The Netherworld Serpent King!
The Netherworld Serpent King was at least a Tier-2, Fourth-Grade Yao Beast.
However, the one standing before them was even stronger. Judging by the terrifying aura it emitted, it had already reached the Tier-2, Sixth Grade.
A Tier-2 Sixth-Grade Yao Beast was comparable to a human martial artist at the late Middle Stage of the Lingwu Realm, just one step away from entering the Late Stage of the Lingwu Realm.
Even Zhang Lingxiao's cultivation was inferior to it.
With a sudden hiss, the Netherworld Serpent King moved.
Its body shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, leaving behind a faint afterimage. In the blink of an eye, it had already closed in on Ma Yinger.
Even though Zhang Lingxiao activated Phantom Step, there was still a considerable distance between him and Ma Yinger.
Buzz!
With a flick of his arm, the Tianji Sword shot forward.
The Netherworld Serpent King reacted with astonishing agility. Its body twisted mid-air, easily dodging the incoming blade before continuing its attack toward Ma Yinger.
Hiss!
Zhang Lingxiao reached out to grab the sword again, but he was still a step too slow.
The serpent's fangs were already descending toward Ma Yinger.
"Quick, dodge!"
At that moment, a bright fluorescent yellow light suddenly erupted from Ma Yinger's body.
In the next instant, the Netherworld Serpent King was blasted backward as if struck by an invisible force, crashing violently into a massive tree.
For a brief moment, the beast lay stunned.
Zhang Lingxiao reacted immediately.
With swift movements, he retrieved the Tianji Sword and lunged forward, aiming at the temporarily dazed serpent.
Clang!
The sword struck the serpent's scales, producing a shower of sparks.
But it failed to break through the Netherworld Serpent King's defense.
A trace of surprise flashed across Zhang Lingxiao's eyes.
Just then—
A graceful yellow figure flashed past his vision.
In the next moment, the Netherworld Serpent King's body was cleanly split into two halves, dying instantly.
Zhang Lingxiao turned his head in shock.
The person who delivered the fatal blow was none other than his fiancée, Ma Yinger.
His gaze immediately fell upon the sword in her hand.
The moment he saw it, he couldn't help but gasp.
The weapon was clearly a Spiritual Artifact. Its slender blade shimmered with dense Spiritual Qi.
More importantly, its rank was even higher than his Tianji Sword.
It was a Profound Rank, Medium-Grade Spiritual Artifact.
His Tianji Sword had been gifted to him by the Red-Clothed Demoness, Su Qing.
For Ma Yinger to possess such a weapon clearly meant that her life in the sect was far from ordinary.
As far as Zhang Lingxiao knew, among the Zhang Family disciples studying in sects, let alone Profound Rank artifacts, even those who possessed Yellow Rank Spiritual Artifacts were extremely rare.
Even Zhang Yuyang, the number one talent of the Zhang Family's younger generation, only possessed a Yellow Rank High-Grade Spiritual Artifact.
This meant that Ma Yinger's status within her sect must be extraordinary.
His fiancée truly had hidden depths.
Zhang Lingxiao also remembered the moment earlier when the Netherworld Serpent King had nearly bitten her.
That protective yellow light had suddenly appeared, not only repelling the serpent but also stunning it long enough for her to land a decisive strike.
"Why are you staring like a fool?" Ma Yinger giggled. "Have you never seen a fairy before? Hurry up and help kill the remaining Netherworld Serpents!"
She swung the Spiritual Artifact again and rushed back into the battle.
Zhang Lingxiao chuckled.
Unwilling to fall behind, he immediately rejoined the fight.
---
The Aftermath
With Ma Yinger wielding the Profound Rank Medium-Grade Spiritual Artifact, her combat strength soared.
Working together with Zhang Lingxiao, they quickly eliminated the remaining Netherworld Serpents.
However, the battle had been brutal.
Many weaker martial artists from both the Zhang and Ma Families had perished.
Those unfortunate victims had been burned to ashes by the Netherworld Ghost Fire, leaving behind not even bones.
Only those who had reached the Late Stage of the Qiwu Realm survived.
The losses were devastating.
From the two families combined, fewer than ten people remained alive, and every survivor was an elite of their generation.
