- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 232
Under normal circumstances, enlightened demons are generally stronger than their counterparts at the same level because they cultivate with more effective techniques, learn spells, and forge magical treasures. However, there are exceptions, like the Lotus Fairy.
As a lotus that transformed into human form, she wasn’t skilled in combat and spent most of her time refining pills. Consequently, her combat ability was among the weakest in her realm.
Despite her lack of battle prowess, her deep knowledge of alchemy and the rare pills she crafted, which were useful even to Earth Immortals, earned her a high standing in the cultivation world.
For example, the *Zengyuan Pill* she was offering for this task could save cultivators 50 years of hard work—something even the Emei Sect couldn’t produce.
In stark contrast to the Lotus Fairy, the nine-headed demon python was naturally fierce. As a serpent by nature, it was born with great combat ability, and its transformation into the rare nine-headed python made it even stronger than cultivators of the same level.
“Please accept this as a token of my gratitude. Here are *Zengyuan Pills*. Consuming them at the Core Formation stage can save 50 years of cultivation,” the Lotus Fairy said with a wave of her hand, as seven small bottles made of white jade appeared on the table.
However, Chu Yuxiang shook his head and refused. “Fairy, we cannot accept this without first earning it. Let us defeat the demon first, and then we will accept your reward.”
The *Zengyuan Pill* was indeed an extraordinary elixir that could help them advance to the Nascent Soul stage, but as Emei sword cultivators, they had their pride. They wouldn’t accept the reward until the task was complete.
The Lotus Fairy smiled and shook her head. “Whether or not you succeed, you’ve already taken on the risk of fighting the demon. This is what you deserve.”
Although the *Zengyuan Pill* was rare, it wasn’t difficult for her to refine. The most important thing was protecting the reincarnated ganoderma of her master and eliminating the nine-headed demon python.
Knowing the pride and integrity of Emei sword cultivators, she decided it was better to give them the reward now to ensure they would fight even harder when the time came.
After some back-and-forth, Chu Yuxiang finally gave in and had his junior brothers and sisters accept the pills.
Meanwhile, Leo couldn’t help but eye the seven bottles of *Zengyuan Pills* with longing. He wondered if consuming all seven might instantly propel him from the Foundation Establishment stage to forming his golden core. If it were possible, he would’ve gladly stood up and told the Lotus Fairy to give him half the pills, and he’d personally tear the nine-headed python to pieces.
Since receiving the perfected Extremis Virus, Leo no longer feared the life-threatening consequences of opening all eight gates of the *Eight Gates Technique*. He believed that with his current physical strength, opening the eighth gate and unleashing *Evening Elephant* or *Night Guy* might just be enough to defeat a Nascent Soul stage beast, especially since demons were more about brute force than tricky techniques like cultivators.
“Now that we’ve received the pills, we shouldn’t waste any more time. If the Fairy is ready, we can set out to slay the nine-headed python,” Chu Yuxiang suggested, eager to proceed.
But the Lotus Fairy raised her hand, signaling for them to wait. “There’s no need to rush. If we act now, the nine-headed python may sense that I’ve brought help and decide to devour the ganoderma early. That would be a disaster.”
Eating the ganoderma before its transformation would severely diminish its effects, but the python wasn’t foolish. If it sensed danger, it would rather consume it early than risk losing it altogether. A demon capable of reaching the Nascent Soul stage was far more cunning than a wild beast, on par with the most devious humans.
“So what’s your plan, Fairy?” Chu Yuxiang asked, frowning slightly as he recognized the challenge.
The Lotus Fairy explained, “Tomorrow, at exactly three-quarters past noon, the ganoderma will emit a special wave of energy as it transforms. This energy will obscure the spiritual aura in the surrounding area, reducing the sensitivity of all creatures to the spiritual energy around them.
“This ensures the ganoderma’s transformation isn’t detected by other cultivators or demons, offering it some protection. The nine-headed python, which has been guarding the ganoderma, will also be affected. That’s when we’ll have a chance to approach undetected and protect the ganoderma before the python can react.”
The group nodded in agreement, understanding her strategy.
…
The next day, at three-quarters past noon.
Leo, the Seven Sons of the Cloud, and the Lotus Fairy hovered on their magical treasures inside a cloud, about a kilometer away from the mountaintop. They watched closely as a massive python, the size of a six-story building, swung its nine heads—each larger than a car—warily scanning its surroundings.
At the center of the python’s coiled body was a spiritual ganoderma, its form resembling a five- or six-year-old child. The ganoderma was greedily absorbing the spiritual energy gathered at Drunken Immortal Cliff.
Suddenly, the ganoderma trembled, releasing a wave of energy. The surrounding spiritual energy vanished, and the ganoderma itself seemed to transform into a lifeless statue.
Where the nine-headed python’s immense demonic aura could be sensed from kilometers away before, now the group couldn’t detect its presence at all—if they hadn’t been watching with their own eyes, they wouldn’t have known it was still there.
“Now’s our chance!” the Lotus Fairy whispered, transforming into a wisp of mist and flying toward the transforming ganoderma using the Water Escape Technique, one of the Five Elements Escape techniques.
The Five Elements Escape techniques used the forces of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth to move at high speed. The sword escape used by the Seven Sons of the Cloud was part of the Metal Escape technique, while the misty form of the Lotus Fairy was part of the Water Escape technique. The short demon cultivator Leo had encountered earlier had used Earth Escape.
Escape techniques were primarily for high-speed movement, not spatial techniques.
The Seven Sons of the Cloud followed the Lotus Fairy’s lead, transforming into seven streaks of sword light as they charged toward the nine-headed python. Meanwhile, Leo remained seated on his Red Spirit Fire Pearl, resting his chin on his hand, watching the battle unfold from a distance.
“Perfect chance to see the true power of Emei sword cultivators,” he mused.
Since the Lotus Fairy believed Leo to be merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she hadn’t included him in the battle plans. The Seven Sons, though aware of his strength, were confident in their own abilities and didn’t want to trouble him. Thus, Leo became the sole spectator of the battle—at least, for now.
However, Leo couldn’t shake the feeling that they weren’t alone. He wasn’t a cultivator of this world, so he didn’t sense others through spiritual energy or true essence. Instead, his heightened physical senses, honed through numerous enhancements, were alerting him to something.
Still, he hadn’t mentioned this to the others. For one, he didn’t want to alert potential enemies. And second, if everything went smoothly according to plan, he’d walk away from this encounter with the least gain. On the other hand, if something unexpected happened, he might be able to seize the opportunity and profit from the chaos.
(End of chapter)