At this moment, He Qianyao was immensely worried about Ding Fan, as the Spotted Python was a Sixth Grade Yuan Beast equivalent to the Emergence Stage in cultivation. It was known that the strength of Yuan Beasts surpassed that of cultivators considerably. Even for a cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage, encountering such a Spotted Python would often not be an easy match. Ding Fan was merely in the Late Nascent Soul Stage, making the difference in power quite significant, leaving He Qianyao naturally concerned.

He Qianyao had already enveloped herself in True Qi, knowing that the air disturbances caused by Ding Fan's engagement with the Spotted Python were extremely fierce. If she didn't protect herself with True Qi, she wouldn't be able to withstand it. This proved the formidable nature of the Spotted Python.

At this moment, the Spotted Python constantly swung its tail to attack Ding Fan, each strike leaving deep grooves on the ground, demonstrating the devastating effect it would have if the tail struck a cultivator, surely resulting in shattered bones and a dire fate. Ding Fan knew that being hit by the Spotted Python's tail would not be a pleasant experience.

Ding Fan continually shifted his movement technique to dodge attacks, focusing entirely on transforming the fist technique from the stele into movements to evade the Spotted Python's strike. Meanwhile, the Spotted Python occasionally spat venom at Ding Fan, causing surrounding vegetation to wither quickly.

Seeing this, He Qianyao couldn't help but worry for Ding Fan, aware that his Late Nascent Soul Stage cultivation was significantly weaker compared to the Sixth Grade Yuan Beast. Could Ding Fan truly slay it? However, He Qianyao realized that Ding Fan showed no intention to retreat, evidently he believed the Spotted Python could be defeated.

Soon, Ding Fan seized an opportunity, drawing his Longsword, slicing fiercely at the Spotted Python's vital point. Initially, Ding Fan had difficulties due to the Python's intelligence in protecting its weakness. After a time, Ding Fan finally found an opening.

Boom!

With a dull thud, Ding Fan's flying sword struck the Spotted Python's vital point, causing a gush of blood, significantly reducing the Python's momentum.

Ding Fan felt somewhat relieved, witnessing the Spotted Python gravely injured, its power diminishing greatly. He took advantage of his victory, swinging the sword at the Python, slowing the Python's defense, and clearly showing its downfall.

He Qianyao also relaxed somewhat, observing the scene, knowing that if Ding Fan were defeated by the Spotted Python, she would also face death—a conclusion she certainly didn't want to see. She noticed the Spotted Python's attack was now far weaker in various aspects than before.

Boom! Hiss...

Ding Fan struck with his sword, cleaving the Spotted Python into two, clearly killing it.

He Qianyao felt utterly relieved, knowing the crisis was averted. At the same time, she was deeply shocked that Ding Fan, in the Late Nascent Soul Stage, managed to slay a Sixth Grade Yuan Beast, which was simply astonishing!

It was understood that the physical prowess of Yuan Beasts greatly surpassed ordinary cultivators. Although the Spotted Python was a Sixth Grade Yuan Beast, equivalent to an Emergence Stage cultivator, meeting it might still prove challenging even for an Emergence Stage cultivator, given the physical advantage of Yuan Beasts.

Ding Fan relaxed, seeing the motionless Spotted Python, knowing it wasn't easy to handle, but he succeeded in slaying it. He then withdrew a dagger, extracting the Yuan Beast's crystal core, a rare treasure worth millions in gold coins and tens of thousands in Spirit Stones.

This was a significant sum for cultivators, as sect disciples earned only a few dozen to over a hundred Spirit Stones per task, making tens of thousands extremely hard to come by.

Moreover, most cultivators knew that obtaining a Sixth Grade Yuan Beast Crystal Core within a sect was no simple feat, requiring connections with sect elders. A Sixth Grade Yuan Beast core was rare, and to acquire one meant slaying a Sixth Grade Yuan Beast, typically achieved by Emergence Stage peak or even Divine Transformation Stage cultivators.