---
The Yao Core
After the battle, Zhang Lingxiao walked toward the corpse of the Netherworld Serpent King.
He wanted to check whether a Yao Core had formed within its body.
For a martial artist of the Lingwu Realm to advance to the Xuanwu Realm, they needed to compress the liquid Spiritual Qi in their body into a crystalline form, transforming it into Mystic Force.
Yao Beasts advancing from Tier-2 to Tier-3 followed a similar principle.
The formation of a Yao Core was a sign that the beast had begun condensing its vital blood essence in preparation for advancement.
Although the Netherworld Serpent King was only at the Middle Stage of Tier-2, there was still a chance it had already formed one.
Zhang Lingxiao thrust his sword into the serpent's skull.
With a gentle flick—
A bluish-black crystal popped out and landed in his hand.
It was indeed a Yao Core.
Within the crystal, powerful vital blood Qi surged like a living tide.
"This Netherworld Serpent King actually condensed a Yao Core!"
Zhang Yuyang walked over, clearly impressed.
"This is a valuable item, little brother Zhang Lingxiao. You could exchange it for a large number of Spirit Stones in the city. If you happen to meet an alchemist who urgently needs it for alchemy or artifact refining, you could sell it for an even higher price."
At that moment, Ma Yinger also approached with a smile.
"Zhang Lingxiao, I killed the Netherworld Serpent King," she said teasingly. "So the Yao Core should belong to me, right?"
Zhang Lingxiao nodded without hesitation.
Although the Yao Core was extremely valuable, he had always followed a simple principle:
If others did not offend him, he would not offend them.
Ma Yinger had no grievances with him. It would be shameless to claim the reward for himself.
"Here."
He handed it over.
Ma Yinger looked at the blood-stained crystal and wrinkled her nose slightly before shaking her head.
"This thing is too bloody. You can keep it for me for now."
She smiled.
"If I need it later, I'll ask you for it."
Her meaning was obvious.
She was giving the Yao Core to him.
Zhang Yuyang watched the exchange with a teasing grin before quietly walking away.
Zhang Lingxiao nodded.
"Alright. I'll hold onto it for now. If you need it in the future, just tell me."
He then placed the Yao Core into his Storage Pouch.
Although he could refine it immediately, now was not the time.
The Spiritual Qi within the Yao Core was far richer than the blood essence contained in the serpent's corpse.
For most martial artists, a Yao Core was simply something to sell.
But for Zhang Lingxiao, it was a top-grade cultivation resource.
Absorbing the Spiritual Qi within it would increase his strength far more effectively than devouring ordinary Yao Beast blood essence.
Moreover, there was a faint and mysterious energy within it.
Zhang Lingxiao had felt a similar power from the Dragon City Lord before.
It was likely Mystic Force.
Although the serpent was only Tier-2 Middle Stage, it had clearly touched the threshold of Tier-3.
This Yao Core would not only strengthen his cultivation but might also help him comprehend the crystallization of Spiritual Qi.
---
Moving Forward
Meanwhile, Zhang Yuyang began directing the survivors.
"Those with Storage Pouches should collect the Netherworld Serpent corpses so we can sell them later. The rest of you should rest and recover your Spiritual Qi."
Zhang Lingxiao looked around.
The battlefield was soaked in blood, and the heavy scent of death lingered in the air.
After reaching the Lingwu Realm, the amount of Spiritual Qi required for breakthroughs had increased drastically.
The blood essence of Qiwu Realm martial artists would hardly benefit him.
Naturally, he would not risk devouring it.
"We should leave quickly," Zhang Lingxiao said. "The smell of blood will attract stronger Yao Beasts."
Ma Yinger nodded.
"Zhang Lingxiao is right. The Dark Forest is extremely dangerous. We shouldn't stay here long."
Zhang Yuyang immediately agreed.
"Little brother Zhang Lingxiao is correct. I was careless. Everyone, move out immediately!"
The remaining members of the Zhang and Ma Families quickly reorganized.
Then they continued deeper into the Dark Forest, searching for the ancient tomb left behind by that peerless expert.
Within that tomb lay a great opportunity waiting to be discovered.
---