The venomous python howled, and Li Derong took the opportunity to send her flying sword slashing again at its wound. The blade ripped open the python's belly, and entrails and blood began to flow, clear evidence that it would not survive.
The group pressed their assault for a while longer, and the python gave a few reluctant hisses before collapsing into the mud, lifeless.
Everyone sighed with relief, joy on their faces. Chu He drew his flying sword, cut the python's carcass into pieces, and stowed them away, saying,— "The sect needs to inspect the corpse first. Afterwards, I'll exchange it for spirit stones and divide them among us!"
This had been agreed in advance, and Wang Hao had no objections.
Chu He continued,— "The python's nest is just below us—there might be treasures. Shall we take a look?"
No thief leaves empty-handed. Since they had come this far, of course they needed to search. Everyone agreed eagerly, dismantled the formation, and Chu He led the way, carefully probing the depths of the nest.
Snakes often live in groups. In the nest they found several first-order venomous pythons and a few unclassified venomous snakes. Without their leader, they fought in disarray and the four easily overcame them, gathering some first-order materials.
Deeper in the nest the air grew cold and damp. They had entered a vast cavern hundreds of meters high and two to three hundred meters across. Chu He gazed at the red walls and said thoughtfully,— "If I'm not mistaken, these are Blood Dragon Stones—formed by immersion in the blood of at least a third-order dragon. Demon serpents refine their lineage by devouring Blood Dragon Stones!"
Chen Qing laughed,— "No wonder this place is full of venomous snakes—because of the Blood Dragon Stones! They can be distilled into third-order Dragon's Blood Essence, though that's difficult. However, they're also rare second-order weapon-refining materials! Let's cut some out and take them."
Chu He nodded and looked at Wang Hao,— "I saw your treasured seal is damaged. You'd do well to repair it with these stones. I know a sect artisan who can help."
Wang Hao asked,— "Are these Blood Dragon Stones Earth-attribute?"
— "Hard to say—it depends on the dragon's attribute. If you think they're not suitable, you can always sell them and buy Earth-attribute spirit materials. Those are common in the market," Chu He explained.
Just then a furious hiss echoed from deeper in the cavern, and moments later a giant red python emerged before them.
— "How can there be another second-order python?" Chen Qing gasped in surprise. But the group had anticipated this and didn't panic. They quickly rallied and faced the red python warily.
This red giant was even larger than the first—twelve to fifteen meters long. Chu He swallowed,— "It must be a mid-tier second-order beast!"
— "Something's off—look at its skin. It doesn't look like it's been shed recently," Li Derong observed.
Wang Hao peered closer and realized the python's old skin remnants still clung to its body.
Demon serpents shed whenever they breakthrough. This python had just completed its metamorphosis—and, like Xiao Bai and Ya Ya, would be weak afterward. They had awakened it when they entered the cavern.
— "It's in its vulnerability window! Don't panic!" Chu He shouted, unleashing earth spells continuously at the python.
The python did move sluggishly, absorbing Chu He's attacks but not breaking. With a powerful tail swipe, it sent Chu He flying. An earthen shield formed around him, but he still spat blood on landing.
Trapped in the subterranean cavern, the four knew they had to kill this python to escape.
The beast, after landing that blow, hissed contemptuously and pressed the attack. The group deployed their magic items and talismans defensively. Wang Hao hurled spirit talismans and fireballs, but to little effect.
Li Derong revived her earlier tactic: she wielded her flying sword, slicing the python's flesh in multiple places.
Because its new skin hadn't yet toughened, her sword easily cut across its hide. A fully stabilized mid-tier second-order beast would have repelled such strikes.
Seeing Li Derong work, the others used their skills to delay the python so she could land decisive blows.
But would the python allow them such freedom? It quickly spun and lunged directly at Li Derong. The four assumed it was attacking them all and fell back—only to realize it was targeting Li Derong alone.
Chu He was wounded and weakened. If Li Derong—the group's strongest—fell, the rest might barely survive.
Wang Hao drew a lower-grade second-order Golden Sword Talisman, activated it, and hurled it at the python. At the same time, he shifted direction to rescue Li Derong.
Chu He and Chen Qing also dropped their talismans at the python. Though second-order talismans cannot severely wound a mid-tier second-order beast, this python was still frail from its recent transformation. After several blasts, it bore deep wounds and hesitated—but still wasn't subdued.
The python, enraged, glared at Li Derong. In a sudden dash covering several meters, it closed on him—opening its blood-soaked maw to bite.
Li Derong's face drained of color. Too late to dodge, she gave a bitter smile, braced her flying sword, and resolved to strike even at the cost of her life.
Even second-order talismans had failed to hold the python—underscoring Li Derong's unique value. If their "ADC" fell, it would be "game over."
Determined, Wang Hao unsheathed the Sky-Turning Seal and his Wind-Cutting Sword, charging the python.
When life and death converge, there is no room for hesitation. In that moment, courage surged through Wang Hao's veins. The Sky-Turning Seal slammed into the python's jaws, shattering two of its fangs—and the outer shell of the seal cracked with a snap.
Wang Hao had no time to lament. He pushed Li Derong to safety and drove his Wind-Cutting Sword into one of the python's eyes.
The python howled, shaking its head violently. Wang Hao was flung against the cavern wall, blacking out on impact.
— "Brother Wang!"
— "Brother Wang!" Chu He and Chen Qing cried out in desperation, eyes wide:— "Mon— I'll fight it!"
They unleashed a storm of talismans and magic items at the serpent as if their lives depended on it.
Li Derong, regaining consciousness, looked toward Wang Hao with a troubled expression. Her eyes filled with tears as she plunged her flying sword into the python's other eye.