The air deep inside the mine grew increasingly heavy, as if being pressed down by an invisible boulder, making even breathing difficult.
Xiao Chen frowned slightly, and the spiritual power at his fingertips trembled gently—a subtle yet powerful pressure came from ahead, the realm of which was clearly at the peak of the Dao Proving stage, just one step away from stepping into the "Creation Realm".
The pressure was extremely faint; if one did not perceive it carefully, one would almost miss it. He glanced at Bai Feng and the others beside him and saw that they looked normal, so he remained silent and simply gripped his rusty iron spear.
"hiss--"
A long, sharp screech suddenly came from the darkness ahead, like a warning from some giant beast, carrying a chilling killing intent that made the temperature in the mine drop several degrees.
"They're here!" Bai Feng shouted, his longsword instantly unsheathed. Infused with spiritual energy, the blade gleamed with a blinding white light. "Be careful!"
The group immediately formed a defensive formation. Shi Meng, carrying two axes, stood at the forefront. Tang Ling took a few steps back, the bells on her fingertips tinkling softly, and silver threads quietly spread to the ground. Bai Yiluo stood protectively in the middle, her hands forming a hand seal, ready to unleash healing light at any moment. Xiao Chen and Shi Tou stood on the flanks, their eyes fixed on the darkness ahead.
The light from the illumination bead slowly moved forward, illuminating the passage ahead—
A giant snake was coiled up there.
The snake's body was as thick as a bucket, its scales were dark gold, and shimmered with a metallic luster in the dim light. It was dozens of feet long, with most of its body hidden in the dark crevices of the rock wall, only its upper body exposed. Its triangular head was raised high, and its vertical pupils, like amber, coldly scanned the crowd. Its tongue flicked in and out, carrying a strong fishy smell.
"It's the 'Star Crystal Python'!" Bai Feng's expression changed drastically. "A ferocious beast at the peak of the Dao Proving Realm! It's rumored that its scales can block Dao Proving Realm artifacts, its gallbladders are the main ingredient for refining 'Breakthrough Pills,' and even its blood can temper the body!"
Greed flashed in everyone's eyes—a ferocious beast at the peak of the Dao Proving Realm is a treasure from head to toe! If they could kill it, its scales alone could be used to forge several Dao Proving Realm level magic weapons, and its gall bladder could help Dao Proving Realm cultivators break through to the Creation Realm, making it priceless!
More importantly, the Star Crystal Python was blocking the road, clearly guarding something, which meant that the source of the strange phenomena in the mine was behind it!
"Let's fight!" Shi Meng roared, crossing his two axes, his muscles bulging like black iron. "If we take it down, we'll get at least 30% more of the treasures!"
Tang Ling nodded in agreement: "Although the Star Crystal Python is strong, there are many of us, and we might have a chance of winning if we work together. Its weak point is its seven-inch mark, but it is protected by scales, making it difficult to attack."
Bai Feng looked at Xiao Chen: "Brother Xiao, your marksmanship is tricky, could you..."
“Okay.” Xiao Chen nodded, his gaze fixed on the Star Crystal Python’s neck—the scales there were a lighter color, which should be a relatively weak point in its defense. “You guys hold it off, and I’ll find an opportunity to attack its vital spot.”
"Alright!" Bai Feng responded, then shouted to the others, "Form the formation! Shi Meng, launch a frontal assault! Tang Ling, use the formation to restrict its movements! Guards, provide support from the left and right! Brother Xiao, find an opportunity!"
"hiss!"
As if understanding their conversation, the Star Crystal Python let out an angry hiss, its massive body suddenly shuddered, and all the snake parts from the crevices in the rock wall slid out, rushing towards the group with the force of a landslide!
"kill!"
Shi Meng was the first to rush forward, his double axes carrying the power to split mountains and shatter rocks, fiercely cleaving towards the head of the Star Crystal Python!
"clang!"
The axe struck the dark gold scales, leaving only two white marks. Shi Meng was jolted back, his tiger's mouth split open, and his arm went numb.
