Chapter 439: Eroding Shadow Python, Extreme Shadow Dragon King

“Reckless fool!”

He criticized him mentally.

As a newcomer, Wang Yu learned about the actual situation solely from the Yin-Gui Demon Lord, and naturally, he wouldn't fully believe it. If he had known more details, he certainly would have stopped the man’s actions.

As expected.

As the explosion of the Gui Water Dark Lightning subsided, two blood-red light spots, glowing like lanterns, suddenly lit up within the towering, viscous lightning field.

Wang Yu slowly turned his head.

“Fellow Daoist, please take care of the trouble you’ve caused yourself.”

The Yin-Gui Demon Lord’s expression was unnatural. His senses told him that the three individuals’ life auras had not extinguished; they had clearly used special methods to transfer his control spell. Now, being disdained by a fellow cultivator, where could he put his face as a Demon Lord? He couldn’t help but let out a cold snort.

“I, a dignified Essence Soul Realm cultivator at the peak of the sixth level, will naturally resolve this minor issue!”

“—Go ahead.”

Wang Yu adopted an expectant posture, stepping back slightly to give him space.

A grating sound echoed.

The sound of raised scales scraping against stone slabs echoed. In the distant darkness, a colossal creature gradually revealed its true form under the illumination of the siren lamps.

“A Corrosive Yin Python!”

More than a hundred meters long, its python body, thicker than a water vat, was agitated, its scales flaring out. Its hard scales scraped into the stone slabs like blades, causing sparks to fly occasionally.

This was an ancient beast of water and yin attributes recorded in ancient texts. It followed the path of physical body apotheosis for demonic beasts. At the fourth tier, it would not shapeshift, relying on brute physical strength to dominate. Its history was even older than that of human body refiners.

Moreover, it was naturally unintelligent, consuming raw meat and blood like a wild beast. It was precisely this low intelligence that granted them lifespans far exceeding those of regular demonic beasts, almost measured in tens of thousands of years.

The Corrosive Yin Python’s racial talent was called 'Sleeping Serpent'. Provided with enough energy, it could continuously evolve in its slumber. In ancient times, it was highly sought after and a popular choice for tomb-guarding beasts. Such species no longer existed in the current cultivation world. No one knew how long this creature had been dormant, but its strength had definitely reached the Essence Soul stage, and it was certainly not an initial-stage Essence Soul. Whether the Yin-Gui Demon Lord could deal with it was still an unknown.

Since this place contained the Heavenly Yin Water Pool, a location brimming with countless Heavenly Yin spiritual energies, it was perfectly suited as a Corrosive Yin Python's lair. Wang Yu couldn't help but look at the spot where the Gui Water Dark Lightning had been triggered. If the Heavenly Yin Water Pool truly was within this underground palace, that spot was the most probable location. However, the presence of the Corrosive Yin Python meant that the Heavenly Yin Divine Pearl had likely been devoured by it. Its slumber required massive amounts of Heavenly Yin spiritual energy, and nothing was more abundant than the energy within the Divine Pearl.

Thus, Wang Yu didn't immediately move; instead, he observed the battle between the Yin-Gui Demon Lord and the Corrosive Yin Python. This individual truly lived up to his reputation as the long-established ancestor of the Gui Water Demonic Palace. His mastery of the Gui Water Dark Lightning was exquisite, almost instantly transforming the underground palace into a quagmire of watery lightning. Although the Corrosive Yin Python's physical strength was immense, it lacked the ability for varied divine powers. Its abilities were singular; as long as one wasn't struck by its tail at close range, it was actually quite manageable, given that human cultivators were known for their diverse techniques and reliance on external items.

The Corrosive Yin Python was deeply mired in the black lightning-infused mud, hissing continuously. As it struggled with immense brute force, the splashing lightning mud could corrode large pits into the black jade stone, yet it couldn't harm its scales. The Yin-Gui Demon Lord frowned, holding aloft a black jade glazed lamp, which was his natal magic treasure, the Dark Lightning Jade Lamp. Its effect was remarkably simple and brutal. The dark lightning liquid stored within it was power he had continuously accumulated over time, allowing his water-lightning divine abilities to surge in might for a short period when used. As he poured out a single drop, the Gui Water Dark Lightning suddenly erupted with a potent force capable of eroding souls and bones, and the Corrosive Yin Python's struggles immediately weakened considerably.

