Execution

Jiang Xiaofeng shouted, "Go!"

"Zhu Xian Sword, Second Soul Skill—Phantom Sword!"

The stunned Twin-Headed Ghost Python was immediately wounded by Jiang Xiaofeng's second soul skill, and signs of poisoning began to appear on its body.

Xie Yue yelled, "First Soul Skill—Moonblade Flying Slash!"

Yan followed up: "Second Soul Skill—Granite Armor!"

The Twin-Headed Ghost Python howled in pain. The stun effect wore off, and both its heads opened their mouths.

A large cloud of black gas sprayed out.

Jiang Xiaofeng warned, "Everyone, be careful—fall back!"

The gas emitted by the Twin-Headed Ghost Python was a toxic miasma, highly corrosive. Yan was a bit slow, and the edge of his clothes was eaten away.

Suddenly, the python burst from the black mist, jaws wide, lunging straight at Hu Liena.

"Second Soul Skill—Enchanting Illusion!" A skill that traps the target in an illusion for a duration depending on their strength.

Just as the python charged in, it collapsed in place.

Hu Liena quickly shouted, "Retreat! My second skill isn't a hard control—this is a 3,000-year-old soul beast, I can't hold it for long!"

Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking, the python regained consciousness. The control hadn't even lasted two seconds.

"Hiss!!!"

Its tail swept horizontally—Yan and Xie Yue didn't have time to react and were sent flying, crashing hard into the ground.

The Twin-Headed Ghost Python's next target was Hu Liena—both heads lunged at her at once.

Xie Yue and Yan shouted, "Nana!!!"

Hu Liena had already used up both of her soul skills and was in cooldown—completely defenseless.

From a distance, Mopote clenched his fists. His martial soul had already materialized in his hands.

"One Step to Infinity!"

"Tiger Fist First Style—Mighty Strike!"

"Tiger Fist Second Style—Explosion!"

Two punches landed, slamming the Twin-Headed Ghost Python viciously to the ground.

Hu Liena looked at Jiang Xiaofeng, who had placed himself in front of her. He had saved her.

Jiang Xiaofeng asked, "You okay?"

Hu Liena replied, "I'm fine. My soul skill cooldown is almost over."

"Good. I'll need your control ability."

Xie Yue and Yan ran to Hu Liena's side.

"Nana, are you alright?"

Hu Liena shook her head. She'd almost died just now—it was he who had saved her.

The Twin-Headed Ghost Python had been seriously injured by Jiang Xiaofeng's two punches, with visible trauma on its heads, though its eyes still burned with rage.

"ROAR!!!"

It charged forward, even faster than before, straight at the group.

Jiang Xiaofeng calmly said, "Don't panic. That last attack broke its defenses. I'll hold it down—you guys aim for the weak points!"

Xie Yue and Yan nodded firmly.

"First Soul Skill—Tiger's Roar!"

"ROAR!"

The charging Twin-Headed Ghost Python was instantly intimidated.

"Now! Go!"

Jiang Xiaofeng, wielding the Zhu Xian Sword, used One Step to Infinity and appeared right beside the beast.

"Tianhai Technique, First Form—Wave Surge!"

"Moonblade, Second Soul Skill!"

"Flame Lord, First Soul Skill—Possession!"

The trio launched a combined assault. The python began to falter under their barrage. Jiang Xiaofeng's poison-infused second soul skill was also taking effect—the python was visibly slower.

Hu Liena's soul skill cooldown had just ended.

"Second Soul Skill—Enchanting Illusion!"

The python immediately froze in place, trapped in the illusion. It stood still before Jiang Xiaofeng.

"Godslayer—Execute!"

A single slash—and one head fell to the ground.

"One more—Execute again!"

The second head dropped.

The python's body began convulsing wildly, blood gushing onto Jiang Xiaofeng's face and clothes.

He stood before the fallen beast, face grim. A 3,000-year-old Twin-Headed Ghost Python should be a match for a level-30 Soul Exalted. Though his own power could defeat average Soul Exalted, this battle had nearly ended in disaster for Nana.

Had his strength regressed?

Yan approached the severed heads and stomped one—knocking loose a black death energy orb.

"Damn thing—almost hurt Nana," Yan said furiously.

Hu Liena walked over to Jiang Xiaofeng and softly said, "Feng-ge… thank you. If not for you, I…"

Jiang Xiaofeng shook his head. "It's fine. As long as I'm here."

At that moment, Mopote walked over, clapping enthusiastically.

"Excellent work. As expected of His Highness the Holy Son—His Holiness the Pope's most favored student. Your combat instincts are outstanding."

Xie Yue added, "Feng-ge really is amazing. In that kind of situation, he still made it in time. I couldn't have done it."

Jiang Xiaofeng replied, "You learn from experience. Also—our teamwork just now was weak. We burned all our control skills up front. That was overconfident."

Mopote nodded. "The Holy Son is right. That was your biggest mistake—using both of the Saintess's control skills too early. When the python rushed forward, you had nothing left to protect her. If His Highness hadn't acted quickly, I would've had to intervene myself."

Hu Liena lowered her head. It was her first time facing a 3,000-year-old soul beast, and she had panicked—using all her skills at once without thinking ahead.

Only afterward did she realize—once her skills were gone, she had no way to defend herself.

Mopote reassured them, "Don't lose heart. This was your first team battle. Coordination and trust take time. Only with trust can you truly execute perfect teamwork."

Jiang Xiaofeng added, "Lack of synergy is one issue. Another is our positioning and technique—we're attacking too predictably."

Mopote nodded again. Jiang Xiaofeng had identified the same issues he'd observed. Even without guidance, this student could already find his own path to improvement.

"Exactly. From now on, I'll organize formation and tactics based on your individual martial souls. When we face stronger soul beasts—you'll be ready."

Everyone nodded. You can't see your flaws until you're in real combat—and this battle had exposed them.

Facing soul masters, Hu Liena could hold her own against Grandmasters. But against a 3,000-year-old beast—she'd fallen back on just soul skills, forgetting even the basics of combat. Maybe that's just the way first battles go.

Under Mopote's lead, the team arrived at a designated rest zone set up by the Spirit Hall. It wasn't exactly safe—but it was safer than camping out in the wild.

Mopote said, "Starting today, we'll camp here until you're able to handle 3,000- and 5,000-year soul beasts with ease. Rest for now—I'll scout the area. Holy Son, I'm counting on you to watch over them."

Jiang Xiaofeng nodded. "No problem, teacher. Leave it to me."

He sat cross-legged to restore the soul power he'd just expended. Only Hu Liena remained quiet and moody.

(End of Chapter)