Chapter 33

The strike missed, the spear tip pierced the giant python's body, the spear shaft sank halfway in, bringing up a column of foul-smelling blood.

The Swallow Heaven Giant Python's massive body shuddered violently, its lava-like vertical pupils suddenly constricted, and it erupted in a deafening roar: "Hssng——!"

Lightning burst from the spear tip, the muscles around the giant python's wound spasmed incessantly, the enraged giant python thrashed wildly, its thick tail like an uncontrolled steel whip, sweeping the riverbank with thunderous force, gravel, mud, and broken wood were whirled up and scattered everywhere, smashing toward Li Qingxuan and the Black Goat.

Li Qingxuan had already lowered his body the moment the Changqiang left his hand, pushing off with his feet to retreat swiftly, the Soul Arrow instantly condensed and formed, viciously stabbing toward the giant python!

The Black Goat keenly sensed its master's Crisis, its massive body shifting like black lightning sideways, it blocked in front of Li Qingxuan, its back covered in wet, curly fur stubbornly withstood several flying boulders, with a "thud-thud" dull sound, gravel sprayed everywhere, leaving new shallow marks on its Toughness skin.

Immediately, the Black Goat let out a deafening roar, its four hooves slammed the ground, charging forward like an arrow released from a bow, its pair of spirally twisted massive horns fiercely struck the spear wound on the giant python, instantly tearing open a half-meter-long blood gash, the giant python, in pain, raised its head and let out a mournful hiss, saliva mixed with blood gushed out from its mouth like a spring.

The giant python's tail swept like a steel whip over the spot where the Black Goat had just stood, the ground instantly exploded into a deep pit, the turbid river water surged back in like a beast.

Taking advantage of the moment the giant python was momentarily dazed from injury to its lower jaw, Li Qingxuan's eyes turned icy, his left hand quietly reached for the backup Tang Sword at his waist.

The Black Goat let out a low battle cry, its four hooves slammed the ground, its massive body surged forward like a moving hill, its pair of twisted massive horns again gathered immense force, like a sword, fiercely thrusting into the giant python's exposed neck‑abdomen soft spot from its pain!

In pain, the giant python suddenly contracted its body, its serpentine form like a Toughness steel cable, tightly constricting the Black Goat, scales rubbing together emitted a sound like metal breaking, the constriction made the Black Goat's bones creak.

The Black Goat, being constricted, let out a painful groan, its forehooves pushed hard against the ground, its back arched high, muscles bulging like hard Iron Blocks, it forcibly opened a gap in the python's body!

Immediately, the Black Goat lowered its head, its two horns like two sharp War Axes, it exerted force upward and jerked up—"Crack!"—the giant python's head was flung off like a projectile shell, fresh blood poured down the riverbank like a raging waterfall, its massive body collapsed like a falling mountain and thudded to the ground, twitching incessantly.

Li Qingxuan's figure approached like a ghost, confirming the giant python had no life left, only then did he sheath his Tang Sword, he exhaled deeply and looked toward the Black Goat.

Before him, the Black Goat shook its head, the sticky serpent blood splattered on its skull rained down like droplets, on its pair of massive, spirally twisted horns, dark‑red fluid dripped steadily, as if a badge left by battle, its eyes remained vigilantly scanning the giant python's still‑twitching massive carcass.

Black Goat's heavy breathing expelled white mist, its sturdy chest heaved violently, obviously the previous life-and-death battle had consumed considerable stamina; the shallow marks from stones striking its skin and the red imprints from the snake's constriction were especially conspicuous against the wet black fur.

"Well done." Li Qingxuan's voice hoarse, he reached out and patted the Black Goat's Toughness icy skin, his hand feeling a wet, cold slick—river water mixed with snake blood.

His gaze swept over the snake corpses piled like small hills on the ground, the Thunder Pattern Spear still deeply embedded in the giant python's corpse, its tip's lightning glow gradually fading.

He lifted his eyes to the sky, still a pallid white, clearly the hour was late.

The riverbank was a mess, scattered stones littered the ground, murky muddy water kept welling up in the deep pits, the air reeked of strong blood and the distinct musky odor of snakes; such commotion and smell would surely attract other unwelcome guests soon.

