The pool water was pitch-black, deathly energy churning within it.
Lu Chen stood at the pool's edge. The instant his gaze met the colossal creature at the bottom, a chill crept up his spine—not fear, but instinctive vigilance.
The giant python's aura was far stronger than he had expected.
The giant python that had guarded the little snake earlier had been at the mid stage of the Longevity Realm, and it had already taken some effort to deal with. This one before him was at least at the late stage of the Longevity Realm, perhaps even brushing against the threshold of the peak.
It lay coiled at the bottom of the pool, deathly energy so dense around it that it had nearly solidified. The energy surged and writhed like living creatures, dyeing the entire pool black as ink. A pair of blood-red snake eyes stared fixedly at Lu Chen through layer upon layer of darkness.
The little snake was sprawled atop the giant python's head, its golden vertical pupils brimming with smug delight.
It was laughing.
Lu Chen did not move.
He knew that in a situation like this, whoever moved first would reveal an opening.
The giant python did not move either.
It simply remained coiled there, its blood-red snake eyes coldly fixed on Lu Chen, as though sizing up a tiny bug that had foolishly wandered into its territory.
The karst cave was deathly silent.
Only the occasional droplets falling from above struck the pool's surface with soft drips.
Time trickled away, second by second.
One incense stick's time.
Two incense sticks' time.
At last, the giant python moved.
It did not attack. Instead, it slowly raised its head, its massive body rising from the bottom of the pool.
The pool water churned violently, waves crashing against the