Zhao Wuji gave Xiao Qing a look. Xiao Qing understood, and with a thought, had Thunder Feather send him more information.
He lowered his voice, speaking softly enough for only those nearby to hear. "The creature in the cave has a powerful life response. It matches a thousand-year Blood-Vein Python. Its aura is somewhat sluggish, as though it's resting or digesting food."
Digesting food? Zhao Wuji narrowed his eyes.
When serpent-type Soul Beasts were digesting food, their vigilance tended to drop, and their movements might grow slightly sluggish. It was a good time to attack, but they might also become more violent if disturbed.
"Are you sure it's a Blood-Vein Python?" Zhao Wuji confirmed.
Xiao Qing nodded. "Xiao Feng and Thunder Feather's senses confirm it independently. Its scent and scales match perfectly, and its life-signature does too. The margin of error is tiny."
Zhao Wuji nodded. Now that they had confirmed their target, he didn't need to be involved in what came next.
"Very well. From here on, you'll plan how to keep this Blood-Vein Python from escaping. I'll stand by and watch your backs."
The others silently nodded to Zhao Wuji, then quickly gathered around Xiao Qing, all eyes fixed on him.
In this hastily assembled Soul Hunting team, the only person more convincing than Zhao Wuji, their strongest member, was Xiao Qing.
However, Zhao Wuji had strictly ordered beforehand that this Soul Hunting expedition was a practical exercise for the other students. Unless absolutely necessary, Xiao Qing wasn't allowed to use a Soul Beast.
So Xiao Qing didn't prepare to lead the charge as he usually did.
Xiao Qing's gaze swept over everyone, then flicked toward the cave entrance.
"We don't know how much space there is inside, but the entrance is narrow. If we all crowd in, we won't be able to maneuver, our vision will be obstructed, and the Blood-Vein Python could use the terrain to counterattack. So we'll force it out and deal with it in the open."
He paused, then continued. "Tang San, use your Blue Silver Grass to block the entrance and weave it into a net. Make it dense enough to briefly hinder the python from rushing out, and give the flames something to cling to and burn."
Tang San nodded to show he understood.
"Ma Hongjun." Xiao Qing looked at the chubby youth. "Once Tang San's Blue Silver Grass is in place, use Phoenix Fire Line to ignite as much of it as possible and drive the Blood-Vein Python from its lair. But control the direction of the flames. Don't let them spread to our side."
A flash of excitement crossed Ma Hongjun's eyes.
"The moment the Blood-Vein Python bursts out, it'll likely be at its most vulnerable." Xiao Qing looked at Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Dai Mubai. "Ning Rongrong, the instant the python shows its head, boost Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai's strength and speed."
"Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, your targets are its eyes. Use your strongest single-target Soul Skills and blind it in one strike. Without its vision, it'll be much less dangerous and easier to control."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, her expression cold. Dai Mubai clenched his fists, his fighting spirit rising.
"Once it's blinded, Tang San, use Bind and Parasite with all your strength to restrict its movements. Hold its body in place as much as possible, especially its head and neck."
"Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, eat Oscar's Recovery Big Sausages, then use your ranged attack Soul Skills to keep hitting its vital spots. Remember to keep your distance and take turns attacking. Don't give it a chance to catch its breath or strike back."
"Oscar, keep the sausages coming. Ning Rongrong, stay in the rear and keep boosting the front line—Tang San, Ma Hongjun, and Dai Mubai. Watch your own safety."
Xiao Qing's plan was clear and well organized, with distinct roles for everyone. Listening from the side, Zhao Wuji's eyes flashed with approval.
"Move." Xiao Qing gave the final order.
Tang San immediately stepped forward, his Soul Rings lighting up as masses of deep-blue Blue Silver Grass silently spread toward the entrance, weaving several layers of vine nets, some tight and some loose, inside and outside the cave.
"Fatty, light it up!" Tang San called.
Ma Hongjun was already ready. The yellow light of his First Soul Ring flared.
"First Soul Skill, Phoenix Fire Line!"
