An Eighth-Tier Python!
Xiaowa’s expression changed drastically, and without thinking, he activated his Earth Elemental Demon Domain and unleashed the secret technique, Earth Vein Rock Shield.
In an instant, endless Earth Vein power surged forth, instantly filling the entire rock cave.
“Boom—!”
With just one strike, the Earth Vein Rock Shield that Xiaowa had conjured completely collapsed, and a gigantic shadow slowly emerged from the darkness.
It was a giant python, completely black, with scales forged like Black Iron, gleaming with a cold luster that devoured all light. Its body was as thick as a water vat, and its length was immeasurable; only the front half that was revealed already spanned the entire rock cave, its tail still hidden in the darkness, as if it were endless.
The most terrifying thing was its Aura—Eighth-Tier Peak!
“Black Poisonous Python!” Xiaowa’s voice trembled slightly, and he unconsciously tightened his grip on the Black Rock Square Seal.
Little Jin’s muscles were taut, and the Jin Gang Dragon Snake Staff in his hand hummed and vibrated, as if sensing an unprecedented threat. He had just devoured the essence blood of many pythons, and his strength had surged to the Eighth-Tier Early Stage. However, facing this Black Python, it was still not enough. Moreover, he was currently suffering from the backlash of the Violent Ape Ancestral Bloodline; if he wasn't careful, he would go berserk again!
“It stinks! Xiaowa, Little Jin, you guys really poked a snake's nest!”
Just then, a clear voice suddenly came from above the rock cave!
With a “swish,” a nimble figure lightly descended, her toes touching the broken stones without even raising a speck of dust.
Little Jin and Xiaowa looked up simultaneously, only to see a young girl standing in mid-air, her white clothes like snow, her black hair like a waterfall, and a string of silver bells tied around her waist, emitting clear sounds with her movements.
“Xue’er! Why are you here?!” Xiaowa exclaimed.
Xue’er tilted her head, a mischievous smile playing on her lips: “What, after only a few days, you don't recognize me anymore?”
Little Jin’s brows were tightly furrowed, and he gritted his teeth, suppressing the restlessness of the Violent Ape Bloodline within his body: “Don’t go up, it’s dangerous!”
Xue’er, however, seemed not to have heard him. Her gaze fell upon the black python at the entrance of the rock cave, and she blinked, exclaiming, “Wow, what a big black loach!”
In the darkness, there was a rumbling sound of scales rubbing. After a violent tremor, the python’s head, over three zhang in diameter, broke through the rock. The python’s head had a bone crown similar to a Dragon’s head, and at its seven-inch mark, there were three pairs of unformed claw-like protrusions. With its appearance, viscous black liquid began to seep from the ground, and wherever it passed, the rocks made a “sizzling” sound as if being corroded. The entire rock cave instantly turned into a poisonous swamp.
After the demon python revealed its head, its gaze did not fall on Xue’er. Its pair of vertical pupils stared intently at the rock cave where Xue’er had landed, as if it had encountered a formidable enemy, hesitating whether or not to retreat immediately.
The next moment, a scorching red shadow descended from the sky, landing beside Xue’er. It was a beautiful female cultivator dressed in a fiery red dress, her fiery red hair moving without wind, and crimson flowing flames wrapped around her body, even scorching the air into distortion.
Upon seeing this, the Eighth-Tier Black Python twisted its body and decisively turned to leave.
“You want to leave now! Too late!”
A majestic voice sounded from behind the Eighth-Tier Black Python. The next moment, with a loud “bang,” the python’s enormous body was kicked out of the rock cave.
“Boom!” A loud crash.
The enormous body of the Black Poisonous Python was forcibly kicked out of the rock cave by a powerful force, smashing heavily against the stone wall. The entire underground space trembled, and as broken stones flew, a green shadow followed closely, revealing its true form.
It was a tall, imposing young man. His green robe flowed like moonlight, his sleeves moved without wind, and his face was extraordinarily handsome. His brows exuded an imposing Aura without anger, and a faint green Dragon pattern was faintly visible on his forehead. Most striking was his waist-length silver hair, which glowed with a faint moonlight in the dim rock cave, like a galaxy cascading down.
