Chapter 173: Not Hurt Too Much, Extremely Humiliated (1)
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
In a dense forest, two figures, one large and one small, swiftly leaped among the treetops.
“Once you retrieve the fruit, you need to place it in the medicinal liquid. You and I will share half of the fruit. It doesn’t all belong to you,” Bacca’s voice echoed from beside Chen Fei.
The Zhuhong fruit and the python were both extremely perilous entities. Bacca wouldn’t risk his life for mere sustenance.
The python’s skin was tough and its flesh was thick, rendering it nearly impervious to attacks from ordinary demon beasts. Even if they managed to penetrate its defenses, the damage was superficial. Yet, this didn’t grant it invincibility within the secret realm.
This Mystic Realm was home to numerous hazardous creatures. Even on Half Bottle Mountain alone, there were beings capable of eliminating the python.
While such demons were scarce elsewhere, they still existed in limited numbers.
The Zhuhong fruit tree was among the few that posed a threat to Bacca, inflicting substantial damage. In a life-or-death struggle, Bacca would likely fall. Of course, the Zhuhong fruit tree wouldn’t emerge unscathed either.
Hence, for this endeavor, Bacca aimed to secure half of the Zhuhong Fruit.
The Zhuhong fruit was beneficial to Chen Fei. For Bacca, it was not only an exquisite delicacy but also a potent tonic. That’s why Bacca consented to this cooperative venture.
“That’s what we agreed upon earlier.” Chen Fei nodded.
Though he couldn’t monopolize the Zhuhong fruit, Chen Fei had a shot at obtaining it thanks to Bacca’s assistance. Naturally, Chen Fei harbored no discontent.
“We’re nearly there. I’ll make my move once you divert that snake’s attention.”
Bacca halted. If they advanced together, the Zhuhong fruit tree would sense the threat and keep the python within.
Chen Fei didn’t respond verbally; he simply nodded and pressed onward without halting.
Since the previous refinement of the Zhuhong fruit, Chen Fei carried the aura of the fruit, which prevented him from getting close to it. Over ten days had elapsed, and he wasn’t certain whether the lingering aura had dissipated.
The Zhuhong fruit tree became visible in the distance, along with the obscured giant python below.
“It’s not pursuing us? Did it discern that it couldn’t catch up or that our aura faded?”
Usually, the python would have advanced at this point, but today, it remained unusually quiet. Chen Fei couldn’t ascertain the circumstances, but it didn’t impede his progress.
In less than ten minutes, Chen Fei stood less than a hundred meters from the Zhuhong fruit tree. The Zhuhong fruit tree was clear in sight, as was the faintly visible massive python beneath it.
The Zhuhong fruit tree exhibited no reaction to Chen Fei’s presence. Its branches swayed gently in the breeze while the python had risen upright, its cold eyes fixed on Chen Fei without blinking, eager for confrontation.
“Just one left. Was it taken or devoured by the python?”
Chen Fei gazed at the lone fruit hanging from the Zhuhong fruit tree. It had fully ripened to a vibrant red, yet a fruit was missing, a fact that disappointed Chen Fei.
Luring a powerful ally to aid him had not been easy, but now, he was on the verge of admitting that he had arrived too late—half the treasure had been claimed already. How could he endure such a loss?
“Whoosh!”
An arrow was drawn, nocked, and released in swift succession.
The arrow transformed into a streak of light that struck the python’s head with a crisp sound.
The arrowhead shattered upon impact, and the python paid the price with a broken scale on its head, revealing the crimson meat beneath.
“Hiss hiss hiss!”
The python appeared perplexed, swiftly erupting into rage. This human, who had absconded with its fruit, had left an indelible aura the last time. Yet here he was again, not only returning but initiating an attack.
“Boom!”
The sound of the python thrashing echoed, toppling yet another colossal tree. Chen Fei remained impassive as he fired arrow after arrow.
The projectiles struck the python’s head, causing scales to shatter and piercing into its flesh.
Although these arrows didn’t inflict significant harm, they assaulted its pride. The python’s eyes radiated emotionless intensity, its intent to devour Chen Fei unmistakable.
“Boom!”
The python’s immense head lunged like a lightning bolt, aiming for Chen Fei’s location. With a resounding crash, an enormous crater materialized on the ground. The python then raised its head, the pit bereft of flesh or blood, even in its mouth.
“Tsk!”
An arrow materialized from the upper right, striking the same spot as the previous one. This time, the snake meat fragmented, leaving a hole.
The python lifted its head, and an arrow suddenly hurtled toward its right eye.
“Ding!”
The arrowhead shattered upon impact. Though this arrow had been sudden, flying a mere ten meters, the python’s eyelids shielded it adequately, particularly more robust than the rest of its scales.