"Such hard scales!" Shi Meng exclaimed in surprise.
The Star Crystal Python retaliated even faster. Its huge tail, like a steel whip, swept across with a whooshing sound. The silver thread array that Tang Ling had set up had just lit up when it was struck by the tail whip and shattered with a "crack". Tang Ling groaned and blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.
"Stop it!" The white sword light surged, transforming into a streak of light that pierced the Star Crystal Python's eyes—the only spot without scales for protection.
The Star Crystal Python dodged to the side, a murderous glint flashing in its vertical pupils. It suddenly opened its mouth and sprayed a stream of dark green venom at Bai Feng! Wherever the venom passed, the air hissed and corroded, and the rock walls that were splashed instantly melted into deep pits!
Bai Feng's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly parried with his sword, the sword light forming a barrier that blocked the venom. However, he was forced to retreat repeatedly by the corrosive nature of the venom, and the robe on his arm instantly turned to ashes.
"Stone!" Xiao Chen shouted in a low voice.
"Here it comes!" Stone roared and charged forward, his iron-like body slamming into the Star Crystal Python's body in an attempt to slow it down.
"Bang!"
The Star Crystal Python was jolted by the impact, clearly not expecting the strong man to be so powerful. It angrily lowered its head and opened its huge mouth to bite the stone's head!
"Now!" A glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes, and spiritual energy burst forth from his feet. His figure moved like an arrow released from a bow. He gathered all his spiritual energy into his rusty iron spear, and the tip of the spear transformed into a cold star, heading straight for the Star Crystal Python's vital spot!
The Star Crystal Python sensed the danger and tried to twist its body to avoid it, but the stone held its body tightly and it could not move!
"Die!" Xiao Chen roared, the tip of his spear bursting with dazzling light, carrying the momentum to break through all defenses, and fiercely stabbed at the light-colored scale on the neck of the Star Crystal Python!
"Pfft!"
The spear tip pierced three inches, and the Star Crystal Python let out an extremely shrill scream. Its massive body struggled wildly, and its tail lashed out wildly. Shi Meng, Bai Feng, and the others were struck and sent flying backward, spitting out blood.
Stone's arms were also numb from the shock, but he gritted his teeth and clung tightly to the snake's body: "Senior Brother, hurry!"
Xiao Chen's eyes hardened, and his spiritual power surged into the tip of the spear without reservation. The spear tip went deeper again, piercing the vital spot of the Star Crystal Python!
"hiss--!"
The Star Crystal Python's hiss abruptly ceased. Its massive body twitched a few times, its amber vertical pupils gradually lost their luster, and finally drooped limply, becoming completely silent.
Stone released his grip, staggered back a few steps, his body covered in blood and gore from the snake scales, but he grinned: "All done?"
Xiao Chen drew his gun, the snake blood on the tip of the gun tinged with gold and thick as paste. He nodded, but then everything went black and he almost collapsed—that last shot had nearly exhausted his spiritual power.
Bai Yiluo quickly stepped forward, her healing light enveloping Xiao Chen and Shi Tou, the gentle energy flowing into their bodies, relieving their fatigue and injuries.
Bai Feng, Shi Meng, and Tang Ling also struggled to their feet, each one injured and in a sorry state, but looking at the enormous corpse of the Star Crystal Python, their eyes flashed with relief and excitement at surviving the ordeal.
"Finally... done." Bai Feng panted, leaning against the rock wall, his arm still throbbing. "This beast is even more formidable than the rumors say."
Tang Ling took out the pills and distributed them to everyone: "Thanks to Brother Xiao and Brother Shi, otherwise we would probably be dead here today."
Shi Meng waved his hand, walked to the corpse of the Star Crystal Python, and tapped the scales with his axe: "These scales are really hard. I'll have to ask my father to forge me a suit of armor when we get back."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and smiled as they looked at the corpse of the Star Crystal Python—the great price they paid had not been in vain.
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