Zhao Kun was panting heavily as he chased the Windstorm Golden Striped Leopard. He was closing in, but the leopard seemed to be very familiar with its surroundings, constantly avoiding direct confrontation. Despite Zhao Kun's deep cultivation, which allowed him to handle high-level beasts, he felt frustrated by the leopard's speed and cunning.
Unwilling to give up, Zhao Kun continued to pursue. After all, in the eyes of cultivators, most beasts were solitary rulers and did not work in packs. Although the leopard was intelligent, it was still an animal and could not set traps. Zhao Kun was confident that, no matter what, the leopard could not pose a real threat.
Among the Zhao family disciples, one couldn't help but ask quietly, "What should we do now that Second Uncle has chased it out?"
Zhao De Yi responded calmly, "The Windstorm Golden Striped Leopard is incredibly fast. Second Uncle has already chased it out, and we won't be able to catch up. As for our purpose here, do you remember? We came for the young heir of the Tian Nan King's birthday banquet, to find an important cultivation item."
"Is the item really in the valley?" one of the disciples asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
"Of course. Every autumn equinox, a precious gem called the Water Soft Crystal appears in the valley's pond. If we obtain this treasure, we can easily craft high-tier water-type magic tools, or even spiritual tools!" Zhao De Yi said with a hint of pride. "This is a big secret of the Zhao family! If this place wasn't near the Chu family, we would've had people guarding it long ago."
"The Water Soft Crystal?" The disciples' eyes gleamed with desire. "That's the perfect material for making spiritual tools. If we could refine a spiritual tool, even cultivators in the Divine Refinement stage would covet it!"
"Silence!" Zhao Tian sharply interrupted. "Don't let anyone else hear this. Second Uncle has already given instructions—if that wild boy returns, he must be dealt with!"
The Zhao family disciples fell silent. Zhao Tian, as the most talented young disciple of the Zhao family, had power and authority beyond question. A hint of disdain flashed in his eyes as he secretly felt proud. After all, aside from Zhao Kun, he was the only one in the Zhao family who had a weapon of magic tool rank.
Zhao Pingping, the sole daughter of the Zhao family's head, was spoiled and willful, always referring to Lin Tian as "the wild boy." Every time Lin Tian heard her mock him, it filled him with intense displeasure. Lin Tian had grown up in hardship, and having been raised by Old Lei was already an extraordinary kindness. Zhao Pingping's ridicule only made his anger grow, even though he kept a calm expression.
While the Zhao family disciples were debating, a massive black shadow silently slipped past them and quickly entered the cave. No one noticed, not even Zhao Tian or Zhao De Yi, both high-level Qi Refining cultivators. The Purple Lightning Serpent slithered into the cave without making a sound, like a killing machine, causing the atmosphere in the valley to grow heavier.
Time passed, and Zhao Kun still hadn't returned. The Zhao family disciples started to grow impatient. Led by Zhao Tian and Zhao De Yi, they made their way back into the cave. One disciple, walking ahead, muttered under his breath, "I'm just a filler, what benefits am I going to get?"
Zhao Tian's keen hearing immediately caught the tone of dissatisfaction. His eyes flashed coldly as he shouted, "What are you saying?"
The disciple was startled and was about to respond when suddenly, a black shadow shot toward him like lightning. With a scream, he was enveloped by an overwhelming force, unable to resist, and his weapon fell to the ground.
"What is that?" Zhao Tian was taken aback, immediately sensing a strong threat and quickly retreating. He felt his blood surging, a sense of deep unease rising in him. If the threat were aimed at him, he was confident he could barely escape, but he knew he wouldn't be unharmed.
A swallowing sound came from the darkness, and the disciple was clearly consumed.
"A snake! It's a giant serpent!" one of the disciples screamed in terror.
Zhao De Yi's face changed drastically as he quickly ordered, "Retreat! This snake is at least a high-level beast!"
The Zhao family disciples hastily retreated. Zhao De Yi knew this wasn't the best time to fall back, but the situation had escalated to the point where he had no choice. These disciples were the future of the Zhao family, and if too many were lost, the family would face an insurmountable crisis.
However, his order came too late. Just as he issued it, another disciple screamed, and the smell of blood filled the air. His head had been swallowed in one bite, and his body, after struggling violently, quickly lost its life.
This giant serpent was unlike ordinary beasts. Its four venomous fangs were a foot long and could easily tear through any enemy. Even Qi Refining cultivators at the early stage would not escape its deadly strike.
At that moment, Lin Tian was hiding near the valley pond, crouched behind a large rock. He listened to the screams carried by the wind, filled with both tension and anticipation. The Purple Lightning Serpent had indeed kept its promise and had cornered the Zhao family members. Now, it would lead them to their destruction, and the valley was the perfect place to wipe out the Zhao family's martial cultivators.
The Zhao family disciples were in a disorganized retreat. By now, four had already perished in the serpent's ambush, including a few mid-level Qi Refining experts. Zhao De Yi couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The Zhao family's talent was hard to cultivate, and if they all died here, the family would face enormous challenges.
"This ancient forest is far too dangerous," Zhao De Yi thought grimly. If the Zhao family were wiped out in this wild land, there would be no chance of recovery. Coupled with their conflict with the Chu family, the Zhao family's future was in jeopardy.
"Let's go and join Second Uncle!" Zhao De Yi gritted his teeth and decided to lead the remaining disciples to break out.
"Zhao Tian, lend me your magic tool." As Zhao De Yi walked toward Zhao Tian, he suddenly grabbed his arm. Zhao Tian's face changed slightly, and a flash of coldness appeared in his eyes. He shrugged off the grip and walked ahead without a word.
"Brother, wait for me! Let me go with you…" Zhao Pingping shouted loudly, but no matter how much she called, the Zhao family disciples no longer paid attention to her orders, busy trying to save themselves.
Zhao De Yi was filled with frustration. If Zhao Tian had helped him, they might have had a chance to delay the serpent for a moment, giving the others a chance to escape. But now, Zhao Tian had unhesitatingly fled, unwilling to leave even the only magic tool that might help counter the serpent. Zhao De Yi was filled with intense anger.