The cost of having cultivators of this rank intervene is not a small number. After all, those cultivators at the Separation stage are generally very important elders in the Sect, and in some small sects, they may even be the Sect Master. When such cultivators act, the cost is naturally significant.

In just a moment, Ding Fan collected the Crystal Core of the Spotted Python, and he felt relatively satisfied with it. Although he spent quite a bit of effort, obtaining this Sixth Grade Crystal Core still counted as a gain.

At this moment, He Qianyao had slowly walked up to Ding Fan and, seeing him take out the Sixth Grade Crystal Core, couldn't help but feel very envious. It's well known that for cultivators, Crystal Cores are incredibly important, whether for improving one's cultivation or for finding high-level alchemists to refine medicine pills. Clearly, Ding Fan had slain the Spotted Python and obtained a Sixth Grade Crystal Core, making it hard for He Qianyao not to be envious.

But in He Qianyao's heart, it was pure envy, and there was even a touch of happiness for Ding Fan. After all, Ding Fan had fought through life and death to slay the Spotted Python, and obtaining this Sixth Grade Crystal Core was a form of reward. Furthermore, Ding Fan saved her, and He Qianyao knew that without Ding Fan, she would likely have ended up in the belly of the python.

"This is a great item, congratulations, and thank you."

He Qianyao looked at Ding Fan and spoke with genuine sincerity.

"No need to thank me. Next time we encounter Yuan Beasts, I'll get some for you too."

Upon hearing He Qianyao's words, Ding Fan smiled gently and responded. Ding Fan meant what he said; he felt responsible for taking care of He Qianyao because her father, Sect Master He, had sacrificed himself to protect him and others. Thus, he felt a strong sense of duty to care for He Qianyao and knew that merely protecting her safety was not enough—she needed to have the ability to protect herself for long-term safety.

Since he couldn't always be by her side, it's better to teach a person to fish than give them fish. Ding Fan had already taught He Qianyao the Fist Technique from the stele because he wanted her to grow strong quickly, to become powerful, and so he could give He Zenfen an explanation...

Upon hearing Ding Fan's words, He Qianyao felt very happy. Although she knew that Sixth Grade Yuan Beasts were very dangerous and difficult to encounter, she was delighted by Ding Fan's words since she felt included in his thoughts.

Having obtained the Spotted Python's Crystal Core, Ding Fan and He Qianyao continued their journey. Ding Fan knew there was a time limit for the Great Alchemy Competition in Dancheng. Missing it would render their effort pointless and lose any chance of learning about the Wild Wolf Gang's information, making their journey entirely in vain.

Thus, as Ding Fan and He Qianyao traveled, Ding Fan kept track of the days to ensure they wouldn't miss the Great Alchemy Competition in Dancheng. He calculated that they still had plenty of time, so there was no need to rush excessively. Along the way, Ding Fan taught He Qianyao the Fist Technique from the stele; he was well aware that it was difficult to learn. He Qianyao, too, found it surprisingly challenging, despite her superior talent.

Even though she had already grasped a few parts, they weren't ideal. Nonetheless, Ding Fan felt positively about He Qianyao; although she hadn't mastered the Fist Technique, she had understood quite a lot, which pleased him.

Teaching He Qianyao made their journey more enjoyable for Ding Fan, and the same held for He Qianyao. She felt deeply grateful towards Ding Fan for sharing the Fist Technique from the stele, knowing it held great importance yet being taught without reservation.

He Qianyao knew Ding Fan did it to repay her father's life-saving grace. However, deep inside, she felt conflicted wishing Ding Fan's feelings were solely for her, not out of obligation. Though she knew it was impossible, the inner struggle remained.

Despite knowing Ding Fan's motives, He Qianyao focused on learning the Fist Technique and strengthening herself because avenging the Dayang Sect and her father was also of great importance to her.