Chapter 120: The Demon Python in Mirror Lake

The morning mist swirled through the valley forest, and Mirror Water Lake shimmered under the dawn sun, creating an atmosphere of profound solemnity. Suddenly, a ripple stirred at the center of the lake. The ripples grew larger and more violent, rapidly escalating into massive waves.

Xiao Cheng watched as layer upon layer of waves surged outward from the center, the crashing sound drowning out the roar of the nearby waterfall. Then, a bulge appeared in the middle of the lake, as if a submarine were about to break the surface.

The greenish protrusion grew larger, shedding countless droplets of water as a massive, shuttle-shaped head revealed itself. A strange, deep-blue forked tongue flickered in and out, while eyes the size of human heads stared fixedly at Xiao Cheng, filled with a predatory, scrutinizing gaze.

Although Xiao Cheng had heard Liu Yiyi’s description and felt mentally prepared, seeing the massive serpent head in person still sent a jolt of alarm through him. A head of that size could swallow a human whole without the slightest resistance, let alone a cow.

Watching the giant python from a distance, Xiao Cheng felt as though he were being tracked as prey, leaving him deeply unsettled. If he were to be swallowed by such a monster, there would be no chance of survival. The serpent’s expression clearly showed a high level of intelligence; it was undoubtedly a demonic python.

Judging by its color, it appeared to be an entirely emerald-green snake. However, Xiao Cheng could not identify the species. It was not a Hua Green Snake, as that species possessed a red tongue, whereas this creature’s tongue was an eerie, deep blue—clearly the sign of a highly venomous beast.

While Xiao Cheng’s spiritual sense could not reach the distance of the python, he could roughly estimate its cultivation level based on Liu Yiyi’s words and the creature’s form. It was likely at the peak of the Spirit-Channeling stage. In human cultivation terms, this was equivalent to the peak of the Condensation stage. However, in terms of raw power, it likely possessed the strength to defeat an average practitioner at the first or second level of the Innate stage. Demonic beasts naturally had the advantage of massive physical size and innate supernatural abilities, making them more formidable than cultivators at the same level.

The python did not act rashly. It tilted its head, its eyes gleaming with cold intent, watching Xiao Cheng’s every move with clear suspicion.

"Hey, snake friend! Come over here, let's have a chat!" Xiao Cheng gestured with a smile.

He did not know if the beast could understand human speech, but it possessed enough intelligence to at least comprehend his hand gestures. Seeing this, the python perceived it as a provocation. It grew furious, opened its blood-red maw, took a deep breath, and then exhaled.

"Krr-zzzt—" With the release of the air, the python let out a hoarse, piercing shriek.

The sound was incredibly penetrating, echoing throughout the valley forest. Xiao Cheng felt his scalp tingle and immediately channeled his internal energy to seal his hearing; this was clearly a specialized sonic attack.

Finding that the sound failed to stun Xiao Cheng, the python closed its mouth, took another deep breath, and spat out a pool of black liquid that resembled ink.

Xiao Cheng knew this was venom. He utilized his Void-Treading steps to dodge immediately. The python was over two hundred meters away, and though the spray was fast, the distance was too great. By the time the venom reached the lakeshore, Xiao Cheng had long since moved out of range.

The black venom fell like rain. Wherever it landed, it hissed, and the water grasses on the bank turned black upon contact, demonstrating its extreme toxicity.

The python’s second attack also missed, and it clearly lost patience, slowly sinking beneath the water.

The surface returned to calm, the shimmering lake reflecting the morning sun as if everything had been a mere hallucination. Xiao Cheng smiled. He did not for a moment believe the python would let it go; it was certainly lurking beneath the surface, silently approaching him. The beast had already mastered the art of the ambush, showing an impressive degree of cunning.

Sure enough, about ten seconds later, the python appeared within the range of Xiao Cheng’s spiritual sense. As he scanned it, he confirmed his earlier assessment: it was indeed at the peak of the Spirit-Channeling stage.

Demons were different from humans. While humans had superior conditions for cultivation, demons possessed only a small circulation system within their bodies, making their progress much slower. For this python to reach the peak of the Spirit-Channeling stage, it must have practiced for at least fifty years.

