High-Level Martial Era

From hundreds of meters away, he gazed at the Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Wood at the bottom of the gorge.

Li Yuan's heart thumped with excitement, "All three fruits are already showing a silvery sheen, which clearly indicates they are entering the mature phase, and they should not be far from full maturity... And according to the data, a normal Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Wood only grows three to six meters tall, so why is this one ten meters tall?"

A Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Wood that grows three to six meters tall bears 'fruit' that is Third Rank treasures, invaluable.

If it's ten meters tall, what rank of treasure would that be? Logically, it would only be more precious.

Could it be Fourth Rank?

"Judging from its appearance, the fruits have begun to mature and can definitely be harvested, though their effect might be slightly inferior," Li Yuan's eyes were fixed on those three fruits.

According to the records, a Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Wood might only bear fruit two to three times in its life, each time yielding only 2-4 fruits, and how it grows has always been a mystery.

This was a Heavenly Material Treasure that could not be mass-produced.

How much was a Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Fruit worth? Li Yuan didn't know, because treasures of this caliber were too scarce and rare in the Seven Stars human civilization.

Most were traded or consumed in private.

Even if they were put on sale, they typically appeared only at high-end auctions, where the price varied each time.

For Third Rank treasures of the same level, like the Soul-Nurturing Nine-Leaf Grass, based on the information Li Yuan found, one plant exceeded 2 billion Blue Star Coins at a recent auction organized by Xia Country.

How much were three Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Fruits worth? At least several tens of billions of Blue Star Coins.

It was absolutely a huge fortune!!

"I must seize them."

"Definitely." Li Yuan's heart pounded with various thoughts surfacing in his mind.

"Whether it's for what my uncle needs."

"Or for my normal cultivation in the future, I need a huge amount of resources," Li Yuan thought to himself, "To a great extent, I can only rely on myself."

The resources of the entire Seven Stars human civilization were limited.

Even for the unparalleled geniuses, there was a limit to the support they could receive.

The 'Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal' provided by Kunlun Martial University, the S-grade contract offered by the Martial Hall, along with some Heavenly Materials Treasures, were essentially top-level support.

All added up, until Li Yuan graduated from university, the total value would hardly exceed one hundred billion Blue Star Coins.

There was a vague line to this.

In Jiang City after the Fish Spirit Tide, Li Yuan had exchanged information with Wan Qinghe, Fei Qian, and others and roughly understood this point.

Some more precious treasures?

Aside from a few regenerable special resources.

Most of the extraordinary treasures, the top powerhouses of the Seven Stars human civilization didn't have enough for themselves, so how could they easily gift them to young geniuses?

Want more? If your strength is sufficient, go out and fight for it yourself.

What the Seven Stars human civilization desires are strong Martial Artists, geniuses who can gradually contribute to the entire civilization after becoming Prime Warriors.

Not those who still only wish to take from within the civilization after becoming high-level Prime Warriors or even Flying Heaven Warriors.

Of course, if a super powerful individual is willing to spend the wealth they've earned through their own hardships, even if it costs hundreds of billions or trillions to provide for their children, no one can interfere.

But the resources directly granted by the entire civilization?

No matter how talented, what one can receive is ultimately limited.

... "The Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Wood is fine, but with two Second Rank Flying Serpents around, how can I snatch it?" Li Yuan's gaze fell on the ground about a hundred meters away from the Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Wood.

On either side.

Two massive flying serpents were sprawling there, both exceeding thirty meters in length.

Their claws, wings, and scaly bodies all had obvious differences from those of ordinary flying serpents.

From their appearances alone, it was clear that they were far more formidable than other flying serpents.

Most importantly, there were slightly protruding horns on their foreheads.

These were the marks of Second Rank flying serpents.

"[Target creature, Life Level approximately 21.3, Second Rank Life, killing yields Spiritual Nature nutrients]"

"[Target creature, Life Level approximately 21.8...]" Li Yuan, using Divine Palace Inquiry, basically confirmed the strength of the two Second Rank flying serpents.

Both were Second Rank, and neither was the kind that had just broken through. Discover more at m-vl-em|p-yr

"It's possible that they have consumed Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Fruit before, undergoing a Transformation, that allowed their minds and bodies to achieve Unity and breakthrough," Li Yuan thought quietly.

Due to intelligence issues, beasts receive very few inheritances, and the intelligence of First Rank beasts is generally not high.

