Chapter 32

Under the impact of the water flow, the dark red scabs, black clumps of mud, and solidified filth were flushed away, flowing down along its dense hair, spreading in the turbid river water into larger and deeper stains.

The Black Goat's massive body shuddered slightly, sending up large splashes of water.

It let out a low growl, but not from anger; it sounded more like a discomforted groan.

It shook its huge head, scattering water droplets, then stood docilely in place, allowing Li Qingxuan to bend over and repeatedly scoop and splash water.

Li Qingxuan's movements were not gentle, even somewhat rough; each splash carried a savage attempt to thoroughly wash away the filth.

The icy river water soaked his cuffs and front, the pungent fishy smell wrapped in steam assailed his face, making him involuntarily furrow his brows.

Yet his hands showed no pause, scanning the Black Goat's massive body, seeking every spot that needed a focused rinse.

The water flow washed over and over, gradually revealing the originally dark, curly, steel-wire-like tough hair underneath.

After cleaning the Black Goat, the muscles beneath were revealed like twisted black lava, water droplets trickling slowly down the grooves of the muscles, glistening with a wet sheen in the dim light.

That suffocating foul odor was washed away mostly, leaving only the river's own earthy smell.

Li Qingxuan scooped up another bucket of water; this time the flow was no longer filthy, showing a hint of clarity. He carefully rinsed the wound on the Black Goat's hind leg that had once been deep enough to see bone, though the flesh had already healed, he still couldn't help flushing it several more times.

The Black Goat cooperated by slightly turning its side, emitting a low, docile gurgling from its throat, its black eyes quietly watching him.

"Almost done." Li Qingxuan set down the water bucket.

He stepped back a few paces, standing on the bank to examine his handiwork.

The massive Black Goat stood in the middle of the river, its soaked black curls clinging to the skin, making it look much more vigorous than before; water streamed along its massive horns and spine, flowing into the river.

He gave a short whistle, signaling the Black Goat to leave the water.

The Black Goat immediately strode forward with its sturdy hooves, its heavy body kicking up large splashes, slowly walking ashore and standing beside Li Qingxuan.

The Black Goat shook its body, water droplets flying like a rainstorm, tracing brief silver arcs in the dry air. Li Qingxuan wiped the droplets splashed onto his face, feeling icy and biting.

A cold wind blew over, and Li Qingxuan couldn't help shivering; he reached out and patted its tough skin: "Much cleaner now, let's head back. Once it dries, it'll make a decent mount."

A giant python suddenly leapt from the water, greedy and famished, lunging to bite the massive black silhouette on the shore.

The python's head was as big as a water tank, covered in slick scales interwoven with dark green and black, glimmering with a cold, damp glow in the dim light.

Its gaping maw resembled an abyss, revealing two rows of dagger‑sharp fangs that flashed with a venomous chill; a strong reek instantly overpowered the river's earthy smell, striking straight at the Black Goat's face.

Li Qingxuan's pupils contracted sharply, his whole body's muscles tensing like iron in an instant!

His body, just recovering from serious injury, burst forth with astonishing reflexes under the stimulus of a life‑or‑death crisis.

He had no time to think, almost purely relying on instincts honed countless times on the edge of death; he pushed off hard with his feet, his body shooting backward like an arrow released from a bow!

"Screech—!"

The dry gravel under his feet was kicked up and scattered in all directions.

Almost as he recoiled, the Black Goat suddenly lowered its head, its long horns gleaming with black light striking like a heavy hammer!

"Crack!"

A grating bone‑crack followed immediately!

The python's head, as large as a water tank, was violently thrust upward by that terrifying force, the rending stench in the air instantly shifting direction.

Its lower jaw scales shattered on impact, several palm‑sized dark green scales flying off like shattered jade under tremendous force, one of them grazing Li Qingxuan's cheek.

"Hiss—!"

The python let out an earth‑shaking painful hiss; the agony made it thrash violently, its thick tail instinctively shooting upward, carrying the terrifying power to split mountains and shatter stone, dragging mud and rocks as it slammed down hard onto the riverside where the Black Goat stood.

"Bang!"

The ground shuddered violently!

Where the snake tail struck, the hard riverbank shattered like soft earth! A crater several meters in diameter appeared instantly, accompanied by a web‑like network of cracks; the turbid mud‑water was squeezed out by the immense impact and gushed forth like a fountain.

Flying shards of stone shot out like buckshot, striking the Black Goat's wet body with dull thuds, forcing Li Qingxuan, who had just steadied himself, to duck down again to avoid them.

At the instant the massive tail struck, the Black Goat dug its hooves into the ground; its huge body displayed astonishing agility belied by its size, barely leaping sideways and backward to evade the direct, deadly blow.

Yet as the tail swept past, the flying chunks of stone still left several shallow blood marks on its hide.

Having missed its strike, the python's head throbbed with pain, causing its ferocity to erupt fully.

It hastily retracted its tail, its huge body thrashing wildly in the river, churning the murky mud like boiling ink.

It raised its injured head again, its lava‑like vertical pupils locking onto the Black Goat, saliva mixed with dark red blood dripping from its mouth, the bloody stench growing stronger.

Its massive body coiled again, like a spring loaded with power, ready to unleash an even more deadly strike at any moment!

Li Qingxuan's eyes were icy as iron, without a hint of hesitation; at the moment the python gathered strength, he fired a Soul Arrow.

His right hand had already quietly gripped the Thunder Script Iron Spear, silently waiting for a killing blow, his gaze sweeping over the python's data.

【Weird Creature: Swallowing Sky Python】

【Type: Flesh Type】

【Constitution: 276】

【Spirit: 140】

【Rank: D Rank】

【Abilities: Swallow Heaven, Death Entanglement, Thunderbolt Tail Blade】

【Weak Points: Head, Seven‑inch Weakspot】

【Description: A predator of the river depths, its gaping maw can generate terrifying suction; it possesses horrifying constriction power and a tail strike capable of piercing rock.】

After reading the data, Li Qingxuan sucked in a cold breath, "Hiss, this python and the Black Goat are about evenly matched; they might end up both losing."

The Swallow Heaven Giant Python's head rose high, its neck scales scraping together, emitting a grating sound; its lava‑like vertical pupils burst with pure killing intent.

Li Qingxuan's heart beat heavily in his chest; his body, just healed from serious injury, sent faint stabs of pain, but the icy killing intent instantly overwhelmed all discomfort.

His eyes were sharp as a hawk's, locked firmly onto the slightly whitened seven‑inch weak spot beneath the python's head!

Just as the python shot forward like a battering ram, Li Qingxuan hurled the Thunder Pattern Spear in his hand; the spear tore through the air with a piercing shriek, like a meteor streaking straight to the whitened seven‑inch weak point!

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