That Flash of Purple Blade Light

"Yang." Conghu Army, who was leading Yang Yu through the city streets, called out, "You don't mind if I call you that, do you?"

"No problem. Officer Cong, you're older than me anyway." Yang Yu did not care much about forms of address.

"Don't call me officer either, Yang. If you don't mind, call me Big Brother Cong."

"Haha, of course I don't mind. I haven't even thanked you for being willing to bring me along yet."

Although there were few Monsters in the city now, and most were merely ordinary Mutated Creatures, anyone willing to bring along a completely inexperienced newcomer possessed a sense of responsibility and courage worthy of respect.

"Ah, what's there to thank me for? After dealing with all kinds of Mutated Creatures and Monsters these past few days, we've become increasingly aware that humanity's future lies with Martial Artists like you." Conghu Army kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings as he spoke with emotion.

"Our firearms work fine against ordinary Mutated Creatures that haven't become Monsters yet. They can even have some effect on the weakest Monsters. But against the stronger leading Monsters, they're far too ineffective."

"How exactly are these Monsters classified by strength?" Yang Yu asked curiously.

"There isn't a very clear classification yet. For now, there are only three levels: ordinary Mutated Creatures, Monsters, and Monster Commanders. Individual ordinary Mutated Creatures are about as strong as special forces soldiers or highly trained Genius Martial Artists. Monsters correspond to Martial Artists who can already absorb Cosmic Energy. As for Monster Commanders, there are very few human Martial Artists capable of fighting them right now. Most of those Monsters can only be dealt with using large-scale thermal weapons such as Grenade Launchers and missiles."

Hearing this, Yang Yu understood. Since this was still the early stages of the Grand Nirvana, most animals remained within the category of Mutated Creatures.

Monsters corresponded to Beast Soldier Level.

Monster Commanders corresponded to Beast General Level.

As for Lord Level Monsters equivalent to human War Gods, they had not yet been born—or perhaps they simply had not yet entered humanity's field of view.

With that, Yang Yu had a clear grasp of the situation. With his Senior War General-level Martial Artist strength and Intermediate War God-level Spiritual Force, he was still very safe.

However, Monsters mutated and evolved extremely quickly. Yang Yu could not afford to let down his guard. Who knew where a terrifyingly powerful Monster might be lurking?

The two chatted as they patrolled.

As the areas they patrolled became increasingly remote, strange animals of every kind began appearing with far greater frequency.

However, it was clear that these animals were still in the midst of mutation. Some were even weaker than before they mutated. Some Stray Dogs and Stray Cats, for instance, were barely clinging to life.

Most of the few that had mutated successfully would not brazenly appear in human sight.

"Be careful, Yang. Although the city center is mostly filled with ordinary Mutated Creatures right now, and Monsters are rare, some Mutated Creatures have very bizarre methods of attack. You mustn't be careless. Just stay behind me."

Conghu Army adjusted his grip on the gun and cautioned him carefully.

Yang Yu did not try to show off after hearing that. He took a step back and followed behind Conghu Army.

Yang Yu did not need to be this cautious given his strength, but it was still a gesture of goodwill. Besides, even if a Monster suddenly appeared, he could respond swiftly and would not truly allow Conghu Army to fall into danger.

Rustle, rustle...

The sound of grass scraping against something drifted over.

But the sound was extremely faint. Even the device Conghu Army wore had failed to detect it. Only because Yang Yu's Physical Fitness vastly surpassed that of ordinary people did he notice it in advance.

"Big Brother Cong! Something's coming."

Yang Yu immediately called Conghu Army to a halt, then removed the War Blade from his back and gripped it in his right hand, warily watching the direction from which the rustling had come.

Hearing Yang Yu's warning, Conghu Army did not act rashly. Instead, he carefully raised his gun and watched the surroundings.

A hundred meters ahead and to their left, a mutated python as thick as a bucket and over ten meters long lay hidden in grass taller than a person. Flicking its tongue, it slowly twisted its body as it stalked toward Yang Yu and Conghu Army.