Therefore, if the bloodline isn't strong enough, it is tens to hundreds of times harder for a First Rank beast to break through to the Second Rank compared to humans.

"Two 21st level Second Rank flying serpents, if I were to take on two at once, I'm fairly confident I could win if a great battle truly erupted," Li Yuan's eyes slightly squinted: "The key issue is that once a great battle breaks out, there are thousands upon thousands of flying serpents here."

Li Yuan didn't care about a single First Rank flying serpent; he could kill one with a spear thrust.

But at a certain number, combined with two terrifyingly powerful Second Rank flying serpents, it would be different.

Li Yuan's chances of winning were close to zero.

Moreover, the region Li Yuan had explored so far was only a small part of Flying Serpent Valley. In the densely packed caves of Flying Serpent Valley, whether there were more and stronger Second Rank flying serpents was hard to predict.

"If I openly snatch now, not only would I fail to grab it, but I'd also likely lose my life," Li Yuan pondered silently: "Without my long spear in hand, I can only exert less than fifty percent of my strength."

"First, I'll go back and think of a solution."

Li Yuan slowly moved upward along the vines and rocks, not daring to make a sound.

Hundreds of meters away were the two Second Rank flying serpents.

If discovered... Second Rank flying serpents could fly, by then, escaping would be impossible.

... Time elapsed.

Li Yuan did not return the way he came but continued his exploration along the cliff to both sides, wanting to confirm if there were other Second Rank members of the flying serpent tribe within the valley.

This was crucial.

Only after more than six hours did Li Yuan avoid many dangers and, with both relief and fear, return to the starting point above the canyon... The sun still hung high in the sky.

"Serpents prefer the shade, whether in Blue Star or the Star Realm, this is the case, no wonder most flying serpents like to hide at the bottom of the valley," Li Yuan muttered to himself.

He returned to the concealed spot on the cliffside where his backpack and long spear were stored.

He checked the 'alert clues' he left nearby, confirming that no one or Alien Race had passed by during that time.

He hid inside a small cave.

"'All Heavens' Stars,' Origin Power activation," Li Yuan closed his eyes and silently channeled his Star Meridian, drawing an endless stream of Origin Power into his body.

He was recuperating from the fatigue of his body.

Such a prolonged exploration and the use of spiritual power for sensing, even for Li Yuan, constituted a great expenditure.

"Firstly, I explored about 8 kilometers of the cliff on one side of the valley floor, and other than the two Second Rank flying serpents in the center of the valley floor, there were no traces of other Second Rank flying serpents," Li Yuan thought, summarizing the results of his exploration.

"Second, the life-nourishing Spirit Mushrooms are mainly concentrated in the central part of the valley, and their numbers dwindle the closer one gets to the sides of the valley... the Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Wood also grows in the center...

the higher-level Flying Serpents, including the Second Rank Flying Serpents, are all concentrated in the middle of the valley." Li Yuan seemed to be thinking, "Is it all just a coincidence?"

Based on the information he had, Li Yuan felt that there might have been some special changes occurring in the central area of the Flying Serpent Valley.

"This kind of all-encompassing diagnosis isn't my forte; it requires experts to calculate through various data." Li Yuan said to himself, "My goal is to seize the Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Fruit."

That was what Li Yuan sought after.

However, how could he snatch it from two Second Rank Flying Serpents, not to mention the thousands of First Rank Flying Serpents...?

"At the latest, in two days, the blood guards from the Tianliang Clan will return with reinforcements." Li Yuan pondered.

If he wanted to prevent the blood guards from coming back, he would have to kill all the Tianliang Clan warriors that remained, which could possibly scare them off from taking the risk of returning.

Still, it did not solve the key problem—how to snatch the treasure.

...After a long contemplation.

"Three paths," Li Yuan had completely made up his mind, "First, I go for it myself, recklessly charging in, with the success rate close to 0, and the death rate close to a hundred percent."

"Second, wait for the blood guards to bring back the Tianliang Clan warriors, let them fight with the Flying Serpent tribe... There's a chance to play the fisherman, but it's also possible to end up with nothing and equally dangerous."

"Third, report the situation here to the outpost base and request reinforcements, that way, my gains might be less, but it's safer and more reliable." Li Yuan thought to himself.

Without hesitation anymore.

Li Yuan took out his smart ring and tried to contact the outpost base, only to discover... the call wouldn't go through.

The signal was too poor.

