[Level 7 · Swamp-Scale Python (Red Name)] [Health 95%]
The wound on the giant python's head looked frightening, but it had done no real damage. Its health had barely dropped. Instead, the blow had roused its ferocity.
Its thick tail swept toward them, carrying a foul wind and a spray of mud.
Chu Mo reacted swiftly. He instantly activated the Dust-Treading Art he had already prepared, vanishing from his spot like a ghost. A few flickering steps carried him several yards away, narrowly avoiding the vicious blow.
Zhu Ming rapidly waved his feather fan, conjuring a whirlwind that carried Su Yao backward. Only Ying Le reacted a little too slowly. Despite his desperate attempt to dodge, the tip of the python's tail still grazed his chest.
Bang!
He was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily into the bushes.
"Brother Ying!" Zhang Meng cried out, hurrying over to check on him.
"Cough, cough... I'm fine." Ying Le emerged, covered in dirt. The Spirit Ring on his hand shimmered, raising a pale blue barrier around him.
His face was filled with lingering fear. Had the protective Spirit Ring not activated in time, that blow would have damaged his muscles and bones, leaving him unable to fight.
"Die, you vile beast!" Seeing that his companion was unharmed, Zhang Meng roared. His muscles bulged as he swung a fist at the python's body!
He cultivated the Myriad Forms Treasure Body Art, which made his physical strength exceptionally formidable. His muscles and bones rivaled metal and stone.
Clang!
Yet when his fist struck the scales, it rang out like clashing metal, leaving only a faint white mark. Stung by the blow, the python twisted its body and forced Zhang Meng back instead.
Zhu Ming's wind blades and Su Yao's Water Arrows struck the python one after another, but none could break through its tough scales. They left only shallow wounds, accomplishing very little.
Chu Mo's brows knitted tightly. This Swamp-Scale Python had an extraordinarily powerful body. Their attacks were little more than skin scraping.
In this open terrain, its enormous body gave it every advantage. If the fight dragged on until they exhausted their true qi or attracted other savage beasts, they would be in grave danger.
As for using the Scarlet Sun Needle or "Master Liu"? They had not yet reached the end of the road, with mountains and rivers barring every path. It was not worth exposing his trump cards.
"Don't fight it head-on! We're leaving!" His thoughts raced, and Chu Mo made an immediate decision, shouting sharply.
The Swamp-Scale Python opened its blood-red maw again, lunging at him with a foul wind.
His hand seals shifted. Several green vines formed from spiritual power burst out of the ground. Drawing on the abundant water and wood qi here, they were thicker than usual and bound the giant python tightly, restraining its movements.
"Fall back!" Ying Le caught on. With a wave of his hand, he formed three ice swords and sent them straight toward the python's eyes, forcing it to turn its head aside.
The group seized the opportunity and swiftly withdrew.
They fought as they retreated, racing toward the depths of the forest they had come through.
Yet the Swamp-Scale Python clung to them like a maggot burrowed into bone. Swinging its massive body, it crushed a path through the forest and pursued them relentlessly, moving every bit as fast as they did.
"Why is this beast chasing us so hard?!" Ying Le looked back and cast [Ice Chill Art], slowing the giant python.
Chu Mo was cursing inwardly too. They had already fled more than ten kilometers, yet it still refused to give up the chase.
In a game, they would have left combat long ago. Even in reality, wild beasts were territorial and generally would not leave their own territory.
Just then, Ying Le's eyes lit up as though he had found a straw to cling to. He said urgently, "I remember! On our way here, I saw a gathering place for Poison Claw Monkeys. There were quite a few of them.
"Let's lure this thing over there and let the dogs tear into each other! No, let the monkeys fight the python!"
"No!" Chu Mo immediately rejected the suggestion. "That would leave us caught between the monkeys and the python."
A few days earlier, he had discovered by chance that savage beasts of different species might fight each other, but once they noticed his presence, even predator and prey would turn on him with bloodshot eyes.
