As they delved deeper into the forest, the noises from the wild beasts grew louder. The expressions of the group tightened to the extreme, and they gripped their weapons firmly, ready for any unexpected situations.
"I feel something's not right with these noises. Everyone, stay alert," warned Xuanyuan Long, who was walking at the front, when he sensed the strange atmosphere all around.
"Roar..."
Suddenly, right after he finished speaking, a deafening sound rang out.
In the next moment, a huge cyan - colored python about ten meters long and as thick as a water barrel hurtled rapidly from the jungle on the mountain slope.
It moved at an astonishing speed and was soon right in front of everyone.
The python had a red fleshy crest on its head. Its head rose upright, and as it opened its mouth, it spat out a scarlet forked tongue, hissing in a way that made people feel extremely uncomfortable. Moreover, scales were faintly visible on its neck.
This made everyone's hearts leap into their throats. Even two of the hunting team members' legs were trembling slightly. This was a python they had never seen before, far more terrifying than any of the fierce beasts they had encountered in the past.
Xuanyuan Taihao looked at the giant snake, feeling rather nervous. This was his first hunting trip and his first encounter with such a massive beast. There was also a faint impulse in his heart to fight it.
"Later, we shouldn't spread out too much. Don't give it a chance to single anyone out," said Xuanyuan Long and Xuanyuan Hu. Several experienced and older members of the team nodded in agreement. This was what they thought was the best and most effective approach.
Before they had much time to prepare, the python launched an attack. It swung its huge snake tail, lashing towards the group.
"Crash, crash, crash, crash..." A series of cracking sounds filled the air. As the snake tail lashed over, the trees around it snapped, including some thick - stemmed shrubs as well.
If this were to hit a person, the least result would be broken bones and torn tendons. Everyone was so frightened that they kept dodging, not daring to confront its might head - on.
After evading the python's attack, Xuanyuan Long immediately took out a bow from behind. The bow was made of dark - colored oak, with a solid and thick texture, showing the marks of time. The bow was engraved with delicate patterns, demonstrating exquisite craftsmanship and taste. The two ends of the bow were made of silver, glinting with a cold light, exuding a mysterious magic.
The bowstring was made from the sinews of an unknown animal, sturdy yet elastic. The arrows were crafted from the finest stag hide and eagle feathers. The arrow shafts carried delicate copper arrowheads, sharp and durable. Mysterious symbols and incantations were engraved on the arrows, seemingly carrying endless blessings and power.
This ancient bow exuded a charming aura, as if hiding countless secrets and legends. Holding it, Xuanyuan Long felt the power of the bow, and a courage to overcome all difficulties welled up in his heart.
Without hesitation, he drew the bow and nocked an arrow, exerting all his strength, but could only pull the bowstring to a semi - full state.
With a "whoosh" sound of breaking through the air, the arrow shot towards the seven - inch point on the snake's neck at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye. Truly, it had a power that could break through the clouds and was unstoppable.
A pungent smell of blood wafted over from not far away. The big snake spat out its forked tongue, twisted its body, and let out a stifling hiss, looking extremely angry and restless. There was an arrow stuck in its seven - inch point, about three or four inches deep. It was the arrow shot by Xuanyuan Long. Scarlet blood flowed down along the arrowhead. Apparently, this was what had enraged it. The stinging pain made it manic and more aggressive.
"How is this possible? A full - power shot from me only injured its skin. Its body is so tough. Could it be on the verge of transforming into a flood dragon?" Xuanyuan Long said in an incredulous tone.
Soon, the python attacked again. It opened its huge mouth, filled with fangs, and an unknown viscous liquid dripped from its mouth, looking extremely ferocious and terrifying. It seemed as if it would swallow all these creatures that had dared to anger it in one bite.
This time, Xuanyuan Long and Xuanyuan Hu didn't choose to flee. After evading the python's attack, one of them attacked the snake's tail while the other went for its head. The two of them were highly coordinated, clearly having learned this from numerous life - and - death battles.
