The Ghost Moon Shockwave — a signature soul skill of the Ghost Moon Forest Python — could instantly engulf everything nearby, reducing it to dust in an enormous wave of destructive light.
Everyone felt the looming threat of death from that one-meter-wide shockwave. At the same moment Zhang Lexuan shouted for them to dodge, they all scattered, trying to avoid the pull of the Ghost Moon Shockwave.
The Ghost Moon Forest Python King swung its massive head, causing the shockwave to shift directions. Zhang Lexuan, Han Ruoruo, and the others who had tried to dodge to either side were forced to retreat even farther outward. The best way to evade a Ghost Moon Shockwave was by ascending into the air. However, this was the core zone of the Star Dou Great Forest — any being flying above one hundred meters would be struck down indiscriminately by the forces that ruled this dangerous land!
So, the students who could fly felt extremely frustrated, forced to dodge in this miserable way.
Cheng Hui, the Soul Sage of the Azure Cloud Roc, finally couldn't hold back. With the advantage of his Martial Soul, he instantly accelerated and darted toward the back of the Ghost Moon Forest Python King. His sixth soul ring shone behind him, and a bluish-green glow spread over his body. A pair of large wings unfolded. His head, body, claws, and tail aligned in a straight line, transforming him into a massive cross-shaped figure. He hurtled forward like a giant arrow, his sharp beak like a dagger, his body turning into a living projectile — fierce and blazing like a meteor streaking toward the back of the snake's head.
Azure Cloud Roc Sixth Soul Skill: Divine Bird Special Assault!
Cheng Hui's sudden assault reignited everyone's fighting spirit. They tensed, ready to counterattack.
However, just as Cheng Hui's strike was about to land, something shocking happened. The Ghost Moon Forest Python King — who had been swinging its head just a second ago — suddenly arched it backward in a grotesque, inhuman way. Its massive head bent to an angle exceeding 270 degrees, something no normal creature's neck should be capable of.
This unnatural motion caused its open jaws to directly face Cheng Hui's attack. In doing so, it even revealed the seventh scale on its lower jaw — its known weak spot.
Cheng Hui had no time to react. With everyone watching in horror, his entire body collided with the diagonal blast of the Ghost Moon Shockwave — and vanished completely.
There wasn't even time for grief or rage before another burly figure burst out from afar. His body resembled a giant wild boar with a spiral horn — violent, untamed energy burning in his bloodshot eyes. Like a spear, he rammed straight into the exposed weak spot under the Ghost Moon Forest Python King's jaw.
"Wanwan, now!" that figure roared. It was Zhu Lie, the one who had been sent flying earlier!
Once again, the snake's weak spot was attacked. Its whole body trembled violently in pain. Zhu Lie's strike pierced its flesh, driving into the bone!
The python immediately tried to lower its head to devour the attacker. But before it could fully turn, another wave of attacks from the Shrek students arrived.
Wanwan — the Soul Emperor of the Jade Scale Snake — appeared out of nowhere. In a leap, he reached Zhu Lie's side and poured all six types of venom from his Jade Scale Snake into the open wound.
Although both were serpents, the Ghost Moon Python was non-venomous, while the Jade Scale Snake was one of the most venomous snake-type soul beasts. Wanwan's venom was effective. He had been waiting for this moment. With his strength, there was no way he could make the python absorb his venom on his own. Fortunately, he had years of coordination with Zhu Lie and Cheng Hui — their seamless teamwork made this strike possible.
Now, Wanwan's face was filled with hatred and sorrow.
The Ghost Moon Forest Python King was once again wounded — and this time, poisoned. This was an unbearable humiliation for the emperor of snakes. It let out a furious roar, its coiled body spinning at astonishing speed. Its massive scales turned into countless sharp blades, filling the air with a deadly aura.
Han Ruoruo and Zhang Weiwei immediately rushed to rescue Zhu Lie and Wanwan. The golden shimmering ropes wrapped around Zhu Lie's waist, yanking him back to safety just in time.
But Wanwan wasn't so lucky.