The Yin-Gui Demon Lord suddenly spoke. “Something’s wrong. The Corrosive Yin Python seems to have been severely injured. There’s a very long wound on its back, from head to tail…”

—Boom!

The Corrosive Yin Python’s massive tail arced high and slammed down, actually carving a huge crater into the lightning-infused mud. Its terrifying brute force caused the liquid lightning to splash everywhere. Like a boulder crashing into water, the brief impact created a momentary void in the center. The Corrosive Yin Python leaped up, and two gray beams of light shot out from its red-glowing snake eyes. Wherever they passed, ice shards splattered, somewhat resembling Ice Soul Divine Light, and their effects were similar. This icy path further prevented the watery lightning from closing in. Seizing this opportune moment, the Corrosive Yin Python suddenly swam forward and slammed into the Yin-Gui Demon Lord. A flash of dark demonic light appeared, and at the crucial moment, the Yin-Gui Demon Lord conjured a water banner. The light shield released by the magic treasure helped him block the attack.

The battle entered a heated phase.

Not far away, Wang Yu rubbed the ring on his hand. His divine sense, at the peak of the middle Essence Soul stage, had already infiltrated the Corrosive Yin Python's body. This was one of the advanced divine sense techniques of the ancient Heavenly Soul Sect. It was a minor trick used to detect whether other divine thoughts existed within an opponent's body, but sometimes it could also be used to probe the reality of a place. In his perception, the Corrosive Yin Python's body was filled with vast, surging energy. This was abnormal.

Where were the flesh and blood? The bones? The meridians? This was not the structure a normal creature should possess; it was like a mass of energy draped in a skin. He couldn't help but recall the Yin-Gui Demon Lord's exclamation from moments ago. A bizarre conjecture entered his mind, sending shivers down his spine. That was... the Corrosive Yin Python before him wasn't a real ancient beast, but rather a layer of skin... a python shedding?

Then what about the true Corrosive Yin Python? Was it secretly manipulating this skin? With the intelligence of an ancient beast, it shouldn't possess such cunning. Countless questions surfaced, and Wang Yu grew increasingly vigilant. The geomancy compass in his hand began to connect with the local layout, allowing him to escape using this geomantic formation at a critical moment.

“Fellow Daoist, please lend a hand!”

Suddenly, the Yin-Gui Demon Lord shouted loudly, disregarding his dignity. Due to an initial misjudgment, he had been pinned by the Corrosive Yin Python's shed skin and couldn't break free for a while.

Wang Yu was about to act, but his expression suddenly turned cold.

“Fellow Daoist, stop feigning. If you can't handle a mere layer of python shedding, then your cultivation at the peak of the middle Essence Soul stage is in vain.”

This brute seemed reckless, but was actually extremely meticulous. He could still argue that being schemed against by three Core Formation cultivators was due to carelessness, but he had no choice but to cooperate with Wang Yu later, and thus harbored intentions of testing him. Mainly, Wang Yu's secret art for concealing his aura was too effective. Being unable to ascertain his exact cultivation made him uneasy, naturally leading to the testing strategy of claiming he 'couldn't win' and asking for help. It was also fortunate that he reacted in time. Otherwise, if they truly reached the Heavenly Yin Water Pool, the two would undoubtedly have a fight. After all, it's common sense that an early-stage cultivator cannot defeat a mid-stage one. Wang Yu had placed himself on an equal footing, but the other party might not see it that way.

With his intentions exposed, the Yin-Gui Demon Lord's expression remained unchanged. The power of his Gui Water Dark Lightning suddenly surged, splitting the Corrosive Yin Python's shed skin into the viscous lightning pool, and the massive beast body instantly shriveled. With him going all out, this was the true strength of a peak middle Essence Soul cultivator. Based on his feeling, Wang Yu estimated it was roughly equivalent to his full-power Blood Slaughtering Heart Sword. With his magic treasure and dharma intent, he should be able to gain an advantage over him.

