Crackle!
Poisonous flames surged fiercely, covering the sky like a wave.
"High and mighty Chi Python? Didn't I kill your kind before?"
The Great King Yellow Wind sneered, twisting his body to dodge the flames. Leaping away, he turned and bolted, leaving only a blur behind.
"Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, retreat is supreme!"
"You're courting death!"
Hearing the mention of past defeats, the Chi Python's rage erupted.
Among demons, natural predator-prey relationships existed, similar to how chickens subdued insects, or birds dominated serpents.
Snakes, however, were natural predators of rats.
But in this case...
Both it and its elder brother had been humiliated at the hands of a mere rat—a disgrace that the serpent species could not tolerate. It had to be avenged.
Swirling up a demonic mist and whipping up gusts of wind, the Chi Python pursued the Great King Yellow Wind. The ground it traversed turned yellow and lifeless, leaving behind a desolate snake trail.
Its overwhelming presence caused tigers, leopards, wolves, and apes to scatter in terror.
"So fierce!"
The Great King Yellow Wind felt a chill.
The path of serpentine transformation was undoubtedly one of the most potent among common demon evolutions. The difference between the Scarlet Snake and the Chi Python was night and day—a complete metamorphosis in power.
The Great King Yellow Wind estimated that even if he teamed up with the Wild Boar Demon and the Grey Wolf Spirit, the three of them together wouldn't stand a chance against this monster.
Such was the disparity between demons.
Luckily, the Great King Yellow Wind was agile and swift. Darting through the mountains, he quickly fled dozens of miles away.
The Chi Python, relentless in its pursuit, was determined to make the rat its meal today.
In the distance, a gray cliff came into view. Circling above was a shadowy figure.
A hint of joy flickered across the Great King Yellow Wind's face. He had reached his destination.
He hadn't been running aimlessly.
Stopping to catch his breath, he cupped his hands and shouted, "Old Falcon! I've brought you a meal!"
The Chi Python sensed something amiss and slowed its pace.
The Great King Yellow Wind, having shouted, spun around and charged at the Chi Python, determined to prevent its retreat.
The Chi Python, sensing danger, did the unexpected—it turned to flee, its decisiveness unmatched.
"Cowardly snake, don't run! Fight me!"
The roles had reversed, and now the Great King Yellow Wind was chasing it with his blade.
The Chi Python, irritated but silent, slithered even faster. Like many demons evolved from ordinary animals, it shared the universal principle:
"When in doubt, flee. Survival is victory."
Suddenly.
Caw!
A sharp cry echoed from the high cliff.
With the sound of rushing wind, a massive gray-black divine falcon emerged from the clouds. Its wingspan stretched thirty meters, casting a shadow over the forest below.
Its keen eyes spotted the rat and the serpent, lighting up with glee.
Flapping its wings, it whipped up a gale, swooping down to hover above them.
"Little Rat, are you delivering food to me?"
The Great King Yellow Wind called out, "Old Falcon, I know your years are numbered and your life is nearing its end. I've brought you a rare snake to extend your life!"
"Let's kill it together. I won't take a single piece of its body. How about this chance to molt again and live another hundred years?"
The Chi Python panicked.
"Demon brother, don't listen to his nonsense. Rats are cunning! I was driving it here as an offering to you!"
The Gray Falcon laughed sinisterly.
"Clever words won't save you. I'll take all the food delivered to my doorstep!"
It dived suddenly, the air exploding with a thunderous boom, as though a warplane was slicing through the sky.
Under the sunlight, its razor-sharp talons gleamed, capable of piercing iron and stone. It reached for the Chi Python.
To the falcon, the Chi Python—its body containing a trace of dragon bloodline—was the ultimate treasure, far more enticing than the rat.
Just as the Great King Yellow Wind had predicted, the aging falcon needed this to undergo another molt to extend its life. Without it, it would die of old age in the mountains.
"Too much bullying!"
The Chi Python roared.
Coiling its massive body, it opened its blood-red maw, its crimson scales glistening as it spewed poisonous flames at the Gray Falcon.
The Great King Yellow Wind watched from afar, catching his breath.
Noticing a !!! above the falcon's head, he focused his intent to reveal its information.
[Race: Demon · Falcon Roc (3%)]
[Realm: Qi Transformation · Shapeshifting]
[Terms: Gold Consumption (Red), Supersonic (Blue), Falcon's Eye (Blue), Greedy Heart (White)...]
The Gray Falcon hadn't expected the Chi Python's flames. Engulfed, it plummeted from the sky.
Fortunately, its feathers emitted a faint white glow that deflected much of the poison. However, some areas burned, leaving a singed, bald patch atop its head.
It hit the ground and rolled before transforming into its human form—a birdman draped in gray and gold feathers, wielding a steel spear.
The Chi Python, sensing an advantage, pressed forward. It hurled its massive body like a battering ram, its long tail whipping across the air.
Boom!
The birdman raised its spear to block but was still sent flying, crashing into several large trees.
"Ha! I thought you were a mighty Roc, but you're just an old falcon with declining strength. No match for your former glory."
The Chi Python sneered.
It had fled earlier due to instinctive fear of the Roc's aura. But after clashing, it realized the falcon's strength had waned significantly, dispelling its apprehension.
Its eyes gleamed coldly.
If it devoured the falcon, absorbing its bloodline, it could further awaken its dragon blood, greatly enhancing its power.
"You overgrown worm, how dare you be so arrogant!"
The birdman roared, turning to the Great King Yellow Wind.
"Little Rat, I agree to your terms. We're neighbors and should unite against outsiders."
The Great King Yellow Wind smirked, "I've changed my mind. I want one-third of the serpent's body, or I'm leaving."
He was upping the price.
The Chi Python sneered at him but turned to the birdman.
"Demon brother, I have no grudge against you. This rat is my sworn enemy. Let's kill it together. I'll leave its body for you to dispose of."
The Great King Yellow Wind laughed.
"Old Falcon, you're a solar-type, and I'm lunar. We're incompatible. Eating me won't help your molt."
"But it's a fire-elemental. It's your opportunity."
"Besides, do you really think it doesn't want to eat you? I'm no threat, but it is."
"Silence!"
The Chi Python lashed its tail, uprooting a tree and hurling it at the Great King Yellow Wind before lunging to attack.
The Great King Yellow Wind sliced through the tree with his blade, somersaulting midair to brace the serpent's head with his weapon.
The birdman's eyes flickered.
If it were a hundred years younger, it could have taken on both demons alone. But now, time had diminished its strength.
"The serpent is the strongest; the rat is the weakest. Kill the serpent first, then deal with the rat!"
Leaping into the air, it declared, "Fine. You'll have one-third. Let's kill it!"
Brandishing its spear, the birdman attacked the Chi Python, forcing it to shift its focus.
Though it outwardly mocked the birdman, the Chi Python remained cautious. Raptors like falcons and rocs naturally countered snakes and dragons.
The Great King Yellow Wind saw his chance.
"Old Falcon, hold its head! I'll strike its tail!"
Feigning an attack on the tail, he caused the Chi Python to pull it back defensively. This gave the birdman the opportunity to smash its head with the spear.
When the Chi Python turned its full attention to the birdman, the Great King Yellow Wind struck unexpectedly, slashing a wound before darting away.
The Chi Python hissed furiously, but it was in vain. Blood flowed freely as its injuries multiplied.
"Old Falcon, it's weakening! Hold on! I'm coming to help!"
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。