Encountering an Old Friend
After traversing the Shadow Poisonous Fog Forest for about half a day, the three of them, despite not suffering any major depletion due to their strength, still felt somewhat fatigued from the constant mental strain.
The pervasive Poisonous Miasma not only eroded their Protective Dou Qi, but also, like a bone-deep infection, constantly tried to seep in and affect their minds. Both Zi Yan and Xiong Zhan wore expressions of barely concealed irritability and weariness.
"Just how big is this forest? If this keeps up, I'm going to be driven crazy."
Xiong Zhan said in a deep voice, punching a poisonous toad covered in pustules that had leaped out of the mud into a bloody mist. His dark golden Dou Qi instantly evaporated the poisonous blood.
Lin Ming frowned slightly, his Soul Power struggling to explore the path ahead under the suppression of the Poisonous Miasma.
Just as he was considering whether to use his Heavenly Flames to forcibly create a clean space for a short rest, an extremely powerful, cold, and Primordial Aura pressure spread out like a tide from the depths of the miasma in front of him!
The pressure was far greater than any Magical Beasts they had encountered before, and even Lin Ming felt a bit of pressure!
"Eighth Order Magical Beast!"
Lin Ming's eyes narrowed, instantly assessing the level of this aura. Moreover, this chilling, hellish pressure immediately reminded him of the infamous serpentine overlord race in the Magical Beast World.
"It's the aura of the Nether Python! However, it seems somewhat different, much purer and colder..."
"Wow... what a powerful serpentine aura!"
Zi Yan's face also turned serious, Primordial Void Dragon bloodline within her body instinctively generated a trace of rejection and vigilance. Xiong Zhan was even more on high alert, his entire body muscles tensed, and the dark golden light flowed to its extreme.
"Carefully conceal your presence and get closer to take a look."
Lin Ming said in a deep voice. With such a powerful Magical Beasts appearing ahead, whether to detour or continue forward, we must first figure out the situation.
The three suppressed their auras to the lowest level, and like three shadows, silently moved towards the direction from which the oppressive aura came.
The closer one gets, the clearer the chilling pressure becomes. Fine black ice crystals even begin to condense in the air. The surrounding Poisonous Miasma is somewhat dispelled by this powerful aura, and visibility becomes slightly clearer.
After passing through a grove of withered, strange trees that stretched towards the sky like Ghost Claw, the view ahead suddenly opened up—a small cleared swamp.
In the center of the open space, a colossal creature lay coiled!
It was a Giant Python, its entire body covered in deep, dark black scales, the edges of which shimmered with a cold, eerie blue light, as if it had gathered the Nether Qi from the Nine Nether depths.
Its body is as thick as a mountain range, and just by sitting there, it gives people a sense of unshakable solidity.
Its head is not triangular like that of ordinary snakes, but rather has a majestic appearance reminiscent of a dragon. There are two slight protrusions on both sides of its forehead, as if horns are about to break through its scales.
An ancient, Primordial Aura, accompanied by a chilling cold that sent shivers down one's spine, emanated from it continuously.
"As expected, it is a branch of the Nether Python, and its bloodline is quite extraordinary. Judging from its form and aura, it should be a variant of it— the Nine Profound Nether Python!"
Upon seeing this, Zi Yan spoke up, recognizing the origin of this enormous creature.
Seeing this, Lin Ming sensed the aura up close and realized that it was clearly not a newly promoted Eighth Order Magical Beast. It had probably reached the peak of the low-level Eighth Order, comparable to a human Peak Three-Star Dou Venerate!
However, at this moment, the majestic Nine Profound Nether Python, which should have been looking down on everyone, was in an extremely abnormal state.
Its massive body was trembling violently, as if it were enduring immense pain. Wisps of Netherworld energy uncontrollably escaped from between the opening and closing of its dark scales.
With its back to Lin Ming and the other two, the enormous snake head lowered, facing the other side of the open space, emitting a hissing sound that suppressed extreme anger and pain, the sound waves distorting the surrounding air.
