Chapter Seventeen: Chen Mo

In the concealed thicket of Venomous Serpent Valley, Cao Yun had been lying in ambush for an entire day and night. During this time, he had neither taken a sip of water nor a bite of food, remaining as still as a corpse, motionless.

Suddenly, a fierce struggle erupted ahead, mingled with the roars and snarls of ferocious beasts.

Soon, a young man carrying a beast-skin pouch appeared in sight. He was shielded by a golden aura, moving with agile grace as he unleashed fireball techniques, gradually driving a more than three-foot-long blue wolf demon deeper into the valley.

Witnessing this, Cao Yun inwardly cursed his bad luck. He knew well that black vine snake demons frequently prowled these parts, their venom so potent that even Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, once bitten and without an antidote, could only die with regret. He had endured two days of careful surveillance, only to have his plan disrupted by this unexpected youth.

Under the young man’s relentless assault, the blue wolf demon retreated step by step until it was cornered against a cliff face, with no escape left. A cold smile curled on the youth’s lips as the fireball in his hand swelled several times in size, ready to deliver a final, decisive blow to end the demon.

Yet, at this critical moment, a black shadow suddenly leapt from the cliff, pouncing on the youth with lightning speed. Fortunately, the youth’s golden aura shield barely held against the surprise attack. However, the blue wolf’s repeated bites and violent thrashes put the shield on the verge of collapse, threatening to shatter at any moment.

Just then, another blue wolf charged in, joining its companion in a frenzied assault on the youth. The scene resembled a carefully laid trap, a demon ambush set to kill a blood slave.

In this moment of grave peril, a streak of azure light shot forth like lightning, striking precisely the head of one of the blue wolf demons. With a thunderous bang, the wolf was blasted several yards away.

Yet, astonishingly, the once invincible azure light only left a shallow scratch on the wolf’s forehead. Blood trickled slowly from the wound, staining the fur a vivid red, a sight both shocking and vivid.

This strike also broke the encirclement for the youth trapped in desperation.

The two blue wolves stood side by side, their fierce gazes fixed on the youth and the patch of grass from which the azure light had come.

The grass lay silent and still, as if the earlier azure flash had been a mere illusion.

The two wolves exchanged a glance, seemingly reaching a tacit understanding, and gradually retreated until they vanished into the valley’s depths.

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“Many thanks for your timely rescue, Brother Chen Mo. I am deeply grateful!” The youth clasped his fists, bowing deeply toward the thicket.

Cao Yun sighed softly and rose slowly from the grass, picking up a short blade nearby. “Glad to see you unharmed, Brother Chen.”

“Had you not intervened, I fear I would not have survived this ordeal today,” Chen Mo said, his voice still tinged with lingering fear, clearly not yet fully recovered from the harrowing encounter.

“Fortune favors the righteous, Brother Chen. Naturally, you turned misfortune into blessing,” Cao Yun offered with a reassuring smile.

“Your great kindness I shall never forget. May I ask your honorable name? Why were you lurking in that thicket? If there is any way I can assist, I will spare no effort, even if it means braving fire and water,” the youth said earnestly.

“My name is Cao Yun. I was lying in wait to hunt the Black Vine Demon Snake. But it seems this beast has grown exceedingly scarce here,” Cao Yun answered frankly, revealing his intent.

Chen Mo pondered for a moment before replying, “Brother Cao, you may not know this, but while Black Vine Demon Snakes do frequent this area, they have been nearly wiped out in recent years by the outer disciples of the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect. I have hunted here for quite some time and know this territory well. If you continue your stakeout, I’m afraid it will be in vain.”

“Oh? Brother Chen is so familiar with this place?” Cao Yun’s eyes flickered with surprise.

“I’ve been in the Ten Thousand Demon Forest for over two years. I originally had three companions; we supported each other and barely survived here. Sadly, two of them met ill fate and perished one after another. Were it not for your timely intervention, Brother Cao, I fear I would have shared their fate today,” Chen Mo said, a flicker of sorrow in his eyes.

“I see. No wonder you know the area so well. Do you know why the Black Vine Demon Snakes have become so rare here?” Cao Yun asked with curiosity.

“The Black Vine Demon Snakes have dwindled because the outer disciples of the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect have been hunting them relentlessly for months. Now, finding even one is nearly impossible,” Chen Mo explained.

“I understand. I hoped to hunt a powerful demon beast to obtain its venom for emergencies,” Cao Yun said, his tone tinged with disappointment.

“Brother Cao, did you discover any rare medicinal herbs? I already understand your purpose. For example, about twenty miles south of this valley, there are two precious Hundred-Tempered Flowers, guarded by two second-rank Red Rock Boars and a more formidable third-rank Red Rock Boar. The strength of that third-rank boar rivals that of a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator among humans,” Chen Mo revealed.

---

“What? There’s a third-rank Red Rock Boar guarding that area?” Cao Yun’s expression shifted, clearly shocked by this news.

“Yes. The outskirts of the Ten Thousand Demon Forest are not only hunting grounds for blood slaves but also mission zones for the outer disciples of the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect. Any remaining rare herbs are hidden in treacherous spots, guarded fiercely by powerful demons. These beasts’ strength even makes the sect’s disciples cautious, hesitant to act rashly,” Chen Mo said slowly, his tone tinged with helplessness.

“Oh? So the last operation by the sect’s disciples was unsuccessful?” Cao Yun inquired further.

“Indeed. Whether they overestimated the venom’s toxicity or underestimated the third-rank Red Rock Boar’s strength, that mission ended in heavy losses. It is said that even an elder steward of the Blood Slave Hall did not survive,” Chen Mo said, disbelief evident on his face.

“Thanks for the warning, Brother Chen. Without it, I might have met the same fate as that elder steward,” Cao Yun said sincerely.

“You’re welcome. I didn’t expect Brother Cao to have designs on those two Hundred-Tempered Flowers. But it’s understandable; without such rare herbs, how could we blood slaves with pseudo-spiritual roots ever break through our bottlenecks? I deeply sympathize with your efforts,” Chen Mo sighed, a hint of resonance in his eyes.

“Could it be that we truly have no choice but to remain blood slaves in this Ten Thousand Demon Forest for our entire lives, until death?” Cao Yun asked, unwilling to accept such a fate.

“Actually, it’s not entirely hopeless. But…” Chen Mo abruptly changed tone, his expression becoming hesitant, as if reluctant to speak further.

“But what? Is there some unspeakable secret?” Cao Yun pressed eagerly.

“Brother Cao, you worry too much. There’s no secret, only that the path forward, like obtaining the Hundred-Tempered Flowers, is fraught with immense difficulties and extreme hardship,” Chen Mo said slowly, his voice full of helplessness and lament.

“What do you mean by that, Brother Chen? Please, tell me in detail,” Cao Yun said, unable to bear the suspense as Chen Mo teased him at such a critical moment.