The dark lightning formed a hand, taking the Corrosive Yin Python's shed skin. The Yin-Gui Demon Lord acted as if nothing had happened.

“Fellow Daoist, the true body of this shedding demonic beast is still lurking and observing in the dark. Do you have any clues?”

Wang Yu stared at the skin and said, “The Corrosive Yin Python, commonly favored by ancient cultivators as a tomb-guarding beast, can transform into a flood dragon, called a Corrosive Yin Flood Dragon Beast, if it sheds its skin three times. If it sheds its skin nine times, it can transform from a flood dragon into a true dragon, also known as the Extreme Yin Dragon King!”

The Yin-Gui Demon Lord paused, his expression serious, and said, “A true dragon?”

“I don't know. The 'dragon' mentioned in geomantic arts is not the same as the true spirit bloodline commonly understood in the cultivation world. If it were truly that easy to achieve, there would be no need to use this python shedding to test it.”

While that was true, hearing such a domineering name as 'Extreme Yin Dragon King' still made the Yin-Gui Demon Lord hesitate. He tentatively said, “Then, shall I give this python shedding to Fellow Daoist as an apology for the earlier test?”

“Thank you.” Wang Yu immediately 'snatched' the python skin into his hand.

Although the Corrosive Yin Python shed its skin many times, this particular one was definitely the last shedding. This judgment could be made based on its freshness and the strength of the Corrosive Yin Python itself. This treasure could be used to enhance his Tier-4 magic robe, 'Three Feet of Snow'. It was a rare treasure, quite valuable in the right hands, and perfectly suited for a round of enhancement using the Demonic Artifact Refinement Art. He had nothing else in abundance except for high-grade demonic corpses.

Seeing him 'gladly' accept, the corner of Yin Gui's eye twitched slightly, and he continued, “Fellow Daoist, do you have a way to deal with this Extreme Yin Dragon King?”

Having received a gift, he felt obligated. Since the question had been posed, Wang Yu did have some ideas.

“I can roughly guess one or two methods used by those three geomancers. Since this place was arranged by the Ancestor of Geomancy Masters and left with tomb-guarding beasts, it proves that there might be a tomb chamber within the so-called Heavenly Yin Water Pool. Fellow Daoist, do you have any other information?”

“Tomb chamber... within the Heavenly Yin Water Pool...” Yin Gui repeated like a broken record, then recalled ancient records stating that each of the four cardinal capitals (East, West, South, North) had a Heavenly Yin Water Pool. His heart skipped a beat. “Could it be... an Imperial Tomb?”

Wang Yu was similarly stirred, but quickly shook his head and said, “I don't know what information Fellow Daoist is basing that judgment on, but it's impossible.” Since the end of the ancient Immortal Dynasty era, the Ice Prison Realm had not seen the rise of a second Immortal Dynasty, precisely because the cultivation of the first Ancient Human Emperor was unrivaled. And when the strongest individual is not within the Immortal Dynasty, its rule will naturally be overthrown. Wang Yu had some conjectures about the Immortal Dynasty system. If it truly were an Imperial Tomb, it could only be a false one, designed to trick those unscrupulous grave robbers, or a concubine's tomb used for geomantic burial. What emperor is buried in the capital city! It didn't make logical sense. Furthermore, according to his judgment, the geomantic formation here was a human-arranged formation mimicking a natural earth formation, known as the 'Four Rivers Heavenly Yin Formation'! Therefore, when Yin Gui mentioned the Heavenly Yin Divine Pearl earlier, Wang Yu immediately believed him sixty percent. He trusted his judgment.

As for what to do now, the Extreme Yin Dragon King was lurking in the shadows, eyeing them covetously. Wang Yu was more interested in the Water Orders held by the three geomancers.

“How about we first find those three hidden rats, Fellow Daoist? What do you think?”

“Exactly my thought!”

