Chapter 928: Establishing Cooperation

Xu Yang burst out laughing. "I've never concerned myself with what resources I need to use to accomplish something. Because once I decide to do something, the outcome will always align with my will. Before absolute power, the will of the conquered becomes meaningless. All you need to do now is unleash your full strength against me, defend your dignity with true power, and stop rambling incessantly."

The Titan Devouring Python quickly adapted to Xu Yang's aggressive personality and, without further hesitation, soared into the sky. Its massive, hundreds-of-meters-long body, which seemed to blot out the sun, surged towards Xu Yang's location.

Xu Yang's figure vanished instantly from his spot. In the place where he had just stood, dozens of afterimages of his physical form remained, and before each afterimage, an incredibly powerful Jade Bone Divine Sword aura materialized!

Dozens of sword auras simultaneously struck the giant snake.

Boom!

A powerful burst of energy quickly erupted. Although the great snake was not harmed by Xu Yang's attack, the sheer suppressive force Xu Yang had casually unleashed caused it to tremble deeply.

"Boy, your strength is indeed extraordinary. Can you tell me which faction you've joined?"

Xu Yang chuckled and shook his head. "I'm still observing. To be honest, my companion and I have just entered the Western Regions, and we're not very familiar with the territorial disputes here. That's why I'm considering recruiting a powerful ally like you to form a truly invincible team and sweep across the entire Western Regions!"

"Hahaha, if you have such an ambition, then there's no need to fight anymore. I'll join your team!"

Xu Yang and Ling Yao exchanged bewildered glances.

"Holy cow, I can't believe there's such a perk in this Great Spirit Beast Forest!"

Ling Yao was stunned on the spot. She truly hadn't expected to gain a top-tier spirit beast like the Titan Devouring Python as a new companion so easily.

Just as the two were immersed in their joy, the Titan Devouring Python leisurely continued, "Of course, there's no need to fight, but I do have one more condition."

The smiles on Xu Yang and Ling Yao's faces immediately froze. With drooping eyelids, they stared at the Titan Devouring Python, which had gone back on its word.

"Stinky snake, you'd better think carefully before you speak. If your condition makes me very dissatisfied, I won't hesitate to give you a good beating." Xu Yang decisively warned the other party, preventing them from trying to exploit them.

"You two might not know this, but currently, in the entire Western Regions, apart from the Imperial Combat Groups established under the Central Imperial Clan's Law Enforcement Hall, there are four other extremely powerful combat groups. Among these four, the Imperial Soul Combat Group boasts the greatest overall strength and the most profound heritage.

It's said that this faction has more than one mysterious expert whose spiritual power has reached the Purple tier.

And the reason I've been hiding in the Great Spirit Beast Forest all these years is to escape the Imperial Soul Combat Group's pursuit. Since you two have become my companions, you naturally have to share the burden I've been carrying and relieve some of my pressure."

Xu Yang was incredibly astute. After pondering for a moment, he gave the great snake a deep look, sensing that it was trying to trick them.

"Confess, how exactly did you offend the Imperial Soul Combat Group? With your strength, even a Purple-tier spirit cultivator probably wouldn't dare attack you lightly. Is this faction merely coveting your power?"

The Devouring Python chuckled. "To be honest, back then, in order to break through to the Purple tier, I snuck into the Imperial Soul Treasury, which is said to have the richest spiritual essence reserves in the entire Western Regions – essentially, the Imperial Soul Combat Group's private treasure vault. I had a delightful feast of spiritual essence.

Oh man, it was like 'three years without business, one business for three years'! Ever since that meal, I've spent nearly a hundred years digesting the spiritual essence within me, and I've only managed to process less than a tenth of the spiritual reserves I consumed that day."

Xu Yang and Ling Yao exchanged glances, both scoffing at the creature's greedy nature.

"So, you emptied their entire treasury, and that's why they're hunting you down?"

The Devouring Python snorted. "Then you're greatly underestimating the Imperial Soul Secret Treasury's reserves! My meal back then only consumed about a tenth of their treasure. I had planned to continue eating, but their people discovered me, so I was forced to leave. Because of this, I was relentlessly pursued for three years by the Imperial Soul Combat Group's top battle commander. In the end, out of desperation, I hid in this Great Spirit Beast Forest. This isn't even my original dwelling place."

Xu Yang looked at the great snake with a half-smile. "So, you're joining our side simply to use our strength to help you get rid of the Imperial Soul Combat Group, right? You stinky snake are quite the schemer. We've just entered the Western Regions, and you're already bringing us the biggest adversary!"

The great snake, however, chuckled indifferently. "This is called 'each getting what they need.' Besides, you two won't lose out. Although I don't know much about you both, seeing your strength and foundation, I believe you are certainly not ordinary.

After all, you two also have unknown secrets regarding your journey to the Western Regions.

Furthermore, I'll act as an enforcer in your future endeavors, which is undoubtedly a very worthwhile investment for you.

Moreover, I've lived in the Western Regions for thousands of years. Many secrets you're unaware of won't escape my judgment. Don't you think a member who serves as both a guide and an enforcer is very important to you?"

Xu Yang snorted, clapped his hands, and stood up. "No need to try to brainwash me. Your little schemes are mere child's play to us. I'll help you deal with the Imperial Soul Combat Group. Now, come with us and lead the way directly."

The Devouring Python looked genuinely bewildered by Xu Yang's words. "Lead the way? Lead to where? You haven't even told me where you're going!"

"To the Imperial Soul Combat Group, of course! I don't like to procrastinate. Since you already have a clear objective, let's head straight there. What are we waiting for?"

The great snake couldn't even believe its ears. "Just the two of you, charging head-on towards the Imperial Soul Combat Group? Are you serious?

You must understand that the entire Imperial Soul Combat Group controls thousands of spirit cultivator teams. No matter how powerful you two are, it's absolutely impossible to face thousands of spirit cultivator teams simultaneously!

The Western Regions are completely different from the other major regions. Here, no powerful cultivator chooses to act alone. Whether it's for missions or daily life, team members always stick together. And the strength of a team is by no means simply the sum of its individual members' numbers."