The Villain Marked the Protagonist's Fiancée (Through the Book) - Chapter 22

Fang Zhiluo initially didn’t understand Yun Xiao’s actions, but she gradually came to appreciate the wisdom behind them, her eyes reflecting admiration.

Compared to her reckless behavior during their first encounter, Yun Xiao had matured significantly, now understanding the importance of leaving herself an escape route.

The medicinal pill dissolved instantly upon entering Xie Yunfan’s mouth, leaving him no time to spit it out.

Forcing him to swallow medicine from his enemy was more humiliating than any beating.

His clenched fists bulged with veins, his eyes burning with hatred. He vowed to repay this humiliation a hundredfold, a thousandfold.

And Fang Zhiluo—he would make that traitorous wretch pay dearly for siding with the enemy.

Yun Xiao, however, paid no heed to Xie Yunfan’s inner turmoil. She found a place to sit and asked, “Do we have to keep this deadweight around?”

Xie Yunfan erupted in fury, glaring at Yun Xiao with such hatred that he wished he could carve her into a thousand pieces.

Seeing Xie Yunfan’s bloodshot eyes, Fang Zhiluo sighed helplessly. “The Azure Cloud Sect and Heavenly Evolution Sect have always been allies,” she explained. “Now that Martial Uncle Xie is severely injured, I can’t simply ignore his plight, out of both duty and compassion.”

She paused, then added, “If you have other matters to attend to, feel free to leave.”

Unlike Yun Xiao, Fang Zhiluo couldn’t dismiss Xie Yunfan as if he were nothing. Nor did she want to exacerbate the conflict between Yun Xiao and Xie Yunfan with careless words.

Yun Xiao made no attempt to hide her disdain. “With this useless burden around, you’ll only be slowed down. I can’t trust you to handle this.”

She didn’t trust Xie Yunfan and A’Luo together, nor did she trust A’Luo’s safety.

Recalling the Azure Bull Beast’s words, she glanced sideways at Xie Yunfan. “Useless one, where did you come from? Who injured you?”

Fang Zhiluo interjected, “I already asked. Martial Uncle Xie came from the northwest and was wounded by a Tenth-Rank Black Heaven Giant Python.”

Yun Xiao stood up, her gaze fixed on Xie Yunfan. “Where is that Black Heaven Giant Python? Where is it now?”

Like monkeys, giant pythons were notoriously vengeful.

Xie Yunfan, as the Male Lead and the disciple of the Cloud Splendor Sword Sovereign, possessed numerous life-saving artifacts. Yet he had still been severely injured. Cultivation differences aside, the most likely explanation was that Xie Yunfan had thoroughly enraged the Black Heaven Giant Python.

She didn’t know how Xie Yunfan had temporarily shaken off the python, but she was certain it wouldn’t give up easily.

With this in mind, she declared, “Let’s go.”

Fang Zhiluo’s thoughts aligned perfectly with Yun Xiao’s. Her reason for staying had been to wait for Yun Xiao’s arrival.

She nodded to Bai Mofeng, who immediately stepped forward. “Junior Martial Ancestor Xie, let me assist you.”

This time, Xie Yunfan didn’t resist. His face grim, he allowed Bai Mofeng to support him.

The group of eleven boarded Fang Zhiluo’s Flying Spirit Tool and sped away.

Four hours later, Yun Xiao suddenly sensed something was wrong. “Damn it,” she said grimly, “it’s catching up.”

The Black Heaven Giant Python had closed the distance in such a short time, its speed surpassing that of their Flying Spirit Tool.

The occupants of the Flying Spirit Tool were either weak or injured, no match for the Black Heaven Giant Python.

Clutching her sword tightly, Yun Xiao declared resolutely, “You all go on ahead. I’ll deal with it.”

Fang Zhiluo handed the Seventh-Tier Defense Formation Plate to Chu Hui, instructing, “Most of the year has passed. Head straight to the exit and wait for me there.”

Turning to Yun Xiao, she added, “I’m coming with you.”

The Black Heaven Giant Python had come for Xie Yunfan. Since she had chosen to keep him, she had to take responsibility for her decision. She couldn’t let Yun Xiao face the danger alone.

Seeing Fang Zhiluo’s unwavering determination, Yun Xiao nodded. Together, they leaped off the Flying Spirit Tool and advanced toward the Black Heaven Giant Python.

Bai Mofeng, though worried, remembered Fang Zhiluo’s instructions. Silently, he tossed two High-Grade Spirit Stones into the Flying Spirit Tool and affixed two Swift Travel Talismans to its hull, causing it to vanish rapidly from the area.

The Black Heaven Giant Python caught Xie Yunfan’s scent on Yun Xiao and Fang Zhiluo, its fury erupting as it lashed out with its tail.

