Ling Tian Sword God

Ling Chen’s reaction was incredibly swift. At the moment the Purple Cloud Xuan Python pressed in, he had already escaped from the rock wall’s pit and quickly swam towards the surface of the Cold Pool.

With a cracking sound, the rock wall below shattered like tofu under the impact of the Purple Cloud Xuan Python, its head deeply embedded in the rock, and its purple tail swept towards Ling Chen’s waist.

Ling Chen was well-prepared. The Thunder Shadow Sword was unsheathed, containing three points of the Thunder Intent, and transformed into a dazzling sword light that slashed out.

Clang!

Thunderbolts poured down fiercely, hacking heavily at the tail of the Purple Cloud Xuan Python. The blazing sparks ignored the coldness of the pool water and splattered wildly. However, this strike did not penetrate the defense of the Purple Cloud Xuan Python, leaving only a white mark on its scales.

”What kind of defense is this? Ordinary sword techniques are completely ineffective.”

Ling Chen was taken aback.

This strike not only failed to cause any damage but also made his arm faintly ache, with a tendency for cracks to appear in his bones.

This Purple Cloud Xuan Python, by sheer physical strength, could look down on most Late Stage Sky Apex Realm experts.

Crash!

Although the Purple Cloud Xuan Python’s tail failed to entangle Ling Chen, being blocked by the Thunder Shadow Sword, the mountain-crushing force sent Ling Chen shooting out, with blood spurting from his tiger’s mouth (between thumb and forefinger). In the next moment, Ling Chen used this force to propel himself out of the pool.

The Purple Cloud Xuan Python easily pulled its head out and quickly pursued with a flick of its tail.

”Even the Thunder Shadow Sword can’t withstand the power of this demonic python.”

After the collision just now, Ling Chen seemed to hear the wailing of the Thunder Shadow Sword in his hand. He lifted the Treasure Sword and saw a crack appearing on the originally clear sword body. Although the crack was not large, for a Treasure Sword, especially for a swordsman like Ling Chen who pursued perfection, this was a fatal flaw.

Boom!

The water column exploded as the Purple Cloud Xuan Python burst out of the water. Its winding, lengthy body swayed in the void, extending over a hundred meters. Its appearance caused wind and clouds to change, rain to waver in midair, and a white mist to escape from its body, concealing its entire form.

The massive head protruded, the Purple Cloud Xuan Python staring at Ling Chen, releasing an formless pressure that caused the already level ground to sink several meters deep. Vegetation and rubble were crushed into powder, indistinguishable from the ground.

Spurt!

Ling Chen spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. This Purple Cloud Xuan Python was indeed a savage beast with tremendous strength; two brief face-to-face collisions already resulted in him suffering considerable internal injuries.

”This Purple Cloud Xuan Python, although just a python-like Exotic Beast, carries a trace of Dragon Clan Bloodline within its body.”

During the battle with the Purple Cloud Xuan Python, Ling Chen also saw certain truths. The Dragon Clan Bloodline is a symbol of powerful strength. Any Exotic Beast associated with the Dragon Clan Bloodline would not have weak power.

With the Dragon Clan Bloodline, there is hope of transforming into a dragon.

There has long been a saying, a python becomes a Jiao after 500 years, and a Jiao becomes a dragon after 1,000 years. Currently, this Purple Cloud Xuan Python is evidently close to the level of becoming a Jiao.

Taking out an elixir to replenish True Qi and stuffing it into his mouth, Ling Chen began to heal while devising a strategy to repel the enemy. As for escaping, that was absolutely impossible—not that Ling Chen didn’t want to flee, but with the speed of the Purple Cloud Xuan Python, there was no chance of escape. In the water, its speed matched Ling Chen’s speed on land. Unless he could fly away, attempting a full retreat was as hard as reaching the heavens.

Roar!

Seeing Ling Chen was healing, the Purple Cloud Xuan Python suddenly lunged, its tail sweeping towards Ling Chen’s chest, combining its unparalleled strength that would crush Ling Chen into dust, even if his defense doubled.

