Volume One: The Emperor’s Sword Chapter 59: Boiling a Frog in Warm Water

Once a beast surpasses the second rank, its strength and speed increase dramatically, making it impossible for Qi Refining cultivators to subdue; only experts at the Foundation Establishment stage can handle such creatures. Second, third, and fourth-rank beasts correspond to the early, middle, and late stages of Foundation Establishment, respectively.

Unfortunately, Xue Ziyi was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, while the Golden Flood Python lurking in the water was a third-rank beast! In other words, Xue Ziyi faced a formidable opponent equivalent to the middle Foundation Establishment stage.

As the hunting Golden Flood Python submerged its entire body beneath the water’s surface, every disciple of the Northern Academy around heard the frantic pounding of their own hearts. None dared to move recklessly.

Especially the three disciples on the wooden boat—they trembled uncontrollably, blood drained from their faces. The river surface returned to calm. The muddy riverbed had been stirred up, turning clear water turbid and obscuring any view of what lay beneath.

Xue Ziyi stood as if before a deadly enemy. She calmly gestured for the disciples who had already reached the shore to retreat. Serpentine beasts posed a unique challenge—they were amphibious, able to coil underwater or crawl onto land to pursue prey. They were unlike pure fish, which, once beached, lost mobility and became easy targets.

The disciples on shore were better off, guarded by Ma Yong and Niu Butcai, slowly edging away from the riverbank. The greatest peril lay with the three disciples on the boat. Seeing the others gradually distance themselves, panic overtook them; they were on the verge of tears.

“Senior Sister, save us!”

“Help! Please help!”

“I—I don’t want to die!”

Each struggled to reach the shore, but in their panic, they rocked the boat so violently they nearly fell into the water.

“Don’t panic! I am here!”

Xue Ziyi called out sharply, and five sword rays appeared beside her, five flying swords lined up in a row. At such a moment, panic was the worst enemy—falling into the water would leave them with no hope.

The three on the boat had barely stabilized when suddenly a golden tail emerged from the water, smashing the bow of the little boat to splinters. The wooden boat destroyed, the trio jumped frantically onto the adjacent boat.

Xue Ziyi had no time to care for them now; she focused all her attention on the water’s surface. Her five flying swords patrolled above, seeking the right moment to strike.

Unable to see the riverbed, she couldn’t locate the Golden Flood Python. Striking blindly would only waste spiritual energy.

Yun Que stood among the crowd, observing the unfolding battle. Although Senior Sister had yet to strike, her ability to command five flying swords with such ease was far beyond the reach of Qi Refining disciples. Even at the tenth and highest layer of Qi Refining, one could only manage four flying swords at best.

It was clear that the spiritual power of Foundation Establishment was a qualitative leap above Qi Refining; until one reached Foundation Establishment, its true nature could not be grasped.

As Yun Que dreamed of reaching Foundation Establishment, the sound of wood being splintered echoed from the river once more!

The Golden Flood Python struck again, smashing another wooden boat with its tail. The three disciples on board, as before, scrambled onto the next boat to escape. The serpent’s tail moved swiftly and without warning, and Xue Ziyi’s five swords could only continue circling above the water, guarding the trio.

This left Xue Ziyi in a highly passive position.

Ma Yong and Niu Butcai were anxious, each wielding their flying swords in readiness, but without Senior Sister’s command, they dared not act rashly.

“Can spiritual sense detect what’s beneath the water?” Yun Que asked quietly from behind.

Foundation Establishment cultivators differed from Qi Refining most notably in their ability to sense with spiritual awareness—able even to penetrate walls and perceive changes beyond. Yun Que imagined that sensing through water should not be difficult.

“It can, but only within a limited range,” Ma Yong replied rapidly upon recognizing Yun Que. “With Senior Sister’s early Foundation Establishment cultivation, spiritual sense covers about ten feet around her. The river is far too broad; she can’t sense it all.”

Learning the limited range of spiritual awareness at the early Foundation Establishment stage, Yun Que grew concerned for Xue Ziyi. Her cultivation already lagged behind the third-rank beast, and the murky waters gave the Golden Flood Python the advantage. Saving the disciples seemed increasingly unlikely.

A dull thud sounded again.

The elusive serpent tail continued to smash the boats, forcing the three disciples to leap to safety once more.

