"Boom!" The deep blue orb violently expanded, and along with it, the snake-like shadow within also began to move. The Bishui Demon Python seemed to sense someone's ill intentions and immediately went berserk, rolling wildly. Instantly, beams of deep blue light shot out from the orb, resisting the devouring force emanating from the black hole ahead.
"Hum!"
In this standoff, the energy ripples caused the entire cave to tremble, with rocks constantly falling from the ceiling.
"Hmph!"
Seeing the Bishui Demon Python’s spirit resist, Xiaozhao let out a cold snort, his claws moving faster and faster. The devouring force rapidly increased, pulling the orb inch by inch towards the black hole.
"Sss..."
Faced with this increasingly powerful devouring force, the pillars of light bursting forth from the orb became even more terrifying. Lin Dong clearly saw that a stray beam left a pitch-black fissure on the cave ceiling, one that was unfathomably deep.
"Gulp!"
Witnessing such terrifying destructive power, Lin Dong couldn't help but swallow hard; if this were to hit him, he would surely be severely injured on the spot.
"That little weasel seems truly capable of matching the Bishui Demon Python..." Though shocked by the strength of the Bishui Demon Python, Lin Dong did not immediately turn and run. He noticed that no matter how much the Bishui Demon Python struggled, it still could not escape the pull of the wildly spinning black hole.
Though Xiaozhao's current energy was all borrowed from Lin Dong's Yuan Power, the techniques he employed seemed extremely formidable. The vortex resembling a black hole possessed an unsettling fluctuation, suggesting that when Xiaozhao regains some of his strength, he will become even stronger.
At this point, Lin Dong had no choice but to believe that this mysterious weasel once possessed unimaginable power.
"Sss..."
As these thoughts crossed Lin Dong's mind, the stalemate in the cave grew more intense. Sibilant cries continuously emerged from the deep blue orb, and the snake-like shadow within twisted wildly.
"Bang!"
With the Bishui Demon Python's fierce resistance, the deep blue orb suddenly burst apart, releasing a powerful wave of energy that scattered in all directions. Even Lin Dong, who was leaning against the edge of the cave, was violently thrown into the wall, his chest feeling sore.
"Sss!"
The explosion revealed the hidden spirit within—a massive deep blue python over ten zhang long, though its body appeared quite ethereal, characteristic of a spirit form.
"Pfft!"
As soon as the Bishui Demon Python spirit appeared, it opened its mouth and sprayed a viscous blue water column at Xiaozhao. This water column emitted a highly concentrated corrosive smell.
"Swallow..."
Facing the Bishui Demon Python's attack, Xiaozhao merely sneered, gripping his claw as the black hole before him unleashed a suction force, directly swallowing the entire blue water column.
"You stubborn beast! How dare you resist when Master Weasel is here to consume your spirit? You're asking for death!"
The Bishui Demon Python's fierce struggle seemed to irritate Xiaozhao. With a wave of his paw, a dense black mist erupted from his body, then coalesced behind him into a colossal creature!
Surrounded by black mist, Lin Dong could only vaguely make out some parts, but he realized that it was an enlarged version of Xiaozhao's original form.
"So this is Xiaozhao's true form?" Watching the enormous figure radiating ferocity and ancientness, Lin Dong couldn't help but mutter to himself.
"Roar!"
The moment the colossal creature formed, it emitted a low roar directed at the Bishui Demon Python. This roar was filled with an extreme and terrifying pressure. Under its effect, the Bishui Demon Python's body trembled, its eyes filled with fear.
"Enter Master Weasel!"
The colossal black mist figure suddenly extended a hand and struck the Bishui Demon Python spirit with great force. Afflicted by this blow, the spirit emitted a piercing wail and transformed into a streak of blue light, which was swallowed whole by the wildly rotating black hole vortex.
"Pfft!"
When the Bishui Demon Python spirit was consumed by the black hole, the shadow behind Xiaozhao completely dissipated, and the black hole itself visibly vanished before their eyes.
"Success?"
Lin Dong was surprised by the swift conclusion of the battle. His gaze turned to Xiaozhao, whose translucent body indicated significant exhaustion. Despite Xiaozhao's extraordinary origins, his current state relied solely on Lin Dong's Yuan Power, insufficient to support multiple uses of secret techniques.
After consuming the Bishui Demon Python spirit, Xiaozhao's body transformed into a beam of light and returned to the stone talisman in Lin Dong's palm.
