"Is this a fourth-tier demonic beast?"
Hearing the immense roar, Zhang Ying instinctively paused her herb-gathering.
A fourth-tier demonic beast was equivalent to a Golden Core stage cultivator among humans!
More importantly, due to their bloodlines, demonic beasts had tough hides and flesh, making their true strength far superior to ordinary cultivators of the same level.
Furthermore, in the current cultivation world, many demonic beasts lived in packs. If one appeared, it might mean there were a whole group nearby!
"No wonder this place is full of spiritual herbs, yet no one comes to collect them. It turns out it's guarded by fourth-tier demonic beasts!"
"Senior Sister, let's retreat!"
Lin Chen made a decisive call and urged Zhang Ying to leave.
Although they had made preparations and set up a formation in the valley, they had no idea of the beast's strength or numbers. They couldn't act rashly.
"Okay!"
Hearing Lin Chen, Zhang Ying didn't hesitate. She quickly put away her storage bag and prepared to leave the valley with Lin Chen.
However, before they could even take a couple of steps, a colossal snake tail descended from the sky.
"Senior Sister, dodge quickly!"
Seeing the overwhelming power of the snake tail, Lin Chen's pupils contracted.
Good heavens, this single strike was comparable to the attack of a late-stage Golden Core cultivator!
If a casual attack from this demonic beast was so potent, how terrifying must its true cultivation be?
It made sense, though. This Southwest Secret Realm had existed for thousands of years, with abundant spiritual energy and countless heavenly treasures, making it an ideal place for demonic beasts to grow.
After so many years, it wasn't surprising that these demonic beasts had grown stronger without external interference.
"Boom!"
The giant snake's tail smashed into the valley, sending dust flying.
Fortunately, Lin Chen and Zhang Ying had dodged quickly. Otherwise, that single strike would have been enough to flatten Zhang Ying, who was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, into a meat patty!
"It's a late fourth-tier Dragon-Winged Serpent!"
Zhang Ying, having been personally taught by Zhang Long, had far greater knowledge of demonic beasts in the cultivation world than Lin Chen.
With just one glance, she recognized the true identity of the beast!
"Oh? A fourth-tier demonic beast, a Dragon-Winged Serpent?"
Hearing the name, Lin Chen's brow furrowed completely.
Never mind a fourth-tier demonic beast; the name alone was intimidating.
Dragon-Winged Serpent!
In this era, which of the demonic beasts associated with dragons was simple?
"Roar!"
As Lin Chen pondered, another roar echoed from the depths of the valley.
Only then did Lin Chen finally get a clear look at the monster that had ambushed him and Zhang Ying!
It was a giant snake, about thirty meters long, with a pair of small wings on its back, looking extremely bizarre.
The giant snake flicked its tongue and stared intently at Lin Chen and Zhang Ying.
It had only gone out for a meal this morning, only to find its home had been raided upon returning!
More than half of the spiritual herbs were gone, not a single one left for it!
Fourth-tier demonic beasts possessed some level of intelligence. Therefore, it clearly understood that these spiritual herbs would be of great benefit to its cultivation!
Now, its painstakingly gathered hoard had been stolen by two human cultivators.
How could it possibly tolerate this?
"Roar!!!"
The giant snake opened its maw and spat a stream of spiritual energy towards Lin Chen.
"Sword Emerges, Startled Swan!"
Seeing the beast's ferocious attack, Lin Chen didn't dare to be negligent. He quickly used the Spiritual Sword Art to counter the move.
"Senior Sister, you go to the top of the valley and control the formation. I'll deal with this beast!"
After shattering the beast's spiritual energy attack, Lin Chen turned to Zhang Ying and instructed.
For Lin Chen, who had already broken through to the mid-Golden Core stage, dealing with this giant snake alone shouldn't be too much of a problem.
However, Zhang Ying was only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. If she were caught in the aftershocks of the battle, she would surely be injured given her current cultivation.
Only when Zhang Ying left the valley and reached a safe place could he fight with all his might against the Dragon-Winged Serpent, right?
Otherwise, with Zhang Ying present, he would be constrained and unable to unleash his full strength.
Moreover, if Zhang Ying could reach a safe location and control the formation, it would greatly aid him in defeating the Dragon-Winged Serpent!
"Alright, Junior Brother, be very careful!"
Hearing Lin Chen, Zhang Ying understood the critical nature of the situation and nodded in agreement.
While Lin Chen and the Dragon-Winged Serpent were confronting each other, Zhang Ying directly used Lingkong Shu and flew to the top of the valley, beginning to control the formation.
"Nine Stars Align, Activate Formation!"
With Zhang Ying's command, the pre-prepared formation instantly took shape.
Nine stars aligned in a straight line, completely engulfing the entire valley.
"Hmph, you vile creature, let's see what else you can do!"
Seeing Zhang Ying's formation, Lin Chen's confidence surged.
With such a formation, he wouldn't fear even two more Dragon-Winged Serpents!
This Dragon-Winged Serpent was a fourth-tier demonic beast, and its entire body was a treasure!
Its scales and bones could be used to refine defensive spiritual artifacts, which were priceless!
Furthermore, its blood had the effect of strengthening the body and meridians.
If human cultivators were to bathe in the blood of this Dragon-Winged Serpent, not only would their physical strength be superior to cultivators of the same realm in the future, but their spiritual energy absorption rate would also significantly increase.
It could be said to be entirely beneficial!
Now that they had encountered it, there was no reason to let it go!
Besides, neither Senior Sister nor Long Yuling had any decent defensive spiritual artifacts yet. If they could kill this Dragon-Winged Serpent, wouldn't that be perfect?
"Roar!"
Seeing the insignificant human not only fearless but also daring to provoke it, the Dragon-Winged Serpent became enraged.
It spat another stream of spiritual energy towards Lin Chen.
As it spat the spiritual energy, the giant snake lunged forward, charging directly at Lin Chen.
"Well done, vile creature! Sword Cleaves Stone!"
Lin Chen didn't waste any words. With a flick of his hand, the White Dragon Sword flew into the sky, instantly transforming into a giant sword several meters long and stabbing towards the giant snake's body.
"Roar!!"
Perhaps sensing the threat from above, the giant snake abruptly stopped, its tail sweeping towards the giant sword in the sky.
"Boom!"
With a resounding explosion, the giant sword, capable of killing a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, was swept away by the snake's tail, instantly losing its momentum and returning listlessly to Lin Chen's hand.