Almost simultaneously with Fairy Lingyue's voice, Xu Taiping immediately used the Wind Shadow Step he had learned a few days ago, his figure darting out of the shrubbery like the wind.
Although he had only learned two steps of the Wind Shadow Step, with this technique, Xu Taiping's speed was almost on par with some ordinary beasts. In just a few breaths, he had entered the Bamboo Creek Valley.
Upon entering the Bamboo Creek Valley, he immediately spotted the Fire Spirit Mushroom, which from a distance looked like a bonfire growing by the stream.
"That's right, cover it with the demon tiger's skin first, or you'll be burned by it."
Although she had already instructed him before they came, Fairy Lingyue couldn't help but remind him again.
As Xu Taiping responded, he spread out the demon tiger's skin in his hand and wrapped the Fire Spirit Mushroom in it.
Then, he swiftly drew the fine steel long knife from his waist, slicing close to the ground to sever the root of the Fire Spirit Mushroom.
Sheathing the knife and picking up the Fire Spirit Mushroom, his movements were fluid and smooth, clearly well-rehearsed in his mind.
"This child is truly reliable in his actions."
Watching Xu Taiping's clean and swift movements, Fairy Lingyue felt that her worries were unnecessary.
Although she was responsible for concealing their aura to snatch the Fire Spirit Mushroom, if they didn't follow the plan, the task would be extremely dangerous.
"It seems simple, but even adults might not do as well as this little one."
"Wait, this aura, it's not good!"
Just as Xu Taiping was about to rush out of the Bamboo Creek Valley, Fairy Lingyue's spirit suddenly sensed two auras with very strong spiritual energy, and they were rapidly approaching.
Xu Taiping, who was carrying the Fire Spirit Mushroom on his back, quickly stopped, clenching his fist with one hand and gripping the hilt of his knife with the other,
assuming a battle stance.
"It's probably the Fire Pattern Python fighting something powerful. It's too late to leave the valley now. Quickly find a place to hide inside the valley, and I'll help you conceal your aura."
Fairy Lingyue said in a hurried tone.
A demon beast of the Fire Pattern Python's level was not something Xu Taiping could handle yet.
Xu Taiping glanced around and finally fixed his gaze on a deep pool near the cliff wall of the Bamboo Creek Valley. Without a word, he used the Wind Shadow Step to dart out and leaped into the clear pool water, then leaned back against the stone wall of the pool, quietly observing the situation above.
Because the Residual Afterglow Scripture included the technique of turtle breathing, he wasn't worried about breathing underwater.
Before the ripples on the surface of the pool had completely calmed, Xu Taiping heard a loud noise from the entrance of the valley.
"It's actually a giant ape?"
Through the clear water, Xu Taiping saw a giant ape, about one to two zhang tall, fighting with a similarly large Fire Pattern Python.
The Fire Pattern Python still had a half-eaten ape in its mouth.
This giant ape, though not as large as the one below, was at least one zhang tall.
Clearly, the ape in the Fire Pattern Python's mouth was its prey, and the giant ape had come for it.
At this moment, the giant ape suddenly picked up a huge rock from the ground and smashed it down on the Fire Pattern Python's tail.
Although the Fire Pattern Python had prey in its mouth, its body was still very agile. Before the rock could hit, it had already withdrawn its tail and skillfully whipped it at the giant ape's abdomen, sending it flying with a torn and bleeding body.
"This is a Mountain-Moving Ape, and it has purple-gold eyes, possibly a descendant of a demon sage. However, the bloodline of this one has degenerated, making it no different from an ordinary ape. Otherwise, a true Mountain-Moving Ape would be a hundred zhang tall and could crush the Fire Pattern Python with one step."
Fairy Lingyue's voice echoed in Xu Taiping's mind.
Xu Taiping found it hard to imagine that such a massive demon beast existed in the world.
"Ah, the monkey was swallowed."
Xu Taiping, who was deeply moved, was suddenly startled by the scene of the Fire Pattern Python swallowing the giant ape. He didn't expect the Fire Pattern Python to be able to swallow such a large ape in one bite.
As the Fire Pattern Python swallowed the giant ape, the other giant ape, which had been knocked away by its tail, let out an incredibly angry roar. It then began to surge with red demonic aura, charging at the Fire Pattern Python with a reckless abandon.
"The Fire Pattern Python just swallowed the Mountain-Moving Ape's mate. Mountain-Moving Apes are very emotional and have only one mate for life. It is now planning to go berserk and fight the Fire Pattern Python to the death."
As she spoke, the Mountain-Moving Ape stepped on the Fire Pattern Python's tail and then smashed a huge rock at its head.
With a loud collision, the Fire Pattern Python's head was hit by the Mountain-Moving Ape, which had greatly increased its strength after going berserk, forcing it to retreat into the Bamboo Creek Valley.
The Mountain-Moving Ape wouldn't let this opportunity pass, leaping up and pressing the Fire Pattern Python's head to the ground, entangling its body with its feet, and wildly punching its head.
After going berserk, the Mountain-Moving Ape finally had the strength to face the Fire Pattern Python head-on.
"Going berserk, a demon beast burns its innate demonic blood. Even if the Mountain-Moving Ape wins in the end, it will likely die."
Fairy Lingyue's tone became even more sorrowful.
Just as the Fire Pattern Python was about to give in, it suddenly opened its mouth with all its might and spat out a blood mist at the Mountain-Moving Ape. The blood mist instantly turned into a flame, enveloping the Mountain-Moving Ape.
The Mountain-Moving Ape, engulfed in flames, let out a惨叫。
However, even covered in flames, the Mountain-Moving Ape continued to relentlessly pursue the Fire Pattern Python.
The Fire Pattern Python, taking advantage of the moment when the Mountain-Moving Ape loosened its grip, quickly fled into the Bamboo Creek Valley, heading straight for the Fire Spirit Mushroom.
"Is it looking for the Fire Spirit Mushroom?"
Xu Taiping, somewhat worried, communicated telepathically with Fairy Lingyue.
"Yes, it probably wants to use the Fire Spirit Mushroom to quickly boost its strength to deal with the Mountain-Moving Ape."
Fairy Lingyue agreed with Xu Taiping's deduction.
"If it finds that the Fire Spirit Mushroom is gone, won't it go berserk too?"
Xu Taiping, while keeping an eye on the situation, muttered to himself.
"That's possible. Remember, you must not make any noise when that happens."
Fairy Lingyue reminded Xu Taiping again.
Xu Taiping nodded silently, responding in his mind.
As Xu Taiping had anticipated, the Fire Pattern Python, upon discovering that the Fire Spirit Mushroom was stolen, immediately became furious and let out an angry roar.
At that moment, the Mountain-Moving Ape, covered in flames, leaped from its spot and, following the sound, punched the Fire Pattern Python.