Ye Chen had settled himself comfortably in a lounge chair, leisurely lying back. As expected, the next moment, the Lotus Pond erupted like an earth dragon turning over, the ground rumbling ominously. Concurrently, the horrified voices of Fang Xi and the others filled the air.

"How is there a Golden Core Giant Python here? How could it still be alive after being trapped here for five thousand years?"

"It's an Earthheart Python; the Boundless Demon Sect must have changed the guardian beast. The Earthheart Python has a trait that allows it to reduce its metabolic rate to a minimum, surviving in a near-death state of hibernation. During this process, although its strength continuously weakens, it can still stay alive. A Golden Core Earthheart Python can live up to eight thousand years if it remains in hibernation. That's why I didn't detect this Earthheart Python earlier."

"Stop talking and act! This Earthheart Python has been asleep for at least five thousand years. It's extremely weak now; its Golden Core has withered, only its physical body retains the Golden Core battle capabilities…"

"Right, we can kill this beast together."

"Fire magic is effective against Earthheart Pythons, use more fire spells."

"Attack!"

...

Inside, the battle was intense, but Ye Chen felt no urgency to join. He leisurely took out a small tea table from his storage ring, laid out several plates of spiritual fruits, and watched the commotion while eating. His Heavy Pupils saw through falsehoods, allowing him to observe everything happening within the Lotus Pond.

The trio was attacking a giant black python. The Earthheart Python was long but thin, clearly starved for a long time. Although its aura had indeed fallen below the Golden Core phase, reflecting a regression in its cultivation, its physical body was still formidable and its presence daunting.

The spells from An Yuyi and the others barely scratched the python's tough hide. Only fire spells seemed to restrain it slightly. This gave Ye Chen a new appreciation for the strength of a Golden Core; indeed, they were not on the same level.

Even if the Earthheart Python had only its physical strength left at the Golden Core level and had been starved for centuries, its combat power was still ferociously robust.

Suddenly, the situation shifted. An Yuyi was struck by the python's tail, shattering her protective spells and slamming her into the ground, blood spewing from her mouth.

The python's head thundered down, attempting to swallow An Yuyi whole. However, a burst of white light suddenly exploded from An Yuyi, forming a protective sphere around her, blocking the python's head.

Frustrated by the proximity of its prey yet unable to consume it, the Earthheart Python became irate, pounding violently. Its tail smashed down dozens of times in the blink of an eye, attempting to break the light sphere. But the seemingly ordinary sphere blocked every attack.

Still, the violent tremors caused An Yuyi to feel dizzy and worsened her injuries.

In a panic, An Yuyi screamed, "The treasure my aunt left me won't hold much longer, someone save me..."

From a distance, both Fang Xi and Pei Ling's faces displayed terror. They could never have imagined that the Earthheart Python, after slumbering for five thousand years, would still be so ferocious. After a prolonged battle, they had managed to shatter only a few of its scales.

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The realization that the Earthheart Python was beyond their power to defeat was the only thought in their minds.

Exchanging a glance, Fang Xi and Pei Ling turned and ran, shouting back, "Junior Sister, hold on. We're no match for a Golden Core phase beast. I'm going to find a Golden Core expert from the Green Cloud Sect to save you!"

Witnessing their actions, An Yuyi's eyes widened in disbelief. She had been abandoned? By the time they returned with help, she feared she would already be devoured. Despair filled her eyes.

With another powerful strike landing, An Yuyi passed out.

The Earthheart Python, furious at the unbroken protective sphere and the inert form of An Yuyi inside, glanced at the fleeing Fang Xi and Pei Ling and, without hesitation, turned to pursue them.

After five thousand years of sleep, its mind was driven only by the need for flesh. It would let no one escape.

...

Seeing the Earthheart Python turn around, its cold reptilian eyes fixated on them, Fang Xi and Pei Ling's terror intensified. They fled the Lotus Pond in a panic and, upon seeing Ye Chen, a plan formed in their minds.

