Chapter 145: Exposure of Whereabouts

The cold, serpentine pupils of the Frost Python gazed at Shen Qingyun. After a long moment, it slowly opened its mouth and said, "I have already used the Beast Soul Pill. Just kill this king."

With these words, the python's massive body slowly lowered to the ground and coiled up tightly upon landing.

Shen Qingyun stared at the Frost Python for a moment and descended as well.

Feng Chuxun stepped forward, looked at Shen Qingyun, and asked, "Boss, what do we do now?" He had heard everything the python said just now.

Shen Qingyun kept his gaze fixed on the Frost Python, ignoring Feng Chuxun. "Do you really think I wouldn't dare kill you?"

"Kill me if you want," the Frost Python replied with the nonchalant attitude of a seasoned rogue. "The Beast Soul Pill is gone, and this king accepts the outcome of the wager. However, I have a spiritual contract linked with the Demon King. If I die, the Demon King will know instantly."

Shen Qingyun let out a disdainful scoff. "So the mighty Beast King is afraid of death after all."

The python's beastly body stiffened. It didn't reply, only coiling itself even tighter. The higher one's cultivation realm, the more cautiously one clung to life. There was nothing wrong with fearing death, but having this fact pointed out by a human cultivator whose realm was so much lower than its own made the Frost Python feel deeply insulted.

Shen Qingyun took two steps forward, turned to face the python, and said, "Since that is the case, I suppose I have no choice but to reluctantly accept the Beast King's life." As he spoke, he raised the Heaven-Suppressing Halberd high.

The Frost Python was startled, its massive snake head staring at Shen Qingyun in shock. "Why?"

"The Demon King is nothing more than a minor annoyance to me. If I kill you, will the Demon King really come fight me to the death?" Shen Qingyun mocked. "You know as well as I do that is impossible. So, rest in peace."

"Wait, this king—" The Frost Python opened its mouth wide, but the Heaven-Suppressing Halberd had already fallen. The words the python intended to say were cut short, trapped in its throat forever.

The colossal snake head remained frozen with its mouth agape, looking ferocious and terrifying. Fresh blood poured from its serpent body, quickly freezing into solid ice. The crimson ice sculpture exuded an eerie, haunting beauty.

"Let's go," Shen Qingyun said calmly, turning to walk toward a cave deep within the valley. As for the Heaven-Suppressing Halberd, it vanished without a trace into thin air.

"Where are we going?"

Feng Chuxun was momentarily stunned. The Frost Python didn't have the Beast Soul Pill, meaning their trip was a wasted effort. Shouldn't they be leaving this place right now?

Shen Qingyun turned his head to look at him and smiled. "Do you really believe the Frost Python used the Beast Soul Pill?"

Feng Chuxun blinked in confusion. If not, what else?

Shen Qingyun explained, "A Beast Soul Pill contains extremely pure spiritual energy and possesses immense temptation for both beasts and us humans. When humans use it, it can replenish spiritual power and elevate cultivation. The same principle applies to ferocious beasts. That is precisely why beasts at the Spirit Phase Realm hold onto so few Beast Soul Pills."

"Then isn't it perfectly normal for the Frost Python to have used the Beast Soul Pill?" Feng Chuxun asked, still perplexed.

"That's where you don't understand."

Shen Qingyun smiled faintly. "To low-tier beasts, something like a Beast Soul Pill is merely high-energy food. But to a feudal-lord-tier beast king like the Frost Python, the nature of the pill is entirely different."

"Ferocious beasts possess formidable physical bodies, but their speed in absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is far inferior to ours, resulting in extremely slow growth. When they are preparing for a breakthrough and their spiritual energy falls short, they will go mad. The Beast Soul Pill serves as an emergency treasure for such critical moments, which is why they hoard it and save it for their breakthrough."

"This Frost Python is only at the early stage of the Feudal Lord Realm; the Beast Soul Pill is most likely still hidden in its lair."

Dawn suddenly broke in Feng Chuxun's mind. He still had so much to learn!

Remembering something, Shen Qingyun suddenly turned and walked toward a large boulder.

Seeing this, Feng Chuxun quickly followed.

Stepping onto the rock, Shen Qingyun squatted down and said, "Come out. It's over."

The boundless expanse of white snow remained utterly calm, showing no reaction whatsoever.

Shen Qingyun raised an eyebrow and continued, "Do you need me to invite you out personally?"

