Truthfully speaking, Yang Ye didn't have even a shred of confidence as he faced the monstrous Colossal Python King. Every rational thought urged him to flee, but his feet remained rooted to the spot.
If the little girl had drawn the python king toward him at the start, he wouldn't have hesitated to run. But she hadn't. Instead, she'd chosen to bear the danger herself, unwilling to implicate him.
She's a kind little girl, Yang Ye thought, his chest tightening. Just like Little Yao!
That alone was reason enough to stay. But beyond that, there was something else. Deep within, Yang Ye felt a spark—a growing strength he had never truly tapped into. The tiny vortex within him surged faintly, as if it, too, refused to back down.
The little girl gasped for breath as she glanced back at Yang Ye. Her wide, lively black eyes blinked in astonishment. She had never expected this Labor Disciple, someone of such lowly status, to risk his life against a fifth-rank Darkbeast for her.
"Ah!" Yang Ye let out a ferocious roar as he dashed forward, his hands clutching a massive rock. Using all the strength in his body, he smashed the rock down onto the python king's massive head.
Bang!
The impact echoed through the clearing, but instead of causing damage, the rock shattered into countless pieces. The force of the collision sent Yang Ye flying backward. He crashed heavily onto the ground, his body aching as blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
Wiping the blood away with his sleeve, Yang Ye let out a bitter laugh. "Throwing an egg against a rock… now I understand what that really means."
The python king's scales were impenetrable, harder than black iron. Not only had the rock been obliterated, but his arm was also numb from the impact.
Hiss~ Hiss~
The python king flicked its tongue, its cold, golden eyes gleaming with fury. Its massive body twisted once more, coiling tightly before smashing down toward Yang Ye like a collapsing mountain.
As the shadow of the beast loomed over him, Yang Ye's eyelids twitched. He didn't dare let his thoughts wander any longer. Spitting out another mouthful of blood, he hastily pushed himself to his feet.
Running isn't an option, he realized. The terrain behind him was flat, leaving him no place to hide. Outrunning the python king was impossible.
If I can't run, then I'll fight.
Yang Ye's eyes sharpened with resolve as he charged forward once more. Each step seemed to resonate with his growing determination.
When he was only a few meters away from the serpent, he stomped on the ground with all his might, propelling himself into the air. His body twisted as his fists aimed straight for the python king's sky-blue eyes—the only vulnerable spot he could see.
The python king, however, wasn't so easily caught off guard. Letting out an angry hiss, it coiled its massive tail and lashed out with astonishing speed. The tail sliced through the air with a deafening whoosh, carrying the force of a hurricane as it swept toward Yang Ye.
For a fleeting moment, time seemed to slow. Yang Ye gritted his teeth, his fists still aiming for the beast's eye, even as the shadow of its tail loomed closer.
The clash was inevitable, and Yang Ye knew: his strength alone wouldn't be enough. But he would fight, even if it meant risking everything.
Fleeing was no longer an option. The flat terrain offered no cover, no obstacles, and no chance of escape. Yang Ye gritted his teeth. If he couldn't run, then there was only one choice left—fight.
As the Colossal Python King loomed closer, its massive body crashing through the forest, Yang Ye felt his heart pounding. Steeling himself, he charged forward.
When he was just two meters away, he let out a fierce shout and stomped on the ground with all his strength. His body shot into the air like a coiled spring, his fists aiming directly at the python king's fist-sized, sky-blue eyes.
Hiss~
The python king's serpentine eyes gleamed coldly as it sensed his attack. Twisting its colossal body with astonishing speed, it lashed out with its tail. The tail moved so quickly that it seemed to blur, cutting through the air with a deafening whoosh.
Bang!
Yang Ye didn't even have time to react before the tail struck him with the force of a mountain. Pain exploded through his body as if his waist had been shattered. A muffled groan escaped his lips, followed by a spray of fresh blood.
The impact sent him flying through the air. He tumbled nearly ten meters before crashing heavily into the grass, sending dust and debris into the air.
Groaning, Yang Ye struggled to push himself up. His body screamed in protest, but he forced himself to focus.
"I'm not a match for it!" he muttered bitterly. Deep down, he had known this all along. The defensive capabilities of Darkbeasts were legendary, their strength often surpassing humans of the same cultivation realm. Many could even fight opponents above their level.
And this Colossal Python King wasn't just any Darkbeast—it was far superior to him in both power and cultivation.
"Are… are you fine?"
A soft, trembling voice pulled Yang Ye from his thoughts. Turning his head, he saw Bao'er rushing toward him, her small hands reaching out to help him up.
"You still haven't fled?!" Yang Ye growled, his expression darkening. His efforts had been to buy her time to escape, yet here she was, standing beside him. Frustration and anger surged within him.
Bao'er shook her head, her braided ponytail swinging with the motion. Her wide, innocent eyes looked at him with determination.
