"Roar~~"
The Green Python's meal was interrupted by the flying trees, forcing it to close its eyes and thrash its tail to fend off the incoming trunks.
Whoosh~
The tail whipped through the air, generating a gust of wind that was terrifyingly powerful.
"Yaa!"
Two Iron Arm Monkeys, having thrown the trees, now rushed toward the Green Python. As its tail swept through the air, they leaped toward the vulnerable area on the snake's neck.
"Roar~"
Although the Green Python's eyes were closed, its senses were sharp. Detecting the approaching threat, it opened its mouth and snapped at one of the monkeys.
Chomp~
The snake's jaws closed around the Iron Arm Monkey, which struggled fiercely within its mouth. The monkey's strength challenged the python's bite force, causing its jaws to shift erratically.
Sizzle~~
Suddenly, white smoke billowed from the Green Python's mouth. The trapped monkey let out a blood-curdling scream as its skin began to dissolve, quickly becoming a bloody mess.
"Yaa~~"
The other leaping Iron Arm Monkey landed on the python's massive body, digging its claws into the snake's flesh. With a powerful yank, it tore through the scales, creating bloody gashes.
"Roar~~"
The Green Python, never expecting to be wounded by its prey, roared in agony, thrashing violently on the ground. The monkey clinging to it was crushed into a pulp by the snake's immense bulk.
"Yaa!"
"Yaa, yaa!"
"Yaa~~~"
The remaining Iron Arm Monkeys, undeterred, launched another attack, hoping to end the python's life.
"Roar~~"
Furious and in pain, the Green Python spat a stream of green venom at the advancing monkeys.
Sizzle~~
The venom struck one monkey, instantly dissolving it into a pool of blood. The splashing venom also hit another monkey, causing it to scream in pain and attempt to flee.
Whoosh~
Seeing the monkey trying to escape, the Green Python lunged, its body a blur as it closed the distance in an instant.
Crack!
The snake's jaws snapped shut, biting the fleeing monkey and a tree trunk in half. White smoke rose from its mouth, signaling the end of the battle.
Thud~
The Green Python spat out the mangled Iron Arm Monkey and tree trunks, which hit the ground with a heavy thud. The remains were charred and emitted wisps of smoke, as if they had been soaked in acid.
"Such potent venom!" Alex, watching from a distance, felt a chill. This kind of poison was deadly, and even Teng Qingshan, with his mastery of internal martial arts, would find it difficult to handle.
"Roar~"
The Green Python's roar was slightly weaker now, having used so much venom in a short time. It scanned its surroundings, ensuring no threats remained, before swallowing the remains of the monkeys.
After devouring the Iron Arm Monkeys, the python's body swelled slightly. Satisfied, it slithered back into the green foliage.
"Phew~"
Alex let out a breath of relief. He had been holding his internal energy tightly, trying to avoid detection, but the beast's senses were frighteningly sharp.
"It sensed something but didn't pursue it, probably because it couldn't pinpoint me and was injured," he thought, relieved. "If it had come over, I might have been forced to leave early."
His eyes flashed with determination. Although he and Chu Xin had met the basic requirements to return, doing so prematurely would waste all their planning.
Of course, Alex wasn't one to risk his life needlessly. If it came down to it, he would choose safety over success. He knew that taking too many risks could lead to inevitable failure.
He carefully climbed down the tree and walked toward the battlefield. The once-green clearing was now a mess of broken branches and scattered grass. Puddles of black venom marked the ground, giving it a sinister appearance.
The Green Python's strength grew with its size, and so did the potency of its venom.
"Add to the database!" Alex cautiously touched a charred branch with his finger, watching as his fingernail began to blacken and the poison spread.
Ding!
A notification sounded.
"Green Python venom recorded. Main components:... Effects:..."
Once the venom was recorded, Alex quickly withdrew his hand and used his internal martial arts to expel the toxin. Smoke rose from his fingers, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"It's a good thing I touched it. Anyone else, even a top-tier martial artist, would be in serious trouble," he thought, feeling the danger he had narrowly avoided.
"There's an old saying that where there's poison, there's an antidote nearby. It might be folklore, but there's some truth to it."
Alex pondered, walking through the grass and collecting various plants and leaves.
Ding!
Ding!
The notifications continued as new plants were added to his database.
The vast wilderness was an unexplored treasure trove for Alex. Even without the Zhuguo, he believed he could become a top-tier warrior by using the wilderness's secret herbs.
"Is it really this?"
After a while, Alex bent down and plucked a small purple flower from a cluster that had been crushed by the Green Python. Sticky green juice oozed onto his hand, feeling both slippery and viscous. The juice had a faint, unpleasant odor that became more pronounced when exposed to the sun.
