Overlord of the Wilderness

Enraged to see the Martial Artists daring to charge it, the Hundred-foot Python swung its raised head and let out a tremendous roar.

”SKREEE!”

Visible Water Qi blasted out along with the tremendous cry, striking the hearts of the Martial Artists like a colossal Iron Hammer. Some of the weaker ones immediately plummeted from the sky.

CRUNCH!

The Hundred-foot Python’s massive head descended from the sky, swallowing seven or eight Martial Arts Seventh Layer experts whole. Anywhere else, these masters would be considered Steward Level powerhouses, renowned in their own right. But before the Hundred-foot Python, they were devoured without even a chance to retaliate.

’Dragons are creatures of water. This Hundred-foot Python is using the power of the Water Qi to maximize its own strength. No wonder even Martial Arts Seventh Layer experts are being defeated so easily!’ Having grasped a hint of the mysteries of Ancient Dragon Power, Zhaang Ye had some understanding of the giant python’s attack methods. He knew that without the aid of the surrounding Water Qi, its roar would not be nearly as terrifying.

”Kill it!”

The Hundred-foot Python had devoured several Martial Arts Seventh Layer experts, but this didn’t deter the others. With thunderous roars, the Martial Arts Eighth Layer masters hurled eight massive Long Spears.

Experts at the Martial Arts Eighth Layer had already reached the stage of Qi Refining and Liquid Transformation. Hurled with their full might, the Long Spears tore through the air at dozens of times the speed of sound, aimed straight for the Giant Python’s head.

”VMMMM!”

Just as the eight Long Spears were about to strike, the Hundred-foot Python opened its maw slightly. A chilling blast of Water Qi erupted from its mouth, forming a massive barrier before it.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The eight Long Spears slammed into the Water Qi barrier, creating a series of deafening explosions. The eight incomparably powerful spears failed to pierce the barrier; after the immense impacts, they all disintegrated into dust.

”Hiss!” Even the Martial Arts Eighth Layer experts couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath at the Giant Python’s incredible power. As for the Martial Arts Seventh Layer masters, their scalps tingled with fear at the sight, and their assault faltered.

’Such powerful Water Control Ability! Under its control, the ethereal Water Qi can form a barrier tougher than steel! This Hundred-foot Python is just too strong!’ Zhaang Ye was secretly astonished by the beast’s display.

WHOOSH—

Seizing the moment of hesitation in the Martial Artists’ assault, the Hundred-foot Python’s long tail swept out and coiled with lightning speed.

The tail’s sweep and coil was unnervingly swift and strange. Some of the weaker Martial Artists couldn’t even dodge before they were struck and sent flying. The Hundred-foot Python then took a deep breath, and a terrifying Devouring Power manifested out of thin air. Before the warriors could even scream, they were pulled into the beast’s cavernous, blood-red maw.

The Hundred-foot Python had just devoured more than twenty Martial Arts Seventh Layer experts, yet this did not force the others to retreat. Instead, a few of the more sharp-eyed masters noticed that the beast’s movements were growing sluggish. This was the perfect opportunity to strike.

”The poison in the Giant Python is taking effect! Kill it!” In an instant, a volley of weapons—arrows, Long Swords, sabers, and Long Spears—rained down upon the Hundred-foot Python.

These were all experts of the Martial Arts Seventh Layer. The power of their combined, all-out assault was world-shattering. As powerful as the Hundred-foot Python was, it couldn’t dodge every attack. With a series of sickening thuds, an unknown number of arrows and Long Spears found their mark on its body.

”SKREEE!”

The Hundred-foot Python roared again. This time, however, its cry was slightly weaker, a clear sign that the poison in its body was working.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

”SKREEE! SKREEE! SKREEE!”

A fierce battle raged between the Hundred-foot Python and the Martial Artists. More and more experts were devoured, meeting their end in the serpent’s belly. But under the desperate assault of so many masters, the Hundred-foot Python was also covered in wounds, its massive scales flaking off one by one.

Watching the incredibly powerful Hundred-foot Python slowly losing ground, Zhaang Ye couldn’t help but shake his head. This beast possessed the bloodline of an Ancient Giant Dragon. In this swamp, even a Late Stage Martial Arts Eighth Layer expert would be no match for it. Unfortunately, its Red Meat Crown had been severed first, causing a great loss of its power.

Then, it was plotted against by the combined forces of Python City, the Da Ling Kingdom True Hall, and the Great Success True Hall, who tricked it into swallowing a large amount of poison, weakening it even further.

In this state, facing a siege by dozens of masters, it was fated to die, no matter how formidable it was.

”Everyone, attack! There will be rewards for all after we kill this python!” a powerful Martial Arts Eighth Layer expert yelled upon seeing many Loose Cultivators standing by and just watching.

Spurred on by the shout, the Loose Cultivators could no longer stand idle. They drew their weapons and charged the Hundred-foot Python. Every part of the beast was a treasure; even a piece of its flesh or a few scales would be a massive windfall.

