Xiao Qing's first command, the Shrek Eight Monsters' first battle

Zhao Wuji cast a glance at Xiao Qing, who understood immediately. With a slight movement of his mind, he signaled Thunder Feather to relay more information.

He lowered his voice to a volume only those nearby could hear: "The life signs of the creature inside the cave are strong, consistent with a thousand-year Blood-Vein Python. Its aura is somewhat sluggish, as if it is resting or digesting food."

Digesting food? Zhao Wuji narrowed his eyes.

When python-type spirit beasts are digesting food, their alertness is relatively lower and their movements may be slightly sluggish, making it a prime time to launch an attack, though it could also make them more irritable if disturbed.

"Are you certain it's a Blood-Vein Python?" Zhao Wuji confirmed.

Xiao Qing nodded: "Xiao Feng and Thunder Feather's perceptions cross-confirmed it. The scent and scales match perfectly, and the life-fluctuation characteristics align as well. The margin of error is very small."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuji nodded. Since the target was confirmed, there was no need for him to continue participating.

"Very well. From here on, you will plan how to take down this Blood-Vein Python yourselves. I will stand by and keep watch."

The group nodded silently at Zhao Wuji, then quickly gathered around Xiao Qing, their gazes fixed intently on him.

In this temporarily assembled spirit-hunting squad, if there was anyone besides the powerful Zhao Wuji who commanded the most conviction, it was Xiao Qing.

However, Zhao Wuji had strictly ordered beforehand that this hunt was a practical exercise for the other students; unless absolutely necessary, Xiao Qing was not to use his spirit beasts.

Therefore, Xiao Qing did not prepare to take the lead as he usually would.

Xiao Qing's gaze swept over the group, then flicked toward the cave entrance.

"The interior space of the cave is unknown, but the entrance is narrow. If we all crowd in, we won't be able to maneuver, our line of sight will be obstructed, and we might be countered by the Blood-Vein Python using the terrain. Therefore, we must force it out and resolve this in the open."

He paused, then continued: "Tang San, use your Blue Silver Grass to seal the entrance. Weave it into a net—it must be dense enough to briefly obstruct its charge and provide a medium for the flames to cling to and burn."

Tang San nodded, indicating he understood.

"Ma Hongjun," Xiao Qing looked at the fatty, "once Tang San's Blue Silver Grass is in position, use your Phoenix Fire Line to ignite the grass to the maximum extent and force the Blood-Vein Python out of its nest. Just be careful to control the direction of the flames; don't let the fire spread to our side."

A look of excitement flashed in Ma Hongjun's eyes.

"The moment the Blood-Vein Python charges out is when its defenses will be at their weakest." Xiao Qing looked at Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Dai Mubai. "Ning Rongrong, the instant the Blood-Vein Python shows its head, apply your strength and speed buffs to Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai."

"Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, your targets are its eyes. Use your strongest single-target spirit skills and ensure you blind it in one strike. Once it loses its vision, its threat will be greatly reduced, and it will be easier to control."

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were cold as she nodded. Dai Mubai clenched his fists, his fighting spirit rising.

"After a successful blinding, Tang San, use your Blue Silver Grass's Bind and Parasite to restrict its movements with all your might. Immobilize its body as much as possible, especially its head and neck."

"Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, eat Oscar's Recovery Big Sausage, then use your long-range spirit skills to continuously attack its vital points. Remember, keep your distance, attack in turns, and don't give it a chance to catch its breath or counterattack."

"Oscar, your sausage supply must keep up. Ning Rongrong, continue to provide buffs to the front line—Tang San, Ma Hongjun, and Dai Mubai—from the rear, and watch your own safety."

Xiao Qing's plan was clear and logical, with well-defined roles. Zhao Wuji listened from the side, a look of approval flashing in his eyes.

"Move out," Xiao Qing issued the final command.

Tang San stepped forward immediately, his spirit rings lighting up. A large amount of deep-blue Blue Silver Grass silently spread toward the cave entrance, forming several layers of vine nets of varying density both inside and outside the opening.

"Fatty, light it up!" Tang San shouted in a low voice.

Ma Hongjun was already prepared, his first spirit ring glowing with brilliant yellow light.

