Chapter 61: Soul Snatching! The Immortal's Methods!
"That was merely a zombie controlled by the immortal. If the immortal himself had taken action, the two-headed python would have perished," Tang Jinchuan remarked.
Those like Wang Gangjian, who had harbored doubts about the immortal's power, now nodded in agreement.
"Roar!"
The two-headed pytho's one head was obliterated, it let out a pained wail from its remaining head. As it regained its composure, the remaining pair of snake eyes glared at Chu Xuan, filled with brutality and murderous intent. Just as it was about to open its mouth for another attack, a swift and compact figure suddenly appeared.
This figure forcefully drove a nail wrapped in a terrifying aura, deep into the massive body of the two-headed python.
The Yin Fire Spike!
Boom!
A blast of Yin Fire exploded, severing the python at the waist. Chunks of its flesh were flung in all directions, shocking everyone present with this unexpected turn of events.
Where did that figure come from?!
"Just now the immortal mentioned Hu and Bao; it appears that two zombies were deployed simultaneously," someone observed.
"No wonder! The first one appeared muscular and robust, clearly a warrior type, while the second was agile and compact, evidently an assassin! This is the power of an immortal!"
The crowd buzzed with comments, filled with shock. The python, which they had all struggled with, was now nearly destroyed by just two of the immortal's undead minions. The disparity was immense.
Swoosh, swoosh!
Hu and Bao swiftly reappeared by Chu Xuan's side. Hu looked triumphant, proud to have completed another task for his master, while Bao was contentedly chewing on a piece of snake meat.
Chu Xuan looked down at the two-headed python. Now missing one head and half its body, it was profusely bleeding from its wounds yet still alive. Its vitality was greater than Chu Xuan had anticipated.
Although the psionic energy was a little weaker than Spiritual Qi, its vitality enhancement was almost comparable.
"Hiss, hiss!"
In the two remaining eyes of the python, there was deep resentment toward Chu Xuan. It knew it had no chance of survival; it was merely in its death throes.
Enraged, it decided to take this unexpected human adversary down with it. In the next moment, the python opened its mouth wide and expelled a vast amount of Yin Evil Qi, intent on releasing all Qi within its body to kill this uninvited guest.
Chu Xuan saw the vast cloud of Yin Evil Qi and smiled peculiarly.
"Are you offering this to me?"
For Chu Xuan, who practiced the Blood Evil Demon Refining Scripture, Yin Evil Qi was akin to a tonic. Previously, he had sat in meditation within the Yin Evil Soul-Snatching Array to practice and had swiftly advanced to the second level of Foundation Establishment.
The Yin Evil Qi exhaled by the two-headed python, although not particularly impressive, was still absorbable and useful for cultivation.
Chu Xuan began to run the Blood Evil Demon Refining Scripture, letting the Yin Evil Qi envelop him.
The python's eyes filled with satisfaction and amusement. How absurd! It found it utterly ridiculous that this human didn't understand the terror of the Yin Evil Qi and allowed it to envelop him.
Onlookers watched anxiously. "What's happening? Why is the immortal covered in that evil mist?" one asked.
"Just now, the immortal didn't move at all, as if he wasn't afraid," another observed.
"Hey, maybe that guy is just frozen with fear? There's no such thing as immortals, just a more powerful human," a skeptical voice chimed in.
People murmured amongst themselves, each with their own theories.
Song Dayi whispered worriedly, "Can the immortal really handle it? That level of evil energy..."
Wang Gangjian, lacking confidence, hesitated, "That whole area is filled with evil energy, yet the immortal stood by its side. He must have something up his sleeve."
He had never seen Chu Xuan enter the Yin Evil Soul-Snatching Array himself; he only knew that Chu Xuan had once stood outside the array, warning him not to come close. Thus, he could only speculate based on past experiences.
Tang Jinchuan's gaze was resolute. "I believe in him. He must have a way!"
Xiong Xing and Li Tiemu, initially hopeful, felt a chill run through them as they saw Chu Xuan instantly engulfed by the Yin Evil Qi.
"Damn! Why didn't he dodge? He seemed so capable!" Li Tiemu almost wanted to rush in and drag Chu Xuan out, yelling at him to evade.
Xiong Xing sighed, "Don't panic, let's wait and see. Maybe he has a trick up his sleeve."
Buzz!
The next moment, the Yin Evil Qi enveloping Chu Xuan suddenly converged and vanished without a trace.
Chu Xuan opened his eyes, seemingly unsatisfied, and looked towards the python with a smile, "Any more?"
The python which had just felt a sense of release suddenly looked astonished. What just happened? Its usually infallible Yin Evil Qi was gone? It appeared as if this detestable human had absorbed it?!
Wang Gangjian and the others wore similar expressions of disbelief. Facing such evil energy, even superhumans would perish upon contact, yet this supposed immortal seemed almost disappointed it was over.
What was going on?
Tang Jinchuan wore a knowing smile, "I knew it..."
Li Tiemu, who a second before had been furiously questioning why Chu Xuan hadn't dodged, now stood frozen, his angry expression solidifying on his face.
"I... I..."
Xiong Xing laughed heartily, "See! I told you he had a trick up his sleeve! He really isn't afraid of the evil energy!"
"You are quite remarkable, worthy of being the main soul of my formation," Chu Xuan calmly nodded, acknowledging the python's strength.
The python roared in anger. Though it didn't understand what a 'main soul for a formation' meant, it knew it was being underestimated. Throughout their encounter, Chu Xuan had never regarded it as an equal opponent.
Despairingly, the python let out a mournful howl and, dragging its half-severed body, launched one final attack on Chu Xuan. Its gaping maw seemed intent on swallowing Chu Xuan and the surrounding space itself.
"Your journey ends here," said Chu Xuan, unmoving, simply waving his hand casually.
A crimson chain suddenly whipped out, and with a snap, the python's head was severed cleanly. The giant snake's eyes still held anger and resentment, unaware it had already perished.
With a simple gesture, Chu Xuan performed a spell and yanked forth. The white soul of the python was forcibly extracted.
"Is that... a soul?!" People watched in utter shock.
Soul extraction! This was truly something only an immortal could accomplish!
Wang Gangjian and his group looked upon Chu Xuan with a mix of reverence and fear.
Xiong Xing, Li Tiemu, and the soldiers of the Linjiang Army also shed their pride completely, filled only with deep awe for Chu Xuan.
Flight! Soul snatching! What else could these be if not the methods of the immortals?
In Xiong Xing's heart, regret now swelled boundlessly. If only he had sought out this mysterious immortal three times, inviting him to join their fight against the python at the Haotai Hotel, the outcome might not have been so tragic. Key members like Lin Qiao of the Linjiang Army might not have died. All this was due to his arrogance, and his pride, leading to the worst possible outcome. He was filled with deep remorse.