Zhou Shu whispered, "The Golden Ringed Kui Python won't leave its place until the spiritual fruit drops."
He was well-versed in the habits of demonic beasts and knew the Golden Ringed Kui Python was guarding the spiritual fruit and wouldn't rush over, so he wasn't nervous.
Yan Yue pulled Yang Mei up and soothed her, "That's right, Yang Mei, don't be afraid."
She said that, but she had been nervous just then. The silver sword above her head shone brightly, while Zhou Shu, in contrast, remained calm and barely reacted.
"Oh,"
Yang Mei said, feeling a little bolder. She looked at the giant python not far away, her thoughts unclear.
Yan Yue looked at Zhou Shu. "Action?"
Zhou Shu shook his head. "Wait, I'll rest."
He had nearly exhausted his spiritual energy after walking those few miles. Without further ado, he sat down cross-legged to recover.
A hint of surprise crossed Yan Yue's eyes. She knew Zhou Shu was only at the first level of the Qi Refining Realm, so his spiritual energy wasn't great, but it was unexpected that it was this low. Zhou Shu's cultivation level wasn't even comparable to Yang Mei's.
Suddenly, a wave of regret washed over her.
Yang Mei looked at the giant python, muttering, "One, two,... Twenty-six golden rings in total! So many, so densely packed, it's terrifying."
Zhou Shu nodded. "A Golden-Ringed Kui Python grows a golden ring every ten years. This one looks to be two hundred and sixty years old. If it grows another, it could advance to the third stage, turning its entire body red-gold and increasing its strength several times over."
Yan Yue's expression changed slightly; this knowledge was new to her. "So it's almost the third stage? Wouldn't that be very difficult to deal with..."
As if sensing the worry in her eyes, Zhou Shu nodded encouragingly. "It's okay
. As long as it's still the second stage, its previous weaknesses will still exist. It won't be difficult to deal with." "Ah,"
Yan Yue sighed softly, the confusion still lingering on her face.
The Golden-Ringed Kui Python was a true second-stage demonic beast. While its strength was relatively low for a second-stage monster, considering Zhou Shu's cultivation level, could his method really be trusted?
But having come this far, there was no turning back.
After a moment, Zhou Shu slowly stood up and said to Yang Mei, "Junior Sister Yang, stand back a bit."
He then turned to Yan Yue and said, "Junior Sister Yan, you may attack."
Yan Yue nodded, glanced at the Golden Ring Kui Python, and charged forward without hesitation.
After a long wait, its prey finally arrived. The Golden Ring Kui Python excitedly lolled its tongue, raised its head, and leaned forward to peck at Yan Yue. When
it was still about three or four feet away, the python's maw suddenly opened, releasing a torrent of foul-smelling black venom.
As a special second-tier demonic beast, the Golden Ring Kui Python possessed three types of spiritual energy, possessing a wide range of attack methods, including a unique poison.
Yan Yue seemed prepared. The moment the giant python opened its mouth, she twisted her body, spun in the air, and launched a flying water sword, swift as a meteor, straight towards the python's eyes. Despite
its bulk, the python was incredibly agile. It ducked its head slightly, and the flying water sword missed its eyes, striking the top of its head.
Clang—
a sudden sound of metal clashing.
The giant python's head was covered in golden scales, so powerful that even a first-tier flying sword couldn't easily pierce it, let alone a lower-tier Feishui Sword.
But now the python felt pain, clearly enraged. Its long tail, as thick as a child's arm, suddenly lifted up and swung directly towards Yan Yue.
Yan Yue retreated instead of advancing, instead lunging forward, reaching out to catch the returning Feishui Sword. With a sharp bite of her silver teeth, she slashed down with all her might.
Snap! It
hit the python squarely.
The area not covered by the golden rings had far less defense than the covered area, and the blow penetrated a full three inches.
The giant python let out a long hiss, radiating a murderous aura. The surroundings felt like winter, the temperature plummeting.
The long tail retracted, sweeping across Yan Yue, who had no time to dodge, sending him flying several feet.
Yan Yue stumbled to the ground, spitting blood. His face was extremely pale, revealing internal injuries.
