The Black-Scaled Python, slowed by the Frost Technique, could no longer writhe at high speed. It had no choice but to open its maw and try to bite Marcus.

Valles seized the opportunity. Another Thunder Arrow, infused with Fighting Qi!

The Glazed Arrowhead, like a bolt of black lightning, shot straight into the python’s gaping mouth and pierced its softer upper palate.

"ROAR—BOOM!!!"

The python’s hiss was cut short as a violent explosion erupted inside its mouth!

Deep within the Black-Scaled Python’s body, the Thunder Fighting Qi began to unleash its astonishing destructive power.

The blast sent the Black-Scaled Python reeling, its head whipping back and forth.

A shockwave of blood, broken teeth, and shredded flesh erupted from its mouth and nostrils!

Agony... Unprecedented agony!

Valles’s precise shot drove the Black-Scaled Python into a complete frenzy.

It let out a piercing hiss. Its formidable muscles contracted violently, shattering the thick ice encasing its body!

Free from its bonds, the Black-Scaled Python unleashed all its fury on the man blocking its path.

Its powerful tail rose, sweeping toward Marcus with the force of a landslide!

"HRAAAGH!"

Marcus unleashed all of his Fighting Qi without reservation. A thick, white Combat Qi Shield enveloped his body, covering his physical shield as well.

"CLANG!!!"

The force of the blow was immense. Even with his Middle Level Combat Qi Shield, Marcus felt dizzy, and the impact sent him stumbling back.

He shook his head, and just as he was about to refocus and continue drawing the Black-Scaled Python’s attention, he heard Zelir’s shout from behind.

"Marcus! Get out of the way!"

Marcus didn’t hesitate for a second. He trusted Zelir completely. The moment he heard the words, he leaped aside without a second thought.

With his path now clear, Zelir faced the Black-Scaled Python directly and unleashed the fully formed Water Blade in a horizontal slash!

Water of Cutting!

"SHING... ZZZZZZZZZT!"

Something unexpected happened, even to Zelir. The Water of Cutting, a skill powerful enough to slice through boulders, failed to instantly sever the python’s scales on contact!

A piercing, metallic grinding sound rang out. A brilliant blue light erupted where the Water Blade met the scales, and for a moment, they were locked in a stalemate.

The Black-Scaled Python tried to open its maw to bite Zelir, but Valles immediately fired another Thunder Arrow, blasting its head aside and buying them a precious few moments.

Seeing this, Zelir didn’t hesitate to increase his Magic Power output.

The blue light of the Water Blade grew even more brilliant. He compressed the immense Magic Power, raising the blade’s cutting force to a new level!

Finally, after a two-second stalemate...

"CRACK!"

A clear light flashed. The Black-Scaled Python’s scales had reached their limit and shattered!

The Water of Cutting demonstrated its astonishing power, slicing the Black-Scaled Python in two!

The two giant halves of the serpent’s body separated in mid-air. Blood and viscera rained down, dyeing the entire pool red!

Gray ducked his head, dodging a tail lash from a Water Python. He spared a glance for the main battlefield, his face lighting up.

"Nice!"

But even so, the Black-Scaled Python’s tenacious Life Energy sustained it for one final counterattack.

Its upper and lower halves were still twitching and writhing in the pool, not quite dead yet.

"Let’s finish it off together!"

Marcus roared and leaped into the air, bringing the sharp edge of his shield down hard on the snake’s head.

"THUD!"

Aided by the momentum of his descent, the blow landed solidly, stunning the python’s twitching remains.

Valles had switched back to regular arrowheads. He fired one Thunder Arrow after another, blasting the Black-Scaled Python’s head into a bloody pulp.

Meanwhile, Zelir dealt with the severed tail, which was moving on pure instinct.

He activated Water of Cutting again, and with a few Vortex Slashes, he diced it into several segments until it finally fell still.

Once that was dealt with, Zelir seized the chance to conjure an Arcane Missile and blast it into the mangled snake head.

"BANG!!!"

That was the final straw.

As its Magic Power dissipated, the Black-Scaled Python’s flame of life was finally extinguished. It crashed heavily into the pool.

Black-Scaled Python, successfully slain!

On the flanks, the battle was just as fierce. Faced with the enraged Water Pythons, which had been disturbed during their mating season, Gak revealed an even more savage nature.

He gripped his Broad Axe and charged recklessly through the swarm of pythons.

"ROOAAR!"

Gak’s corded arms tensed. With a roar that tore through the air, he brought his Broad Axe down hard on the head of a Water Python that was lunging with its mouth wide open!

SPLAT! He cleaved straight through its hard skull, splitting its head and lower jaw in half!

Another Water Python slithered in from the side, attempting to coil around his legs.

But Gak didn’t even try to dodge. He simply lifted a large, rain-booted foot and stomped down hard.

The immense force shattered the Water Python’s spine with a CRUNCH, paralyzing it on the spot!

Gray, meanwhile, used his agility to weave through the chaos, killing enemies at every opportunity.

A Water Python shot out from the muddy water, snapping at his ribs. But it was as if Gray had eyes in the back of his head; he deftly twisted his body, evading the bite.

Then, in the instant they passed each other, Gray executed a lightning-fast backhand thrust with his Longsword!

The blade pierced the Water Python’s relatively vulnerable heart. A fatal blow!

The Water Python’s movements seized up. It went limp, collapsing to twitch futilely in the mire.

Gray used his speed to weave through the swarm of snakes. Every swing of his sword was accompanied by a spray of blood.

A few Fighting Qi-infused Arrows flew in, exploding on the Water Pythons still tangling with Gak and Gray.

With the Black-Scaled Python dealt with, Valles was free to provide support.

Zelir’s Wind Blade Technique followed right after, taking down several more Water Pythons.

They had lost the Black-Scaled Python, the core of their breeding swarm, and the humans had demonstrated astonishing combat prowess.

The remaining male Water Pythons finally realized that to continue fighting was not only meaningless, but suicide.

"Hsssss..."

A Water Python near Gak let out an anxious hiss.

It stopped advancing and began to slowly retreat, its body gradually sinking into the murky mire.

This act was like a signal that spread through the entire swarm.

"SHHHHH..."

All the surviving male Water Pythons lost their will to fight. Twisting their massive bodies, they scrambled to escape, diving deep into the swamp to flee.

Their black-scaled bodies cut ripples through the turbid, muddy water.

In the space of a dozen breaths, the once-menacing swarm of Water Pythons had vanished without a trace, leaving only a trail of bursting bubbles on the water’s surface.