Elder Longbrow’s heart tightened as he saw, three feet above his head, a massive snake head.
The triangular snake head was larger than a bathtub, with a ring of red speckled patterns around its neck, like a scarf.
Its two eyes, like bronze bells, held no trace of emotion, coldly staring at Elder Longbrow.
Elder Longbrow was extremely nervous, not daring to move, locked in a stare with the snake head.
The scene seemed frozen as man and snake gazed at each other.
Suddenly, a drop of liquid dripped from the snake’s mouth, landing on Elder Longbrow’s face.
It was icy cold.
Unable to hold back, Elder Longbrow quipped, “Mate, have you never seen a handsome guy? Why are you drooling?”
At that moment, the snake head opened its massive jaws, spewing a blast of icy mist at Elder Longbrow.
Instantly, a thick layer of ice formed over Elder Longbrow’s body, turning him into an ice statue.
“Boom!”
The snake head then rammed into Elder Longbrow, sending him flying.
Ye Qiu darted forward to catch Elder Longbrow, but the force was too great, knocking him back as well.
What?
Ye Qiu was shocked, not expecting a python to possess such immense strength.
“Thud!”
When Elder Longbrow hit the ground, the ice encasing him shattered. He spat out a mouthful of blood, then looked up at the python.
The python was twenty to thirty metres long, its body thicker than the ginseng king’s trunk, covered in purple scales, its eyes brimming with murderous intent.
“Damn it, I’ll destroy you!” Elder Longbrow roared in anger, charging at the python with his Demon-Subduing Sword.
“Come back!”
Before Ye Qiu could finish, Elder Longbrow was already in front of the python. The next second, the python spewed another icy mist, turning Elder Longbrow into an ice statue once more.
“Boom!”
Mimicking its earlier move, the python rammed Elder Longbrow, sending him flying like a mighty bull.
This time, Elder Longbrow flew hundreds of metres, crashing through several towering trees before slamming into the ground.
“Pfft!”
Elder Longbrow spat out another mouthful of blood, his organs nearly shattered, his body wracked with unbearable pain.
Ye Qiu rushed over, helping Elder Longbrow up, and asked, “Old man, how are you holding up?”
“Not dead yet.” Elder Longbrow looked at the python, his expression grave, and said, “This beast is strong and can freeze me. It’s no ordinary creature.”
“This is a Nine Nether Underworld Python!” Fairy Hundred Flowers’ voice rang out.
She continued, “All heavenly treasures have guardians. If I’m not mistaken, this Nine Nether Underworld Python is protecting the ginseng king.”
“The Nine Nether Underworld Python is a ferocious beast, capable of spewing icy mist. It’s said that a fully grown one can reach a kilometre in length, with immense strength, able to contend with peak Spirit-Connecting Realm experts.”
Hiss!
Ye Qiu and Elder Longbrow gasped.
Fairy Hundred Flowers added, “Legend has it that many years ago, a fully grown Nine Nether Underworld Python froze an entire city. To kill it, a top sect sent numerous experts, losing three Spirit-Connecting Realm powerhouses before finally slaying it.”
“Judging by the size and strength of this Nine Nether Underworld Python, its power is likely around the early Cave Heaven Realm.”
An early Cave Heaven Realm beast?
Ye Qiu and Elder Longbrow were stunned again.
At that moment, the Nine Nether Underworld Python coiled its massive body around the ginseng king’s trunk, its head resting atop it, hissing and roaring at Ye Qiu and the others.
“Roar!”
Its voice was like a wolf’s howl, shaking the surrounding ancient trees, causing leaves to dance wildly.
It seemed to be declaring to Ye Qiu and the others, The ginseng king is mine.
“Damn it, I worked so hard to dig this ginseng out, and you want to steal it? You’re asking for death.”
Fuming, Elder Longbrow pulled out a handful of flame talismans from his robe.
“Old man, don’t be rash. With your cultivation, you’re no match for it,” Ye Qiu warned.
“Little rascal, don’t worry. We’ll be eating roasted snake soon,” Elder Longbrow said, tossing out the flame talismans.
Swish, swish, swish!
Dozens of flame talismans flew like throwing knives, igniting as they neared the Nine Nether Underworld Python.
The python spewed an icy mist, instantly extinguishing the flames, freezing the talismans in mid-air.
“Roar!”
With another roar, the python’s terrifying sonic wave shattered the frozen talismans.
Elder Longbrow wanted to act again but hesitated, not daring to approach. He turned to Ye Qiu and said, “Little rascal, no matter what, we can’t let this beast take the ginseng king.”
“Here’s the deal, we’ll fight together.”
“Whoever kills this beast gets the ginseng king.”
Ye Qiu asked, “You mean that?”
“Absolutely,” Elder Longbrow said. “As long as this beast doesn’t get the ginseng king.”
“Fine!” As Ye Qiu prepared to act, Fairy Hundred Flowers said, “Let me handle it!”
With her early Cave Heaven Realm strength, she could match the Nine Nether Underworld Python.
But Ye Qiu didn’t think so.
The python’s strength was formidable. Though Fairy Hundred Flowers was also at the early Cave Heaven Realm, she hadn’t yet undergone tribulation. In a fight, the outcome was uncertain.
Ye Qiu, however, was different.
He had a trump card.
“Leave it to me!” Ye Qiu said, pulling out the God-Beating Whip and walking toward the python.
Seeing Ye Qiu approach, the python’s eyes filled with disdain.
“You’ve worked hard to reach your current strength. Hand over the ginseng king, and I won’t kill you,” Ye Qiu said as he walked.
“Roar!” The python let out an angry bellow, as if saying, You, a mere cultivator, dare?
“Since you won’t listen, don’t blame me.” Ye Qiu swung the God-Beating Whip through the air.
The python opened its mouth, preparing to spew icy mist, but its body suddenly froze.
Then, it watched helplessly as the God-Beating Whip struck its head.
“Crack!”
A gash appeared on the python’s head, blood gushing out like water, dealing it a severe blow.
Ye Qiu raised the whip again, ready to strike, but Elder Longbrow pushed him aside.
“Little rascal, don’t kill it.”
Ye Qiu thought Elder Longbrow was being merciful, but then he said, “I’ll deal with it.”
Ye Qiu realised Elder Longbrow had said whoever killed the python would get the ginseng king. Seeing the python gravely injured, the old man was clearly trying to claim the prize.
“Old man, you’re no match for it,” Ye Qiu warned.
“Don’t worry, I have a plan,” Elder Longbrow said with a confident smile, his aura surging rapidly. He spread his arms and shouted to the sky, “Come, heavenly tribulation!”
