Coiling Dragon Spear

After Qian Mo finished explaining the secret inheritance of the Four Single-Attribute Clans, Dan Lei immediately looked enlightened.

"So that's how it is. Then, Teacher, is the spirit beast you chose for me one that possesses some extreme ability?"

Qian Mo nodded with a smile and said meaningfully,

"That's right, and it isn't an ordinary spirit beast either."

Just as Qian Mo finished speaking, a faint scraping sound came from the cave beneath the cliff.

From such a distance, ordinary people naturally would not have been able to hear it, but the Halovian's innate talent made Qian Mo exceptionally sensitive to sound.

Qian Mo's gaze suddenly sharpened. Without another word, he drew the sword at his waist and slashed forward.

The next instant, a long purple figure was sent flying backward.

Shielding Dan Lei behind him, Qian Mo assumed a stance and said seriously,

"Xiao Lei, look carefully. This is the spirit beast I chose for you—a three-hundred-year-old lightning-attributed subdragon, the Purple Thunder Python!"

Only then did Dan Lei finally get a clear look at his hunting target.

It was a gigantic python over three meters long, entirely purple with a black belly, and as thick as an adult's thigh.

At that moment, Qian Mo's expression was more serious than ever.

Because Qian Mo realized that he had made a mistake similar to the one Yu Xiaogang had made when he first took Tang San hunting for a spirit ring.

He had underestimated the enemy.

However, Qian Mo's carelessness was not like Yu Xiaogang's, who had assumed there were no powerful spirit beasts in the Artificial Spirit Beast Forest.

On the contrary, Qian Mo had obtained intelligence on the target beforehand.

Although the Purple Lightning Python did not have the word "dragon" in its name, it was a dragon-blooded spirit beast, much like the Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul of the Dugu family.

Still, it was only a subdragon at best, and not one of the highest grade.

That was why a team heading to the Spirit Beast Forest to capture spirit beasts had deliberately brought it back as a gift for a high-ranking figure in Golden Ear City. Qian Mo had merely happened to discover it and intercepted it halfway.

According to the relevant personnel, this Purple Lightning Python had only cultivated for a little over three hundred years, yet it was enough to rival a Soul Elder. That was why Qian Mo had dared to come alone to help Dan Lei hunt it.

But after exchanging blows once, Qian Mo found that the man had not been lying. This spirit beast's combat strength truly rivaled that of a Soul Elder.

Its formidable explosive power and attack strength were also extremely compatible with Dan Lei's Coiling Dragon Spear Martial Soul.

Qian Mo was just somewhat speechless.

Because neither the books nor that staff member had mentioned that the Purple Lightning Python's defense was even stronger than its combat ability.

Qian Mo had used his full strength in that strike. It would have broken through the defenses of an ordinary Soul Ancestor, yet it had only left a shallow mark on the Purple Lightning Python.

Still, Qian Mo had no intention of giving up on hunting the Purple Lightning Python.

Its strong defense was actually even better. Perhaps it could strengthen Dan Lei's Martial Soul and elevate it to another level.

"Looks like taking it down will be a little troublesome."

Qian Mo muttered softly, then said to Dan Lei,

"Xiao Lei, move back a little. I'm going all out soon, so don't let me hurt you."

But just as Qian Mo was distracted by speaking,

The Purple Lightning Python's flickering tongue paused, its round snake eyes narrowed instantly, and then it transformed into a streak of purple light as it charged at Qian Mo once more.

But how could Qian Mo, who had remained on guard the entire time, possibly fail to react?

The instant the Purple Lightning Python launched its sneak attack, Qian Mo moved as well, instantly swinging out a flawless slash that seemed as natural as an antelope hanging its horns.

And it viciously struck the Purple Lightning Python once again!

Dazzling sparks burst forth.

But Qian Mo's pupils suddenly contracted!

Because he discovered that this time, the Purple Lightning Python had not been sent flying by his slash. Instead, it used the momentum of colliding with Qian Mo's blade to race toward the space behind him.

And behind Qian Mo was Dan Lei!

Qian Mo's expression changed drastically as he instantly realized the Purple Lightning Python's goal.

This bastard actually wanted to strike first and kill Dan Lei, the relatively weaker one of the two!

In the midst of that close exchange, no matter how exquisite Qian Mo's swordsmanship was, he could not abruptly change his move to rescue Dan Lei.

At that moment, Qian Mo's eyes nearly split open, and his heart roared madly!

"Damn it, he's my disciple! How could I possibly let you kill him just like that?!"

Driven by fury, Qian Mo quickly altered his move, voluntarily withdrawing his force to open the distance. He wanted to strike the Purple Lightning Python's tail at the last moment and forcibly interrupt its ambush.

But everyone knew how fast snakes were.

And since Qian Mo had changed his move at the last minute, how could he possibly hit it? His final sword stroke cut only empty air.

Grief filled Qian Mo's heart, and he could only pray that Dan Lei was tough enough to survive the blow.

At the same time, Qian Mo did not slow down in the slightest. He turned and stepped forward, intending to give chase.

But in the next second, Qian Mo froze.

The Purple Lightning Python had straightened into a line in midair, then its entire body went limp as a pale yellow Soul Ring gradually began to condense.

The Purple Lightning Python was dead!

Qian Mo stared at the scene in disbelief and hurried forward several steps.

Dan Lei was crouched on the ground, curled up, but he held the Coiling Dragon Spear Martial Soul that he had summoned in an emergency.

The butt of the spear was braced against the ground, while its tip had pierced straight through the Purple Lightning Python's throat.

Qian Mo looked at the scene somewhat speechlessly.

Though he was relieved that Dan Lei was unharmed, he suddenly felt as though he had become Yu Xiaogang, and he immediately cursed inwardly.

You inherently evil Purple Lightning Python! As a dragon-blooded spirit beast, why didn't you face me head-on?! I'm just a weak, pitiful support Soul Master—why were you scared of me?!

Now look what happened. You got solo-killed by a little kid!

Doesn't that feel humiliating?!

Then, looking at the still-shaken Dan Lei, Qian Mo helped him up with an apologetic expression and said,

"I'm sorry, Xiao Lei. I was supposed to help you hunt the spirit beast, yet I nearly got you killed by one instead."

Affected by Qian Mo's Attunement ability, Dan Lei quickly recovered his senses.

He merely shook his head slightly and said seriously to Qian Mo,

"Teacher, don't say that. You already told me to be careful and move away. This beast was simply too cunning. Rather than fighting you, it came to ambush a child like me."

Dan Lei's refusal to make a fuss only made Qian Mo feel even guiltier.

However, Qian Mo was not the sort of person to wallow in self-reproach. He quickly adjusted his mindset, patted Dan Lei's shoulder, and said sincerely,

"No, Xiao Lei, you don't need to make excuses for me.

A mistake was a mistake. I knew this kind of top-tier spirit beast would be difficult to deal with, yet I was still overconfident enough to bring you here alone to hunt it. That was what created this danger.

If I had brought a few more people, it definitely would not have been this perilous.

So, Xiao Lei, I promise you as your teacher that this will not happen again."

Looking at Qian Mo's sincere expression, much of the resentment Dan Lei had buried in his heart from living under another's roof suddenly dissipated.

And as Dan Lei thought it over, the truth really was as he had said while defending Qian Mo just now.

That Purple Lightning Python truly had been too cunning.

It had originally been glaring at Qian Mo in their standoff. Who could have expected it to suddenly turn and ambush him?