Yang Ye's body was alive with a newfound power as the golden Profound Energy surged within him. His body felt lighter, his senses sharper, and the exhaustion that had once weighed him down was now completely gone. A fresh wave of strength flooded his limbs, and his resolve became clearer than ever.
The Colossal Python King may have been a terrifying beast, but Yang Ye was no longer the helpless human who had been blasted away with a single swipe of its tail. Now, he was a force to be reckoned with.
He gritted his teeth, eyes blazing with determination, and his right leg slammed into the ground, propelling him toward the beast with explosive speed. The golden light on his fists glowed brighter as he hurled his right arm forward, delivering a punch that whistled through the air, aimed directly at the python king's massive head.
The python king's fierce eyes narrowed, its ferocious expression evident as it recoiled slightly. It knew that the human before it had suddenly gained terrifying strength, but it was not willing to admit defeat so easily.
In the face of Yang Ye's attack, the python king swiftly jerked its head back, but Yang Ye's punch was relentless. It smashed into the dark, scaly hide of the python king, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through the air.
Bang!
The sound of impact was deafening, and the python king's entire body shook as if it had been struck by a mountain. Dark scales cracked and splintered where Yang Ye's fist landed, revealing the soft, scarlet-red flesh underneath.
The python king hissed in pain, its massive form reeling from the blow. Its eyes, once filled with ruthless hunger, now carried a hint of caution. It had underestimated this human—underestimated the power that had surged within him.
But Yang Ye wasn't done.
With a savage grin, he unleashed a barrage of punches, each one heavier and more forceful than the last. The golden Profound Energy inside his body swirled like a storm, flowing through his limbs, amplifying the impact of each strike.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The python king let out another series of pained hisses as Yang Ye's fists tore through its defenses. The beast's body jerked violently with every blow, but it couldn't retreat fast enough.
As Yang Ye's final punch landed, he felt the python king's body stiffen. The massive creature's eyes widened in shock before its head jerked back, and it let out a blood-curdling roar.
With one last effort, the python king attempted to strike back, its tail lashing out toward Yang Ye. But Yang Ye was quicker now, his body filled with the energy of the heavens and the earth. With a powerful leap, he dodged the sweeping tail and landed behind the python king.
The beast stumbled, its massive body now showing signs of exhaustion and damage. It was clear that it had been thoroughly beaten into submission, and its fierce eyes were now filled with a flicker of fear.
Yang Ye stood tall, his body crackling with energy, and his voice rang out in the stillness.
"Is that all you've got?"
The Colossal Python King hissed in anger, but it was no longer the same intimidating creature it had been when the fight began. It was wounded, faltering, and defeated.
Yang Ye, feeling the surge of Profound Energy course through him, knew that this fight was nearly over. With one final roar, he charged forward, his fists glowing with golden light, ready to strike the final blow.
This time, the python king didn't have the strength to evade.
Yang Ye's fist collided with its head with a deafening crash. The world seemed to slow for a moment as the python king's massive form crumpled, its body falling limp to the ground.
The battle was over.
Yang Ye stood panting, sweat dripping from his brow as he looked at the fallen beast. His chest heaved with each breath, and the golden Profound Energy within him slowly settled. The golden glow around his fists faded, but the feeling of victory remained.
He had done it. Against all odds, he had defeated the Colossal Python King.
But his victory didn't come without a price.
He felt the ache in his body, the weight of the battle bearing down on him. He had barely made it through, and if it weren't for Bao'er's timely talismans and the strange energy that had surged through him, he wouldn't have stood a chance.
As he looked around, he saw Bao'er rushing over to his side, her eyes wide with admiration.
"You did it!" she exclaimed, a smile breaking through her worried expression. "You actually defeated it!"
Yang Ye gave her a tired grin. "It wasn't just me. You helped too."
Bao'er's eyes shone brightly as she nodded. "Bao'er knew you could do it. Now, let's take the spirit herb from this beast!"
Yang Ye's gaze turned toward the python king's carcass. Deep inside its belly, he knew there would be a valuable prize waiting. A Profound Rank spirit herb—one that could change everything for him.
But as he approached the fallen beast, he felt a deep sense of both triumph and exhaustion. The fight was over, but the journey ahead would be long. And as he gazed at the spirit herb, a new thought filled his mind: What could I do with this power?
The adventure had only just begun.
Hiss~ hiss~
The Colossal Python King's eyes glowed with rage as it recoiled at the sight of Yang Ye charging forward once again. The ground trembled beneath its massive form as it swiftly coiled its tail and sent it hurtling toward Yang Ye.
Yang Ye's eyes narrowed. This time, he wasn't going to dodge. The golden Profound Energy inside his body surged, flowing into his right fist with an explosive force. His muscles tightened as veins bulged under his skin, and a golden light enveloped his arm. His body radiated power, the very air around him humming with energy as his fist cut through the air.
With a fierce shout, Yang Ye hurled his fist forward, aiming directly at the oncoming tail. The air around him seemed to crack as his fist collided with the python king's tail.
Bang!
The ground beneath their feet shook as the collision reverberated through the area. Yang Ye staggered back several steps from the force, but to his shock and delight, the python king's tail was sent flying backward, the impact visibly sinking into the thick scales of the beast's tail.
For a brief moment, Yang Ye stood stunned, the realization of his increased strength dawning on him. His punch had actually forced the Colossal Python King back! His eyes gleamed with excitement and determination.
He wasted no time in celebrating his success. The golden Profound Energy within his body surged again, and his body shot forward like a lightning bolt. His fists moved faster than the eye could follow, a series of strikes that rained down on the python king with incredible force.
Every punch landed with a resounding crash, and the python king was forced to retreat again and again, its massive form shuddering with every blow. The beast, once so intimidating, now appeared visibly shaken, its eyes filled with both pain and a growing fear.