“Qing Yue Big Brother, Crimson Flame, you’re all here! Where’s Master?!”
Xiaowa’s spirits lifted, and he asked with concern.
“He went to clean up your mess, who knew this black loach was still ambushing! Fortunately, he summoned Qing Yue and Crimson Flame before he left, just in case!” Xue’er quickly explained.
“That Eighth-Tier Lightning Python! I thought we both severely injured it, so Master helped in secret!”
Upon hearing this, Little Jin immediately remembered something and asked with sudden realization.
“Hehe, Little Jin, you’re not stupid after all!” Xue’er smiled faintly, teasing him.
“Fellow Daoists, this was merely an accidental conflict. Why not turn a major issue into a minor one, and a minor one into nothing? How about it?!”
Just then, the Black Poisonous Python, which had been kicked away, suddenly twisted its body. Amidst the surging black mist, it transformed into a black-robed man. His face was feminine, his skin as pale as snow, and a dark, mysterious pattern on his forehead added a touch of eeriness. His narrow eyes had vertical pupils gleaming with cold light, but a humble smile hung on his lips as he cupped his hands in greeting to everyone.
Crimson Flame’s red dress fluttered, and the flames around her body suddenly rose three zhang high. Qing Yue subtly took half a step forward, and a faint green light flickered in his sleeve.
The temperature in the rock cave instantly dropped to freezing point, and Xue’er, who had just been laughing, her expression turned cold, quietly releasing her Nine-tailed Demon Domain.
Seeing this, the black-robed man quickly waved his hand and apologized, “Everyone, wait! I am Black Scaled. This time, I truly didn’t intend to conflict with you all. It was truly because my clan was suddenly attacked that I rashly made a move!”
At this point, the Eighth-Tier Black Python glanced at Little Jin and said aggrievedly, “This Fellow Daoist devoured a large amount of my clansmen’s essence blood, which is why I couldn’t help but appear to stop him.”
Before Black Scaled finished speaking, golden light burst from Little Jin’s eyes, the Violent Ape Bloodline within him faintly stirred, and the Jin Gang Dragon Snake Staff in his hand hummed and vibrated, as if ready to strike at any moment.
Seeing this, Qing Yue raised his hand and placed it on Little Jin’s shoulder, a cool Moonlight power surged in, temporarily suppressing the boiling Blood Qi within him. He looked at Black Scaled with a cold gaze and said indifferently, “Your clan attacked first. If my brother wasn’t strong enough, he would have long lost his life. Now you come to seek an explanation?”
Black Scaled gave a bitter smile, lowering his posture even further: “It is I who did not discipline them strictly enough. Those beasts have all perished now, and this Fellow Daoist is unharmed. Furthermore, he has broken through the shackles of his Bloodline because of this, turning misfortune into a blessing. I hope you all will not be angry and start a war again!”
With that, Black Scaled paused, then took out a dark jade token from his sleeve and respectfully offered it: “This is my Black Underworld Python Clan’s ‘Black Underworld Token.’ With this token, you can enter my clan’s treasure vault and choose three treasures, as an apology to you all!”
Their eyes frequently exchanged glances, and for a moment, they didn't know what to do.
They had bullied the other party so much, killed his clan members, and yet he still maintained such a low posture, even offering treasures as an apology. They had already bullied him too much, and now with his attitude!
They, on the contrary, found it hard to bully him too much anymore!
“At this moment, we cannot make the decision. Let’s wait until Master returns!” Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix suggested.
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in unison, all agreeing with Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix’s words.
Seeing this scene, Black Scaled’s mind was greatly shaken. An Eighth-Tier Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix, an Eighth-Tier True Dragon—they all referred to him as “Master.” What kind of terrifying existence must the person behind them be?
Cold sweat seeped from Black Scaled’s forehead, and he quickly cupped his hands and said, “Since that is the case, I am willing to wait here for your Master’s return and personally offer my apologies.”
