Ascending from the mortal realm to become an immortal begins with taking charge of a grotto-heaven.

Before they knew it, it was time for Qin Mu to set off.

After checking the magical artifacts and talismans again and confirming that everything was in order, Zhang Li prepared to head to the foot of Xiaohuan Mountain.

Qin Mu, Qin Feng, several other mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators from the Qin family, and a cultivator he had never seen before were already waiting here.

Judging from his attire, the cultivator should be a rogue cultivator, around forty years old, tall and thin, and at the late stage of Qi Refining, specifically around the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Upon seeing Zhang Li arrive, Qin Mu immediately stepped forward: "Fellow Daoist Zhang, you've arrived. Let me introduce you."

Before Zhang Li could speak, Qin Mu took the initiative to introduce him: "This is Fellow Daoist Zhou Xuan, a friend of mine for many years. For safety reasons, I specially invited him to come and help me."

After saying that, he turned to Zhou Xuan and pointed to Zhang Li, saying, "This is Fellow Daoist Zhang Li of the Qingxuan Sect. He is already a Qi Refining Level 5 cultivator at a young age and is responsible for guarding the Crescent Lake Spirit Field."

After Qin Mu introduced them, the two exchanged a fist and palm salute as a greeting.

"Now that everyone is here, let's set off."

"The spiritual land where the Marrow Cleansing Fruit Tree grows is some distance from Xiaohuan Mountain. For convenience, let's all set off together on the spirit boat."

As he spoke, Qin Mu tossed out a small boat-shaped magical artifact, about the size of a palm.

The moment the small boat landed, it quickly expanded, and only came to a slow stop when it was just big enough to accommodate a few people without being crowded.

"Please, everyone!"

As Qin Mu spoke, he gestured with his right hand, indicating a request.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, you are very kind."

Zhang left and said.

Then, everyone boarded the spirit boat one by one. Qin Mu then cast a spell, and a transparent protective shield enveloped the spirit boat before it flew away into the distance.

The speed of this spirit boat is no less than that of a Qi Refining stage cultivator flying on a magical artifact, and it is powered entirely by the spirit stone placed at its core. The cultivator only needs to spare a sliver of their attention to determine the direction.

The journey was undoubtedly tedious and boring, and no one spoke to him along the way. Zhang Li was happy to have some peace and quiet, so he closed his eyes and began to cultivate.

After the spirit boat carried everyone away from Xiaohuan Mountain, it headed southwest.

It wasn't until three days later.

"Gentlemen, we have arrived."

Qin Mu spoke, sounding slightly tired.

After controlling the situation for three consecutive days, even without providing any magical power, the mental and physical exhaustion was undeniable.

Upon hearing this, everyone awoke from their meditation and looked out of the spirit boat.

Qin Mu had already controlled the spirit boat to slowly land beside a river with a fast-flowing current.

Four or five miles away from the five people, there is a mountain about three or four hundred feet high. This rushing river is formed by the water cascading down from that mountain waterfall.

Two members of the Qin family were already waiting by the fast-flowing river. As soon as the group landed, they hurriedly walked up to them.

"Master of the family."

The two disciples bowed respectfully, their eyes quickly scanning everyone on the spirit boat.

Qin Mu stowed the spirit boat and asked calmly, "What's the situation here? Has the Azure Spirit Python in the pool made any unusual movements?"

"The Azure Serpent spends most of its time lying dormant in the deep pool beneath the waterfall, but its activity has increased significantly, likely because the spiritual fruit is nearing maturity."

The Qin family member who was nearby answered quickly.

"Alright, I understand. Your cultivation levels are too low. You two should return to Xiaohuan Mountain first," Qin Mu nodded.

"It is the head of the family."

The two had been waiting for these words. They were only at the third level of Qi Refining, and every day they kept watch by the river not far from the Azure Python. They had to be on guard against the giant python jumping out of the pool at all times. They lived in fear every day, afraid that if they were not careful, they would reveal their presence and end up being eaten by the snake.

"The Marrow Cleansing Fruit Tree is located in the cave behind the waterfall, while the Azure Spirit Python with nine levels of Qi Refining is hiding in the bottomless pool below the waterfall."

"Everyone has had a long journey. Please rest for a while, and then we will proceed according to plan."

After making some arrangements, Qin Mu nodded to Zhang Li, cleared a space, and closed his eyes to meditate.

Upon seeing this, several members of the Qin family each chose a spot to protect him.

Of the group of several people, only Qin Mu had suffered some exhaustion; the others had maintained their peak condition since the start of the trip.

Zhou Xuan found a sturdy ancient tree to lean against and sat down, closing his eyes to rest but not completely relaxing his mind, occasionally glancing up at the roaring waterfall in the distance. Zhang Li, on the other hand, walked alone to a blue stone on the riverbank, quietly gazing in the direction of the water curtain, secretly preparing for the upcoming battle.

As the convener and planner, Qin Mu had long ago devised a comprehensive plan for hunting down the Azure Python.

Time flies, and about half an hour later...

Qin Mu slowly opened his eyes.

"Thank you all for your help."

"You're too kind, fellow Daoist."

After Qin Mu calmed himself down, he led the group along the river towards the waterfall.

When they were about two miles away from the waterfall, Qin Mu signaled everyone to stop.

He then took out five array flags from his storage bag, raised his hand, and the array flags in his hand transformed into five streams of light, which fell into the soil in five different directions, faintly outlining an invisible array pattern.

After completing this step, he took out the small Five Elements Array Plate and buried it in the center of the array circle. He then filled the groove of the array plate with two mid-grade spirit stones, made hand seals, and cast several spells in succession. Faint blue, red, gold, black, and yellow five-colored light flowed and intertwined along the array flags, and a thin Five Elements barrier quietly took shape and then disappeared.

Seeing this, Qin Mu took out a purple spiritual herb from his storage bag and carefully placed it on the side of the formation closest to the group. Then, he made a cut on the stem with two fingers.

After doing all this, he nodded to the group, and then they concealed their auras and hid in the woods by the riverbank, waiting for the Bibi Spirit Python to take the bait.

In order to lure the Azure Python into the formation, Qin Mu specially purchased a Poisonous Spirit Grass.

This poisonous herb is incredibly toxic; it is extremely poisonous to cultivators, but for a venomous beast like the Azure Spirit Python, it is an indispensable tonic.

Time passed second by second, and the strange fragrance emitted by the poisonous herb quickly reached the deep pool.

After a long wait, just as everyone was getting a little anxious...

A dark shadow suddenly emerged from the deep pool, quickly rising to the surface and soon bursting out of the water.

A huge snake head emerged from the bottom of the deep pool, staring intently at the poisonous herb not far away, its eyes filled with greed, as well as a hint of doubt and wariness.

But ultimately limited by its intelligence, its instincts prevailed. It swam out of the deep pool, its tongue flicking, and headed towards the spiritual herb.

Zhang Li and the others were able to see the full appearance of the Azure Python.

This monster was at least four or five zhang long and as thick as a water bucket. Its emerald green scales reflected a faint phosphorescence under the sunlight. Judging from the aura emanating from its body, it was indeed equivalent to a human cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining.