Sovereign of Chaos

Chapter 7: Miraculous Breakthrough, Third Level

Upon entering the second level of the Strong Blood Realm, Ethan could feel not only a significant increase in strength but also a substantial improvement in his vision. By the light of the candle, he could clearly see leaves more than twenty yards away.

"Rustle" The bush containing the animal trap quivered.

Ethan tiptoed forward, cautiously taking two steps.

Suddenly—

"Whoosh"

"Crack"

A branch as thick as a child's arm was snapped in two! Delicate scales reflected a faint, eerie sheen in the night.

"Damn! A snake?" Ethan was taken aback.

In the past, Ethan had caught wolves, porcupines, and pheasants using his traps, but this was the first time he had caught such a large snake.

"Gulp" Ethan swallowed nervously, his eyes fixed on the snake ten yards away.

It was evident that the snake had been caught by the trap.

The snake struggled ceaselessly.

Surrounding bushes roiled and broke.

"Crack"

"Snap"

Snake blood continued to flow from the undergrowth. Ethan mustered his courage, approached, and pushed the bushes aside to take a look—

"Hisss!"

Ethan gasped, staring at the scene in shock and horror.

A snake over ten feet long and as thick as an adult's arm writhed in the undergrowth, its movements scattering branches and leaves and creating a large clearing. The trap clamped tightly around its neck, blood gushing forth. Its mouth was agape at a 90-degree angle, displaying a crimson forked tongue and razor-sharp fangs capable of striking fear into anyone's heart.

Ethan frowned at the monstrous snake. Its belly was green, while its head emitted a strange blue glow. At this moment, with its mouth wide open, faint traces of crimson blood could be seen seeping out.

"Did this snake eat something it shouldn't have and get poisoned?" Ethan pondered before picking up a stout club as thick as an adult's arm, gathering his strength, and slamming it onto the snake's head.

"Bang!"

The snake's head drooped, and its tail, like a massive whip, suddenly lashed out at Ethan.

Ethan's keen eyes helped him dodge in time. With a "snap," a tree branch as thick as an adult's arm was broken, the residual force leaving a deep indentation in the ground.

Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he quickly retreated to a safe distance of five yards.

Such a snake could be considered a python, possessing considerable power. If caught in its grasp, escape would be difficult. Ethan estimated that it would require a master of at least the fifth or sixth level of the Strong Blood Realm to contend with it.

It was said that after two hundred years, all manner of plants and creatures, from grass and trees to beasts and birds, could develop remarkable spiritual intelligence and evolve into Beast Spirits, possessing various mystical abilities. Even more extraordinary were the Mythical Beasts that emerged after ten thousand years, wielding earth-shaking powers. However, such beings were only ever glimpsed by Ethan in the rarest of historical records.

While Beast Spirits were the nightmares of ordinary people, the appearance of a Mythical Beast heralded disaster.

Ethan crouched patiently beneath a large tree, waiting. Approximately half an hour later, the python finally grew weak. Just as Ethan prepared to approach, the snake's body undulated and, with a wet, gurgling sound, it spat out a dark tokenthe size of a human palm, made of an unknown material that was neither gold nor jade.

"What's this?"

Ethan's gaze sharpened, and he halted his steps, not daring to move forward. Instead, he used the wooden rod in his hand to hook the slab toward him. Upon closer inspection, the black slab seemed unremarkable.

With the python's ominous example before him, Ethan did not dare touch it with his hands, instead carefully wrapping it in a few tree leaves and tucking it into his shirt.

Stealthily, Ethan approached the python and poked it with the wooden rod. Only after confirming that it was entirely dead did he remove the trap and set it up again in a different location.

Then, he hoisted the python onto his shoulders and returned home.

Once home, Ethan dragged the python into a pool to wash it clean before cautiously cutting open its belly. Snake skin, gallbladder, and blood were considered the three treasures of a snake. Snake skin could be refined into fine soft armor, while drinking snake blood could strengthen muscles and bones. Swallowing the snake's gallbladder could even directly increase a person's internal energy cultivation!

Ethan's eyes burned with desire as he licked his dry lips, staring intently at the snake's belly.

 "This python must be fifty or sixty years old. I wonder how effective its gallbladder will be?" He made a small incision in the snake's abdomen and reached in, locating a chicken egg-sized gallbladder.

The gallbladder was still milky white, evidently unspoiled by the black slab's poison. Ethan washed it in clear water before swallowing it whole.

With a gulp, Ethan sat cross-legged, palms facing each other, and circulated his inner energy according to the second layer mantra of the "Azure Ox Method."

In the closed room, a breeze stirred, growing from a gentle zephyr to a sudden gust.

Sand and pebbles were lifted from the ground by the whirlwind, forming a vortex around Ethan as its epicenter.

Ethan's eyes were half-closed, and after about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, warm currents began to emerge from his lower abdomen.

Evidently, the essence of the snake's gallbladder was dissolving and taking effect, its absorption imminent.

He guided this essence throughout his physique, allowing it to flow into his limbs and bones.

In the Continent of Chaos, the Strong Blood Realm signified the strengthening of bloodlines and the refinement of one's physical constitution. It was said that those with profound cultivation could travel through the earth and soar through the heavens. The first requirement for this was an unyielding physique.

The Strong Blood Realm was divided into nine levels, with the ninth being considered complete. Upon reaching this level, one's body would emit an indiscernible glow, invisible to the average person but clear as day to cultivators of the same or higher levels, making it difficult to hide.

The essence of the snake gall continued to be absorbed. Simultaneously, the rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth converged with the earth's sand and stones, swirling around Ethan's body. From a distance, it appeared as if he was enveloped by a massive, azure egg – a truly mysterious sight.

Time passed, the moon set, and dawn approached.

The whirlwind subsided, gradually revealing Ethan's seated figure.

Exhaling a white, turbid breath, he opened his eyes and stood up. "At last, I've reached the third level of the Strong Blood Realm! This snake gall is truly a treasure!" Ethan's eyes sparkled as he felt the surging power within him.

Reaching the third level of the Strong Blood Realm meant that he finally had some ability to defend himself. Most people in Stone Town were at this level, making it a watershed for cultivators.

"Two months to reach the third level of the Strong Blood Realm – I bet no one would believe me!" Ethan grinned.

"This snake is a treasure trove; I can't let it go to waste. Especially this fifty-year-old snake skin, which should fetch at least five taels of silver!"

Silver was a valuable resource, and Ethan was in dire need of it. To purchase the complete Azure Ox Method, he would need at least three to four thousand taels.

Although his salary at Blue Cloud Forge had increased several times and he now earned nearly twenty taels a month, it would still take him ten years of working without spending a single coin to afford the complete method.

"Unfortunately, the snake skin is damaged and won't fetch a high price," Ethan said disappointedly, shaking his head.

After pondering for a moment, he took out the Dark Token from his pocket.