The crowd ignored him, their attention fixated on Little Jin. At this moment, the Bloodline Aura on his body surged wildly, his eyes had already turned crimson, his muscles were bulging, and golden fur began to sprout from beneath his skin.
Qing Yue frowned slightly, continuously channeling Moonlight power into Little Jin’s body: “Suppress it! Now is not the time to go berserk!”
Crimson Flame also raised her hand and sent out a crimson fire pattern, which wrapped around Little Jin’s wrist: “Little Jin, wake up! Master will be back soon!”
Xue’er then pulled out an ice-blue Dao Pill from her storage ring and, without explanation, shoved it into Little Jin’s mouth.
Black Scaled stood there awkwardly, not daring to make any rash moves.
On the other side of the battlefield, the battle had entered a white-hot stage.
Above the Void Realm, thunder rumbled, echoing across the sky. The Zi Dian Jiao Python revealed its true form, with six types of extreme lightning power appearing behind it. Its massive body lay horizontally within the vast lightning.
Below, Li Mu displayed his Chaos Dao Body, holding the black main sword transformed from Sword Mountain. The Chaotic Dao Domain, under the suppression of the six extreme lightning Dao Domains, continuously contracted but remained as stable as ever.
“Boom!”
The Cleaving Sky Green Lightning struck first. Li Mu’s figure swayed, and like a swimming fish, he instantly shifted several hundred zhang away. The green lightning narrowly grazed his clothes, silently cutting a mountain behind him in half.
“Chish—”
The World-Burning Crimson Lightning transformed into a net of fire and enveloped him. Li Mu’s sword edge turned, and Chaos Sword Qi surged like a black Dragon, tearing open a gap in the fire net. His figure passed through it, his robes scorched with several black holes, but his body remained unharmed.
The Zi Dian Jiao Python was furious, and the lightning from its single horn flared brightly. The Black Underworld Cold Lightning and the Town Mountain Yellow Lightning erupted simultaneously, attacking from left and right. The cold lightning froze space, and the yellow lightning suppressed all Laws, seemingly about to trap Li Mu within.
At the critical moment, Li Mu stepped on the Void Realm, his figure as erratic as willow catkins. He actually found a sliver of life in the gaps between the two lightning bolts, narrowly avoiding the fatal combined attack. The cold lightning brushed past his hair, instantly forming ice crystals; the yellow lightning flashed past from above, but ultimately failed to harm him in the slightest.
“Roar!”
The Zi Dian Jiao Python was completely enraged. Six lightning patterns simultaneously lit up on its single horn. The Illusory Light White Lightning arrived first, almost surpassing time in its speed; the Evil-Breaking Purple Lightning followed closely behind, carrying the might to destroy everything.
Li Mu’s pupils contracted slightly, and the black sword in his hand suddenly slipped, spinning rapidly in front of him. The sword body transformed into a black barrier, and the Chaotic Dao Domain fully contracted to protect his entire body.
“Clang!” The white lightning struck the sword body, sparks flying; the purple lightning followed closely, sending the black sword flying backward.
Just as the purple lightning was about to strike him, Li Mu formed a hand seal, and the Chaotic Dao Domain suddenly disintegrated. His figure then became ethereal, merging with the Dao Domain. The purple lightning pierced through the illusion, blasting a thousand-zhang deep abyss into the ground below, but failed to harm him in the slightest.
“What a Chaos Escape Technique!” The Zi Dian Jiao Python laughed in extreme anger, “This Emperor wants to see how long you can hide!”
Before the words finished, six streams of extreme lightning power furiously converged around it, finally forming a six-colored lightning domain that encompassed a radius of ten thousand li with world-destroying power.
The Void Realm trembled, and the six-colored lightning domain transformed ten thousand li of sky into a lightning purgatory. The Zi Dian Jiao Python coiled atop the thunderclouds, every scale on its thousand-zhang python body emitting dazzling electric light. It looked down at the tiny human figure, its single eye burning with monstrous rage.
“Human, to force this Emperor to unleash the Six Lightning Domains, you are worthy of pride!”
