Chapter 1027

Hiss!

That's a sound effect: hiss. Should translate as "Hiss!" maybe "Sss!" but typical: "Hiss!" Keep exclamation. So "【1】 Hiss!"

A scalp-numbing scraping sound suddenly came from deep within the vines!

A scalp-numbing scraping sound suddenly came from deep within the vines!

Han Wuxian's pupils shrank sharply, and his figure instantly recoiled!

Translation: "Han Wuxian's pupils contracted sharply, and his figure instantly retreated!" Use Han Wuxian. So "【3】 Han Wuxian's pupils contracted sharply, and his figure instantly retreated!"

A massive python as thick as a water bucket appeared, its body covered in dark purple diamond-shaped scales, its head bearing a horn like a flood dragon, and its eyes glowing like two will-o'-the-wisps of eerie green, slowly emerging from the shadow of the entwined vines with a ferocious head!

It coiled near the Starlight Dew Flowers, its thick body almost merging with the vines, exuding the terrifying demonic aura of a peak late Golden Core cultivator, nearly reaching Nascent Soul. Its cold vertical pupils locked onto Han Wuxian, its forked tongue flickering, emitting a foul stench.

Translation: "It coiled near the Starlight Dew Flower, its thick body almost merging with the vines, exuding the terrifying demonic aura of a peak late Golden Core, infinitely close to Nascent Soul! Its cold vertical pupils locked onto Han Wuxian, its forked tongue flickering, emitting a foul stench." Need to keep exclamation after aura. So "【5】 It coiled near the Starlight Dew Flower, its thick body almost merging with the vines, exuding the terrifying demonic aura of a peak late Golden Core, infinitely close to Nascent Soul! Its cold vertical pupils locked onto Han Wuxian, its forked tongue flickering, emitting a foul stench."

"Unicorn Purple Scale Python!" Han Wuxian's heart sank. This beast clearly regarded this treasure land, rich with stellar essence, as its nest and guardian!

Translation: '"Unicorn Purple Scale Python!" Han Wuxian's heart sank. This ferocious beast clearly regarded this treasure land containing stellar essence as its lair and guardian!' Need to keep quotes? Chinese uses 「」 for spoken term. We'll keep quotes. So "【6】 "Unicorn Purple Scale Python!" Han Wuxian's heart sank. This ferocious beast clearly regarded this treasure land containing stellar essence as its lair and guardian!"

The python, clearly enraged by Han Wuxian's intrusion, let out a sharp hiss; its massive body, like a spring compressed to the limit, shot forward! Its speed was like lightning!

Translation: "The giant python was obviously enraged by Han Wuxian, the intruder. It let out a sharp hiss, its massive body like a spring compressed to the limit, and shot out explosively! Its speed was like lightning!" Keep exclamation after shot. So "【7】 The giant python was obviously enraged by Han Wuxian, the intruder. It let out a sharp hiss, its massive body like a spring compressed to the limit, and shot out explosively! Its speed was like lightning!"

Its fang-laden maw opened, revealing icy-white fangs, bringing a foul wind as it lunged to bite Han Wuxian. At the same time, its massive tail, armored with hard scales, lashed like a terrifying steel whip, tearing the air with a dull roar, sweeping from the side to cut off Han Wuxian's escape route!

Translation: "Its fang-lined maw bristling with barbs opened, revealing grim white fangs, accompanied by a foul gust, lunging to bite Han Wuxian! At the same time, its massive tail, covered in hard scales, like a terrifying steel whip, tore through the air with a dull roar, sweeping sideways from the side, sealing off Han Wuxian's dodging space!" Need to keep exclamation after bite. So "【8】 Its fang-lined maw bristling with barbs opened, revealing grim white fangs, accompanied by a foul gust, lunging to bite Han Wuxian! At the same time, its massive tail, covered in hard scales, like a terrifying steel whip, tore through the air with a dull roar, sweeping sideways from the side, sealing off Han Wuxian's dodging space!"

The attack was fierce and deadly!

Translation: "The attack was fierce and deadly!" So "【9】 The attack was fierce and deadly!"

Han Wuxian's eyes were ice-cold. His arms could not exert strength, his combat power greatly diminished, yet his battle-hardened experience and exquisite footwork remained!

