In the valley, beside the secluded pool.
Several Bat Sect Disciples' broken corpses lay on the ground, a bloody mess.
Yang Liu stood frozen on the spot, watching her enemies die completely within mere moments. It was a long while before she finally reacted.
At this moment, Lin Sheng, after searching the corpses, also looked at Yang Liu.
"Where is the youming soul grass?"
"S-Senior... the youming soul grass is in this secluded pool."
Yang Liu immediately spoke.
"In the secluded pool!?"
Lin Sheng turned his gaze to the secluded pool, and indeed, he found the only plant at the bottom of the pool.
His eyes lit up, and he immediately leaped into the pool water.
Yang Liu on the shore saw this scene, a strange look flashing in her eyes, and then she subconsciously retreated.
The pool water was bone-chillingly cold, far beyond ordinary pool water.
Even a Forging Tendons Martial Artist falling into this pool water would find it hard to bear the cold, but for him, it was nothing.
However, after entering the pool water, he realized that this secluded pool was much larger than expected, like a wine jar; although the opening was not large, the internal space was significantly bigger.
Furthermore, there were no living creatures inside, at least none he could sense.
He moved quickly, reaching the bottom of the pool in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
The youming soul grass appeared before him.
This was a plant about three inches tall, its stem translucent like glass, its leaf veins dark gold with fine reticulated patterns, topped with a nine-petaled black-purple corolla, and a faint phosphorescence emanating from the center of the flower. It did not look like an ordinary item.
As he got closer to the youming soul grass, the temperature at the bottom of the pool became even colder.
Even with his current Physique, he felt a hint of bone-chilling cold, which reminded him of the feeling when he consumed Star Dew Grass.
"As expected, it's not an ordinary item."
A look of joy appeared on Lin Sheng's face, and he reached out with his large hand to grab the youming soul grass.
Just then, two eerie green eyes, the size of human heads, abruptly appeared at the bottom of the pool next to the youming soul grass.
Instantly, a massive python head burst out from the bottom of the pool with extreme speed, giving Lin Sheng no chance to react. Sharp fangs had already clamped down on him.
An indescribable icy coldness surged into his body, and a huge python body, dozens of feet long, thrashed out from beneath the pool bottom.
Gurgle...
In the valley.
Yang Liu watched the previously calm pool water, which was now churning violently as if boiling. She clenched her fists, a look of joy on her face, staring intently at the pool water.
Dozens of breaths passed, and the originally brown pool water suddenly showed a hint of bright red, and it grew more and more. One-third of the entire pool area was dyed red.
The boiling pool water gradually calmed down. Seeing this, Yang Liu took out a brocade pouch from her embrace and clutched it tightly.
She carefully approached the pool water, but just as she took a few steps, a hideous python head surfaced from the water.
Seeing this, Yang Liu subconsciously retreated two steps, ready to open the brocade pouch in her hand at any moment.
However, just then, a scarlet figure emerged from beneath the python head.
The scarlet figure was covered in blood. Its strong and robust body had two large holes that went deep enough to expose bone. Such severe injuries, even on a Blood Transportation Warrior, would undoubtedly lead to death, but the scarlet figure seemed oblivious.
Muscles rippled on the strong body, and tentacle-like sinews extended from the large wounds, intertwining. The wounds were recovering at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The scarlet figure grabbed the snake head with one hand and the python body with the other, pulling the dozens-of-feet-long python completely out.
But at this moment, the large python was already lifeless.
The thick python body was separated from the python head, and blood, like a spring, still gushed out, staining the shore red-brown.
"S-Senior... did you get the youming soul grass!?"
At this moment, Yang Liu's face first showed shock and surprise, but she quickly reacted, hurrying forward with a fawning smile, and spoke.
"Mm."
Lin Sheng spoke indifferently, then paid no more attention to her.
He placed his hand on the severed snake body, his palm submerging into the gushing fresh blood.
"Body Integration: Mystic Dark Yin Python."
As his thoughts flickered, in Yang Liu's horrified eyes, a large amount of fresh blood instantly surged into Lin Sheng's palm.
【Beast Name: Mystic Dark Yin Python (Spirit Beast)】
【Body length seventeen zhang, snake body is gray-black, scales are mottled like rusted iron frame, dark patterns cover the whole body. This is a powerful exotic beast on the verge of entering the ranks of High-Grade Spirit Beasts.】
【Body Integration Requirement: Strength Increase 8】
【Body Integration Effect: Physique Increase 8, Agility Increase 6, Strength Increase 5】
【Talent: Yin Meridian Tendon Coiling】
"I didn't expect such a powerful Spirit Beast to be hidden in this secluded pool."
