Chapter 268 - 137: Slaying True Gang

’It’s only been a few months since we parted at Bibo City, yet Senior Brother Liang’s strength has improved so much. The defense and power he showed when he killed that Red Flame Leopard... it’s probably already on par with a typical True Gang Realm Martial Artist.’

"Senior Brother Liang, which direction should we go next?"

Xiao Qingxue asked.

Liang Cheng pondered for a moment, then raised his hand and pointed deeper into the realm. "That way, to the Secret Realm Center."

He didn’t elaborate on the matter of the tomb Elder Huang had mentioned, and Xiao Qingxue was tactful enough not to ask any further questions.

The terrain gradually rose as they ventured deeper.

A Stone Forest appeared ahead, filled with jagged, strange rocks that pointed to the sky like swords and halberds. A mist permeated the forest, and faint fluctuations of an Array could be felt.

"A natural Maze Array?"

Xiao Qingxue observed with a focused gaze.

"Mhm."

Liang Cheng took out the Nourishing Spirit Jade and held it in his hand. The clear light emanating from the jade cleared his mind. "Follow me. Don’t take a wrong step."

The two of them flitted into the Stone Forest, one after the other.

The moment they entered, the scene around them changed abruptly.

The mist churned, and the stone pillars seemed to come alive, constantly shifting positions to block their path.

Relying on the perception of his Divine Soul, which was enhanced by the Nourishing Spirit Jade, Liang Cheng led the way.

Xiao Qingxue followed closely behind, her steps light as she precisely landed on the exact spots Liang Cheng had stepped.

After proceeding this way for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the view suddenly opened up before them.

At the end of the Stone Forest was an herb garden!

The garden wasn’t large, only covering a small plot of land, but the Spirit Medicines growing inside made Liang Cheng’s eyes light up.

"Red Sunflowers, Seven-Star Grass, Dragon Pattern Ginseng... all of them over a hundred years old."

What caught his attention even more was a strange herb in the center of the garden. Its entire body was purple-gold, with leaves like dragon scales.

The herb stood three feet tall, and at its tip was a purple fruit the size of a pigeon’s egg. Cloud-like patterns grew naturally on its skin, and it emitted a tantalizingly strange fragrance.

"The Purple Cloud Dragon Pattern Fruit!"

Xiao Qingxue had clearly recognized it as well, and her eyes lit up.

This was an extremely rare Heaven and Earth Spirit Fruit. It had the miraculous effect of cleansing the sinews and purifying the marrow, as well as strengthening one’s Qi and Blood. To a Body Refining Martial Artist, it was an ultimate treasure.

If he could consume this fruit, Liang Cheng’s Mixed Element Gang Body would surely advance to the next level!

However, Liang Cheng didn’t approach rashly.

The herb garden was protected by an Array, and a Spiritual Object like the Purple Cloud Dragon Pattern Fruit was bound to be guarded by a powerful Demon Beast, especially since they were in a Secret Realm.

Sure enough, just as Liang Cheng and Xiao Qingxue approached the edge of the garden, the ground began to tremble violently!

ROAR—!

A roar like muffled thunder exploded as the earth and rock beside the garden burst open, and a colossal creature erupted from the ground!

It was a giant serpent covered entirely in earth-yellow scales. It was over a hundred feet long, its body as thick as a water bucket. A spiraling horn grew from the top of its head, and its scarlet, vertical pupils were locked dead on Liang Cheng.

A Tier Five Late Stage Demon Beast, the Earth Armor Horned Python!

An existence with even more formidable defense than the Rock Armor Thorn Turtle they had encountered during the Sea Beast Tide.

"Junior Sister Xiao, attack its seven-inch spot! I’ll keep it busy from the front!"

Liang Cheng quickly devised a strategy.

"Understood!"

Without any hesitation, Xiao Qingxue drifted back several dozen feet. She pointed her longsword diagonally as a frosty aura condensed around her.

Just then, the giant python opened its mouth and spewed out a foul-smelling, yellowish-brown toxic mist. Wherever the mist passed, the vegetation instantly withered and decayed.

Instead of retreating, Liang Cheng advanced. He deployed his Protective Gang Shield, sealing off the toxic mist, and simultaneously charged forward to deliberately draw the python’s attention!

The toxic mist corroded the Gang Shield, making a SIZZLING sound. The shield’s light dimmed slightly, but it remained stable.

’A Tier Five Late Stage beast... its toxic mist can actually corrode my Gang Shield.’

Liang Cheng quickly made a judgment, and the will to fight ignited in his eyes.

Seeing its toxic mist had failed, the Earth Armor Horned Python immediately swept its massive tail, bringing it down on Liang Cheng with devastating force!

But Liang Cheng neither dodged nor evaded. True Essence surged through his body as he pushed his Mixed Element Gang Body to its limit, his Dark Gold Gang Shield solidifying like armor.

BOOM—!

The python’s tail smashed solidly against the Gang Shield!

The Gang Shield trembled violently, ripples spreading out madly. The ground beneath Liang Cheng’s feet cracked and sank three feet, but his stance was as steady as a mountain—he hadn’t retreated a single step!

Just at that moment—when the python’s old strength was spent and new strength had yet to be gathered—

"Frost Sword Qi!"

Xiao Qingxue let out a clear cry. Her sword flashed like snow, and a condensed blast of icy Sword Qi shot through the air, precisely striking a scale on the python’s seven-inch spot!

CLANG!

The Sword Qi exploded, and frost spread across the scales. Although the targeted scale didn’t break, it was frozen brittle, its defense greatly reduced.

"Nice!"

Liang Cheng praised her upon seeing this. Seizing the opportunity, his Zhenxian Saber rang as he drew it from its sheath!

[Mountain-Breaking Saber: Broken Mountain]

[Broken Wave Technique: Ninth Layer Overlapping Waves]

As his saber flashed, his True Essence surged like a Sea Tide, each wave more powerful than the last!

The first strike landed on the frost-covered scale. Sparks flew, and a faint crack appeared.

The second strike, carrying even greater Saber Momentum, widened the crack.

The python cried out in pain and thrashed its body wildly. A yellow light gathered at its Unicorn Horn, and a condensed blast of Earth Element Gang Qi shot toward Xiao Qingxue!

"Watch out!"

Liang Cheng flickered, appearing in front of Xiao Qingxue to block the impact of the Gang Qi with his Protective Gang Shield.

BANG!

The Gang Qi exploded. Liang Cheng’s body swayed, and the light of his Gang Shield dimmed another fraction.

Xiao Qingxue’s face paled slightly, but her Sword Momentum didn’t falter. She fired several more streams of Frost Sword Qi, aiming specifically for the python’s weak points like its eyes and snout, forcing it to shake its head repeatedly, unable to focus its full power on Liang Cheng.

The coordination between the two was becoming more and more seamless.

Liang Cheng led the main assault, his every ruthless slash aimed at the python’s seven-inch spot. Xiao Qingxue provided support, her cunning sword strikes targeting other weak points to keep it distracted.

The third strike, the fourth strike...

His Saber Momentum was continuous and unrelenting, with each strike landing precisely on the same spot!

The Earth Armor Horned Python finally sensed the mortal danger. It began to roll and thrash with abandon, trying to throw Liang Cheng off.

A cold glint flashed in Liang Cheng’s eyes. He unleashed his Wandering Dragon Step to its full extent, his figure sticking to the python’s body like a phantom. Gripping his saber with both hands, he raised it high above his head.

[Mountain-Breaking: Absolute Peak]

An unstoppable blow, meant to sever everything!