I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

The latest work by author Luan Xinghai Han Paopao, "I Have an Equipment Slot in Yellow Maple Valley!", is exclusively published on Kele Novels!

"Hopefully that guy's gone by now..."

The old Taoist priest in golden robes stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the depths of the island, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes.

He discovered a black horned python that had just transformed into human form a few days ago.

This was a golden opportunity. The demon beast had just survived its tribulation and was at its weakest. If they could strike while it was weakened, an eighth-level demon core and a transformed essence would be within easy reach.

However, the day did not fulfill everyone's wish.

The black-horned python undergoing its tribulation had a companion—another level-eight demon, the Netherscale Python—who was protecting it.

The Dark Scale Python was extremely adept at concealment; if Jin Xia hadn't been cautious, she would have almost been deceived by it.

If one were to act rashly and fight two against one, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Jin Xia had no choice but to retreat temporarily and look for another opportunity.

Zhou Yuan lay hidden behind a boulder on the ground. Although he was still unclear about the situation on the island, he was not in a hurry.

Anyway, with Jin Xia, a Nascent Soul cultivator, around, he'll be there to cover for you if anything happens.

All you need to do is wait patiently and seize the opportunity.

The next day, at the first light of dawn.

Another group of people arrived on the island.

These were the five Core Formation cultivators that Zhou Yuan had encountered before beside the stone pillar in the sea—Fu Kun and his companions.

However, in addition to them, there were three more cultivators at the early stage of Core Formation.

The group consisted of eight people: two in the late stage of Core Formation, three in the middle stage of Core Formation, and three in the early stage of Core Formation.

Zhou Yuan hid underground, but his divine sense quietly probed out, taking in everything.

With eight Core Formation cultivators and Jin Xia, an early Nascent Soul cultivator, they were quite confident in besieging and killing a weak, newly transformed demon.

He pondered to himself: if the other party really succeeds in hunting down the demon core, should he consider ambushing and seizing it?

The thought flashed through my mind only briefly before being suppressed.

Not to mention that Jin Xia is a Nascent Soul cultivator, there are also the eight Core Formation cultivators working together.

It's best to wait and see.

In the distance, Jin Xia had already reunited with the other eight people.

"Greetings, Senior Jin Xia!"

The eight people bowed in unison, their attitude respectful.

Jinxia flicked her whisk, a satisfied smile spreading across her face: "Very good. With the assistance of the eight of you, we are at least 80% confident in hunting the Black Horned Python this time."

He paused, then continued, "That black-horned python should have just completed its shaping process and is currently in a weakened state."

However, this is deep within the abyss; once we make a move, we must act swiftly. If we attract other powerful, transformed demons, the consequences would be unimaginable.

All eight responded in unison.

Then, Jin Xia waved her hand and led the eight people deep into the central area of ​​the island.

……

Zhou Yuan trailed far behind.

He didn't follow too closely, but maintained a distance of more than ten miles, using the terrain and the art of concealing his presence to hide his tracks.

Soon after, he chose a secluded canyon and began to quickly set up a mysterious killing formation.

He embedded the sixteen high-grade spirit stones into the core of the array, and buried the array plates and flags underground according to their positions.

Everything is ready and can be activated at any time.

After doing all this, Zhou Yuan continued to stealthily head towards the center of the island.

When we were still more than ten miles from the center of the island, we could already hear intense battle fluctuations ahead!

"Damn human cultivators! How dare they come to the Abyss to plot against my demon race!"

An angry male voice rang out, as loud as thunder, causing the surrounding rocks to fall down.

Zhou Yuan felt a chill run down his spine and sped up, but still flew close to the ground, not daring to expose himself in the air.

……

The center of the island.

In the sky, Jinxia was confronting a tall man who was nearly ten feet tall.

The man was dressed in black, his body surging with demonic energy, and his face was covered with fine black scales that shimmered with a cold light in the sunlight.

A single, jet-black horn protruded from his forehead, its tip gleaming with a cold light, clearly indicating its extraordinary power.

This is the black-horned python demon that has just transformed!

Although it has taken human form, it is still only an eighth-level demon beast, not yet at the tenth level, and cannot completely shed its demon race characteristics.

The scales covering its body and the single horn on its forehead are clear evidence of this.

The eight Core Formation cultivators each unleashed their magical treasures, forming a pincer movement atop the ring-shaped mountain range, completely surrounding the Black Horned Python Demon.

