Tang Tian simply had no spare time to consider Fan Siren's words.
At that moment, the Heavenly Thunder Python had drawn even closer to Ye Ruxue. Its massive tail whistled through the air, then flipped and smashed viciously toward her.
"Miss Ye, watch out!"
Tang Tian shouted, his body shooting toward the Heavenly Thunder Python like a cannonball, intent on stopping it.
The gap in their cultivation was simply too great; this battle was far too difficult.
Yet Master Fan had demanded that Tang Tian kill the Heavenly Thunder Python, so naturally, he chose to obey.
"Meteor Beyond the Heavens!"
With Tang Tian's current cultivation, he had only barely learned this move.
Yet it was precisely this move, like a meteor streaking across the sky, that made his sword strike incomparably swift. Even his entire body became faster because of the sword technique.
"Boom!"
His longsword pierced into the Heavenly Thunder Python's body, but its tough scales trapped the blade within its flesh, making it impossible to pull out.
Tang Tian leaped up and ran wildly along the Heavenly Thunder Python's enormous body, arriving atop its massive head.
"Die!" A flash of light flickered in Tang Tian's hand, and another longsword appeared. He drove it viciously into the Heavenly Thunder Python's other eye.
"Aoooar!"
Blood sprayed everywhere, further rousing the Heavenly Thunder Python's ferocity.
The Heavenly Thunder Python opened its blood-filled maw. Lightning flickered within it, continuously gathering as an aura of destruction grew stronger and stronger.
Knowing that time was running out, Ye Ruxue hurried toward the Thunder Cherry Blossom.
"Attacking a woman—what kind of ability is that? If you've got the guts, come at me!"
Tang Tian sneered and ran desperately toward the entrance of Heavenly Thunder Valley with his sword in hand.
Blinded by rage, the Heavenly Thunder Python had long since lost its reason. Especially now that both its eyes were blind, it could only pursue by following his aura.
As for the Thunder Cherry Blossom and the Heavenly Thunder Vine, it could no longer spare them any thought.
At this moment, the Heavenly Thunder Python had only one thought in its mind: regardless of the cost, kill Tang Tian first!
If it did not kill him, how could it quell the snake's fury?
Watching Tang Tian's retreating figure, a trace of concern surfaced in Ye Ruxue's icy eyes.
She had seen the Heavenly Thunder Python's strength for herself. Its powerful physical defenses were difficult to break through without overwhelming strength or a divine weapon.
The longswords carried by Falling Star Sect disciples were merely ordinary weapons, nothing more than Mortal Artifacts.
On the Heavenly Saint Continent, weapons were divided into these ranks: Mortal Artifacts, Spirit Artifacts, and Divine Artifacts.
Each rank was further divided into four grades: low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, and top-grade.
Although Falling Star Sect outer disciples looked impressive outside the sect, the weapons they carried were only mid-grade Mortal Artifacts—not even high-grade.
Ximen Lian held a noble status, and her weapon had been a high-grade Mortal Artifact, but Tang Tian had destroyed it.
The longsword in Ye Ruxue's hand was a top-grade Mortal Artifact, but she had no way to lend it to Tang Tian.
"I won't let you down!"
Now that the Heavenly Thunder Python was no longer interfering, Ye Ruxue had arrived beneath the Thunder Cherry Blossom.
"Little Thunder, eat on your own. Eat as much as you can. If you can't finish it, we'll take the rest with us."
Ye Ruxue spoke softly. The Thunderclap Beast nodded, transformed into a streak of light, and darted onto the Thunder Cherry Blossom tree.
She did not know of Fan Siren's instructions to Tang Tian. She merely thought Tang Tian was risking his life to lure away the Heavenly Thunder Python.
If she had known that Tang Tian was not merely trying to lure it away, but intended to kill the Heavenly Thunder Python, she would likely have been stunned speechless.
Ye Ruxue's delicate hands moved in swift succession as she quickly gathered the Heavenly Thunder Vine and Thunder Cherry Blossoms.
As for Tang Tian, he raced toward the exit of Heavenly Thunder Valley at top speed while keeping watch on the Heavenly Thunder Python's movements behind him.
He had to stay alert at all times. If the Heavenly Thunder Python did not follow him out, Ye Ruxue and the Thunderclap Beast would be in danger.
