Because all the Yin energy of heaven and earth had been completely devoured by Shi Yan using the Profound Yin Art, the Jueyin Valley, which should have possessed the densest Yin energy, was devoid of even a trace of it.
Sunlight descended from above, bathing the valley floor.
The colossal body of the Nine-Headed Heavenly Serpent lay sprawled in the center of Jueyin Valley, heavily stained with blood.
Under the combined assault of Chi Xiao, Zhua Qi, and Xia Xinyan, without the aid of heaven and earth's Yin energy and exposed to the sun, the Nine-Headed Heavenly Serpent was finally slain.
In the valley, besides Chi Xiao, Zhua Qi, and Xia Xinyan, several other figures had suddenly appeared.
When Shi Yan and Zuo Shi’s group arrived from outside the valley, Shi Yan’s face instantly darkened after merely glancing at the scene within.
Bei Ming Shang and the grandfather-grandson duo, Bei Ming Ce, were already standing inside the valley.
Yin Kui and Jiu Shan were naturally by Bei Ming Ce’s side, while the two women, Mu Yudie and Di Yalan, looked on with elation, somewhat excited as they gazed at the Nine-Headed Heavenly Serpent lying in a pool of blood.
Aside from the experts from the Bei Ming family, Zou Zihe and that eerily handsome youth also manifested in the valley.
The gazes of everyone inside the valley were entirely fixed on the Nine-Headed Heavenly Serpent at the center.
Chi Xiao and Zhua Qi were covered in sweat and appeared slightly weakened.
Xia Xinyan’s face was pale; though she had already consumed a Heaven Mending Pill, her body could not possibly recover to its peak state swiftly.
The trio had strained every nerve, expending significant essence and vital power. Relying on the opportune time and favorable terrain, they had managed to slay the Nine-Headed Heavenly Serpent, only to suddenly discover that Bei Ming Shang and an expert at the Celestial Realm had also quietly appeared within the valley.
The frustration burning in the trio’s hearts was immeasurable.
Shi Yan entered the valley, standing beside Han Feng and Ku Long, coldly observing the slightly agitated Mu Yudie and Di Yalan.
“Those who see should have a share. This Nine-Headed Heavenly Serpent has nine Demon Cores; how should we divide them?” Bei Ming Shang frowned, speaking lightly. “I know you three worked hard, so my demands aren’t high. Of the nine Demon Cores of the Nine-Headed Heavenly Serpent, I only require two: one Fire attribute, and one condensed from Yin energy.”
“By what right do you deserve a share?” Zhua Qi’s expression became ferocious, baring his teeth. “All the Demon Cores of the Nine-Headed Heavenly Serpent belong to us! We risked everything to kill it; you did nothing and expect a cut? On what grounds!”
“On what grounds?” Bei Ming Shang let out a cold laugh. “Just because we arrived!”
“I want two,” the Ming Lord of An Ming stated indifferently, pointing toward the serpent head capable of spewing Yin energy. “The Demon Core within that specific head, yes, that will be mine; the rest can be yours.”
“Heh heh!” Zhua Qi suddenly sneered. “If you want the Demon Cores, you need to prove you have the ability!”
“You should know better than I whether I possess that ability,” the Ming Lord regarded Zhua Qi calmly. “We crossed paths outside the Dead Still Marsh, and you killed several of my subordinates. However, that was the periphery of the Dead Still Marsh, where the mire and poisonous fog provided you cover. Here, you have no such defenses; what makes you think you can contend with me?”
“Brother Zou,” Bei Ming Shang turned to the Ming Lord with a slight smile. “Though there appear to be three Celestial Realm practitioners on that side, the actual situation is not quite so.”
“Oh?”
“Miss Xia’s Martial Soul is formidable, true, but her actual cultivation is only at the Third Heaven of the Hundred Tribulations Realm,” Bei Ming Shang indicated Xia Xinyan. “After using her Martial Soul, she cannot recover quickly. If a true fight broke out, we have nothing to fear.”
At these words, Xia Xinyan’s expression instantly turned frigid.
Zhua Qi blinked, his face shifting, and he couldn’t help but look toward Xia Xinyan, asking, “Is that truly the case?”
In his estimation, even though he and Chi Xiao had expended considerable strength, if they could add Xia Xinyan, a master with Celestial Realm power, they could still force the others to relinquish the Demon Cores.
However, this was premised on Xia Xinyan being able to maintain Celestial Realm strength. If she were merely at the Third Heaven of the Hundred Tribulations Realm, engaging in combat would not only fail to give them the upper hand but would likely result in a disadvantage.
Under Zhua Qi’s scrutiny, Xia Xinyan nodded helplessly.
“Bei Ming Shang, what business brings you here?” Chi Xiao was more concerned with other matters and finally spoke after a moment of silence.
“What do you think?” Bei Ming Shang countered with a smile.
“I understand,” Chi Xiao sighed inwardly, nodding. “You are also here for the Heavenly Gate. I never imagined you would get the intelligence; it seems you never let up on the matter of the treasure map.”
