Chapter 44 A Sudden Turn of Events

Chapter 44: A Sudden Turn of Events

The Yin Poison Python let out a mournful cry. Seizing the opportunity, Li Derong controlled her flying sword to strike its wound once more. This slash tore open the python's belly, spilling its bloody entrails; it was clearly beyond saving.

The group attacked for a few more moments. The python hissed unwillingly several times before heavily crashing into the mud pit, falling silent.

Everyone immediately breathed a sigh of relief, their faces showing joy. Chu He took out his flying sword, chopped the Yin Poison Python's corpse into several sections, and stored them away. "The python's body must be inspected by the sect first. Later, I will exchange it for Spirit Stones and distribute them among everyone!"

This had been agreed upon beforehand, so Wang Hao had no objections.

Chu He continued, "The Yin Poison Python's lair is right below. There might be some treasures there. Shall we go down and take a look?"

A thief never leaves empty-handed. Since they were already here, they naturally wanted to loot the place. Everyone nodded in agreement. So, they retrieved their formation flags, and with Chu He taking the lead, they cautiously began exploring the Yin Poison Python's lair.

Snakes often lived in groups. Inside the lair, they encountered some Tier 1 poison pythons and even a few non-grade venomous snakes. However, without their leader, these snakes fought individually and were utterly unable to hinder the four cultivators' progress. After a round of slaughter, all four had collected some Tier 1 materials.

Reaching the depths of the lair, the environment became extremely cold and damp. The four now found themselves in a massive cave, nearly a hundred zhang high and two to three hundred zhang in both length and width. Gazing at the blood-red cave walls around them, Chu He slowly said, "If I'm not mistaken, these should be Blood Jiao Stones. They were likely formed after being soaked in the blood of at least a Tier 3 Flood Dragon. Snake-type demonic beasts devouring these stones can enhance their bloodline!"

Chen Qing laughed. "No wonder there are so many venomous snakes here! It's because of the Blood Jiao Stones! Blood Jiao Stones can be refined to extract Flood Dragon essence blood; they are Tier 3 spiritual materials. However, refining them is very difficult. But even in their raw state, they are rare Tier 2 materials for artifact forging! We can chop some off to take with us!"

Chu He nodded and looked at Wang Hao. "Earlier, I noticed your treasure seal seemed damaged. Repairing it with these Blood Jiao Stones would be perfect. I know an artifact forger within my sect; I can introduce you to him later!"

Wang Hao asked, "Are these Blood Jiao Stones earth-attribute?"

"Hard to say. It depends on what attribute that Flood Dragon possessed," Chu He explained. "If you find them unsuitable, brother, you can sell them to exchange for earth-attribute spiritual materials! Finding earth-attribute spiritual materials within the market district shouldn't be too difficult."

Just as everyone was sizing up the Blood Jiao Stones before them, an angry hiss suddenly echoed from deep within the cave.

Moments later, a massive red python appeared before the four.

"How is there another Tier 2 python?" Chen Qing exclaimed in surprise. However, the four had anticipated such a possibility and didn't panic excessively. They quickly gathered together, warily facing the red giant python.

The red python was even larger than the Yin Poison Python, measuring four to five zhang in length. Chu He swallowed hard. "This... this might be a Tier 2 Mid-Grade demonic beast!"

"Something's off. Look at its skin; it seems like it was shed not long ago," Li Derong reminded them.

Wang Hao looked over and indeed noticed something unusual about the python's skin; tattered remnants of its old skin still clung to its body.

Snake-type demonic beasts shed their skin each time they advanced a grade. This giant python had clearly just completed this process.

Recalling how Xiao Bai and Yaya slept for a long time after advancing grades, this giant python had likely been in deep sleep until their intrusion into the cave woke it up.

"A newly advanced Tier 2 Mid-Grade beast; it's still in its weakened period! Everyone, stay calm!" Chu He shouted loudly at this moment, simultaneously launching successive spell attacks at the python.

