The huge stir put Zihou on guard. She observed the surroundings instinctively and realized the trees had strangely decreased in numbers. The soft dirt beneath them gave out a subtle pungent smell that invaded their noses.

 At this moment, Qi Shaoyang’s arm was wrapped up tightly in a thick vine, and a huge force pulled him up from the ground. Not only that, but dozens of vines also twirled around him, waiting for the opportunity to strike.

The guards moved forward to help Qi Shaoyang upon seeing that he was in danger but were all entangled by the sudden appearance of the vines as well.

 Qi Shaoyang covered his body in a blue aura and unsheathed his sword. His sword danced in the air as he sliced through the vines. However, the vines were like tides, and they came in wave after wave without an end!

 Seeing that Qi Shaoyang was struggling, Chu Lingye immediately took out his sword and lunged forward.

 His presence was mighty and a light purple aura covered him. He was actually a powerful purple aura cultivator!

 Zihou calmly observed the situation unfolding before her without making a move. With her power, there was not much point in taking any action. Furthermore, the vines looked really suspicious. She had a feeling that these vines were just the beginning…

 “Kacha, Kacha, Kacha…”

 Sounds of snapping teeth could be heard, and Zihou looked towards the direction the sound came from. Sure enough, a huge circular object emerged out of the soft ground. It rushed high up into the sky out of the blue, sending dirt flying everywhere.

When the dust settled, that object’s appearance was finally revealed under the sun.

 It was huge, even more so than the Black Leopard previously. Its earthy-brown appearance looked rotten and terrifying. The most horrifying part was its giant one-meter long mouth which revealed rows of dagger-like teeth.

 There was no doubt that this monster could devour a few young men in one bite!

 “Piranha Flower!” Chu Lingye exclaimed. His handsome face showed a grim expression.

 The Piranha Flower opened its terrifying mouth and tried to drag its food into it with its vines.

 Although Chu Lingye and his gang had a powerful Level 7 purple aura cultivator among them, they were helpless against the neverending vines of the Piranha Flower.

 “Brother Ye, hurry and think of something! I can’t hold on anymore!” Qi Shaoyang was the weakest among them all. He was slowly losing his energy facing so many vines at once. His voice was filled with urgency as he called out to Chu Lingye for help.

 Chu Lingye’s eyes darkened. He waved his swords around swiftly as he continued to think through their possible moves. However, the Piranha Flower was too strong. On top of that, he did not have much knowledge about it and could not think up any good ideas for a moment.

 Just then, after smelling a strange scent in the air, Zihou’s eyes gleamed!

 Suddenly, she kicked the ground and dashed into the vines while waving her dagger.

 “Do you have any tinder on you?”

 Qi Shaoyang was struggling bitterly against the Piranha Flower when he heard a cold voice. Stunned, he whipped his head around.

 To his surprise, a vine behind him was severed and its sharp blade-like end fell onto the ground before its remaining part shriveled and retreated… And behind him stood Zihou holding a dagger, slicing the vines at a scary speed!

 Qi Shaoyang’s pupils shrank and he broke out into cold sweat. A feeling of fear after the incident swept past him. If it were not for Zihou, the vine would have already pierced through his heart!

 “What are you daydreaming for? Do you have any tinder?” Zihou waved her dagger and asked in annoyance.

 “Huh? Oh, I don’t.” After hearing her question again, Qi Shaoyang finally came to his senses.

 “Zihou, are you planning to start a fire?” Qi Shaoyang asked as he stroked his own clothes with his aura. Instantly, smoke appeared and his clothes began to burn.

 Cultivators with blue aura and higher were able to produce fire by striking dry flammable objects with aura. As such, there was no need for them to carry around items like tinder.

Zihou was shocked. She did not know that aura had such uses. However, there was no time to think too much. She cut out the flaming cloth on Qi Shaoyang and then rushed through the vines nimbly with great agility. She rushed towards the Piranha Flower with great speed…

 “Danger!” Seeing Zihou boldly rushing towards the Piranha Flower, Qi Shaoyang turned pale and cried out instinctively.

 Qi Shaoyang’s shout naturally attracted the attention of others. Chu Lingye noticed Zihou’s action and his expression stiffened as he called out, “Be careful!” Near the Piranha Flower was the area with the most vines. If she were to be caught up in the vines, she would end up becoming Piranha Flower food!

 Zihou heard their cries. However, she did not hesitate and waved her dagger at extreme speed to open a path for herself.

 The rotten smell grew stronger as the Piranha Flower opened and closed its wide mouth. It was as if it was getting excited that its prey was getting closer!

 Her calm eyes were locked onto the Piranha Flower. When she was only ten steps away from it…

 Now!

 Suddenly, Zihou took out and waved the burning cloth.

At that moment, the Piranha Flower’s mouth happened to be open!

 Boom~

 Following the loud sound, a burst of flames exploded from the Piranha Flower’s mouth.

 Si~

 The Piranha Flower let out a painful wail and its giant body trembled. Its vines danced around in a frenzy and immediately retreated back into the ground.

 Chu Lingye and the others were released from the vines. After being free, they looked at the scene in front of them in shock.

 Poof~

 The flames burned hot to the limit. It was as if the dancing flames were not satisfied with its tiny mouth. Countless waves of flames blasted through the body of the Piranha Flower, bursting out to the surroundings in all directions like fireworks!

 “Oh my God, the Piranha Flower is actually scared of fire. Zihou, how did you know that?” After the ground had settled for a long time, Qi Shaoyang let out a sigh of relief and looked at Zihou in disbelief. His eyes were shining with admiration.

 1Although Chu Lingye and the others did not speak, their curious eyes said it all.

 “When I smelled the scent that came from inside the Piranha Flower, I realized it was like sulfur, so I thought of using fire.” She knew from her past life that sulfur was an ingredient to make gunpowder.

“Zihou, you are so observant. I’ve lost all senses early on, there’s no way I would’ve thought of this!” Qi Shaoyang said ashamedly.

 The bodyguards felt admiration as well. This young girl was meticulous and fearless. Even these people rich in experience were guilty.

 Chu Lingye’s expression was unreadable. He looked at Zihou as thoughts ran through his mind. He could no longer understand this cousin of his, or more accurately, he never understood her!

 Without caring about their thoughts, Zihou walked towards the area where the Piranha Flower emerged from the ground. She took out a bottle made of white jade and cut the roots that had not been blown up.

 Black substance oozed out of the root. It was extremely pungent. Zihou was indifferent and collected the liquid into the bottle before sealing it.

 “Zihou, why are you collecting that?” Qi Shaoyang looked at the disgusting black substance—it gave him the creeps.

 Zihou shook the bottle and smiled. She then explained to Qi Shaoyang in a good mood, “This is great stuff. Since Piranha Flower eats Spirit Beasts and humans, the substance in its roots contains a deadly poison. A drop of this can cause all of your teeth to fall off, thin out your hair and turn it white, give you sores and ulcers, and deform your face…”

 1Wow, this is such a gem. Who should I give this to? 

1Zhen Kexin, Feng Meier, or Chu Yixuan?

 Zihou’s lips curled up into a sinister smile, and her eyes glowed with malice.

 Her wicked words sent chills up everybody’s spines. Qi Shaoyang and the others shivered, breaking out into cold sweat for some reason.

 How terrifying!

 Her image as the angel who saved them immediately turned into a devil with horns, black wings, and sharp fangs…