Translation: "Han Wuxian's eyes were ice-cold. His arms could not exert strength, his combat power greatly diminished, but his battle-hardened experience and exquisite footwork remained!" So "【10】 Han Wuxian's eyes were ice-cold. His arms could not exert strength, his combat power greatly diminished, but his battle-hardened experience and exquisite footwork remained!"

"Crane Treading Cloud Steps – Startling Swan!"

Translation: '"Crane Treading Flowing Cloud Steps – Startling Swan!"' Keep quotes. So "【11】 "Crane Treading Flowing Cloud Steps – Startling Swan!""

He let out a low shout, and at the moment the serpent's maw was about to reach him, his body seemed to lose all weight, floating upward by a hair's breadth!

Translation: "He let out a low shout, and at the moment the python's maw was about to reach his body, his body became weightless, floating upward by a hair's breadth!" So "【12】 He let out a low shout, and at the moment the python's maw was about to reach his body, his body became weightless, floating upward by a hair's breadth!"

Meanwhile, his feet tapped repeatedly in midair, as if stepping on an invisible ladder, narrowly avoiding the sweeping giant tail!

Translation: "At the same time, his feet tapped repeatedly in midair, as if stepping on an invisible ladder, narrowly avoiding the sweeping giant tail!" So "【13】 At the same time, his feet tapped repeatedly in midair, as if stepping on an invisible ladder, narrowly avoiding the sweeping giant tail!"

The tail brushed past his cloak and slammed hard into the pit wall!

Translation: "The tail brushed past his cloak and smashed hard into the pit wall!" So "【14】 The tail brushed past his cloak and smashed hard into the pit wall!"

Boom!

Boom!

Shards of stone flew! The hard rock was smashed into a deep pit!

Translation: "Shards of stone flew! The hard rock was blasted into a deep pit!" So "【16】 Shards of stone flew! The hard rock was blasted into a deep pit!"

The strike missed, and the Unicorn Purple Scale Python grew even more furious. Its massive body coiled and writhed flexibly at the pit's bottom, kicking up gusts of foul wind. Its eerie green pupils locked onto Han Wuxian in midair, its forked tongue flickering rapidly, as if gathering for a more terrifying attack.

Translation: "The strike missed, and the Unicorn Purple Scale Python flew into a greater rage! Its massive body coiled and writhed nimbly at the pit's bottom, kicking up gusts of foul wind. Its jade-green pupils locked onto Han Wuxian midair, its tongue flickering rapidly, as if brewing a more terrifying attack." So "【17】 The strike missed, and the Unicorn Purple Scale Python flew into a greater rage! Its massive body coiled and writhed nimbly at the pit's bottom, kicking up gusts of foul wind. Its jade-green pupils locked onto Han Wuxian midair, its tongue flickering rapidly, as if brewing a more terrifying attack."

Han Wuxian landed on a protruding rock, his expression grave. He couldn't meet force with force; he needed to outwit it! His goal was merely the Starlight Dew Flower fruit!

Translation: "Han Wuxian landed on a protruding rock, his expression grave. He couldn't clash head-on; he needed to outwit it! His target was merely the Starlight Dew Flower fruit!" So "【18】 Han Wuxian landed on a protruding rock, his expression grave. He couldn't clash head-on; he needed to outwit it! His target was merely the Starlight Dew Flower fruit!"

He noticed that the python seemed unusually fixated on those few Starlight Dew Flowers, keeping its coiled position always beside them and deliberately avoiding them when attacking, fearing collateral damage.

Translation: "He noticed that the giant python seemed unusually attentive to those few Starlight Dew Flowers, its coiled position never leaving their sides, and even when attacking it deliberately avoided them, fearing collateral damage." So "【19】 He noticed that the giant python seemed unusually attentive to those few Starlight Dew Flowers, its coiled position never leaving their sides, and even when attacking it deliberately avoided them, fearing collateral damage."

"Got it!" Han Wuxian's heart stirred.

Translation: '"Got it!" Han Wuxian's heart stirred.' So "【20】 "Got it!" Han Wuxian's heart stirred."

His figure drifted again, this time not retreating but circling the python and the dew flowers. He deliberately increased his speed, leaving afterimages, and with a flick of his fingertips, several weak, provocative streams of spiritual energy shot toward the python's relatively vulnerable seventh inch and eyes!

