C68 This Is My Path(2)

"I've heard about this place. As long as we stick to the lower areas, we shouldn't face much danger and can reach Profound Heavy Mountain quickly. That's the path everyone takes," Zhang Caiyun remarked casually as they walked.

Though Zhang Caiyun spoke offhandedly, Woo Zhengyang was intrigued and asked, "So, if we don't take this path, we might find some rare herbs?"

"Of course, but not taking this path means facing significant danger. We could even die here. It's not worth it just for some herbs."

"Then I guess we'll have to part ways!" Woo Zhengyang replied with a smile.

To Zhang Caiyun, risking everything for a few herbs wasn't worth it. But for Woo Zhengyang, it was. His main goal in the Mystic Trace Realm was to find ingredients for the Dragon Saliva Pill. The chances of finding a complete pill were slim, but discovering some of the necessary herbs would make the trip worthwhile.

"What? You're not seriously considering risking your life for some herbs, are you? Many have tried, but few return safely!" Zhang Caiyun exclaimed, looking at Woo Zhengyang in shock.

Even though she had heard tales of Woo Zhengyang's reputation as the "Outer Sect Number One Madman" from the Profound Heaven Sect, experiencing it firsthand was still hard for her to believe.

"This is my path, and there's no other choice. Let's part ways here!" Woo Zhengyang said, offering no further explanation. After a brief farewell, he headed toward one side of the canyon, quickly disappearing among the tall grass and wildflowers.

Zhang Caiyun stood there, stunned, watching Woo Zhengyang leave. In the end, she couldn't muster the courage to follow him...

The canyon was wide, with a gentle slope. Woo Zhengyang decided to cross it directly, planning to climb up one side to take a look around. He hadn't gone far when he stopped abruptly—a massive python, as thick as a barrel and covered in blue and red stripes, blocked his path.

At that moment, Woo Zhengyang finally understood the great danger Zhang Caiyun had mentioned.

The blue and red python was a third-level demonic beast. If Woo Zhengyang had encountered it elsewhere, he would have been thrilled, as these pythons usually appeared near a rare herb known as the Double Colored Grass. Although not an ingredient for the Dragon Saliva Pill, the Double Colored Grass was still one of the rarest herbs.

Consuming the Double Colored Grass could compress the genuine qi within one's meridians to the maximum, thereby accelerating the absorption of Heaven and Earth Vital Energy. Woo Zhengyang needed compressed qi to refine his sword-shaped genuine qi and had always wanted to test if the Double Colored Grass would benefit his cultivation. Unfortunately, his sect had none available for exchange.

At the sight of the double-colored python, Woo Zhengyang couldn't muster any excitement. Given the differences between the Mystic Trace Realm and the outside world, this python was definitely more than just a level-three demonic beast. Here, a level-two beast already surpassed a level-four beast outside. If a level-three beast could rival a level-five one, Woo Zhengyang wouldn't be surprised.

This meant Woo Zhengyang might be facing a beast comparable to a novice martial artist, which left him feeling quite uncertain. However, he held onto a sliver of hope. Throughout his journey, he discovered that while the beasts in the Mystic Trace Realm were formidable, they didn't use their demon cores for lethal attacks.

Without the ability to use its demon core, no matter how powerful the python was, Woo Zhengyang believed he stood a fighting chance. More importantly, he had no choice but to fight. The python was quick, and even if he wanted to flee, he might not outrun it. Encountering another level-three beast on the way would be truly perilous.

These thoughts flashed through Woo Zhengyang's mind as the python's tail swept in from the side. He couldn't afford to be careless, so he fully engaged his Floating Light Step technique. Even so, he couldn't completely dodge the attack and was struck on the back, letting out a muffled grunt as he crashed to the ground.

With just a single move, Woo Zhengyang was already taken aback. As he suspected, the Double Colored Python's combat power in the Mystic Trace Realm far exceeded that of a Martial Disciple. Even if it didn't quite reach the Martial Master Stage, it wasn't far off.

For an ordinary person, getting hit by that strike would likely result in serious injury. However, thanks to the mysterious vortex that had transformed his physique, Woo Zhengyang only felt a sharp pain across his back.

As he landed, the Flesh Condensing Technique quickly went to work, mending his discomfort. A gust of foul wind hit him as the Double Colored Python launched another attack. This time, it hurled its massive body straight at Woo Zhengyang.

Even with confidence in his own resilience, Woo Zhengyang knew he couldn't withstand such an impact. Getting hit by the python would mean serious injury or worse, and he'd be left vulnerable to its gaping jaws.

Realizing this, Woo Zhengyang couldn't afford to hold back. He channeled all his precious Sword-shaped Genuine Qi into his legs, activating the Floating Light Step. Just in time, he narrowly dodged the python's crashing body...