Chapter 116: Mystic Python Scales

In the southwestern region of the vast continent, deep within a mountain range, a massive beast let out a deafening roar amidst the forests. Shaped like a lion, its body was covered in silver scales, and lightning crackled across its surface, emitting explosive thunderous sounds.

It was a Rank 2 Source Beast, a Rushing Thunder Beast. Even a cultivator at the late Qi Cultivating Realm would have to retreat when encountering a Source Beast of this level.

However, at this moment, a figure swiftly approached the Rushing Thunder Beast. Dark golden Genesis Qi erupted from the figure's body, and a punch was thrown with unparalleled ferocity, cracking the very ground beneath their feet.

The Rushing Thunder Beast roared, lightning converging on its head. In the next instant, it transformed into a bolt of lightning, shooting out and colliding violently with the figure. The moment of impact sent shockwaves rippling outwards, tearing up layers of earth from the ground.

The Rushing Thunder Beast let out a mournful cry, its massive body forcefully flung backward. Its head shattered, and it was killed instantly by that single punch.

A nimble figure landed on the Rushing Thunder Beast's corpse, extracted the beast soul crystal, and then took a mottled black brush from their waist. With a sweep of the brush tip, the beast soul was absorbed. This figure was naturally Zhou Yuan, who had left the Great Zhou.

Two full months had passed since he left the Great Zhou. During this time, he and Yaoyao had traversed numerous regions, mostly deep mountains and dense forests. These were the only places where they could find abundant Source Beasts to hone his skills. The Saint Vestige Domain was gathering many prodigies from the vast continent, so he had to seize every moment to enhance his strength to gain an advantage in the upcoming competition. Two months of rigorous cultivation had led to significant progress, and he was already showing faint signs of breaking through to the late Qi Cultivating Realm.

"A Rank 2 Rushing Thunder Beast couldn't even withstand my full-force punch," Zhou Yuan murmured to himself, a hint of complacency in his voice. After all, ordinary cultivators at the late Qi Cultivating Realm wouldn't dare provoke such a beast.

"Is that really something to be happy about?" a clear voice chimed in from the side.

Yaoyao, holding Tun Tun, rolled her beautiful eyes at Zhou Yuan and said disapprovingly, "After two whole months of training, you still haven't unlocked the profound mysteries of the Grand Mystic Python Qi. What is there to be proud of?"

"Uh..." Zhou Yuan was stunned.

Yaoyao shook her head helplessly. "The Grand Mystic Python Qi is a Rank 5 Genesis Qi, and it originates from the Ancestral Dragon Scripture. Do you really think it's that simple, merely more profound and powerful than ordinary Genesis Qi?"

Zhou Yuan gave a dry laugh and honestly replied, "Please enlighten me, Sister Yaoyao!"

"First, prepare dinner for Tun Tun," Yaoyao chuckled lightly. Tun Tun, in her arms, also let out an approving growl.

Zhou Yuan, resigned, carried the Rushing Thunder Beast back, built a fire, and began roasting it. He had done all these tasks himself over the past two months, so he was quite skilled at it now.

As the roasted meat gradually released its aroma, Yaoyao, resting her chin on her hand, asked with a smile, "Haven't you felt any changes in your Grand Mystic Python Qi lately?"

Zhou Yuan pondered for a moment, then shook his head slightly.

"Tun Tun, give him a tap," Yaoyao said, her red lips slightly pursed.

Hearing this, Tun Tun in her arms immediately stood up excitedly, its eyes gleaming as it stared at Zhou Yuan.

"Ah? Wait!" Zhou Yuan was startled.

However, Tun Tun ignored him. Its small body flashed, appearing directly in front of Zhou Yuan, and it swatted a paw at him. Zhou Yuan quickly extended both arms, dark golden Genesis Qi surging around them.

When Tun Tun's small paw landed, Zhou Yuan felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow. His body instantly flew backward, crashing hard into a large tree, and both his arms were in intense pain.

"You little beast, repaying kindness with enmity! Do you even want to eat dinner anymore?" Zhou Yuan gritted his teeth and cursed.

Yaoyao chuckled lightly. "Did you notice the subtle change in your internal Genesis Qi the moment you were hit?"

Zhou Yuan first glared resentfully at Tun Tun, then pondered, hesitating, "It seemed that when I was hit, the Grand Mystic Python Qi showed signs of wanting to merge into my flesh and blood." In fact, Zhou Yuan had noticed this sign before, but it was too faint, so he had ignored it.

"Grasp this feeling and let it flow naturally," Yaoyao said slowly.

"Tun Tun," Yaoyao called out again.

Tun Tun gave a whimpering cry and looked at Zhou Yuan, but it hesitated for a moment. Zhou Yuan's earlier threat about withholding food seemed to have had some effect.

"Come on," Zhou Yuan said grumpily, seeing its hesitation.

Tun Tun let out an excited yelp and shot out again, its small paw imbued with gravity, striking at Zhou Yuan. Zhou Yuan's expression was solemn. This time, the moment Tun Tun's paw struck, he concentrated his mind, sensing the subtle changes in his internal Genesis Qi. He indeed found that some Genesis Qi was involuntarily merging into the flesh and blood of his arms.

However, Zhou Yuan's body seemed to have a slight resistance to this, which prevented the Genesis Qi from fully integrating. Zhou Yuan suddenly understood. With a thought, he completely relaxed his body, and that trace of resistance vanished. Streaks of Grand Mystic Python Qi then merged into his arms.

The moment they merged, a faint green light suddenly emanated from Zhou Yuan's arms. Then, to his astonishment, he saw green scales growing on his arms. The green scales glowed faintly, like the scales of a giant python.

Tun Tun's paw landed, and Zhou Yuan was still sent back dozens of steps. However, this time, the severe pain from his arms was significantly reduced. Clearly, most of the force had been neutralized by the snake-like scales that had appeared on his arms.

"What is this?" Zhou Yuan asked in shock. With a thought, the green scales on his arms rapidly faded away. But the previous scene had clearly shown that these green scales possessed powerful defensive capabilities.

Yaoyao smiled slightly at this. "That is the first mystery of the Grand Mystic Python Qi: the Mystic Python Scales!"

"Mystic Python Scales?" Zhou Yuan was startled.

"When your physical body encounters an attack, the Grand Mystic Python Qi within you will spontaneously protect its master. The Genesis Qi integrates into your body, forming a layer of scales to shield you," Yaoyao explained. "It is said that the Mystic Python Scales have three levels, reflected in the color of the scales: the first level is green, the second is golden, and the third is purple-gold."

Yaoyao said unhurriedly, "If you can cultivate the third level, the Purple-Gold Mystic Python Scales, even an expert at the Primeval Beginning Realm wouldn't be able to break your defense with their full power."

Zhou Yuan finally gasped, realizing that these Mystic Python Scales possessed such an abnormal defensive power. "What formidable Grand Mystic Python Qi."

Zhou Yuan couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. Tun Tun's previous casual strike, though seemingly light, was probably comparable to an expert at the early Heavenly Gate Realm. Yet, it hadn't torn the scales. This meant that the green Mystic Python Scales could withstand attacks from the early Heavenly Gate Realm.

With the protection of these "Mystic Python Scales," Zhou Yuan now had the ability to contend even with the elite among early Heavenly Gate Realm experts. This Rank 5 Grand Mystic Python Qi, derived from the Ancestral Dragon Scripture, was finally beginning to show a glimpse of its true power.