C8 Fire Cloud Snake

The news of Qin Dian's untimely demise rippled swiftly through Martial Sun City. The Zhang family was taken aback, but their shock was shared by every resident of the city.

Previously, Qiao Mao, the son of Qiao Dou, was known for his unremarkable talent and feeble cultivation. He was largely overlooked by the masses. Yet, this incident thrust him into the limelight.

Qiao Mao was acutely aware that without the Spirit Flame, he would be incapable of concocting pills. This would inevitably lead to a fallout with the Zhang family. Additionally, the internal strife within both the Qiao and Qin families was causing him distress. He foresaw a perilous future for himself, one that could also endanger Zhen Gui, his uncle, and others close to him.

Qiao Mao surmised that the Qin family had likely already visited his home. Upon discovering it empty, they would head straight for the Qiao family. However, Qiao Guang had been covertly conspiring with the Qin family's upper echelon, which meant the situation wouldn't escalate too much. Open conflict, at least for now, was not on the horizon.

Determined, Qiao Mao raced to the base of Space Shattering Mountain. His plan was to track Qin Jin, ambush him, and take the Spirit Flame.

Upon reaching the mountain, Qiao Mao located a cliff with a narrow trail snaking along its midsection—a necessary route to traverse the mountain. "I'll lie in wait for Qin Jin here and then take him down," he resolved. Concealing himself at the base of the cliff, he swiftly entered a meditative state, focusing on his breakthrough.

Qin Jin was a formidable opponent, having reached Mortality Transcending Level Four Heaven and mastered the Barbarian Elephant Spell. Knowing that Qin Jin would be accompanied by strong warriors on his journey to the mountain added to Qiao Mao's anxiety. The gravity of Qin Jin acquiring the Spirit Flame and ascending to the status of Spirit Flame Master meant that his entourage would be formidable. The thought alone sent a shiver down Qiao Mao's spine, the weight of the impending challenge bearing heavily upon him.

"I only have one day left. I must make the most of my time, or the consequences will be dire." Qiao Mao took out the Amethyst Chalcedony and gently bit into it. He quickly entered a state of deep cultivation.

The Amethyst Chalcedony was exceedingly rare and valuable. A mere fragment was enough to send the Spiritual Energy within Qiao Mao's body into a frenzy. He swiftly began to circulate the Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique to assimilate this energy.

The Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique was a profound method inscribed by the Dragon Clan on the Nine-heaven Divine Dragon Tower. Qiao Mao couldn't determine its exact rank, but he knew it surpassed the Heaven Rank.

As Qiao Mao continued with the Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique, the Spiritual Energy within him was rapidly refined and funneled into his dantian, which began to expand swiftly.

Just like during his first cultivation session, he was hit with intense pain. Qiao Mao was undergoing a cleansing of his marrow and bones, preparing to purge the impurities from his body.

Seconds ticked by. Despite the excruciating pain, Qiao Mao persevered in his cultivation, and a thick layer of impurities began to ooze from his skin.

His dantian kept expanding, but he was still some time away from a breakthrough. Determined, Qiao Mao bit off another piece of the Amethyst Chalcedony.

His body became saturated with Spiritual Energy, and his dantian expanded yet again. The Spiritual Energy settled and transformed into Spirit Liquid, pooling back into his dantian.

"Just two more hours, and I'm certain I'll achieve a breakthrough," Qiao Mao thought, a flicker of excitement in his eyes. But at that moment, he sharply sensed a small group of people swiftly approaching the cliff.

The group consisted of four individuals, led by Qin Jin. Following him were two Mortality Transcending Level Four Heaven warriors and a Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven master.

Upon detecting their approach, Qiao Mao quickly concealed his Divine Sense. He hadn't anticipated Qin Jin's early arrival, especially with a Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven expert in tow.

"Damn it! Qin Jin has moved up his plans," Qiao Mao thought, anxiety gripping him at the base of the cliff. At present, with only the strength of Mortality Transcending Level One Heaven and no breakthrough in sight, he was no match for them.

As Qin Jin and his companions made a beeline for the mountain, Qiao Mao felt a surge of urgency. Yet, he remained stationary, channeling his energy into a breakthrough instead.

Two hours later, Qiao Mao's efforts bore fruit as he achieved a successful breakthrough. A wave of elation filled his heart, and a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes. Before long, he located Qin Jin and the rest of the group.

They were on a plateau, engaged in battle with a large red snake as thick as a bowl—the Fire Cloud Snake. Qin Jin and his team were on the offensive.

"It's a mid-stage Level One Fire Cloud Snake. It's no surprise that Qin Jin has enlisted the help of a Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven expert," Qiao Mao whispered to himself from a concealed spot.

The Fire Cloud Snake relentlessly spewed flames, the clash fierce and unyielding. Qin Jin's group appeared disheveled, yet they held a slight upper hand.

A mid-stage Level One Fire Cloud Snake was on par with experts from Mortality Transcending Level Four Heaven to Level Six Heaven, but this particular snake seemed to possess superior strength.

The fight had been raging for two hours, and it was clear that Qin Jin and his allies intended to wear down the Fire Cloud Snake over an extended period.

"With my current power, I can handle foes at Mortality Transcending Level Four Heaven without issue, and I'm capable of escaping from those at Level Five Heaven. But to wrest the Fire Cloud Snake away from them is a formidable challenge," he contemplated.

"My sole opportunity lies in striking during the heated battle between Qin Jin and the Fire Cloud Snake. Success hinges on my ability to eliminate the Level Five Heaven expert with a single blow."

A Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven martial artist was undoubtedly formidable, respected even among guards and capable of assuming various roles. The warrior before him, a captain, was no exception.

The captain, with his advanced cultivation and formidable strength, led the assault against the Fire Cloud Snake. Qin Jin and the other two provided support, flanking him.

The Fire Cloud Snake, with its colossal frame, swept the area. The captain was pressed into retreat, but not before Qin Jin and the others managed to inflict severe injuries on the snake.

At that moment, the Fire Cloud Snake was riddled with wounds, its red blood seeping from numerous injuries. Qin Jin and his companions were equally exhausted. The end of the battle was near.

The Fire Cloud Snake unleashed a burst of flames, pushing the group back once again. It then began to retreat rapidly, clearly unable to withstand their assault and seeking an escape.

"Let's see where you can run to," Qin Jin bellowed with laughter, pursuing the creature. A cold smirk appeared on the captain's face as he unleashed a torrent of Spiritual Energy that battered the Fire Cloud Snake.

Qiao Mao's gaze remained fixed on the battlefield, vigilant not to miss the prime moment.

"Now," Qiao Mao silently commanded, his entire body lunging towards the captain from the shadows.

"Go to hell," the captain sneered, watching the Fire Cloud Snake's continued struggle. But abruptly, he sensed a lethal intent from behind and quickly turned around.

"Wind Thunder Palm!"

Qiao Mao's shout echoed as he had already prepared the Wind Thunder Palm, bringing it down fiercely towards the captain's forehead.