Fortunately, he was not disappointed. The Heavenly Thunder Python pursued relentlessly behind him.
Within its blood-filled maw, lightning continued gathering into a sphere, and the aura of destruction became increasingly terrifying.
Damn it, how is this an Advanced Bone-Forging Realm demonic beast? Even an Organs-Hiding Realm beast wouldn't be this terrifying, would it?
Tang Tian grumbled inwardly. No wonder Heavenly Thunder Valley possessed Heavenly Thunder Vine and Thunder Cherry Blossoms, yet no demonic beasts or human cultivators dared to set their sights on them.
Even an Organs-Hiding Realm expert would have only one road to death upon encountering a crazed Heavenly Thunder Python!
"Kid, be careful. That lightning ball behind you is the Heavenly Thunder Python's innate battle skill. If it hits you, even if you don't die, half your life will be gone."
Fan Siren's voice was somewhat grave. This snake's strength had already exceeded all reason.
"Master Fan, can't you make a move?"
Tang Tian was full of expectation. With Master Fan's strength, what was a mere Heavenly Thunder Python?
Who would have thought that Master Fan would snort coldly? "Kid, don't rely on others for everything. Especially at times like this—between life and death is where you can temper yourself the most. Besides, every time I act, it consumes soul power. Once it is exhausted, no one will need to kill me. My own little life will be finished."
"Master Fan's lesson is right. If I rely on you at every turn, how can I become stronger? Don't save me today. Even if I have to stake this little life of mine, I'll turn the Heavenly Thunder Python into a dead snake!"
After leaving Heavenly Thunder Valley, Tang Tian spun around, madness flickering in his eyes.
"Meteor Beyond the Heavens!"
With a flick of his longsword, it seemed to transform into a meteor as it stabbed toward the frenzied Heavenly Thunder Python.
At that moment, the Heavenly Thunder Python's jaws were wide open as its innate battle skill continued to gather power. Blood flowed from its eyes, making it look utterly terrifying.
The only part it could still move was its tail.
The Heavenly Thunder Python's tail was like a towering pillar holding up the heavens, descending from above and smashing viciously toward Tang Tian.
"Get lost!"
Tang Tian roared. His longsword turned, avoiding the snake's tail while continuing to stab toward the Heavenly Thunder Python's eyes.
The Heavenly Thunder Python would probably regret that its eye defenses were not strong enough. They had instead become its sole weakest point.
And its most fatal weakness!
"Sshh..."
The longsword tore through the air like a meteor and plunged into the Heavenly Thunder Python's eye.
This time, it pierced several inches deeper.
"Aoo..."
The Heavenly Thunder Python thrashed its body in agony. The earth beneath it was smashed into trenches, while rocks shattered into powder after being struck with tremendous force.
"Crash!"
Upon hearing the sound, Tang Tian's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly dodged.
The lightning ball in the Heavenly Thunder Python's mouth had nearly finished gathering power. Stimulated by Tang Tian's sword, it could endure no longer and spat it toward him.
Because they were too close, evading it was exceedingly difficult.
"Playing with lightning against this young master, are you?"
Madness flashed through Tang Tian's eyes. He actually put away his longsword, then charged toward the incoming lightning ball.
At the same time, he unleashed the Nine-Turn Heavenly Thunder Art.
All the primordial energy within his body rapidly transformed into lightning power, covering the surface of his body.
Tang Tian's entire body was enveloped in lightning power, gleaming with silver light.
"Boom!"
Once he had made all his preparations, the lightning ball unleashed by the Heavenly Thunder Python's innate battle skill struck Tang Tian's body at precisely that moment.
"Pfft..."
There was nothing he could do. Tang Tian spat out a mouthful of blood first, then was hurled through the air and smashed into the mountain wall.
Dust billowed into the air. No one knew what state Tang Tian was in now...
It was at precisely this moment that Ye Ruxue rushed out of Heavenly Thunder Valley with the Thunderclap Beast in her arms and witnessed Tang Tian being blasted away by the lightning ball.
"No!"
Ye Ruxue let out a shriek. Her longsword glinted with icy cold light as she attacked the spent and dying Heavenly Thunder Python!
[Author's Note]: Today's first update is here. The second and third updates will follow shortly. Has anyone guessed why Master Fan wanted Tang Tian to kill the Heavenly Thunder Python?
Before you continue