C45 The King of Snakes

The Crimson Python warily fixed its gaze on the swirling black fog. Its massive body coiled, ready to strike, and with a swift motion, its tail swept through the fog.

Eoldrai, with its heightened intelligence and deep rapport with Jiao Yuanju, no longer required any direction. It boldly advanced towards the Crimson Python.

As the serpents confronted each other, the Crimson Python lunged, its gaping maw wide enough to swallow dozens of Eoldrai's kind in a single gulp. Yet, Eoldrai stood frozen, as if stupefied, forgetting even its instinctual skills of stealth and evasion. It remained motionless, a third of its body erect, utterly unfazed by the looming jaws of the giant snake.

"Look, what's happening to the Green Snake King?"

"Get out of there!"

The onlookers were frantic, their desperation palpable as Eoldrai made no move to evade the Crimson Python's assault. Could the Snake King really fall to the hands of Apex Academy? Was Azure Academy doomed to be the perennial underdog among the four academies?

Jing Dehai and Lei Sheng exchanged a glance, each recognizing the resignation in the other's eyes. They had done all they could, conceding that they were no match for Lang Xinrong. Despite their usual disdain for Jiao Yuanju, they had hoped for his victory. Now, it seemed that hope was fading.

But the anticipated scene of Eoldrai's demise never came to pass. The Crimson Python inexplicably froze, its jaws halted inches from Jiao Yuanju's face.

Lang Xinrong's expression of contempt quickly morphed into confusion, and he barked, "Crimson Python, devour it now!"

The Crimson Python remained motionless, as if deaf to his command. It was then that the crowd noticed something extraordinary: Eoldrai's pupils had turned a brilliant gold. Black mist began to curl around its diminutive form, coalescing into the towering phantom of a two-meter snake. The regal aura that emanated from the apparition commanded the attention of all present, leaving them with one collective thought: What is that?

The indistinct specter resembled a winged serpent of immense stature. In that moment, Eoldrai's golden eyes shone with an unprecedented air of nobility and defiance, akin to that of an emperor.

To everyone's astonishment, the Crimson Python began to tremble. Confronted by the seemingly insignificant Eoldrai, it could not muster any of its usual dominance. It hung its head low, like a subject before its ruler, and with a resounding crash, it collapsed.

Jiao Yuanju was taken aback. He had simply encouraged Eoldrai to give her all in battle, yet the unfolding scene was beyond his wildest expectations. He was uncertain whether Lang Xinrong's Combat Pet had perished or merely fainted from terror.

"The Crimson Python has inadvertently activated a latent gene, triggering an atavistic event," the system announced. "Its lineage is evolving, aligning with its ancestral bloodline as its genetic evolution chain reconfigures."

Jiao Yuanju was startled by the system's abrupt alert. Eoldrai had undergone an ancestral transformation? What did that entail? What changes had she undergone?

"Crimson Python!" Lang Xinrong's gaze, now filled with an uncontrollable murderous rage, fixed on Eoldrai, who stood as majestic as an empress. He had a deep bond with the Crimson Python and knew it hadn't died but was simply knocked unconscious by fear. Yet, this realization only heightened his dread. What on earth had happened to this green snake to make even the rare Crimson Python cower before it?

He saw only two possibilities. The first was that Eoldrai possessed a peculiar ability that had hypnotized the Crimson Python, possibly even taking it under her control. That scenario was manageable. The second, far more daunting possibility, was that Eoldrai's bloodline had undergone a mutation, elevating her bloodline level to a terrifyingly unimaginable degree, surpassing even the Profound level of the Crimson Python.

A sense of crisis, like none he'd ever felt before, prickled his skin. This snake, once fully grown, would be formidable, potentially surpassing even a Grandmaster Combat Pet Master. Driven by this fear, Lang Xinrong was consumed by a single thought: to eliminate Jiao Yuanju at all costs.

With this in mind, Lang Xinrong lunged at Eoldrai with lightning speed, a sinister black blade with a spiral pattern materializing in his hand. A mere twist after piercing flesh would reduce it to pulp!

"What do you think you're doing, Lang Xinrong!" Zhen Heyi stepped in front of him, her voice thundering with fury.

"Out of my way!" Lang Xinrong, driven by primal instinct, shoved Zhen Heyi aside, disregarding everything in his path. He charged toward the green snake's head with ferocious speed.

"Despicable coward!"

"How utterly shameless! He loses a fight and then tries to kill someone's Combat Pet. The Apex Squadron has no honor!"

Lang Xinrong's blatant murderous intent towards Eoldrai had thoroughly incensed the Azure Academy crowd, shattering their previous perceptions of Apex Academy. With such a captain at the helm, it was clear the Apex Squadron was just as dishonorable!

He was quick, but Jiao Yuanju was quicker!

"Thinking of killing my Combat Pet?"

Jiao Yuanju's eyes narrowed as he unleashed the Asura Combat Body. In that instant, he seemed to be reborn, his strength, speed, and senses reaching their zenith as his bloodline awakened.

In a flash, Jiao Yuanju closed the distance to Lang Xinrong, his eyes icy as he reached for the knife!

At this juncture, a vicious glint crossed Lang Xinrong's eyes. If it came to it, he would simply eliminate Jiao Yuanju. Without a master, the Green Snake King could still serve him. It was just the removal of an inconsequential person. As the heir of the Lang family, he would face, at worst, a slap on the wrist.

He let out a cold, mocking laugh, "You're seeking your own demise. Don't blame me for this!"

His military knife lunged for Jiao Yuanju's throat with spectral swiftness!

But the knife halted, seized in Jiao Yuanju's bare grip.

"You!"

With a cold smirk, Jiao Yuanju's body surged with monstrous strength, twisting the military knife in his palm out of shape before tossing it aside.

Lang Xinrong was left dumbfounded.

With a swift backhand, Jiao Yuanju sent Lang Xinrong flying several meters, crashing into the edge of the crowd!

Brushing off his hands as if he had dealt with a trivial matter, Jiao Yuanju spoke calmly, "Next time, I won't hesitate to twist off your head myself!"