Taking advantage of the python's attack on Xuanyuan Long in the front, Xuanyuan Hu, who was at the snake's tail, held a metal broad - bladed sword weighing about a hundred catties and hacked at it, using all his strength for this strike. Immediately, blood spurted out, and the blade sank deep into the snake's body, almost severing it.
Stimulated by the intense pain, the python's body rolled and twisted. Another part of its body lashed at Xuanyuan Hu, sending Xuanyuan Hu, who was still immersed in joy, flying three or four meters away. One of his arms was also broken and deformed.
Seeing this, Xuanyuan Long was extremely angry and worried, concerned about his younger brother's injury. But with only himself left, not only was it uncertain whether he could save his brother, but his own survival was also in doubt.
Xuanyuan Taihao, who had witnessed all this from a distance, was very worried about Uncle Hu's injury.
He took a similar bow from one of the others. Due to the limitation of his arm length, he had to use his foot to step on the bow and his hands to draw the bowstring. With a "creaking" sound, he instantly pulled the bowstring to a full - moon shape.
This scene left everyone nearby stunned into silence.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh." He shot three arrows in a row, all flying towards the seven - inch point of the python. The python, which was in a rage in the distance and still attacking Xuanyuan Long, didn't realize the approaching danger at all.
Before it could react, the three arrows sank into its body. The last arrow even penetrated its body and stuck into the tree trunk behind. Affected by the huge impact, the python also flew back several meters, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Everyone in the field fell silent instantly.
The remaining hunting team members were still in a state of shock, while Xuanyuan Long ran towards the place where his younger brother had fallen.
After the dust cleared, the python lay motionless not far away. Xuanyuan Taihao took a broad - bladed sword, held the handle with one hand, and dragged the tip of the blade on the ground as he walked towards the python.
"Be careful of its last - ditch counter - attack."
Xuanyuan Long, who was not far away, carrying the severely injured and unconscious Xuanyuan Hu on his back, warned. At this moment, his gaze towards Xuanyuan Taihao became especially bright.
"Roar...." Before he could reach the python, it let out a very miserable howl. Then it rose upright, opened its huge mouth, and attacked Xuanyuan Taihao.
Xuanyuan Taihao held the sword with both hands, crouched down, and leaped up about four or five meters high. The python's attack missed. Just as it was looking for its target, an indescribable stabbing pain hit its head. The blade sank into its head. It twisted its body and retreated, and with its almost - severed tail, it lashed at Xuanyuan Taihao, who had landed back on the ground.
Having suffered successive fatal injuries, the python's vitality was severely depleted, and its power was far from what it was at its peak. All its attacks were almost out of instinct and inertia. Xuanyuan Taihao neither dodged nor evaded, but struck back with the back of the sword. The huge inertia made him take two steps backward, but it also sent the attacking snake tail flying back.
The python's entire body slumped to the ground, like a dying king of beasts, occasionally letting out a "whine" of sorrow.
In a battle, being merciful to the enemy is being cruel to oneself. Xuanyuan Taihao was well aware of this.
Without hesitation, Xuanyuan Taihao attacked with the sword. He bent his legs like a bow, leaped up, and raised the sword above his head. The broad - bladed sword in his hand shone with domineering splendor under the sunlight.
At this moment, the only words that could describe Xuanyuan Taihao were "utterly domineering". It was as if he was born for battle and could destroy all enemies. At this moment, people seemed to forget his age, seeing him as a seasoned warrior.
The successive heavy blows finally left the python without the ability to resist. All that awaited it was the judgment of its enemy.
...
After finishing dealing with the prey, the group decided to go back.
The several - thousand - jin body of the python could only be carried by seven or eight strong men working together. Everyone was beaming with joy, a mixture of the delight of obtaining the prey and the relief of having survived a near - death experience.
Xuanyuan Taihao was also praised by everyone, as if he were the center of attention. This was the first battle of his life, and he won it with great ease and gusto.
However, whether the battles he would encounter in the future would be as easy as today's remained to be seen....