Still, there was absolute silence.

This fellow was really getting addicted to playing dead.

"Let me drag it out," Feng Chuxun volunteered eagerly.

Shen Qingyun feigned a moment of thought and nodded. "Very well. Go easy on it, just leave it with its life."

"Understood!" Feng Chuxun replied, a swirling aura of sword intent wrapping around the Crimson Snow Sword.

Just as Feng Chuxun's sword was about to swing down, the pristine snow surface suddenly burst open. A dark shadow darted out, stopping three Zhang away from Feng Chuxun.

The large black wolf was covered in soot from head to toe, and it complained with a wronged expression, "Boss, you have no morals!"

Shen Qingyun stood up, gently dusted off his sleeves, and asked, "How am I lacking in morals?"

"You told Second Master here to just leave me with my life!"

"Isn't that how it should be?" Shen Qingyun raised an eyebrow. "Besides, you were already buried anyway. Leaving you with your life or not makes very little difference."

"Especially since you enjoy playing dead so much."

The large black wolf felt like crying without tears. Being a wolf was simply too difficult.

Shen Qingyun pointed at the corpse of the Frost Python and said, "A beast's physical body also contains pure energy. To beasts like you, it should be considered a supreme tonic."

The large black wolf immediately understood what Shen Qingyun meant. It stared at the massive carcass of the Frost Python for a moment, then shook its head. "Forget it."

Feng Chuxun's gaze shifted slightly, casting a surprised glance at the large black wolf. He assumed the wolf was refusing because the Frost Python was the ruler of their kind, and out of basic respect for its former king, it chose to pass.

He never expected that the black wolf's next words would almost cause him to tumble face-first into the snow.

"It's too tough on the teeth. I don't want to bite into it," the large black wolf said.

Feng Chuxun's face darkened slightly. He had misjudged the wolf. Shen Qingyun glanced at Feng Chuxun with a look of sympathetic pity. *Young man, have you still not seen through this wolf yet?*

"The snake gallbladder is also a supreme tonic. If you think the meat is too tough on your teeth, eating just that would work too," Shen Qingyun remarked. "That thing is a tremendous supplement for humans as well. If you were to—" Before he could finish his sentence, a dark shadow flashed like a gust of wind, charging straight toward the carcass of the Frost Python.

Shen Qingyun smiled, jumped off the boulder, and continued walking toward the Frost Python's lair.

"Boss, that snake gallbladder..." Feng Chuxun trailed off, hesitating. But judging by his expression, he was somewhat tempted.

"You want it too?" Shen Qingyun asked, casting a sideways glance at him.

"No." Feng Chuxun shook his head, paused, and corrected himself. "Not entirely." At the same time, he felt deeply puzzled. How long had the large black wolf been following them? Not even a full day, right? Why was Shen Qingyun treating it so well?

Shen Qingyun said, "The snake gallbladder is indeed a supreme tonic, but the cultivation gap between the Frost Python and us is simply too vast. Consuming it would cause you to suffer from an overdose of spiritual energy."

Dawn broke in Feng Chuxun's mind. "Then what about the large black wolf..."

"Either it won't be able to absorb it, or it will suffer from an overdose," Shen Qingyun shrugged, speaking with absolute nonchalance.

Hearing this, Feng Chuxun instantly felt much better. He cast a mildly sympathetic glance in the direction of the large black wolf, a touch of schadenfreude rising in his heart as he eagerly awaited to see what would happen to the creature.

Upon stepping into the Frost Python's lair, a wave of pungent stench hit them, causing Feng Chuxun to retreat stumbling steps backward and lean against the cliff wall to dry heave. Even Shen Qingyun couldn't help but frown as golden spiritual energy erupted from his body, creating an isolated barrier around him within a certain radius.

"Does this Frost Python live in such a slovenly manner?"

Shen Qingyun stood in place, waiting for Feng Chuxun to enter.

Feng Chuxun recovered rather quickly, though his complexion remained somewhat unsightly. Imitating Shen Qingyun, he used his spiritual energy to isolate a perimeter, and the heavy stench within the cavern finally began to fade significantly.

The two of them walked side by side deeper into the cave, passing scattered beast skeletons strewn everywhere along the path.

"The place where this Frost Python lives is simply too filthy!" Feng Chuxun couldn't help but voice his disgust.