"You were so courageous, so how could Bao'er possibly leave you here and flee by myself?" she said seriously. Her voice carried a hint of stubbornness as she added, "Bao'er will live and die together with you!"
Yang Ye was momentarily stunned by her words. Before he could respond, Bao'er reached into the small pouch hanging from her dress. She pulled out a piece of talisman paper, her movements swift and decisive.
"Here, stick this Strength Talisman on yourself and continue bashing it!"
Without waiting for his consent, she slapped the talisman onto Yang Ye's shoulder.
The talisman shimmered faintly before transforming into a golden light that seeped into his body. The moment the light entered him, Yang Ye felt a surge of warmth and vitality. It was as though boundless energy was coursing through his veins, reinvigorating his battered body.
His eyes widened in astonishment as he clenched his fists, feeling the newfound power flooding through him. The pain in his body lessened, and his spirit soared.
Yang Ye glanced at Bao'er, who stood beside him with unwavering confidence. Her trust and determination were unshakable, and they stirred something deep within him.
"Alright," Yang Ye said, his voice steady and filled with resolve. Rising to his feet, he turned to face the python king once more.
The fight wasn't over—not yet. With this newfound strength and Bao'er's unwavering support, Yang Ye would stand his ground.
Yang Ye didn't have time to ponder the changes surging through his body. Gripping the stick tightly, he charged toward the Colossal Python King, his breath ragged but his resolve unyielding.
Rest? That was a luxury he couldn't afford. The python king's massive frame loomed over them, its every movement a threat. When Bao'er had slapped the Strength Talisman on him, the python king had already begun its relentless charge.
This time, the beast wasn't holding back. Its enormous mouth gaped open, revealing a scarlet-red tongue as thick as an adult's arm. The sheer size of the maw was enough to send chills down anyone's spine.
Yang Ye's scalp tingled as he faced the monstrous creature. It wasn't fear holding him back—it was the stark realization that there was no escape. Flat terrain offered no cover, no obstacles to slow the beast. Running meant certain death.
"Since there's no way to run, I'll fight till the end!"
Letting out a furious roar, Yang Ye silenced the lingering fear in his heart. With renewed determination, he bolted forward, stick in hand, aiming to confront the colossal monster head-on.
The python king hissed, flicking its crimson tongue in annoyance. It twisted its massive body, using its weight to anchor itself, and its tail lashed out horizontally. The force behind the swing sent a whirlwind of debris into the air, shattering the ground and scattering leaves like a storm.
Yang Ye's eyes narrowed as he calculated the trajectory of the tail. In a split-second decision, he dropped to his knees, skidding across the ground just as the tail whooshed past his head. The gust of air from the swing brushed against his face, sending a sharp chill down his spine.
Seizing the opportunity, Yang Ye roared, slapped the ground with his left hand to propel himself upward, and gripped the stick with both hands. With all his might, he drove the stick downward, aiming directly at the python king's fist-sized right eye.
This was a move from the Basic Sword Technique, the only combat skill he truly understood. Even though it was just a wooden stick in his hand, he executed the strike with precision and intent, knowing it was his best shot.
Hiss!
The python king reacted instinctively, tilting its head to avoid a direct hit to its eye. However, the stick still pierced into the scaled flesh of its head, embedding itself deep.
The python king let out a deafening screech, its massive body writhing violently in pain. Its thrashing uprooted trees and tore through the ground, leaving devastation in its wake.
Yang Ye's heart pounded with adrenaline as he realized he had done the impossible—he had pierced the beast's seemingly impenetrable scales.
But his moment of triumph was fleeting.
Before he could react, the python king's tail snapped upward and coiled tightly around his waist. The world spun as Yang Ye felt himself lifted off the ground.
The python's constriction was merciless, the crushing force sending waves of pain through his body. It felt as if his waist was being crushed into dust.
"Am I going to die here?!"
Desperation clawed at his mind as he struggled against the python's grip. His vision blurred, and every breath felt like his last.
And then, it happened.
The tiny vortex in his Dantian, dormant and stingy until now, suddenly surged to life. Golden Profound Energy erupted from within, flooding his body like a raging river.
Yang Ye's eyes snapped open as the golden energy coursed through him. It was pure, potent, and overwhelming, unlike anything he had felt before.
The pain in his waist dulled, replaced by a newfound strength. His muscles tightened, his senses sharpened, and his resolve burned brighter than ever.
With a roar that seemed to shake the earth, Yang Ye gripped the python's tail with both hands.
"Let's see who breaks first!"
Powered by the golden Profound Energy, Yang Ye began to pry the python king's tail away from his waist. The beast hissed and thrashed, its movements growing more erratic as Yang Ye fought back with a strength that defied logic.
As the golden energy coursed through him, Yang Ye's gaze locked onto the stick still embedded in the python king's head.
This wasn't over. Not yet.