Chapter 85: The Giant Rock Python Moves

The day to ransom the captives arrived quickly.

Shen Mo led Elder Li and four other inner sect elders, along with a group of disciples, striding out of the mining site and reaching the top of a nearby hill.

The hill was bare, without a single blade of grass, covered entirely in rocks.

Thus, everything was visible at a glance.

Elder Li and the others nodded slightly; it was indeed impossible to hide anyone around here.

In their view, the Heavy Weapon Sect choosing this place for the ransom clearly showed their sincerity.

Before long, a team approached quickly from the east.

But they were few in number, only two people.

One was young, and the other was older.

Shen Mo glanced at them and immediately saw the young man's life panel.

[Name: Wu Leng.]

[Realm: Entry-level Core Formation.]

[Fate Attribute: Sect Disciple, Fortunate Star, Brilliant Mind, Heir of Artifact Dao, Green Wood Bloodline.]

[Destiny: Will remain at the peak of Core Formation. Will live a peaceful life and die without illness.]

[Recent Opportunity 1: Today, at the hilltop near the Thunder Crystal Mine, he will meet the Qingxuan Sect team. Though it appears to be a trade, it will actually trigger the Rock Python to attack the Qingxuan Sect team, killing four inner sect elders and capturing Qingxuan Sect's young sect master, Shen Mo.]

[Recent Opportunity 2: Two months later, near the Black Water Stream in the Qingcang Mountains, while searching for rare minerals, he will learn that several sects that usually buy artifact spirits from the Heavy Weapon Sect have switched to Qingxuan Sect, causing him great anxiety. He will fall into the water by accident, but find a small mineral vein underwater, gaining a large amount of pure minerals.]

[Recent Turning Point 1: One month later, due to long-term inability to supply Thunder Crystals, the Rock Python will become enraged, break free from control, and flee into the deep mountains. Wu Leng will be so angry he will vomit blood and be bedridden, healing within two days using Wood Lotus seeds.]

"Another new Fate Attribute," Shen Mo focused on the three Fate Attributes: "Brilliant Mind," "Heir of Artifact Dao," and "Green Wood Bloodline."

[Brilliant Mind: Purple Fate Attribute. Your intelligence has always far surpassed that of ordinary people. You never act impulsively and are always rational, but your hair falls out faster than others.]

[Heir of Artifact Dao: Purple Fate Attribute. You have loved handling artifact spirits since childhood and have shown an extraordinary talent in embedding demon crystals and refining artifact spirits. You will eventually become a master of artifact crafting.]

[Green Wood Bloodline: Purple Fate Attribute. Your Wood Spirit Root is far superior to that of ordinary people, making you faster in practicing wood attribute techniques and martial skills.]

Shen Mo took a few more glances at the top of Wu Leng's head.

Indeed, his hair was thin.

He was showing signs of turning bald.

"This Wood Lotus seed..." Shen Mo pondered over the opportunities and turning points he saw.

It was rumored that a few years ago, the Heavy Weapon Sect had dug up a Five-Color Lotus in the Qingcang Mountains.

The Five-Color Lotus had produced many lotus seeds, corresponding to the five elements: gold, wood, water, fire, and earth.

Historically, the Five-Color Lotus had appeared several times in the Qingcang Mountains.

The worst of these lotuses had at least five seeds.

The best had even fifteen seeds.

These seeds were all top-grade profound items!

Each one could be used to forge a perfect Dao platform or condense a perfect Golden Core!

The Thunder Fire Sect had once demanded these from the Heavy Weapon Sect, but the Heavy Weapon Sect claimed they had none.

The Thunder Fire Sect sent people to search but found nothing and left.

But Shen Mo saw "Wood Lotus seed" on Wu Leng's life panel.

This indicated that the Heavy Weapon Sect indeed had a Five-Color Lotus!

Perhaps they had hidden it as a treasure, and ordinary people did not know of its existence.

Shen Mo was slightly surprised.

This was a valuable item!

If he could obtain this Five-Color Lotus, he wouldn't have to intercept opportunities and search for top-grade profound items everywhere.

On the day of obtaining it, he might directly condense the Inferno Golden Core!

Shen Mo scrutinized Wu Leng.

It seemed that annexing the Heavy Weapon Sect was urgent.

Of course, he mainly wanted to see how beautiful the Five-Color Lotus was.

Definitely not because he wanted the seeds.

Definitely not!

"The Heavy Weapon Sect is confident, coming with just the two of you?" Elder Li looked Wu Leng and his companion over coldly.

Wu Leng smiled amiably, "Of course, we are here to ransom, and we must show our full sincerity."

Shen Mo sniffed lightly and suddenly caught a faint fragrance.

