Chapter 126

"Pfft."

That great python, its body covered in colorful spots, opened its mouth and spewed out a sheet of fog, instantly enveloping the screaming disciple on the spot, and a wretched shriek immediately rang out.

All the disciples retreated. When the poisonous fog dispersed, only a set of snow-white bones remained on the ground, and the surrounding grass and trees had all withered.

Elder Wu Qingfeng's brows furrowed; he seemed not to have expected to run into such a poisonous dragon the moment they entered the ruins, and this was something beyond his expectations.

Fang Yu, however, had long since noticed that poisonous dragon. After all, he cultivated his mind, and everything within a radius of dozens of miles surfaced in his mind. The reason he had not saved that unlucky disciple was because this was a trial; he couldn't very well play nursemaid to these people.

At this moment Elder Li also walked over. Seeing the disciple who had died so unluckily, he shook his head. "This great python is called the Poison Dragon. Its poisonous fog is extremely terrifying; if you get touched by it, you die on the spot. However, its gall can be refined into medicine, so you may try to collect it."

This elder did not make a move to kill that poisonous dragon. Going out for trials in the first place, it was perfectly normal for a few people to die. Dying only meant one was useless, or unlucky.

People like that wouldn't get far on the path of cultivation; they would die sooner or later.

"I'll go take the snake gall!"

A girl of seventeen or eighteen stepped out. A streak of light lit up within her Bitter Sea, and it actually spread all the way to her arm, shooting out along her fingers. The green gleam struck the Poison Dragon in one slash, severing it clean in two.

Immediately afterward, the Poison Dragon's gall was carefully extracted by the girl, and she exchanged it on the spot for a bottle of Hundred Herbs Liquid.

This scene instantly greatly encouraged the surrounding disciples.

Originally, that Poison Dragon wasn't all that powerful; as long as one didn't fear it, basically anyone could slay it, unless one was as unlucky as that first disciple.

At once, many disciples were fired up, preparing to show their prowess here.

"Don't be afraid, and don't be overconfident. You are not flowers in a greenhouse; you must go through life and death. Only this way can you grow. The road ahead, you still have to walk yourselves. Unless you encounter a savage beast far beyond your level, we might make a move."

The two elders said this.

Just then, the other disciples had already sprung into action. Some disciples discovered Dragon Tongue Grass with several decades' worth of medicinal potency, and others discovered Green Dragon Vine; everyone was overjoyed.

Fang Yu still did not make a move. These things with only a few decades' worth of medicinal potency were beneath his notice; he had no desire to scrounge through trash with them.

"Let me remind you once more—even if you want to go deeper, you cannot exceed ten li, otherwise there will surely be danger to your life."

The two elders led the group of disciples deeper into the ruins for a while. Upon reaching this point, the crowd began to split up, three in a group and five in a band, all wanting to obtain benefits.

For disciples who had just begun opening their Bitter Sea, the temptation of Hundred Herbs Liquid was enormous.

Han Feiyu had also joined this trial. When his gaze fell on Fang Yu, Ye Fan, and Pang Bo, a cold glint flickered in his eyes, as if he were looking at dead men.

Fang Yu smiled, beckoned the two of them, and headed straight in one direction.

Han Feiyu's expression grew even colder. "All three of you are going to die this time. My grand-uncle has come out of seclusion. You're finished!"

A great deal of killing intent rose in his heart. He glanced once more at the direction Fang Yu was heading, preparing to go back and report.

And at this moment, with no one else from the Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven to hinder him, Fang Yu headed straight for the depths of the ruins.

With a great sweep of his hand, all the venomous snakes and poisonous insects hidden ahead rose into the air, drawn up into the sky directly by his magic power.

"I almost forgot—I still keep some strange things. They need to eat too."

Fang Yu took out a gourd, which was none other than the treasure artifact Seven Fiends Gourd from the Life Great World. From this gourd, a swarm of centipedes suddenly flew out—each one actually grown with wings, their entire bodies a golden yellow color, as if cast from gold, utterly ferocious, darting like lightning. They charged over in an instant and devoured every last one of the venomous snakes and poisonous insects he had drawn over, leaving nothing behind.

"Brother Fang Yu, you raise this thing too?"

Pang Bo felt his scalp prickle. Those centipedes gave him too terrifying a feeling; he sensed that even though he had already opened his Bitter Sea, in front of these centipedes he too would be devoured clean in an instant.

"This is a protective item given to me by my clan. They're called Gold-Devouring Centipedes—an extremely rare ancient poisonous insect. They specialize in eating the five-metal ore veins and drinking intensely poisonous waters. They are born impervious to blade and spear. If one of them bites you, I reckon even an Elder of this grotto-heaven blessed land would die."

Fang Yu smiled.

"These look way too terrifying."

Pang Bo bared his teeth.

Ye Fan felt the same way.

Centipedes that were impervious to blade and spear and could still fly were truly too terrifying.

"In my Seven Fiends Gourd, there are still some little cuties. Want to take a look?"

Fang Yu directed these poisonous insects, ordering them to clear the way ahead. No poisonous bug or fierce beast could compare to them in terror, while he reaped the harvest behind.

"No more looking, no more looking. See too much and I won't be able to sleep."

Pang Bo hurriedly shook his head.

"In this gourd of mine, there are also Nine-Clawed Spiders, Beauty Demon Bees, Blood Pool Poison Mosquitoes, Iron-Backed Ladybugs, Six-Winged Silver Silkworms, and Phantom Demon Butterflies. Together with the Gold-Devouring Centipedes, they are called the Seven Ancient Poisons. If you want to witness their power, I'll show you when the time comes."

Fang Yu spoke.

Ye Fan and Pang Bo hurriedly shook their heads again.

These things sounded terrifying just by their names; how could they possibly be "little cuties."

The few of them pressed forward the whole way, and no savage beast could hinder their steps at all. Even a giant snake as thick as a water vat tried to show its might, and it was pierced straight through by the centipedes.

"Hold on—leave the jade horn."

Fang Yu grabbed with a great hand, drawing the snake's jade horn over to him. This horn had flowing radiance, like strands of colorful fine silk threads—glittering and sparkling.

"That looks like the legendary Jade-Horned Snake—a snake that must absorb the essence of sun and moon for over a hundred years before it can evolve. And it was just cut down like that?"

"The habitat of the Jade-Horned Snake seems to have a rare spiritual herb called Jade Snake Orchid…"