When the arrow made contact with the scales, it could break through, yet the python’s eyelids merely revealed a minute white mark, evidence of the arrow’s impact.
“Boom!”
The python’s cranium collided with the treetop, disintegrating a tree usually requiring three adults to encircle.
Amidst the scattering debris, Chen Fei traversed the air, landing on the python’s head. In the next instant, a gleam of swordlight manifested as Chen Fei thrust his blade into the python’s skull, halted only by the skull’s robust defenses.
“Hiss!”
Agonized, the python recoiled, battering its head against the ground. With a profound thud, Chen Fei reappeared over ten meters distant.
“Peak stage one!”
Chen Fei muttered. In the flash of battle, he’d almost executed his full prowess, culminating in Sword Eight—a nearly ultimate technique.
Yet, despite this onslaught, the python’s skull remained impenetrated, leaving it alive.
Still, this skirmish accomplished Chen Fei’s initial purpose. He aimed to vanquish or provoke the python into an unrestrained showdown, despite the creature’s overwhelming pursuit.
Having narrowly escaped death at the hands of the human before, the python harbored no intentions of granting him a reprieve.
Chen Fei had scarcely landed before he had to relocate, the site of his previous stance obliterated by the python’s frenzied assault.
Chen Fei sprinted away, a grin tugging at his lips. He didn’t unleash the full speed of the Soul Chasing Step, opting for a controlled yet consistent pace, thereby convincing the python it could overtake him within a few strides.
Indeed, it took just a few strides.
Simultaneously, his hands continued releasing arrows, their unrelenting assault rupturing the python’s skull. Despite its scales and sinews, they couldn’t withstand Chen Fei’s ceaseless bombardment.
In a matter of moments, the python’s skull exposed bone. Chen Fei endeavored to uncover more of its cranium, seeking wealmesses, hoping to find unprotected areas that might allow him to target its brain.
If Chen Fei had enough patience, he might truly be able to exhaust this python to death. Of course, the prerequisite was that the python didn’t return to the vicinity of the Zhuhong fruit tree.
Otherwise, once the python returned, the efficacy of arrows against it would be almost nullified. The branches of the Zhuhong fruit tree could expertly intercept Chen Fei’s arrows.
As the human and the snake engaged in a relentless pursuit, they had traversed several miles, flattening the trees along the way. The python’s focus was exclusively fixed on Chen Fei, disregarding its surroundings entirely.
In just a brief moment, the portions of the python’s skull exposed were multiplying. Chen Fei attempted to reveal more of its cranium, searching for any area not safeguarded by bone, a potential opening to directly target its brain.
However, as things stood, it appeared the python’s skull had undergone evolutionary adaptation. Its bone structure now almost completely shielded the python’s brain, offering little chance to Chen Fei.
“Boom!”
As Chen Fei pondered how to draw the python, a colossal sound erupted several kilometers away from the Zhuhong fruit tree. The resounding impact reached Chen Fei even from this distance.
“They’ve begun their clash.”
A smile touched Chen Fei’s lips. Killing the python wasn’t his primary aim. Although he’d currently gained the upper hand, a python, even one that hadn’t touched a hair on Chen Fei’s head, was hardly an easy foe to defeat.
Many uncertainties loomed over vanquishing a peak Tier 1 demonic beast. Though he’d brought a substantial number of arrows stored within his spatial grid, much had been depleted during his time in the mystic realm.
It was impractical to expend all of them against a mere python demon beast, no matter its level of importance. Furthermore, Chen Fei wasn’t certain he could slay it.
Snakes possessed tenacious vitality, as seen in the damaged flesh of its head, now slowly healing at an accelerated rate.
“Pa!”
An abrupt crash resounded. The python, diligently pursuing Chen Fei, ceased movement and turned toward the Zhuhong fruit tree.
“Summoning it back?” Chen Fei pondered, his foot landing on a branch as he contemplated the unexpected development.
The python seemed torn. Suddenly, three arrows materialized in rapid succession, aiming for its eyelids. These arrows made no noise, carried no gusts of wind, arriving in stealth.
Had the python not instinctively closed its eyes when detecting the oddity, the three arrows would’ve pierced its eyeballs, delving into its brain.
Chen Fei chuckled as the jade pendant hanging around his neck dimmed. The three arrows helped the python decide. Ignoring the Zhuhong fruit tree’s call, it resumed its chase, the near-death encounter instilling a fierce determination not to let the human evade its grasp.
Chen Fei maintained his smile, his figure vanishing into the distance. The python, consumed by madness, pursued doggedly, leaving no gap between them.
Several kilometers away, Bacca, now a giant, battled through the Zhuhong fruit tree’s five-meter expanse, enduring the tree’s thrashing branches..