The Eight-winged Golden Scale Python's purple lightning struck the Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros with pinpoint accuracy, sending it flying several meters. It wasn't a killing blow, however. A Demon Beast with Four Vein Attack Power wasn't something that could be so easily slain.
The Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros quickly scrambled back to its feet after crashing to the ground. White smoke billowed from its body, blood flowed from several gashes, and its bloodshot eyes looked terrifying. But once it was up, it stood motionless, perhaps paralyzed by the lightning.
The Eight-winged Golden Scale Python wasn't about to give the Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros a chance to breathe. Lightning crackled from its antennae once more and swiftly struck the beast, knocking it to the ground again. This time, the strike actually snapped the Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros's horn.
The Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros was now a hornless one. The blow had dealt it a grievous wound. Its horn was the focal point for the Fire Element within its body. Without it, its Attack Power plummeted by more than half, and its overall strength naturally waned.
Coupled with the potent Thunder Power wreaking havoc inside its body, the Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros was no longer a major threat. The Eight-winged Golden Scale Python prepared to cease its assault, leaving Ye Tian to finish the job.
The surrounding temperature dropped significantly. Without the purple flames, Ye Tian no longer needed to use his Dragon Spiritual Power to resist them. 'The Eight-winged Golden Scale Python's thunder is truly powerful and domineering,' he thought.
"Boss, I'll leave this one for you to practice on," the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python said, flying in front of Ye Tian. "Don't underestimate it. Even though I've wounded it severely, it still has powerful attacks. A starved camel is still bigger than a horse, you know."
Ye Tian was stunned. 'This Eight-winged Golden Scale Python is so knowledgeable, it even knows the saying "a starved camel is still bigger than a horse." It's almost human. These ancient Alien Species are truly something else.'
"I know. Just watch me put on a show!" Ye Tian grinned. In a flash, he brandished the Black Glaze Sword and unleashed a swift strike.
His last strike had been blocked by the Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros's flames, but this time wouldn't be so easy. 'I can already picture it being hacked to pieces by my sword,' Ye Tian thought.
The very air trembled as a sky full of sword images surged toward the Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros. Sensing the danger from Ye Tian's attack, the beast let out a furious roar.
At that moment, its massive body reared up. It opened its mouth and spat out another jet of purple flame, though it was far weaker than the fire that had once come from its horn.
Whether due to its severe injuries or the destruction of its horn by the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python, the heat wasn't nearly as intense as before. Ye Tian dodged it skillfully as his Black Glaze Sword struck the massive body with unerring accuracy.
THUD! The Black Glaze Sword hacked directly into the Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros's body. The immense Attack Power sent it flying, and in the same instant, Ye Tian withdrew his sword.
The airborne Sword Qi attacks all landed on the Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros, tearing open several massive gashes. Crimson blood gushed out like a fountain, and the pungent, coppery smell of blood instantly filled the air.
Ye Tian was quite satisfied with his attack. He hadn't killed the Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros, but the beast was on par with a Martial Artist at the Four Vein Power Realm. 'To injure it this badly is already a great achievement,' he thought.
"Nice one, Ye Tian! One or two more attacks like that and you'll kill it! Your Attack Power is getting more and more impressive!" Lin Ling couldn't help but exclaim.
Ye Tian glanced back at Lin Ling and grinned. "Of course it is! Don't you know whose man I am? I won't need two more attacks. One more should be enough to take it down!"
Lin Ling shot Ye Tian a glare. 'That guy's getting arrogant now,' she thought. Still, for someone at his current Power Realm to possess such formidable Attack Power was indeed something to be proud of.
"But you still need to be careful," Lin Ling said. "The Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros's flames are no joke. I don't want to see you get hurt!"
"Hahahaha! Are you worried about your man? Don't worry, I won't let you down!" Ye Tian laughed.
Pressing his advantage, Ye Tian gave the Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros no chance to recover. He swiftly swung his Black Glaze Sword, instantly executing the Fifth Form of the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique. This time, however, as he performed the Fifth Form, a hazy image of the Sixth Form flickered through his mind.
The discovery startled him. 'After I kill this Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros, I'll have to properly organize this vague image in my mind,' he resolved. 'If I can master the Sixth Form, I'm sure my power will increase immensely.'
Moving like a bolt of lightning, Ye Tian left an afterimage in his wake as he charged the Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros. This time, his target was its head! He hoped to take it off in a single strike.
Blood was now pouring from the Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros's wounds, and its massive body seemed unsteady on its feet. Seeing Ye Tian charge at it, it instinctively opened its mouth and spat a gout of flame.
But this gout of flame was even weaker than the last. Ye Tian dodged it with ease, and his Black Glaze Sword came down on its head. The sharpness of the Black Glaze Sword was no idle boast; just as Ye Tian had hoped, he lopped the beast's head clean off with a single strike.
A geyser of blood instantly erupted, and Ye Tian reacted quickly, hastily retreating several meters. The headless body of the Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros didn't fall right away; it remained standing for several breaths before finally crashing to the ground.
Killing a Demon Beast with the Attack Power of a Four Vein powerhouse for the first time was a joyous occasion for Ye Tian. Of course, it would have been impossible without the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python severely wounding it first.
Now, Ye Tian had a much deeper understanding of his own strength. He was confident he could easily slay an ordinary Three Vein Demon Beast.
"Ye Tian, hurry and get the Fire Element Magic Crystal from the Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros's body!" Lin Ling called out urgently. "The less time that passes after a Demon Beast's death, the more potent the Energy in its Magic Crystal. You have to remember that."
"I know, I know!" Ye Tian said with a laugh. "This thing is huge. Don't tell me I have to hack it to pieces? Getting a Magic Crystal is thankless work!"
"Idiot," Lin Ling said. "The Single-Horned Demon Rhinoceros's Magic Crystal must be in its head. Didn't you see all its attacks were flames spat from its horn or mouth? Only the head would allow it to gather Fire Elemental Energy that quickly."
It was as if her words had jolted him awake from a dream; everything suddenly clicked for Ye Tian. He didn't hesitate, quickly striding over to the severed head and splitting it in two with his Black Glaze Sword.
Inside, an egg-sized, fiery-red orb lay quietly, faint traces of Energy still pulsing from its surface...