Green Pattern Giant Serpent (Part 1)

"Another one! Combining magic and battle qi really does work!" Lin Tian let out a long breath after successfully killing a sixth-rank Flame Tiger, his face brimming with excitement and satisfaction. He expertly extracted the Flame Tiger's magic core, stowing it in his storage ring, then swiftly severed its limbs in one fluid motion.

Since that perilous shadow attack, Lin Tian had been roaming the Magic Beast Mountain Range for over ten days. Recalling the thrilling showdown with the shadow—especially the final moment when his long spear thrust forward and the Fireball Technique blazed like a sudden flash of light, turning into the decisive strike that killed the raider—a bold idea had taken root in his mind: could he blend instant-cast magic into battle qi combat, letting the two complement each other and become a powerful asset in his fights?

From then on, Lin Tian embarked on a grueling yet rewarding journey of experimentation. Every time he clashed with a magic beast, he deliberately abandoned relying solely on magic or battle qi, instead trying to weave the two together. Success and failure intermingled along the way. At first, against lower-rank beasts, his combined moves didn't flow smoothly; coordinating magic and battle qi proved difficult. Sometimes the magic lagged, casting only after the spear had struck; other times it came too early, failing to sync with the spear. But Lin Tian didn't lose heart. He kept adjusting his rhythm, searching for the optimal moment to fuse them. Fortunately, his cautious nature led him to pick mostly fifth-rank and below opponents, so even failures didn't trap him in a dead end.

As time passed and experience accumulated, Lin Tian gradually found the knack for pairing magic with battle qi. Just like the recent fight with the sixth-rank Flame Tiger, before challenging it, he had already crafted several exquisite moves that combined both.

This exhilarating battle not only further confirmed the feasibility of merging magic and battle qi but also greatly enhanced his close-combat abilities. Moreover, since he'd been focusing on battle qi combat lately, his warrior strength had naturally reached the peak of the fifth rank.

Yet Lin Tian wasn't satisfied with his improved strength. He knew that in this perilous Magic Beast Mountain Range, only constant progress would ensure survival. So he set out to find a quiet spot to break through to the sixth-rank warrior level. After some searching, he discovered a secluded cave. A faint, rank odor lingered inside, left by its original owner—a third-rank Cunning Fox. This fox was agile, with sleek fur, and when it sensed Lin Tian's intrusion, wariness flashed in its eyes as it let out a low growl, trying to scare off the uninvited guest.

Lin Tian smiled faintly, paying the third-rank Cunning Fox no mind. Spear in hand, he charged at it like a phantom. The fox dodged his attacks nimbly, darting back and forth through the cave. Lin Tian wasn't in a hurry; he calmly observed the fox's movement patterns. When the fox lunged again, he seized the moment, thrusting his spear with precision and landing a clean hit. The fox let out a pained cry, struggled a few times, then went still.

After dealing with the fox, Lin Tian sat cross-legged in the cave, fully immersing himself in the cultivation to break through to the sixth-rank warrior. He circulated his battle qi, guiding it to surge rapidly through his meridians. As the qi condensed and compressed, his body felt as if it were being filled with a powerful force. Sweat soaked his clothes, but he gritted his teeth and persisted. Finally, amid a strong surge of energy, Lin Tian successfully broke through to the sixth-rank warrior.

The breakthrough didn't just boost his warrior strength; the intense combat and training of recent days also pushed his spiritual power to the sixth-rank mid-stage. Overjoyed, Lin Tian seized the moment to refine the elemental energy around him, further enhancing his magic power.

To test his newfound strength, Lin Tian decided to seek out a stronger opponent. He set his sights on a peak sixth-rank Tusked Boar. This boar was massive, like a small hill, covered in coarse, tough black bristles, with two long tusks jutting from its mouth, gleaming with cold light. Sensing Lin Tian's approach, it let out a deep roar that echoed through the forest.

The battle erupted instantly. Lin Tian, spear in hand, unleashed various self-created techniques. However, his attacks barely fazed the boar; most were blocked by its magic armor, which rivaled the defense of a seventh-rank beast with its mystic-iron-like quality. Even the strikes that pierced the magic defense only left small pits in its thick hide, doing little real damage.

When the boar counterattacked, it charged like an out-of-control war chariot straight at Lin Tian. He dodged nimbly, pondering a strategy.

After a fierce exchange, Lin Tian spotted an opening and executed "Spear Blade." The Rocket Technique on his spear tip, carrying immense impact and enhanced sharpness, struck the boar. It let out a agonized squeal, wracked with pain. Lin Tian then repeatedly used "Spear Blade" to attack, finally dodging the enraged boar's charge. A powerful thrust, combined with the Rocket Technique's sharpness, pierced through the boar's body, and he released a Fireball Technique inside it. The boar's massive frame swayed a few times before crashing to the ground. This successful kill boosted Lin Tian's confidence, confirming he could now break through the defenses of a seventh-rank beast.

Thus, Lin Tian decided to challenge a seventh-rank beast to see if his dual sixth-rank strength could overcome a more formidable foe. After some deliberation, he targeted the seventh-rank Green Pattern Giant Serpent. Though a water-element beast, it had relatively weak defense and slow movement; even if he couldn't win, Lin Tian was confident he could retreat safely.

He then scoured the areas where fifth- and sixth-rank beasts roamed. He wove through dense forests, climbed steep peaks, leaving no stone unturned in his search for the serpent. After days of relentless hunting, he finally spotted it by a quiet pool.

The Green Pattern Giant Serpent was enormous, as thick as a water bucket and several zhang long. Its body was covered in green-and-white patterns, like mysterious designs painted by nature, shimmering with an eerie, captivating luster under the sunlight. Its triangular head held high, two emerald vertical pupils burned like cold ghost flames, exuding a chilling aura. It slowly flicked its long forked tongue, hissing softly, as if declaring its dominion over the area. Its thick body slithered lazily by the pool, each movement stirring faint ripples that broke the water's calm.

Lin Tian hid behind a nearby bush, his heart pounding involuntarily. Nerves and excitement mingled within him as he fixed his gaze on the serpent. A fierce battle seemed poised to erupt at any moment.