Chapter 025: Victory Within Reach

Wherever medicinal herbs grow, beasts and birds are often found lurking nearby. Especially where spirit herbs thrive, powerful wild beasts are likely to exist. Yet Little White assured Mu Tianhen that this place was quite safe; there were no formidable beasts, only small creatures that came to pick herbs for healing. Little White had often played here before, befriending many companions—wild rabbits, doves, and the like.

Still, despite his trust in Little White, Mu Tianhen remained vigilant, spreading his spiritual sense to guard against any sudden incident. After all, Little White had been absent for some time; anything could have changed.

The area where the herbs grew was not far. Mu Tianhen reached it in the span of a cup of tea. Before him stretched a sea of flowers, blossoms competing in beauty, their fragrance wafting through the air, soothing the mind and spirit.

Many small animals darted among the blooms, leaping and chirping in delight—a scene of harmony, utterly devoid of danger.

“Chirp, chirp…”
“Thump, thump…”

With the chorus of birds and rabbits, many little creatures ran toward Mu Tianhen and Little White, though they kept a cautious distance, eyeing Mu Tianhen warily.

Little White waved its blood-stained paw, yelping as it greeted its friends, and whispered to Mu Tianhen that these were all its companions, very friendly. It explained to them that this human was not a villain but its master, a very good person, so there was no need to fear.

With Little White’s reassurance, the animals gradually relaxed, edging closer to Mu Tianhen.

Looking at the adorable creatures around him, Mu Tianhen smiled and waved in greeting, “Hello, everyone!”

He was about to step into the flowers to search for herbs, eager to heal Little White’s wounds.

“Wait, Master!”
Just then, Little White cried out, tugging at Mu Tianhen’s hair, stopping him instinctively. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

Little White hopped onto Mu Tianhen’s head, stood upright, and scanned the surroundings, whispering, “Master, my friends just told me that things have changed here.”

“They said that after I left a month ago, with no word from my parents, the valley underwent a drastic transformation—it’s nothing like before.”

“Now, this flower sea has been occupied by a giant python, guarding the Blood Spirit Grass day and night. Anyone who approaches is killed without mercy.”

“Even its own kind cannot escape its wrath. So, Master, you must be careful—do not approach recklessly.”

Though Mu Tianhen was prepared, hearing the words ‘giant python’ made his heart tremble. Pythons, by nature, rarely move to conserve energy, but when they do, it is terrifying.

Their crushing strength is unmatched; few can withstand them—they are true overlords of their domain.

Such a ferocious creature is best left undisturbed. But Mu Tianhen had no choice; he had to obtain the Blood Spirit Grass.

He nodded to Little White, asking, “How far is the Blood Spirit Grass? Where exactly is it? Don’t worry, I have a way to deal with it.”

As he spoke, Mu Tianhen set Little White down, letting it point out the direction and then stay put, waiting quietly.

The other animals quickly gathered around Little White, chirping with concern, their eyes fixed on its injured paw.

Soon, they scattered in all directions, bringing back herbs to help Little White heal—friendship here was truer than among humans, never fading because of misfortune, nor turning on one in distress.

Mu Tianhen felt at ease leaving Little White to recover. He then followed the indicated path, venturing deeper into the flower sea.

The flowers grew thick and tall; were Mu Tianhen shorter, he would vanish entirely from sight amidst the blooms.

As Mu Tianhen drew closer to the targeted area, Little White grew increasingly anxious, asking its friends to help lift it onto a branch for a better view.

Because of this, the animals were all concerned for Mu Tianhen. After all, if this human died, their beloved friend would not survive either.

Though Mu Tianhen was still a hundred paces from where Little White had directed, he already sensed a peculiar aura spreading toward him, distinctly hostile.

He also detected a surge of spiritual energy—surely emanating from the Blood Spirit Grass.

This discovery thrilled him further; he was now determined to claim the herb.

According to the herbal compendium, if the Blood Spirit Grass’s energy radiated a hundred paces outward, it was fully mature—perhaps even at its peak.

Yet, wanting it was one thing; he could not afford to be reckless. Caution was paramount.

From the aura alone, he could judge that the python’s strength was formidable; one misstep and he would perish.

Mu Tianhen quietly channeled his energy, forming a protective aura around himself, advancing step by step, spiritual sense fully extended.

A deep, eerie roar suddenly echoed when Mu Tianhen was thirty paces away, chilling the blood.

The flowers ahead shook violently, and a pitch-black figure rose from their midst—a giant python.

From afar, its head was as large as an ox, raised five paces off the ground, jaws gaping to emit streams of white vapor. Its tongue, over a yard long, flickered incessantly.

Arm-thick fangs gleamed in the sunlight, terrifying to behold.

Its massive eyes glared down at Mu Tianhen, brimming with hostility, murderous intent surging forth.

The exposed half of its body was thick as an ancient tree, covered in gleaming scales that promised formidable defense.

Another roar, and the python lowered its head by a yard, drawing nearer to Mu Tianhen, tongue flicking out in threat.

Anyone else, faced with such a beast, would not only abandon their quest for the Blood Spirit Grass but lose the strength to flee.

Even Mu Tianhen felt immense pressure, as if resistance was futile.

Judging by its aura, this python was certainly an elite—perhaps not as powerful as the wild bull he had encountered, but not far behind.

If Mu Tianhen retreated now, the python would likely not pursue him; its priority was the Blood Spirit Grass, not a lone human.

But Mu Tianhen was determined—he would not back down.

Today’s battle was inevitable.

With a crisp clang, his black iron longsword left its sheath, swirling with destructive energy as he channeled his power.

Seeing that Mu Tianhen not only refused to retreat but drew his sword, the python grew furious, roaring again, its eyes filled with murderous intent, tongue flicking even longer.

Mu Tianhen did not attack immediately, wary of the python’s sweeping tail. He needed it to strike first, so he could gauge its movements.

He drew several daggers, infusing them with his energy, then hurled them at the python.

They whistled through the air, aimed straight at its vulnerable spot.

Enraged, the python roared again, mouth wide, tail sweeping violently toward the daggers.

A golden opportunity!

Mu Tianhen shouted inwardly, then sprang forward with all his strength, arrowing toward the python’s head with sword raised.