With the addition of the Celestial Sect's prodigy disciples, the situation on the battlefield began to shift.
Leading the charge were Zhang Er Gou and over a hundred others. They plunged into the horde of demonic beasts, cutting down the low-level ones like vegetables. The heads of these beasts soared through the air in graceful arcs, falling back into the throng.
Yet, this did not stir the demonic beast horde. As if controlled by some mysterious force, similar to the beasts in the outer sect's demonic beast forest, they showed no pause at the demise of their companions. With blood-red eyes, they continued their charge.
"Er Gou, watch your front."
Just as Zhang Er Gou, who had just impaled a leopard with his iron spear, was about to turn, a voice from behind warned him.
"Hiss hiss hiss..."
Zhang Er Gou looked up and saw a giant python, its fist-sized green eyes fixed on him. The python's gaping maw dripped with disgusting mucus, which hissed as it landed on the ground, instantly burning a patch of vegetation.
A shiver ran down Zhang Er Gou's spine, for no apparent reason, as the python stared at him. The giant python, in turn, kept its gaze locked on Zhang Er Gou, making no further move for a long moment. It was as if time had frozen, and only Zhang Er Gou and this peculiar python existed in the space.
Suddenly, Zhang Er Gou felt a sharp pain in his soul. A tiny snake had attacked his spiritual consciousness without a sound. Zhang Er Gou jolted awake, his back instantly drenched in cold sweat. He had fallen prey to the giant python's illusionary technique without even realizing it. If his soul hadn't been strong enough, he would have likely collapsed by now. Fortunately, as an alchemist, his soul power was considerably strong. Thus, when the soul snake, formed from the giant python, attacked, Zhang Er Gou only felt a sharp sting and immediately became vigilant.
In that fleeting moment, Zhang Er Gou had been drawn into an illusion by the python's technique. The attack on his soul instantly brought him back to reality. This encounter also made him wary of these demonic beasts. He had never before encountered a soul attack from a demonic beast, which had made him rather lax in his spiritual defenses. This experience served as a stark reminder.
Seeing Zhang Er Gou awaken so quickly from its illusionary technique, a flicker of surprise crossed the python's face. It had killed many human cultivators this way before. The one before it was the first human cultivator to awaken so swiftly from its illusion. Moreover, this human's soul was incredibly potent; it had been discovered even during a surprise attack.
However, it was too late for the python's soul to retreat and escape. Zhang Er Gou, now fully alert, wove his soul into a large net, trapping the tiny snake.
"Screech~" The little snake let out a pained hiss. But Zhang Er Gou had no intention of letting it go. His inner spiritual fire surged forth, heading straight for the snake trapped by his soul. The little snake struggled fiercely, but the cage holding it tightened, and the spiritual fire's inherent high temperature instantly ignited the snake.
Outside, the giant python roared, its massive body writhing and rolling violently from the intense pain in its soul. The other Celestial Sect disciples stared in stunned silence. What was going on? The beast that had seemed ready to devour them moments ago was now thrashing about as if it had lost all its strength. Had Zhang Er Gou, after breaking through in cultivation, also learned a divine skill – the death stare?
Normally, the disciples' attacks were confined to spells and skills. With their limited knowledge, they couldn't possibly imagine that the giant python's soul had been attacked. However, Elder Tian Dao and Lang Feng thought differently. With their keen eyesight, they understood what had transpired.
The attention of everyone on the battlefield was drawn to the giant python's commotion. As they saw a young man standing opposite the python, while the beast screamed hysterically and thrashed about wildly, everyone widened their eyes in astonishment. Cang Lang Sect did not have such a formidable figure. Had reinforcements arrived?
It was then that the Cang Lang Sect disciples, who had paused to observe the unfolding events, noticed a group of unfamiliar faces. The newcomers, particularly in Zhang Er Gou's vicinity, were especially conspicuous, as if these demonic beasts were their sworn enemies. They attacked without hesitation, their blows swift and deadly. Each strike was a killing blow, and a large number of demonic beasts fell in a short period. The young man facing the python, who had caused it to writhe and shriek uncontrollably, was even more mysterious.
As Zhang Er Gou controlled the spiritual fire within him, the trapped little snake let out a few weak cries before its breath completely ceased. It then transformed into a transparent mass and fully merged into Zhang Er Gou's soul. Zhang Er Gou instantly felt a surge of pure power within his soul, and the range of his spiritual sense expanded considerably. Returning to his senses, a sharp glint flashed in Zhang Er Gou's eyes. He hadn't expected such good fortune; it was truly a worthwhile trip.
Soul cultivation was inherently difficult, which was why cultivators' soul cultivation usually lagged one level behind their actual cultivation realm. This was also why the giant python had repeatedly used its illusionary technique to effortlessly kill many Cang Lang Sect disciples. By devouring the souls of its victims, it replenished its own spiritual power, which was why it relished such hunts. However, this time, it had miscalculated by encountering Zhang Er Gou, and had met its end in shallow waters. Zhang Er Gou had initially concealed his true cultivation. The python, mistaking him for an easy prey, had ultimately lost its life.
Due to his dual cultivation of body and art, Zhang Er Gou not only pursued his magical skills but also possessed physical strength far exceeding that of ordinary people. However, to everyone's surprise, Zhang Er Gou also displayed remarkable prowess in soul power.
A hint of surprise flashed in Elder Tian Dao's eyes. He was increasingly satisfied with Zhang Er Gou and smiled with contentment upon witnessing his might once again. As his soul power grew, the vague sense of something missing within Zhang Er Gou mysteriously vanished.
"Damn, Er Gou, you're really something! You actually stared a giant python to death!" Xiao Qing Yu, wielding two giant hammers, rushed up to Zhang Er Gou, looking at him with curiosity as if he were a stranger.
"Yeah, yeah, Er Gou, how did you do it?" Wang Teng also looked at Zhang Er Gou with great curiosity. Although they knew Zhang Er Gou was an alchemist, they had no idea his soul power was so monstrously potent.
"Watch out!"
Just as the few of them were surrounding Zhang Er Gou, bombarding him with questions, a demonic beast with golden fur lunged from behind them. Its enormous claws, accompanied by a gust of wind, shot ice cones towards them...