Chapter 70: The Giant Serpent

Chapter 70: The Giant Python

After hearing the warrior’s shout, the shrill cries of the Storm Eagles soon echoed from above. In the next instant, two enormous Storm Eagles dove swiftly toward the ground.

Li Hongshen jumped down from the second-tier Imperial Crocodile and immediately ordered it to crawl over and help, but before the crocodile could act, he saw a Storm Eagle soaring into the sky in the distance, grasping a giant python in its talons. Another massive python reared up, its imposing form unmistakable even from afar.

The mighty eagle clutched the python tightly, its talons deeply embedded in the serpent’s flesh. Even in the sky, the python’s body writhed, trying to coil itself around the eagle.

But the python soon suffered a fatal blow—the eagle’s sharp beak pierced the snake’s head, tearing out a blood-red crystal from within.

The python shuddered briefly, then went limp, its body dangling lifelessly in the air, utterly still.

Unlike the python slain by the eagle, the one that had reared up had not been seized, for it held a warrior in its jaws. The warrior gripped an iron spear with one hand, wedging it against the python’s mouth, while stabbing relentlessly at the serpent’s head with his blade in the other.

The python thrashed its head in fury, desperate to dislodge the foreign object from its maw.

Suddenly, the python gaped its jaws wide and flung its head violently, hurling the warrior far away. Then its entire length coiled tightly around an Imperial Crocodile.

The crocodile bit down on the python’s body with unyielding force. As the python tightened its coils, the crocodile’s teeth sank ever deeper, accompanied by the cracking of bones. The serpent was torn in two, finally releasing the crocodile.

Even split in half, its innards spilling onto the ground, the python did not die immediately. Both halves continued to writhe for some time before finally falling still with a dull thud.

But before Li Hongshen could catch his breath, the screeching of Storm Eagles sounded again from above, including the cries of Lin Shengzun’s golden eagle.

The predatory birds swooped down in quick succession, and when they returned to the sky, each carried a giant python. Even from a great distance, the furious hissing of the serpents could be heard.

“What is this—did they stumble upon a nest of snakes?”

Li Hongshen’s expression changed at those words.

“No, it’s not a nest. Damn it, this is the breeding season for the giant pythons. They’re mating. We interrupted their courtship. No wonder these pythons are so crazed and willing to fight the raptors head-on. But why are there giant pythons on the outskirts of this wetland?”

“Erha, take your mates and fetch the others back. Everyone else, form up! Stay alert! Casters, cast Strength of the Titans on the warriors. Shaman Ma, act according to your own judgment.”

At his command, Erha and three war wolves dashed out of the ranks, while the formation swiftly changed—the long planks previously laid out in a line were now stacked together.

Soon, Erha and his wolves came running back from the distance, each wolf carrying a person in its jaws and another clinging to its back. Behind them followed two Imperial Crocodiles, each bearing a passenger, though they moved much more slowly than the wolves.

Trailing them were a dozen gigantic spheres—upon closer look, each was a writhing mass of several to more than a dozen pythons, with a female at the core and the males fighting for the right to mate. For reasons unknown, even knotted together, these python balls relentlessly pursued those fleeing ahead.

At the sight, Li Hongshen nearly cursed aloud. Giant pythons were among the most troublesome of all vicious beasts—powerful, well-armored, slippery, cunning, vengeful, and fiercely retaliatory—an utter nightmare.

Clearly, they had stirred up a hornet’s nest, interrupting the pythons’ mating, and even the warriors’ sachets of realgar were useless now.

“Warriors, prepare yourselves!”

“My lord, let me handle this!”

Li Hongshen turned to the shaman. “Is it necessary? We still have a long journey ahead.”

The shaman met Li Hongshen’s gaze. “It is necessary. Pythons in mating season are extremely dangerous—especially when enraged.”

“Very well.”

Pushing past the front ranks, the shaman strode to the outer edge of the defensive circle and watched the onrushing wolves. He took a deep breath.

Faint light began to glow around the shaman, blue-violet runes slowly appearing across his body. As they linked together, a crackling sound filled the air.

“Chain Lightning Whip!”

A thick whip of lightning shot from the shaman’s hand, grazing Erha’s face, arcing over the Imperial Crocodiles, and lashing the foremost ball of serpents.

From the first ball of pythons, countless tendrils of lightning extended, covering all the serpents. The seething electricity rampaged through the snake clusters like a chained storm, locking them all in place.

As Erha and the warriors with their battle pets rushed back inside the defensive circle, the shaman released the whip, the flashing light nearby fading away. The smoldering electricity left only a few charred marks on the ground before dissipating into the air.

All that remained were a dozen pitch-black lumps on the earth, the air thick with the stench of scorched flesh and burning hide.

“Hiss—”

“Hiss—”

“Hiss—”

A chorus of gasps rose within the defensive circle. Li Hongshen, Li Bingbing, Lin Shengzun, and the others all drew sharp breaths, staring in stunned amazement at the scene before them.

Such a wide-ranging attack left even Li Hongshen in awe, far exceeding his expectations. Since advancing to the second tier, the shaman had spent most of his time inscribing runes, never having occasion to display his true power. Li Hongshen had only seen him perform support magic before, never offensive spells, so he could scarcely believe the old man’s might.

“Ah, cough, cough... Alas, I’m getting old. Just a single strike like that drains the life out of me. Can’t any of you young folk give me a hand?”

At the sound of his voice, Li Hongshen snapped out of his daze, pushed through the crowd, and hastened to support the shaman’s arm.

“Here, let me help you, sir. That was incredible! The rest of you, don’t just stand there—deal with the python corpses! Dig out the blood crystals, feed the remains to the battle pets, and keep a sharp eye on the surroundings.”

“And you lot—yes, you there—come here and explain why the pythons were chasing you so relentlessly.”

Supporting the shaman, Li Hongshen began directing the group to process the python corpses. Whether by intention or not, some of his own warriors stayed put, while others, mingling with the soldiers of the other two lords, set about handling the remains.

The warriors retrieved by the war wolves were brought before the three lords to be questioned.

(End of Chapter)