Tian Nanjie's expression changed slightly, "I came here because of the appearance of Nanmang Juzui."
Ming Zhitian asked, "What is Nanmang Juzui?"
Tian Nanjie said, "An ancient giant python, its size like a mountain, its cultivation unfathomable. It is said to have recently appeared in the area around Beijiao Temple. That is why I came."
He consistently referred to himself as "I," not "this immortal," which seemed to dispel Ming Zhitian's doubts. Ming Zhitian had been considering running away if the situation turned sour. He had witnessed the power of the bandit sect leader before, and even though he had no money on him now, he worried that his anger might be vented upon him.
The two monks, startled, quickly retreated, "How can this be? Sect Leader Tian Nan, please take care of yourself. We will be right back."
Tian Nanjie nodded. They were planning to flee with the money. If Nanmang Juzui truly arrived, it could flatten Beijiao Temple with a single sweep of its tail.
Just as panic spread through the temple and people began packing their belongings, a chilling hiss, "Sssshhh... hhuuurrr..." slowly approached from outside the temple.
Tian Nanjie said with gravity, "Young man, stay here and don't go out. I'll go take a look."
Ming Zhitian nodded, "Alright, Senior, be careful."
Tian Nanjie tore open a spatial rift with his bare hands, flashed inside, and vanished before Ming Zhitian's eyes.
Ming Zhitian envied him, "A divine being."
Despite his admiration, Ming Zhitian followed. Tian Nanjie summoned a Heavenly grade artifact, the Aurora Sword! He stood a hundred meters outside the temple, confronting the Nanmang Juzui, which loomed like a mirage.
The Nanmang Juzui swept its tail! It was like a fierce gale. Even from a hundred meters away, the walls of Beijiao Temple began to crack.
Ming Zhitian hid behind a wall, afraid to move, only daring to steal glances. This was no longer a battle he could comprehend at his level.
Tian Nanjie leaped, disappearing from his spot, and suddenly appeared behind the Nanmang Juzui, striking with his sword.
He struck nothing but air. "Boom! Clang!" The Nanmang Juzui's hide was incredibly tough. Even the Heavenly grade artifact, the Aurora Sword, could not inflict the slightest damage.
The Nanmang Juzui swung its tail! The speed was too great. Tian Nanjie blocked with his sword, his arm going numb and nearly dropping the weapon. He was sent crashing into a pit.
A purple cold light erupted from the pit, scratching the Nanmang Juzui's outer hide!
Tian Nanjie leaped up, "Tianxing Yue Jian - Kuang Long Zhan!"
"Swish swish swish..." Hundreds of Dragon Slash sword strikes rained down, all hitting the Nanmang Juzui's scales! Blood began to flow, indicating this was Tian Nanjie's ultimate move, his limit.
The Nanmang Juzui went completely berserk! Its massive body shimmered like a mirage, but in the next instant, it flashed behind Tian Nanjie, its enormous tail sweeping down!
"Crack!" It was like a fighter jet crashing into Tian Nanjie's back, sending him face-first into a pit once again...
It wasn't over. With another flash, the Nanmang Juzui swung its tail again! It struck the ground, flinging Tian Nanjie out of the pit...
With another flash, the cycle repeated. The Nanmang Juzui struck Tian Nanjie three times.
"Hiss~!..." The monks below winced, feeling the pain.
"Boom! Scrape scrape scrape..."
Tian Nanjie was sent flying into the pit, carving a long trench. He propped himself up with his sword, his body covered in blood, yet he still fearlessly confronted the Nanmang Juzui.
However, the Nanmang Juzui was not faring much better, its entire body also covered in its own flowing blood.
Tian Nanjie pushed off with his back leg! Mustering his last strength, "Tianxing Yue Jian - Wu Shang Jie!"
The Nanmang Juzui also lunged forward! Its two enormous fangs met Tian Nanjie's full-force attack.
They were locked in a stalemate. Tian Nanjie was focused, unable to divide his attention. Similarly, the Nanmang Juzui was also fully engaged, dedicating all its effort to its fangs, unable to use its tail to attack. Otherwise, with a single misstep, its jaw would be severed.
They remained locked in this stalemate. Tian Nanjie lacked the strength to speak, thinking, "If only someone could disrupt the Nanmang Juzui at this moment."
After several moments of near exhaustion, at the critical juncture, Ming Zhitian flicked a pebble, shattering the Nanmang Juzui's python eye!