Chapter 154: Magic Pet

For a moment, Xu Yang even felt that the great secret of the Dragon's Hoard, which the four of them had most anticipated, was about to be unveiled.

But just as he wanted to continue asking questions, the giant python had already begun its attack.

"There's no need to talk anymore," the python said. "You are all my food. Knowing more won't change your fate. Go to sleep quietly; I won't let you suffer too much."

Boom!

The giant python sprayed a cloud of green poisonous mist from its mouth, covering the heads of the Warhawk team's soldiers below.

Bai Lianxue's golden Buddha light suddenly appeared, and powerful spiritual energy fluctuations completely protected the entire team, shielding them from the poisonous mist's invasion.

Ling Yao immediately charged forward, a dazzling sword light quickly condensing behind her, flying towards the massive creature in front of her.

"What powerful sword mastery!" the python exclaimed. "It seems I underestimated your abilities!"

The giant python was, after all, a seasoned, top-tier demonic beast. Although it couldn't compare to the Demon Kings of the Forbidden Demonic Race, throughout the entire Monster Beast Mountain Range, few demonic beasts could rival it.

Its massive body constantly lunged left and right. This creature possessed both the destructive power of a lion or tiger and the speed of a serpent or python. Even more terrifying, it had twin wings on its back that allowed it to fly, which was truly astounding.

Boom!!

In a blink of an eye, another powerful claw strike descended. The terrifying force instantly tore apart the small area beneath its feet.

The soldiers dodged and scrambled desperately, scattering in all directions, leaving the main battlefield for Xu Yang and the others to fully utilize their abilities.

Ling Yao showed no weakness. Although she kept her true power suppressed to the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, she possessed peak swordsmanship mastery. Coupled with her Cloud-Gazing Sword Intent, she controlled more than a dozen sword lights flying wildly across the sky, continuously hacking at the giant python's body.

At first, the effect wasn't very obvious, but with Ling Qingshu's assistance and coordination, the great snake quickly suffered.

"Damn it!" the giant python growled. "Who exactly are you guys? With such power, why are you mixed in with these ant-like soldiers?"

The giant python grew angry and began to gradually release the demonic life source stored within its body.

Boom!!

A blast of demonic energy wind spewed from the giant python's mouth. Wherever this wind passed, hundreds of towering ancient trees in the mountain range instantly turned to dust. The sheer destructive power completely stunned the Warhawk soldiers.

"Oh my god..." gasped one soldier. "What have we encountered? This is hardly an S-class mission! Even if the Grand Generals themselves were present, they might not be able to defeat this giant python in a one-on-one fight. It's too terrifying!!"

Xu Yang glanced back. "Lianxue, Qingshu, the two of you, escort everyone to evacuate."

Bai Lianxue and Ling Qingshu naturally understood. Leaving these soldiers here any longer would not only be useless but would also very likely expose them to things they shouldn't see. If the true power of Xu Yang and the others were to reach the Yuanyang Empire's military, it would cause unnecessary trouble and wouldn't be worth it.

The spirit ship descended again, and Bai Lianxue and Ling Qingshu took the soldiers back to the military camp first.

The battlefield became much quieter, and Xu Yang and Ling Yao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Heh heh," the python chuckled. "How is it that I feel the departure of your helpers has actually made you a bit more relaxed?"

Xu Yang smiled. "You're right. Their presence wasn't a help, but a restraint."

The giant python's pupils contracted slightly. "Could it be that you're still hiding deeper power?"

Xu Yang didn't intend to waste any more time with it, but he was reluctant to simply kill it, as he wasn't sure how much the great snake knew about the Dragon's Hoard.

"I will let you witness my true strength," Xu Yang said, "and then I will give you a chance to live."

With a gentle wave of his palm, an incredibly pure, ice-blue light slowly materialized. The powerful demonic energy aura left the giant python in front of him too shocked to speak!

"Th-this is..." the python stammered. "The Eternal Sword, one of the supreme artifacts of the Demon Race! The divine weapon sealed in the Glacier Temple of the Forbidden Demonic Realm is actually, actually in your hands! You..."

"Heh heh heh," Xu Yang chuckled. "You don't need to be so surprised. After all, in your eyes, we were just ants..."

The giant python no longer dared to act arrogant. How could a mere demonic beast like it possibly contend with someone who possessed the Eternal Sword and commanded the ultimate power of the Demon Race?

"Your Excellency, disguised to enter the Yuanyang Empire and now appearing here, what exactly is your purpose?"

"The Dragon's Hoard."

Xu Yang simply laid his cards on the table. After all, there was no one else here apart from Ling Yao, and the giant python, even with ten pairs of wings, couldn't possibly escape from Xu Yang.

"So that's it..." the python said. "I never thought this dragon aura would attract incredible top-tier experts like you. It's clearly not something I'm destined to enjoy. So, what will it take for you to spare me?"

The giant python immediately became much more subdued. Xu Yang also withdrew the Eternal Sword and spoke in a calm tone. "Tell me everything you know about this dragon aura. I will decide your punishment based on your performance."

"Sigh..." the python began. "I also heard a demonic expert mention it. Previously, during a demonic civil war in the East, I accidentally saved an old demon king. He saw that I possessed the ancient ancestral bloodline of the Dragon Python lineage and said that if I could awaken it, I would achieve greater things. So he guided me to search for places on the continent with dragon aura to cultivate. I searched for over a decade, finally managed to discover this place, and then, then I encountered you all..."

Xu Yang pondered for a moment. His team of four hadn't done much research regarding dragon veins and related information. However, this giant python had the ability to identify the approximate location where dragon aura emanated. If he kept it, it might be helpful in finding dragon veins in the future.

"Can you... transform into a human form?"

The dragon python made a somewhat comical expression and hesitated, its voice sounding a bit clumsy.

"Uh, not yet," it replied. "But I can change my form. For example..."

Whoosh!

As the giant python spoke, its body suddenly shrank, transforming into a small greenish-yellow snake. It wasn't even as long as Xu Yang's leg and looked utterly harmless.

"This is my limit..." it pleaded. "Your Excellency, if you can spare me, I will certainly be grateful for your kindness!"

"I can let you go," Xu Yang said, "but do you think that even if you truly find the dragon aura, you'll be able to peacefully claim it for yourself? There are too many people coveting the Dragon's Hoard; any one of them could kill you as easily as stepping on an ant. If you choose to stay by my side, I won't treat you unfairly."

As Xu Yang spoke, he casually produced a supreme-grade demonic crystal over a hundred thousand years old. With just a casual flick of his hand, he completely stunned the small snake in front of him!

"Th-this is a hundred-thousand-year supreme-grade demonic crystal source stone?" it stammered. "Your Excellency, you..."

"Less talk, it's just a meeting gift," Xu Yang said. "If you agree, from now on, you'll be my personal demonic pet. Stay by my side, and I can help you awaken your ancestral bloodline and become the continent's top demonic beast! Of course, if you don't want to, I won't force you."

"Yes, I want to!" the snake exclaimed. "Master, from now on, I am your pet! This hundred-thousand-year demonic crystal will probably be enough for me to cultivate for a while, hahaha!"