Then, Ding Fan walked directly to the side of the burly boy. At this moment, the burly boy felt a chill in his heart upon seeing Ding Fan approach, but before he could plead for mercy, he was instantly killed by a wind blade from Ding Fan.

Ding Fan checked on the lewd boy, who was already dead, and then he and He Qianyao continued on their way. However, Ding Fan was obviously troubled. After all, there was now some information about Zhou Ruoran, and although Ding Fan wasn't sure if the Zhou Beauty mentioned by the three was really Zhou Ruoran, he felt it was very likely. If it were true, it would be excellent.

"Ding Fan, you seem quite interested in that Zhou Beauty?"

At this time, He Qianyao also noticed some changes in Ding Fan and asked curiously.

"Yes, she seems to be someone I'm looking for," Ding Fan said. It was only then that Ding Fan realized how significant his transformation was, as even He Qianyao had noticed it. For Ding Fan, the news about Zhou Ruoran was indeed important, and it was impossible for him not to worry.

Hearing Ding Fan's words, He Qianyao was stunned for a moment. A woman's intuition told her that Ding Fan's relationship with this so-called Zhou Beauty was not ordinary. Thinking of this, an inexplicable sadness filled He Qianyao's heart. She was well aware of Ding Fan's status in her heart. After seeing Ding Fan and Ye Ningbing as a couple, He Qianyao had already felt uncomfortable, but she had no way to express it.

After all, Ye Ningbing had clearly known Ding Fan before, and their relationship seemed long established. On the other hand, she was an outsider, and such sadness was something others couldn't understand.

But He Qianyao hadn't expected Ding Fan to have some connection with this Zhou Beauty as well. She couldn't believe how many women Ding Fan was involved with. However, Ding Fan was indeed excellent, and it's normal for so many women to like him, just like herself. Yet there was a persistent bitter feeling in her heart...

Ding Fan didn't notice He Qianyao's silence, so he had no idea what she was thinking. To him, finding Zhou Ruoran was the most important thing, along with Gusu Qingwen. After all, those were among the reasons he was still in the Cultivation World. He couldn't imagine what would happen if something bad happened to Zhou Ruoran and Gusu Qingwen. Ding Fan had never thought about living without them, but he knew one thing for sure: he would be in terrible pain...

After walking for a while, He Qianyao stopped overthinking. After all, she was with Ding Fan, which was a happy thing. He Qianyao knew that her affection for Ding Fan was her own business, and it wasn't necessary for Ding Fan to know, nor for him to reciprocate. It was enough for her to care for him.

Soon, He Qianyao and Ding Fan chatted occasionally, keeping each other company along the way.

As they walked through a canyon, He Qianyao was captivated by the scenery. For some reason, the nearby forests were lush green, but within the canyon, the scenery was colorful and evidently more beautiful, like another world entirely.

"The scenery here is beautiful..."

Admiring the view, He Qianyao couldn't help but express her amazement.

However, Ding Fan wasn't as relaxed and joyful as He Qianyao. He was quite tense, having already detected a Yuan Beast's presence. The beast didn't seem weak; Ding Fan sensed a powerful Yuan Beast's aura.

Suddenly, a Spotted Python appeared in front of Ding Fan and He Qianyao. The python was as thick as a person's body, and so long that Ding Fan couldn't even see its tail. The python had a cold expression on its face, its green eyes fixing upon Ding Fan and He Qianyao.

"This..."

Witnessing this scene, He Qianyao was visibly nervous. She had been enjoying the beautiful scene, not expecting a giant python to suddenly appear. He Qianyao roughly gauged that the Spotted Python was not easy to deal with, likely a Sixth Grade Yuan Beast, equivalent to a cultivator of the Emergence Stage. Such strength was formidable and not easy to contend with.

Seeing the Spotted Python made He Qianyao's legs go weak; this level of Yuan Beast was clearly beyond her ability to handle. Just as she thought about retreating to Ding Fan's side, the python suddenly lunged at her.

Seeing this, He Qianyao's heart tightened. She hurriedly backed away, but in her panic, her feet betrayed her. Losing her balance, she was about to fall to the ground, and with the python lunging at her, she knew falling here would be fatal. Despite being anxious, she couldn't alter the fact and could only watch as she was about to hit the ground.