There's an old saying that where there's poison, there's also an antidote. It holds some truth. Plants that survive near poisonous creatures often develop antibodies as a survival mechanism. However, while plants may have antibodies, it doesn't mean animals can directly use them for detoxification. Typically, these plants require further processing to be effective as antidotes.
This small purple flower was no exception. Over years of exposure to the Green Python's venom, it had developed immunity. Extracting its detoxifying properties wasn't straightforward, but Alex's system helped him find a way.
To make an antidote from this flower, its stem juice needed to be sun-dried into a thick paste. This paste could be applied externally to neutralize poison or used as a preventative measure. However, it was not safe for internal use, as ingestion would be toxic.
Of course, if the amount of venom was too large, the paste wouldn't be very effective. The most terrifying aspect of the Green Python's venom was its corrosive nature, akin to strong acids and bases. The paste could neutralize small amounts, but it wouldn't last long against a large dose.
With a thoughtful expression, Alex took out a knife and started harvesting the purple flowers like a farmer gathering wheat. He worked quickly, cutting a large bundle while keeping a wary eye on his surroundings for any potential dangers.
After gathering a substantial bundle of purple flowers and strapping them to his back, Alex noticed a glint in the path where the Green Python had slithered away.
He cautiously approached and found a dark green rock stained with blood and fragments of green scales, mixed with a few strands of fiery red fur from the Iron Arm Monkeys.
"It seems it's seriously injured," Alex noted, seeing the scratches and scrapes along the path. The Green Python had been trying to clean its wounds, indicating that the Iron Arm Monkey's attack had inflicted severe damage.
"Maybe…" Alex pondered, new ideas forming in his mind.
"But it's too risky to act now. Better to return and plan carefully," he decided, taking a final look at the snake path before turning back.
With the bundle of purple flowers on his back, Alex moved swiftly along the mountain path, using an old vine to descend Iron Arm Monkey Mountain. He navigated to a cliffside cave sealed off with a large stone. This cave was where he had left Chu Xin.
Alex climbed the rock face in a few quick steps, using specialized hooks to grip the wall. He knocked rhythmically on the cave entrance.
"Alex, you're back!" Chu Xin's voice came from inside.
"Yeah," Alex replied, his voice carrying through the stone. Inside, there was a sound of movement, and soon Alex was helping to remove the heavy stone slab blocking the entrance.
For Chu Xin's safety, Alex had carefully chosen this cave, which had few footholds around it. The stone slab was further reinforced from the inside, making it nearly impossible for any wild beast to break in without Chu Xin's cooperation.
"How did it go? Did you find what you were looking for? What are you after, anyway?" Chu Xin asked, her curiosity evident. Alex had been secretive and meticulous in his plans, and she followed him out of near-blind faith due to their previous mission together.
"Zhuguo," Alex said, glancing at the high-hanging sun. He spotted a nearby ledge and gestured for Chu Xin to join him. "Come help me with something."
"Zhuguo! Hey!" Chu Xin started to ask more questions, but Alex's call for assistance made her pause. Suppressing her curiosity, she followed him out of the cave.
Alex leaped onto the platform and drew his knife, slicing the edge to create a smooth surface. He then placed the purple flowers there and began squeezing the juice out, letting it pool on the flat surface to dry.
"What's this?" Chu Xin asked, seeing the pile of purple flower stems.
"Antidote for Green Python venom," Alex replied. "Help me squeeze out the juice and let it dry in the sun."
"Okay," Chu Xin nodded, rolling up her sleeves and getting to work without hesitation. Despite her time as a noble lady in the Nine Cauldrons world, she was no stranger to hard work.
With Chu Xin's help, they quickly produced a small batch of thick, greenish paste.
Alex looked at the sky, estimating it to be around four in the afternoon. If all went well, the antidote would be ready by nightfall.
Seeing Chu Xin's discomfort as she wiped her hands, covered in sticky green juice, Alex nudged her sleeve with his elbow and said gently, "Stop rubbing. I found a river nearby where we can wash up and cook dinner. You can even take a bath if you want. I know this has been tough on you."
"Really?" Chu Xin's face lit up. She had been struggling with the conditions in the wilderness for over half a month, and the prospect of a bath was delightful.
"Silly girl, this kind of good day won't last long. This is, after all, the Main God's world," Alex thought, feeling a pang of sadness. Chu Xin had been a regular student before being dragged into this perilous adventure. He had been worried about their future since the Main God appeared.
"Let's go!" Chu Xin pulled Alex, her smile infectious.
"Why worry so much?" Alex let her joy lift his spirits, shaking off his concerns as he followed her.
"Don't run too far, little Xin'er, let big brother…"