401: Chapter 400 Tribulation of Lightning - Giant Python Transforms into a Dragon!

"Boom—!"

A bolt of lightning sliced through the ink-black night sky; the long-accumulated heavy rain finally poured down, instantly turning heaven and earth into a curtain of Chaos.

Bean-sized raindrops pattered against the soldiers' helmets, and visibility in the mountains plummeted. The already difficult search and rescue operation was forced to a complete halt. Two armed helicopters circled in the airspace away from the thunderstorm.

"Attention all units! Suspend the search! Take cover where you are!"

The command from the Southwest Military Region headquarters came through the walkie-talkie. Rescuers in the mountains scurried into temporary rain shelters, looking up at the suffocating black clouds above the mountain peak.

...

The thunderclap from just now also reached the limestone cave, startling everyone.

The Black Python's massive body slid down from the Dragon Head Stalactite, slowly approaching Qin Yi, its crimson vertical pupils staring straight at him.

"Mang Ge, is it time?" Qin Yi asked, looking directly at the Black Python.

The Black Python nodded and then prostrated its entire body on the ground.

Qin Yi understood instantly and immediately called out to Si Yao and Si Hongxiao, "Mang Ge is going to take us out. Everyone, get on!" With that, Si Hongxiao shouldered the still-unconscious Zhao Lintai, and the three of them quickly climbed onto the Black Python's back.

"Mang Ge, we're ready. We can go out now!" As soon as Qin Yi finished speaking, the Black Python's body twisted like a bolt of black lightning, shooting toward the cave entrance.

"Hold your breath!" Qin Yi hurriedly warned. The three of them immediately held their breath and focused. While holding his breath, Si Hongxiao didn't forget to tightly cover Zhao Lintai's mouth and nose.

In just a few heartbeats, the Black Python carried them out of the deep pool, continuing to charge toward the mountain top platform like an arrow from a bow.

Atop the mountain, the thunder grew increasingly violent. Amidst the rolling black clouds, it seemed as if countless bolts of heavenly lightning were gathering.

Just as the Black Python reached the platform, Qin Yi shouted urgently, "Si Yao, Xiao Ge, find cover and hide! Get as far away from the cave entrance as possible!"

Hearing Qin Yi's urgent voice, the two didn't dare delay. Si Yao and Si Hongxiao dragged Zhao Lintai, and the three of them hid behind a giant rock about a dozen meters away from the cave entrance.

But when they looked back, they saw Qin Yi still sitting atop the Black Python's head, with no intention of moving.

"Qin Yi, what are you doing?! Get down here quickly!" Si Yao shouted anxiously at Qin Yi.

Qin Yi turned back with a grin, his voice piercing through the curtain of rain: "Today, I shall assist Mang Ge in Undergoing Tribulation to transform into a flood dragon! The Lightning Tribulation is coming; hide yourselves well and don't worry about me!"

Hearing Qin Yi say this, Si Yao immediately became nervous, her face turning pale. She shouted at him, "Qin Yi, are you crazy?! That's heavenly lightning! You're only at the Anjin Stage; are you going to risk your life to help?! Get down now!"

"Mr. Qin!" Si Hongxiao was also anxious. He was about to rush out but was stopped by Qin Yi's words.

"Xiao Ge, the Lightning Tribulation is about to arrive. Don't come any closer!" Qin Yi shouted to Si Hongxiao, then looked at Si Yao with a slight smile and continued, "Don't worry! I'm confident. Take care of yourselves!" After speaking, Qin Yi leaned down and pressed his forehead against the Black Python. Man and python were now mentally connected.

"Long Ge, I'm ready. Let's begin!" Qin Yi whispered into its ear.

The next moment, a determined divine light erupted from the Black Python's crimson vertical pupils. It let out a hiss that shook the valley and charged fearlessly into the lightning clouds against the torrential rain!

This scene was witnessed by countless eyes—the Si Family Old Residence, the Southwest Military Region headquarters, all the soldiers in Zhuilong Valley, and Bai Ruoxue hiding in the rear mountain cavern; they all witnessed this unforgettable moment!

