Just as Lin Tian hesitated, the Six-Legged Crocodile could no longer bear the pressure from both sides. It let out a deafening roar and suddenly lunged at the Windstorm Golden-Patterned Leopard.
The crocodile's long tail whipped through the air with a loud whoosh, rapidly sweeping towards the leopard. The tail left behind a sharp afterimage as it closed in fast. However, the golden-patterned leopard was agile, like a gust of wind, quickly dodging and barely brushing past the tail.
The term "windstorm" was the leopard's specialty. If that attack had landed, even if the leopard was stronger by one level than the Six-Legged Crocodile, it would have been gravely injured. However, the leopard clearly wasn't planning to let that happen. With its extraordinary speed, it easily avoided the attack, leaving behind the crocodile's tail swinging through empty air and the sound of the wind.
Lin Tian, watching the fierce confrontation between the two beasts, breathed a sigh of relief. He finally found the chance to escape and immediately began running. However, after only a few steps, he felt a sharp pain in his back as if being stabbed by needles, and a deep sense of danger stirred in his soul.
He quickly flipped over, rolling to the side with agility. He heard a hiss, followed by a burst of fire. Immediately, trees around him were slashed open, and flames erupted violently.
The heat from the flames was astonishing, as if the fire came straight from purgatory. A tree with a five-foot diameter collapsed instantly, and the surrounding air was distorted by the scorching heat. The trees were consumed by the fire, and the dark green flames at the broken edges continued to burn. The temperature of these flames sent a chill down Lin Tian's spine. He knew that this attack had completely surpassed the power of physical strength and must be some sort of fire-based spell!
A spell? Lin Tian was shocked. He remembered that Old Li had once mentioned that only demonic beasts could master spells. How could these fierce beasts possess such power? This monstrous python was more powerful than he had imagined—it actually had the ability to use spells similar to those of demonic beasts.
Lin Tian's mind raced as he recalled Old Li's story about the Teng Snake's bloodline: Teng Snakes had the ability to control fire, linked with strange and evil forces. Clearly, this monstrous python had inherited these traits. If it fully awakened into a demonic beast, even mid-level demonic beasts would be no match for it.
However, despite this python seeming to approach the standard of a demonic beast, Lin Tian knew that if it fully evolved, he would have already been reduced to ashes. At this moment, he wasted no time and picked up his pace, running in the opposite direction, trying to distance himself from the threat of the flames.
He had barely run for a moment when he suddenly felt a cold, oppressive aura enveloping him. Then, the monstrous python's enormous form appeared again, just twenty feet ahead, its eyes gleaming with mockery and indifference.
Lin Tian's heart raced as he understood that the python had fully treated him as prey. If it wanted, it could have easily ended his life already.
Just as he prepared to face this inevitable defeat, a deep voice suddenly echoed in his mind: "Kid, if you want to live, don't do anything stupid."
Lin Tian was jolted, immediately realizing that someone was communicating with him through spiritual consciousness! The voice wasn't coming from the outside world, but directly resonating in his mind.
"Who are you?" Lin Tian forced himself to stay calm, though his shock was evident.
"Right in front of you, do you still need to ask?" The voice was still clear and cold.
Lin Tian was taken aback, and then he realized the monstrous python's eyes flickered. His mind finally understood: "You... you are the python?" He could hardly believe his ears.
"Yes, that's right. If you want to survive, listen up. Hand over the demonic beast egg you're holding," the voice continued, with an unmistakable threat.
The demonic beast egg? Lin Tian recalled the strange egg he carried. The egg was incredibly hard, and even with all his strength, he couldn't break it. Not even a crack had appeared. It seemed that the python had sensed the unique aura of the egg—it was the key to its evolution.
Lin Tian remembered that Old Li had mentioned some flying demonic beasts would lay their eggs for other creatures to raise, almost like an evolutionary strategy. Clearly, this monstrous python had instinctively sensed the egg's immense potential and wanted to use it to aid its own evolution.
Although Lin Tian was unwilling, he knew that he had no choice. Facing a creature with intelligence that had surpassed normal beasts, he could only helplessly take the demonic egg from his chest and toss it gently.
The python's tongue shot out quickly, and with the agility of a snake, it wrapped around the egg, catching it precisely before quickly hiding it beneath its tongue. Clearly, the egg was extremely important for its evolution, as the python didn't immediately swallow it but seemed to plan to use it at a critical moment.
The python nodded in satisfaction and then spoke in a lofty tone within Lin Tian's mind: "Human, you are wise. Now you may answer me. Why did you lead me and the Six-Legged Crocodile into confrontation? What exactly is your goal?"
Lin Tian gave a bitter smile and sighed. He then briefly explained the situation of his family being taken over by others. Of course, he didn't fully reveal what those people were searching for. He wasn't sure if the python would take an interest in those individuals, or even use its intelligence to manipulate the information.
The python paused for a moment before emitting a deep voice: "Those human cultivators you speak of should be from several families at the forest's edge, right? Looks like the time for cooperation has come."
Lin Tian was once again shocked: "Cooperation?" He couldn't believe his ears. This monstrous python, which was nearing the level of a demonic beast, was actually talking about cooperation and planning to manipulate other human cultivators!
The python continued: "You have no ties to these human cultivators, but I can help you get rid of them. In exchange, I need you to guide me in making the necessary preparations."
Lin Tian was stunned but quickly understood that this was a python that was both intelligent and full of ambition. It wanted to use his strength to prepare for its evolution, and perhaps even to use Lin Tian to achieve that goal. But as it had said, at this moment, he had little choice. If he cooperated with the python, he might be able to deal with those martial cultivators.
"How do you want to cooperate?" Lin Tian asked, though doubts lingered in his mind. But he knew that at this point, his only option was to rely on the python to solve the predicament in front of him.
The python's voice grew low as it replied: "I need the energy of martial cultivators, and in return, you will receive their treasures, cultivation techniques, wealth, and even some gifts as compensation."