CHAPTER 969: CHAPTER 969: WHAT IS THIS STRANGE THING?

Cheng Lingdang didn’t understand why Shen Huan was bringing up social news at this moment, so she immediately asked.

"What social news?"

Shen Huan expressed complicatedly, "Years ago, there were often reports about... wild people appearing in remote mountains, lake monsters in secluded lakes, and excavators digging up giant python nests during mountain construction, weren’t there?"

"It seems that’s the case."

Cheng Lingdang nodded, her expression suddenly becoming intriguing, "You don’t mean to say our current situation is like that, do you?"

"Isn’t it?"

Shen Huan retorted.

Cheng Lingdang: "..."

It seems, indeed, there’s not much difference.

But why does she feel something’s off?

Zhen Yunjin, listening to their conversation, suddenly had a bad premonition rise in her heart.

According to logic, with Shi Yaoguang’s abilities, she must have checked the island’s safety before building the Yaoguang Sect.

She couldn’t possibly be unaware of such a gigantic creature lying dormant underground.

Shen Huan and Cheng Lingdang both examined with Divine Sense and have confirmed the cause of the quake is a snake underneath...

The appearance of this snake has only two possibilities.

Either Shi Yaoguang’s initial check wasn’t thorough enough, neglecting the deeply buried Giant Python.

Or this snake emerged only after the Yaoguang Sect was established.

The former... is quite unlikely.

Considering the capabilities of Cheng Lingdang and Shen Huan to probe underground with Divine Sense, it’s absolutely impossible for Shi Yaoguang to have missed it.

As for the second possibility, it also sounds improbable.

After all...

So many people in the Yaoguang Sect would notice even the slightest anomaly.

There’s no way such a large snake could appear unnoticed.

Unless, this snake appeared suddenly.

Zhen Yunjin was silently analyzing various possibilities in her mind when the ground beneath her feet started shaking violently.

Strange sounds emanated from time to time from underground.

A massive snakehead broke through the earth, casting a giant shadow that blotted out the sky.

And this was just half of the snake’s head revealed.

When Shen Huan used Divine Sense to probe, he only saw vertical pupils, realizing that they have finally seen the form of the Giant Python.

Cold gleaming scales faintly emerged on the sides of the python’s head.

The difference for snakes between having scales and no scales is massive.

"Is this thing a python or a dragon?"

Feelings of trepidation rose in Shen Huan’s heart, yet he didn’t retreat a single step.

He subtly moved closer to Cheng Lingdang, "You should hide behind me later."

Cheng Lingdang looked at him, surprised that he would say such a thing, the astonishment in her eyes almost becoming tangible.

Shen Huan awkwardly scratched his head, "Don’t overthink it, I’ve always had a dream of heroism, now I finally have the chance to realize it, don’t fight me for it."

Cheng Lingdang didn’t speak, but she also didn’t follow his advice to hide behind him.

"What’s happening—"

With such a commotion, Shen Antai hurried over.

The question not fully asked yet, he saw the figure in mid-air, which almost obscured the sky.

"What is that..."

The words ’ghostly thing’ were trapped in his throat, as the Giant Python lowered its head.

Its movements seemed slow, but due to its enormous size, every action was infinitely magnified.

If the previous fish school was enough to make one experience the anxieties of gigantophobia, then now...

Shen Huan and the others looked like little dwarfs in a giant’s world, with a primal fear pressing at their hearts.

Shen Antai stood dazed for a bit, finally found his voice, firmly addressed those present, "I’ve already placed the sect’s members inside the laboratory, you should hurry there too!"

Shen Antai spoke and began using his powers, preparing to face the enemy alone.

Even if the opponent is such a colossal creature.

Shen Huan naturally wouldn’t just watch Shen Antai face this alone, he refused to leave no matter what.

As the senior sister, Cheng Lingdang naturally couldn’t leave either.

Zhen Yunjin and Xiao Shanghe, both newcomers with mediocre talents for cultivation.

Staying was entirely to be served as fodder, yet it seemed unrealistic to leave now.

Because...

No one knows what the Giant Python intends to do.

Any small action could potentially provoke it, leading to irreversible consequences.

Thus, they restrained their urge, continuing to huddle here.

The Giant Python seemed to ignore them.

Yet this was even more troublesome than if it treated them as enemies.

As the Giant Python moved its body, the ground quickly echoed with the sound of earth cracking again.

With scattered scales on its body, it broke through the constraints of the ground, and with a forceful tail whip, its power was comparable to mountains moving.

"Boom—"

After a loud noise, the Giant Python retracted its swinging tail.

The position where Shen Huan and the others initially stood was dust-covered.

Zhen Yunjin and the others had their necks grabbed by Shen Huan and the others, narrowly avoiding the Giant Python’s tail attack.

As the dust settled.

The Giant Python’s vertical pupils quickly fell upon them again.

Witnessing this, Shen Huan couldn’t help but curse under his breath, "Whoever said snakes have poor eyesight and can only locate by sound?"

Judging by the Giant Python’s actions, there’s no hint of poor eyesight at all.

Shen Huan cussed, pulling Xiao Shanghe away.

Cheng Lingdang and Shen Antai also cooperated, scattering and evading as much as possible.

"Find a way to lure it to the outskirts!"

Shen Antai anxiously glanced at the direction where sect disciples were positioned, "The Giant Python’s tail movements involved Spiritual Power, such powerful Spiritual Power, the Protection Shield won’t hold for long!"

Cheng Lingdang responded, "Everyone be careful!"

After speaking, she began to attack the Giant Python.

Her attack was like a tickle to the Giant Python.

But it still angered the Giant Python.

Like a snake hissing, it spat out its tongue.

Its enormous tail flexibly swung, as if trying to crush Cheng Lingdang.

Cheng Lingdang dodged left and right, trying to avoid its attacks.

But these efforts were temporary.

Her stamina limited, during her breathing interval, the Giant Python’s long tail coiled around, trapping her within the loop of its tail.

"Senior sister!"

Shen Antai shouted with urgency, hurriedly placing Zhen Yunjin down, launching an attack on the Giant Python.

His actions indeed drew the Giant Python’s attention, but the Giant Python didn’t release Cheng Lingdang.

Generally, when snakes attack prey, they wrap their prey in coils to suffocate.

But this Giant Python’s size already exceeds Cheng Lingdang’s height.

If the Giant Python really intended to wrap Cheng Lingdang, she would likely be crushed to death.

Currently, Shen Huan, far away from the Giant Python, could only watch helplessly as Cheng Lingdang’s figure vanished among the massive coils of the snake’s tail...