But she completely ignored the pain, her fighting spirit only rising. With a delicate cry, she charged forward once more, engaging the giant python in a fierce battle.
Facing a second-tier demon beast equivalent to the Foundation Establishment Realm, Yan Yue was in a state of disarray within ten breaths, panting and her hair disheveled.
Meanwhile, the giant python's attacks grew increasingly fierce, as if it wanted to devour her in one gulp.
"Senior Sister..."
Yang Mei watched anxiously, moving forward several times, wanting to rush forward to help, but Zhou Shu stopped her several times.
Yang Mei's current cultivation level couldn't withstand any of the giant python's attacks, but the thought of doing so was remarkable.
Zhou Shu looked at Yan Yue, secretly admiring her; her tenacity was rare even among male cultivators.
"According to our previous calculations, after Yan Yue retracts her sword, the giant python will briefly pause."
He observed, performing complex calculations.
"Now!"
He had finally waited for his chance.
The Thunderstorm Talisman, slightly damp from his grip, suddenly flew out. Though slow, Zhou Shu's masterful manipulation of it swung it at an incredible angle, circumventing numerous obstacles and soaring directly towards the battle group.
Bang!
Lightning flashed everywhere!
The giant python, rising tall, was suddenly enveloped by the lightning without warning.
With a shrill cry, the python, with lightning speed, shrank into a ball in the blink of an eye.
The Golden Ring Kui Python is extremely afraid of lightning, and upon contact, it will curl up in a ball for self-protection.
Even though the thunderstorm caused by the mid-grade Thunderstorm Talisman would barely harm it, it still reacted with conditioned reflex.
Yan Yue's previous plan had been to use this time to gather spiritual fruit and then escape.
Now was the best opportunity.
Amidst the thunderstorm, Yan Yue, already prepared, stood sword in hand. Her body trembled slightly, her spiritual power drained to eight-tenths, but her grip on the sword remained remarkably steady.
Zhou Shu shouted, "Quick, stab its chrysanthemum!"
"Chrysanthemum?"
Yan Yue and Yang Mei, standing nearby, froze in shock. "Where are the chrysanthemums here?"
Zhou Shu clapped his hands, his words slipping in his excitement.
"The third ring on the tail, the largest scale! I told you before."
Yan Yue stared at the curled-up python, her heart hesitant.
Curled up, its entire body covered in golden scales, seemingly impervious to attack. Her Flying Water Sword seemed powerless to penetrate.
Although Zhou Shu had repeatedly urged her to seize this opportunity to attack that weak spot, Yan Yue now debated whether to flee or simply obey him.
If he was wrong, and that wasn't the python's weak spot, she would have little chance of survival against its counterattack.
"Quick!"
Zhou Shu practically roared.
He knew this was his only chance; it would be difficult to find another opportunity to use the Thunderstorm Talisman. If he continued to use talismans now, the python would simply flee underground.
The roar was like a slap in the face, sending a chill through Yan Yue's body.
"Let's fight!"
With a sudden rage, she grasped the sword in both hands, channeling all her spiritual energy into it. She thrust it down with all her might at the point Zhou Shu had indicated. With a fierce cry,
the
python's previously lumpy body suddenly unfurled, like dough suddenly flattened.
As if losing all strength, the python completely collapsed in the fading lightning, sprawling on the ground like a pile of mud.
Yan Yue's body trembled slightly, as if struck by the lightning herself, and she stood there in a state of stunned silence.
"How could the scales be so thick? How could I have actually penetrated? And instantly killed it?"
What was happening before her eyes was simply unbelievable. The seemingly thick scales had been broken so directly that she was bewildered and in disbelief.
"It's not over yet, it's dangerous, retreat!"
Zhou Shu stared at the dazed Yan Yue, anxious, and quickly took two steps forward, pulling Yan Yue back.
Bang, bang, snap, snap!
Before they had taken a few steps, the giant python suddenly trembled violently, and all the golden scales on its body broke off from its body, one by one, shooting out in all directions!
In the blink of an eye, the area within a few feet was covered with python scales.
It was as if a golden rainstorm was falling.
"Brother, sister!"