Translation: "His figure drifted again, but this time not to retreat, instead circling the python and the dew flowers! He deliberately increased his speed, leaving afterimages, and with a flick of his fingertips, several weak, provocative streams of spiritual energy shot toward the python's relatively vulnerable seventh inch and eyes!" So "【21】 His figure drifted again, but this time not to retreat, instead circling the python and the dew flowers! He deliberately increased his speed, leaving afterimages, and with a flick of his fingertips, several weak, provocative streams of spiritual energy shot toward the python's relatively vulnerable seventh inch and eyes!"

Pfft-pfft-pfft!

Translation: "Pfft-pfft-pfft!" Usually "Pfft!" but triple. We'll output "Pfft-pfft-pfft!" So "【22】 Pfft-pfft-pfft!"

The spiritual energy bolts struck the hard scales, producing a metallic clang; though they couldn't pierce the defense, they successfully enraged the python!

Translation: "The spiritual energy beams struck the hard scales, producing a ringing of metal on metal; though they couldn't pierce the defense, they successfully enraged the python!" So "【23】 The spiritual energy beams struck the hard scales, producing a ringing of metal on metal; though they couldn't pierce the defense, they successfully enraged the python!"

"Hiss!" the Unicorn Purple Scale Python let out an angry shriek, its massive body coiling like a spring ready to launch, its huge head rearing high, its eerie green eyes locked onto the swiftly moving Han Wuxian, while a dark purple poison mist began to gather in its mouth. It was thoroughly enraged, preparing a deadly strike!

Translation: '"Hiss!" the Unicorn Purple Scale Python let out an angry shriek, its massive body coiling like a spring about to release, its huge head rearing high, its jade-green eyes locked onto the swiftly moving Han Wuxian, while a dark purple poison mist began to gather in its mouth! It was clearly thoroughly enraged, preparing to unleash a fatal strike.' So "【24】 "Hiss!" the Unicorn Purple Scale Python let out an angry shriek, its massive body coiling like a spring about to release, its huge head rearing high, its jade-green eyes locked onto the swiftly moving Han Wuxian, while a dark purple poison mist began to gather in its mouth! It was clearly thoroughly enraged, preparing to unleash a fatal strike."

Now!

Translation: "Now!" So "【25】 Now!"

Han Wuxian's eyes flashed with brilliance! At the instant the python gathered its power, its attention wholly drawn to him, he pushed off the rock with his feet, his body shooting like an arrow from a bow—not toward the python, but at top speed diagonally toward its rear, where those few Starlight Dew Flowers grew!

Translation: "Han Wuxian's eyes flashed with brilliance! At the very instant the python gathered power and its attention was wholly drawn to him, he pushed off the rock with his feet, his body shooting like an arrow from a bow—not toward the python, but at top speed diagonally toward the python's rear, where those few Starlight Dew Flowers grew!" So "【26】 Han Wuxian's eyes flashed with brilliance! At the very instant the python gathered power and its attention was wholly drawn to him, he pushed off the rock with his feet, his body shooting like an arrow from a bow—not toward the python, but at top speed diagonally toward the python's rear, where those few Starlight Dew Flowers grew!"

Feign east, strike west!

Translation: "Make a sound to the east, strike to the west!" That's an idiom. So "【27】 Make a sound to the east, strike to the west!"

"Roar!" the python instantly reacted, letting out a cry of shock and rage! It violently twisted its body, its massive tail sweeping sideways again, while the condensed dark purple poison mist in its mouth shot out like an arrow—but it was just a hair too slow!

Translation: '"Roar!" the Unicorn Purple Scale Python instantly reacted, letting out a roar mingled with shock and anger! It violently twisted its body, its massive tail sweeping again, while the dark purple poison mist gathered in its mouth spewed out like an arrow! But it was ultimately a beat too slow!' So "【28】 "Roar!" the Unicorn Purple Scale Python instantly reacted, letting out a roar mingled with shock and anger! It violently twisted its body, its massive tail sweeping again, while the dark purple poison mist gathered in its mouth spewed out like an arrow! But it was ultimately a beat too slow!"