The Earthheart Python was hungry! If it ate Ye Chen first, it would buy them time to escape.

They flew directly towards Ye Chen, with the giant python in hot pursuit, intending to soar over his head and lead the disaster towards him.

However, Ye Chen's lips curled into a cold smirk. With a raise of his hand, two spirit Qi formed into a massive purple-gold hand that crashed down, swatting them to the ground like flies.

Fang Xi and Pei Ling, struggling against the intense pain, looked up at Ye Chen in disbelief.

What was happening?

...

The python arrived, intent on swallowing all three of them in one bite. But at that moment, terrifying flames erupted around Ye Chen's body.

The sight halted the Earthheart Python in its tracks. The Myriad Star Fire was a significant deterrent for a creature vulnerable to fire magic.

Though Ye Chen could see the deterrent effect was minimal and the python might soon lose patience, it was enough for him. For now, that was all Ye Chen needed...

Ye Chen had already written off Fang Xi and Pei Ling as dead in his eyes, but they were still direct disciples of the Divine Will Sect. It was possible they had some spell to pinpoint their killer. So, if he could avoid killing them with his own hands, he would.

First, Ye Chen picked up Pei Ling, whose limbs had been shattered by a slap, and whose face was etched with terror. He patted Pei Ling's face lightly, "Tell me, is my strength adequate now?"

Held aloft by Ye Chen, Pei Ling was consumed by humiliation and fear. Staring at the boiling spiritual fire around Ye Chen, disbelief filled his eyes. How could this lower sect person possess such formidable power?

When Pei Ling remained silent, Ye Chen slapped him again, "I'm speaking to you. With this strength of mine, would I get stuck in the Bewildering Forest?"

Overwhelmed by the fear of death, nothing else mattered.

Pei Ling hurriedly nodded, "No, I misspoke earlier. Please, your excellency, forgive my petty offense!"

Ye Chen nodded, satisfied, "Now, I feel much better! I'm magnanimous and wouldn't kill over a few careless words... Let's forget this matter..."

Pei Ling's eyes brightened with relief.

But then Ye Chen continued, "However, I find your act of abandoning your fellow disciple distasteful. An Yuyi is so attractive, and you weren't willing to die for her? Are you even a man?"

With those words, Pei Ling, with a look of despair, was thrown by Ye Chen directly towards the Earthheart Python.

The python's jaws snapped shut, swallowing him whole. A flicker of delight even appeared in its cold snake eyes.

After dealing with Pei Ling, Ye Chen grabbed Fang Xi by the neck and hoisted him up.

"I also don't hold grudges, so I won't fuss over your threats. Just apologize to me," Ye Chen said amiably.

Fang Xi was in despair, unable to believe his life was now in the hands of a supposed lower sect nobody. If it weren't for his prior battle with the Earthheart Python, Ye Chen could never have taken him by surprise.

Fang Xi opened his mouth wide, but it wasn't to speak. Instead, he spat out a beam of rainbow light, aiming straight for Ye Chen's forehead.

"If I weren't injured, how could you possibly hurt me! Thinking of humiliating me? Let's die together!"

A gleam of satisfaction appeared in Fang Xi's eyes. However, his expression froze in the next moment.

Ye Chen's speed was unbelievably fast. With a single slap, the expelled rainbow light was dispersed. Ye Chen hadn't been touched in the slightest.

Wiping his hands with a look of disgust, Ye Chen remarked, "Disgusting! You foreigners really lack manners."

In the next instant, Ye Chen also flung Fang Xi towards the Earthheart Python. Watching Fang Xi being devoured with one gulp, Ye Chen nodded in contentment, his mood lifted.

With those two dealt with, only...

After tasting blood for the first time in five thousand years, the Earthheart Python's ferocity intensified. Its greedy eyes locked onto Ye Chen...

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