Yin Maoyu

Lu Xian and Qin Chang'er's steps deepened into the darkness of the forest. The night air spread a piercing chill, while the moonlight was slowly covered by the tall leaves. In front of them, Yin Maoyu walked lightly without a sound, as if she was familiar with every inch of the forest.

"Will we really find grade six pill ingredients in a place like this?" Lu Xian muttered softly.

"Trust me." Yin Maoyu said with a faint smile that was faintly visible in the dim light. "We'll be there soon."

A few minutes later, their steps stopped.

In front of them, there was a magnificent building that could not be found in an ordinary forest. A stone palace stood firmly among the giant trees. Its pillars towered high, and at the very top of the tower, there was a carving of a snake's head with emerald eyes that reflected the moonlight.

"This is… the palace?" Qin Chang'er muttered.

"That's right." Yin Maoyu replied. "This is the place you're looking for."

Lu Xian looked around suspiciously. "But why in a place like this?"

"Don't worry. This is precisely where you will find Huangqi, a rare ingredient for high-level pill concoctions." Yin Maoyu explained as she pointed to the side of the palace.

They turned their heads and saw a piece of land with several thick green-leafed plants that gave off a faint glow.

"Is that it?" Qin Chang'er asked.

"Yes. Please take it." Yin Maoyu smiled as she slowly backed away.

Lu Xian and Qin Chang'er immediately ran towards the plant. However, just as they were about to touch the leaves—

SSSRAAARGH..!!!

The ground shook. From beneath the ground emerged a giant snake, larger than before, with a forked tongue and gleaming silver scales. Its mouth gaped open, about to swallow them alive.

Lu Xian's reflexes were incredibly fast. He drew his sword and held the snake's mouth with both hands.

"This snake again?!" Lu Xian shouted.

"Something's wrong… why is this snake guarding the plant?" Qin Chang'er began to get suspicious. Her gaze darted around. "Wait… could it be that we've entered the territory of the Snake Clan!"

Lu Xian's eyes widened. "What?! Then Yin Maoyu—where is she?!"

But before he could search, the snake opened its mouth and… spoke.

"Hahaha… you stupid humans. I am Yin Maoyu."

Both of them were shocked.

"WHAT?!"

The snake's voice vibrated, shaking the air. "You humans are so easily fooled. With a little flattery and false promises, you came into my mouth on your own. Now, thank me before I devour you."

"Thank me?" Lu Xian snapped. "You wanted to eat us!"

"So what?" Yin Maoyu replied in a sly voice. "Didn't you get the plant you were looking for? My task is complete… and my recompense is to eat you alive."

The giant snake's mouth opened wide again. Qin Chang'er immediately snapped her fingers, creating a flash of hot light that shot straight into the snake's eyes. The creature screamed in pain and closed its eyes.

Lu Xian wasted no time.

"I will not die here!" he shouted.

He used his new sword technique—Blood Sucking Sword, a secret technique that could absorb the blood of enemies and convert it into pure spiritual energy. But his thrust missed!

"Chang'er! Open its mouth!" he shouted.

Qin Chang'er created another light attack and blasted it into the snake's mouth. Its mouth gaped wide open from the heat and pain.

"Now!"

Lu Xian threw his sword with incredible accuracy. It flew and plunged right into the giant snake's mouth. The cracking and roaring sounds were deafening.

ZRRRTTTTT...!!

The energy from the snake's body began to be absorbed into the sword. Its blood flowed rapidly into the sword blade, infiltrating Lu Xian's body as pure spiritual energy.

The snake's body shrank... shrank... and continued to shrink, until finally only a small snake the size of a thumb was left.

The snake lay lifeless.

Lu Xian took back his sword. "It's done..."

Qin Chang'er was stunned. "You... absorbed all of its Qi?"

"With the Blood Sucking Sword technique, not only did my body survive... but my strength also increased."

"Then... let's take the plant and leave this terrible place immediately." Qin Chang'er pointed at the Huangqi that was still intact in its place.

They took a few stems, put them in a pill bag, then began to jump from tree to tree, leaving the palace grounds.

"Are you sure we won't have to deal with the Snake Clan again?" Qin Chang'er asked as she looked back.

"Why should we be afraid? We only did what needed to be done. They attacked us first." Lu Xian replied.

"But… Yin Maoyu must not be the only member of that clan. And if she really is one of the snake nobles, then this could be… big trouble."

"Relax, after this we return to the Qinlin Sect and will never set foot in this place again."

After a while of jumping, Qin Chang'er turned to Lu Xian with a serious look.

"Oh right… we haven't resolved the devilish energy poison in your body yet. Don't let you turn into a devil before we finish refining the pill."

Lu Xian nodded. "Right. We should return as soon as possible."