Yin & Yang Pleasures of Cultivation

Before entering the blended mix tree, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami did one last sweep over with their Spirit Sense. And to their expectations, there still wasn't any dangerous energy flowing in the air that they should take note of.

However, as they were mere inches away from the tree, the trio sensed that the treasure Qi energy was near them. 

Previously it was always like the treasure Qi energy had just existed everywhere in the air. It was impossible to precisely track the source on where it was coming from. 

But now, the trio could pick up that just beyond this tree, the treasure should be close, or simply on the other side.

A new invigorated feeling permeated between Darcel, Aniela, and Masami as they could now tell they have to be close to the end. 

Masami felt her anticipation rise, but there was still small voices in the back of her mind telling her to be highly worried for anything up ahead.

She had then spoken out her concerns to Darcel and Aniela, telling them, "Ok, here it is, just one more step. But I bet all of our asses that something deadly will just pop out of nowhere to ambush us. So, should we have our bloodline state active?"

Aniela's expression turned severe as she deeply contemplated her question. She came up with several possibilities in just a few short moments; nothing was concrete for her. 

Her eyes fell on Darcel, who had an equally pondering look, and she asked him,  "I'm too flip-floppy for this question. Do you have an idea, Darcy?" 

Darcel blinked his eyes a few times before quickly coming down to a decision. Though they appeared to be safe here, he didn't want to stay rooted in one spot for even just a few minutes.

He told the girls then, "We will hold off and wait to see what the other side has to offer. If we already have our powers active, it might trigger something just from our powers surging about."

Aniela and Masami thought over Darcel's response. And from what they had already experienced, they both could say he wasn't wrong. 

Whenever they made even the slightest step of achievement, this area would immediately change to catch them off guard. It was legitimately a bit chilling on how quickly it could do that. 

But since they had already survived so much, Aniela and Masami could push down any slight nerves nestling within their bodies.

"Got it." Aniela and Masami agreed at the same time and refocused their attention on the blended mix tree. 

With everything in place, Darcel took the slight lead and walked first through the tree. Aniela and Masami didn't protest and swiftly followed Darcel in after him. 

When the three of them phased through the tree, it was like something made the trio want to instinctively blink their eyes.

They sensed a small surge of energy covering the whole area before immediately vanishing, escaping their Spirit Senses once again. 

Darcel, Aniela, and Masami blinked their eyes open after that split-second energy surge, and they were on the other side of the tree.

The trio didn't know what to honestly expect when coming here, but they at least hoped they could see the treasure since they sensed it was close by. 

However, when the trio took only one foot on the other side, they all immediately went entirely rigid.

Darcel, Aniela, and Masami all froze up in utter fear as their eyes landed on a terrifying sight. Their Spirit Senses had even stalled as an unfathomable aura drilled into them. 

Lying just twenty feet away from them, not surrounded by any trees, was an enormous three-headed python snake Spirit Monster.

It had pure white skin, seamlessly blending into the snow, and was at least over thirty feet long. 

However, its appearance wasn't what truly terrified the trio. 

This Spirit Monster aura was at a level that they had once intensely clashed with before.

The beast is at the tenth level of the Heavenly Transformation realm! A genuine peak Heavenly King was right before their eyes! 

Darcel, Aniela, and Masami almost felt this situation was surreal.

Hours ago, they held boundless confidence in taking on peak Heavenly Kings and winning without much of a sweat. Their words at that time weren't even wholly groundless. They did manage to dominate three powerful peak Heavenly Kings right as the Mercenary Exchange Event started.

But in their present situation, Darcel Aniela and Masami were really coming around to see how their high prowess really inflated their egos. 

With the prowess they have now, the Spirit Monster python can squash them like ants without it even moving from its spot.

Their only saving grace was the fact that Spirit Monster python's back was turned on them, presumably in deep slumber. 

Darcel, Aniela, and Masami also felt a bit of relief that they didn't have their bloodline powers active. If they did, then that powerful monster would've possibly awoken from its slumber. 

After a few seconds, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami forced down the fear gripping at their hearts. 

No matter the past or the future, the trio realized they need to adapt to any sudden situation. Their once burning fighting Wills switched over to the firm desire of wanting to survive and grow stronger.