"First Spirit Skill: Phoenix Fire Line!"

A scorching line of fire shot precisely toward the Blue Silver Grass at the entrance.

Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was instantly ignited by Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire, the flames spreading rapidly and bathing the entire entrance in a bright red glow.

Thick smoke billowed, backflowing into the cave, and the high temperature caused the air near the entrance to distort.

Violent scraping and crashing sounds immediately erupted from within the cave, accompanied by a dull, angry hiss. Clearly, the sleeping Blood-Vein Python had been disturbed by the sudden smoke and fire.

Within a few breaths, a loud "boom" echoed out. The burning Blue Silver Grass blocking the entrance was violently smashed aside by a massive force, sending sparks and fragments of burning vines flying in all directions.

A Blood-Vein Python, as thick as a water barrel and seven or eight meters long, lunged out of the cave with ferocious intensity!

Its pair of cold, vertical pupils contracted from anger and discomfort. It held its head high, flicking its tongue rapidly, and radiated a violent, brutal aura.

"Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, First: Strength! Second: Speed!"

Ning Rongrong, who had been ready, watched as the light flowed around her Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, and four rays of colorful light landed precisely on Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai.

"First Spirit Skill: Hell Stab!"

Zhu Zhuqing's figure turned into a black afterimage, pouncing directly from the side toward the Blood-Vein Python's massive head.

Her cat claws shimmered with a cold light, aimed directly at the Blood-Vein Python's left eye.

"Second Spirit Skill: White Tiger Intense Light Wave!"

Dai Mubai attacked at almost the same time, but instead of releasing it from a distance, he held the energy in his palm. Charging from the other side, he used his buffed speed and power to slam the ball of light fiercely into the Blood-Vein Python's right eye!

The Blood-Vein Python had just rushed out, its vision obscured by smoke and fire, caught off guard while still in a state of shock and rage as the two attacks arrived before it.

It instinctively tilted its head, but it was still too slow.

"Puchi!" "Bang!"

Zhu Zhuqing's cat claws pierced deep into the Blood-Vein Python's left eye, causing fluid to spray out. Dai Mubai's White Tiger Intense Light Wave also exploded violently against its right eye socket.

"Hiss--!!!"

A shrill, piercing hiss tore through the silence of the forest.

The Blood-Vein Python's two eyes instantly turned into a pair of bloody pits; the excruciating pain drove it completely mad, its massive body twisting and rolling violently as its tail lashed out wildly, sending shattered stones and broken wood flying.

"Blue Silver Grass, Bind! Parasite!"

Tang San's voice rang out, and the Blue Silver Grass that had long been lying in wait along the python's path suddenly erupted, growing frantically from all around and upon the Blood-Vein Python's body, binding it tightly.

Although the Blood-Vein Python possessed immense strength and kept snapping the Blue Silver Grass, Tang San's soul power provided a continuous supply, with new vines constantly replenishing the hold, significantly hindering its movements.

"Fatty, Boss Dai, strike!" Xiao Qing shouted.

Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai had already retreated over ten meters away, each swallowing a Recovery Big Sausage tossed to them by Oscar.

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 Phoenix Fire Line several times thicker and hotter than before, continuously scorching the midsection of the Blood-Vein Python's body.

Dai Mubai also unleashed his White Tiger Intense Light Wave once more, spheres of light bombarding the python's head wounds and its seemingly vulnerable seven-inch mark.

Under the multiple torments of blindness, intense pain, constant restraint, and long-range bombardment, the Blood-Vein Python's resistance, while fierce, became increasingly disorganized, resembling more of a death throe.

The toxic mist it spat out, carrying a fishy, sweet scent, was avoided or resisted by the group, who had long been prepared, by holding their breath. Its scales were tough, but under the sustained assault of concentrated firepower, they began to crack and char.

The battle lasted for about a quarter of an hour.

The Blood-Vein Python's struggles gradually weakened, its hissing became listless, and its massive body finally collapsed limply to the ground, with only its abdomen still rising and falling slightly, clearly breathing more out than in.

Dark red blood gushed from the Blood-Vein Python's eyes, mouth, and the wounds on its body, staining a large patch of the ground red.