Amidst the thunderous roars, Li Mu’s figure flickered in and out of sight within the sea of lightning. He looked up at the sky, the Myriad Swords Mountain trembled slightly in his hand, and his Seventh-Tier Dao Robe was already scorched with several cracks by the lightning fire, yet his expression remained calm.
“Is this all your power?” Li Mu sighed lightly, his tone revealing unconcealed disappointment.
Upon hearing this, the Zi Dian Jiao Python was enraged, and six lightning patterns flashed wildly on its single horn. The entire lightning domain suddenly contracted, transforming into six ferocious lightning Dragons that lunged at Li Mu.
Each of the six lightning Dragons contained a type of extreme lightning power, and wherever they passed, space collapsed and Laws were annihilated.
Just as the lightning Dragons were upon him, Li Mu suddenly released the black sword in his hand. The sword body hung suspended in the air, and nine points of Star Power lit up from the sword edge, instantly transforming into nine brilliant great stars.
“Nine Extreme Stars, appear!”
As Li Mu’s voice echoed, the Chaotic Dao Domain underwent a transformation, converting into a star map and unfolding the Extreme Star Dao Domain.
Within the Star Domain, the first Po Jun Star crashed down, and wherever its starlight reached, the first lightning Dragon, formed by green lightning, shattered into pieces on the spot. Immediately after, the Greedy Wolf Star within the star map lit up, and its crimson starlight completely swallowed the World-Burning Crimson Lightning.
The Zi Dian Jiao Python was horrified, furiously urging the remaining lightning Dragons. The Black Underworld Cold Lightning froze the starlight, the Town Mountain Yellow Lightning suppressed the Void Realm, the Illusory Light White Lightning traveled through time, and the Evil-Breaking Purple Lightning tore the sky and split the earth. Five lightning Dragons intertwined to form a world-destroying killing array.
However, within the Star Domain, the third Seven Kills Star had already risen; this ominous star emitted a blood-red light, actually fixing all five lightning Dragons in mid-air simultaneously. Subsequently, the Heavenly Pivot, Heavenly Sphere, Heavenly Jade, Heavenly Balance, Opening Yang, and Shaking Light stars lit up one after another, forming a nine-star alignment that outlined an ancient star map within the endless Star Domain.
“This is impossible!”
The Zi Dian Jiao Python let out a mournful roar towards the sky. Its proud Six Extreme Lightning Domain, under the illumination of this star map, melted like spring snow.
Nine streams of Star Power pierced through its python body, pinning its thousand-zhang long body in the Void Realm.
Li Mu stepped through the air, surrounded by flashing stars that bowed in submission.
Li Mu reached out and grasped the suspended black sword, lightly touching the Zi Dian Jiao Python’s single horn with the tip of the sword.
“Your Lightning Dao still lacks the three most important variations.”
Li Mu’s voice was as calm as water, “Nine Revolutions of Extreme Lightning, then the Great Dao is complete. As you are now, you don’t even have the qualifications to make me draw my sword.”
The Zi Dian Jiao Python’s single eye was filled with horror. It suddenly noticed a faint lightning pattern had appeared on its single horn at some unknown point. This newly formed lightning pattern was furiously devouring the other six, vaguely showing signs of evolving into a seventh variation.
“Not killing you today is giving you a chance!”
Li Mu retracted his sword and turned, the nine great stars fading with him. “When you comprehend the Ninth Extreme Lightning, I will come find you. I hope then, you can make me seriously draw a sword.”
Before the words finished, Li Mu’s figure had transformed into specks of starlight and dissipated, vanishing from the spot in an instant.
The Zi Dian Jiao Python fell from the Void Realm, heavily crashing into the mountain range below. It struggled to raise its head, only to see the lingering starlight in the sky gradually condensing into nine ancient runes, which were precisely the legendary Nine Extreme Star Seals.
“Nine Extreme Star Power... Chaos Dao Body! Who exactly are you?”
The Zi Dian Jiao Python murmured softly, lightning flickering in its single eye. It suddenly opened its mouth and spat out a purple lightning pearl, within which seven lightning patterns could faintly be seen flowing. This was its innate lightning source, and at this moment, it was undergoing an astonishing transformation. (End of Chapter)