The pair narrowly dodged the strike. Yun Xiao instructed, “A’Luo, retreat to the side and wait for an opening.”

Knowing her strength paled in comparison to Yun Xiao’s, Fang Zhiluo obeyed and retreated to the side.

Yun Xiao soared into the air, unleashing her self-created sword techniques against the Black Heaven Giant Python.

She quickly understood the Azure Bull Beast’s warning: though both were Tenth-Tier Demonic Beasts, the Black Heaven Giant Python’s power far surpassed the bull’s.

So what? she thought. With the Spirit Spring in my Inner Space, I could battle this python for a year without tiring.

Deciding on a strategy, Yun Xiao held back her full strength, focusing on attrition.

The Black Heaven Giant Python gradually caught on and unleashed its ultimate attack.

Prepared for this, Yun Xiao narrowly dodged the earth-shattering strike.

Having fought her for so long and used its ultimate move, the python must have depleted a significant amount of Spiritual Power.

Yun Xiao glanced at Fang Zhiluo, who was poised to strike, and exchanged a knowing look. She soared higher, channeling eighty percent of her Spiritual Power into a Rain-Summoning Talisman and an Iron Wall Talisman, amplifying the Thunder and Lightning to its maximum potential.

Bolts of lightning thicker than water buckets coursed through the Black Heaven Giant Python’s body, the excruciating pain driving it into a frenzy.

Yun Xiao narrowly avoided the python’s desperate lunge and seized the opportunity to strike again with a sword strike fueled by eighty percent of her power, inflicting further wounds on the already weakened beast.

Fang Zhiluo formed hand seals, cutting off the python’s retreat.

Yun Xiao gulped down half a bottle of Spirit Spring, her eyes fixed on the battle between Fang Zhiluo and the Black Heaven Giant Python.

Thanks to Fang Zhiluo’s efforts, the Black Heaven Giant Python had already expended a significant portion of its Spiritual Power.

Despite the difference in their Cultivation levels, Fang Zhiluo was holding her own against the python, preventing it from overwhelming her.

Whether inspired by watching Yun Xiao’s battle with the python or due to the effects of the Spirit Spring, Fang Zhiluo actually advanced in her Cultivation during the fight.

Yun Xiao gave the Black Heaven Giant Python no chance to catch its breath, nor would she allow it to interrupt Fang Zhiluo’s advancement.

Luring the python ten miles away, she tossed a triggered Sixth-Tier Defensive Formation Plate toward Fang Zhiluo’s position before leaving.

This enraged the Black Heaven Giant Python. “Arrogant whelp! I will devour you whole!”

“With what little Spiritual Energy you have left?” Yun Xiao taunted, waving the Spirit Spring in her hand. “I can replenish my Spiritual Power anytime, anywhere. I’ll exhaust you to death if I have to.”

The python’s eyes blazed with fury, its venomous gaze enough to make anyone’s scalp tingle.

Yun Xiao merely shrugged. “Admit it,” she said, “you can’t kill me. But if I put in the effort, your centuries of Cultivation will only end up nourishing this Secret Realm.”

Enraged, the Black Heaven Giant Python lashed out with its tail.

Yun Xiao easily dodged the attack, her outstretched hands silently daring the python to strike again.

With her seemingly inexhaustible Spiritual Power, the Black Heaven Giant Python couldn’t devise a single move capable of crushing Yun Xiao in one blow.

After much deliberation, it decided to retreat to its Cave Abode to recover.

Yun Xiao followed closely behind, even revealing her true form to keep up with the Black Heaven Giant Python.

Seeing this, the Black Heaven Giant Python exclaimed in astonishment, “You’re a Demon Cultivator!”

Yun Xiao flashed a radiant smile. “What do you think? Surprised? Unexpected?”

The Black Heaven Giant Python remained silent.

“In such a hurry? Are you inviting me to your Cave Abode to give me a welcome gift?”

The python’s tail lashed out in response.

“Hmph, I have a tail too,” Yun Xiao retorted, her own tail meeting the python’s strike mid-air.

The Black Heaven Giant Python was shocked again, grinding its teeth. “Using Thunder is cowardly!”

Yun Xiao rolled her eyes. “What? You can ambush me, but I can’t use Thunder?”

Estimating that A’Luo should have completed her advancement by now, Yun Xiao immediately proposed, “Here’s the deal: give me a few welcome gifts and stop obsessing over that useless man, and I’ll leave you alone.”

“None remain. The male cultivator stole them while I was away.”

Yun Xiao’s jaw dropped. “He robbed your entire home? No wonder you’re so relentless!” She leaned closer. “Not a single thing left?”

The Black Heaven Giant Python’s Spiritual Energy surged violently. “I will take his life. If you don’t interfere, I’ll give you two Spirit Treasures.”

