The cave was far away from Zayn's location, but it was still visible. This showed only the enormous size of the cave.
Out of the cave, the Python Beast was coming. It wasn't as big as the cave, but it looked monstrous.
It raced in high-speed towards Zayn's location.
"Kid, the Python Beast is attracted to your Qi! You alarmed it of your approach!"
"What? Then what should I do? There's no way I can escape it, it's too fucking fast!"
"No, you don't need to escape it. You just need to retract your Qi. It's like stopping your breath. You just need to focus on your Qi and try to contain it inside you so you wouldn't let it out."
Zayn instantly concentrated on this matter and tried to follow Infinite Star's instruction.
The Python Beast came closer and closer. Thankfully the cave was far away from Zayn's location, and they noticed the Python Beast's approach soon enough.
Infinite Star was constantly advising Zayn on retracting his Qi.
Zayn constantly adjusted his method to Infinite Star's guidance and thanks to his high intelligence he learned it pretty quickly.
In the second where he retracted all of his Qi, the Python Beast came to a halt.
It stopped in its tracks and looked like searching for something.
"Why did it stop?" Zayn asked out of curiosity. He was wondering why retracting his Qi would be the solution to the problem. The Python Beast would just need to come close enough and then search for Zayn.
"Kid, this Python Beast is probably a descendant from the White-Eyed Python Beast. The White-Eyed Python Beasts are characteristically white with yellow stripes on them. But the most striking feature would be its blindness. They can't see anything. That's normally not a disadvantage per se. They have a great Spirit Sense and can use that to find and track preys.
Because of your Qi disappearance, it's not sure if it really sensed a prey. As it can't see, it can only verify it by its other senses. Be careful, it will most likely roam around a bit to search for you."
After Infinite Star told that, the Python Beast started to roam around.
Because of its high-speed, it got really close to Zayn in the time where it could sense Zayn's Qi.
"Don't move! Don't breath! Don't do anything in general, kid!"
Zayn started to become a statue, as the Python Beast roamed around. He didn't breath or even dare to move around. He just stood there waiting.
The Python Beast came closer and closer to Zayn's location. It took its time because it wasn't sure if anyone was here or not, it relied on his other senses now. The Spirit Sense wasn't helping the Python Beast in this situation.
The Python Beast continued to roam.
It was now within an arm's length of Zayn.
Zayn noticed the monstrous size of the Python Beast. It's head alone was bigger than Zayn himself.
As it got really close to Zayn, Zayn got nervous and worried about the situation. The only things that calmed Zayn and prevented him from going crazy were his trust in Infinite Star and his trust in Vown.
He trusted in Infinite Star's analysis and judgment and at the same time in Vown's reaction. Vown was there if anything would get out of hand.
The Python Beast, now in a hair's length of Zayn, stopped in its tracks.
"DON'T DO ANYTHING, KID!" Infinite Star reminded Zayn once again.
The seconds passing, felt like minutes to Zayn. The Python Beast stopped right in front of Zayn. Did it find out about Zayn? Was it only playing now? Would Vown react fast enough?
The thoughts came and came. Zayn's nervousness turned into terror. He was terrified and panicked. It was for Zayn the first time he was so fearful of anything in this world. The huge monster in front of him felt like death right in front of him.
But as Zayn started to panic, the Python Beast continued to move. This time, however, it raced back to its cave.
Zayn survived the Python Beast. He got really glad, because of it.
"Kid! Don't move! And don't let your Qi out! The Python Beast could still sense it!"
"What the hell am I supposed to do then? I thought we'd have to enter the cave to absorb the Star Body?"
"Yeah, I know! I only want to remind you of the danger. Do you still want to do that?"
"Do I still want to do that?" Zayn began to seriously think about the question.
The situation right now really scared Zayn and he really didn't want to experience it again. The only thing that was hindering him from leaving the place, was the Quest. But he thought about that too. Was the punishment of the Quest really that bad? Maybe it would be only something minor?
The punishment of the Quest wasn't that grave to Zayn anymore. His life was more valuable than a stupid Quest. But right as he wanted to dismiss the Star Body, Infinite Star commented about the matter.
"I see that you're struggling about the matter. How about that, I tell you my plan, how we'd get to the Star Body, and then you can freely choose if you want to do that or not. What do you say?"
"...Hmm... It doesn't hurt. Tell me your plan."
.
.
.
Meanwhile, Vown was a nervous wreck.
It all started when Zayn began to kill the beasts without batting an eye. This left Vown surprised and shocked at first, but he found a reason for Zayn's behavior and the greatness which lied in this.
After that Zayn began to cultivate in the cultivation side five days straight in his Zero Heart State. He didn't put any attention towards the beasts inside the forest. Vown had to be non-stop on guard to be prepared about any assault coming.
And then Zayn headed deeper and deeper into the Python Beast Forest. After a while, he even entered the Python Beast's territory.
Vown thought that Zayn didn't know about it and was hoping that Zayn would check his position in the map.
When Zayn checked the map, Vown was delighted. As Zayn noticed where he was, he scared up. This also made Vown glad. Zayn noticed his situation soon enough.
But what followed next made Vown question Zayn's sanity.
Zayn, after learning of his position, kept going deeper and deeper into the Python Beast's territory.
Vown thought that Zayn had a death's wish.
And when the Python Beast emerged and raced Zayn, Vown was on the brink of his nerves.
He again put on his guard and was ready to step in every second. But Zayn then retracted his Qi and left the Python Beast confused.
How the hell did Zayn know how to do that? Wasn't Zayn's knowledge non-existent in terms of cultivation?
As the Python Beast got closer and closer, even so near that it was nearly touching Zayn, Vown was ready to take action.
Yet, the Python Beast decided to retreat and leave Zayn alone. In a way, this relieved Vown. He was happy about the development. And now Zayn would be able to learn from that and also retreat slowly out of the Python Beast's territory.
Minutes passed as Zayn just stood there. It seemed like Zayn was trying something.
And after half an hour Zayn's Qi completely vanished. This feat wasn't only retracting his Qi, it completely vanished.
Prior to that, when Zayn retracted his Qi, Vown was still able to sense Zayn. This lied in the fact of Vown's superior cultivation.
But now, Zayn's Qi completely vanished, as if Zayn didn't exist. If Vown would only rely on his Spirit Sense, Zayn would be invisible to him.
Vown was amazed by this feat, but at the same time puzzled. What was Zayn trying to achieve?
After Zayn completely erased his Qi, he headed to the Python Beast's cave.
'WHAT THE HELL?!?' Vown lost his reasoning. He had to interfere with Zayn's plan. It was suicide!