"HISS!"
The moment the colossal python emerged, its massive, copper-bell-like eyes locked onto the man in white.
A biting chill surged through the air as the beast let out a low, rumbling growl—a clear warning that this was its territory.
The man in white was none other than Gu He.
A faint smile curled at the corner of his lips as he observed the giant serpent before him. "An unexpected gain, it seems."
Being well-informed, Gu He immediately recognized the creature.
This was a Blue-Scaled Python, a descendant of a fifth-tier peak-level magical beast.
With a brief sweep of his senses, Gu He confirmed that this python had indeed reached the fifth-tier peak.
A magical beast's strength was intrinsically tied to its bloodline purity.
The Blue-Scaled Python before him had likely reached its limit. Without a fortuitous opportunity, breaking through to the sixth-tier would be nearly impossible.
But Gu He paid that no mind.
What interested him was that this serpent belonged to the snake-type category of magical beasts—perfect for Qing Lin's Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.
"Once Qing Lin's strength improves a little more, I can gift this Blue-Scaled Python to her."
Watching the enraged python thrash before him, Gu He had no intention of killing it.
"I won't waste this opportunity of her."
A fifth-tier peak beast was still valuable. At the very least, it could serve as protection for Xiao Qing Lin until she grew stronger.
"HISS!"
Seeing the human ignore its warning, the giant python's fury boiled over. With a violent twist of its massive body, it unleashed a torrential water jet straight at Gu He!
"You have got quite the temper."
Facing the sudden attack, Gu He merely chuckled. With a casual wave of his hand, a dense palm imprint materialized and collided with the water column.
"BOOM!"
The moment they met, the water jet shattered instantly, but the palm imprint remained undiminished. Without pause, it continued its trajectory—blasting toward the python at terrifying speed!
Realizing the danger, the Blue-Scaled Python's eyes widened in panic. It instinctively tried to dive back into the icy pool to escape.
But then, something even more terrifying happened.
An overwhelming pressure descended, freezing the python in place!
Under this suffocating suppression, the beast could only watch helplessly as the colossal palm imprint descended upon it. A final, terrified hiss escaped its bloody maw before—
"BOOM!"
The impact sent the python flying, knocking it unconscious with severe injuries.
As its massive body teetered on the edge of falling into the cold pool, Gu He's hand flicked out. In an instant, the python's form was seized and stored within his system space.
"I'll take care of you from now on." A satisfied smile played on Gu He's lips.
This Blue-Scaled Python was naturally aggressive. Before handing it over to Qing Lin, it would need proper discipline—lest its temper frighten Qing Lin.
If it proved obedient, Gu He wouldn't mind rewarding it with bloodline-enhancing pills.
Perhaps, in time, this python could even break through its limits, ascending to the sixth-tier… or even the seventh-tier.
With the python subdued, Gu He wasted no time. With a thought, he entered the system space, gave a few instructions to the little one inside, and then emerged—carrying the entire Nine-Colored Holy Lotus.
In the valley, beside the cold pool, a radiant, nine-colored refining plant suddenly appeared.
The moment the lotus emerged, a green light shimmered from its leaves—and Cai Lian's tiny figure materialized.
Cai Lian immediately glanced around, her emerald eyes blinking rapidly. A look of childlike delight spread across her face.
Clearly, compared to the darkness of the system space, this lush valley was far more to her liking.
"Cai'er, this will be your home from now on." Gu He's voice was gentle.
"Yay! Home! I have a home now!"
Overjoyed, Cai Lian let out a gleeful cry, her tiny wings fluttering as she circled Gu He excitedly.
With an amused sigh, Gu He caught her in his palm and pointed toward the deep cold pool.
"Cai'er, your true body will reside here, within this pool."
"Mmm!"
Nodding eagerly, Cai Lian's eyes sparkled with approval. Then, in a flash of green light, she merged back into the Nine-Colored Holy Lotus.
Instantly, the lotus erupted in a dazzling nine-colored radiance, floating gracefully toward the center of the pool before settling upon its surface.
From the shore, Gu He observed the scene—a single, luminous lotus standing amidst the tranquil waters, its brilliance painting the pool in shifting hues.
Then, his expression shifted.
Something was happening.
As the lotus bloomed, an inexplicable energy began seeping into it—and with each absorption, its glow intensified.
"Is this… the power of the stars?" Gu He's gaze burned with fascination.
Star power was a force far surpassing ordinary dou qi.
The Nine-Colored Holy Lotus's heaven-defying abilities were likely tied to this very energy.
As the absorption continued, the once-calm waters near the lotus began to bubble violently.
Gu He's eyes sharpened.
He could sense it—vast amounts of heaven and earth energy were gushing forth from the lotus's roots!
"So this is its power… absorbing star energy to condense natural energy?"
The phenomenon expanded.
The bubbling spread, until the entire pool seemed to boil, the energy within growing denser by the second.