Upon hearing this, the other party readily agreed. Since that was the case, Wang Yu stopped holding back. The so-called Four Rivers Heavenly Yin Formation would undoubtedly have four hidden waterways, providing a continuous flow of water and yin energy to the so-called Heavenly Yin Water Pool. There weren't many places to hide in the underground palace, and these four waterways were good hiding spots, though there was also a chance of encountering the Extreme Yin Dragon King within them.

Wang Yu twisted his geomancy compass, and the astrolabe on it emitted a guiding starlight.

“Fellow Daoist, please lead the way.”

“Certainly.”

Meanwhile, in the four courtyards on the surface of the underground palace, seventeen or eighteen geomancy masters were attracted by the shining Water Virtue Star emanating from the Water Order and rushed to the location. Solo geomancy masters generally possessed Essence Soul cultivation. Those traveling in groups, or with cultivators of outstanding combat strength, were mostly at the Core Formation stage, with the total number exceeding thirty. When these people appeared around the four courtyards, they immediately realized they were all fellow cultivators drawn by the Water Order, and they couldn't help but exchange glances. They looked at each other. Among them were even many acquaintances, who greeted each other.

“Brother Lu.”

“Virtuous Brother Gao.”

“Senior Brother Chen, did you also come for the Water Virtue Star?”

“Indeed. I didn’t expect such a treasure related to geomancers to be in the outer district of East Pole Capital. Do you think... a fellow cultivator might have done this on purpose?”

While some exchanged pleasantries, others were impatient.

“Since we’re already here, what’s there to discuss? Once I break this damned illusion formation and go inside, I’ll know the truth.”

This was a hot-tempered Essence Soul geomancy master who traveled alone. He immediately took action. Twisting his geomancy compass, a golden-patterned geomantic array spread out from it, directly dispelling the multiple geomantic formations in the area.

Consequently, the four courtyards vanished like illusions in the wind, leaving behind an underground cavity with deep pits corroded by dark lightning. Someone in the crowd exclaimed in surprise, “These are traces of the Gui Water Dark Lightning's divine ability. That person has been here, about half an hour before us.”

“Let’s go down and see.”

The crowd jumped into the deep pit one after another and soon arrived in the underground palace. The remaining battle traces here were even more exaggerated, and Wang Yu was not the only one who could discern the Four Rivers Heavenly Yin Formation. Soon, someone pointed out the key: the four waterways!

Wang Yu had anticipated the arrival of latecomers, which was why he wanted to first capture the three Core Formation geomancers and get the Water Orders, no matter what. He wanted to eliminate the Water Virtue Star that was attracting more people.

At this moment, he and Yin Gui were in one of the waterways. This place was square, like a tomb passage, with water reaching above their chests and about two meters of dry space above. Yin Gui led the way. He closed his eyes and sensed for a moment, then shook his head, “Those three are not in this waterway.”

“Not here?” Wang Yu frowned slightly. This was the fourth waterway they had searched, and the previous three had yielded no traces. Logically, this should have been the last one.

“Wait a moment.” Wang Yu pressed his palms together, his divine sense transforming into threads, combined with the 'Ten Thousand Mile Trace Manifestation' secret art, meticulously searching every inch of space.

After about a third of an incense stick's time, his eyes suddenly widened.

“—It’s here!”

“Who?” Yin Gui instinctively asked, then quickly realized that whatever could make Wang Yu's expression drastically change couldn't be three Core Formation ants. It could only be... the Extreme Yin Dragon King!

Splash!

Water splashed everywhere as a tiny, astonishing snake leaped out. It was no more than a meter long and thinner than an adult's thumb. Its entire body was covered in glossy black scales, and it possessed a dragon's head. Aside from the antlers being replaced by small black spiraling horns, it looked exactly like a legendary true dragon.

The tiny Extreme Yin Dragon King, formed from dark lightning, shot out like an arrow from a bowstring, instantly piercing through the lightning-infused mud and then straight through the Yin-Gui Demon Lord's glabella. A considerable amount of brain matter splattered out.

Wang Yu: “...”