A blazing stream of fire shot precisely toward the Blue Silver Grass at the entrance.
The moment Tang San's Blue Silver Grass met Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire, it ignited. The flames spread rapidly, turning the entire entrance a fiery red.
Thick smoke billowed into the cave, while the heat warped the air around the entrance.
Violent scraping and crashing sounds immediately rang out inside, followed by an angry, muffled hiss. The Blood-Vein Python, still asleep, had clearly been startled by the sudden smoke and flames.
Just a few breaths later, a thunderous crash rang out. The burning Blue Silver Grass blocking the entrance was smashed aside by a tremendous force, scattering sparks and fragments of burning vines.
A Blood-Vein Python as thick as a barrel and seven or eight meters long burst violently from the cave!
Its icy, vertical pupils narrowed with anger and discomfort. It raised its head high, flicked its tongue rapidly, and radiated a savage aura.
"Seven Treasures Have Names: First, Strength! Second, Speed!"
The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda in Ning Rongrong's hands shimmered, and four beams of colored light landed precisely on Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai.
"First Soul Skill, Hell Stab!"
Zhu Zhuqing's figure became a black blur as she lunged at the Blood-Vein Python's massive head from the side.
Her claws gleamed coldly, aimed straight at its left eye.
"Second Soul Skill, White Tiger Intense Light Wave!"
Dai Mubai attacked almost simultaneously, but instead of firing it from a distance, he contained it in his palm and charged from the other side. With his boosted speed and strength, he slammed the ball of light into the Blood-Vein Python's right eye.
The python had only just burst out. Its vision was blurred by the smoke and flames, and it was still disoriented with rage. Before it could react, both attacks were already upon it.
It instinctively turned its head, but it was too slow.
"Squish!" "Bang!"
Zhu Zhuqing's claws plunged deep into the Blood-Vein Python's left eye, spraying liquid. At the same time, the White Tiger Intense Light Wave in Dai Mubai's palm exploded violently against its right eye socket.
"SSS—!!!"
A shrill hiss tore through the forest's silence.
The Blood-Vein Python's eyes became two bloody holes. The agony drove it completely mad. Its enormous body thrashed and rolled, its tail lashing wildly as shattered stones and broken branches flew everywhere.
"Blue Silver Grass, Bind! Parasite!"
Tang San's voice rang out. The Blue Silver Grass already lying in wait along the python's path erupted, growing wildly around and over its body, wrapping tightly around it.
Though the Blood-Vein Python's tremendous strength kept snapping the Blue Silver Grass, Tang San's Soul Power flowed without pause, and fresh vines constantly replaced those that broke, greatly slowing its movements.
"Fatty, Boss Dai, attack!" Xiao Qing shouted.
Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai had already retreated ten meters away. Each swallowed a Recovery Big Sausage Oscar tossed them.
Ma Hongjun's Second Soul Ring lit up. "Second Soul Skill, Bathed-in-Fire Phoenix! Phoenix Fire Line!" He opened his mouth and spewed a stream of Phoenix Fire Line several times thicker and hotter than before, scorching the middle of the Blood-Vein Python's body without letup.
Dai Mubai released White Tiger Intense Light Wave again, sending ball after ball of light crashing into the wounds on the Blood-Vein Python's head and the seemingly vulnerable spot seven inches below it.
Blinded, in agony, constantly restrained, and pounded by ranged attacks, the Blood-Vein Python still fought fiercely, but its movements grew increasingly chaotic. It was mostly thrashing in its death throes.
The poisonous mist it spat out, thick with a sickly-sweet stench, was avoided or held back by the prepared group. Its scales were tough, but under the concentrated, unrelenting barrage, they began to crack and blacken.
The battle continued for about fifteen minutes.
The Blood-Vein Python's struggles gradually weakened, and its hisses grew feeble. At last, its massive body slumped to the ground, its abdomen still rising and falling faintly. It was clearly breathing its last.
Dark-red blood poured from the Blood-Vein Python's eyes, mouth, and wounds, staining a large patch of ground.
Before you continue