Shen Qingyun nodded in agreement. Without a doubt, this lair was the dirtiest, most chaotic, and foulest cave they had encountered since entering the Ten-Thousand Beasts Spirit Valley, bar none! Furthermore, it appeared the python even handled its bodily waste right here inside the dwelling.

The winding cavern passage sloped all the way downward until the view ahead suddenly opened up wide. Feng Chuxun's eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of beast skeletons piled as high as small mountains. Just how many beasts had died here?!

Spreading his divine sense, Shen Qingyun said, "This should be where the Frost Python actually lived." He detected no other passages nearby.

Hearing this, Feng Chuxun immediately asked, "Then where is the Beast Soul Pill?"

Shen Qingyun looked around and pointed at an orb resting atop a stone pillar. "Right there."

Following the direction of Shen Qingyun's finger, Feng Chuxun felt a tremor in his heart. This... was completely incomparable!

Looking from afar, the Beast Soul Pill of this feudal-lord-tier beast was as large as a human head. If one walked closer, it would undoubtedly appear even larger. In comparison, the Beast Soul Pills from the Spirit Phase Realm seemed rather shabby.

"How are we supposed to carry it away?" Feng Chuxun troubled himself with the thought. With a Beast Soul Pill larger than a human head, did they even need to continue participating in the trial? Certainly not! They could just head straight for the center of the forest and wait to claim first place!

Taking it away was simple enough. Shen Qingyun smiled faintly, pressed his hand—bearing the storage ring—gently against the Beast Soul Pill, and in the next instant, the pill vanished without a trace.

...

"What are we doing now?"

On the way back, Feng Chuxun asked casually.

"Heading to the center," Shen Qingyun answered briefly.

"Oh," Feng Chuxun acknowledged, and the air lapsed into silence once more.

Even if Shen Qingyun didn't mention it, Feng Chuxun could roughly guess what came next. Stepping into the Central Plains, doing everything possible to enter the Central Plains.

He had also heard the first chime of the Dao Bell. The three-hundred-year deadline was still far off, and this prosperous era would endure for a long time yet. All they could do now was grow stronger, ensuring they had the capability to protect themselves when the impending catastrophe arrived.

Looking out of the corner of his eye at Shen Qingyun's calm expression, Feng Chuxun found it utterly incredible. Knowing what the future held and realizing it was an unalterable reality would normally make anyone restless and agitated. Yet Shen Qingyun showed no such signs; everything remained as usual, doing what needed to be done as if placing himself aloof from the turmoil of the world.

Three hundred years—Feng Chuxun dared not guarantee what realm he could reach by then. When the catastrophe struck, he had no idea what he would be able to do for the Divine Land. Suddenly, a trace of enlightenment dawned in Feng Chuxun's heart. Perhaps Shen Qingyun was just like him, merely preparing for the future so as not to be caught unprepared and rendered powerless. After all, the future was uncontrollable!

...

Inside the cavern where Hui resided, the serene pool suddenly churned. Deep within the cave, the Northern Underworld Demon King sensed the commotion and transformed into a Northern Underworld Eagle, flapping its wings to fly out.

"Brother Hui, have you made a discovery?" Arriving at the edge of the pool, the Northern Underworld Demon King asked impatiently.

Hui's massive head broke the surface of the water, its dual eyes flashing with a chilling light. "The one you were looking for has been found."

The Northern Underworld Demon King furrowed his brows slightly, sensing something amiss, and asked, "Did Brother Hui discover something else?"

Hui replied coldly, "One of the beast kings under my command was slain by him."

"Oh?" A jolt of shock went through the Northern Underworld Demon King's heart. A beast king had been killed? Had this kid already grown to such a terrifying degree?

*No, he cannot be allowed to run amok any longer,* the Northern Underworld Demon King thought to himself.

"Brother Hui, where is his location?" the Northern Underworld Demon King asked.

"The Ten-Thousand Beasts Spirit Valley," Hui said. "People from the Purple Firmament Academy are currently there. Exercise some caution when you go. If you happen to provoke the Purple Firmament Academy, even I won't be able to protect you."

The Northern Underworld Demon King nodded. "Rest assured, my trip is targeting only one person."

With that, the Northern Underworld Demon King transformed back into an eagle, flapping his wings as he soared out of the cavern. Hui's gloomy gaze stared at the cave entrance for a moment before he turned his massive form and plunged back beneath the water's surface.