The serpent's belly

Even after confirming the location, Bai Mo sensed that this small, flashing marker on the map would definitely become a massive black hole, because it had likely existed for nearly a century.

Even the most mysterious treasures will eventually be unearthed. No matter the method, inanimate objects can never withstand the power of the living. Moreover, Odin's so-called contingency plan is unfortunately located in the sacred ground of the giants, the Well of Wisdom.

This is essentially building one's own grave in the enemy country's capital. Regardless of whether there's anything there, anyone with a brain would take a shovel. Even if they don't get anything, this place will most likely catch the attention of those behind the scenes.

But to Bai Mo's surprise, the intelligence here was so severely outdated. There was no sign of Jormungandr, such a behemoth, returning to Northern Europe.

Jormungandr, also known as the World Serpent or the Midgard Serpent, was one of the greatest threats to the Æsir in prophecy. At its birth, Odin threw it into the bottomless sea of Midgard, where it grew wildly and eventually became a giant serpent that encircled the world.

His life seemed to be Thor's nemesis, and in the normal mythology, after killing this giant serpent, Thor did indeed die from the poison of Jormungandr.

In Northern Europe mythology, these monsters are not merely embodiments of destruction; they all carry special meanings, with Jormungandr cycles and recurrence.

In some ways, the current state of tranquility in Northern Europe mirrors the departure of Jormungandr.

But its return, and even its hiding place here, was somewhat unexpected.

The golden steed, its body crackling with lightning like a camera flash, burst forth from the bloody maw. Gullfaxi gasped for breath, while Ophelia on its back was drenched in cold sweat.

It was so thrilling! If she were to return to the Mage's Association after this experience, she could write a book about it and it would blow everyone's mind. The thrill of escaping death and the appearance of the mythical artifact made her temporarily forget the stinging sensation from using the Mystic Eyes.

Jormungandr's blood-chilling gaze fell upon Ortlinde, and she felt as if her heart was about to stop beating. Bai Mo stood in front of them, blocking the almost suffocating gaze.

Meanwhile, Bai Mo didn't let Landao Tianwu off so easily either. This guy was leaning against the rock wall, repairing the fatal blow he had just received through Cellular Regeneration.

After all, the move of grabbing his ankle just now is also the most suitable move to use, as well as the Giant Shark's Exploding Sac Dismemberment Kill, but the latter is somewhat undignified.

The three groups of people were like three gunslingers from the West, none of them making a move. After an unknown amount of time, Jormungandr shifted his calculating gaze from Bai Mo to the two people behind him.

"I had some doubts before, but after seeing you all, I finally believe that Odin did indeed leave a mark here."

The giant serpent opened its head, exhaling icy breath and speaking in Old Northern Europe.

Jormungandr, even as just a head, was the size of a mountain. Each of its scales was the size of a cruise ship, and what appeared here was merely a section of its serpent head; its body stretched into the depths of the Daichi, seemingly endless.

What's most terrifying is his immense vitality; of all the vitality Bai Mo has ever seen, only Tiamat can rival it.

"I thought you had already left Northern Europe. What are you still doing here? Thor is already dead at your hands. If your goal was revenge, then you've accomplished it, haven't you?"

Or perhaps, like Hrungnir, you harbor hatred towards Skadi, who was left behind in the end?

"Uh, Thor, he's really dead, dead without a trace. I'm satisfied with that. During my time away, I treated almost all my injuries, except for my head... Ah--!"

Jormungandr's head crackled with electricity, causing him excruciating pain. Bai Mo sensed a fragment of Mjölnir within it. It seemed its condition differed from Hrungnir's; Thor had left an indelible wound on Jormungandr.

The giant snake shook its head and turned its gaze back to Bai Mo.

"I have completed my revenge, albeit at a great cost, but I have more important things to do than devour those pathetic creatures cowering in the corner."

"You've come seeking Eye of Odin, haven't you?"

Upon hearing Jormungandr's words, Bai Mo frowned slightly.

In mythology, Odin hung himself by the Well of Wisdom for nine days and nights, ultimately sacrificing one of his eyes to become wise. That eye was the price of that sacrifice.

Seeing Bai Mo's expression, Jormungandr chuckled.

"It seems the decline of the gods is more tragic than I thought; they don't even know what they're looking for anymore."

Upon hearing Jormungandr's words, Bai Mo raised an eyebrow and asked, "It seems you're not planning to make things difficult for us?"

Bai Mo didn't sense Jormungandr's murderous aura. A beast's murderous aura is never hidden, especially when it's already in front of you. Jormungandr slightly raised its head, and its deep voice echoed in the valley.

"If it were before, I wouldn't have let you go, especially since you're standing before a Valkyrie. But now, I have more important matters to attend to. My brothers are still struggling. Go, take what's in the spring."

Hearing Jormungandr's words, Ortlinde breathed a deep sigh of relief. It would be terrible to start a war with this guy right now.

Soon, Jormungandr opened its mouth, revealing Wubian darkness within.

Looking at the gaping maw, Bai Mo and the others felt a sense of unease, and the air seemed to fall silent.

"You didn't eat that spring, did you?"

"Exactly, otherwise why would I have bitten them just now? If I hadn't swallowed them, they wouldn't have survived until today. Now the entire spring is inside my body, although it's completely dried up, but the eye is still unharmed."

Everything in the universe is cyclical; giving and receiving alternate. Odin paid for nine nights of suffering and his eyesight in exchange for wisdom. And to obtain the key to save the Northern Europe, he too must make a sacrifice.

However, Odin paid the price, and ultimately failed tragically. Are you sure you still want to embark on this path?

Looking at Jormungandr's empty maw, it seemed the mountain was even higher before. Bai Mo's lips twitched as he asked.

Do you have control over your digestive system?

"I can't and I won't."

Bai Mo gasped. This was no joke. Heaven knows what was inside Jormungandr's belly. And where exactly was that thing inside? Was it going to travel all over Jormungandr?

Ophelia suddenly felt an urge to leave. When she first came to Northern Europe, she had only thought about the Northern Europe gods and myths, but the idea of entering Jormungandr's womb...

This is beyond what can be written into a book. If the Æsir were still alive, and I could walk out of Jormungandr's belly and come out again, it would probably be recorded in mythology.

Ophelia possessed courage no less than Sigurd's.

I'm here to witness a myth, not to become one. Compared to this thing, the cage I was trapped in back then seems insignificant.

"Um, is it too late for me to leave now?"

"No."

Bai Mo turned around and said coldly, "Landao Tianwu has already retreated to a safe position. If he's determined to run, it will be difficult for him to stay. And Ophelia is already her target."

Just as Bai Mo was pondering whether to activate the Asura Reincarnation and the Orca Heaven and Earth Way to directly annihilate Landao Tianwu, this guy let out a laugh:

"Young man, how about we make a deal?"