The First Immortal of Destiny

"Lu Ming, Shen Mo, your cultivations are too weak. Step back for now."

"Fang Ming, Duan Rui, the three of us will fight with all we have and see if we can subdue this Python Dragon."

Lu Yao's voice slowly resounded.

Shen Mo and Lu Ming didn't try to be heroes and accepted the arrangement.

Even though both were at the peak of combat strength among the new disciples, their cultivation was far inferior to that of the senior disciples within the peak. This disparity wasn't easily bridged.

"Slash!"

Fang Ming drew his saber, fiercely swinging out a blade glow that stirred up immense qi waves.

He and Lu Yao flanked the Python Dragon, one at the front and one at the back.

Duan Rui, however, didn't choose a direct confrontation. His expertise lay in Formations and Prohibitions, so he began to set them up.

As two offensive Formations and Prohibitions were laid, streaks of fiery rain materialized one after another, continuously rushing towards the Python Dragon in the lake.

The Python Dragon was clearly a water-attribute creature, so fire-attribute attacks were particularly effective against it. However, the power of this Fire Rain Array was too weak, serving only as a distraction.

RUMBLE!

The Python Dragon battled the trio for a long time. Eventually, the still-developing Flood Dragon horns on its head began to shine brightly. Then, terrifying torrents of water erupted from its Flood Dragon horns.

PFFT!

The torrent was terrifyingly powerful, and all three suffered significant injuries. After a brief exchange, they found themselves completely outmatched. It seemed impossible to slay the Python Dragon blocking their path.

This isn't good, Shen Mo thought, having been observing the battle. The longer he watched, the more perilous he felt this expedition had become.

Although Lu Yao and the others were using every technique at their disposal, they were utterly unable to withstand the Python Dragon's power. If this continued, their defeat was only a matter of time.

Retreating earlier might have been an option, but now that battle was joined, the Python Dragon surely wouldn't let them escape easily if they were defeated. They might very well perish here.

I need to lend a hand, he resolved. Although Lu Yao, the team leader, treated him coldly, if they were defeated, they would all suffer the consequences together.

In a direct confrontation, my current cultivation level is useless, Shen Mo thought. But... I still have other ways to help!

Thinking this, he immediately opened the Destiny Panel.

[Monster Identify]

This Destiny allowed him to inspect a demonic beast's information and discern its weaknesses. Shen Mo had once relied on this Destiny to discover the weakness of the Double-headed Silver Ring Python, which paved the way for its demise.

[You are attempting to peek at the information of the peak Class II demonic beast, Double-headed Silver Ring Python, at the cost of one hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones.]

At his mental command, text from the System immediately appeared before his eyes.

One hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones...

It had to be said, the price for scouting information was indeed quite steep.

Fortunately, I still have some Spirit Stones for emergencies; it should be enough.

His sense searched his Universe Bag, and he quickly gathered enough Spirit Stones.

WHOOSH!

As Shen Mo confirmed the investigation of the Python Dragon, the Mana in all one hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones was drained, turning them into ordinary, dull stones.

Then, lines of information appeared before his eyes.

[Demonic Beast: Thousand-Year Python Dragon]

[Realm: Class II Peak]

[Summary: Initially a common grass snake, it was adopted as a Spirit Pet by a disciple of the Cloud Sword Sect. After consuming spiritual grass and Spirit Fruit, it embarked on the path of cultivation. Later, when the Cloud Sword Sect suffered a great calamity and was annihilated, the Python Dragon escaped into a pond. There, it hibernated and cultivated for a thousand years, gradually beginning to show its formidable prowess.]

[Weakness: The Flood Dragon horns on its head are not yet fully formed and are its most vulnerable point. If its Flood Dragon horns are broken, it will rapidly enter a weakened state.]

This Python Dragon was originally a Spirit Pet of a disciple from these immortal sect ruins? It took a thousand years of cultivation to achieve its current Realm!

With the information from the Destiny Panel, Shen Mo's understanding of the Python Dragon deepened rapidly. The part he valued most, naturally, wasn't its life story, but... its weakness.

The Flood Dragon horns... so that's its weakest spot?

Upon learning this, Shen Mo immediately sent a voice transmission to Lu Yao and the others.

"Senior Brothers, don't get entangled with this Python Dragon! Its hide is tough and its flesh thick; ordinary attacks won't work!"

"Let's focus our attacks on its Flood Dragon horns! I've read the Spirit Beast Handbook; I know this beast's weakness!"

"Once its Flood Dragon horns are shattered, the beast will weaken."

When Shen Mo's voice transmission reached Lu Yao and the others' ears, they were momentarily stunned. However, they quickly chose to trust Shen Mo. They simultaneously shifted their attacks, aiming straight for the prominent Flood Dragon horns on the Python Dragon's head.

ROAR!

The Python Dragon also discerned their intent. Agitated, it thrashed wildly, causing the lake's waters to surge. Its very reaction made it even clearer to Lu Yao and the others that Shen Mo was right!

Naturally, they no longer held back, focusing all their power on the Flood Dragon horns atop the Python Dragon's head.

RUMBLE!

The Python Dragon thrashed about in the pond, creating turmoil, appearing both enraged and flustered. The tide of battle abruptly turned.

"Break for me!"

Fang Ming, seizing the moment while the Python Dragon was busy fending off the others' attacks, silently circled to its rear. He raised his long saber high and brought it down with a ferocious chop.

SLICE!

As the saber fell, the Python Dragon's horn was severed. Blood rained down from the sky.

The Python Dragon's horn had been lopped off. It let out a piercing, incomparably fierce roar and thrashed even more violently. However, this struggle didn't last long before it gradually subsided.

Having lost its horn, the Python Dragon weakened progressively, its former ferocity gone. Finally, encircled by Lu Yao, Fang Ming, and Duan Rui, it was gradually worn down and killed.

THUD!

When the Python Dragon's mountain-sized body crashed to the ground, all the bamboo and trees in the vicinity trembled.

"Is it dead?"

Lu Ming and Shen Mo, who had been watching from afar, only dared to approach after seeing it collapse, devoid of any sign of life.

"That was close!"

After the fierce battle, Guo Zhao and the others also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks to Junior Brother Shen's guidance; otherwise, we truly might not have won this battle," Fang Ming and Duan Rui, the two inner sect senior brothers, said, looking at Shen Mo with approval.

With the Python Dragon dead, the greatest obstacle blocking their path was gone. However, before entering the Treasure Hall, they still had a task: dealing with the Python Dragon's corpse.

Handling the Python Dragon's corpse wasn't about giving it a burial, but about dissecting it to extract all its valuable materials. The body of a demonic beast is a treasure trove, especially one of high rank. A peak Class II Python Dragon like this one was worth no less than a thousand Spirit Stones for its corpse alone. Naturally, they couldn't let it go to waste and rot in the wilderness.

After some processing, Shen Mo and the others successfully butchered the Python Dragon.

The ordinary Python Dragon meat was set aside.

The Python Dragon's blood essence was collected separately.

The Demon Core from within the Python Dragon's body was also extracted.

Additionally, there were its flood dragon tendons, an essential material for crafting high-class inner armor.

Finally, there was its severed horn.

Once the butchering was complete, they began to distribute these spoils.

"I only watched from a distance and didn't fight, so I won't participate in the distribution," Lu Ming spoke first. "As for Junior Brother Shen, he didn't fight, but he provided the crucial information about the Python Dragon's weakness. That's what enabled us to slay it. Therefore, he deserves a share of the Python Dragon's remains."