Chapter 82: The Guardian Beast

Chapter 82: The Guardian Beast

"You three are acting shamelessly! The Crimson Spirit Fruit was discovered by us first. At least share it equally," Mu Kuang shouted in anger.

The three older men burst into laughter, their eyes filled with disdain.

"Share? What are a few kids like you worth? Get lost, or we'll kill you," sneered the tallest of the trio, his wiry frame and piercing gaze exuding menace.

The arrogance in their tone stoked the flames of Bai Ziyue's fury. His grip tightened on his sword hilt, ready to fight.

"Oh? You want to fight?" mocked the men as they edged closer.

Mu Feng stepped in, placing a hand on both Bai Ziyue and Mu Kuang to calm them. He signaled for them to back away, retreating over twenty meters before stopping.

Seeing this, the men smirked in triumph. The lanky one sneered, "Little brats, running off with tails between their legs. That's more like it."

From a distance, Mu Kuang fumed. "Brother Feng, we're just going to let them have the fruit?"

Bai Ziyue chimed in, equally frustrated. "This fruit is so important for you. How can we let them take it?"

Mu Feng's lips curled into a cold smile. "That Crimson Spirit Fruit isn't theirs for the taking. They'll soon learn it's not that simple."

The three mercenaries turned their attention to the fruit, strategizing how to reach it.

"Brother, look there! That rock could be used as a stepping stone," said the one dressed in gray, pointing to a protruding rock in the lava.

The burly leader's eyes lit up. He tossed a smaller rock onto it to test its stability, then uncoiled a black whip from his waist. "Third Brother, your footwork is best. Go first. I'll keep the whip ready in case you slip."

The gray-clad man nodded, gathering his Yuan energy. With a leap, he soared seven or eight meters to land on the stepping stone. From there, he jumped again, landing safely on the central rock where the Crimson Spirit Fruit grew.

"Haha! I made it! Come on over!" he shouted.

The lanky mercenary prepared to follow, bounding toward the central rock.

Whoosh!

The lava churned violently, and a massive shadow erupted from the molten pool.

Snap!

A gigantic crimson-scaled python burst forth, its gaping maw clamping down on the man mid-air.

"Aaaahhh!"

The man screamed in terror, blood spraying as the beast's fangs sank into his torso.

The python was enormous—nearly twenty meters long—and its aura exuded the power of a Purple Core Ninth Stage beast. Its glowing red scales shimmered in the lava's light as it thrashed the man like a ragdoll.

With a sickening crunch, the python bit through the man's torso, tearing him in half before he fell lifelessly into the lava below.

On the central rock, the gray-clad mercenary froze in fear, trembling as the python turned its gaze on him.

The snake lunged, its fangs aiming for him. He leapt away, slashing desperately with his blade.

Clang!

The sword bounced harmlessly off the beast's scales, sparking on impact. With a flick of its massive tail, the python sent the man flying off the rock.

He landed in the lava, his screams echoing as the molten heat engulfed him. Within moments, he was reduced to ash.

From their hiding spot behind a large boulder, Mu Feng, Bai Ziyue, and Mu Kuang watched in stunned silence.

"Brother Feng, what is that thing?" Mu Kuang asked, his voice trembling.

"It's a Fire Python, the guardian beast of the Crimson Spirit Fruit," Mu Feng explained. Xi Yue had already informed him of the creature's presence.

"Good thing we didn't rush in. We'd be dead for sure," Bai Ziyue said, relief evident in his voice.

The burly leader, now alone, watched his two comrades perish. His face was pale, his grip on his sword shaky.

"Second Brother! Third Brother!" he wailed.

The python's eyes locked onto him, and with a hiss, it surged forward, its enormous body leaving the lava.

"Beast! I'll fight you to the death!"

Roaring in defiance, the man swung his blade, sending a white arc of energy slashing into the python's side.

Slash!

The attack managed to pierce its scales, leaving a deep, bleeding gash.

The python hissed in pain, retaliating with a spray of searing flames. The mercenary dodged, but the heat forced him back.

The python's massive tail lashed out, striking a nearby boulder. The stone shattered into fragments, the sheer power of the blow evident.

Realizing he was outmatched, the man turned to flee. But the python had no intention of letting him escape.

With a flick of its tail, it sent a boulder hurtling through the air, striking the man square in the back.

Crack!

Bones shattered as he was flung to the ground, blood pooling beneath him. The python loomed over him, its jaws closing around his head.

With a swift jerk, it tore his head from his body, swallowing it whole.

Behind the rock, Mu Feng and his companions watched, their faces pale.

The python began consuming the rest of the mercenary's body, its enormous jaws stretching wide.

"This beast… it's terrifying," Bai Ziyue muttered.

"Now that it's distracted, this might be our chance," Mu Feng whispered, his eyes gleaming with determination.