Chapter 327: Division of Labor and Cooperation

"No matter what their relationship is, the hunter spirit dog was killed by the Blue-Patterned Python. We absolutely cannot let it go, nor the Blue-Fish Cicada," Xiao Tianzheng said with a grim expression. He had paid a significant price to acquire a second-tier hunter spirit dog, only for it to die at the hands of the Blue-Patterned Python.

Before they could act, the Blue-Fish Cicadas attacked first. Flapping their wings, they released massive wind blades that slashed towards Wang Changsheng and the other four, continuously beating their wings as they charged.

The giant wind blades were incredibly fast, appearing before the five in an instant. However, Chen Yuhan reacted even quicker. She pulled out a blue command flag, gave it a gentle shake, and its surface immediately shone brightly. A large expanse of blue light specks materialized out of thin air, forming a hazy blue water wall that blocked their path.

Dozens of giant wind blades struck the blue water wall, causing ripples across its surface.

The Blue-Patterned Python twisted its thick body, leaving a clear indentation on the ground, and flicked its tongue as it lunged straight at Wang Changsheng. Several Blue-Fish Cicadas scattered, attacking the five from all directions.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, you and I will deal with the Blue-Patterned Python. Junior Brother Xiao, you and Fellow Daoist Wang's brother will handle the Blue-Fish Cicadas. Junior Sister Chen will protect us," Zhao Wuji assigned the roles.

Chen Yuhan tossed the blue command flag forward. With a hand seal, the flag's surface erupted in dazzling blue light, circling the five individuals several times before transforming into a hazy blue water curtain that enveloped them.

Wang Changsheng released four second-tier mid-grade puppet beasts—two spider puppets and two scorpion puppets—that lunged towards the Blue-Patterned Python. Zhao Wuji drew a long red saber and slashed it at the attacking python. Several red saber qi, over ten feet long, flashed out and struck directly at the Blue-Patterned Python.

The Blue-Patterned Python opened its mouth and spat out a beam of green light, which transformed into a several-foot-tall green wind wall, blocking its front.

"Boom!" The green wind wall was shattered by several red saber qi, erupting in a large blast of air.

Several red saber qi struck the Blue-Patterned Python, leaving only a few shallow white marks on its body.

The two spider puppets each let out a strange cry and sprayed a white spiderweb, covering the Blue-Patterned Python. Due to its massive size, the Blue-Patterned Python couldn't dodge and was enveloped by the white spiderwebs. However, it quickly opened its mouth and spat out some green liquid, which, upon hitting the spiderwebs, produced a puff of green smoke.

With several "whoosh" sounds, multiple giant wind blades flew out from its mouth, tearing the two spiderwebs to shreds. The giant wind blades struck the two spider puppets, producing "clanking" metallic sounds and leaving two shallow white marks.

The ground suddenly became uneven, emitting flashes of yellow light. A dozen sharp yellow earth spikes broke through the soil, impaling the Blue-Patterned Python. Two dark figures emerged from underground, striking directly at the python's abdomen.

The Blue-Patterned Python let out a tragic cry, its abdomen showing faint crimson discoloration. Its abdomen was its most vulnerable spot; fortunately, it was only pierced through the skin. It roared strangely, twisting its thick body and crushing the dozen sharp yellow earth spikes.

Two gigantic yellow scorpions suddenly burst out from underground, their surfaces gleaming with a metallic luster—they were indeed puppet beasts. The two giant scorpion puppet beasts opened their large pincers, clamping onto the Blue-Patterned Python's thick body with lightning speed. Their tail stingers became a blur, frantically striking the python's back, but failed to injure it, only angering it further.

The Blue-Patterned Python opened its mouth and spat out a large amount of green liquid. It hit one of the giant scorpion puppet beasts, instantly producing a puff of green smoke, and the areas touched by the liquid became pitted and uneven.

At this moment, a sharp whooshing sound echoed as over a dozen red saber qi flashed out, transforming into a gigantic crimson tiger. With its jaws wide open, it leaped several feet high and pounced on the Blue-Patterned Python.

The crimson tiger was incredibly fast and quickly reached the Blue-Patterned Python. It opened its gaping maw and bit down on the python's head, breaking several scales, though no blood was drawn.

The Blue-Patterned Python's eyes turned blood-red as it sprayed a large expanse of green wind blades, shattering the crimson tiger.

A deafening dragon roar echoed as a gigantic white flood dragon flew forward, opening its mouth to spray a white light beam that struck the Blue-Patterned Python's neck in a flash, instantly forming a thick layer of ice.

