Chapter 817: Ancient Pact, The Python That Wrapped Around the World (II)

Roar! Roar!

After a brief standoff, the two colossal beasts let out savage bellows at the same time, blasting off like red and gray beams and crashing into one another.

Boom!

The entire world quaked wildly as they wrestled in a brutal melee. Wherever they fought, space collapsed and the land exploded. Within moments, an area spanning ten thousand kilometers was reduced to rubble.

At the ancient titan level, even the most fearsome beasts eventually returned to the most primal form of battle, for nothing was stronger than their bodies. In the chaos of close-quarters combat, red lightning danced along the Destructive Dragon Emperor’s body and detonated the Ancient Python’s gray-white scales again and again, leaving them shattered.

Its glowing red claws tore massive gashes across the serpent’s body. When the tail blade found an opening, it nearly severed the Python’s tail completely. The Python began to fall behind after only a short exchange in the face of the Dragon Emperor’s overwhelming might and defense.

With only basic attacks—biting, coiling, tail sweeps—it stood no chance before a being who had mastered martial combat. Every one of its moves was blocked.

The Dragon Emperor even smashed apart the endless terrain crashing in from all directions. The petrifying breath from the Python’s mouth was likewise ignored entirely.

Half of the continent was shattered within moments by the two’s unrelenting clash. The entire world plunged into an apocalyptic state, with smoke and debris blotting out the sky.

Roar!

Suddenly, a thunderous, bestial cry erupted, followed by a beam of gray light soaring into the air, rising tens of thousands of meters into the sky.

At this point, most of the Python’s scales had been destroyed. Its body was covered in deep wounds, some stretching over a kilometer and gouged to the bone. Its aura had grown chaotic and feral. Most frightening was its monstrous, mountain-like head, now with nearly half of its skull bitten off. Gray energy writhed at the torn edges.

Looking down at the dark-red beast, standing proudly amid the ruined earth and wreathed in red lightning, the Python’s crimson eyes glared with bloodthirst. It unleashed a feral, agonized roar.

Intruder! You have thoroughly enraged the great Camondod!

𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

The Python gave the Dragon Emperor no time to react. With a furious bellow, its colossal form suddenly exploded, dissolving into endless gray energy that merged with the world itself.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The entire world quaked violently. The ground split, and the skies trembled. The Silver Colossal Dragon and other three colossal beasts watch from beyond the world’s edge with horror as a monstrous python encircling the entire realm slowly emerged.

As the principle power surged, the void itself collapsed. A gray phantom of the Python, stretching over a hundred thousand kilometers, coiled around the world from the outside, its cold gaze locked onto the Dragon Emperor within.

Even the Dragon Emperor was visibly shaken by the sight of the world-wrapping serpent. No wonder it had felt so dangerous. This ancient beast had mastered at least three high-level laws, and now wielded principle power and this world-wrapping principle's ultimate technique.

...So what, though?

Standing atop the fractured earth, the Dragon Emperor roared into the sky. Boundless crimson lightning erupted from its body, surging across half the sky. The principle power etched across the heavens and earth by the Python began to break apart and dissipate under the power of the Dark-Red Destructive Thunderbolt.

Roar!

Sensing the loosening of its fusion with the world below, the gray Python let out a wrathful roar. Its immense head descended into the world, maw wide open.

Boom!

Darkness fell as its massive head blocked out the heavens. In a single bite, it tore a hole a thousand kilometers wide from the world below.

In that range, space, earth, all matter, and energy were swallowed, including the Dragon Emperor. Nothing remained but the Python, coiled across heaven and earth, exuding a terror beyond description.

However, before the watching Silver Dragon and others could even react with shock, the Python suddenly let out a pained and furious roar.

Boom!

Its neck exploded. A red-and-white pillar of light, wrapped in red lightning, pierced through heaven and earth, carrying an aura of absolute destruction. It punched through the Python’s internal space, and when it struck the ground below, a brilliant red dome of light immediately bloomed across the earth.

Boom!

The sky collapsed, the ground tore open, and endless red light of destruction swept across the world. Rocks solid as iron shattered into fragments, blasting high into the air across more than a thousand kilometers.

Amid the turbulent void, the crimson beast stood tall, wrapped in red lightning. The glowing red dorsal fins along its back slowly dimmed.

The Python let out a furious roar. A surge of power burst from its body, forcing the quaking world back into stability. Its shattered neck had already fully regenerated. In this form, it no longer possessed a physical body; it had become a pure manifestation of principle power.

Looking up at the enormous Python wound around the heavens, the Dragon Emperor suddenly opened its mouth and let out a deep, regal roar that echoed across the world.

Enough. Let's not fight anymore.

The Python, which had already prepared to burn its origin and swear to suppress or banish this red intruder, froze mid-action.

Looking down at the terrifying beast below, it roared in disbelief, shaking the world.

You red outsider, what do you mean by that?

The Dragon Emperor calmly growled,

It’s simple. Your strength has earned my recognition. You are qualified to guard the law-level divine item birthed by this world.

This Python was powerful indeed. The Dragon Emperor estimated that if it tried to kill the Python outright, it would have to burn its own origin, and even then, the cost would be great.

Of course, there was another reason it chose to stop: The Python had already partially fused with this world. Most of its body had become stone, meaning it would provide very little biological energy if consumed.

As the Python stared down in shock and suspicion, the Dragon Emperor let out another low growl.

