Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

The black energy instantly condensed into hundreds of jet-black sword energies. These sword energies were about three feet long, completely dark, with faint, fine patterns visible on their blades, and emanating a chilling aura.

"go!"

The two elders pointed their fingers, and hundreds of black sword energies, as if guided, drew strange arcs in the air, precisely stabbing towards the Black Rock Python's vital points, such as its seven inches and eyes.

"Hiss hiss hiss—"

The sound of sword energy slicing through the air was incessant. Unlike the previous black demon spear, this sword energy was extremely condensed, actually penetrating directly through the scales on the Black Rock Python's body and deeply piercing into its flesh.

Even more terrifying, the sword energy did not dissipate after entering the body; instead, it continued to ravage the Black Rock Python's interior. Dark red blood seeped from countless tiny wounds, and the black evil power, like a bone-deep ailment, frantically eroded its meridians.

The Black Rock Python roared in pain, its massive body twisting wildly as it tried to expel the sword energy. However, the Second Elder's swordsmanship was clearly extremely profound; each sword energy moved and wreaked havoc within its body as if it were a living thing.

That's what makes sword cultivators so terrifying. A second-tier formation in the hands of a sword cultivator is something even a Foundation Establishment demon beast cannot withstand.

The Second Elder clenched his fists, and the remaining black evil power re-converged in the air, transforming into a giant black sword ten zhang long. Black evil power flowed along the sword, emanating a suffocating pressure.

"cut!"

The greatsword, carrying the force to tear everything apart, aimed at the Black Rock Python's head and slashed down once more!

The Black Rock Python emitted rays of spiritual light to block the giant sword, but the sword energy within its body continued to rage. In the end, the giant sword shattered all the spiritual light and struck its head.

"boom--"

A deep, bone-revealing wound appeared on its hard skull. It was then violently cleaved to the ground by this sword.

The Second Elder stood with his hands behind his back, his face slightly pale, but his eyes remained sharp as swords:

The Black Rock Python, severely injured, had its aura diminished considerably. Suddenly, its eyes turned completely crimson, and a dark red light emanated from the gaps in its scales.

Its speed suddenly increased several times, and its massive body transformed into a black shadow, crashing heavily into the ground. It attempted to escape the array's range by using the ground as a cover.

"Trying to escape?" Lin Shanhe had already anticipated this. He changed the hand seals and regained control of the formation.

Suddenly, countless black chains rose from the ground, tightly binding the Black Rock Python. It turned out that he had already buried some of his dark energy underground, just in anticipation of this move.

The Black Rock Python went completely berserk, its power surging soaring that the black chains snapped one by one. But the black evil energy within the formation seemed inexhaustible, and the broken chains instantly regenerated, clinging to it like a persistent, malignant wound.

Lin Zhao was utterly astonished. To be able to freely change formations amidst such fierce battle—the clan leader was actually a second-tier formation master!

This battle of attrition lasted a full half hour. When the red light on the Black Rock Python finally began to fade, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Go all out!" Lin Shanhe took back control of the formation.

However, just when everyone thought victory was in their grasp, another unexpected event occurred!

The red light that had been fading in the Black Rock Python's eyes suddenly surged again, and it was even more intense than before!

"It can actually go berserk a second time!" the elder exclaimed in shock.

Fortunately, Lin Shanhe was prepared, and the formation instantly switched to a completely defensive stance. Countless black chains layered upon each other, wrapping the Black Rock Python into a giant cocoon, allowing it to rampage wildly inside.

This time, the Lin family was better prepared, and the Black Rock Python's magic power was not as great as the black evil power prepared by the formation.

When the red light on it completely dissipated, the entire cave was a mess. The rock walls were covered with cracks, the ground was pitted and uneven, and even the operating array had dimmed somewhat.

It is already at its last gasp.

Three hours later, the black rock python finally collapsed to the ground with a thud, and was silent forever.

The cave was completely silent, save for the heavy breathing of the group. Everyone was pale, their spiritual energy nearly depleted.

Lin Shanhe walked to the corpse of the Black Rock Python, conjured a black dagger in his hand, precisely dissected the python's head, and took out a fist-sized inner core that exuded immense demonic power.

"It's a success..." an elder murmured to himself, tears streaming down his face.

Lin Zhao was deeply shocked by what he saw. A Qi-refining body had single-handedly slain a second-tier demonic beast! If word got out, this feat would shake the entire Cloud Mist Mountain Range. And there were no casualties whatsoever, not even the use of talismans or pills.

But he also knew clearly how much the Lin family had sacrificed for this moment. Years of planning, the combined strength of the entire clan, and the presence of a second-tier formation master were all it took to obtain this demon core.

The clan leader carefully put away the demon core, his gaze sweeping over the exhausted crowd: "Rest for a day, then leave this place."

Lin Zhao leaned against the rock wall, feeling the half-empty magical power within his body. This battle had truly shown him the power of a second-tier formation, and he understood why the Dao of Formations was considered one of the most powerful inheritances in the cultivation world.

The Lin family members all took out spirit stones and pills and sat down to meditate and regulate their breathing. Lin Zhao swallowed a Rejuvenation Pill and felt the spiritual energy in his body begin to slowly recover.

He looked around and saw that several elders who had not participated in the battle had begun to deal with the corpse of the Black Rock Python.

This second-tier demon beast is a treasure trove: its hard scales can be used to forge defensive magical artifacts, its fangs and venom sacs are excellent materials for making talismans, and its muscles and bones contain immense spiritual power.

Just as Lin Zhao was lost in thought, his grandfather slowly walked to his side.

"How are you feeling?" the old man asked, his gaze deep.

Lin Zhao pondered for a moment: "Second-tier demonic beasts are incredibly powerful. If we hadn't been well-prepared and had the power of formations, we would have certainly died."

"Although a second-tier demonic beast is powerful, its death was sealed the moment it was discovered in its slumber. The biggest difference between humans and demonic beasts is intelligence; humans know how to use tools." The grandfather changed the subject, his tone becoming serious. "Did you notice just now? In that battle, the Lin family didn't use a single talisman or pill?"

Lin Zhao was taken aback upon hearing this, then realized that it was indeed true. Throughout the entire battle, everyone relied solely on the power of the formation, without using any external force.

Putting aside everything else, he alone drew more than two hundred [Gengjin Sword Qi Talismans] for the Lin family. Not to mention that his grandfather was already a second-level talisman master, and the Lin family had prepared countless supplies, none of which were used.

The grandfather's eyes flashed coldly as he said, "You think you can exchange a Foundation Establishment Pill for just a second-tier demon core? It's not that easy."

"We didn't use any talismans just now to conserve our strength, but the main purpose was to practice the formation," the grandfather said, looking at the clan leader who was meditating with his eyes closed. "There are still tough battles ahead, so be careful. Remember to use the second-tier life-saving talisman I gave you."

A day later, when everyone had mostly recovered, they began to leave. Several hours later, the Lin family members had left the underground area.

Upon returning to the ground, Lin Shanhe retrieved a treasure that drew everyone's attention—a three-zhang-long spirit boat, its entire body shimmering with light. The boat was covered in mysterious runes and emitted faint fluctuations of spiritual energy.

"A second-tier flying boat!" a clansman couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.