Zhao Wuji conjured the red gourd at his waist, casting a spell upon it. Dozens of red flying daggers shot out, heading straight for the Blue-Patterned Python. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and the red saber in his hand flared with light as he slashed it through the air towards the python.

A flash of red light, and a red saber qi over twenty feet long swept out, striking the Blue-Patterned Python in an instant.

A mournful shriek rang out as multiple scales fell from the Blue-Patterned Python, revealing faint crimson blood underneath. The four second-tier puppet beasts also rushed to the Blue-Patterned Python's side, attacking it fiercely.

Two fists cannot contend with four hands. This Blue-Patterned Python was merely an ordinary second-tier high-grade demon beast and no match for Wang Changsheng and his companion. Dozens of red flying daggers continuously hacked at the python's back, causing green scales to peel off one by one, leaving it bleeding profusely.

Realizing the dire situation, the Blue-Patterned Python opened its mouth and spat out a large amount of green liquid onto one of the giant scorpion puppet beasts, instantly causing puffs of green smoke. The giant scorpion puppet beast's movements became sluggish.

The Blue-Patterned Python sprayed a large expanse of green wind blades, shattering the giant scorpion puppet beast. Its thick tail swayed from side to side, sending the two spider puppet beasts flying backward one after another. Seizing this opportunity, it quickly fled back the way it came.

Wang Changsheng formed a hand seal, and the white flood dragon descended from the sky, its massive body pressing down on the Blue-Patterned Python. The python let out a mournful shriek, its upper body twisting and its tail thrashing continuously.

The red saber in Zhao Wuji's hand flared with light. He slashed it through the air towards the Blue-Patterned Python, and a several-foot-long red rainbow shot out, striking the python in an instant.

After unleashing this strike, his face turned pale, clearly having expended a significant amount of magical power.

The heavily wounded Blue-Patterned Python's defense was already greatly diminished, and it naturally could not withstand Zhao Wuji's attack.

With a final shriek, the red rainbow severed the Blue-Patterned Python's head. Blood stained the ground.

Meanwhile, Wang Changfeng and Xiao Tianzheng teamed up, continuously unleashing spells to attack the Blue-Fish Cicadas. The cicadas, with their nimble bodies, constantly dodged their attacks.

After dealing with the Blue-Patterned Python, Wang Changsheng and Zhao Wuji freed themselves to confront the Blue-Fish Cicadas.

Realizing the unfavorable situation, the Blue-Fish Cicadas scattered and fled with extreme speed. Two cicadas were killed, while the others escaped deep into the bamboo forest and disappeared.

Chen Yuhan dispelled her defense. The five then divided tasks: some processed the demon beast materials, while others harvested the Green Jade Ganoderma.

Wang Changsheng had previously told Zhao Wuji and the other two that all the spirit souls of the second-tier demon beasts they hunted would belong to him.

The spirit souls of the second-tier demon beasts belonged to Wang Changsheng. Wang Changfeng received a second-tier demon core, and the remaining materials went to Zhao Wuji and the other two.

"This is troublesome. With the hunter spirit dog dead, we'll have to wander aimlessly if we want to find spirit medicine and demon beasts," Xiao Tianzheng said regretfully as he put away the hunter spirit dog's corpse.

"Wandering aimlessly is fine. As long as we don't encounter pack-dwelling demon beasts, the five of us working together can easily handle anything," Zhao Wuji said with a slight smile, dismissing the concern.

Wang Changsheng hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "I've tamed a second-tier mid-grade two-eyed rat. It's skilled at finding spirit medicine, so with its help, we won't have to wander aimlessly. However, in terms of speed, it can't compare to a hunter spirit dog."

Wandering aimlessly in the mountain range would be a waste of time.

He patted his spirit beast bag, and the two-eyed rat poked its head out, looking around nervously, its dark, beady eyes darting constantly.

"A two-eyed rat! I used to have one too, but unfortunately, it died in the mouth of a second-tier demon beast before it reached the second tier. A two-eyed rat's speed really can't compare to a hunter spirit dog's, but it's perfectly fine for finding spirit medicine," Chen Yuhan said with a surprised smile.

Groups that make a living by hunting demon beasts usually keep spirit beasts for finding spirit medicine, and two-eyed rats are naturally among those tamed. However, spirit rats find it harder to advance in cultivation than other spirit beasts. Even if diligently cultivated to the second tier, they often die at the hands of second-tier demon beasts. Furthermore, aside from finding spirit medicine, two-eyed rats are not helpful in combat. Therefore, not many cultivators choose to raise them.