Wu Leng continued to smile, "It's the scent of my sachet, which I always carry with me. No need to worry."

As he spoke, he took the sachet from his waist and brought it to his nose for a deep sniff, demonstrating it was harmless.

"Good, then let's exchange money for people. I have already brought the person," Elder Li pointed to Shi Fei, who was tightly bound behind him.

Wu Leng smiled, "Naturally."

"But, we should ask what the one below thinks."

As he spoke, he stomped his foot heavily.

The fragrance suddenly intensified.

Immediately, the ground began to tremble.

It seemed something was about to burst out from below.

Elder Li and the others turned pale.

The next moment.

A loud rumble.

A gigantic gray-brown python suddenly thrust its head out of the ground.

Its enormous vertical pupils were filled with rage.

It seemed to be asking who had awakened it with the scent.

The python's size was terrifying.

Even just the part emerging from the ground was over 15 meters long.

The part of it still underground was likely another five or six zhang (approximately 16.5 to 19.8 meters).

Such a massive beast could easily take on three cultivators of the same realm simultaneously.

This was the terrifying aspect of demonic beasts.

After the Giant Rock Python appeared, Wu Leng's face showed a hint of pride.

This Giant Rock Python was his greatest reliance.

Previously, he had to send a large amount of Thunder Crystals periodically to feed it.

This barely kept it under control for his use.

But now that the Heavy Weapon Sect had lost the Thunder Crystal mine, the Thunder Crystals he could provide to the python were much less.

The Giant Rock Python had become somewhat uncontrollable.

This was why he had to use Beast Lure Powder to guide it.

"Kill everyone else, capture Shen Mo alive!" Wu Leng ordered with a cold smile.

Hiss—!

The Giant Rock Python extended its crimson forked tongue and started to move towards Shen Mo and the others.

Elder Li and the others turned pale.

Even though they had four Core Formation cultivators, their realms were at minor and major accomplishments, not a match for this giant python.

"Young Sect Master, run! We will try to hold it off!" Elder Li gritted her teeth.

She knew facing such a colossal beast meant certain death.

But even so, Shen Mo couldn't die.

Even if they perished, they had to create a chance for Shen Mo to escape!

"No need, it won't attack us," Shen Mo shook his head.

Elder Li was stunned.

The other three elders were also stunned.

Elder Li forced a smile, "Young Sect Master, my Young Sect Master, what are you saying? Run!"

"I'll sacrifice my life to buy you some time!"

Wu Leng also smiled faintly, "Shen Mo, are you scared out of your wits? Why do you think it won't attack you?"

Shen Mo extended his hand towards the Giant Rock Python, "Do you remember me?"

The Giant Rock Python extended its crimson forked tongue and caught a familiar scent, freezing for a moment.

In the next instant, under the shocked gazes of everyone, it lowered itself to the ground.

Its massive head rested on the ground.

Its once fierce eyes now looked at Shen Mo, as if waiting for his touch.

Shen Mo smiled and gently petted it.

The Giant Rock Python closed its eyes in contentment.

It was thoroughly enjoying itself.

For a moment, Wu Leng and the inner sect elder beside him were petrified, their hearts sinking to the bottom.

Elder Li and the other three elders were suddenly overjoyed.

The sudden shift in fortunes almost brought them to tears!

Shen Mo, smiling, said, "Young Master Wu, surrender now, what are you waiting for?"

"I..." Wu Leng wanted to speak.

But Elder Li and the other three elders had already reacted, instantly rushing to them and subduing Wu Leng.

The Heavy Weapon Sect elder tried to resist, but under the python's intimidating aura, he could not exert even half of his strength.

In a flash, Wu Leng and his companion were restrained.

"Elder Li, send a rogue cultivator to the Heavy Weapon Sect to renegotiate the ransom," Shen Mo smiled.

"Alright!" Elder Li laughed heartily.

Now, they had directly captured three Core Formation cultivators, including Wu Gangfei's own son!

Wu Leng took a deep breath, understanding his situation.

His plan had completely failed.

For some reason, the Giant Rock Python obeyed Shen Mo.

"Please convey to my father, tell him not to act impulsively, to exercise restraint," he said in a deep voice.

Elder Li looked to Shen Mo for guidance.

Shen Mo, half-smiling, recognized Wu Leng's wisdom and composure even in captivity.

He was right.

And he was considering the Heavy Weapon Sect's interests.

Because, if the Heavy Weapon Sect and Qingxuan Sect went to war, both would suffer heavy losses.

The ultimate beneficiaries would be the Feishuang Sect, Lingxi Sect, and others.

Shen Mo nodded.

"Alright, we will convey the message," Elder Li smiled softly.

"Let's go, time to head back," Shen Mo said calmly.

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