Lin Ming's gaze passed over the Giant Python's trembling, massive body and looked at its front.
There, compared to the mountain-like Nine Profound Nether Python, a figure appeared exceptionally small, like an ant.
She was a young girl dressed in a light blue dress.
She was slender and graceful, but she was clearly under immense pressure at that moment.
Fine beads of sweat covered her smooth forehead, sliding down her cheeks. Her delicate brows were furrowed, and she gently bit her lower lip, indicating that she was exerting all her strength.
Most strikingly, beneath her smooth forehead, a mysterious blue mark appeared in her eyes, emitting a faint glow!
The mark resembled three flowers gathered at the top, with clear veins in the petals, as if it contained the ultimate Supreme Principle and earth. An ancient and strange power fluctuation was continuously emanating from it, enveloping the Nine Profound Nether Python opposite.
Under the light of the cyan Three Flower Mark, within the enormous, lantern-like scarlet eyes of the Nine Profound Nether Python, two tiny, illusory cyan Three Flower Mark were faintly condensing and emerging!
However, these two marks were extremely unstable, flickering unpredictably, as if they might shatter at any moment.
Clearly, the girl was attempting to use her Special Ability to forcibly subdue the powerful Nine Profound Nether Python!
Meanwhile, the Nine Profound Nether Python was desperately resisting the control mark that was trying to imprint itself on its Soul Origin with its powerful will and Soul Power!
The two sides reached a stalemate.
The girl temporarily suppressed the Nine Profound Nether Python with the strange and powerful cyan Three Flower Mark, but she was unable to break through the Nine Profound Nether Python's final line of will to completely complete the imprint.
Although the Nine Profound Nether Python was in great pain and its breathing was disordered, its dignity and wildness as an Eighth Order Magical Beast made it unwilling to become Puppet. It struggled frantically, trying to break free from the restraints of the cyan light.
"Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils!" A look of understanding and surprise flashed in Lin Ming's eyes. He recognized the origin of the cyan mark and also saw the girl's profile clearly.
Although many years had passed, the girl had shed her youthful naiveté and blossomed into a stunningly beautiful young woman. Yet, her familiar features and unique innate pupil technique made her identity readily apparent.
Seeing the girl's forehead beaded with sweat and her body trembling slightly, clearly nearing her limit, Lin Ming couldn't help but show a warm smile of reunion and a hint of determination on his face.
"What a coincidence! I've run into an old friend; how could I just sit idly by?"
With a thought, Lin Ming's immense Soul Power, which had reached the Spirit Realm Grand Perfection, erupted like a dormant volcano, yet it was also incredibly condensed, transforming into an invisible and intangible yet mountain-heavy Soul Pressure. It precisely traversed space, ignoring the Nine Profound Nether Python's chaotic Netherworld Qi defense, and fiercely suppressed its struggling will!
"Buzz--!"
The Nine Profound Nether Python, which was already locked in a stalemate with the power of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, was like a bowstring stretched to its limit. Now, it was suddenly struck by a terrifying Soul impact from the outside that far exceeded its imagination. Its tough will defense line was like glass being hit by a giant hammer, instantly covered with cracks and then collapsed with a bang!
"Hiss--!"
A shrill scream filled with despair and resentment erupted from the mouth of the Nine Profound Nether Python. Its massive body, which had been struggling violently, suddenly stiffened. In its scarlet snake eyes, the two illusory Three Flower Mark that had been flickering and about to dissipate suddenly solidified, like the deepest imprints, deeply imprinted into the very depths of its Soul Origin!
The struggle stopped, the trembling subsided.
The violent and ferocious aura of the Nine Profound Nether Python receded like a tide, replaced by a docile, submissive, and even fearful stillness. Its massive head slowly lowered, finally pressing completely to the ground, signifying utter submission.
The girl in blue in the center of the open space felt the pressure vanish instantly, and her previously overwhelming will to resist dissipated. Seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, she fully activated the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils on her forehead.
A brilliant blue light shone forth, completely enveloping the Nine Profound Nether Python.
