Chapter 132: Chapter 131: Widespread Ruin
Once entangled by the giant python, the Purple Luo Beast’s struggles grew weaker. The python used every ounce of its strength to constrict its prey.
As the python coiled around the Purple Luo Beast’s body, its flesh began to bulge and contort.
Wen Qingye gripped his sword. He hadn’t expected the python’s assault to be so ferocious; the Purple Luo Beast had been trapped in an instant. It was clear it wouldn’t be able to hold on for much longer.
The Purple Luo Beast’s breathing grew labored as it was squeezed. Slowly, the giant python’s entire body coiled around it.
Wen Qingye halted his steps, his eyes fixed on the battle between the two beasts.
Just then, the Purple Luo Beast twisted its neck and sank its teeth viciously into the giant python’s body. Its sharp fangs pierced straight through the python’s scales.
The giant python’s body writhed in pain, and it tightened its coils around the Purple Luo Beast even more forcefully.
Feeling an immense, crushing pressure on its body, the Purple Luo Beast ground its teeth relentlessly. Its massive jaw opened and closed, tearing off a chunk of the python’s flesh and devouring it.
The giant python endured having its flesh eaten raw, pouring all its remaining strength into constricting the Purple Luo Beast, hoping to strangle it in one final effort.
The two beasts continued their desperate struggle. The Purple Luo Beast’s chewing gradually slowed, and its entire body began to twitch faintly.
The giant python, seemingly running on instinct alone, could only continue to tighten its coils around the Purple Luo Beast.
An unknown amount of time passed. When Wen Qingye saw that both beasts had fallen still, with no signs of twitching or breathing, he slowly emerged from his hiding place.
Wen Qingye walked up to the two beasts. Both the Purple Luo Beast and the giant python had stopped breathing; they were clearly dead.
There was a gaping hole in the giant python’s body where the Purple Luo Beast had torn into it. Wen Qingye tried to pry the python off by hand but found its coils were wrapped far too tightly.
Wen Qingye had to use all his strength to separate the two beasts. When the Purple Luo Beast’s body was finally revealed, it was shockingly flattened. Its internal organs had clearly been crushed to a pulp.
Wen Qingye frowned. ’I hope the Purple Luo Pearl wasn’t crushed!’
Wen Qingye drew his sword and sliced open the Purple Luo Beast’s body. He carefully rummaged through its abdominal cavity. The beast’s organs were a mangled mess, its blood vessels ruptured. Pushing aside the viscera with his sword, he finally spotted a white pearl.
The white pearl was perfectly round and shimmered with a captivating radiance. It was indeed the Purple Luo Pearl.
Joy surged in Wen Qingye’s heart. He hadn’t expected to obtain the Purple Luo Pearl on this trip to North Mountain. It was a truly pleasant surprise.
Wen Qingye scanned his surroundings, found a relatively secluded spot, and sat down cross-legged. He took out a bag of Demon-Exorcising Powder and sprinkled it in a circle around him.
The Demon-Exorcising Powder emitted a scent that Demon Beasts detested, which could deter them from approaching. However, it wasn’t foolproof.
Wen Qingye swallowed the Purple Luo Pearl directly. It slid down into his stomach.
The moment the Purple Luo Pearl entered his body, it was like a spark landing on a vast, dry prairie, igniting a roaring inferno that surged through him.
Wen Qingye felt a searing heat spread through his entire body. His blood and meridians felt like they were on fire, as if his very being was about to be burned to ashes.
Then, from within his abdomen, a violent surge of Primordial Qi Essence began rushing toward his Dantian.
Wen Qingye activated the Longevity Technique, gradually refining the volatile Primordial Qi Essence and making it his own.
At this moment, his body felt like a raging river. A powerful torrent of Primordial Qi relentlessly battered against the barrier of his mystic pass!
Time passed, drop by drop. Beads of sweat slowly formed on Wen Qingye’s forehead.
BOOM!
A loud ringing echoed in Wen Qingye’s ears. The mystic pass shattered, like a great wave crashing against a reef.
Refining Essence Seventh Layer Heaven!
Wen Qingye’s cultivation had reached the Refining Essence Seventh Layer Heaven. Such strength might not be much in the Inner Courtyard, but among all the students in the Outer Courtyard and those who had just entered the Inner Courtyard, his cultivation was now undoubtedly among the very best.
Wen Qingye slowly opened his eyes, which suddenly flashed with a startlingly bright light.
Wen Qingye rose slowly, stretched his body, and then continued his journey up North Mountain.
The path up North Mountain consisted of Cyan Stone steps, now overgrown with grass and moss. It was clear no one had walked this way for a very long time.
A few Demon Beasts lurked nearby, but Wen Qingye’s senses were extremely sharp. He skirted around any powerful Demon Beasts he detected and simply forced his way past the weaker ones.
The mountain path twisted and turned. Tall, imposing trees with lush foliage lined the way. Gradually, the path began to approach the summit.
Looking at the layers of clouds and mist surrounding him, Wen Qingye strode forward with purpose.
Wen Qingye reached the peak of North Mountain. Ahead of him stood several pavilions, with a few grand halls situated in the very center. However, the grounds were choked with weeds, painting a picture of decay and lending the area a dilapidated, desolate feel.
These pavilions and halls were once places where the students of North Mountain studied and attended lectures. Now, many years later, though the buildings remained, the people were long gone, leaving behind a completely different scene.
In the sky above, a few birds would occasionally fly past, their cries low and mournful.
Wen Qingye walked forward. As he drew near the pavilions, he saw numerous Demon Beast skeletons, along with piles of rubble and splintered wood. Some of the pavilions had collapsed, seemingly as a result of a violent battle.
In addition to this, Wen Qingye also spotted the scorched remains of many campfires, a clear sign that this place was frequently visited.
Wen Qingye carefully inspected his surroundings. He knew there were unlikely to be any clues left here. Even if there had been, they would have been destroyed or discovered long ago.
Suddenly, Wen Qingye’s gaze fell upon a chasm not far away. The chasm was about twenty feet wide and hundreds of feet long. It plunged into pitch-black, bottomless depths that held a mysterious allure.
Wen Qingye walked closer to inspect it and immediately understood. This chasm had clearly been carved out by Sword Qi, and a faint Sword Force still lingered within it.
’It seems the one who wielded this sword reached the realm of Tunnel Swordsmanship,’ Wen Qingye thought to himself. ’Although it’s not a high level, within the Celestial Martial Country... no, even in the surrounding nations, they would be hard-pressed to find a worthy opponent.’
’Could it be inside this chasm?’ Wen Qingye thought with a frown.
But after a moment, he shook his head. ’Although the chasm is deep, it’s not truly bottomless. If the treasure were really inside, it would have been taken long ago. Why would it still be here?’
Wen Qingye resumed observing his surroundings. The deeper he went, the more dilapidated the scenery became. From the various traces left behind, he could almost imagine the fierce battle that had taken place.
A scene of utter devastation, a wasteland of desolation!