After reading the attributes of this Spirit Beast named Mystic Dark Yin Python, Lin Sheng couldn't help but sigh.
It had taken him quite a bit of effort to deal with it at the bottom of the water just now.
With 19 points in attributes, it was just one point away from entering the ranks of High-Grade Spirit Beasts.
It was even stronger than the Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey.
Moreover, this big guy had been at the bottom of the pool, either hibernating or doing something else, hidden extremely deeply. Even he was ambushed by it. It was only because of his strong Physique. If it were someone else, even an expert like Sun Qing at Bones Transformation Fifth Layer, even if they didn't die, they would likely be severely injured.
However, upon careful consideration, it was normal for a Spirit Beast to guard a heavenly material and earthly treasure like the youming soul grass.
In fact, when he entered the pool water before, he had carefully checked, but this big guy was hidden too deeply, leaving no trace, which caused him to relax his vigilance.
"The Mystic Dark Yin Python's Physique Increase of up to 8 points, and its total attribute increase of 19 points, makes it a Spirit Beast of the same level as the Scarlet Iron Rock Rhino. Although it's a python, it's still a type of snake Spirit Beast, so it should have a significant boost to the cultivation of Spiritual Snake Vein Transformation Hand."
Thinking of this, Lin Sheng was in a great mood. He didn't expect this trip to not only yield the youming soul grass but also encounter such a powerful snake Spirit Beast.
After successfully integrating the Mystic Dark Yin Python into his body, Lin Sheng also took out the snake gall from its body and pulled out two fangs.
This large python was quite valuable, but unfortunately, its size was too enormous to take away. He could only selectively take some parts with higher value.
After doing this, he finally turned his gaze to Yang Liu.
Noticing his gaze, Yang Liu immediately knelt on the ground, expressing her sincere gratitude to Lin Sheng with a look of earnestness.
"Thank you, Senior, for taking action and avenging this humble girl. I will never forget Senior's great kindness and virtue, and I am willing to serve Senior like a cow or a horse."
"Oh? How will you serve me like a cow or a horse!?"
Lin Sheng spoke indifferently.
"This Junior's Sect has a mental secret technique which, when combined with youming soul grass, has extremely strong power. If Senior is interested, this Junior is willing to offer it to Senior..."
Yang Liu spoke respectfully.
"Mental secret technique? Is it not on you, and you need to go to Tiannan Prefecture to get it?"
Before she could finish, Lin Sheng spoke softly, causing Yang Liu to pause, but she quickly nodded again.
"Yes, that secret technique is in Tiannan Prefecture."
Hearing this, Lin Sheng smiled.
"When you get to Tiannan Prefecture, will you encounter people from the Bat Sect again, and then conveniently avenge your Sect's destruction as well?"
"This... this Junior wouldn't dare. Sun Qing is already dead, and this Junior is already grateful for the great kindness. How could I dare to fantasize..."
Lin Sheng's words made Yang Liu's face show fear, and she quickly shook her head to deny it.
"Isn't it? Then forget it."
Hearing this, a hint of disappointment appeared on Yang Liu's lowered face.
"By the way, what did you say just now? You want to serve me like a cow or a horse, right?"
Suddenly, Lin Sheng's voice sounded again.
Yang Liu looked up, revealing a look of confusion.
"Then remember to be a good cow or horse in your next life."
As the words fell, Yang Liu saw a scarlet large hand quickly occupy her entire world.
Bang—
Her well-proportioned, petite body completely exploded.
Lin Sheng shook his hand, muttering something under his breath.
"Bitch."
If encountering Sun Qing and his group was understandable, then this woman clearly knew that there was a Mystic Dark Yin Python under this secluded pool.
Her plan was clearly to use his strength to deal with Sun Qing, and then use the Mystic Dark Yin Python to deal with him.
As for how she would eventually deal with the Mystic Dark Yin Python, it was also simple. This place was discovered by her Sect many years ago, and there was a high probability that she had means to restrain this Mystic Dark Yin Python.
However, this woman was very cunning. Seeing that he had dealt with the Mystic Dark Yin Python, she then tried to use the name of a secret technique to make him go to Tiannan Prefecture.
As for whether that secret technique existed, he didn't know, and in any case, he didn't plan to go to Tiannan Prefecture.
He glanced at the surrounding environment, then stomped heavily on the ground, causing it to churn. Soon, the surroundings turned into a ruin.
He had no intention of staying any longer. His figure returned to normal, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the mountain forest.
As night fell.
Inside a cave.
A bright bonfire illuminated the cave, filling it with light. A tempting aroma filled the air. What was cooking over the fire was a large snake gall.
"Almost done."
Seeing that the heat was sufficient, Lin Sheng tore off a piece of snake gall and put it into his mouth.