When the mutated python noticed that the humans ahead had suddenly stopped, its hunting instincts told it that it was time to strike!

Whoosh!

The mutated python burst forth at Full Strength, shooting through the grass at Extreme Speed like an arrow released from a bow as it lunged fiercely at Yang Yu, who appeared to be the greater threat!

Its instincts told it that Yang Yu, with a War Blade in hand, was the most dangerous one!

For a mutated python already close to Beast Soldier Level, crossing a distance of one hundred meters took only four or five seconds.

Such speed might have been extremely dangerous to Conghu Army. He might not even have been able to guarantee a hit if he fired.

But to Yang Yu, it was no different from slow motion. When the python sprang out of the grass and opened its vicious maw as it lunged at him—

Yang Yu's powerful eyesight clearly caught the pale green scales covering the mutated python's body. Its scarlet tongue flickered at tremendous speed, while liquid that reeked of blood dripped from its fangs, each more than ten centimeters long.

"Watch out!"

The moment Conghu Army spotted a green blur shooting out, he shouted at the top of his lungs.

But before his voice had faded, Yang Yu shifted one step to the left like Lightning. At the same time, immense power poured into his War Blade as he instinctively unleashed the Thunderbolt Blade Technique, which excelled at slashing, and hacked down fiercely at the snake's head!

To be safe, Yang Yu even coated the War Blade with Spiritual Force.

This strike became truly fast to the extreme!

Slash!

A Purple Blade Light flashed.

The snake's head fell to the ground!

The ten-meter-long snake body behind it continued hurtling forward at Extreme Speed due to its tremendous momentum, only stopping after charging dozens of meters.

That was because Yang Yu's strike had been too fast and too fierce!

The snake's head had been severed in an instant, while the inertia from the snake body's high-speed charge had yet to dissipate.

Yang Yu felt no ripple of emotion as he looked at the snake head he had cut off without effort.

Still, it was the first beast he had killed since crossing into this world, so Yang Yu had brought out sufficient strength to deal with it.

Even a lion used its Full Strength to hunt a rabbit!

Yet this Mutated Giant Python did not even qualify as cannon fodder. Though it was already very close to becoming a Beast Soldier Level Monster, killing it had not even served as a warm-up.

After giving the Mutated Giant Python one final glance, Yang Yu calmly sheathed his blade and stood still. "Big Brother Cong, see if there are any useful materials on this python worth taking."

"Huh?"

Only then did Conghu Army come back to his senses. The Mutated Giant Python that seemed like a disaster to him had been casually slain by Yang Yu in a single strike.

The enormous contrast made this battle-hardened veteran begin to doubt his life. Had the times truly changed?

However, Conghu Army was only stunned for a moment before hurrying excitedly to the fallen snake head. "This is a common Mutated Green Python. They used to live in deep waters and the depths of swamps. I never expected them to dare enter the city after mutating."

"Its two fangs are the most valuable parts, along with its incredibly tough Snake Tendon and its Snake Skin, which can provide considerable defense after processing. Just this one python, if properly utilized, could equip an entire squad!"

Conghu Army had clearly seen plenty of Mutated Creatures before. With a single glance, he identified the origin of this mutated python.

"Time is of the essence. Big Brother Cong, let's take the materials and continue our patrol."

"Haha, all right!"

As he spoke, Conghu Army took specialized dissection tools from his backpack and began working on the fangs in the snake's head.

Yang Yu did not stand idle either. Holding his War Blade, he walked over to the snake body and easily peeled off the Snake Skin, which was more than ten meters long.

By then, Conghu Army had collected the fangs. He came over to help pick out the transparent Snake Tendon as well.

There were quite a few materials to be harvested from a mutated python over ten meters long. Conghu Army's backpack was quickly stuffed full. "Yang, we were lucky to have you this time. If that green python had wrapped around me, I would have been in danger. I'll record these Military Merits for you first. Once the time comes, these materials should be enough for you to trade for the best Combat Suit."