”SKREEE! SKREEE! SKREEE!”

The battle in the lake intensified. Wounded by the crowd of Martial Artists, the Hundred-foot Python’s gushing blood dyed nearly half the lake red. A flash of excitement appeared in Zhaang Ye’s eyes as he saw the crimson Snake Blood. His body suddenly sank, descending into the depths of the swamp.

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

Having grasped a trace of the Water Control Technique, Zhaang Ye was now extremely proficient in water. Once he sank beneath the swamp, his body moved like a nimble serpent, and he reached the lake in an instant.

FWOOSH—

Lurking beneath the swamp, Zhaang Ye activated his Water Control Technique. As he did, the blood gushing from the Hundred-foot Python began to flow in a steady stream toward him, seeping into his body through his pores.

The blood flowing from the Hundred-foot Python also contained Ancient Dragon Power. Although the Dragon Power within the blood was incredibly faint, there was an immense quantity of it, and Zhaang Ye could absorb it to his heart’s content.

It had taken Zhaang Ye a full nine days to refine his first strand of Ancient Dragon Power. But now, with that power already inside him and a rudimentary understanding of its nature, his refining speed had increased dramatically.

As he focused all his effort on absorbing and refining it, the blood of the Hundred-foot Python streamed toward him without end. The Ancient Dragon Power within him grew stronger with each moment, and a second wisp of Ancient Dragon Power faintly began to form inside him.

「On the surface of the lake.」

Relying on its incredibly tough scales and marvelous Water Control Ability, the Hundred-foot Python was locked in a desperate struggle with the masters. Even with seven or eight great experts of the Martial Arts Eighth Layer, dozens more at the Martial Arts Seventh Layer, and over a thousand Martial Artists of the Martial Arts Fifth and Sixth Layers taking turns to attack, they still couldn’t kill it. In fact, the number of masters dying in its maw only increased. One expert with an Eighth-Layer of Martial Arts Cultivation was even smashed into a paste by a sweep of its tail.

”This Giant Python has the bloodline of an Ancient Giant Dragon; its stamina is immense! If this continues, even if we manage to kill it, most of our people will be dead! Da Ling Kingdom True Hall, Great Success True Hall, how long are you going to wait to make your move?!” an Eighth Layer master from Python City roared at the experts from the two halls.

The expert from the Da Ling Kingdom True Hall was a calm and composed middle-aged man. He smiled faintly at the outburst. ”Brother Wu, don’t be hasty,” he said. ”This python won’t escape.” As he spoke, he took a short, red arrow from within his robes.

The red arrow was only about a foot long, its shaft covered in a web of complex lines. A normal person would grow dizzy just from a single glance.

Seeing the master from the Da Ling Kingdom produce the arrow, the expert from Python City breathed a sigh of relief. ”As expected of a Pseudo-True Artifact inscribed with eight Arrays! With this Blood-Colored Cloud-Piercing Arrow, the python’s fate is sealed!”

At the same time, the expert from the Great Success True Hall also produced an item. It was a snow-bright Small Sword, its blade the length of a palm and the width of two fingers, shimmering with a cold light. Within that glinting light, strange, intricate lines were faintly visible. One glance was enough to tell it was no ordinary weapon.

The masters from the Da Ling Kingdom True Hall and the Great Success True Hall exchanged a look, then closed their eyes to regulate their breathing.

”Hah!”

After a moment, they both snapped their eyes open, a sharp light gleaming within. With a great shout, they threw their arms forward in unison!

With their throw, a streak of blood-red light and a streak of snow-white light shot out. The two beams were like rainbows crossing the sky, their speed indescribable. In the instant they were released, they had already reached the Hundred-foot Python’s head!

The scales on the Hundred-foot Python’s head were so hard they couldn’t be broken even by a giant’s axe. But before the two streaks of light, those same scales were as soft as tofu.

PCHT! PCHT!

With two soft sounds, two huge, bloody holes suddenly appeared on the head of the once-majestic Hundred-foot Python.

”SKREEE! SKREEE! SKREEE! SKREEE!”

Its head pierced, the Hundred-foot Python let out a series of mournful, weeping cries. The sound carried a heart-rending sorrow, and its Penetrating Power was extreme. The Martial Artists closest to the beast felt their qi thrown into chaos, and they began violently vomiting blood. Some with weaker cultivation were shaken to death on the spot by the horrifying sound!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! In its death throes, the Hundred-foot Python began its final, frenzied rampage. Its tail swept wildly, its body crushed everything in its path, and its massive jaws devoured the lives of the Martial Artists. In the space of just a few dozen breaths, two or three hundred of them were killed!

THUMP! The incredibly powerful Hundred-foot Python finally collapsed, its massive body crashing into the lake and sending water surging.

”It’s finally dead! Excellent!”

Zhaang Ye had remained beneath the swamp, refining the Ancient Dragon Power. Sensing the Hundred-foot Python’s fall, his figure moved like a subterranean specter, silently making his way toward the great beast’s head... (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote with Recommendation Tickets and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)