Zhou Yan's eyes widened in shock. "This is actually the legendary Seven-Leaf Lingzhi!"
The Seven-Leaf Lingzhi was an extremely rare spiritual medicine. It was said to grow in peculiar environments and required tens of thousands of years to mature.
According to legend, consuming the Seven-Leaf Lingzhi could extend one's lifespan by decades, or even a century!
Even if it were just a legend, it was enough to prove that this item's value far surpassed ordinary spiritual medicines.
It was important to note that for martial artists, tempering their flesh and blood, as well as their muscles and bones, was paramount. Only by refining these would their combat power significantly increase.
The Seven-Leaf Lingzhi was a divine elixir for strengthening muscles, bones, skin, and membranes. Even a Xiantian Wuzong would find it irresistible and would vie for it.
"No wonder this Silver-Horned Wolf Spider was so powerful. It was hiding a Seven-Leaf Lingzhi here."
Zhou Yan murmured to himself, greed reflected in his eyes, wishing he could pounce on the lingzhi immediately.
However, as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he suddenly sobered up. His expression flickered several times before he finally gritted his teeth and said, "The Seven-Leaf Lingzhi is indeed priceless, but I cannot pick it right now. If I force it, I might end up burning myself."
"Moreover, although the Seven-Leaf Lingzhi is a divine medicine, it also contains potent poison. If I were to eat it directly, even with my Xiantian True Qi protecting me, I probably wouldn't last long. I might even die on the spot."
"That would be a waste of this Seven-Leaf Lingzhi."
Shaking his head, Zhou Yan took a deep breath, suppressing his surging emotions. He then turned and walked toward another area.
...
After a while.
Zhou Yan's gaze fell upon a winding stream not far away. The stream babbled, and in the middle of it grew a tree as thick as a bowl, entirely black. The trunk was covered with many dense branches, from which hung small, purplish-red berries as thick as a thumb, exuding a rich fragrance into the air.
"Thousand-Year Blood Ginseng!"
Zhou Yan's breathing suddenly quickened.
The Thousand-Year Blood Ginseng was a spiritual medicine even rarer than the Seven-Leaf Lingzhi. Once consumed, it could help a Martial Master break through the Xiantian bottleneck, successfully advance to the Martial Marquis realm, improve their physique, and extend their lifespan.
At this moment, the Thousand-Year Blood Ginseng had matured. Zhou Yan knew without a doubt that this tree must have been harvested by the demonic beasts here. However, scattered around the Thousand-Year Blood Ginseng tree were several Thousand-Year Blood Ginseng fruits, the size of thumbs. Clearly, these fruits were traces left by the Silver-Horned Wolf Spider.
"Good luck."
A slight smile curved Zhou Yan's lips. He then strode towards the Thousand-Year Blood Ginseng tree.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Zhou Yan stopped, sensing a dangerous aura.
Instinctively, he turned his head. He saw a massive figure slowly rising, staring at him. Its scarlet snake eyes were filled with bloodlust and ferocity. It was clear that this giant python had already marked Zhou Yan as prey.
"Hiss hiss hiss~~"
Suddenly, the giant python opened its cavernous mouth, and a greenish-blue liquid spewed towards Zhou Yan with lightning speed.
"Hmph!"
Zhou Yan snorted coldly and struck out with his palm, shattering the greenish-blue liquid. At the same time, his body shot out like a phantom, instantly closing in on the giant python.
*Swoosh!*
With a soft sound, Zhou Yan's arm swung, and his dagger plunged fiercely into the python's neck. Blood spurted out. The python let out a scream and crashed to the ground, dead.
"Roar..."
Just then, an angry roar suddenly sounded.
Immediately after, Zhou Yan saw a demonic beast, entirely crimson and resembling a lion, charging from the depths of the jungle. It exuded a fierce aura, clearly disturbed by the preceding shrill cry.
"Peak Divine General!"
Zhou Yan narrowed his eyes, staring at the demonic beast. Its aura was no less than that of the Silver-Horned Wolf Spider, and on its forehead, a tuft of yellowish-brown short fur stood out conspicuously, clearly indicating it was an earth-element demonic beast.
"Roar!"
The earth-yellow giant python roared, flicking its massive body, and charged horizontally towards Zhou Yan.
"Seeking death!"
Zhou Yan's expression was calm. His figure flickered, completely evading the earth-yellow giant python's attack.
*Bang bang bang!*
The earth-yellow giant python frantically twisted its enormous tail, smashing ancient trees nearby, but Zhou Yan had already dodged, leaving him unharmed.
"Beast, still so arrogant?"
Zhou Yan sneered, stomped his foot, and his figure vanished from his original position. The next moment, he reappeared behind the giant python, his dagger cutting through the air with a cold glint.
*Screech!*
Blood splattered. The giant python's tail was severed by Zhou Yan's blade.
"Awoo!"
The giant python screamed in pain, twisting its body in an attempt to struggle. However, its tough scales could not stop Zhou Yan. Seizing the opportunity, Zhou Yan plunged his dagger fiercely into the python's skull, digging out its entire head and placing it into his storage ring.
Subsequently, Zhou Yan's gaze fell upon the giant python's corpse, a fiery passion in his eyes.
While the Thousand-Year Blood Ginseng was valuable, the giant python's corpse was also priceless. Sold on the market, it would fetch at least a hundred to two hundred thousand heavenly coins.
After all, this giant python was a fifth-tier demonic beast, and its entire body was a treasure. Its thick scales, in particular, were like defensive spirit artifacts. If an ordinary person wore these scales, they would likely not be harmed even by bullets.
Furthermore, the giant python's skin and meat were rich in nutritional value. For ordinary people, it was a supreme delicacy that could prolong life. For martial artists, it could be used to refine various healing and restorative spiritual medicines.
"This giant python is enough to refine three Grade Six Qi Gathering Pills, and they would be top-tier Grade Six spiritual medicines, priceless!"
Zhou Yan licked his lips. Although this giant python was a fifth-tier demonic beast, due to its low bloodline level, it was merely in its juvenile stage, with actual combat power likely below third-tier. This was precisely the material Zhou Yan needed.
Moreover, the most crucial point was that this was a primeval forest with numerous demonic beasts. It would not be easy for Zhou Yan to gather Thousand-Year Blood Ginseng in a short period.
"This is no place to linger!"
Zhou Yan surveyed his surroundings and quickly made a decision.
*Whoosh~*
The next moment, Zhou Yan leaped several meters and then jumped onto a nearby boulder, using it to conceal his tracks. Simultaneously, he held his breath, minimizing his presence.