Let me introduce myself. I am Ao Tian, Ao Ba, Ao Batian—Thunder Fiery Dragon King of the Dragon Palace.

The Python paused, seemingly weighing their respective strengths. Then, it slowly growled in return.

I am the great Camondod Felix Copofell—

It paused again, its massive eyes narrowing in confusion.

...Wait a moment. Thunder Fiery Dragon King, did you just say I’m qualified to guard the law-level divine item birthed by this world?

The Dragon Emperor nodded.

Correct. I came to your world precisely for the divine item born from its laws. I led the Dragon Palace army deep into the Chaotic Region to gather resources and strengthen ourselves. Upon discovering a law-level divine item, of course I wouldn’t let it go.

As it spoke, the Dragon Emperor’s tone was full of absolute certainty, as though this was the most natural thing in the world. In the world of colossal beasts, this was the rule. The strong devour the weak, and if one was strong enough, then everything should rightfully be theirs.

However, the moment the Dragon Emperor finished, a look of helpless frustration crossed the Python’s eyes. It couldn’t help but let out a begrudging roar.

You should’ve said that earlier! If you just wanted those Stone Hearts, the great Camondod would’ve given them to you!

The law-level divine artifacts the Single-Horned Kunpeng had sensed were actually Stone Hearts, birthed deep within the earth of the world fragment. They contained dense earth energy and pure divine law resonance.

However, for the Python, who had already mastered earth and petrification laws, they held little value. Consuming them would offer a minor energy boost at best. Once at the ancient titan level, even law-level divine items became obsolete. Only higher-tier natural treasures could truly offer meaningful growth to beings of their caliber.

For who knows how many years, this world had condensed two Stone Hearts at a time, which had casually been eaten like snacks by the slumbering Python whenever it woke up.

To think that today, all of this devastation had been triggered over such ordinary things, and worse, the Python had been utterly beaten down by this absurdly powerful red colossal beast. That thought alone left it feeling deeply stifled and bitter; if it weren’t fully aware that it couldn't win against this beast, it would’ve already lashed out in a fury.

Ugh...

Watching the Python’s agitated state, even the Dragon Emperor paused slightly. For a moment, the atmosphere between them grew a little awkward.

It took a few minutes before the Python calmed down. Then, the shattered earth below began to rumble. At the heart of the broken land, a massive rift, hundreds of kilometers long, tore open.

Two lotus-shaped gray jade stones, each about ten meters wide and inscribed with profound Earth Law, slowly floated up from within. They came to a halt in front of the Dragon Emperor. Though they didn't appear large, the energy and law fluctuations they radiated were vast and pure, as if oceans were sealed within them.

The Python took a deep breath, so deep that the entire world surged with gales, then growled,

These are what you want, Thunder Fiery Dragon King. Take them.

That... was unexpectedly easy.

Glowing with radiant red light, the Dragon Emperor reached out a massive claw and gently grasped the two Stone Hearts.

Yet after taking the items, the Dragon Emperor showed no sign of leaving. A flicker of wariness passed through the Python’s eyes.

Thunder Fiery Dragon King, do you still have other business here?

The Dragon Emperor let out a low rumble.

Camondod, let’s say we’ve fought and come to know one another. I wonder if you are interested in joining the Dragon Palace.

...Join the Dragon Palace?

The Python paused.

The Dragon Emperor nodded.

Yes. The Chaotic Region is about to undergo a massive upheaval. Once I break through to the ancient titan level, I intend to lead the Palace’s other dragon kings to overtake the region. All colossal beasts who refuse to submit will be suppressed or destroyed.

As it spoke, an invisible murderous aura seeped from the Dragon Emperor’s body, turning heaven and earth crimson. Even Camondod’s eye twitched at the sight. However, when it heard mention of other dragon kings, it grew even more cautious.

Other dragon kings?

The Dragon Emperor nodded slightly.

Indeed. Aside from myself, the Dragon Palace has seven other dragon kings, each wielding formidable high-level laws. For example, Zhulong, the King of Day and Night, masters the law of time slowing. Saixitia, the King of Storms and Frost, controls the law of space. Their strength is considerable, and their potential immense.

Gasp...

Even the Python couldn’t help but be shaken. To be recognized as dragon kings, their strength surely rivaled the terrifying red beast before it. If such monsters joined forces, Camondod would likely be overwhelmed. After all, this red beast alone was already so fearsome.

At that thought, the Python let out a slow growl.

I didn’t expect the Dragon Palace to be so powerful. But my power is now bound to this world. Until I completely refine it with my principle, I cannot leave nor even move.

The Dragon Emperor’s lips curved into a faint smile. It let out a deep, resonant roar.

That’s fine. All you need to do is form a pact with me and swear loyalty to the Dragon Palace.

The Purgatory Clan had eight great empires. Among them, the number of ancient-titan-level demon gods likely exceeded twenty. Although those empires rarely worked together, Chen Chu wasn’t taking any chances.

No one could predict the future; he had to prepare for the possibility of all eight empires one day joining forces. With the rise of the human race, and especially after Chen Chu showcased his terrifying might, who could say the Purgatory Empires wouldn’t unite under the threat of annihilation?

Thus, while Chen Chu continued cultivating, the Dragon Emperor prepared for war, gathering the strength of the colossal beasts.

Camondod, the Ancient Python, was exceedingly strong. Once it finished assimilating this world, its power would only grow, which would make it a valuable ally.