The python indeed seemed weakened; its movements were somewhat sluggish. It was hit by Chu He's spells but wasn't injured—after all, it was a Tier 2 Mid-Grade beast. With a sweep of its tail, it sent Chu He flying directly. A yellowish-brown shield light flickered around Chu He's body upon impact, but he still spat out a mouthful of blood after landing.

They were trapped in this underground cave with no way out except by slaying this giant python...

Having scored a hit, the python hissed contemptuously at the four before continuing its assault. Everyone frantically manipulated their magical instruments to block, while Wang Hao continuously threw spirit talismans and cast Fireball spells. Unfortunately, none caused significant damage.

Li Derong repeated her earlier tactic, using her flying sword to strike the python repeatedly, opening several gashes on its body.

This red python's new skin hadn't fully hardened yet; its defense wasn't strong enough. Against a Tier 2 Mid-Grade beast that had advanced long ago, Li Derong's flying sword wouldn't have been able to pierce it.

Seeing that Li Derong's instrument could harm the python, the other three also employed various means to delay it as much as possible, creating better opportunities for Li Derong to land hits.

But would the red python let them have their way? It swiftly turned and angrily lunged at Li Derong, who had wounded it. The four weren't far apart; each initially thought the python was targeting them and scattered using movement techniques.

Only after regrouping did they realize the python was fixated on Li Derong.

Chu He was injured, and his combat power had sharply decreased. If Li Derong—their strongest fighter—also came to harm, could they still escape this place?

Therefore, Wang Hao took out a Tier 2 Low-Grade Golden Sword Talisman, activated it, and hurled it at the python while changing direction to rush to Li Derong's aid.

Chu He and Chen Qing clearly recognized this too, halting their retreat and using their reserve spirit talismans against the python. Tier 2 Low-Grade talismans weren't highly effective against a Tier 2 Mid-Grade demonic beast. Fortunately, this beast had just advanced. After a series of crackling explosions, several deep wounds appeared on its body, slightly slowing its movements, but unfortunately failing to inflict critical damage.

Enraged further by this provocation, bloodlust ignited within the python. It glared fixedly at Li Derong before her. With powerful contortions, it shot forward covering several zhang in an instant, arriving before Li Derong and Wang Hao. It opened its bloody maw wide, aiming to bite Li Derong.

Facing such peril, Li Derong's face paled drastically. Escape was impossible now. A bitter smile touched her lips as she raised her flying sword vertically, adopting a stance determined to make the beast suffer even in death.

Seeing that even Tier 2 Low-Grade talismans couldn't subdue the python made Wang Hao realize even more acutely Li Derong's importance. The only ADC who could break its defense had to be protected; otherwise, this battle was lost.

Gritting his teeth, Wang Hao summoned his Sky-Overturning Seal and Gale Sword, charging recklessly toward the python.

Between life and death lies great terror, but once chosen, one cannot hesitate. Courage buried deep within Wang Hao's bones seemed ignited. The Sky-Overturning Seal smashed violently into the python's mouth, shattering two of its fangs. Simultaneously, with a poof sound, the seal's outer shell cracked apart.

Wang Hao had no time to lament. Pushing with one hand, he shoved Li Derong away some distance while thrusting his sword into one of the python's eyes.

The python shrieked in agony, violently shaking its head. Wang Hao was flung hard, smashing deeply into one side of the cave wall. Darkness swam before his eyes as he lost consciousness.

"Brother Wang!"

"Brother Wang!" Chu He and Chen Qing cried out in grief, their eyes wide with fury. "You vile beast, I'll fight you to death!"

They began hurling magical instruments and talismans at the python as if they cost nothing.

Having regained her senses, Li Derong cast a complex glance toward where Wang Hao lay. Her eyes reddened as she controlled her flying sword, fiercely stabbing toward the python's other eye.