"This place is not suitable for lingering." Li Qingxuan whispered, quickly walking to the giant python's corpse, enduring the nauseating stench, he drew the Thunder Pattern Spear.

A white light flashed, the massive corpse of the Swallow Heaven Giant Python vanished instantly, the control panel prompted Constitution +138, Li Qingxuan felt his body double in strength, his previous injuries healed instantly.

Following the traces of the Swallow Heaven Giant Python, he found its lair and picked up two huge Snake Eggs and a Golden Treasure Chest.

Returning to the riverbank, he cleaned the Black Goat again, tied the two Snake Eggs to its waist on both sides, and patted its leg.

"Let's go, home!" Li Qingxuan gave the command to the Black Goat.

The Black Goat let out a low roar in response, its massive body turned toward the fortress, and it began heavy steps.

Li Qingxuan walked at the front of the group, his hand unconsciously covering the hilt of the Tang Sword at his waist, his vigilant gaze like a hawk's continually scanning the barren, lifeless wilderness.

The wind grew increasingly biting, carrying the stench of blood and river water, it brushed his wet front, making him shudder involuntarily.

He only wanted to quickly return to that sturdy fortress, to Li Feifei's side, to let his tense nerves completely relax.

At the edge of his vision, the fortress's outline gradually became clear, Li Qingxuan quickened his pace.

Arriving at the fortress, he let the Black Goat find its own resting place, Li Qingxuan hurriedly pushed the door open and entered, placing the two Snake Eggs on the ground.

At the second-floor stairwell, a slender figure darted out; Li Feifei caught sight of Li Qingxuan's silhouette, the worry in her eyes like a taut string suddenly loosening, and she swiftly ran down the stairs, launching herself into his arms.

Feeling the chill of Li Qingxuan's clothes, she lightly stepped away from him and said softly, "Just coming back safe is fine; hurry up and wash, change into dry clothes—you're soaked through."

"Okay, help me get a set of clothes." Li Qingxuan placed the Golden Treasure Chest from his Backpack on the table, then walked into the bathroom.

Li Feifei's gaze was instantly drawn to the two Snake Eggs on the ground; she cautiously extended a finger, and before her fingertip even touched the shell, the surface of the Snake Eggs trembled imperceptibly, as if something inside sensed her presence.

She jerked her hand back as if scalded, a flicker of astonishment and curiosity flashing in her eyes, and she couldn't help but examine them closely.

Immediately, her gaze fell upon the Golden Treasure Chest beside them.

Outside the door came the Black Goat's low, steady breathing and the soft sound of its hooves scraping the ground.

This massive Weird Creature lay quietly resting in the shadow beside the fortress entrance, its huge body like a boulder.

Its wet black curls slowly steamed in the breeze, and the tiny wounds on its body flickered faintly in the dim light.

Li Feifei took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and hurriedly walked toward the bedroom to fetch Li Qingxuan's clean clothes.

The sound of splashing water already came from the bathroom.

She gently placed the folded clothes on the wooden stool by the bathroom door, her gaze sweeping over the wet, cold garments Li Qingxuan had carelessly tossed on the floor—those clothes were stained with large dark-red spots and muddy water, her brow slightly furrowed.

She bent down to pick up the pile of cold, heavy wet clothes, preparing to soak them.

She picked up the wet clothes and headed for the washbasin; for a moment the only sound inside the fortress was the trickling of water, pattering softly.

After soaking the clothes, Li Feifei went to prepare dinner, the corner of her eye catching the two eggs and the Golden Treasure Chest, she couldn't help wondering what was growing inside those eggs and speculating what items might emerge from the chest.

Li Feifei gently stirred the porridge in the pot, the rice grains tumbling in the boiling water, gradually releasing a fresh grain fragrance.

At this moment, she only hoped that this pot of hot porridge would warm Li Qingxuan's body and also soothe his tense spirit.

Outside the fortress, the wind seemed to grow tighter, wailing as it swept over the wilderness, brushing the Black Goat's wet fur and also driving small stones to strike the fortress's sturdy Iron Gate.

(PS: Free of charge, please send some love-powered electricity; this way the author will have more motivation to write, please.)