"Boy, I owe you a favor this time. However, I might need to rest for a while..." As Xiaozhao entered the stone talisman, a weak voice echoed in Lin Dong's mind, then fell silent. It seemed that consuming the Bishui Demon Python spirit further worsened Xiaozhao's already poor condition.
Lin Dong blankly stared at the now empty and disordered cave, taking a deep breath after a while. Fortunately, he had won this bet; otherwise, he would have been relentlessly chased by a spirit comparable to the peak of the Yuan Dan realm.
"Whoosh!"
Just as Lin Dong relaxed, the rear of the cave suddenly produced a gushing sound. Water from the blocked pool rushed in.
Seeing this, Lin Dong quickly stepped forward and grabbed the three Yin-Yang Pearls floating in mid-air.
Upon touching the Yin-Yang Pearls, a chilling and warm energy surged into Lin Dong's body almost simultaneously. The sensation of ultimate comfort made Lin Dong shiver involuntarily, confirming that Xiaozhao's earlier words were indeed accurate.
These Yin-Yang Pearls are truly treasures!
Suppressing his joy, Lin Dong swiftly stored the Yin-Yang Pearls in his Qiankun Bag and then hurriedly swam out through the previous channel, drawing upon the remaining Yuan Power in his Dantian.
Outside the Dan Xian Pool, Xia Zhi Lan and two others had finished absorbing its energies and were now staring at the Dan Xian Pool with puzzled expressions, unsure why Lin Dong had yet to emerge.
"Perhaps something unexpected happened?" Xuan Su frowned.
"It should be fine. Back then, I and Yue Shan thoroughly searched it. Although the terrain below is complex, there are no dangers."
...Xia Wan Jin shook his head, equally puzzled about why Lin Dong hadn't surfaced yet.
"Let's wait a bit longer. If he doesn't come out, I'll go down myself."
Xia Wan Jin paused for a moment and continued, "No matter what, I consider myself fairly righteous. Not mentioning Lin Dong's potential, just because he helped my Wan Jin Guild secure victory earlier, I should ensure his safety."
"Hmm." Hearing this, Ying Su nodded lightly. A person with such potential, if successfully recruited, would bring immense benefits to the Wan Jin Guild in the future.
"Plop!"
Not long after Xia Wan Jin spoke, the previously calm surface of the pool made a sound. Immediately after, a figure broke through the water and landed beside the pool.
"He's out!"
Seeing the young man finally appear, Xia Zhi Lan and others breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hehe, sorry about that. I got curious and took a look around at the bottom of the pool, so it took a bit longer than expected." Seeing everyone gathered around him, Lin Dong bowed politely and laughed.
"I thought you drowned down there." Xia Zhi Lan glanced sideways at Lin Dong, huffing lightly. Recalling Lin Dong's voracious energy absorption earlier, she felt somewhat irritated.
Lin Dong smiled but didn't argue, glancing back at the Dan Xian Pool. The water was now clear, the previous fragrant scent almost undetectable. The peculiar sight of half boiling and half icy water was gone, indicating that all the energy inside had been absorbed by the four of them. In the future, the Dan Xian Pool would just be an ordinary pool.
"Hehe, looks like Brother Lin Dong gained quite a lot this time." Xia Wan Jin scanned Lin Dong briefly, then surprisingly noticed that the fluctuations of Yuan Power around him had become even denser than before.
"Hehe, just a small breakthrough."
Hearing this, Lin Dong's heart skipped a beat, thinking Xia Wan Jin might have noticed what he obtained at the bottom of the pool. However, after observing Xia Wan Jin closely, it seemed he had no such intention, allowing Lin Dong to quietly relax, smiling offhandedly. Just as Xiaozhao said, the allure of the Yin-Yang Pearls was considerable, and he dared not guarantee whether Xia Wan Jin might have other ideas if he found out.
While talking, Lin Dong carefully observed Xia Zhi Lan and the others. Their Yuan Power fluctuations were now exceptionally strong, all at the later stages of Tian Yuan Realm. After this absorption, they might soon successfully enter the Yuan Dan Realm.
Xia Wan Jin nodded slightly, viewing Lin Dong with greater respect. At such a young age, to achieve such progress in Yuan Power, especially in mental energy cultivation, showed remarkable talent.
"Since matters here are settled, let's head back to Flame City." Xuan Su smiled naturally.
Agreeing with her words, Lin Dong also nodded with a smile. The Dan Xian Pool had exhausted all its energy and was now just a waste pool. Staying here any longer would be futile. This trip to the Dan Xian Pool, speaking of which, he had gained the most. Truly, it was worth coming.