Chapter 628: Fierce Battle with the Azure Shadow Python

At this moment, a cold light flashed by, and Su Liyan appeared at the edge of the battlefield.

She waved the Ice Crystal Long Whip, drawing a bright arc in the air, preparing to assist Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan felt Su Liyan's arrival, and a glimmer of hope rose in his heart.

He immediately activated the Heavenly Gang Big Dipper Formation, and began to cooperate with Su Liyan.

Lu Yuan attracted the attention of the Azure Shadow Python with his superb control of thunderfire.

At this moment, Su Liyan released a powerful ice-system immortal art using the power of the Cold Jade Ice Shard.

A huge ice pillar surged up from the ground, firmly trapping the Azure Shadow Python within.

Lu Yuan seized the opportunity to execute the Heavenly Gang Thunder Fire Sword Technique, sword qi bursting forth as he thrust toward the Azure Shadow Python.

However, even trapped within the ice pillar, the Azure Shadow Python remained extremely fierce.

It twisted its body, straining to break free of the ice pillar's restraints, and lunged to bite Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan dodged by shifting his body, and at the same time executed the Heavenly Gang Thunder Fire Sword Technique again.

This time, he infused his true qi into the sword blade, exerting all his strength to strengthen the attack.

Lightning power erupted on the Azure Shadow Python's body, finally causing a wound.

Seeing the result, Su Liyan seized the moment to activate the buff skill on the Ice Crystal Long Whip, enhancing Lu Yuan's attack power.

Faced with the increasingly ferocious Azure Shadow Python, Lu Yuan and Su Liyan felt an unprecedented pressure.

The python's body was covered in silver scales, moving through the dense thickets like the wind, with almost no opening to attack.

Just then, Lu Yuan noticed that the two cultivators under his command began to panic, no longer fighting side by side with them, but hastily fleeing the battlefield.

"Damn it!" Lu Yuan clenched his teeth in silence.

With the cultivators' retreat, the Azure Shadow Python seized the chance to launch a more violent assault.

It coiled its body, and a pungent poison sprayed forth.

Fortunately, Su Liyan quickly used the Cold Jade Ice Shard to summon an ice-mist wall, protecting them from the poison's corrosion.

Seeing the Azure Shadow Python grow ever more ferocious, Lu Yuan decided to take action.

He gathered all his elemental power, forming a lightning net in his hand, and hurled it at the Azure Shadow Python.

The lightning net coiled tightly around the Azure Shadow Python, sword qi and lightning intertwining and exploding on the python's scales, emitting a series of piercing roars.

However, even bound by the lightning net, the Azure Shadow Python remained extraordinarily tough, constantly twisting its body to try to break free.

Its fangs repeatedly snapped at Lu Yuan and Su Liyan.

Faced with this situation, Su Liyan calmed down, noticing that one of the cultivators had suffered grave injuries and been affected by the poison.

Seeing that he faced mortal danger, Su Liyan immediately used the power of the Cold Jade Ice Shard to create an ice-mist wall comparable to an ice wall, shielding him.

At the same time, she seized the opportunity to take the Points Badge of Secret Forest Valley from that injured cultivator's person.

For Su Liyan, possessing this Points Badge meant better resources and opportunities.

Lu Yuan felt a sense of relief seeing Su Liyan successfully protect the injured cultivator and seize the Points Badge.

But at this moment they were still battling the Azure Shadow Python together, and the pressure had not lessened.

He again relied on the Thunder Fire Sword Technique, gathering elemental power and infusing it into the sword blade.

Lightning power surged and swelled on the azure thunderfire sword, emitting a dazzling light.

Lu Yuan swung the thunderfire sword, its blade light dazzling as he slashed at the Azure Shadow Python.

In that instant, he carried out a wanton strangulation of every inch of the Azure Shadow Python's muscles.

The Azure Shadow Python let out a huge roar, but the more it struggled, the more it was bound.

The power of the lightning net had already rendered it unable to move.

Lu Yuan and Su Liyan held their position tightly, each strike landing seamlessly on the Azure Shadow Python.

They cooperated tacitly, both evading the Azure Shadow Python's attacks and continuously unleashing deadly immortal arts while mastering immortal techniques.

However, in the fierce battle with the Azure Shadow Python, Lu Yuan clearly felt his true qi gradually being exhausted.

At the same time, the poison emanating from the Azure Shadow Python finally reached them, and Lu Yuan instantly felt a burning sensation spreading from his arm.

The wound on his skin began to spread, forming a patch of purplish-red swelling.

Su Liyan noticed Lu Yuan's injury, and also saw the extensive corrosion of the poison.

She decided to take the risk, leaving the formation to approach Lu Yuan.

"Lu Yuan! Are you alright?" Su Liyan asked anxiously.

"Don't worry about me, fall back quickly!"

Lu Yuan forced his head to turn and shouted toward Su Liyan.

Su Liyan looked at Lu Yuan with a face full of anxiety, yet she knew there was no other choice at this moment.

She strode backward, relying on the last vestiges of her true qi for protection, and blocked another attack from the Azure Shadow Python.

The Azure Shadow Python was finally subdued by Lu Yuan and Su Liyan, collapsing powerlessly to the ground.

Both breathed a sigh of relief, yet remained on guard against a sudden counterattack from the Azure Shadow Python.

"Phew!" Su Liyan said, panting.

Lu Yuan nodded in agreement; they had long felt the terror of the Azure Shadow Python, and also knew that subduing it would not be easy.

They dared not linger long, quickly withdrawing from the scene and returning to the Assessment Gathering Point.

Along the way they cautiously sought a safe route, fearing another encounter with powerful demonic beasts.

Just as they were on their return journey, suddenly a voice speaking softly was heard.

The two became alert, stopped their steps, and prepared for battle.

"Don't be afraid, we mean no harm."

"We are also Points Badge collectors." A male voice came from the thickets.

Lu Yuan and Su Liyan let out a breath of relief, slowly walking toward the direction of the sound.

Upon arriving beside a small clear spring, they saw three cultivators in gray robes standing there.

"This examination is indeed very dangerous; the Green Shadow Python is quite strong."

The leading cultivator gave Lu Yuan and Su Liyan a slight smile.

"We blocked the Green Shadow Python's attack; how about you?" Su Liyan asked.

The leading cultivator replied: "We avoided the Green Shadow Python and successfully seized several points cards."

"I heard you also have quite a few points cards; can we exchange some?"

They exchanged information about their points cards with each other.

Lu Yuan discovered that the number of points cards they held was far greater than his own, and he couldn't help feeling a bit nervous.

"It seems we have quite a few competitors." Lu Yuan silently cheered himself on.

"Yes, this examination is extremely fierce; everyone is giving their all."

"But as long as we make it into the top ten, we have a chance to become formal inner sect disciples!"

Su Liyan said excitedly.

Lu Yuan nodded, and they counted their respective points cards.

Although there was no specific ranking yet, Lu Yuan knew this examination was very important.

They began to predict how many people might make it into the top ten.

Filled with anticipation and tension, Lu Yuan silently prayed for himself, hoping for a good result.

"We should head back soon," Lu Yuan suggested.

The other cultivators also nodded in agreement; after bidding farewell to Lu Yuan and Su Liyan, they each went their separate ways. (End of chapter)