Xiao Cheng knew he was no match for a beast of this caliber. A few days ago, he had only managed to kill the eighth-level Condensation cultivator Leng Yuchan by using an obscure Earth-Evasion technique to launch a surprise attack. Against this python, such minor tricks would be useless. Even if he used Earth-Evasion to poke it with his sword, the creature was over two meters in diameter; a blade would only penetrate three feet, failing to reach any vital organs.

The python moved through the water like a sharp arrow, rapidly approaching the shore. Xiao Cheng remained calm, pretending to be unaware of its movements.

As the python drew closer, the water suddenly parted. It lunged from the depths, covering the dozen meters in an instant. It opened its massive jaws wide, biting directly toward Xiao Cheng in mid-air.

A gust of wind hit him, and the python’s massive frame loomed before him. Xiao Cheng could even smell the pungent, fishy stench of its maw. Since the python’s movements were clear in his spiritual sense, its attempt to lunge and bite him was entirely expected; he felt no surprise.

Xiao Cheng held a flying blade between his right fingers and formed an Earth-Evasion seal with his left hand. Just before the python could reach him, he swiftly flicked the energy-infused blade into the beast’s open mouth and then triggered the seal, vanishing from the spot.

The flying blade he threw had no lethal power against the python. His goal was merely to use the residual energy on the blade to track the creature. The knife was forged from special materials, and the energy infused within it would take at least five minutes to dissipate.

The python, having lunged with all its might, expected to bite and swallow Xiao Cheng, but instead, its head slammed heavily into the muddy bank, filling its mouth with dirt and sand.

This impact meant little to the python. It immediately raised its head to search for Xiao Cheng, but the surroundings were silent, with no signs of life. Thinking its eyes had deceived it, the python shook its head in a human-like manner and continued to search, but found nothing.

Five minutes passed, and with no success, the python left in frustration, winding its way eastward along the shore.

Seeing the python depart through his spiritual sense, Xiao Cheng emerged from the earth. He had intentionally baited the beast and used the Earth-Evasion technique to escape its bite, not for sport, but for tracking. Now that the python was gone, he prepared to follow its trail. The serpent was his only lead; only by finding its lair could he infer the approximate location of the Heavenly Origin Fruit.

He expanded his spiritual sense. Because the energy on the flying blade was slowly dissipating, a faint, shimmering light-green line appeared in his mind. Xiao Cheng followed the trail.

He trekked eastward along the lake until he reached a point a few hundred meters from Shenfeng Mountain. The path ended here, and the python had clearly slipped into the water at this spot. Xiao Cheng looked at the sheer, blade-like cliffs of Shenfeng Mountain and smiled. If his guess was correct, the Heavenly Origin Fruit should be growing somewhere near the western cliff.

He raised his binoculars and carefully examined the cliff face, missing no suspicious details. However, after observing for a long while, he found nothing of use.

Suddenly, Xiao Cheng heard a faint whistling sound in the air. He looked up and saw a large Kongming lantern, with a woman hanging beneath it. Her appearance and figure were unmistakably those of Liu Yiyi.

*Why is she here again?* He recalled the python’s shriek; surely, that sound must have drawn her attention.

Xiao Cheng frowned. He was in the middle of searching for the potential location of the fruit. While he had a very favorable impression of the girl, he did not wish to be disturbed right now.

He watched as Liu Yiyi descended from the lantern. Initially, he didn't pay much mind, continuing to observe the opposite cliff through his binoculars. Suddenly, he heard a sharp "hum." He lowered the binoculars and looked at her with a confused expression.

Liu Yiyi was dressed in the same white dress as yesterday, as beautiful as ever, but her brows were now furrowed. She held a sharp sword in her hand, formed a sword-finger seal, and stared at him with cold, icy eyes.

"What are you still doing here?" she demanded sharply. "My master told you yesterday to leave! If you don't go now, don't blame me for being heartless with my blade!"

Xiao Cheng’s expression turned cold. *What on earth? It’s early in the morning and I’m already seeing ghosts! We were on perfectly good terms yesterday afternoon, having a pleasant conversation. How did she become a total stranger in an instant? And 'heartless with my blade'? Just because you changed into a white dress, do you think I don't recognize you?*

Xiao Cheng didn't care about her attitude—they were only passing acquaintances—but the speed of her mood swing was too much to handle. Yesterday, he had thought her innocent and kind; there was not a trace of that left in the woman standing before him.

*Does she have intermittent amnesia?*