**Dimensional Rift Entrance**
After Xu Que and Ye Gou quickly exchanged their information, the two set off towards the final A-level dimensional rift. During this time, Xu Que also received messages from Shen Mengchu and Liang Jinyu. Though the content was brief, the implications were significant.
"Is it finally time to take the bait?" Xu Que mused.
The Chaisfield family was an obstacle that must be eliminated, but not immediately. He first needed to extract valuable territories and those mysterious resources from them. While he had no need to cultivate elemental powers, others certainly did. So, Xu Que made a careful note of it in his journal, for the Chaisfield family was a goldmine in disguise!
As Xu Que and Ye Gou arrived at the A-level station, their phones rang simultaneously. They exchanged a glance before both answered the calls. Less than five minutes later, Xu Que ended the call with Old Ye and turned to Ye Gou.
"So, what's the verdict, boss?" Ye Gou asked.
"Is this your grandfather's idea?" Xu Que replied with a raised brow.
"Honestly, international diplomacy isn't really my thing. But if you really want to do it, I'm more than happy to help," Ye Gou said, shrugging.
Xu Que chuckled and patted Ye Gou on the shoulder. He had been waiting for this very response. After all, his original plan had been for Ye Gou to handle the diplomatic negotiations. He hadn't expected the two Ye elders to act so swiftly.
"Let's first seal off the rift, and then you can handle the talks," Xu Que said, a thought crossing his mind as he added, "Oh, and make sure you put your rogue spirit to good use. After all, whether we get a big chunk of the pie or not will depend on you."
Ye Gou twitched at the corner of his eye. Was Xu Que seriously turning him into a diplomatic agent? Little did Ye Gou know, Xu Que had great confidence in him. After all, Ye Gou's ruthlessness made him ideal for survival in this post-apocalyptic world!
As for those bound by honor and principles, Xu Que would have no qualms about dealing with them—swiftly and mercilessly.
Inside the dimensional space, Xu Que and Ye Gou had just cleared six Infernal Demon Hunting Dogs when they split up to carry out their respective tasks. Xu Que's job was to eliminate all otherworldly creatures along the path to the final BOSS, while Ye Gou was tasked with searching for special fire-based plants nearby.
Xu Que knew better than to underestimate this A-level rift. He couldn't afford to take risks, for any misstep could be fatal. After carefully slaying three Infernal Demon Beasts, he made his way toward the fiery terrain to the left. According to records from his previous life, this path was somewhat like the "Withered Bone Marsh," a dangerous choice, but it was something he had to do. Time was running out for him to cultivate, so he would have to gamble on the altar's effects.
While hesitating, he noticed a flicker in the flames nearby.
Xu Que furrowed his brow. He hadn't sensed any immediate danger, but from the corner of his eye, he could have sworn the flames had just shifted.
Releasing Bai Yun Diao, Xu Que pointed in the direction of the altar.
To be honest, he wasn't willing to take any chances. Who knew what kind of dangers lurked in the vicinity?
Bai Yun Diao, oblivious to Xu Que's concerns, hopped energetically towards the altar as Xu Que had indicated. However, as soon as it had covered less than ten meters, Xu Que saw the flames once again flicker, this time more intensely than before.
Before Xu Que could react, a massive, thirty-meter-long Fire-scaled Python slowly raised its head.
Bai Yun Diao's beastly instincts were sharper than Xu Que had anticipated. The moment the Fire-scaled Python appeared, its fur bristled in terror.
In the briefest moment of hesitation, Bai Yun Diao did the unthinkable—it leaped toward the Fire-scaled Python's head and swiped at it with a claw!
Xu Que was stunned by the bold move, but what happened next left him completely dumbfounded.
After striking the giant snake, Bai Yun Diao quickly turned and sprinted back towards Xu Que!
"Hit and run?" Xu Que could hardly believe his eyes.
Before he could even process what had happened, the Fire-scaled Python hissed angrily, its tongue flicking in and out.
Damn it!
Just as Xu Que realized what was happening, the Fire-scaled Python opened its massive jaws and swallowed Bai Yun Diao whole!
"Shit! What the hell!" Xu Que cursed in disbelief. He had no choice now but to fight.
He quickly sped up, his foot pushing off the ground as he drew his black sword and shot forward.
The Fire-scaled Python, perched above, looked down at him, its mouth agape, ready to strike.
Xu Que reacted swiftly, swinging his sword in a powerful cut. A sword beam shot toward the python's open mouth.
However, the Fire-scaled Python seemed unaffected, allowing the sword beam to explode harmlessly in its mouth.
Realizing the immediate threat, Xu Que was shocked. How had he stumbled upon a BOSS so soon, just when he was planning to gather some resources at the altar?
With the python's jaws approaching, Xu Que swiftly launched into a double jump, propelling himself forward like a cannonball.
He shot straight into the Fire-scaled Python's mouth.
"Boss?" Ye Gou, just finishing collecting the fire plants, froze in disbelief. He had seen Xu Que dive straight into the python's mouth.
Ye Gou, confused and concerned, could only wonder if Xu Que had lost his mind.
The Fire-scaled Python let out another ominous hiss.
Ye Gou, startled, immediately bowed and turned to flee. He may not have known what Xu Que was thinking, but he certainly didn't want to be the next one swallowed!
The Fire-scaled Python, however, did not leave its domain. It seemed to enjoy the surrounding flames, lazily sinking back into them, vanishing once more.
Inside the Fire-scaled Python's stomach, it was pitch black, the air thick with the smell of burning flesh. Xu Que stood slowly, disoriented, unsure of where he was within the creature's body. Bai Yun Diao was nowhere to be seen.
Feeling the oppressive heat, Xu Que grew uncomfortable. He was about to slice open the beast when a shadow suddenly leapt into his arms.
It was Bai Yun Diao, covered in slimy mucus and looking remarkably unharmed!
"Damn you! You're nothing but a liability!" Xu Que growled in frustration. Grabbing the creature by the ears, he swiftly tossed it into the Dragon Yuan Space.
As he prepared to act, the space around him began to shrink. A viscous, corrosive liquid dripped slowly, making a hissing sound.
Xu Que could only groan in irritation. He had mocked Ye Gou for being swallowed by a man-eating flower, yet here he was, caught in a similar predicament!
Though annoyed, he had no intention of perishing here. He quickly gathered spiritual energy onto his Original Sword and, with a quick swipe, unleashed a slashing strike.
The once pitch-black interior of the python's stomach instantly illuminated as the sword beam cut through.
The Fire-scaled Python's abdomen erupted violently, magma-like blood splattering in all directions. The sudden pain caused the creature to writhe and convulse.
"Damn!" Xu Que slipped out of the python's belly and was immediately hit by the surrounding flames, which caused him to scream in agony.
Just as he was about to take off on his flying sword, the Fire-scaled Python's gaze locked onto him.
Though in great pain, it was not about to let go of the prey it had nearly consumed.
With a furious flick of its tail, it lashed out at Xu Que.