Chapter 130: A Cornered Beast Fights Back (Part Two)

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When Liu Yiyi saw Xiao Cheng appear and decisively slay the Azure Python, she was extremely excited. After their dual cultivation, she felt an inexplicable emotion toward Xiao Cheng growing within her heart. But now, staring at the turbulent surface of the lake, with no sign of Xiao Cheng, she anxiously stamped her feet on the shore, forgetting the pain from below.

“Master, you...” Liu Yiyi had wanted to plead with her master to save Xiao Cheng, but seeing her master’s face pale as paper, with blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, she swallowed her words.

The old woman naturally understood what Liu Yiyi wanted to say. She lifted her weary eyelids slightly and shook her head gently.

She had originally thought Xiao Cheng was nothing more than an ordinary mortal, unable to detect any cultivation from him. Yet the destructive power Xiao Cheng had just displayed far exceeded her expectations, astonishing her deeply. She felt she had misjudged him; as the saying goes, appearances can be deceiving.

To wield such a massive weapon with fierce momentum required immense strength. Not only that, but he could walk on the waves and use the soldiers to form a boat. Having such physical power and fighting the Azure Python up close—could he be a disciple of the Demon Sect? Only those who emphasize physical training in the Demon Sect would have such a physique.

But walking on water and forming a boat from soldiers was beyond her understanding; this clearly fell within the realm of cultivation.

Thinking of this, the old woman gave a bitter smile. She truly wanted to save Xiao Cheng—not only because he had saved the lives of her and her disciples but also because he bore the important Zhongling Sect’s waist token.

Even if she were not gravely wounded now, she would not dare risk herself. Fighting the Azure Python in the water was perilous; even a Golden Core expert would likely die with regret.

Moreover, the power Xiao Cheng had just displayed should be above hers. She had attacked the Python for an entire hour, yet it was not as impactful as a single strike from Xiao Cheng.

Even if she went to save him, what could she do?

“This young man’s prospects are grim; what a pity!” the old woman lamented silently. Fighting the Azure Python in the lake was hopeless. The Python’s massive size meant that no matter how strong a cultivator was, they could be swallowed whole in an instant.

To possess such strength at a young age, whether in the Demon Sect or the cultivation world, he was likely a rising star among the young generation. Why did the Zhongling Sect lack such disciples?

“Master, perhaps we should leave while we still can...” Liu Biru cautiously suggested, but before she could finish speaking, she was silenced by the old woman’s sharp glare.

“Biru, remember, though our Zhongling Sect is not a prestigious sect, we must uphold principles in how we conduct ourselves. Do not act cold-heartedly. Let us wait a while longer,” the old woman said, coughing up blood.

“Yes, Master, Biru will remember this!” Liu Biru nodded obediently, though inwardly she was doubtful. That boy was surely doomed, and waiting here seemed futile.

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“Big sister, don’t say such things! Brother Xiao will be fine!” Liu Yiyi called out, her voice trembling with tears, then ran several steps to the lakeside.

“Brother Xiao! Brother Xiao!” she shouted loudly at the churning water.

...

Underwater, Xiao Cheng’s situation was dire. Several times he narrowly escaped being swallowed by the Azure Python. Fortunately, he finally reached the lake bottom, where he could naturally use his Earth Escape technique.

Originally, he could have stayed at the surface—the waves were not strong enough to throw him into the water. But he sought more than merely defeating the Azure Python; even if he killed it, the Zhongling Sect would at most give him a token of gratitude.

Facing such a deadly struggle with the Python, he had to consider his own interests. His fundamental goal was to subdue the Python and make it serve him.

He had entered the water to perform the Momentary Demon Subjugation technique, a forbidden art that must remain secret.

The demon race was a terrifying force, with many towering giants among them. If these giants learned he possessed such a forbidden technique against demon beasts, he would never have peace again.

To his disappointment, the Momentary Demon Subjugation only briefly stunned the Azure Python without fully subduing it. It seemed he had to completely control the Python for the technique to be effective.

Since the technique was ineffective for now, he saw no reason to remain in the lake.

Sensing the Azure Python passing overhead, Xiao Cheng leapt from the lake bottom.

The Python immediately turned and lunged at him. Being amphibious, it was extremely swift underwater and reached him in an instant.

The Python opened its huge jaws, intending to swallow Xiao Cheng whole. Just as it was about to bite, its mouth snapped shut on empty air.

Xiao Cheng, light as a feather, floated like a piece of drifting seaweed, exerting no force, carried by the water currents created by the Python’s jaw movements.

The Python’s massive body continued forward due to inertia, rushing tens of meters ahead.

At this moment, Xiao Cheng had drifted to the Python’s vital point. With a crushing Mount Tai Strike, he quickly sank down, and just as he touched the Python, he drew his Qingfeng sword and drove it downwards with infused true energy.

The Qingfeng sword was forged with Jin Xing satin steel, its sharpness comparable to a low-grade flying sword, and true energy infusion made it even keener.

“Pfft!” Under Xiao Cheng’s tremendous weight, the blade pierced the Python’s vital spot, leaving only the hilt visible outside.

For any snake or python demon beast, the vital point was deadly, but the three-foot Qingfeng sword was too short to reach the Python’s core. Still, the wound was excruciating and made it sense mortal danger.

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“Wuuu—” The Azure Python emitted a pitiful screech and thrashed wildly in the lake as if mad.

Xiao Cheng gripped the sword hilt tightly, riding atop the demon serpent as it writhed.

The Python was both pained and enraged that Xiao Cheng dared ride on its back—a profound humiliation. It twisted its body fiercely, whipping its tail at the vital point to try to shake him off.

But each tail strike landed on its own vital spot, and whenever the tail neared Xiao Cheng, he floated lightly like a feather, unaffected by the force.

Liu Yiyi’s voice grew hoarse from shouting, tears streaming as she crouched by the lake, unable to stop crying despite her elder sisters’ words.

She had barely revived Xiao Cheng through dual cultivation, and now he seemed lost again... how heartbreaking it was.

Just then, a tremendous splash erupted in the lake, sending a huge wave skyward. Looking closely, the Azure Python burst from the water, rolling and struggling as it swam rapidly on the surface. Riding above its vital point was a figure clad in a black cloak.

Who else could it be but Xiao Cheng?

Seeing this, tears streamed down Liu Yiyi’s face, but her smile blossomed like a flower.

“Brother Xiao is still alive, still alive! Someone save him!” she shouted, grabbing the sharp sword at Liu Biru’s waist and charging into the lake.

The other three stared in stunned silence at the scene on the lake’s surface, including the old woman. Xiao Cheng was not dead; he was in control and did not need rescuing. If anyone needed saving, it was the Azure Python.

Seeing Liu Yiyi rush into the water, Liu Biru quickly grabbed her back.

The Azure Python thrashed violently, attempting to shake off Xiao Cheng, but no matter how fiercely it struggled, it could not dislodge him.

Realizing this, the Python charged at Mount Shenfeng at full speed.

Xiao Cheng knew the Python intended to slam into the mountain cliffs, hoping to injure or kill him by impact.

Indeed, this was the Python’s best chance to throw him off.

(To be continued.)