Jin Xia smiled slightly, flicked her whisk lightly, and said leisurely, "Heaven has the virtue of cherishing life. This humble Taoist is in need of a demon-transformation core for alchemy. Why don't you grant this humble Taoist's request, benefactor?"

"Bullshit!"

The black-horned python demon was furious. Without saying a word, the single horn on its forehead suddenly lit up, and a thick black beam of light shot out, heading straight for Jin Xia!

Jin Xia remained calm and composed. With a clang, the ancient sword behind her was drawn from its sheath, transforming into a golden streak of light that collided fiercely with the black pillar of light!

"boom--!"

A deafening roar shook the heavens, and violent spiritual energy surged in all directions, instantly turning the surrounding trees and rocks into dust!

At the same time, the eight Core Formation cultivators also made their move!

Eight magical treasures bombarded the black-horned python demon from all directions—there were flying swords, precious mirrors, bronze bells, jade rulers… all kinds of spiritual light intertwined, their power was astonishing!

The black-horned python roared, its black demonic energy surging and condensing into a thick protective shield around its body.

At the same time, the unicorn flashed repeatedly, and beams of black light shot out, colliding with those magical treasures!

However, he had only recently taken human form and had just gone through a period of weakness due to the tribulation of lightning. Fighting nine opponents alone, he quickly fell into a disadvantageous position.

"puff!"

A flash of sword light slashed past, leaving a bloody gash on his shoulder.

"boom!"

A bronze bell crashed down, causing him to stagger.

"Bang!"

A jade ruler struck him on the back, causing blood to spill from his mouth.

"ah--!"

The black-horned python roared repeatedly, but was forced to retreat step by step.

Victory was in sight—

suddenly!

A late-stage Core Formation cultivator standing on the periphery let out a piercing scream!

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a dark shadow appear behind him at some point. A sharp claw covered with black scales pierced straight through his back!

"puff!"

Blood gushed out as the still-beating heart was crushed by those sharp claws!

The late-stage Core Formation cultivator's eyes widened, his body went limp and he instantly vanished.

"Who goes there?!"

Everyone was shocked!

However, before they could react—

Another scream rang out!

Another mid-stage Core Formation cultivator had his head smashed by a black light, splattering red and white matter all over the ground!

The killer was still a shadow, moving incredibly fast, making it impossible to see his true face!

"The Darkscale Python? You haven't left!"

Jin Xia's expression changed drastically!

He recognized the shadow—it was the same level eight demon that had protected the Black Horned Python before, the Netherscale Python!

This demon is extremely skilled at concealment. He had always thought that the other party had already left, but he never expected that it had been lurking here all along!

An eighth-level demon is inherently stronger than a human cultivator at the early Nascent Soul stage of the same level.

The black-horned python demon was weak after its transformation, which is why he dared to hunt it.

But this Darkscale Python was at its peak!

Moreover, this demon excels at stealth and sneak attacks, making it impossible to defend against!

"withdraw!"

Jin Xia made a decisive decision without the slightest hesitation.

As for the lives and deaths of those Core Formation cultivators, he didn't care.

He transformed into a golden streak of light and fled into the distance without looking back!

"Senior Jinxia, ​​wait for me—!"

A mid-stage Core Formation cultivator screamed in terror and chased after it desperately.

However, before the words were finished—

A dark figure descended from the sky; it was the burly man who had transformed from the Netherscale Python!

He was tall and slender, dressed in a black robe, with a sinister face, and surrounded by a faint black mist.

His speed was as fast as a ghost, and his palm transformed into a huge, dark claw, which he slammed down!

"Bang!"

The head of that mid-stage Core Formation cultivator was smashed to pieces!

On the other side, the Black Horned Python Demon also went on a killing spree!

Although he was injured, he was still an eighth-level demon, and dealing with these Core Formation cultivators was like a tiger entering a flock of sheep!

A cultivator in the early stage of Core Formation was unable to dodge in time and was pierced through the chest by his single horn!

Another Core Formation cultivator desperately summoned his magic weapon to defend himself, but it was torn to shreds by his claw!

Screams rose and fell, and blood stained the rocks red.

In a short time, five of the eight Core Formation cultivators had perished!

The remaining three were terrified and scattered in all directions to escape!

"Brother Hei, you go kill these Core Formation cultivators, I'll go after that old Taoist!" the Netherscale Python Demon said coldly, its figure flashing as it transformed into a black shadow and chased after the direction Jin Xia had fled.