C24 The Fortune of the Fire Rock Python

The Fire Rock Python, despite its origins in the Magma Pool, was remarkably swift on land, surpassing Qiao Mao in speed quite handily.

Qiao Mao, currently at Mortality Transcending Level Four Heaven, exhibited a burst of speed in a brief skirmish that nearly matched that of a Martial Dao Great Master at Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven.

The trek from Martial Sun City to Fire Cloud Valley took a full day. Over the long haul, Qiao Mao found he couldn't match the Fire Rock Python's pace. He estimated that traveling by Fire Rock Python could cut his journey time in half.

As the Fire Rock Python sped along, Qiao Mao sat atop its back, immersed in cultivation.

Since his rebirth, Qiao Mao's cultivation had progressed rapidly, yet the immediate crisis remained a challenge to overcome.

Having advanced to Mortality Transcending Level Four Heaven, Qiao Mao could now easily dispatch experts at Mortality Transcending Level Six Heaven. Still, he required the Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique to manage a narrow victory over a Martial Dao Great Master at Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven.

Setting aside Qiao Guang's capabilities, the level of expertise of those dispatched by the Main Family was at least Mortality Transcending Level Nine Heaven, some even reaching the Spirit Wheel Stage.

The gulf in strength between Qiao Mao and these adversaries was vast, leaving him feeling overwhelmed.

"I should stop dwelling on these matters. If I can refine the Fire Sand Crystal Essence within half a day, I might ascend to Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven. Coupled with the Spirit Explosion Pill, I could even contend with a Mortality Transcending Level Eight Heaven Martial Artist. In dire circumstances, I'll have to take that gamble."

Resolved, Qiao Mao extracted the Fire Sand Crystal Essence he'd been carrying and set about refining it to bolster his strength.

The fragment of Fire Sand Crystal Essence, though tinier than his thumb and depleted of half its potency, was still a challenge for Qiao Mao to fully assimilate.

He ingested a small piece of the Fire Sand Crystal Essence.

Upon contact with saliva, the Fire Sand Crystal Essence dissolved instantly. It transformed into a torrent of energy that surged through his organs, leaving him with the sensation of being on the verge of bursting.

The Fire Sand Crystal Essence contained energy with a fiery attribute, which was incredibly intense. It surged chaotically through Qiao Mao's organs, making him feel quite uncomfortable.

Thankfully, Qiao Mao was no novice to the Mortality Transcending Stage. With over two hundred years of memories and a wealth of cultivation experience, he swiftly gained control over the energy and began to refine it.

It must be acknowledged that the Fire Sand Crystal Essence was truly remarkable. As Qiao Mao refined it, he could distinctly sense his cultivation level soaring.

The sensation was utterly exhilarating. He felt as though he was seated atop the clouds, racing ahead with the gale.

"I never imagined I'd break through so swiftly," Qiao Mao remarked.

Half an hour later, Qiao Mao sensed an imminent breakthrough, which took him by surprise.

At that moment, Qiao Mao was in urgent need of strength. Despite possessing memories of his past life, he was currently unable to wield the power he once had. Thus, he proceeded with the breakthrough.

Within moments, an astonishing aura of pressure emanated from Qiao Mao. It climbed steadily until he reached the Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven.

Qiao Mao exhaled deeply, feeling an immense sense of relief wash over him, as refreshing as if he had just bathed.

Post-breakthrough, a surge of excitement, bordering on fervor, filled him. He was now capable of effortlessly defeating a Martial Dao Great Master of Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven.

Yet Qiao Mao did not rest on his laurels. He immediately began practicing the Wind Thunder Palm to further augment his strength.

His mastery of the Wind Thunder Palm had been complete at the first level. Now, having ascended to Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven, he was eligible to train in the second level.

Should he master it, the Wind Thunder Palm's might would rival that of a Yellow Rank High Grade Martial Skill, significantly bolstering his prowess.

After half a day's journey, Qiao Mao returned to Martial Sun City. Leveraging his past life's martial arts expertise, he had managed to master the second level of the Wind Thunder Palm en route.

Standing at the gates of Martial Sun City, he gathered his energy and let his aura of menace ripple through the air. His entry into the city this time was bound to spark a fierce and bloody confrontation.

Qiao Mao contemplated whether to keep the Fire Rock Python close at hand. Yet, the creature's massive size posed a problem. Taking the Fire Rock Python into Martial Sun City would draw too much attention, potentially exposing his identity and inviting a host of complications.

Should the Qin family and Qiao Guang join forces against him, he would surely be hard-pressed to defend himself and ultimately face defeat.

"You must stay outside the city. Should any trouble arise, I'll communicate with you using Divine Sense Sound Transmission," Qiao Mao instructed the Fire Rock Python.

No sooner had he issued the command than the Fire Rock Python underwent a dramatic transformation. Its colossal body shrank in an instant, and its aura weakened significantly.

Alarmed by this abrupt change, Qiao Mao quickly examined the Fire Rock Python. He found that the previously sealed Red Fire Spirit Flame had been subdued by the python's spirit and had merged with it.

"Such fortune you've stumbled upon," Qiao Mao marveled inwardly.

Born in the Magma Pool of Fire Cloud Valley, which itself was created by the Red Fire Spirit Flame, it was only natural for the Fire Rock Python to integrate with it.

Now, having absorbed the Red Fire Spirit Flame, the Fire Rock Python seemed poised for a metamorphosis, its energy waning as it verged on slumber.

Qiao Mao had intended to consume the Red Fire Spirit Flame to enhance his own Spirit Flame, but given the circumstances, he had no choice but to relinquish his claim.

"This is your destiny; I shall not interfere," Qiao Mao declared. Had he not tamed the Fire Rock Python, he would have contended for the Red Fire Spirit Flame. But as the Fire Rock Python was now his Demonic Pet, he would not dispute its claim to the flame.

The Fire Rock Python continued to contract until it was just over a foot in length, assuming a miniature form. It darted into Qiao Mao's sleeve and wrapped itself around his arm.

With the Fire Rock Python's situation settled, Qiao Mao wasted no further time. He subtly altered his appearance and promptly made his way into Martial Sun City.

Upon entering Martial Sun City, Qiao Mao immediately sensed seven or eight Divine Senses scanning him. Alarmingly, one of those belonged to a Mortality Transcending Level Eight Heaven expert.

This expert's presence was utterly foreign; he was clearly not a local of Martial Sun City.

"He's from the Main Family," Qiao Mao realized, his expression turning icy. He hadn't anticipated that the Main Family would arrive in Martial Sun City so swiftly, and it seemed they were scouring the city for him.

"Since they've come, none shall leave," Qiao Mao muttered with a cold huff. He strode purposefully into the heart of the city.

With Qiao Mao's skills, eliminating these individuals discreetly was a simple task. Moreover, following his confrontation with Qin Zhiri, it was likely that the citizens of Martial Sun City believed Qiao Mao's cultivation level to be at Mortality Transcending Level Four Heaven. Little did they know that in under two days, Qiao Mao had advanced to Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven.

With a grim expression and lethal intent brewing within, Qiao Mao made his way directly to the Zhang family upon his arrival. He intended to leverage their influence to collect the remaining herbs needed to concoct the Blood Lotus Pill.