Han Wuxian's speed reached its peak! He flitted like a phantom over the vines, his right hand shooting out like lightning, precisely plucking the plumpest, most starlight-rich Starlight Dew Flower fruit! Upon grasping it, a cool sensation flooded his hand, and a vast surge of stellar life force instantly flowed into his fingertips!

Translation: "Han Wuxian's speed reached its peak! He flitted past the vines like a ghost, his right hand shooting out like lightning, precisely plucking the fullest, most starlight-rich Starlight Dew Flower fruit! It felt icy cold in his hand, and a vast surge of stellar life force instantly flowed into his fingertips!" So "【29】 Han Wuxian's speed reached its peak! He flitted past the vines like a ghost, his right hand shooting out like lightning, precisely plucking the fullest, most starlight-rich Starlight Dew Flower fruit! It felt icy cold in his hand, and a vast surge of stellar life force instantly flowed into his fingertips!"

Success!

Translation: "Success!" So "【30】 Success!"

He didn't pause, using his forward momentum to twist his body in midair, narrowly dodging the sweeping tail and the sprayed poison mist! The mist grazed his back, instantly corroding a patch of vines behind him with a sizzling sound, turning them into black water!

Translation: "He didn't linger, using his forward momentum to forcibly twist his body in midair, narrowly avoiding the sweeping tail and spraying poison mist! The poison mist grazed his back, instantly corroding a patch of vines behind him with a sizzling sound, turning them into black water!" So "【31】 He didn't linger, using his forward momentum to forcibly twist his body in midair, narrowly avoiding the sweeping tail and spraying poison mist! The poison mist grazed his back, instantly corroding a patch of vines behind him with a sizzling sound, turning them into black water!"

"Hiss——!" The prey had been taken, the guarded spirit herb stolen, and the Unicorn Purple Scale Python plunged into utter fury! Its massive body thrashed wildly, smashing the pit walls and sending rocks flying, its eerie green eyes locked on Han Wuxian's escape direction as it let out an earth-shaking hiss, clearly unwilling to relent!

Translation: '"Hiss——!" The prey was taken, the guarded spirit herb stolen, the Unicorn Purple Scale Python plunged into utter rage! Its massive body thrashed wildly, shattering the pit walls and sending rubble flying, its jade-green eyes locked on Han Wuxian's escape route, letting out an earth-shaking hiss, clearly unwilling to relent!' So "【32】 "Hiss——!" The prey was taken, the guarded spirit herb stolen, the Unicorn Purple Scale Python plunged into utter rage! Its massive body thrashed wildly, shattering the pit walls and sending rubble flying, its jade-green eyes locked on Han Wuxian's escape route, letting out an earth-shaking hiss, clearly unwilling to relent!"

But Han Wuxian had no intention of entangling with it. His body flashed like lightning; a few leaps brought him to the rim of the crater, and without looking back he plunged into the dark forest, leaving only the python's angry, futile roar echoing in the night.

Translation: "But Han Wuxian had no intention of entangling with it. His body like lightning, a few leaps brought him to the rim of the crater, and without looking back he plunged into the dark forest, leaving only the python's angry, futile roar echoing in the night sky behind him." So "【33】 But Han Wuxian had no intention of entangling with it. His body like lightning, a few leaps brought him to the rim of the crater, and without looking back he plunged into the dark forest, leaving only the python's angry, futile roar echoing in the night sky behind him."

He held in his hand the icy, jade-like berry whose starlight flowed within, feeling the immense life force and stellar essence it contained, his heart somewhat eased. Yunli could be saved!

Translation: "He held in his hand that icy jade-like berry, its starlight swirling, feeling the immense vital energy and stellar essence within, his mind somewhat eased. Yunli could be saved!" So "【34】 He held in his hand that icy jade-like berry, its starlight swirling, feeling the immense vital energy and stellar essence within, his mind somewhat eased. Yunli could be saved!"

However, he did not know.

Translation: "However, he did not know." So "【35】 However, he did not know."

Not long after he left, two figures silently emerged from the shadows at the edge of the crater.

Translation: "Soon after he left, two silhouettes silently appeared in the shadows at the edge of the crater." So "【36】 Soon after he left, two silhouettes silently appeared in the shadows at the edge of the crater."