Before long, he felt a warm current surging through his body.
The effect was much stronger than the dried Spirit Beast meat he had eaten before.
"Not bad, worthy of being a precious material from a beast about to enter the ranks of High-Grade Spirit Beasts."
He ate heartily, and soon, one-third of the snake gall was in his stomach.
At this moment, he felt his body burning hot, with surging warm currents spreading throughout his entire body.
With a thought, his body began to change.
His body size didn't change much, but the skin all over his body turned from bronze to black-brown. Nine translucent large tendons, like earthworms, appeared on his back, occupying his entire back.
He didn't pay attention to these, because at this moment, he was already circulating the cultivation method of the Spiritual Snake Vein Transformation Hand.
Half an hour passed.
A trace of blue patterns appeared on his hands.
If a Disciple of the Spirit Snake Courtyard saw this scene, they would immediately recognize that this situation was a sign that the Spiritual Snake Vein Transformation Hand had successfully reached the introductory stage.
Three hours passed.
The blue patterns on his hands continued to spread, now covering both arms.
This situation indicated that the Spiritual Snake Vein Transformation Hand had broken through to the first layer.
At this point, Lin Sheng opened his eyes, a smile on his face.
"The effect of the Mystic Dark Yin Python is indeed far beyond imagination. This cultivation efficiency is not inferior to the Qingniao Chasing Star Finger with the boost from the Green-Eyed Fierce Eagle and Ghost Face Black Sandpiper."
"As for the talent of this Mystic Dark Yin Python."
His gaze fell on the talent section of the attribute panel.
With a thought, the Yin Meridian Tendon Coiling talent was activated.
Instantly, the nine large tendons on his back bulged high and immediately turned scarlet, surging constantly. Lin Sheng felt the blood in his body being rapidly absorbed by the nine large tendons.
"Strength, defense, and speed did not increase."
He carefully sensed it. His various physical qualities did not show any obvious increase. He seemed to realize something.
A green halo appeared on his palm, directly piercing through his arm, leaving a bloody hole on his arm.
However, no blood spilled from the bloody hole. Instead, layers of spiderweb-like bloody sinews rapidly grew from it. In just a breath's time, the wound recovered as before.
Seeing this, he exhaled deeply.
"As expected, it's a recovery-type talent."
One should know that currently, the Spirit Beasts integrated into his body, besides this Mystic Dark Yin Python, did not include high-Physique Spirit Beasts like the Scarlet Iron Rock Rhino.
However, the recovery speed displayed at this moment was not slow at all compared to integrating three high-Physique Spirit Beasts, and it even slightly exceeded it.
Although recovery speed would also significantly increase with high Physique bonuses, having a recovery talent would undoubtedly maximize this advantage.
The rapid healing of the Blood Demon Centipede before was a decent recovery-type talent, but unfortunately, its grade was too low, only a Pseudo-Spirit Beast.
For his current Physique, the effect of rapid healing was not very good.
To give a simple example, if his current physical strength is compared to a pool of water, the recovery effect brought by rapid healing is equivalent to a large water pipe. Although the flow rate is extremely fast, it would undoubtedly take a considerable amount of time to fill this pool of water, and the proportion of blood consumption is not very cost-effective.
This is also why he rarely integrated the Blood Demon Centipede after entering the Blood Transportation Realm.
And now, the Yin Meridian Tendon Coiling talent of the Mystic Dark Yin Python is undoubtedly much stronger than rapid healing.
It is not difficult to imagine how strong his self-recovery speed would be when he integrates all Physique-type Spirit Beasts and activates the Yin Meridian Tendon Coiling talent.
"A good talent."
He was quite satisfied with this talent.
After understanding the function of this talent, Lin Sheng lost interest in further testing. With a thought, his body size returned to normal.
At this moment, he took out the black-purple small grass from his embrace.
It was precisely that stalk of youming soul grass.
After he picked this stalk of youming soul grass, the bone-chilling coldness attached to it completely disappeared. Apart from its special appearance, it looked no different from an ordinary weed.
As he pondered, he still decided to first experience the effect of this youming soul grass. He immediately switched to integrating the Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey into his body.
He then plucked a petal from its nine-petaled black-purple corolla and put it into his mouth.
It was extremely bitter upon entering his mouth, instantly causing him to lose his sense of taste, leaving only an indescribable bitterness.
Even Lin Sheng couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly.
Apart from this, the other sensations he had imagined did not appear.
"What's going on? Is there something wrong with this youming soul grass?"
As this thought just popped into Lin Sheng's mind, his body suddenly shook.
An indescribable coldness suddenly surged from his heart, instantly rushing towards the crown of his head.