Yun Xiao’s eyes darted around as she bargained. “I won’t interfere, but you must strike when he’s alone. And you’re being stingy—only two Spirit Treasures? Make it four at least.”

“One more item, and don’t get greedy,” the Black Heaven Giant Python warned.

Yun Xiao knew when to quit. “Fine,” she agreed, reminding him, “Remember, strike only when he’s alone. Don’t worry, I’ll create the opportunity.”

This way, the Black Heaven Giant Python could vent its anger, and she could use its power to eliminate Xie Yunfan.

A win-win situation.

“If you betray me, I’ll take your life too,” the python declared, retrieving three Spirit Treasures from its Inner Space and tossing them to Yun Xiao.

Yun Xiao eagerly caught the treasures, but before she could make another move, the Black Heaven Giant Python vanished.

Oh well, she thought. At least I got the Spirit Treasures. These are superior to Top-Grade Magic Artifacts—they’ll still be useful even after ascending to the Upper Realm.

Unfortunately, only one of the three treasures was an offensive Spirit Treasure; the other two were defensive.

Hmm, why does this sword look so similar to mine?

Yun Xiao hastily retrieved the Spirit Sword she’d obtained from the Phantom Beast. As soon as the two swords drew near, they merged into one, the original silver-white blade transforming into a vibrant purple. The razor-sharp edge gleamed with a cold light under the slanting sunlight.

Her heart pounded with excitement, her eyes sparkling with delight. She loved this sword.

Transforming into her human form, she reached out and grasped the hilt. There, etched into the metal, were the words “Purple Frost.”

Without hesitation, she drew a drop of bl00d and forged a contract with Purple Frost.

At first, Purple Frost trembled violently, resisting the contract, but its resistance crumbled before the might of her Divine Soul.

The moment the contract was sealed, the sword’s origins flooded her mind. Forged tens of thousands of years ago by an Immortal-Grade artificer, Purple Frost embodied the elements of Thunder (purple) and Water (frost).

Its original master had been a cultivator with a Dual Spirit Root, skilled in wielding dual swords. This cultivator’s mastery had given rise to Purple Frost. Over twenty thousand years ago, during a great war in the Immortal Realm, the original master perished, and Purple Frost was swept into the Void, eventually drifting to this place.

Lowering her gaze to the sword, Yun Xiao murmured, “Still hiding, Sword Spirit?”

Forged by an Immortal-Grade artificer and nurtured for tens of thousands of years by its original master, Purple Frost had long since given birth to a Sword Spirit.

A soft, childlike voice echoed in Yun Xiao’s Sea of Consciousness: “Hmph! Master hates Demon Cultivators the most!”

Yun Xiao tapped the sword’s blade. “What’s wrong with Demon Cultivators? Whether you admit it or not, I am your master now.”

“I’m not listening! I’m not listening!”

Yun Xiao flourished the sword with a single hand, a wicked smile playing on her lips. “If you refuse to serve me, then I have no need to keep you. I’ve always wondered what the difference is between a ‘sh1t-stirring sword’ and a ‘sh1t-stirring stick.’ You’ll make the perfect test subject.”

“Waaah… I don’t want to be a sh1t-stirring sword! I, I submit! I submit!”

Yun Xiao smirked triumphantly, thinking, You’re still too green to outsmart me.

Perhaps because this was the Black Heaven Giant Python’s territory, the area was eerily quiet, and mid-grade and high-grade spirit herbs grew in abundance.

True to her philosophy that even a mosquito’s bite is still a meal, Yun Xiao enthusiastically dug up the spirit herbs.

Sensing Fang Zhiluo’s approach, she immediately stood up and waved. “A’Luo, come quick! There are so many high-grade spirit herbs here!”

The pair spent two days harvesting spirit herbs, eventually clearing most of the nearby area.

After casting a cleansing spell on herself, Yun Xiao pointed southeast and suggested, “A’Luo, let’s go that way. We might find something unexpected.”

This time, it wasn’t her intuition speaking, but the Dragon Egg in her Spirit Beast Pouch urging her to go.

Fang Zhiluo hesitated. “But we’ve already been delayed for half a month. What if our Junior Nephews—”

Yun Xiao cut her off. “A’Luo, from my perspective, you’ve already done more than enough for your fellow disciples. They have their own paths to walk and can’t always rely on you.”

“Besides, it’s been half a month. Even if that useless Xie hasn’t fully recovered, he should be mostly healed by now. With the Seventh-Tier Defense Formation Plate you gave them, they’ll be fine as long as they don’t encounter Ninth-Tier or Tenth-Tier Demonic Beasts.”

Fang Zhiluo was convinced. “If we go that way, no matter what we find, we’ll still need to regroup with them afterward.”

Yun Xiao readily agreed. Before leaving, she made sure to leave a message for the Black Heaven Giant Python.