"No!"
Green Python's attack showed no mercy. The might behind her terrifying energy-infused fist had at least reached the level of a high-tier Xuan Class Dou Technique.
Gritting her silver teeth, Lv Yi's palm surged with Dou Qi as she summoned thick vines from the ground to form a wooden wall before her.
The next moment, that colossal green fist—wrapped in glowing energy and trailing a fierce howl of wind—smashed against the wooden wall. The barrier, which had just formed, shattered with a deafening crack, erupting into a sky full of wood fragments.
Boom!
With a thunderous blast, the wall was punched clean through, forming a massive hole. Although the green fist dimmed slightly, it still surged forward in the direction of Lv Yi and Lin Ran.
"Such terrifying power… how is this possible?!"
Lv Yi's pupils shrank. Her defense was completely unable to withstand Green Python's Dou Technique. As a newly advanced Duo Huang, she was clearly no match for Green Python, who had lingered at the Dou Huang realm for years.
Faced with the approaching fist and the crushing force it carried, Lv Yi's hands flashed with seals. Her right hand abruptly extended, pressing forward with all her strength. Dou Qi surged from her body as she tried to block the blow.
At the moment of impact, the collision of Dou Qi erupted like boiling water brought to a violent boil. Everything nearby was flung away. The resulting energy blast sounded like thunder—like the wrath of a thunder god—shaking every heart in Stone Desert City with fear and trembling.
The shockwave's wind howled.
The members of the Moti Mercenary Company, being the closest, were immediately struck by the backlash. All of them were thrown into the air, vomiting blood as they crashed to the ground.
Lv Yi bore the brunt of the impact. She used all her Dou Qi to withstand the shockwave, but within that burst of power, a concealed surge of Dou Qi shot forward and struck her squarely in the body. Her face turned pale, and she coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"A mere one-star Duo Huang dares to think she can defy the heavens?"
Green Python's cold voice echoed through the dust. She swept her arm, unleashing countless dark green energy threads that whipped through the air, screaming like blades through flesh.
The swarm of energy threads transformed into razor-sharp vines that swept in like a tsunami, allowing no escape.
Clearly, Green Python no longer cared that Lv Yi was also part of the Sky Serpent Sect.
If she had chosen to stand with Lin Ran, then she could die alongside him.
For the sake of the Green Snake Three Flower Pupils, for the glory of the Sky Serpent Sect—a mere Duo Huang was a price worth paying.
Worth it!
Green Python swung her arm again. The storm of vines twisted bizarrely in midair, tangling into a massive vine sphere that enveloped both Lin Ran and Lv Yi within it.
"Die!"
Green Python sneered cruelly, a vicious glint in her eyes. She clenched her hand. Dark green energy condensed into a razor-sharp wooden spear.
With a sharp flick of her arm, the spear tore through the air like lightning, its force enough to pierce mountains, as it shot straight toward the vine sphere.
"Forgive me..."
Lv Yi, pale and bloodstained, gave a bitter smile. "Lord Lin Ran, I didn't think the Sky Serpent Sect's internal affairs would end up dragging you into this."
"You should have stood with her, killed me—an outsider—and washed your hands of this."
Lin Ran gazed at her pallid face, a faint smile playing at his lips. "Investing in a sixth-rank Alchemist is a good idea. But if you have to wager your future—your life—that's a bad deal."
"I didn't expect Green Python to be this ruthless…" Lv Yi laughed wryly, shaking her head. "My lord, you should go now. She's already resolved to kill. If you stay any longer, I fear you won't be able to leave at all."
"Please don't blame Green Python or the Sky Serpent Sect. The Green Snake Three Flower Pupils are far too important to us. If I were her, I might have done the same."
"You're a bit like Hai Bodong," Lin Ran said with a light chuckle. Just as Lv Yi stared at him in shock, he stepped forward.
A vast and majestic aura erupted from his body, like a slumbering dragon awakening, enveloping the entire Stone Desert City in an instant.
"This pressure…!"
Lv Yi's beautiful eyes widened as she stared at Lin Ran in shock. In the sky above, Green Python also sensed something amiss. Her expression changed dramatically the instant his aura exploded.
"Impossible… this pressure… even our Sect Leader is only about this strong… how can this be…?"
"Could it be… that this sixth-rank Alchemist brought a Dou Zong expert with him?!"
Green Python's expression twisted—ruthlessness flaring in her eyes.
Forget it! Kill him first!
Her Dou Qi surged, and the raging vines became even more intense. But at the same time, Lin Ran's rising aura only grew stronger and stronger.
Then, with a shattering crack, the vine cage exploded. Under the stunned gazes of countless onlookers, a figure emerged from the debris. He stepped into the air and walked calmly toward Green Python.
No Dou Qi wings.
But each step he took through the air created visible ripples—like raindrops on still water. With each step, the ripples vanished, and he appeared a hundred meters ahead. It was an incomprehensible and terrifying technique.
In just a few steps, he appeared directly in front of Green Python.
"V–Void Stride?!"
Green Python's expression changed drastically. She stared at the youthful, handsome figure before her, and despite all disbelief, she could only let out a shocked cry.
"You're… not only a sixth-rank Alchemist, but also… a Dou Zong?!"
If he were just an Alchemist, even a sixth-rank one, Green Python wouldn't fear him. Alchemists, while rare and revered, were not combatants. Their strength was limited in battle.
But now—Lin Ran wasn't just a sixth-rank Alchemist.
He was also a Dou Zong.
This… was ridiculous!
She had thought Lin Ran was just like Dan King Gu He—a Dou Wang.
But this man was a Dou Zong.
Above the Dou Huang realm, cultivators could borrow power from the world. Each step beyond that realm brought a qualitative leap. A Dou Huang could crush a Dou Wang.
So what could a Dou Zong do to a Dou Huang?
Run!
Green Python didn't hesitate for even half a breath. The moment she saw Lin Ran's Void Stride, all her killing intent evaporated. All that remained was the primal instinct to flee.
She launched several palm strikes at Lin Ran, then surged with Dou Qi and turned to flee, shooting into the sky as a beam of green light.
The mighty Dou Qi she released struck Lin Ran's body—but it was effortlessly blocked by a layer of crimson-gold Dou Qi.
Watching Green Python flee across the sky, Lin Ran raised his right hand and clenched his fingers toward her path.
Buzz… BOOM!
The seemingly calm sky let out a dull roar. Moments later, a figure dropped from the heavens like a bird with broken wings—falling powerlessly to the earth below.
Who else could it be but the fleeing Green Python?
(End of Chapter)