Chapter 564 - 550: Hundred-Year-Old Two-headed Strange Snake, Heavy Hammer Strike

When Yang Chan and the others saw the light screen above the Seven-Section Snake Array shatter, none of them rushed inside immediately.

If this were a collaboration of Loose Cultivators, they would likely have scrambled to be first, lest they fall a step behind.

However, since this was a Sect collaboration, they didn’t act that way. Instead, they cautiously observed the situation within the Seven-Section Snake Array, checking for any potential dangers.

The Two-headed Strange Snake that appeared earlier wasn’t an isolated incident. After an Exotic Beast shows up, you can’t rule out other dangers lurking within a small Magic Array. Rushing in first could mean walking right into a trap.

As the light screen shattered, the scene within was revealed.

"I didn’t expect to find a Medicinal Field here. This is quite a good haul!"

Hall Master Xu was somewhat surprised by what he saw inside after the Seven-Section Snake Array shattered.

The area wasn’t very large, after all. Normally, only larger regions would contain Medicinal Fields, especially contiguous ones.

The Merak Sacred Land had previously harvested a large Medicinal Field that even contained members of an Alien Race, all of whom were slain by the people from the Holy Land.

But for now, no one rushed in. Instead, their gazes were fixed on a two-headed snake over five meters long. It was much larger than the strange snake they had slain earlier.

"This Exotic Beast looks to be over a hundred years old. Its strength is barely at the Inner Refining Level. You all assist me from the flanks. Don’t let it escape!"

"Its most dangerous parts are its two heads. The purple one is likely venomous, and the cyan one looks to have a powerful bite. Its hide is also very tough; you’d probably need something at the Sharp Sword Level to injure it. Be careful as we surround it."

"Pharmacist Yang, you stand guard nearby. If anyone approaches, give us a warning."

Hall Master Xu glanced at Yang Chan and the others as he gave out the orders.

Exotic Beasts all have their specific strengths, but their intelligence is generally low. They take a long time to mature, and most die before reaching their full potential. Normally, a few people working together is enough to surround and kill one.

But Hall Master Xu was still cautious, so he had Yang Chan stand guard. This was, of course, also to keep Yang Chan from taking any risks.

The group had teamed up many times and were naturally proficient. Adding Yang Chan to the mix might disrupt their coordination and not actually be helpful. Of course, another reason was that he didn’t want Yang Chan to be in danger.

If Yang Chan were to get hurt in the Secret Realm—especially while Hall Master Xu had brought him along to crack this small one—he would certainly face trouble later.

That would be true for Gu An, as well as the other Hall Masters and Elders. After all, the Elixirs these people needed were almost all refined by Yang Chan.

Most of the various Spirit Medicines, Spirit Grass, and other Spiritual Materials obtained in the Purple Void Secret Realm had to be sent to Yang Chan for Refining before they could be turned into the Elixirs that would end up in their hands.

As for consuming Spirit Medicine directly, no one would do such a thing. Not only would the effects be mediocre, but the unrefined properties could actually hinder one’s Cultivation.

The Pharmacist profession exists for this very reason: to eliminate the side effects of Spirit Medicine, enhance its Cultivation-boosting properties, and ultimately create an Elixir that contains only beneficial aspects for the human body.

"Alright!"

Yang Chan saw their encirclement formation. It was clearly a specialized killing tactic that he didn’t understand, so he decided not to join in and hinder their performance.

Besides, this Two-headed Strange Snake wasn’t particularly strong. Its only real threats were its two heads. As long as one was careful not to get hurt by them, there was basically no problem.

’To me, it’s something I could kill with a single, casual punch.’

He didn’t make a move, however. ’There’s no need.’

As for the immediate vicinity, he didn’t sense any other dangerous auras besides this Two-headed Strange Snake.

Hall Master Xu struck first, his Big Iron Hammer smashing down directly.

The other five External Cultivation Disciples harassed it from the sides, creating distractions to pin down the strange snake.

Hall Master Xu personally handled one of the strange snake’s two heads, while the five External Cultivation Disciples jointly dealt with the other. Actually, "dealt with" isn’t quite right; they were merely running interference, preventing both heads from ganging up on Hall Master Xu.

When the giant snake spat venom, they all dodged with agility. It was clear they all practiced a Light Body Technique. Working together, they were perfectly in sync.

Under the group’s assault, the strange snake accumulated more and more wounds, and its aura grew steadily weaker.

"Finally, it’s done."

Before long, the Exotic Beast stopped breathing. Its two heads had been smashed flat by the Big Iron Hammer in Hall Master Xu’s hands.

A sword would have taken more time against the Two-headed Exotic Beast’s tough hide, but a direct hit from the Big Iron Hammer would shatter its bones. The weapon might seem clumsy to a fast fighter, but it was remarkably effective against these simple-minded Exotic Beasts.

Just like this Two-headed Exotic Beast, they ran circles around it until it died without injuring a single person. This wasn’t the first time for Hall Master Xu and his group, which was why their execution was so flawless.

The group had arrived in the Secret Realm long before Yang Chan and had already opened many small Magic Arrays. They had gone from suffering casualties at the start to their current proficient state, a testament to their extremely rapid growth.

"Most of these are Superior Spirit Medicines, and they’re quite old."

"However, the Spirit Medicine in this spot seems to have been eaten by those strange snakes. There might have been even better ones here. What a shame!"

Hall Master Xu and the others continued to investigate. Only after confirming there were no more dangers did they enter the area. Stalks of Spirit Medicine, all of a considerable age, were scattered about. However, some patches were empty, and from the tracks of snake-like crawling, it was clear what had happened to them.

These strange snakes had been living inside the Seven-Section Snake Array, feeding on Spirit Medicine. No wonder they’d grown so large.

A Two-headed Strange Snake of this size was a rare sight in the outside world.

In the more remote regions of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, this strange snake could have run rampant. After all, not every place has experts of the Inner Refining Grandmaster Level.

But here in the Secret Realm, trapped within the Seven-Section Snake Array with nowhere good to hide, it was ambushed by Hall Master Xu’s well-prepared group. That was why the Two-headed Strange Snake was killed so thoroughly without causing any trouble.

"Pharmacist Yang, come and pick some for yourself. You wanted to study how Spirit Medicine grows in the Secret Realm, and these are still living. It’s the perfect opportunity!"

Hall Master Xu had heard about Yang Chan’s goal from the disciples who had entered the Secret Realm, which was why he had personally brought him along. These Spirit Medicines were right here inside the just-opened Magic Array, making them naturally more valuable for observation.

He was aware that Yang Chan had already attempted to refine the Seven Revolutions Nourishing Organ Pill, but was just shy of success and still working hard to solve the problem.

Yang Chan’s purpose for entering the Purple Void Secret Realm was to find certain Spirit Medicines and, at the same time, try to understand the reason for his Alchemy failures.

Of course, that was just what Yang Chan told everyone. As for his true purpose, only he knew. Even the Black Dragon didn’t know much, and actually thought Yang Chan was trying to help it find a Dragon Race body so that the Profound Yin Hanging Bead could ascend into a Divine Weapon.