Without any other thoughts, Ling Chen advanced instead of retreating. This time, he didn’t use the Thunder Shadow Sword but the Red Sky Sword, as its power was reduced in water. Now on land, there were no such concerns.

The Red Sky Sword slashed out like a stroke of fire.

Bang!

The strength disparity was too great. Even with the Red Sky Sword, Ling Chen was no match for the Purple Cloud Xuan Python. He was sent flying, crashing into the primeval forest near the deep pool, startling a flock of birds and beasts.

Spitting out blood again, Ling Chen looked helpless, ”The power of the Purple Cloud Xuan Python is too terrifying; I can’t get close. Long-range attacks can’t break its defense, and I will be quickly caught up. The True Essence of Fire provides limited damage enhancement to it. If I could reach seven-tenths proficiency, I might break through its defense.”

The True Essence of Fire was restrained by the Water Intent. Ling Chen’s five-tenths proficiency of True Essence of Fire worked on the Purple Cloud Xuan Python with an actual effectiveness of less than two-tenths.

”I can only use this move now.”

Seeing the Purple Cloud Xuan Python rushing over, lightning flickered in Ling Chen’s eyes. On his sword blade, thunder surged violently as he struck out fiercely.

Thunder Cut!

A dark blue arc of lightning was born, sharp as a knife, cutting the Purple Cloud Xuan Python in half.

Crackling!

The sound of thunder surging rang as Ling Chen swiftly retreated, avoiding potential collateral damage from the Purple Cloud Xuan Python, and then focused intently on his opponent.

After a short while, as the thunder dissipated, signs of scorching appeared on the Purple Cloud Xuan Python’s scales, faintly blackened. A slight sword mark became visible at its chest area, with scales shattered and blood seeping through, dripping onto the vegetation below, sizzling as the plants couldn’t withstand the searing heat of the python’s blood and dissolved away.

”Still can’t inflict severe damage, can I?”

Ling Chen furrowed his brow.

Thunder Cut was a martial arts technique he comprehended from the Void Emperor’s royal decree, with extraordinary power. Although there were only three points of Thunder Intent, the Thunder Intent belonged to a special attribute of Martial Arts True Meaning, having a certain degree of restraint over the Water Intent.

Yet now, this Purple Cloud Xuan Python was merely lightly injured.

Roar Roar!

The Purple Cloud Xuan Python was furious. How many years had it been since it was last injured? Unexpectedly, this seemingly unimpressive human could hurt it. Although the injury was not even considered minor, it boasted noble Dragon Clan Bloodline and was a barbaric beast; how could it be compared with ordinary exotic beasts?

Hoo!

Opening its blood basin wide, the Purple Cloud Xuan Python exhaled a torrent of transparent cold wind towards Ling Chen. The howling cold wind swept over.

In an instant, a hundred-meter radius was engulfed in cold ice.

”Not good!”

This gust of cold wind was too swift; Ling Chen only managed to take half a step before being enveloped, becoming an ice sculpture.

Roar!

A deafening roar echoed as the Purple Cloud Xuan Python’s murderous aura surged. It opened its mouth wide, spitting out an immense power of demonic energy, condensing into a formidable pointed cone that shot towards Ling Chen’s face.

”Ling Chen, I’m on my way. Hold on a little longer.”

Suddenly, Ling Chen heard Sima Linyuan’s voice in his mind. It seemed Sima Linyuan was aware of the danger he was in and somehow communicated from afar, rushing over with all his might.

But Ling Chen knew if he didn’t break free from the ice sculpture, the next moment, he would be shattered into fragments by the Purple Cloud Xuan Python, leaving no remains.

”Break!”

In the face of a powerful crisis, Ling Chen’s talent exploded, meeting strength with strength. Back when he fought Shentu Yan, the latter’s power grew, but equally, Ling Chen also became stronger. Now, facing the threat of the Purple Cloud Xuan Python, his vitality and spirit highly concentrated, strands of astonishing sword qi, like lotus leaves, burst from his body, shattering the cold ice outside.