As they quelled a few of their nerves, the trio still didn't dare move from their spots. They didn't even leak out a breath or tried to foolishly talk to each other. Even as their auras alone couldn't wake the beast, they were most sure sounds would be able to.

After observing the beast for a few more seconds and realizing it truly won't move, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami began thinking up ways to get past here. 

Though there was a terrifyingly strong Spirit Monster here, there was another vital aspect to this area.

Just beyond the Spirit Monster python, the trio could sense the source of the treasure Qi energy! They were now partially so close to the treasure, they could almost taste it. 

But first, they needed to cross this deadly trap.

Aniela and Masami quickly drowned themselves deep in thought, attempting to develop the most elaborate way to sneak by. It truly was regrettable they could no longer mask their presence while walking. 

But that loss did serve as some fuel to fire the girls up on using a craftier method to get past here.

Darcel, however, wasn't coming up with such elaborate or deep thoughts. There was only one thing on his mind, to be as quick as possible while also being as quiet as possible.

Because they couldn't rely on their own prowess, it made Darcel think about what other possible resources they had. And his eyes quickly lit up once he recalls the various talismans in his spatial ring.

'Yes….this could work. But it'll be at risk. Really, I have to start adjusting my mind to rely on other means.' 

After some brief contemplation of the pros and cons of this plan, Darcel nodded to himself and decided to go through with it.

When he peered over to Aniela and Masami, neither of them looked like they were close to figuring out an efficient enough solution. And Darcel didn't want to take the chance that Spirit Monster python might just wake up on its own.

Right then, Darcel reached into his pocket, pulled out an azure color talisman, and tapped Aniela and Masami's shoulders. 

The girls silently gave Darcel their undivided attention, and their eyes were instantly drawn to his talisman. 

Seeing their eyes already drawn towards it, Darcel had then signaled for girls to take out the same talisman. No words were needed between them as Aniela and Masami understood Darcel's wordless instruction.

They had taken out the same azure coloring talisman and looked back at Darcel with an expectant gaze. In the back of their minds, Aniela and Masami were even a bit relieved that Darcel seemingly had a plan.

They were about to grow frustrated as any plan they thought up in their minds just wouldn't work the more they thought about it. 

Under Aniela and Masami's gazes, Darcel had then signaled with his hands of their following course of action. It was to get as close to the treasure as possible, and immediately when they sensed the beast waking up, they would crush their talisman.

It was quite a lot to show with just his mere hands. But, Aniela and Masami naturally understood everything he had singled to them. 

Their soul bonds were just that profound where they could have a bit of wordless understanding between each other.

With a plan in action in mind, the trio began to carefully tread over to where the treasure energy source was coming from. 

Though Darcel, Aniela, and Masami were expecting it, it was still unnerving that the route they walked on led them so close to the Spirit Monster python.

And when they were a mere six feet away from the Spirit monster python, the beast still didn't react. 

Darcel, Aniela, and Masami never felt so tense in their lives. Cold sweat began running down their brows as they know with one wrong move, everything will be over.

Very slowly and carefully, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami tiptoe through the snow. On their tiptoes, they managed to eliminate even the slightest of noise their regular steps could possibly cause.

Just to get another six feet away from the beast took the trio a whole ten seconds. But, no matter how long they took, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami were satisfied that they could make it across with no trouble.

Their guards didn't relax, but they felt more assurance in making it across. 

But right then, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami instantly sensed an immense sense of death! 

The three-headed python had abruptly opened all of its eyes!

In the very instance the trio felt their Spirit Sense go off, they immediately crushed their azure talismans. A bright azure light wrapped around their bodies, and the trio blitz towards the treasure source, becoming blurs in the wind.

And at the exact same time the trio shot off into the wind, the python beast whipped its enormous tail straight at them. 

The beast's speed was immense, and its tail managed to catch up to the trio almost instantaneously! 

'Bang!' 

Darcel, Aniela, and Masami sprayed out a sea of blood from their mouths as the python's huge tail managed to accurately strike their backs. 

A tremendous force rummaged through their entire bodies, and they all shot off like missiles towards the treasure source.

The Spirit Monster python didn't even bother to give chase. Once, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami were out of its Spirit Sense range, its eyes shut right back closed.