The next moment, the colossal creature, as large as a mountain range, rapidly shrank, eventually transforming into a beam of light that was absorbed into the stable blue Three Flower Mark on the girl's forehead and disappeared.
After the battle, only the exhausted girl in blue and Lin Ming, along with two others who had quietly appeared, remained in the open space.
The girl took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the churning Qi and Blood and nearly depleted Dou Qi within her. She raised her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead before turning to look at the person who had come to her aid.
When she recognized the young man leading the group, who had a gentle smile, a flicker of gratitude crossed her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by wariness. After all, deep within the Meteor Beast Mountain Range, human nature was unpredictable.
She steadied herself, clasped her hands in a respectful bow to Lin Ming, and said in a clear, melodious voice, yet with a distinct air of aloofness, "Thank you for your help, Your Qing Lin. I am deeply grateful. I will repay this kindness later. Farewell."
After saying that, she turned to leave, clearly not wanting to get entangled with strangers any longer.
However, Lin Ming found her feigned aloofness quite amusing. He couldn't help but recall the timid little girl who had followed him around years ago. A teasing thought crossed his mind, and his smile widened as he said, "Hey, you little girl, you're really pretty! How about coming back with me to be my wife? I guarantee you'll live the high life!"
Upon hearing this, not only was the girl who called herself Qing Lin stunned, but even Zi Yan and Xiong Zhan, who were standing to the side, stared wide-eyed at Lin Ming with strange expressions.
Qing Lin was taken aback at first, then a faint blush of anger instantly rose on her pretty face. She was grateful for the other party's help, but those lecherous words were simply too rude!
Her heart was already filled with that figure; her risky escape from the sect was precisely to find him, and she would not allow anyone to treat her lightly.
Her tone immediately became even colder, even carrying a hint of chill, as she said again, "Please have some self-respect! I will remember your Qing Lin, but if you speak disrespectfully again, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Having said that, she turned around resolutely, quickened her pace, and wanted to get away from this frivolous fellow as soon as possible.
Watching her embarrassed yet resolute back, Lin Ming knew he couldn't tease her any longer. He laughed heartily, his voice filled with nostalgia and mockery, and said loudly, "Hahaha, little girl, you've really grown up! You've become too independent, not even calling me 'Brother Lin Ming' anymore. It's truly heartbreaking!"
"Lin Ming... brother?"
These words exploded in Qing Lin's ears like a thunderclap!
Her hurried departure abruptly froze, as if her feet were bound by invisible ropes.
She turned around slowly and laboriously, her eyes, which had been filled with coldness and anger, now brimming with disbelief, shock, and bewilderment. She stared intently, almost greedily, at the smiling young face, trying to find traces of her memories.
The confidence in his brows, the gentleness and depth in his eyes, the familiar teasing curve of his lips... Gradually, the mature and handsome face before her eyes slowly overlapped with the youthful face she had cherished deep in her heart for many years, a face she dared not forget...
It's him! It really is him!
He was no longer the genius boy who took her away from Stone Desert City and whom she had to look up to, but had become a young powerhouse who was unfathomable and whose charm surpassed that of the past! But that familiar feeling, that warmth etched into her soul, was definitely not wrong!
All her strength, all her composure, all her vigilance, melted away instantly, like ice and snow meeting the sun. Years of longing, grievances, worries, and the ecstatic joy of regaining what she had lost, surged forth like a flood, instantly overwhelming her defenses.
Unexpectedly, glistening tears rolled down her beautiful eyes. She could no longer contain her emotions and, like a fledgling returning to its nest, cried out in a sob:
"Brother Lin Ming! It really is you!"
Before she finished speaking, she had already transformed into a Green Shadow and rushed towards Lin Ming without regard for anything else, as if she wanted to make up for all the years of separation in this moment.
In this situation, the girl's identity has been revealed.
She was none other than Qing Lin, who was taken away by Lin Ming in Stone Desert City back then, possessed the heaven-defying pupil technique "Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils," and later joined the Heavenly Snake Mansion!