“The informants my Bei Ming family maintains in Tianyun City are far more numerous than you imagine. As long as I intend it, not a single ripple in Tianyun City escapes my control!” Bei Ming Shang slowly walked forward, stopping beside one of the Nine-Headed Heavenly Serpent’s heads, unhurriedly continuing, “Let’s divide the Demon Cores first, then we can discuss the Heavenly Gate matter.”
Under everyone’s gaze, Bei Ming Shang acted with utter confidence, approaching and extracting a Demon Core from that serpent head, stating coolly, “I still require one more.”
The Ming Lord of An Ming remained still and casually commanded, “Mu Hui, retrieve the Demon Cores.”
That eerily handsome youth smiled and nodded upon hearing this, also walking toward two of the Heavenly Serpent’s heads, completely disregarding Chi Xiao’s group, as if he knew they dared not make a move.
Zhua Qi’s face flushed crimson, clearly enraged, yet he stood rooted, gritting his teeth. “I’ll remember both of you!”
Neither Bei Ming Shang nor the Ming Lord paid him any mind.
“Zhua Qi, dig out the remaining five Demon Cores,” Chi Xiao sighed in resignation.
Zhua Qi’s expression was savage as he too moved toward the carcass of the Nine-Headed Heavenly Serpent.
While extracting the Demon Cores from the serpent’s massive heads, he seemed intent on venting his fury; the process of core removal was accompanied by gore flying as the serpent heads were brutally and crudely handled.
Shi Yan watched all of this with cold eyes.
It was evident that Chi Xiao and Zou Zihe had plotted this long in advance, waiting for the perfect opportunity.
Only after Chi Xiao’s trio had slain the Nine-Headed Heavenly Serpent did Bei Ming Shang suddenly emerge, taking advantage of Xia Xinyan having exhausted her Samsara Martial Soul to assert dominance and forcefully claim a portion of the spoils.
Bei Ming Shang’s maneuver was utterly insidious and vicious.
He contributed zero effort, maintained peak strength, yet forced Chi Xiao’s group to fight desperately, ultimately securing a share of the spoils.
Once the Heavenly Gate opened, he would possess a higher chance of benefiting from its contents due to his unimpaired strength compared to Chi Xiao’s trio.
Shi Yan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. As these powerful figures carved up the spoils, he remained silent, merely observing and waiting to see how things would develop.
Before long, the division of the spoils was complete.
Of the nine Demon Cores, the Bei Ming family acquired one Fire attribute core and one condensed from Yin energy. Zou Zihe secured two cores condensed from Yin energy.
The remaining five Demon Cores were divided: Zhua Qi took two Poison attributes, Chi Xiao took one Poison attribute and one Fire attribute.
Xia Xinyan pocketed one Fire attribute core.
All nine Demon Cores were distributed among the powerhouses present.
Next, the toxic fangs, barbs, serpent skin, and saliva from the Heavenly Serpent were not ignored.
With several Celestial Realm experts present, the rare materials like the venomous fangs were quickly gathered and divided as well.
This time, Shi Yan’s side managed to secure five venomous fangs, one strip of serpent hide from the back, and three vials of venom.
“This Fire attribute Demon Core will greatly benefit your Martial Soul,” Bei Ming Shang said from the other side, casually tossing it. A Demon Core originating from within the Nine-Headed Heavenly Serpent slowly floated over, drifting towards Di Yalan.
Di Yalan appeared overwhelmed, looking uncertainly at Bei Ming Shang, excitedly asking, “Lord… Lord Bei Ming, you mean… you mean to give this Demon Core to me?”
A Fire attribute Demon Core was extremely useful for Bei Ming Shang’s Azure Demon Flame Martial Soul, and this one came from a Rank Seven Demon Beast, the Nine-Headed Heavenly Serpent; for her, it was undeniably a treasure of immense value.
Bei Ming Shang nodded with a smile. “Take it and cultivate well using this Demon Core. Since you have come to my Bei Ming family, I naturally will not mistreat you.”
Di Yalan seemed to feel the Demon Core was too precious and hesitated slightly, unable to bring herself to reach out for it while it hovered before her.
“Sister Lan, here, take it and keep it safe,” just then, Mu Yudie reached out, seizing the Demon Core, and forcibly thrust it into Di Yalan’s hands.
“Thank you, Lord Bei Ming,” once the Demon Core was in hand, feeling the rich flame energy emanating from the Fire attribute core, Di Yalan no longer held back. She could not bear to relinquish the core and quickly bowed gratefully to Bei Ming Shang.
“We are family from now on; no need for formalities,” Bei Ming Shang said lightly.
A flicker of panic crossed Di Yalan’s face. She seemed to have discerned the hidden implication in Bei Ming Shang’s words, yet she kept her head bowed, pretending not to notice any deeper meaning, ultimately not handing over the Rank Seven Demon Core.
— She could not resist the temptation of the Demon Core.
Shi Yan witnessed everything, his face grim, not uttering a word.
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