"Damn," Li Yuan cursed under his breath and got to his feet, gripping his long spear and flying out of the cave.

As soon as he emerged, Li Yuan stopped abruptly.

Because, about a hundred meters away, two powerful Flying Serpents, each over twenty meters in length, were raising their massive heads and looking around. One of them happened to see Li Yuan.

"Roar~" This one, exceeding level 18, immediately let out a terrifying and piercing roar. The penetrative power of its voice was astonishing, instantly echoing throughout several kilometers around.

In an instant.

"Roar~"

"Howl!" In the dense forest, the roars of the Flying Serpents rose and fell in rapid succession.

Even the sound traveled into the fog of the valley, causing a series of roars to echo through the mist.

"Damn," Li Yuan gritted his teeth, realizing that by sheer bad luck, the two Flying Serpents were outside his sensory range.

And just as he emerged from the cave, they were fixated on this very spot.

Whiz! Whiz! Whiz!

Several Flying Serpents flapped their wings, their speed instantly soared, and they rushed toward Li Yuan with a howl, as if filled with endless fury.

Boom!

Li Yuan didn't care about remaining hidden anymore. He exerted force with his legs, and his speed soared to a terrifying degree, quickly surpassing 70 meters per second, and breaking through 100 meters per second after two seconds.

"Rumble~" Under the burst of terrifying speed, the air vibrated violently, creating a series of noises, and along the path, small trees fell to the ground with a crash.

Countless pebbles flew chaotically.

...Li Yuan, at full speed, vanished in a few flashes, shaking off several Flying Serpents.

But immediately after, his path was blocked by even more Flying Serpents in front. One by one, the Flying Serpents moved their massive bodies, lunging over to attack.

"Die."

Li Yuan burst forth without hesitation, his spear leaving a trail of continuous images, and spears of light suddenly erupted.

Splat~ Splat~

Li Yuan's spearhead was small, but when he struck these Flying Serpents, his spear moved at several times the speed of sound... just like bullets hitting a human body.

With one thrust, if it pierced the head of a Flying Serpent, the head would explode.

If it stabbed into their bodies, it would leave a huge wound, or even sever them at the waist.

Not one Flying Serpent could block Li Yuan's path as he fled for his life.

...

After killing dozens of Flying Serpents of varying strength.

Li Yuan fled frantically, only stopping after covering over ten kilometers through the forest and feeling no more Flying Serpents continued the chase, slowing his pace.

Only after escaping another five or six kilometers did he come to a complete halt, sitting on a huge rock and silently regulating his body's energy.

"Lucky there were no Second Rank Flying Serpents, otherwise it would have been really troublesome." Li Yuan muttered.

He looked at his arm, which now had one bar of signal, and dialed the communication line on his smart ring again.

This time, after waiting nearly twenty seconds.

"Beep~" Li Yuan finally got through.

It wasn't a video call, just a voice communication.

"Li Yuan, what's the matter?" The voice of Liu Jing came through the communication, not loud, and somewhat deep.

"Senior, I've basically figured out the situation in the Flying Serpent Valley and now I'm hoping to get support from the base." Li Yuan said earnestly.

This was the choice Li Yuan had made.

If he waited for Xue Shu and the Tianliang Clan warriors to fight the Flying Serpent tribe, it might work, but the chances were greater it wouldn't, and it was extremely dangerous.

"Fortune favors the bold, but also at the risk of losing everything," Li Yuan recited in his heart.

Instead of taking an overly risky plan, it's better to be prudent.

Even if the gain is a lot less, the advantage is safety and stability—alive, one has everything.

"Oh? What's the situation?" Liu Jing's voice seemed to carry a hint of surprise.

"After I arrived at Flying Serpent Valley..." Li Yuan quickly reported all the intelligence he had gathered.

And sent some of the exploration footage.

There was nothing to hide.

Since he had decided to ask for reinforcements, informing them of everything he knew so as not to lead the outpost base to misjudge was the right choice to make.

"Two Second Rank Flying Serpents? Nearly mature Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Fruits?" Liu Jing's voice carried a tint of surprise, seemingly quite shocked, "There are such treasures in the Flying Serpent Valley?"

"Correct, absolutely certain," Li Yuan affirmed.

There was a long silence on the other end of the communication.

"Li Yuan, I will rush over as quickly as I can," Liu Jing's voice sounded again, "Before I get there, do not startle anything or go up against the Tianliang Clan's people, understand?"

"Understood."