Zhang Weiwei's willow branches also reached out in time to pull him back, but vines couldn't compare to ropes. In an instant, over a dozen willow branches snapped, and so did Wanwan.
His body was sliced to pieces.
Blood drenched the forest floor.
"Wanwan!" Zhu Lie collapsed to his knees, overwhelmed with grief, tears streaming uncontrollably.
The others looked on with sorrow, but they dared not linger in grief. The crisis wasn't over. The lives of three friends had bought them this brief moment, but the Ghost Moon Forest Python King was still full of life. Despite the venom eating away at it, with the terrifying vitality and constitution of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, it could resist for days.
Zhang Lexuan, Han Ruoruo, Zhang Weiwei, Shen Xu, Luo Wei, Long Yu, Wu Ming, and Ma Xiaotao continued their onslaught. Each of them was wounded to some extent.
Zhu Ziyang and Su Meng stayed in the rear, caring for the seriously injured Zhu Lie. Su Meng's Rainbow Dandelion Martial Soul had healing properties, but it was like a drop in the ocean for Zhu Lie's condition.
"Sister Su Meng, give this pill to Senior Brother Zhu." Zhu Ziyang took out a pill radiating lush life energy — the Hundred Treatment Pill Elder Zhuang had given him!
Zhu Lie was already unconscious, his breath weak. Su Meng was sweating profusely as she used her soul skills, and when she saw the pill, her face lit up with hope.
"Junior Brother Ziyang, this is perfect! Senior Brother Zhu will survive!" Su Meng immediately placed the pill in Zhu Lie's mouth, then lowered her head without hesitation and blew the pill down his throat.
Zhu Ziyang silently watched this.
This was all he could do. With his current strength, he wasn't qualified to fight. Ma Xiaotao and Luo Wei were both Soul Kings capable of aerial combat and could at least inflict minor damage on the python. But he, only at rank 40 and lacking a fourth soul ring, couldn't even scratch it. Worse, if he entered the battle, he'd only be a burden.
For the first time, he felt crushing powerlessness. His pride withered.
He finally understood — compared to true powerhouses, he was still an ant. He still had a long way to go.
'A little setback is a good thing,' said Electrolux in his mind, sensing Zhu Ziyang's change in mindset. He sounded genuinely gratified.
Back on the battlefield, the eight Shrek members were still fighting the Ghost Moon Forest Python King. With clever coordination and nimble movement, they managed to maintain a delicate balance, preventing total collapse.
But time dragged on, and both Ma Xiaotao and Luo Wei's soul power was visibly running low. They were barely hanging on. If they were forced to retreat, the balance they'd built would collapse, and the Ghost Moon Forest Python King would start a true massacre.
"Senior Xuan, where are you?" Ma Xiaotao cried out silently in her heart.
—
So, where had Elder Xuan gone?
Let's rewind to the second morning after they entered the core zone.
"Huh? What's that smell?" Elder Xuan, walking at the rear of the group, suddenly caught a strange and enticing scent. It instantly triggered the flaw in his Martial Soul.
"I have to see what that is," he muttered and followed the scent. After weaving through several twists and turns, he lost track of the inner court disciples and their direction.
He didn't even realize it.
"What? Heaven Hunger Fruit?!" Elder Xuan's old face lit up with joy. His eyes sparkled as he stared greedily at a small tree bearing more than a dozen glowing red fruits.
The Heaven Hunger Fruit was an extremely rare natural treasure. Despite its name, one fruit could suppress hunger for ten whole years.
Seeing this haul, Elder Xuan's mind was instantly occupied. Thoughts of the inner court disciples vanished completely. He eagerly picked a fruit, swallowed it, and began refining it.
Not long after, he opened his eyes, tears running down his face.
For the first time in nearly two hundred years, he remembered what it felt like to be full.
By the time he realized he was separated from the students, night had fallen.
"This is bad!" The ripples of battle in the distance finally caught his attention. His expression changed drastically, and he sprinted toward the sound like a madman.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Memebers on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.