In the depths of the ancient forest, two graves suddenly appeared. How could there be graves here?
Lu Fan was startled, a chilling sensation creeping into his heart. He quickly bowed to the two large graves, clasping his hands in prayer: "Two seniors, this junior has trespassed. Please forgive me if I have disturbed you." With that, Lu Fan skirted around them.
After passing the two large graves, a cool breeze swept over him, bringing with it an even more eerie and terrifying feeling. Lu Fan couldn't help but shiver. He looked back to see that the small rabbits and pheasants that had been following him were now cowering, clinging tightly to his heels, even running to his feet.
These little creatures had previously followed him at a distance of one to two meters, frolicking and hopping along. Now, they were all trembling, huddled at his feet. What did this mean? It was said that small animals had a sixth sense and could predict danger. Could it be... Thinking this, Lu Fan couldn't help but swallow.
"If you're scared, go back the way we came and wait for me!" Lu Fan crouched down, cradling a small rabbit in his arms, and said to the other rabbits and pheasants.
*Swish, swish, swish...* The rabbits and pheasants, as if granted a great pardon, scurried back the way they had come.
"Damn it... they really are scared! What danger are they sensing in these mountains?" *Swish...* Lu Fan couldn't help but draw his dagger, gripping it tightly. He moved forward cautiously.
The small rabbit in his arms curled up in his embrace, its round, red eyes darting about. The deeper they went, the more Lu Fan felt the rabbit tremble. His own unease grew, as if danger were drawing nearer.
"Damn it! Curiosity killed the cat! I should go back." With that thought, Lu Fan turned to leave.
"Holy crap..." As Lu Fan turned, he was so startled he nearly fell to the ground. A giant python had appeared behind him, its head raised, staring at him with a pair of blood-red eyes. *Hiss...* It flicked its tongue incessantly.
The python was about four to five meters long, as thick as a small tree. Goosebumps erupted all over Lu Fan. It was said that snakes could swallow animals several times their own thickness... If he were swallowed by the snake, his death would surely be gruesome. Thinking this, Lu Fan wanted to flee...
Extreme Yin Physique? Suddenly, a piece of information appeared in his sea of consciousness. This python was actually an Extreme Yin Physique! Lu Fan immediately noticed that the python, held high, had a patch of snow-white on its abdomen. It was as white as if coated with frost!
If he could obtain the snake's gall, it could cure Liu Ruoyan's illness!!! Lu Fan's eyes lit up.
Although he didn't necessarily want to cure Liu Ruoyan's illness, as helping her with her treatment daily allowed him to absorb a considerable amount of energy, making him much stronger. However, he couldn't refuse to treat her just for that reason; his conscience wouldn't allow it. If he weren't around when her illness flared up, he would surely have regrets.
"Little one! Find a safe place to hide for now. Once I've dealt with this fellow, I'll take you away." Lu Fan placed the small rabbit on the ground, his dagger held firm. His eyes were fixed on the giant python.
*Whoosh...* Suddenly, the giant python lunged at Lu Fan, its massive mouth opening wide, revealing a dark, gaping maw within...
"Holy crap..." Lu Fan immediately dodged to the side, absolutely convinced that the giant python had the ability to swallow him whole in one go.
Lu Fan leaped to the side, but to his surprise, the giant python was even more agile and faster. It twisted its body and lunged at Lu Fan again.
Lu Fan had no time to dodge. He quickly ducked down and threw a backfist towards the python's chin. "Damn it! Close your mouth, can't you smell your own bad breath?"
*Bang...* The python's mouth was just reaching Lu Fan's face when it felt a tremendous force hit its lower jaw. *Whoosh...* The python was flipped into the air. With a *bang*, it fell to the ground. It rolled twice before rearing up again, its eyes shooting out two fierce glints.
Lu Fan was also sprayed with snake saliva, his entire body reeking of a foul odor. He wiped his face and cautiously stood his ground again. This creature was too big and too fierce.
*Whoosh...* Suddenly, the giant python charged forward at lightning speed. Its body swept sideways, instantly coiling around Lu Fan. It then opened its cavernous mouth and lunged to bite him.
"Damn it! All of this happened too quickly, catching me completely off guard." Lu Fan felt as if he were being squeezed to the point of suffocation, unable to breathe. He was afraid that if he took a breath, his bones would snap.
Seeing the python's mouth descend again, he suddenly raised his hands and shoved against the snake's chin, desperately preventing its huge mouth from closing. "Damn it! Fortunately, my hands weren't entangled, or I'd be dead."
"Right! The dagger!" Lu Fan suddenly remembered he was still holding his dagger. "Damn it! I was so scared I went numb and forgot to fight back! Alright, the counterattack starts now."
*Puff, puff, puff...* Lu Fan plunged his dagger into the giant python repeatedly.
*Puff, puff, puff...* Several bloody holes appeared on the python's body. In pain, the python let out a roar, instantly released Lu Fan, and turned to flee!
"Damn it! You almost scared me to death, and you think you can escape?" Lu Fan sprang up and gave chase.
*Swish, swish...* The python's speed was truly incredible. Lu Fan, pursuing from behind, still couldn't catch up. Fortunately, the creature was injured, leaving obvious tracks wherever it went. Lu Fan followed the tracks.
A tree hollow? Suddenly, a large tree hollow appeared ahead. The python burrowed into the hollow and vanished.
"Damn it! It's hiding?" Lu Fan stared at the tree hollow, at a loss. He couldn't possibly chase it into the tree hollow! Wouldn't that be like delivering himself on a silver platter?
"Huh? What is this place?" Suddenly, Lu Fan discovered that there were graves all around, more than twenty of them, large and small. Each grave was overgrown with weeds and looked very old.
"Holy crap! I was so focused on chasing that python that I ended up in a place like this." Lu Fan swallowed hard. He cautiously looked around and suddenly saw a stone tablet in front of a large grave. He hurried over.
The stone tablet bore only three large characters: Luoyan Sect!