The Heavenly Tribulation that had been slowly dissipating suddenly showed signs of re-condensing, startling both Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing.
Neither of them had expected the tribulation to be unfinished. Because of Xiao Yifeng's attempt to save the giant snake, the heavenly lightning began to gather once more. However, owing to the black snake's extreme weakness, this renewed strike was not particularly strong-though that was only by comparison.
Seeing the lingering tribulation lightning gather anew, Xiao Yifeng had no choice but to hurry, pouring the divine wood's energy into the giant snake's body. The divine wood had very little energy remaining to begin with, and it was completely drained in moments.
The black snake's eyes gradually regained their luster. Its pair of golden pupils gave Xiao Yifeng a complex look before leaving his palm.
It then burrowed straight into the giant turtle's corpse, frantically absorbing the turtle's origin essence from within. This was far faster than Xiao Yifeng's transfer.
In a short while, it absorbed every last drop of origin essence from the turtle. With its aura surging, it burst out from the corpse, soaring into the sky and letting out a tremendous roar toward the tribulation clouds above. A piercing screech echoed across the entire sea area.
As the heavenly thunder descended, the giant snake lunged straight toward the falling lightning. Like a moth flying into a flame, its life met its end in a single moment of brilliant radiance.
Scales flew everywhere as the charred, black body of the giant snake crashed down from the sky, remaining entirely motionless. The tribulation clouds above finally dispersed completely.
Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing quickly rushed over to the black snake. Upon carefully examining its aura, they found no signs of life. It appeared to have perished under the Heavenly Tribulation.
Xiao Yifeng felt an indescribable emotion. He thought he was saving its life, but had instead brought about its demise.
If not for his unnecessary intervention, perhaps the black snake could have continued to lie low in its original spot without drawing the heavenly lightning's attention again. It was all because he had been too hasty, causing the black snake to draw the sky's wrath once more.
Before he could dwell on his grief, a loud cry echoed from the distance. Hearing the snake's roar and the rumble of thunder, the giant eagle had unexpectedly turned back.
The giant eagle's feathers were charred black and stained with blood, with many patches completely bald, devoid of its previous divine majesty.
Presumably, in his previous life, after the eagle carried away the lightning, it never returned, allowing the Profound Frost Ice Python to survive. But this time, due to a twist of fate, Xiao Yifeng had awakened the black snake, forcing it to face the final strike while also luring the eagle back.
The giant eagle swept through the air, circled around, and quickly noticed Xiao Yifeng, the lifeless giant snake on the ground, and the charred, withered trunk of the divine wood.
A flash of violent fury appeared in its eyes, and it swooped toward the two of them.
Xiao Yifeng hastily threw the Coiling Dragon Jade Pendant to Su Miaoqing and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Which Senior Brother or Senior Uncle is watching over us in secret? Help! If you don't act now, Senior Sister Qing'er will be hurt!"
Su Miaoqing widened her eyes in astonishment.
As soon as Xiao Yifeng's words fell, a weathered male voice sounded nearby. "Little Feng, you really are clever! How did you guess I was here?"
The two turned to look and saw Second Senior Brother Lingxu standing not far away, holding a snow-white whisk. He looked calmly at the giant eagle circling in mid-air, a faint aura wavering around him.
The giant eagle had just fought both the Heavenly Tribulation and the giant turtle, leaving it covered in wounds and its aura severely weakened. In contrast, Lingxu had yet to strike, his breath steady and full.
The giant eagle shot him a wary look, not daring to linger. Spreading its wings, it vanished into the distant sky.
Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing let out a long breath and turned to look at Lingxu, who had instantly appeared beside them.
Lingxu gave a bitter smile. "Junior Brother Yifeng, Junior Sister Qing'er, you two are truly bold. Daring to interfere in a battle between peak Nascent Soul Demon Beasts-even I didn't dare make a sound."
"Senior Brother Lingxu, why are you here?" Su Miaoqing asked in bewilderment.
Lingxu and Xiao Yifeng exchanged a glance before Lingxu asked first, "Junior Brother Yifeng, how did you know I was nearby? I am certain I concealed my aura."
"It was only a guess," Xiao Yifeng replied. "If I had descended the mountain alone, no one would need to protect me. But since Senior Sister Qing'er came along, I figured Master and Mistress would arrange for a Senior Brother or elder to ensure our safety. I simply didn't know who was sent."
"You are truly clever, Junior Brother Yifeng. No wonder Master and Mistress regard you so highly. Brave and resourceful at such a young age," Lingxu said. "However, do not take such risks next time! Had you guessed wrong, there would be no second chance."
Xiao Yifeng nodded obediently. "Understood, Senior Brother. Senior Brother, look at the remaining root of the divine wood and this massive beast corpse. I believe taking them back to our hall will prove useful. Please send them back to the sect."
Lingxu looked solemnly at the massive root of the divine wood and laughed heartily.
"You are quite right. Although half of this divine wood has been destroyed, its foundation lies in its root. As long as the root remains, it can be revived, though there is no time to waste. As for this giant turtle shell, it is an unexpected harvest."
Xiao Yifeng nodded. "Then please take them back for treatment as soon as possible, Senior Brother. Though the turtle shell is damaged, re-refining it should produce a fine body-nourishing Dharma Treasure. As for this black snake..."
At this point, his expression dimmed.
Lingxu followed his gaze, suddenly letting out a soft sound of surprise. "I did not expect this Demon Beast to actually succeed in its Tribulation Transcendence. Life emerging from withered wood!"
"What?" Both Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing exclaimed.
Lingxu stroked his long beard and sighed deeply. "What incredible Providence. Very well, let me assist you in forging a good karmic tie."
With a flick of his fingers, a strand of glowing green light fell upon the black snake.
In an instant, the massive black body turned to ash before their eyes, leaving behind a fist-sized snake egg. The egg was covered in intricate, mysterious, and beautiful patterns.
The small snake egg began to rock gently, hairline fractures spreading across its surface until a tiny white snake crawled out from within.
After breaking free, the small white snake quickly devoured every bit of its eggshell and fluid. Only then did it raise its tiny head to look at the three of them.
On its head grew two tiny horn-like nubs resembling dragon horns. Its eyes were silver-white, completely different from the Profound Frost Ice Python Xiao Yifeng had known in his past life.
Yet it made sense upon further thought. The Profound Frost Ice Python of his past life was a reborn form after failing its tribulation, whereas this snake had succeeded, achieving a true rebirth through nirvana.
The small snake swept its cold gaze across the trio before fixing upon Xiao Yifeng. With a soft swoosh, it shot toward him at breathtaking speed, startling them all as it bit down hard on Xiao Yifeng's hand.
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