Could you imagine wolves and sheep setting aside their differences to fight a common enemy?
Chu Mo's words were like cold water poured over Ying Le's head, snapping him back to his senses.
With no other choice, they could only keep fleeing. But the Swamp-Scale Python's stamina seemed inexhaustible, while their true qi was draining rapidly.
Su Yao's water blades had grown weak and limp. Zhang Meng's punches had lost their force, and even Chu Mo's movements under the Dust-Treading Art had slowed.
"This can't go on! We're almost out of true qi!"
Sweat beaded at Zhu Ming's temples, and his protective Spirit Talisman had dimmed considerably. He looked anxiously at Ying Le. "Junior Brother Ying, what about your [Thunder-Summoning Talismans]? If you won't use them now, when will you?!"
An expression of agonized reluctance crossed Ying Le's face. He hesitated. "Those Spirit Talismans of mine... they cost a fortune, and I only have a few left..."
"We can't worry about that now!" Zhu Ming spoke urgently, the wind blades from his feather fan losing their cohesion. "Use one! Otherwise, we'll all end up buried in this snake's belly today!"
Seeing the Swamp-Scale Python closing in again, its bloody maw bringing a foul wind against their faces, Ying Le finally gritted his teeth. Resolve flashed across his face. "Damn it, here goes!"
He swiftly pulled a crimson Spirit Talisman brimming with spiritual energy from his Storage Bag. Intricate patterns covered its surface, with faint lightning flowing through them.
Ying Le turned and hurled it into the air.
Boom-crack!
A dazzling bolt of lightning appeared out of thin air, writhing like a silver serpent as it struck the Swamp-Scale Python squarely on its enormous head.
Lightning spells seemed particularly effective against the giant python. Its massive body convulsed violently as it let out a shrill, agonized hiss. Its scales blackened and shattered beneath the lightning before it finally crashed to the ground, throwing dust into the air.
When the lightning faded, the Swamp-Scale Python was barely clinging to life. Its head had nearly been blasted apart, and its health bar emptied in an instant.
[You assisted in killing Level 7 · Swamp-Scale Python (Red Name)]
Only then did everyone let out a long sigh of relief. Zhu Ming came to a halt and extinguished the glow of his protective talisman, remarking:
"That [Thunder-Summoning Talisman] truly deserves its place among the finest Middle Grade Spirit Talismans of the first tier. Its power is tremendous. If I'd known, I wouldn't have bought this [Clear Spirit Wind-Shield Talisman]."
A strange look flashed through Zhu Ming's eyes. Without his [Clear Spirit Wind-Shield Talisman], a hit like that would probably leave not even his bones behind.
Ying Le paid no attention to their reactions. Watching the talisman turn to ash, he sucked in sharp breaths of heartache:
"My forty Spell Coins... I only brought three in total, and I've already used two before we've even seen any natives..."
Unlike spells, talismans could be activated instantly, making them lifesaving tools in every sense.
"Don't be too upset, Brother Ying. You can take your pick of the materials from this vile beast."
Chu Mo offered him some comfort, leaving the two glowing orbs scattered on the ground untouched. If the giant python's skin suddenly vanished, it would be rather difficult to explain.
Still, he had not expected Ying Le to have so many valuable things on him.
Pills, talismans, artifacts, and formations were ranked by tier, with each tier further divided into upper, middle, and lower grades.
A Middle Grade Spirit Talisman, a Middle Grade Spirit Ring, at least three spells... Just how much Spiritual Debt did he take on? How did he get that loan? Did the Upper Mound Commerce Association have no requirements whatsoever for lending?
The python gallbladder was a good ingredient for medicinal concoctions, and its scales could also be used to craft armor.
Though Ying Le still mourned his talisman, the sight of these valuable spoils finally improved his expression somewhat. Working carefully, he extracted the python gallbladder and stripped off its skin.