This time, Xue Ziyi seized the opportunity. As the tail was about to disappear beneath the surface, two of her nearest swords crossed and slashed down.

A burst of golden light erupted on the water!

A harsh clash rang out, then faded instantly, leaving a few golden scales floating on the surface.

Despite her full-force strike, Xue Ziyi had only managed to knock off a few of the python’s scales.

What a powerful beast!

Everyone present was terrified. If even Senior Sister’s attack yielded so little, none of the sword servants could hope to remove a single scale.

Xue Ziyi stared intently at the water, focusing on the python’s movements, not daring to relax for a moment.

But on the shore, Yun Que’s brow gradually furrowed.

Something is off...

He sensed something unusual.

The Golden Flood Python only destroyed parts of the boats with its tail, never knocking the three disciples into the water. It seemed almost as if it left them enough time to escape to the next boat.

If it happened once, it might be coincidence—three times in succession, though?

Yun Que smelled the faint scent of a scheme.

A sharp thud echoed again, the serpent tail smashing another section of the boat, the three disciples fleeing in panic.

By now, the trio had moved from the boat closest to shore to one at the river’s center.

“Bait... The beast is making bait!” Yun Que called out, alerting Senior Sister to his discovery.

Xue Ziyi’s face changed dramatically upon hearing him.

She now realized the three on the boat were drifting farther and farther from her, now at the river’s heart.

“That serpent is luring us in—the deeper we go, the greater its advantage!” Ma Yong exclaimed, belatedly understanding.

“The Golden Flood Python has forced the three disciples to the center without us realizing, using a slow-boil tactic! A third-rank beast, so cunning!” Niu Butcai was shocked.

Hearing their words, the disciples of the Northern Academy grew even more fearful, and the three on the boat looked utterly hopeless.

The fate of bait is never good, especially when made so by a beast.

No wonder the Golden Flood Python only destroyed the boats and never ate them—it was all part of its calculated plan!

“Senior Sister, be careful!”

As Ma Yong and Niu Butcai cried out in alarm, Xue Ziyi soared on her sword toward the river’s center.

Xue Ziyi was always reckless and impulsive; at such a critical moment, she cared nothing for danger. All she wanted now was to save the three disciples at the river’s heart.

Almost at the instant she rose, the Golden Flood Python’s head emerged from the water, its massive body instantly coiling around the boat in the center, leaving the fate of the three disciples unknown.

From the portion of the serpent visible above water, it was clear that this third-rank beast stretched at least fifty feet long! Its golden scales shone brilliantly in the sunlight.

“Wretched beast, taste my sword!”

Xue Ziyi, attacking from above, sent all five swords slashing down.

Yet the Golden Flood Python did not dodge—it met the attack head-on.

Amid the crisp clang of metal, the swords could only leave small white marks on its scales, unable to pierce them!

The battle was perilous.

“Senior Sister’s swords aren’t matched—some are superior grade, others only medium. The power isn’t enough,” Ma Yong said anxiously.

“I’ll return to the Northern Academy to fetch the Dust Frost Sword!” Niu Butcai exclaimed.

“There’s no time—it’s at least thirty miles to the imperial city. Even if you fly, it’ll take too long,” Ma Yong replied helplessly.

“We can’t just watch Senior Sister fall into danger. Let’s help!” Niu Butcai growled.

“With our meager cultivation, we’d only drag her down,” Ma Yong shook his head bitterly. “If only Senior Sister had her Sword Stone—if she wielded a supreme-grade artifact, even against a third-rank beast, she’d stand undefeated.”

The Northern Academy’s treasures belonged to Elder Yin Tianxiao, not to Xue Ziyi. Aside from being used in the initial apprenticeship, the Dust Frost Sword had always been kept at the academy.

Now, with the situation dire, Xue Ziyi lacked a suitable artifact. Not only was rescuing the three disciples impossible, she herself was in danger of being devoured by the beast.

Just as Xue Ziyi battled the Golden Flood Python in a perilous struggle, with Ma Yong and Niu Butcai powerless, Yun Que made his move.

He didn’t rush to help, but instead produced a palm-sized stone riddled with holes, each hole brimming with sword energy.

“Senior Sister, catch!”

With a shout, Yun Que threw the stone toward the river’s center.

“Sword Stone!”

Ma Yong and Niu Butcai, seeing the stone fly, cried out in joy.

Senior Sister—she’s saved!