The terrifying pressure of a Duo Huang expert was undeniable. That overwhelming aura instantly roused everyone in the Moti Mercenary Company, suffocating them beneath its sheer might. Countless individuals looked toward the source of the surging pressure with curiosity, but none dared investigate too closely—only casting shocked glances in that direction. 'Since when did our Stone Desert City have such a terrifying expert?!'
"Why is Green Python's aura being released so brazenly? Isn't she afraid of being discovered by the strong from the Jia Ma Empire? Or… could she have encountered a formidable foe?" In the skies above Stone Desert City, Lv Yi—who had been observing the surroundings—suddenly sensed something. Her expression shifted dramatically. That aura! There could be no mistake! Though her time spent with that person had not been long, his unique and powerful presence—domineering, blazing, and commanding reverence—was unforgettable. But how could his aura be appearing in Stone Desert City right now?
True, the flying magical beast was indeed headed for this city, but she had departed in advance to meet with Green Python and White Fang. By her estimate, Lin Ran and the others should still be at least a day away from arriving. Unless… A sudden realization caused Lv Yi's face to pale. Her azure Dou Qi wings flared wide, and she turned into a streak of light, shooting straight toward the center of that overwhelming pressure.
"I am from the Sky Serpent Sect. Surely, you have heard of our name. To oppose my Sky Serpent Sect over a mere girl… I fear that is not a wise decision." Green Python radiated a terrifying aura. Glancing at the unconscious Qing Lin in her arms, she said in a grave tone, "Let us both leave and end things here. What do you say?"
Lin Ran remained silent. But his indifferent gaze and the Dou Qi surging around him caused Green Python's expression to darken. Clearly, there would be no negotiating. In that case…
"Wood Splitting Thorn Wall!" Green Python's hands suddenly formed seals. Her emerald Dou Qi surged from her body and resonated with the earth below. The ground trembled, and massive tree roots burst forth, transforming into countless sharp wooden thorns that shot toward Lin Ran. At the level of a Duo Huang, one could utilize their Dou Qi to resonate with the energy of the world, harnessing and manipulating it to unleash power of unimaginable magnitude. This was why Duo Huang experts possessed such terrifying destructive capability. For Dou Practitioners, cultivating the body was the first step. Once the body reached its peak, the Dou Qi within could resonate with like elements in the world and be controlled. Almost all Dou Practitioners dreamed of reaching this realm. Before this stage, no matter how powerful one might be, human strength had limits. But to control the power of the world—to face armies alone—was no illusion. It was said that at the Dou Zong or Dou Sheng levels, a wave of the hand could bring about earthquakes and tsunamis, a mere thought could summon heaven's thunder and earth's fire to reduce armies to ash.
The tightly packed wooden thorns merged together, several meters long and sharp like venomous snakes. Should these thorns strike, even if one's body weren't pierced through, they would be torn apart. "For someone your age to reach sixth-rank Alchemist is indeed extraordinary. Across the entire Northwest Continent, few can match such talent," Green Python said with a smile. "But an Alchemist is still just an Alchemist. Compared to a true powerhouse, your combat strength simply doesn't measure up."
She couldn't discern Lin Ran's exact cultivation level—only assuming that he had some treasure concealing his aura. After all, Alchemists always possessed frightening resources. 'What, you think the reason I can't sense his strength is because he's stronger than me? That's impossible!'
As the wooden thorns surged forward, Lin Ran's expression remained unchanged. He stood unmoving. In Green Python's eyes, this looked like he had been frightened stiff. "Then die here!" she spat. "Even if killing you brings a thousand enemies to my door, I'll endure it. With the Green Snake Three Flower Pupils, the Sky Serpent Sect will rise to true supremacy!"
A ruthless glint flashed in her eyes. But just as the thorns were about to strike Lin Ran, a streak of green light suddenly blocked his path. Countless vines burst from the earth, colliding head-on with the oncoming thorns in a massive explosion of wood and splinters.
"What?!" Green Python's face fell. Seeing who had intervened, her expression turned to fury. "Lv Yi, do you want to die?!"
"Green Python, stop! We cannot make an enemy of Lord Lin Ran!" Lv Yi cried out in panic. Green Python might not understand Lin Ran's background, but how could Lv Yi not know? Even if all she had were his own claims, his sixth-rank Alchemist identity was absolutely real. To produce such a young sixth-rank Alchemist, even if his backers weren't as absurd as he claimed, they certainly weren't ordinary. A teacher capable of stealing a Heaven-ranked Cauldron from an eighth-rank Alchemist. A sixth-rank Alchemist certified by the Pill Tower in Central Plains… A background like that—if they became enemies—it could spell the doom of the entire Sky Serpent Sect!
"Lord Lin Ran, huh?" Green Python sneered. "So one little sixth-rank pill and you're this entranced, Lv Yi? I'll tell you what—this girl and her Green Snake Three Flower Pupils must belong to the Sky Serpent Sect!" She gestured toward the unconscious Qing Lin. "Look carefully. She is young, her mind not yet mature, and she hasn't even begun cultivating Dou Qi. If we guide her properly, she will be our most powerful weapon—our future leader who will lead us to glory and dominance!"
"Now, either get out of my way…" Her voice was like a blade, sharp and cold, the full weight of her seven-star Duo Huang aura bearing down and turning Lv Yi's face deathly pale. "Or… die with this boy."
With a snarl, Green Python thrust her palm forward. Instantly, emerald light erupted into the sky. From the ground, countless green vines emerged, twisting and intertwining in a bizarre, unnatural fashion. In just seconds, they coiled together into a massive green fist, four to five zhang in size, surging with unstoppable force toward where Lin Ran and Lv Yi stood.
(End of Chapter)