"Boom—!!!"

The first bolt of heavenly lightning finally fell!

A pillar of lightning as thick as a bucket, carrying world-destroying pressure, struck straight down at the Black Python!

Si Yao was so frightened she covered her eyes, not daring to look.

Just when everyone thought the Black Python would be blown to pieces, a miracle occurred—a golden light shield rose from the giant python's head, firmly protecting Qin Yi and the Black Python.

The heavenly lightning slammed into the light shield, sparking electric lights everywhere. The scattered electricity danced like golden snakes, blasting the mountain top platform full of holes. Giant trees were snapped in half, bursting into flames only to be instantly extinguished by the torrential rain.

The sky-filling Lightning Tribulation was like the raging waves of the Nine Heavens, striking down incessantly, yet it could never break through that layer of golden light shield.

A minute later, as the final bolt of heavenly lightning dissipated, peace returned to the sky above Zhuilong Valley.

However, the black clouds still rolled, though without the previous pressure.

The heavy rain continued as the Black Python carried Qin Yi slowly down, landing steadily on the mountain top platform.

Qin Yi jumped down, completely unharmed, though his face was a bit pale.

"Qin Yi! Are you okay?" Si Yao rushed out, her voice tearful as her hands frantically checked him over.

Qin Yi waved his hand and smiled, "I'm fine. Didn't I say I was confident? Though, the feeling of being struck by lightning is actually quite wonderful."

Just as Qin Yi finished speaking, the Black Python unexpectedly pressed its head close to him again, pulling his consciousness back into the Sea of Consciousness without warning.

"Kid, thank you." Inside the Sea of Consciousness, the phantom of a giant dragon appeared once more, its ancient and majestic voice ringing out. "Before I leave, I shall grant you another stroke of fortune. Though I transform into a flood dragon today, I still must endure the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations and train for a thousand years before I can become a true dragon. That limestone cave, I shall leave to you."

Qin Yi was stunned. "Long Ge, you're leaving?"

"The dragon pulse here has already leaked; there's no point in staying." The giant dragon phantom flicked its tail. "The barrier at the entrance of the limestone cave can be removed using the dragon saliva liquid. That dagger in your hand can serve as the key to the cave's entrance after being refined with dragon saliva liquid. In the future, you can carry it with you; just slice open the barrier to enter and exit freely."

"Thank you, Long Ge!" Qin Yi was overjoyed. That limestone cave was a treasure land; with the spiritual liquid formed from Black Dragon Essence Blood, it was practically a cultivation Holy Land. Although he didn't need the spiritual liquid himself, he could give it to the Si Family. They had suffered heavy losses this time, so this cave could serve as compensation!

"No need to thank me, you've earned it!" The giant dragon phantom's voice paused, carrying a hint of coldness. "Also, that Bai Ruoxue, I'll give her to you as well!"

After speaking, the giant dragon phantom in the Sea of Consciousness instantly dissipated. The Black Python moved like a bolt of black lightning, rushing toward the rear mountain cavern!

Bai Ruoxue, hiding inside, felt a chill through her entire body as a fatal sense of crisis gripped her throat!

She immediately circulated her 'Mystic Ice True Qi' to resist, but the Qi she had just gathered was shattered by a single roar from the Black Python!

"Pugh!"

Bai Ruoxue spat out a mouthful of blood, her body slumping to the ground.

The Black Python's sharp claws easily tore open the rock crevice. It picked her up like a little chick, turned around, returned to Qin Yi's side, and threw her heavily onto the ground.

Looking at Bai Ruoxue on the ground, Qin Yi immediately signaled Si Yao and Si Hongxiao to restrain her.

Having done all this, the Black Python—or perhaps it should now be called the 'Black Flood Dragon'—gave Qin Yi one last look. Then it turned around, and with a few leaps through the fading curtain of rain, it disappeared into the vast mountains.

With its departure, the dark clouds shrouding the mountain top quickly dissipated, the heavy rain stopped, and it was as if the world-destroying scene from just now was merely a dream.