From the side, Bao'er watched in awe as Yang Ye relentlessly pummeled the Colossal Python King. Shock flickered in her wide eyes, and her hand instinctively moved to her chest as she muttered in disbelief, "My mid-grade Strength Talisman only doubles his strength… but when combined with his golden Profound Energy, it's as if his power has increased by five times! Grandpa was right. Amongst the five elements of Profound Energy, gold is the most offensive."
Bao'er's voice was barely audible, but her words were laden with astonishment. She had seen the results of the talisman's power before, but she had never witnessed its effect in combination with someone like Yang Ye, whose golden Profound Energy was like a fierce storm crashing through his enemies.
Yang Ye's continuous strikes were overwhelming the Colossal Python King. Every time his fist connected with the beast's body, the once-imposing creature was forced back further, its scales cracking under the relentless assault. It was clear that the Python King had underestimated Yang Ye's potential, and now, the beast was struggling to keep up with the human's sudden surge in power.
Yang Ye grinned with exhilaration as his body surged forward once more, the golden energy flaring around him like a furious inferno. He was no longer a mere human fighting a terrifying beast. He was a force of nature, and the python king had no choice but to face his wrath.
In that moment, Yang Ye knew that the battle was drawing to a close. The python king was on the verge of breaking, its tail battered, its body weakening. There was no escape for the mighty creature. And as Yang Ye charged forward, his fists glowing brighter than ever, he knew it was only a matter of time before he claimed his victory.
Yang Ye's heart raced with excitement as the battle came to a head. The more he fought, the more alive he felt. Every time the Colossal Python King's tail collided with him, the overwhelming force of the impact reverberated through his body. But Yang Ye wasn't deterred. In fact, the pain seemed to fuel his resolve.
Luckily, he soon realized that the strange energy flowing within him was constantly repairing the internal injuries inflicted by the python's tail. Without it, he knew he would have already collapsed. But with every punch, the golden Profound Energy surged through his body, allowing him to press on.
Bang!
After a long, grueling deadlock between man and beast, Yang Ye finally saw an opening. With lightning speed, he flashed forward and landed a ferocious punch on the python king's head. The Colossal Python King wailed, its massive body trembling from the impact. Yang Ye didn't give it a chance to recover. His attacks rained down on the python's head, relentless and filled with fury.
Soon, the Colossal Python King stopped moving entirely, its giant form crumpling to the ground in defeat.
Huff!
Yang Ye, on the other hand, collapsed to the ground as well, gasping for breath. He had been struck several times by the python's tail earlier, but he hadn't felt much during the heat of battle. Now, the pain came rushing in like a tidal wave, and exhaustion overtook him. He could barely summon the strength to lift a finger.
Just as Yang Ye rested, Bao'er dashed over to the fallen Colossal Python King. Without missing a beat, she kicked its body and cursed loudly, "Chase Bao'er! Chase Bao'er! Now you're dead, huh? Just you wait! Bao'er will refine you!"
Yang Ye blinked in surprise, his mind still hazy from the battle. Bao'er, with a quick flick of her hand, produced a white jade bottle from her pouch and pointed it at the python. The moment she removed the stopper, a powerful suction force erupted from the bottle, drawing the massive body of the python into the bottle with a force so strong that it defied belief.
Yang Ye stood there, utterly dumbstruck, rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasn't imagining things. He stared in disbelief as the Colossal Python King disappeared into the bottle, leaving nothing behind but a pool of blood. If it hadn't been for the remnants of the battle, Yang Ye would have sworn he had been fighting the air.
Once Bao'er had put the bottle away, she walked over to Yang Ye and, with a sly smile, pulled a green talisman from her pouch. Without hesitation, she slapped it onto his body.
The moment the talisman made contact, a green glow enveloped Yang Ye, and the strange energy surged into him once again. This time, the energy flowed faster and more efficiently than before, circulating through his meridians. His exhaustion vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving him feeling fully rejuvenated.
Yang Ye blinked in surprise, his gaze shifting toward Bao'er as he asked in a soft voice, "You... Are you a Talisman Master?"
A proud smirk tugged at the corners of Bao'er's lips as she looked him over, clearly enjoying his shock. "Of course! I'm a genius, the one and only super genius in the Sword Sect! I'm a Grade Five Talisman Master at the age of 14. What do you think, aren't I amazing?"
Yang Ye's eyes widened in disbelief, his shock evident on his face. He had heard of Talisman Masters before, but he had never imagined meeting one, let alone one so young and so accomplished.
Despite his relatively weak strength, Yang Ye knew the significance of what Bao'er had just revealed. Talisman Masters held a distinguished status in the Southern Territory, and for good reason. The talismans they created were highly sought after, with the power to make even the most experienced Profounders go mad with desire. The talismans Bao'er had used during the battle had enhanced Yang Ye's strength dramatically without any apparent side effects, a feat that would leave most cultivators in awe.
But the power of a Talisman Master didn't stop at combat talismans. They could also inscribe talisman markings onto weapons and armor, greatly enhancing their power. A weapon inscribed by a Talisman Master could increase its value by more than ten times. To have one such as Bao'er in their midst was nothing short of extraordinary.
Yang Ye took a deep breath, still trying to process the revelation. "A Grade Five Talisman Master at 14..." he murmured in awe. It was a level of skill and talent that few could ever hope to achieve in a lifetime.
Bao'er gave him a playful wink, clearly enjoying the admiration. "I know, right? Pretty amazing, huh? Don't worry, you'll get used to it. Now, let's move on. There are still many more challenges ahead, and you're going to need all the help you can get."
Yang Ye nodded silently, still in awe of the young girl standing before him. With someone like Bao'er by his side, the road ahead seemed a little less daunting.