Yang Mei ran towards the two with tears in her eyes.
The golden rainstorm formed by the python scales lasted less than two breaths before disappearing. Countless scales, both broken and intact, were scattered around, many of which were deeply embedded in the cliff, demonstrating the power of the scales.
"Don't worry, it's okay."
Zhou Shu's voice was very tired. Upon closer inspection, he and Yan Yue beside him were covered in a thick layer of golden armor, including their faces, like statues.
However, the golden armor was covered with many marks where the scales had penetrated, and the blood was flowing out uncontrollably.
In the golden rainstorm, at the most critical moment, he reacted incredibly quickly and sent out two golden armor talismans, saving the two lives.
Yan Yue seemed to have just come to her senses, filled with remorse. She quickly apologized to Zhou Shu, "I'm sorry, I was so shocked I forgot."
Zhou Shu stared at her, his face cast as hard as cast iron, and spoke sternly, "I told you several times on the way here that you must not hesitate. You must obey me if you want to complete the mission. Didn't you promise me that? A beast like the Golden Ringed Viper will definitely use desperate moves before its death. Are you still standing there waiting to die?"
"I'm so sorry, I didn't expect it..."
Yan Yue didn't even try to defend herself when Zhou Shu scolded her. Her voice was different from usual, soft as a mosquito.
This time, she was indeed wrong. Zhou Shu and she almost died because of her.
She had indeed promised well before, but with her life on the line, considering Zhou Shu's age and cultivation level, she found it difficult to trust him again.
"Forget it."
Zhou Shu said nothing more, waving his hand casually, and slumping to the ground.
Using two golden armor talismans and maintaining the armor had exhausted his spiritual energy and he could no longer hold on.
The golden armor gradually faded, leaving a gruesome sight. His clothes were almost completely shredded, revealing a body covered in wounds and drenched in blood.
Though his golden armor talisman was of mid-grade quality, it couldn't completely protect against the Golden Ring Kui Python's desperate attack. However, the presence of the golden armor also neutralized much of the python's scales' penetrating power, reducing the force of the impact. While the wound was severe, it wasn't fatal.
Yan Yue glanced at Zhou Shu, saying nothing. She ignored the spiritual fruit and the giant python and squatted down to help heal him.
Compared to Zhou Shu, she was in much better condition, suffering only a few superficial wounds. As a disciple of the seventh level of Qi Refining, her protective shield spells flowed almost instinctively, and the scales didn't cause much damage.
After feeding Zhou Shu two pills, she took out some medicine and carefully applied it.
Yan Yue, usually imposing and heroic, now appeared remarkably gentle.
Her delicate hands gently slid over his body, and with gusts of warm spring breeze, Zhou Shu's injuries gradually began to heal.
Zhou Shu, wounded and weak, could only offer a soft smile of gratitude.
Gazing at Yan Yue, he felt a mixture of emotions. Yan Yue had performed exceptionally well previously, but those two moments of hesitation—failure to attack the Golden Ringed Kui Python's weak spot and evasion—had nearly cost them everything.
He wouldn't place blame on her. Their relationship wasn't yet at the point where they could freely discuss things, and perhaps after this mission, their paths would never cross again.
Seeing that the two were unharmed, Yang Mei quickly broke down into laughter. While tending to their injuries, she curiously inquired, "Brother, what is a chrysanthemum?"
Zhou Shu was taken aback. In his haste, he had spoken words from another world, forgetting that this world didn't understand them.
"According to the terminology here, it's called 'valley path,' right?"
he explained slowly after a moment's deliberation.
Yan Yue blushed at his words, and her hand, applying the medicine, paused in mid-air.
Yang Mei's eyes widened, her curiosity growing even stronger. "The Valley Path?"
"Well, that's the Golden Ringed Kui Python's greatest weakness, like the weak spot of some warriors—a breach that kills. Normally, it's covered in golden scales, providing ample protection. But when it's struck by lightning and curls up into a ball, a tiny flaw appears, allowing it to be pierced."
Zhou Shu had read this from a handwritten tome, authored by a senior from the Wuwang Sect. Several of that senior's companions had perished at the hands of the Golden Ringed Kui Python, but he, by chance, had discovered its weakness and narrowly escaped.
Yang Mei nodded, half-comprehending, but continued to ask, "Oh, Senior Brother Zhou, but what exactly is the Valley Path?"
Yan Yue frowned and gently patted Yang Mei on the head. "Don't ask anymore. I'll tell you when we get back."
"Oh."
Seeing Yan Yue's strange expression, Yang Mei nodded quickly and obediently shut up.
"Yangmei, go pick up those golden scales. They're good materials."
Yangmei responded, skipping over and squatting on the ground, picking up the scales one by one.
Zhou Shu glanced at the busy Yan Yue and smiled. "I'm fine now. You go get the spiritual fruit."
"Got it."
Yan Yue stood up and obediently went to pick the spiritual fruit.
After this battle, she seemed to have a sense of obedience to Zhou Shu's orders. Since everything he said was correct, his Qi Refining Realm level one and his teenage years were nothing.
The spiritual fruit hung high on the cliff, but it was easy for her to reach. With a light push of her feet, she gracefully tapped the cliff face several times and plucked the fruit.
Looking at the long-coveted spiritual fruit, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"This time, it's all thanks to Junior Brother Zhou. If Junior Brother Zhou wants it, you can take it."
Yan Yue held the spiritual fruit in front of Zhou Shu, her face sincere.
"This is your mission, how could I possibly take it? We agreed that I only want the demon pill of the Golden Ring Kui Python."
Zhou Shu waved his hands and frowned slightly as he looked at the spiritual fruit. "By the way, it looks like this spiritual fruit is just an ordinary second-level one. The value is not too high. Why do you want to take the risk to do this mission?"
The spiritual fruit was only the size of an egg, cinnabar in color, and did not have much spiritual energy.
Yan Yue explained, "This isn't just any spiritual fruit, but the extremely rare Vermillion Fruit. The sect mission's rewards are incredibly high, and many people are vying for it. I got it early, and only I know the mission's location, so many people are trying to buy the information from me. If it weren't for you, I'd probably have to sell it, haha."
Looking at Zhou Shu, her eyes were filled with gratitude and genuine interest.
"Vermillion Fruit? The kind used for alchemy?"
Zhou Shu glanced at it for a moment, surprised.
The Vermillion Fruit is incredibly famous in the world of immortal cultivation; even Zhou Shu, who doesn't know much about alchemy, has heard of it.
It's said to be a very special second-tier spiritual fruit. While it contains little spiritual energy and isn't very beneficial to cultivators when consumed directly, it can harmonize many high-level spiritual ingredients, making it an essential auxiliary ingredient in refining several fourth-tier elixirs.
The ingredients required for refining elixirs often conflict with each other, making it difficult to create, leaving alchemists frustrated and helpless.
But with the Vermillion Fruit, the problem is easily solved.
The value of the Zhu Fruit is far beyond the reach of ordinary second-level materials, and even exceeds that of many third-level spiritual fruits.