At this moment, suddenly a pair of hands wrapped around He Qianyao's waist from her back, and He Qianyao suddenly felt a warmth in her abdomen. This feeling was like a shot of adrenaline to her heart, instantly reviving her spirit that was ashen before.

If it wasn't Ding Fan, who else could it be? Ding Fan held He Qianyao and steadily pulled her back, then emitted a surge of Divine Vigor to stabilize the unsteady He Qianyao. Then Ding Fan charged in front of He Qianyao, drawing his flying sword toward the Spotted Python.

He Qianyao barely managed to stabilize herself, and seeing Ding Fan rush in front of her, she was deeply touched. Clearly, if it weren't for Ding Fan, He Qianyao wouldn't know whether she would live or die at that moment. Although Ding Fan's hands had long left her, the warmth his hands had left on her abdomen continued to linger, easing much of her fear.

At this moment, Ding Fan drew the sword and directly slashed at the Spotted Python. The flying sword in Ding Fan's hand continuously struck the python, but the python's hide was so tough that Ding Fan's strikes had no effect, causing him much frustration. If he couldn't even injure it, killing this beast would naturally be out of the question.

Hiss—

The Spotted Python suddenly whipped its head, aiming its massive tongue at Ding Fan, then abruptly spewed out some jet-black liquid.

He Qianyao, standing aside witnessing this scene, felt deeply worried for Ding Fan, aware that the black liquid from the Spotted Python was undoubtedly poisonous—something that ordinary cultivators could not neutralize. If a cultivator got even a drop on them, they would surely pay a heavy price.

Naturally, Ding Fan also noticed this immediately, spinning swiftly to skillfully evade the black venom. The venom then shot into the trees, causing a once-towering tree to wither instantly, and within moments, the plants touched by the venom lost all vitality.

Realizing that Ding Fan dodged its venom, the Spotted Python grew furious and continuously lashed its tail at Ding Fan. The python's tail was extremely long and hardened, even having granite-like stones on it, evidently very tough. A hit from it would surely be unbearable, even for a cultivator of the Emergence Stage.

Ding Fan kept dodging, clearly at a disadvantage. The situation was grim. The python's tail was so long that Ding Fan couldn't even escape its attack range, making him reflect that indeed, the Sixth Grade Yuan Beast was no easy foe. He remained very cautious, knowing this was no joking matter.

Any slight carelessness could incur a substantial cost.

Just when Ding Fan decided to attack the Spotted Python again, it suddenly shifted its target, aiming at He Qianyao. After all, she had been standing cautiously in place, clearly within its line of sight. Upon seeing this, Ding Fan was taken aback, surprised at the python's high intelligence.

It knew to avoid the strong and attack the weak, recognizing Ding Fan as a difficult opponent and thus switching to another target.

Seeing this, He Qianyao was slightly dumbfounded, never expecting the python to attack her. Panicked, she was momentarily at a loss. Besides, the python's speed was incredibly fast, almost instantly charging towards her. Ding Fan, seeing this, swiftly maneuvered.

Ding Fan converted all the Fist Techniques from the stele into movement techniques, starting a speed contest with the python. Ultimately, he managed to slightly outpace it, reaching He Qianyao's side before the python. Without hesitation, Ding Fan wrapped his arm around He Qianyao, feeling her soft skin, igniting a surge of heat in his heart.

He Qianyao was, after all, exceedingly beautiful, known as the top beauty of Dayang Sect, her alluring appearance and tempting skin causing Ding Fan's heart to flutter momentarily.

Yet, Ding Fan knew this was not the time for such thoughts. Holding He Qianyao, he quickly shifted positions, dodging behind the python before gently setting her down. He Qianyao was still in a daze, not expecting Ding Fan to suddenly scoop her up, his hand accidentally touching her upper leg, leaving her extremely embarrassed. But at this moment, she knew there was no choice; Ding Fan was saving her. Without him, she realized she might already be in the python's belly.

The moment Ding Fan put He Qianyao down, he didn't have time to consider her feelings, immediately charging the Spotted Python with his sword. This left He Qianyao momentarily stunned, wondering how, after almost touching her all over, Ding Fan didn't even glance back. Shouldn't he say something?

But on second thought, He Qianyao said nothing, realizing the peril of the situation. After all, it was a Sixth Grade Yuan Beast, not an ordinary creature, making her a tad worried that Ding Fan might not be a match for the python, given his cultivation was only at the Late Nascent Soul Stage.