Yunzhi, retreat! You won't be able to harm this thing!"

Understanding her limitations, Han Yunzhi immediately fell back to a safe distance, watching anxiously.

Qi Yuan summoned three Condensed Pearl Talismans. They transformed into thick, shimmering water droplets, rapidly draining moisture from the cave air.

"Go!"

Sensing danger, the centipede's green eyes flashed as it spat a stream of black venom. At the same time, it lashed its tail to counter the incoming attack.

Splat!

Of the three talismans, one was dodged, one was neutralized by venom, but the last struck its tail—leaving a bleeding wound.

Though effective, Qi Yuan remained cautious. He unleashed the twin flying daggers once more, their blades gleaming as they sliced through the air.

Between his high-level talismans, the Flame Sun Talisman and the Condensed Pearl Talisman, the latter dealt stronger single-target damage. The previous flame attack had failed to harm the centipede significantly—it was too dispersed, better suited for crowd control.

Now injured, the centipede grew more frenzied. Its eight legs churned up a whirlwind of dust before it lunged at Qi Yuan.

His twin daggers were deflected again.

Using his Cloud-Stepping Boots, Qi Yuan evaded the beast's strikes while summoning the Azure Dragon Banner. A spectral dragon burst forth, roaring as it clashed with the centipede.

But after several exchanges, the centipede tore the dragon apart with its razor-sharp claws. The light on the Azure Dragon Banner dimmed—the artifact had been damaged.

Qi Yuan cursed inwardly.

Damn it. If Feng Yue were still alive, even he would have died twice by now. These beasts are three times tougher than cultivators!

He considered using a *Heavenly Thunder Seed* to blast the creature apart. However, the explosion would also destroy the Fiery Sunflower and collapse the cave.

That would make this entire battle pointless.

Dodging again, Qi Yuan watched as the centipede's rampage shattered the rock walls around them.

Its speed is insane.

If not for Feng Yue's Cloud-Stepping Boots, he wouldn't be able to keep up.

Just as he prepared his next move, a strange green glow flashed—

Illusion magic!

Qi Yuan gritted his teeth. If he got caught in the centipede's mind trap, he'd be finished.

Summoning three Wind Talismans, he conjured layers of Wind Walls to block the hypnotic light.

As he steadied himself, realization struck—

No Qi Refining elite from the seven sects could take this beast head-on.

For the first time, Qi Yuan reassessed his options.

(End of Chapter)