The giant python seemed to sense a threat. It stopped thrashing, its cold, vertical pupils scanning the busy humans around it, and let out a low growl, seemingly warning them not to act rashly. However, the team members had already disregarded their own lives; their eyes were only on Ning Yu's figure and their determination to save their comrade.

Smash it!

With a roar, the first boulder slammed into the giant python's head. The python, in pain, let out a deafening hiss, its massive body trembling violently.

"Again!"

The team members were not intimidated by the python's roar; instead, it fueled their fighting spirit. They picked up huge rocks and smashed them down on the python without hesitation. In an instant, loud noises, roars, and screams mingled together, echoing through the empty valley.

However, the python's thick hide and tough flesh meant that while the attacks caused it pain, they couldn't inflict fatal damage. It lashed out with its tail, sweeping away the approaching team members, the immense force slamming them against the stone wall with a chilling cracking sound.

Time ticked by, and the python's attacks grew increasingly fierce, causing heavy casualties among the team members. But they did not give up, because they knew that Ning Yu was still struggling to hold on inside the python's mouth.

Caught in the gaping maw of the giant python, Ning Yu's situation was extremely precarious. He struggled with all his might to maintain the shield, but the python continued to increase its bite force, and cracks began to appear on the shield. Ning Yu felt his strength slowly fading away. He didn't know how much longer the shield could hold, but he gritted his teeth and persevered, because he still held onto hope—the voice of Mu Xue and the figures of his teammates fighting valiantly.

"Hold on, Ning Yu, we will definitely get you out!"

Mu Xue's voice echoed in his ears, yet it seemed so distant, so powerless. Ning Yu's consciousness began to blur; he could feel the foul, fishy smell from the giant python's mouth, and the suffocating pressure. How he wished he could possess greater power, to protect himself and his companions.

"Is... it about to end?" A sense of despair flashed through Ning Yu's mind, but he quickly put it aside, because he knew that even if he died, he should die a worthy death.

Just then, Ning Yu suddenly felt a strange energy surging from the depths of his body. This energy was warm and powerful, like a ray of dawn illuminating his despairing heart.

"This is..." Ning Yu's eyes widened as he felt this familiar yet unfamiliar power, and a glimmer of hope suddenly rose in his heart.

In the distance, Mu Xue watched as the cracks on the shield grew larger and larger, her heart filled with despair.

"Is there really no way out?" Mu Xue murmured to herself, a tear welling up in her eyes. But she did not give up. She was still searching, searching for that faint glimmer of hope.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, she abruptly raised her head and looked in Ning Yu's direction, a look of disbelief flashing in her eyes.

"This power...is..."

Mu Xue bit her lower lip tightly, almost tearing the bright red mark apart. Each contraction of the giant python made her feel as if an invisible hand was squeezing her heart, making it difficult to breathe. Cracks spread across the shield like a spiderweb, indicating that Ning Yu's situation was becoming increasingly dangerous.

"Ning Yu, you must hold on!" Mu Xue cried out in her heart, her hand involuntarily tightening its grip on the weapon at her waist. She desperately wanted to rush forward and fight the giant python to the death, even if it meant sacrificing her own life, to rescue Ning Yu. But reason told her that rushing forward now would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock, only a pointless suicide.

Within the gaping maw of the giant python, Ning Yu's consciousness began to blur. The suffocation, the excruciating pain, and the overwhelming stench of blood were all challenging his survival instincts. The shield's light grew dimmer, the cracks widened, and the shadow of death seemed to loom over his heart.

"Could it be... that I'm really going to die here?" Countless images flashed through Ning Yu's mind: the world before he transmigrated, the scenes of him fighting side by side with Mu Xue, and the comrades who sacrificed themselves to protect him.

"No, I can't die!" A strong will to live suddenly erupted in Ning Yu's eyes. He tried his best to mobilize the supernatural power within him, even if it was only a tiny bit, he would fight with all his might to survive.

Just then, he felt a strange energy surging from the depths of his body. This energy was warm and powerful, like a ray of dawn illuminating his despairing heart. It was unlike any he had ever experienced before; it was violent and restless, yet full of infinite possibilities.

"What is this?" Ning Yu endured the excruciating pain in his body, trying to touch and guide this unfamiliar power. However, this power was like a wild horse that had broken free of its reins, rampaging through his body and difficult to control.

"Ah!" Ning Yu couldn't help but let out a muffled groan, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

In the distance, Mu Xue, who had been closely monitoring the situation, suddenly sensed a chilling energy fluctuation.

“This power…” Mu Xue suddenly looked up, her gaze fixed on the giant python, or more precisely, on Ning Yu, whom the python was talking about. “It’s Ning Yu! He…”