Elian once again activated the Fiery Void Sword, engaging in a fierce clash with the Purple-Blood Python's mid-tier third-rank celestial sword while searching for a decisive opportunity.
After thirty rounds of battle between the three cultivators and the python, the Purple-Blood Python still defended flawlessly, causing the group to grow increasingly anxious.
At that moment, the Purple-Blood Python was finally cornered by the Mountain and River Painting. With the protective power of the Purple-Blood Tower significantly depleted, it refused to use the tower defensively again and instead unleashed one of its ultimate techniques.
"Scarlet Eye Demon Gaze."
The group's eyes narrowed as two beams of crimson light shot from the Purple-Blood Python's eyes, striking the Mountain and River Painting and dimming its brilliance.
Pan Boyuan, distressed by the damage to his treasured artifact, reluctantly retracted the Mountain and River Painting. The Scarlet Eye Demon Gaze, refined with malevolent energy, was particularly effective against such artifacts, which were vulnerable to contamination.
The family treasure now required extensive repairs before it could be used again, and its lifespan might also be reduced.
Elian had been waiting for this exact opportunity. Without hesitation, he summoned the Yin-Yang Magnetic Treasure Mirror.
A crisp sound rang out as the mirror unleashed a dazzling dual-colored beam of gold and blue, the innate divine power of "Yin-Yang Primordial Magnet Annihilation Light."
Divine powers of this type were particularly effective against protective barriers and defensive artifacts. The innate ability of the Magnet Treasure Mirror was exceptionally potent and nearly impossible to counter.
The Yin-Yang Primordial Magnet Annihilation Light struck, catching the Purple-Blood Python completely off guard. Its only potential counter, the Scarlet Eye Demon Gaze, had already been spent, leaving it defenseless.
Meanwhile, Xu Qianyang coordinated seamlessly, fully activating the Flaming Goldfire Dragon Shears, which further depleted the protective barrier of the Purple-Blood Tower by an additional thirty percent.
Already weakened, the Purple-Blood Tower's defenses were halved again, leaving it unable to withstand the combined assault. The Yin-Yang Magnet Annihilation Light tore through the barrier and exploded against the Purple-Blood Python, blasting away a significant portion of its flesh.
"Ahhh—!"
The Purple-Blood Python roared in agony, its divine sense echoing its fury.
With desperation in its eyes, it directed the Mountain-Cleaving Soul-Breaking Axe and the celestial sword towards Elian.
However, Elian had meticulously calculated his moves. With a simple gesture, the Magnet Treasure Mirror emitted Magnetic Treasure Light, instantly locking the Mountain-Cleaving Soul-Breaking Axe in place.
The treasure, specialized in countering flying swords, artifacts, and metal-based divine abilities, completely suppressed the Mountain-Cleaving Soul-Breaking Axe, rendering it ineffective. The mirror even managed to partially draw in the celestial sword.
Years ago, the Purple-Blood Python had been severely injured in a collaborative attack. This battle, with its old wounds and newly sustained injuries, had further reduced its effective strength to seventy percent.
With its defenses breached, attack artifacts suppressed, and new and old injuries compounding, the Purple-Blood Python was on the brink of defeat against the three mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivators.
While the fight against the Purple-Blood Python neared its end, the other battlefield witnessed a tragic turn of events.
The effects of the life-extending pill, the Death-Grasp Pill, wore off, and Yang Zhengyuan's internal and external injuries erupted, leaving his body riddled with fatal damage.
Even in this critical state, the Black-Horn Python showed no mercy. Its cold, calculating gaze locked onto Yang Zhengyuan as it deflected attacks from Lin Qianshu and Xu Daoyuan. It unleashed its Black Fiend Divine Light, targeting the severely weakened cultivator.
"Ahhh—!"
The attack was devastating. Yang Zhengyuan, unable to mount any significant defense, was obliterated by the Black Fiend Divine Light, half of his body disintegrating in an instant.
"Patriarch!"
Witnessing their clan's patriarch's death, Yang Yuanhe wept bitterly.
If not for Yang Zhengyuan sacrificing himself to deploy defensive artifacts, he might not have been in this predicament.
After delivering its fatal blow, the Black-Horn Python's hatred was slightly assuaged. Casting a resentful glance at Elian, it turned and fled.
With the Black-Horn Python's retreat, the tides of battle at Sky Python Lake shifted decisively. Even the Sky Python Demon King began showing signs of retreat.
Thirteen years ago, it could barely suppress Jiang Linglong at Tianxu Mountain. Now, faced with her overwhelming growth and mastery of the grand divine ability "Five Tribulations of the Void Divine Light," the Sky Python Demon King found itself at a disadvantage.
Its initial plan of using second- and third-tier beasts to swarm Jiang Linglong had crumbled with the collapse of its forces, leaving it no choice but to flee.
"Trying to escape? Not that easy," Jiang Linglong sneered, activating a yellow earth-colored divine ability, "Mount Tai Suppression Curse."
In an instant, the Sky Python King felt as though a mountain of immense weight pressed upon it, significantly slowing its movements.
This spell had been specifically prepared by Jiang Linglong to counter the Sky Python Demon King's escape tactics. Allowing the creature to survive would pose immense trouble in the future.
Meanwhile, the battle below reached its conclusion. The Purple-Blood Python, with its abilities and artifacts thoroughly neutralized, succumbed to the relentless attacks after barely lasting another dozen exchanges.
With the defeat of its primary allies, Elian turned his attention to the Sky Python Demon King and commanded with a serious expression, "All mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivators, follow me to assist Senior Jiang in encircling the Sky Python Demon King."
"Stay at least ten miles away from the monster," he warned.
With his order, Elian took off in pursuit of the Sky Python Demon King.
After a chase spanning thousands of miles, they caught up with Jiang Linglong and the struggling Sky Python Demon King.
The Sky Python Demon King, battered and cornered, relied on its defensive artifact—the Earth Marsh Five-Smoke Net—and its two attack artifacts, the mid-tier fourth-rank Transforming Dragon Blade and low-tier fourth-rank Ink Snow Celestial Sword.
With these powerful tools and several innate abilities, it managed to hold its ground, though clearly disadvantaged.
If this battle had taken place in the air rather than the water, it would likely have sustained far more grievous injuries.
"Attack!" Elian shouted.
Following his lead, he unleashed two celestial swords toward the Sky Python Demon King.
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D