I cultivate the Chaos Technique

In the shadowy bamboo forest, the mist gradually dissipated, and the bamboo leaves swayed gently in the wind, making a rustling sound. Zhang Yifan walked slowly through the bamboo forest. Although the atmosphere around him seemed quiet, he could sense the hidden danger in the air, like a venomous snake lurking silently, waiting for its chance to strike.

He had already realized that the Dark Bamboo Serpent hadn't truly left. This demonic beast was incredibly cunning, adept at using its environment to conceal itself, and its illusionary abilities were enough to plunge most cultivators into endless confusion and fear. However, Zhang Yifan was different; he already had a plan in mind.

“Since you prefer to hide, then I’ll lure you out.” Zhang Yifan’s lips curled slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He slowly sat down cross-legged, his true essence circulating quietly within his body, a trace of golden core power permeating the air. The power of his true essence spread out slowly like a tide, like an invisible vortex, attracting the surrounding spiritual energy fluctuations.

The sound of the wind in the bamboo forest gradually subsided, and all around became quiet. However, Zhang Yifan could clearly sense the subtle fluctuations of demonic energy in the air. That demonic energy was faint and elusive, as if a ghostly bamboo serpent was lurking deep within the bamboo forest, looking for the right moment to launch an attack.

"As expected, he hasn't gone far." Zhang Yifan chuckled inwardly, but he maintained his calm demeanor, allowing the demonic energy to gradually approach. The Youzhu Snake was very cautious, clearly observing Zhang Yifan's actions to determine if he had truly let his guard down.

Zhang Yifan sat with his eyes closed, seemingly defenseless, but his inner energy was quietly gathering. He was waiting for the perfect moment; once the Bamboo Serpent appeared, he would subdue it swiftly and decisively.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, the demonic energy began to rapidly condense, and a sudden, urgent commotion filled the air. The mist surged again, and a ten-zhang-long (approximately 33 meters) long bamboo serpent burst forth from the thick fog, its body lunging at Zhang Yifan like lightning. Its fangs gleamed with a cold, eerie green light, clearly containing potent venom.

Zhang Yifan suddenly opened his eyes, his longsword already poised to strike. "Now!" he thought to himself, and his longsword instantly flew from its sheath, its light like a rainbow, slicing through the thick fog and slashing straight at the body of the Dark Bamboo Serpent.

"Hiss—!" The Bamboo Serpent let out a sharp hiss, not expecting Zhang Yifan to launch a counterattack at this moment. It hastily tried to dodge, but the sharp edge of the longsword had already struck its vital spot. That was the snake's fatal weakness, and the Bamboo Serpent's body trembled violently, letting out a painful wail.

Zhang Yifan gave it no chance to catch its breath. A flash of light appeared beneath his feet, and he soared into the air on his sword, his figure swift as the wind as he chased after the wounded Youzhu Snake. The Youzhu Snake moved like a green lightning bolt, rapidly darting through the bamboo forest, but its speed was far less than before, clearly indicating that it had been severely injured.

Zhang Yifan's eyes were cold. He didn't rush to catch up, but quietly circulated his divine sense, quickly forming hand seals and gathering the true essence within his body. The moment he completed the hand seals, the surrounding bamboo forest began to tremble violently, and hundreds of bamboo stalks rose from the ground, transforming into a green barrier that instantly blocked the escape route of the Youzhu Snake.

"Trying to escape? Not so easy!" Zhang Yifan sneered, his longsword flashing out as the sword energy struck the bamboo serpent's head like lightning. The bamboo serpent tried to dodge, but its movements were slow due to its severe injuries. The sword energy struck its scales instantly, producing a loud bang. Its scales were torn apart by the sword energy, and blood spurted out instantly, staining the bamboo forest red.

The Bamboo Serpent crashed heavily to the ground with a dull thud. Although its strength far surpassed that of ordinary demonic beasts, it was gradually showing signs of fatigue under Zhang Yifan's relentless attacks. Even so, it did not yield, its eyes still burning with an indomitable ferocity.

"Truly stubborn." Zhang Yifan coldly observed it, secretly admiring the Bamboo Serpent's tenacity. At that moment, he lightly stomped his foot on the ground, and the spiritual power of the three golden cores within his body instantly erupted, golden light surging out like a tide, enveloping the entire bamboo forest. The sky seemed to darken as a result, and Zhang Yifan's aura was like an unshakeable mountain, dominating all directions.

