The valley was filled with thorny vines that exuded a potent poison upon contact, so Zhou Yan dared not move carelessly.
Thus, Zhou Yan spent his time within the cave.
Outside the cave, a giant black python was silently observing it.
"Hmm? That young man is unharmed?" the black python remarked with surprise.
It had expected Zhou Yan to perish at the hands of the mysterious youth, but to its astonishment, Zhou Yan had survived.
"Strange, why hasn't he left immediately? Could it be that he intends to recuperate here?" the black python mused.
"No, the aura he emits is incredibly weak, clearly indicating severe injuries. Is it possible that this youth is wounded and unable to leave, thus forced to remain in the valley to cultivate and recover?" a flicker of suspicion crossed the black python's eyes.
"If that's the case, then I shall spare his life for now. Once he has recovered sufficiently, I will strike and kill him!"
With this thought, the black python slowly slithered forward, heading towards Zhou Yan.
Soon, the black python approached the valley.
It moved stealthily, reaching Zhou Yan's side. It nudged its head forward, intending to devour the vines.
"Hiss!"
Suddenly, the vines began to writhe furiously, piercing the black python's scales and embedding themselves in its belly.
"Ah!"
The black python roared in pain, then spat out several poisonous orbs, shattering the vines!
"Detestable!"
The black python was enraged, astonished that it had been wounded by these vines.
This was an incredibly humiliating event.
"Hiss-hiss--"
Following this, the black python opened its cavernous maw and consumed all the surrounding vines.
At this moment, Zhou Yan awoke. Discovering the presence of numerous vines within the cave, he was struck by terror.
"Damn it, is my luck so bad that I'm about to be eaten alive by vines?"
Zhou Yan looked around, his face turning pale.
The vines were densely intertwined, forming a colossal net that enshrouded Zhou Yan.
"No, I cannot just wait to die!"
Zhou Yan gritted his teeth, drew a short sword from his embrace, and with all his might, swung it fiercely.
"Whoosh!"
The short sword transformed into a streak of light, shooting towards the vines and severing those around him!
But to his despair, there were simply too many vines; they were endless!
Zhou Yan's eyes filled with despair as he cursed inwardly, "What the hell is this thing?"
...
"Bang bang bang!"
Upon a towering ancient tree, a youth clad in black robes sat cross-legged at the treetop, delivering punches and palms towards Zhou Yan.
The overwhelming spiritual pressure rendered Zhou Yan breathless, his face ashen.
"No, this is unfair! Why must I endure such suffering?"
Zhou Yan's face turned livid, and he roared in defiance.
"Seeking death!"
The black-robed youth glared at Zhou Yan with a sinister expression, a cruel glint in his eyes. "You dare defy me? You are simply asking for death!"
As his words fell, a cold light flashed in the youth's eyes, and a sharp, peerless sword qi shot towards Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan's face contorted in terror. He hurriedly channeled his true qi, forming a protective shield to withstand the attack.
"Boom!"
The next moment, Zhou Yan felt as though his body had suffered a severe blow, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Thump!"
Zhou Yan collapsed heavily onto the ground, his face ashen.
"This human actually managed to withstand three parts of my strength!" the black-robed youth's gaze turned icy. "It seems I must employ my true abilities."
Instantly, the black-robed youth's body began to swell, his height increasing severalfold in moments, reaching three meters. His entire body was covered in hard scales, and he bore two dragon horns and a pair of wings atop his head, exuding an awe-inspiring presence.
Upon witnessing this, Zhou Yan's pupils contracted, his face etched with profound fear. "Heavens, what kind of monster is this?"
"Hiss--"
The black-robed youth emitted a shrill cry and opened his maw, revealing rows of razor-sharp fangs. A terrifying suction force emanated from him.
"Whoa!"
Seeing this, Zhou Yan let out a loud shout and scrambled desperately towards the depths of the cave.
"You dare betray me? Today, I shall devour you!"
The black-robed youth roared in fury, his body radiating a powerful energy fluctuation as he pursued Zhou Yan.
...
In the depths of the cave, Zhou Yan ran incessantly, evading the terrifying suction force.
But how could his speed compare to that of the black-robed youth?
Before long, Zhou Yan's ankle was seized.
"Crack!"
The black-robed youth opened his mouth and bit Zhou Yan entirely in two. Bright red blood continuously dripped, painting the ground with an alluring hue.
"How can this guy possess such immense strength?" Zhou Yan's eyes widened in shock.
Although he had been prepared, he had never anticipated that this monster's power would be so formidable. A mere ripple of his strength had caused him excruciating pain and severe injury.
"Hiss-hiss--"
The black-robed youth released Zhou Yan, chewing the bloody flesh in his mouth.
"Hiss-hiss--"
At this moment, the vines surged forward once more, enshrouding him completely.
"These damnable vines are so vexing!"
The black-robed youth's eyes narrowed. With a sweep of his arm, he shattered all the vines, reducing them to a scattering of dust that drifted downwards.
Immediately after, he raised his claw and lunged towards Zhou Yan.
"Swish!"
A black blade shot from between his fingers, piercing a vine.
"Pfft!"
A segment of the vine fell into his mouth, which he fiercely chewed and swallowed.
"Gulp!"
Zhou Yan swallowed a mouthful of saliva, his face pale, a profound sense of despair welling up within him.
"Damn it, am I truly destined to die today?" Zhou Yan's eyes were filled with intense fear, his body trembling uncontrollably.
He knew that this time, escape was impossible.
"No, I must find a way to escape!" Zhou Yan thought to himself.
He could not passively await death, or he would surely perish.
Zhou Yan gritted his teeth, a resolute expression suddenly appearing in his eyes. His gaze fixed upon the stone door ahead.
"Hoo hoo!"
Zhou Yan took a few deep breaths, then rushed to the stone door. With a heave of his arms, he pushed the stone door open.
"Whoosh!"
Zhou Yan darted through, a swift blur.
...
"Hmm?"
As Zhou Yan emerged into the outside world, a look of joy graced his face. "This must be my homeland!"
He could no longer recall how many years it had been since he had last returned.