Mortal Alchemy

Several days passed, and the massive ice block showed no signs of melting. The area was perpetually shaded, maintaining a frigid temperature that allowed ice formations to persist for extended periods.

The enormous serpent demon appeared to have succumbed to its severe injuries, yet Chen Ping remained wary of the cunning beast.

"Junior Brother, it seems we're on the verge of breaking through this protective barrier."

Chen Ping nodded, his spirits high. "With no more venomous snakes to aid us, we must rely on our own efforts to erode this barrier."

"Shall we proceed together, Senior Sister?"

"Very well, Junior Brother!" Mu Luofei gently nodded her head.

Their magical powers surged as they unleashed a series of spells, striking the invisible shield.

"Boom, boom, boom!"

After hundreds of spells had been cast, the colossal phantom of the ancient tree began to dissipate gradually.

However, Chen Ping ceased his assault and instead maneuvered the White Jade Flying Boat to a safe distance.

He hadn't forgotten the warning from his ferret companion, who sensed danger in this place.

Chen Ping stated, "Senior Sister, if anything seems amiss, we'll activate the Tier 2 Earth Escape Talisman immediately to evacuate."

Mu Luofei nodded slightly, then felt Chen Ping's large hand clasp her small one. Her delicate body stiffened momentarily, and a blush crept across her beautiful face.

She didn't pull away, however, knowing that activating the Tier 2 Earth Escape Talisman required physical contact to channel their magical energies for a swift escape.

She understood that Chen Ping wasn't intentionally taking advantage of her.

She took a deep breath, her other hand clutching the Earth Escape Talisman, fully focused and ready to activate it at any moment.

As the ancient tree's phantom faded away, a horrifying sight greeted them—a dense mass of serpent corpses.

The skeletal remains of snakes were piled high, forming small mountains.

Chen Ping surmised that these were the bodies of the venomous snakes and lesser serpent demons that had entered the protective barrier.

Chen Ping unleashed a fiery sword wave, igniting the mass of serpent corpses.

As the serpent corpses burned to ashes, the object they concealed was revealed.

It was a stalactite growing from the ground, its tip forming a bowl-like shape filled with pure white spiritual milk.

A captivating fragrance filled the air.

"Squeak, squeak!" The treasure-seeking ferret emerged from Chen Ping's sleeve, chirping happily.

Mu Luofei's body trembled, her voice filled with disbelief, surprise, and joy. "Junior Brother… this isn't just century-old spiritual milk…"

"It's two-century-old spiritual milk…"

Chen Ping's body also shook with excitement. With his inherited memories, he knew the immense value of two-century-old spiritual milk.

Century-old spiritual milk was already incredibly rare, let alone two-century-old!

The fragrance spread, seemingly alerting the massive serpent demon beneath the ice, which began to thrash more violently, attempting to break through the ice.

The colossal serpent's body struck the ice, causing slight tremors and vibrations.

Chen Ping laughed heartily. "Senior Sister, let's retrieve this spiritual milk and leave this place quickly."

"Otherwise, this beast will break through the ice, and I won't be able to hold it back."

Chen Ping steered the White Jade Flying Boat closer, then extended a magical hand, holding a jade bottle large enough to contain all the spiritual milk.

"Bang!"

A crack appeared on the thick ice layer.

The massive serpent demon desperately forced its head into the crack, its fangs spewing venom in an attempt to corrode the ice, but to no avail.

Mu Luofei felt a shiver of fear. "Junior Brother, hurry!"

Chen Ping focused intently, and in a few breaths, he manipulated his magical hand to collect all the spiritual milk from the stalactite into the jade bottle.

"Hiss!!"

The massive serpent demon roared with unprecedented fury, sending chills down their spines.

Its immense body had already penetrated the ice layer.

Chen Ping stored the jade bottle away and shouted loudly:

"Senior Sister, let's go!!"

Mu Luofei instantly poured her spiritual energy into the Tier 2 Earth Escape Talisman.

Chen Ping seized the moment to store the White Jade Flying Boat.

A warm, earthy yellow light enveloped them, and they moved through the rock and soil as effortlessly as fish swimming in water, heading back towards the surface.

"Hahahaha!" Chen Ping laughed joyfully.

"Two-century-old spiritual milk, acquired!"

But the danger was not over. The massive serpent demon burst through the ice and pursued them relentlessly.

The stone surface of the underground cave was fragile and couldn't withstand the serpent demon's power.

Chen Ping and Mu Luofei had the Tier 2 Earth Escape Talisman, but the massive serpent demon was even faster.

Mu Luofei felt her scalp tingle, her face paling slightly.

"Junior Brother, the serpent demon seems to be catching up!"

"Senior Sister Luofei, focus on controlling the Earth Escape Talisman!" Chen Ping held the Green Bamboo Jade Sword, facing the massive serpent demon, which was only a few yards behind them.

The immense serpent demon exerted immense pressure and posed a significant threat.

With a little more effort, the massive serpent demon would overtake them.

Chen Ping took a deep breath, having rested for several days, and shouted, "Azure Lotus Sword Essence!"

"Hasten!!"

The majestic azure lotus sword energy erupted, slashing towards the massive serpent demon once more.

"Roar!!"

The massive serpent demon roared in agony, suffering further injuries. Serpent blood gushed out like a spring, but it refused to stop. Instead, it recklessly pursued them, its serpentine eyes filled with human-like rage, resentment, and killing intent.

Just being stared at by it sent shivers down their spines and raised goosebumps!

"Damn it!!" Chen Ping's expression darkened as he realized the Azure Lotus Sword Essence had failed to stop the massive serpent demon. His heart sank.

Fortunately, Mu Luofei's voice was filled with joy, bringing Chen Ping good news:

"Junior Brother, we're almost back to the surface!"

This was crucial for Chen Ping and Mu Luofei to escape the serpent's jaws.

Chen Ping patted his storage pouch, put away the Green Bamboo Jade Sword, and took out the White Jade Flying Boat.

One hundred yards…

Ninety yards…

Sixty yards…

Fifty yards!

Thirty yards!

Twenty yards!

Ten yards!!!

Chen Ping began pouring spiritual energy into the White Jade Flying Boat.

"Bang!"

The instant Chen Ping and Mu Luofei burst out of the ground, the massive serpent demon followed closely behind, its huge head opening its terrifying maw, revealing its horrifying fangs, as if to swallow them whole.

The disgusting, fishy wind from its mouth rushed towards them!

Mu Luofei's face showed panic.

In the nick of time!

Chen Ping took out his flying gourd and stuffed it into the giant serpent's mouth.

The gourd instantly expanded, blocking the serpent's bloody maw and preventing it from biting Chen Ping and Mu Luofei.

The White Jade Flying Boat in Chen Ping's hand instantly enlarged. Chen Ping pulled Mu Luofei into his arms and landed on the White Jade Flying Boat, immediately urging the White Jade Flying Boat to ascend!

"Hasten!!"

The White Jade Flying Boat rapidly ascended into the air!