Under Zhang Yifan's powerful aura, the Bamboo Serpent finally felt fear. Its body trembled slightly, but it still refused to submit easily. Zhang Yifan's longsword once again condensed the power of his golden core, and the sword light tore through the air like lightning, pointing straight at the top of the Bamboo Serpent's head.

"Boom—!" The immense power unleashed by the sword light shook the surroundings. The Bamboo Serpent let out a bloodcurdling scream as it was once again thrown back, crashing heavily into the bamboo forest. Large swathes of bamboo fell with the impact, and the ground cracked. The Bamboo Serpent's body was covered in wounds, its scales shattered, and blood flowing freely.

Zhang Yifan slowly landed in front of the Bamboo Serpent, coldly looking down at the demonic beast. At this moment, the Bamboo Serpent was already severely injured and on the verge of death, but it still did not submit, its eyes still burning with a final stubbornness and ferocity.

"You are powerful, but continuing to resist will only lead to your death." Zhang Yifan's tone was icy. He slightly raised his longsword, gathering the power of his golden core within, ready to unleash the final blow at any moment. He knew that the demonic serpent before him possessed the bloodline of a divine beast, and once subdued, it would become a tremendous asset.

The bamboo serpent trembled slightly, and the ferocity in its eyes gradually dimmed. It clearly understood that the human before it was far stronger than it had imagined, and that continued resistance would only lead to its death.

Seeing its wavering expression, Zhang Yifan no longer hesitated and said coldly, "If you are willing to submit to me, I will spare your life." His tone carried an undeniable pressure, as if he were the master of heaven and earth.

A flicker of struggle flashed in the eyes of the Bamboo Serpent. It had been the overlord of the bamboo forest and had never imagined submitting to humans. However, faced with Zhang Yifan's overwhelming power, it finally lowered its head, letting out a low hiss, indicating its willingness to submit.

Zhang Yifan nodded slightly, gently raised his hand, and a beam of spiritual light burst forth from his fingertips, transforming into a talisman that entered the center of the Youzhu Snake's brow. The Youzhu Snake's body trembled slightly, the light in its eyes gradually softened, and it completely gave up resisting.

This was a spirit beast contract that Zhang Yifan learned from his master, Li Taixu. Once the contract was signed, the spirit beast's life was linked to its master, and its life and death were in the master's hands. The contract runes emitted a faint golden light and quickly merged with the soul of the Youzhu Snake.

"From this day forward, you will be my spirit beast," Zhang Yifan said softly, his tone filled with the power of control. He raised his hand and gently patted the head of the Youzhu Snake, the power of the spirit beast contract quickly merging into the snake's body, completely locking its life and death.

The Bamboo Serpent lowered its head again, slowly curling up its body, signifying complete submission. Despite its enormous size, it appeared remarkably docile before Zhang Yifan.

Zhang Yifan looked at it with satisfaction, secretly rejoicing that he had subdued such a powerful demonic beast. The Youzhu Snake was not only incredibly strong but also possessed divine beast blood and was skilled in illusion techniques. Now, it had become Zhang Yifan's spirit beast, and would provide him with tremendous assistance in future battles.

However, just as Zhang Yifan relaxed his guard, a voice came.

"Outsider, do not venture any further. This bamboo forest is not a place for you to set foot in." The gray-robed man reappeared.

"Senior, my main purpose in coming here is to find someone. Once I find my second senior sister, Lin Qingzhu, I will leave immediately."

The man in the gray robe sighed and disappeared into the bamboo forest once again.

Zhang Yifan frowned slightly. He vaguely sensed that there might be some connection between the Youzhu Snake and the gray-robed man. The demonic aura of the Youzhu Snake was somewhat similar to that of the gray-robed man.

"It seems the secrets within this Shadowy Bamboo Forest are far more complex than what we see now," Zhang Yifan muttered to himself, a cold glint in his eyes. He had a vague sense that the bamboo forest might conceal even greater dangers and secrets.

After subduing the Bamboo Serpent, Zhang Yifan finally breathed a sigh of relief. He gently patted the serpent's head and said with a smile, "Let's go, let's find Senior Sister Qingzhu first."

The Bamboo Serpent hissed softly, its massive body transforming into a streak of green light before silently disappearing into Zhang Yifan's spirit beast pouch.