They wore dark silver robes similar to the one who ambushed Han Wuxian in Starlight City, but the embroidered star‑orbit patterns on their garments were even more intricate and exquisite. Their aura was cold and inwardly restrained, like two swords sheathed, and they were indeed early Nascent Soul cultivators—the Star‑Trace Guard of the Ascendant Bright Sect, who had crossed realms tracking the aura of the Star Core fragment!

Translation: "They wore dark silver robes similar to those of the ambushers from Starlight City who had attacked Han Wuxian, the embroidered star‑orbit patterns on the robes even more intricate and exquisite. Their aura was cold and inwardly restrained, like two swords sheathed, and they were indeed early Nascent Soul cultivators! They were the Star‑Trace Guard of the Ascendant Bright Sect, who had crossed realms tracking the aura of the Star‑Pivot fragment!" So "【37】 They wore dark silver robes similar to those of the ambushers from Starlight City who had attacked Han Wuxian, the embroidered star‑orbit patterns on the robes even more intricate and exquisite. Their aura was cold and inwardly restrained, like two swords sheathed, and they were indeed early Nascent Soul cultivators! They were the Star‑Trace Guard of the Ascendant Bright Sect, who had crossed realms tracking the aura of the Star‑Pivot fragment!"

One of them held a silver, compass‑like magical device, its face bearing a faint but clear point of starlight pointing toward the direction Han Wuxian had vanished.

Translation: "One of them held aloft a silver, compass‑shaped magical device, a faint but clear point of starlight on its face pointing toward the direction Han Wuxian had vanished." So "【38】 One of them held aloft a silver, compass‑shaped magical device, a faint but clear point of starlight on its face pointing toward the direction Han Wuxian had vanished."

"The bearer of the Star Core fragment is on the verge of death, his aura having been cut off here… but… the recent burst of pure stellar power, and the agitation of the Unicorn Purple Scale Python…" Another Star‑Trace Guard, voice icy and eyes sharp as a hawk, added: "And there's that kid who suddenly appeared, snatched the Starlight Dew Flower fruit… the residual 'light' aura on him… is very familiar."

Translation: '"The bearer of the Star‑Pivot fragment is on the verge of death, his aura having been cut off here…… but…… the burst of pure stellar power just now, and the agitated Unicorn Purple Scale Python……" another Star‑Trace Guard spoke in an icy tone, eyes sharp as a hawk, "and that brat who suddenly appeared and snatched the Starlight Dew Flower fruit…… the lingering aura of "Light" on him…… is very familiar."' So "【39】 "The bearer of the Star‑Pivot fragment is on the verge of death, his aura having been cut off here…… but…… the burst of pure stellar power just now, and the agitated Unicorn Purple Scale Python……" another Star‑Trace Guard spoke in an icy tone, eyes sharp as a hawk, "and that brat who suddenly appeared and snatched the Starlight Dew Flower fruit…… the lingering aura of "Light" on him…… is very familiar."

"Hmph, it seems this 'Fallen Star Land' is livelier than we expected." The guard holding the compass curled his lips in a cruel smile, saying: "Chase! A severely wounded Starfall Pavilion scout, and a Golden Core youth wielding strange light power… perfect to net them all! The Star Core fragment must not be lost!"

Translation: '"Hmph, it seems this "Fallen Star Land" is livelier than we expected." The compass‑bearing Star‑Trace Guard curled his lips in a cruel arc, "Chase! One heavily wounded Star‑Fallen Pavilion Star‑Envoy, and a Golden Core youth wielding strange "Light" power…… perfect to net them both! The Star‑Pivot fragment must not be lost!"' So "【40】 "Hmph, it seems this 'Fallen Star Land' is livelier than we expected." The compass‑bearing Star‑Trace Guard curled his lips in a cruel arc, "Chase! One heavily wounded Star‑Fallen Pavilion Star‑Envoy, and a Golden Core youth wielding strange 'Light' power…… perfect to net them both! The Star‑Pivot fragment must not be lost!"

Two figures, like ghosts melding into the night, silently pursued the direction Han Wuxian had gone.

Translation: "The two figures, like ghosts melding into the night, silently pursued in the direction Han Wuxian had gone." So "【41】 The two figures, like ghosts melding into the night, silently pursued in the direction Han Wuxian had gone."

Icy killing intent silently permeated the night of the vast wilderness.