Turning his head, cold sweat began to bead on Lin Tian's brow. Situated adjacent to the Lin family estate, the back mountain was typically free of spirit beasts. However, at this very moment, a Green Leaf Serpent, at the second level of Qi Refining, was coiling on a tree branch, watching him with hungry eyes. Its red tongue flicked in and out, and its golden eyes gleamed with a trace of greed.
Clearly, the abundant spiritual energy Lin Tian had released during his cultivation had become an irresistible temptation for any spirit beast.
Eyes locked on the Green Leaf Serpent, Lin Tian steadily retreated, his breath slowing considerably. Spirit beasts had unique physiques, making their cultivation far more difficult than human cultivators. Yet, due to this, spirit beasts of the same cultivation level were generally stronger than human cultivators.
Moreover, Lin Tian's cultivation was lower than the serpent's by an entire realm.
Just as Lin Tian took a step back, his heel hit a branch behind him. With the sound of cracking wood, the Green Leaf Serpent, as if reacting to a command, leaped forward with frightening speed.
Lin Tian's face changed instantly. Channeling his spiritual power into his feet, he dashed through the forest at a breakneck speed. While running, his mind raced, recalling the knowledge he had learned. "When facing a snake, always avoid running in a straight line; use an S-shaped path."
However, the Green Leaf Serpent was already faster than most spirit beasts, and with its cultivation higher than Lin Tian's, the distance between them was closing rapidly, even as Lin Tian zigzagged.
Lin Tian knew that if this continued, he would inevitably be caught, and death would surely follow.
At that moment, he abandoned any hesitation. All of his spiritual energy surged into his right fist. As the serpent lunged, he threw a punch directly at its vital spot.
With a resounding "Bang," a bloodied hole appeared in the serpent's body. It collapsed, lifeless, without a struggle.
When Lin Tian saw the serpent's body lying motionless, he finally collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. Even now, the memory of that terrifying moment sent shivers through him.
After taking a few deep breaths, Lin Tian struggled to get up. He wasn't sure if the noise had attracted other people or spirit beasts. For safety's sake, it was best to leave quickly.
But just as he was about to turn and leave, a soft green glow flickered in front of him. Pausing, he cautiously approached the serpent's corpse, and a small crystal caught his eye.
"Is this a Beast Crystal?" Lin Tian murmured with growing excitement upon seeing the crystal.
From his memories of this world, he knew that during their cultivation, spirit beasts would sometimes form Beast Crystals—core gems containing pure spiritual power. These crystals were incredibly difficult to form, especially for lower-tier spirit beasts like the Green Leaf Serpent, making this discovery all the more extraordinary.
Though the spiritual energy within the Beast Crystal was tainted by the serpent's essence and could not be directly absorbed by cultivators, most would trade it for money in merchant guilds. But for Lin Tian, this was a unique opportunity.
With his spiritual energy purification device, he could transform the energy in the Beast Crystal into usable power. The energy within this crystal was likely equivalent to the combined spiritual energy of three second-level Qi Refining cultivators, making it an invaluable asset to him.
...
"Brother Xin, I heard you captured a young Green Leaf Serpent King in the Yunze Forest. Might I have the honor of seeing it?" Xu Mo's voice was thick with envy. He clearly hadn't anticipated Lin Xin's incredible luck.
Normally, a fully-grown Green Leaf Serpent would reach the seventh level of Qi Refining, but the Green Leaf Serpent King could reach the fifth level of Foundation Building. Having one as a companion would be an immense asset.
"Ah, it's all just luck. Nothing compared to Brother Xu, who's already reached the third level of Foundation Building at such a young age. Your future is limitless." Lin Xin's tone was humble, but the pride in his eyes was unmistakable. "The young Green Leaf Serpent King is being kept in the Lin family's back mountain. If Brother Xu would like to see it, feel free to follow me."
"The young Green Leaf Serpent King is fragile. Aren't you worried someone might accidentally harm it?" Xu Mo asked, his brow furrowing in concern.
"Brother Xu needn't worry. I've already made arrangements. There are prohibitions set up around the back mountain. Only those of the Lin bloodline can enter without triggering the restrictions. The elders are all busy cultivating, so no one else will enter," Lin Xin assured him, patting his chest confidently. "As for the Green Leaf Serpent King, its cultivation is only at the second level of Qi Refining, but its speed is comparable to a cultivator at the seventh level. Aside from our generation's cultivators, who else could pose a threat?"
But just as Lin Xin was confidently deactivating the restrictions and leading Xu Mo into the back mountain, they were met with the sight of a dead Green Leaf Serpent lying in their path. The smile that had adorned Lin Xin's face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of utter disbelief.
Fury surged in his eyes as his voice echoed through the back mountain. "Who did this?"
Lin Xin had poured untold resources into obtaining this young Green Leaf Serpent King. He had spent over a hundred thousand spirit stones, and the other costs were immeasurable.
But after all the effort, he had finally brought the young serpent back unscathed—only for it to die so soon after. Lin Xin's heart ached as though a blade had been twisted in it.
"All members of the Lin family's younger generation, assemble at the training ground!" Lin Xin's furious shout rang throughout the Lin estate.
The younger generation of the Lin family, perplexed, emerged from their rooms, unaware of what could have provoked such rage from their uncle.
"Who killed the young Green Leaf Serpent King in the back mountain?" Lin Xin's angry gaze swept over everyone present, causing them to tremble in fear. His eyes were filled with a deadly intensity, as though he could tear them apart with just a glance.
The words "back mountain" and "young Green Leaf Serpent King" made Lin Tian's throat dry. Now, he understood why a Beast Crystal had appeared in the serpent he had slain. This Green Leaf Serpent was the young of the Green Leaf Serpent King!
If Lin Xin discovered this, his life would certainly be forfeit.
As Lin Tian nervously prayed for his safety, he caught a glance from Lin Xin. The chill that spread down his spine was palpable.
"Lin Tian," Lin Xin's voice was full of displeasure as he called out.
"Uncle," Lin Tian tensed, shocked that Lin Xin had pinpointed him so quickly.
"What are you, a waste, doing here causing a scene?" Lin Xin's voice was thick with irritation.
"Ah?" Lin Tian was completely stunned by the remark.