Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior-Chapter 195 - 48: Slayer of the Demon Snake, Fiery Power!

"Yes, Mr. Li!"

Li Jiang and Shangguan Qing had no objections. Both were outstanding figures among the younger generation of the Hongmen Martial Arts Hall, being at the Muscle Strengthening Realm and, like Su Mu, at the Second-Time Tendon Transformation. They were just one step away from completing the Nine Body Refining Realms and entering the top Seventh Grade.

The martial arts hall's demon beast hunt was actually prepared for them. Hongmen Martial Arts Hall planned to refine Muscle-Enhancing Pills using demon beast blood. Additionally, hunting demon beasts was also a test for them, as martial arts is a path of combat and killing.

At present, these disciples of the Hongmen Martial Arts Hall were on high alert, consciously standing back to back, so they could immediately detect any unexpected movement.

In contrast to these wary disciples, Su Mu was leaning against a shrub, resting his eyes. By now, he had traversed the Three Counties.

As he journeyed, he discovered that the martial artists from the Three Counties, whether it was the Qingfeng Gang Leader Gu Feng in Cyan Cloud, the people beside Zhao Pingyuan of Canghe County, or Li Yuanshan of Hongmen Martial Arts Hall, or even the Cyan-Faced Bat King Wei Ming of the Black Mountain Rebel Army, all were at the Nine Body Refining Realms.

That translates to three times of Refining Force, Bone Forging, and Yijin.

"Indeed, breaking through the realms beyond the Third-Time Refinement is not easy... but perhaps it's due to the remoteness and outdated martial arts heritage of the Three Counties."

Just as this thought formed in Su Mu's mind, a seed of intent to quickly leave the Three Counties was quietly planted in his heart.

As the midday sun rose high in the sky, at two quarters past noon, Su Mu's ears slightly twitched as he slowly opened his eyes and turned to look in a particular direction, having caught a faint 'sough sough' sound from afar.

The mountain winds masked this 'sough sough' sound, making it hard for ordinary people to notice.

This sound seemed like a gigantic object swiftly sweeping over the flowers and grass along the path, with branches and leaves scraping against the mountain soil and rocks.

"That demon snake is returning to its lair!"

Noticing Su Mu's reaction, Li Jiang and Shangguan Qing looked around but found nothing. However, they remembered the words of Instructor Li Yuanshan before they set out.

"Mr. Li's martial arts are by no means inferior to mine... You must follow his instructions on this mission."

The two exchanged a glance, and Shangguan Qing shouted in a low voice.

"Everyone, stay alert and keep an eye in this direction." Shangguan Qing pointed with a long saber in the direction Su Mu had been staring, then cast a glance towards Su Mu.

Su Mu nodded slightly, acknowledging Shangguan Qing's astuteness. She was clearly quite prestigious among the younger generation of the martial arts hall, and as soon as she spoke, the disciples of the hall all placed a hand on their sword hilts, ready to take action.

Before long, Shangguan Qing and Li Jiang finally heard the 'sough sough' disturbance, much to their surprise. They were the top young talents from Changfeng County's premier martial arts hall.

They believed Instructor Li Yuanshan was likely being modest. Li Jiang and Shangguan Qing thought that even if there was a power gap between them and Su Mu, it wouldn't be too significant. They figured the gap lay more in experience and actual combat.

But now it was evident that even just in terms of perception, there was a huge gap.

Su Mu could detect the presence of the demon beast from such a distance, which was astonishing. Both being from the Hongmen Martial Arts Hall, they knew this keen perception was a considerable advantage in combat.

With acute sight and hearing, one can anticipate the enemy's moves. Even if one's spiritual power can initially lock onto an enemy in the Nine Body Refining Realms, spiritual power can be depleted, whereas keen senses remain constant.

"So that's it... Elder Li Yuanshan must have known this."

Once the two heard the disturbance, the other disciples only realized the presence of the demon snake as it approached, looking startled and casting admiring glances at Shangguan Qing.

Not long after, amidst swirling dust and toppled flowers and grass, resembling a green wave, the outline of the giant creature came into view. Everyone drew their sabers and fixed their gazes, already able to see the contours of the massive beast.

The enormous brown-scaled python coiled like a small mountain, with a head as big as a millstone, its thick body showing dark red patterns like blood lines, covered with metallic glinting scales the size of a baby's palm, and its scarlet slit pupil gleaming with cold-blooded cruelty.

Even from thirty or fifty steps away, many martial arts hall disciples felt a chill, their bodies shivering.

"What a massive snake... Is this a demon beast naturally born to embark on the Martial Path?"

Su Mu's eyes narrowed, mixed with excitement, anticipation, and a strong fighting spirit. Additionally, his mind quickly recalled the handbook given to him by Zhao Ju from the Forging Workshop, which included illustrations of common Ninth-Grade and Eighth-Grade demon beasts.

"This creature isn't in the manual, but judging from its aura, it should be an Eighth-Grade Demon Snake."

As the demon snake closed within twenty steps, everyone could clearly see it. The snake's body was as thick as a grown man's thigh, and its length exceeded an astonishing four meters.

This kind of snake could probably swallow a few grown men in one bite.

"Let's watch for now." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Su Mu continued to lean against the tree, not intending to directly intervene. Li Yuanshan hadn't brought him along to directly hunt the demon beast but to provide a back-up for the younger generation, serving as an additional layer of security.

"Brown all over, adorned with blood patterns, this is the Eighth-Grade Demon Beast Blood Pattern Python!"

Li Jiang stared at the approaching demon snake, identifying the creature, and Su Mu quietly took note of this, acknowledging the extraordinary knowledge of the Hongmen Martial Arts Hall disciples.

Hiss hiss!

A chilling sound emanated from the Blood Pattern Python's mouth, clearly noticing the unexpected guests in its lair. It raised its tongue violently, sticking out a scarlet snake tongue.