"Is this how it ends?" Ning Yu's heart was filled with despair and resentment. He was unwilling to die like this, and even more unwilling to watch Mu Xue sacrifice herself to save him.

Just as the giant python's gaping maw was about to devour Ning Yu, Ning Yu suddenly felt a mysterious power surging within his body. This power was warm and strong, quickly flowing throughout his entire body, making his previously aching body feel unprecedentedly comfortable.

"What is this?" Ning Yu was filled with doubt, but he knew that now was not the time to think about these things; he had to seize this last opportunity!

"Roar—!" The giant python paid no heed to Ning Yu's thoughts; it was already prepared to enjoy its meal. It opened its blood-red maw, carrying a stench and the scent of death, and lunged fiercely at Ning Yu…

"Ning Yu, get out of the way!" Mu Xue's weak and anxious voice came from afar.

But it was too late.

With a deafening roar, the earth shook, and dust billowed... A foul-smelling storm swept over him, and the giant python's fangs magnified in Ning Yu's eyes, the shadow of death completely enveloping him. At this critical moment, Ning Yu felt the mysterious power within him suddenly expand, surging through his limbs and bones like a volcanic eruption. His previously stiff body instantly filled with power; he could even feel the surge of blood coursing through his veins.

"boom!"

The expected excruciating pain did not come. Ning Yu only felt a flash of white light before his eyes, followed by a violent earthquake. When the dust settled, he found himself standing unharmed.

"Ning Yu! Are you alright?" Mu Xue's voice came from afar, filled with deep worry and relief at surviving the ordeal.

Ning Yu didn't answer. He stared in astonishment at the scene before him: the once invincible giant python was now writhing in agony, its massive body smashing and breaking the surrounding trees. And on its once indestructible scales, there was now a huge charred hole, still emitting wisps of smoke and a nauseating stench of burning.

"What... what's going on?" Ning Yu stared at his hands in disbelief. He could feel that mysterious power still flowing through his body, but it was no longer as violent as before; instead, it had become much gentler.

"Could it be... that this power saved me?" A thought flashed through Ning Yu's mind, and then a glimmer of hope ignited in his eyes. He struggled to his feet and staggered toward the giant python, wanting to see clearly what had happened.

The giant python seemed to sense Ning Yu's approach. It stopped rolling, struggled to raise its head, and stared at him with its copper bell-like eyes, filled with resentment and fear. It opened its blood-red maw, wanting to attack again, but helplessly lowered its head, its massive body crashing heavily to the ground with a dull thud, completely losing its life.

Ning Yu walked to the giant python's corpse and carefully examined the charred hole. He reached out a finger and gently touched it, and a scorching heat instantly came through, making him involuntarily withdraw his hand.

"What exactly is this power?" Ning Yu murmured to himself, his eyes filled with doubt and longing. He felt that this power seemed to be the key to his victory over all enemies.

"Ning Yu, be careful!" Mu Xue's voice rang out again, this time filled with fear and anxiety, "It...it's not dead yet!"

Ning Yu turned around abruptly and saw that the giant python, which had been dead, had opened its eyes again, its blood-red mouth suddenly wide open...