Suddenly, a crimson light flashed in the python’s eyes, and it spewed a stream of dark brown liquid from its mouth.
Erlang barely twisted his head aside in time to avoid a direct hit, but the venom drenched his body.
Sizzle...
Where the venom touched, flesh sizzled and corroded, revealing glimpses of a dark, glimmering gold beneath.
He grunted in pain, his strength finally failing. The python flung him aside, and he landed hard beside the unconscious Wang Xuanba.
Spitting a mouthful of blood, Erlang struggled to prop himself up. He stared at the approaching python, a flicker of bitter defiance in his eyes.
Ever since that evening months ago, when he’d witnessed an immortal soaring through the skies above Jieli Mountain, his heart had been consumed by the pursuit of immortality.
Time and again, he had ventured deep into these mountains, hoping to find that very immortal and become his disciple.
His obsession had even driven a wedge between him and his mother.
Yet here he was—not only had he failed to find the immortal, but he was about to die in the jaws of this beast.
He, Sun Erlang was born with divine strength and mastered every martial art he’d ever attempted. Was this truly how his life would end? How could he accept such a fate?
But as the python’s shadow fell over his spent and broken body, Erlang could only close his eyes in despair.
Just as he resigned himself to his death, the clear, piercing cry of a crane echoed from deep within the mountain.
The python froze at the sound, as if it had encountered its natural predator. Its head shot up and its tongue flickered, its entire focus locked in the direction of the cry.
Sensing a shift in the situation, Erlang forced his eyes open.
A white crane descended and engaged the python in fierce combat!
The crane danced through the air, deftly evading the python’s strikes while driving its sharp beak into the python’s body, tearing away strips of flesh with each precise peck.
Though less agile, the python’s thick, rugged hide allowed it to endure dozens of the crane’s attacks without significant loss of vital essence.
Yet a single successful bite from the python would be enough to cripple the crane.
Gradually, the white crane began losing ground.
Seeing the two exotic beasts locked in fierce combat, paying no attention to his presence, Erlang struggled to his feet, intending to seize the opportunity to flee with Wang Xuanba.
Just then, a sound like crashing tides came from the mountains.
Erlang froze, looking up to witness a bizarre spectacle.
In the sky, countless birds flocked together from all corners of the mountain, darkening the heavens like ominous clouds as they swarmed toward the battle.
On the slopes, mountain rats, crawling insects, even apes, tigers, leopards, and countless creatures Erlang had never seen before emerged abruptly from every direction, forming a beast tide that charged toward the dueling crane and python.
Realization dawned on Erlang, and his face paled.
If they were caught in this beast tide, the two of them stood no chance of survival!
The red-eyed white python also sensed the danger, ceasing its fight with the crane and attempting to flee.
Yet the crane refused to relent, as if harboring some irreconcilable hatred toward the python. Even as it was bitten until bloodied and torn, it refused to let the snake escape.
In moments, the birds and beast tide arrived.
They ignored both the crane and Erlang, their eyes fixed solely on the massive python!
The white python let out a terrified cry, but it was already surrounded by countless wild beasts. There was no way out, no escape.
The beasts went mad, trampling one another in their frenzy to tear into the python’s flesh.
Even as their teeth shattered and blood flowed freely, they refused to release their grip.
Many beasts literally chewed themselves to death, only to be immediately replaced by others.
It was as if the white python had committed some unforgivable sin.
All creatures, feathered, furred, or otherwise, charged forward relentlessly, determined to devour the white python completely.
This would only end in death!
The python vanished beneath the beast tide, its struggles growing weaker and weaker.
After what felt like an eternity, all movement ceased.
Only then did the beasts gradually disperse.
Not even a single bone of the massive red-eyed white python remained.
Witnessing this eerie scene, Erlang stood frozen in place, not daring to make a sound for a long while.
He swallowed hard with difficulty, finally regaining his senses after what felt like ages.
Suddenly, he seemed to remember something. He looked around and shouted loudly, “Immortal Master, is that you? It must have been your doing, right?”
In his view, this unnatural beast tide could only be the work of that immortal who secluded himself within Jieli Mountain.
Erlang felt both excited and anxious.
Unfortunately, though he shouted until his voice grew hoarse, there was no sign of the Immortal Master.
He sank into deep disappointment.
***