"Such an astonishing concentration…"
At this rate, the entire valley would soon be saturated with energy.
Watching the transformation, Gu He spoke softly to Cai Lian:
"Cai'er, cast a soul barrier. Conceal this valley from prying eyes."
...
As soon as Gu He finished speaking, the Nine-Colored Holy Lotus in the cold pool suddenly emitted a verdant glow, revealing Cai'er's small figure.
"Yah!"
Cai Lian stood atop one of the lotus leaves, her tiny hands weaving a mysterious hand seal.
In the next moment, Gu He's expression shifted. He sensed an overwhelming surge of soul power emanating from her, sweeping outward like a tidal wave.
Though his face remained solemn, it was clear Cai Lian had full control this time—her soul power deliberately avoided him.
The immense, almost terrifying, soul power flooded the entire valley before finally solidifying into a tangible barrier above it.
With a thought, Gu He extended his own soul power, probing beyond the valley.
To his surprise, his senses could not penetrate the barrier. He couldn't even detect anything outside.
"A Spirit Realm soul… truly formidable!"
After several attempts, Gu He withdrew his soul power, his eyes alight with astonishment—and then, realization dawned, bringing a smile to his face.
A soul that had reached the Spirit Realm possessed the ability to manifest the intangible into reality.
The barrier Cai Lian had conjured not only blocked external soul detection but also sealed the valley's natural energy, preventing any leakage.
Given time, the concentration of heaven and earth energy within the valley would reach staggering levels, transforming it into a true cultivation paradise.
Gu He observed the bubbling cold pool before him. His soul perception confirmed that the waters were now saturated with dense energy.
Before long, the entire deepwater cold pool would be assimilated, becoming a pure reservoir of energy—akin to the energy-infused waters formed around the Seven-Colored Holy Lotus in the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
Feeling the surging energy within the valley, Gu He's lips curled slightly.
"It seems my plan is about to bear fruit."
He then strode to a secluded corner of the valley, lush with vegetation and a sparse scattering of medicinal herbs.
"Such rich energy… perfect for nurturing spirit herbs."
With the Nine-Colored Holy Lotus present, the valley's energy would only grow denser. Establishing a medicinal garden here would accelerate the herbs' growth, refining them into higher-grade pills.
In alchemy, the quality of a pill wasn't solely determined by its effects—its age, shaped by the energy it absorbed, played a crucial role. This was why regions brimming with natural energy often yielded superior herbs.
Gu He's idea was simple: by planting herbs here, the valley's abundant energy would swiftly elevate them into premium-grade materials.
As a seventh-rank alchemist, he had long lamented the scarcity of seventh-grade herbs. Though he possessed the inherited memories of a ninth-rank alchemist, memories alone weren't enough. True mastery required hands-on refinement, turning theory into experience.
Only through relentless practice could he bridge the gap to the eighth rank.
But advancing to eighth-rank wasn't just about technique—it demanded a soul powerful enough to reach the Spirit Realm.
For now, Gu He's priority was accumulating experience. Yet, in the Jia Ma Empire, gathering seventh-grade herbs was near impossible.
The Nine-Colored Holy Lotus's appearance changed everything. Its ability to draw stellar energy and condense natural power sparked an idea in Gu He's mind:
'If I lack seventh-grade herbs… I'll cultivate them myself.'
The valley's energy-rich environment was the perfect foundation for his medicinal garden.
With careful planning, even sixth-grade herbs planted here could, over time, evolve into seventh-grade treasures.
After a moment of contemplation, Gu He made his decision.
From his spatial ring, he retrieved a few resilient herbs and planted them in the valley's corner.
As the Pill King, he had no shortage of herbs—but most had long lost their vitality and couldn't be regrown.
"I'll need to procure fresh, viable herbs from the Mittel Auction House," Gu He mused.
Just as he prepared to leave, he paused.
"This energy shouldn't go to waste."
With a thought, he summoned the Golden Feather Giant Eagle and the Scarlet Flame Demon Python from his system space.
Two massive figures materialized in the valley.
"Master!"
The two beasts greeted him warmly—but their attention quickly shifted to the energy-dense surroundings.
"Such rich natural energy!"
Stunned, they instinctively gulped down the energy-laden air, their eyes alight with excitement.
Gu He chuckled, then communicated with the Nine-Colored Holy Lotus, opening a small gap in the soul barrier. Through it, he extended his soul power, summoning the Void Beast that roamed the spatial crevices.
A silver-scaled figure flickered into existence before darting into his arms with a delighted coo.
After affectionately stroking the Void Beast's scales, Gu He laid down three strict decrees for his three companions:
No one leaves the valley without his permission.
No disturbing the Nine-Colored Holy Lotus or damaging the newly planted medicinal garden.
Any intruders entering the valley unaccompanied by him are to be eliminated on sight.
…
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