Chapter 23: Sacrifice! 

Traveling on the road with occasional stops, leaving behind a few messy scenes;

Ahead, a junction is finally visible, and the man and the tiger were about to separate;

The canyon splits into two paths in front, with Ye Qiu climbing up the wall and Little Tiger entering. 

Approaching the entrance of the canyon, Ye Qiu jumped down from his mount, using the small trees and bushes on the rocky walls on either side to climb higher. 

Meanwhile, Little Tiger acted as bait, continuing to penetrate deeper into the canyon, luring the Thousand-Year Forest Python into the trap!

Studying Sun Tzu's Art of War, contemplating life's lessons;enjoy a better life!

The plan was simple but sufficient. 

Standing at a high vantage point, Ye Qiu looked down at the Thousand-Year Forest Python that had already entered the canyon, a pleased expression on his face. 

The fire striker in his hand immediately ignited the fuse on the side. 

Boom! A loud noise startled the pursuing Forest Python, making it stop in its tracks. It turned around, and the path behind it was buried by falling rocks from both sides. 

"Hiss hiss~" Its instincts told it that things were not good! It immediately wanted to slip away from the other exit of the canyon. 

Unfortunately, it was fast, but Ye Qiu was faster, and the fuse burned even faster! 

Boom! 

Another loud noise, and the other side was also destroyed. 

The Forest Python's movements halted in place, a tall pile of rubble separating it from the young tiger. 

Now, this Forest Python had become a trapped beast!

"It seems like the plan is going smoothly. Now, only the final blow is needed! Just don't die!" 

Ye Qiu held the fire striker, and his goal was not to blow it up but to bring it to the brink of death!

Noticing that the Forest Python was attempting to climb over the rubble, he didn't hesitate. 

Immediately, he lit all the fuses of the buried explosives. 

"Hiss~" The Forest Python smelled the scent of death, and its wriggling body became somewhat chaotic. 

"Boom!" A loud noise, even with the rock walls on both sides as barriers, the sound still traveled far, startling a group of birds, and the surrounding spirit beasts scattered in all directions. 

Even Little Tiger trembled; if it weren't for Ye Qiu's illusion control, it would have run away long ago! 

Ye Qiu's ears were buzzing a bit, but he couldn't afford to delay. He was afraid that the Thousand-Year Forest Python would die, and he didn't want his efforts to go to waste—the explosives were all used up! 

Arriving at the bottom of the canyon, the Forest Python had already been buried in the rubble, out of sight. Red flashed in Ye Qiu's eyes, and only then did he see its specific location. 

Summoning Little Tiger with a shout, they jointly dug it out with their claws.

"Damn!" Still searching, Ye Qiu was suddenly startled. A blood-soaked snake head appeared in front of him. 

One eye had been pierced by the exploding rocks, and its scales were all fragmented, looking miserable! 

Fortunately, it still had some vitality!

The Forest Python, with only one eye left, stared fiercely at Ye Qiu, wanting to lift its mouth in a last-ditch effort but was powerless. 

"Hiss~" The snake letter, stained with blood, was its final utterance. 

Ye Qiu felt some pity, but this was the way of the world, such were the rules. The spirit beasts, who had endured thousands of years of cultivation, were surpassed by humans in just a few years. This was the tragedy of spirit beasts! 

"Next, I hope it works!" Locking eyes with the Forest Python using his Mangekyō Sharingan, Ye Qiu prepared to sacrifice it! 

In its dying state, the Forest Python was already mentally scattered, easily controlled. Its single eye transformed into the shape of Ye Qiu eye's. 

After issuing the sacrifice command, there was no movement from the Forest Python's body. Just as Ye Qiu revealed a disappointed expression, but suddenly a faint purple light suddenly emanated from its body, spreading to Ye Qiu.

"Haha. Great, it really works! The first purple soul ring!" 

First, he was excited and shouted loudly, then he forcibly suppressed his joy. 

After conveying the intention for Little Tiger to guard nearby, he sat directly on the head of the Forest Python. 

Activating the Mysterious Heaven Technique, he rapidly absorbed the energy conveyed by the sacrificed Forest Python. The purple light continuously infiltrated Ye Qiu's body.

Little Tiger, on the side, surveyed the surroundings, vigilant for the appearance of other humans or spirit beasts. 

A burly figure slowly climbed the cliffs above the canyon, with eyes as large as copper bells filled with fierceness, hatred, and a hint of fear.

In the city of Nouding, at the carving workshop. 

Xiao Wu had already arrived here and, somewhat recklessly, barged in. 

Bang! The door of the shop was slammed, causing a loud noise. The carving knife in the hands of Grandpa Jerry, who was currently engaged in carving, almost slipped. 

"I say, you wild girl, why are you always so unreasonable?" Grandpa Jerry hadn't spoken yet when Grandma Tom, who had been sitting next to him and fanning him, scolded Xiao Wu first. 

This time, Xiao Wu didn't engage in a verbal battle with the old lady. Instead, she just put on a mournful face, "Have you seen Xiao Qiu? I... I can't find him!"

With red and swollen eyes, her voice trembled with a hint of crying. 

Grandma Tom, upon hearing this, was also taken aback. Having been through a lot, she roughly knew what was going on, probably that brat Ye Qiu went to do something without telling the little girl. 

"He said a few days ago that he was going hunting, but he hasn't come back for so many days," Xiao Wu said, tears streaming down. 

"Alas~" Grandma Tom sighed. Being a soul master was not an easy task. 

"We did see him a couple of days ago. He even slept here for a night," Grandpa Jerry, not hiding anything, truthfully informed Xiao Wu.

"Really!? Then where is he now? Please, tell me!" Facing their hopeful gaze, Grandpa Jerry shook his head and looked at his old partner. 

"He left a letter, saying that if he didn't return within three days, hand the letter to you!" Grandma Tom said. 

"Where is the letter? Show me quickly!" Xiao Wu reached out with both hands, pulling at her sleeves. 

However, Grandma Tom just shook her head, "Now, you can't see the letter! Some things are better said face to face when he returns. You have to trust him!" 

After fruitless pleading, Xiao Wu left the place alone, praying in her heart that Ye Qiu would return to her side tomorrow. 

Grandma Tom was right; she didn't need that kind of letter. She wanted Ye Qiu to come back and tell her in person. Yes, she would have to hug him at that time. 

Thinking about it, tears had already filled her face. 

Far away in the Soul-Hunting Forest, the sacrifice of the Forest Python was coming to an end. Its body had lost its luster, and the purple light on Ye Qiu's body gradually disappeared. 

A purple soul ring formed, slowly rising under Ye Qiu's seat. 

His soul power was also slowly rising, reaching level eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, until it gradually stopped at level seventeen. The accumulation of his past soul power and the sacrifice of the Forest Python increased it by seven levels! 

Ye Qiu slowly raised the corners of his mouth, savoring the pleasure of his body being filled with soul power. 

Above the canyon, there were some sounds. 

Swoosh! A sturdy black shadow enveloped Ye Qiu's position. However, his smile remained unchanged. 

Due to the loud noise just now, the distant Ape King had not forgotten the pain from the attacks in front and behind. This led to this airborne sneak attack. 

Ye Qiu quickly raised his head, opening his eyes slowly, leaving a trail of blood at the corner of his eye. 

Staring straight at the falling Ape King, the three tomoe in his eyes gathered together and, when unfolded again, formed a beautiful hexagram. 

Boom! A loud explosion. 

The attack that should have hit Ye Qiu solidly actually penetrated through him, hitting the ground on the side. The airflow it stirred up knocked down the nearby tiger cubs. 

(End of this chapter)