C23 Bone Spirit Land
After listening to Bai Yunxue's words, he became quite curious about the nature of her constitution.
When he posed his question, Bai Yunxue responded with nothing more than a sweet smile. "Young Martial Uncle, that's a girl's secret. You shouldn't pry."
Ye Feng caught a fleeting look of panic in her eyes. Aware of the unique traits associated with rare constitutions, and seeing her reluctance to share, he chose not to press the matter further.
"Since you're so familiar with this area, you can lead the way."
"Alright," Bai Yunxue agreed without hesitation.
Together, they ventured into the forest.
This was merely a contest between them, not a true trial, so the competition area was quite limited.
Their adversaries were no longer their fellow disciples, but wild beasts emerging from the woods.
Ye Feng had initially thought Bai Yunxue would take him to a gathering place for Spirit Beasts.
But as they proceeded, he began to sense that something was amiss.
"Yunxue, where are you taking me?" he inquired.
"Oh, this is my usual spot for cultivation," Bai Yunxue replied earnestly, leaving Ye Feng with no room for doubt.
Yet, upon reaching a pristine white forest, Ye Feng paused.
"What's the matter, Young Martial Uncle? Why aren't you coming in?" Bai Yunxue, a few steps ahead, turned back with a puzzled look when she noticed Ye Feng wasn't following.
"We're here for the disciple selection competition. Are you sure this place has the Spirit Beasts we're looking for?"
"Absolutely, I've been cultivating here for many years."
With no other choice, Ye Feng followed her into the immaculate forest.
They hadn't gone far when they heard a disturbance in the distance.
"Young Martial Uncle, the Spirit Beasts are approaching," Bai Yunxue announced with excitement.
In that instant, Ye Feng saw wisps of dark Qi emanating from her.
He suspected the dark Qi was connected to Bai Yunxue's constitution, but after a moment's hesitation, he kept his questions to himself.
They didn't have to wait long before a skeletal Bone Python appeared before them.
As the Bone Python's gaping maw opened and closed, plumes of dark green smoke billowed forth.
"These are Spirit Bone Pythons. They typically appear in pairs. Be careful, Young Martial Uncle," Bai Yunxue cautioned, then she boldly charged at the massive python.
Outside in the realm where spiritual forces manifested, the ongoing battles were clearly visible.
As the Bone Python made its appearance, all eyes were immediately drawn to the scene.
"Why have they ventured into the Spirit Bone area? Isn't that within the Inner Sect's domain?" an Inner Sect Disciple exclaimed loudly.
Chen Feng's face darkened even further. He hadn't anticipated that Ye Feng would dare to enter the inner circle, rendering the trap he had set completely useless.
Nevertheless, this could work to his advantage. Should an investigation ensue, it would seem that Ye Feng had recklessly entered the inner circle on his own accord, absolving him of any involvement.
The great elder couldn't resist turning to Elder Bai. "Elder Bai, I've heard much about your granddaughter's unique constitution. What exactly is it that necessitates her training in the Spirit Bone Land?"
"Martial Uncle, I'm afraid there's nothing I can disclose," she replied, respectfully addressing him as Martial Uncle despite being well past fifty.
"Be sure to keep things under control. The last thing we need is a repeat of that year's disaster," the great elder warned, his tone casual as he shifted his focus back to the spiritual forces at play.
Elder Bai's grip on her cane tightened involuntarily; she was aware that the great elder had his suspicions about her granddaughter's unique traits.
But for now, it was best to take things one step at a time.
With that thought, Elder Bai remained silent, intently watching her granddaughter's match.
As Bai Yunxue triumphed over the Bone Python, another Spirit Bone Python, lurking in the shadows ready to strike, emerged.
Its target was Ye Feng, whose cultivation was somewhat weaker in comparison to Bai Yunxue.
"Spirit Astral Stage Rank One Spirit Beast..." The formidable aura of oppression was immediate, and Ye Feng could instantly discern the level of the Spirit Bone Python before him.
At that very moment, the system's voice inconveniently chimed in.
[Ding! Recipe unlocked: Snake Bone Wine, a Rank One dish. The first serving increases your cultivation by one rank, while subsequent servings significantly replenish your Spiritual Force. It's an indispensable item for any perilous journey or nefarious deed.]
[Mission update: Brew a jar of Snake Bone Wine using the Spirit Bone Python before you. Completion rewards include a jar of Snake Bone Wine, a bowl of mysterious soup, a universal storage space, and 100 mission points.]
As he accepted the mission, Bai Yunxue had already slain the Spirit Bone Python before him.
The charred skeleton was now useless for making Snake Bone Wine.
"Young Martial Uncle, do you need my help?" Bai Yunxue asked, her gaze shifting to the Spirit Bone Python opposite Ye Feng.
Ye Feng couldn't possibly let her intervene. If she did, where would he get his materials?
"No need. You've handled one, and as the Young Martial Uncle, I should naturally handle one as well," Ye Feng said, a confident smirk playing on his lips. "After all, I am at the Body Tempering Peak. Taking on a Spirit Beast at the Spirit Astral Stage is well within my capabilities."
Bai Yunxue took his cue and stepped aside, watching the scene unfold.
With its greatest threat seemingly gone, the Spirit Bone Python boldly lunged at Ye Feng.
But Ye Feng's Ghost Shadow Step was perfected to Rank Three; the Spirit Bone Python's strikes were no match for him.
In a swift motion, he dodged, slipping through the gaps in the python's bony frame.
After several unsuccessful attempts, the Spirit Bone Python ceased its attacks and, turning away, it spewed a thick cloud of dark green poison mist at Ye Feng.
Witnessing the nearby trees corrode in its path, Ye Feng knew better than to confront it directly. Utilizing the Ghost Shadow Step, he quickly widened the gap between them.
Yet the poison seemed inexhaustible, growing denser with each passing moment, showing no signs of dissipating.
"Young Martial Uncle, this is not sustainable. If we allow the poison to spread further, we'll soon run out of safe ground," Bai Yunxue cautioned from the sidelines.
Ye Feng frowned, eyeing the Spirit Bone Python's defiant stance. He mentally cursed the elder who had confiscated his Celestial Meteorite Pot and little golden shovel before he left for the disciple selection competition.
The elder had claimed it was to prevent any embarrassment.
Thus, Ye Feng had only brought the long sword he had taken from Chen Yu. Had he known he'd face such a challenge, he would have insisted on bringing the Celestial Meteorite Pot, which would have offered him some defense against these relentless toxins.