Chapter 22: The Divine Physician Breaks Through the Rift and Soars to the Ninth Heaven

The figure finally revealed itself fully to the two of them. It resembled a giant python but possessed a pair of wings, its scales as black as ink, shimmering with a metallic luster. Its massive head was the size of a truck, and a crimson, forked tongue flickered in and out, releasing a foul, nauseating stench.

"Is this thing supposed to be from some low-budget fantasy drama?" Zhan Qingxue muttered to herself, though she gripped her ice blade even tighter.

The giant python hissed toward the heavens, the sonic waves vibrating so intensely that the surrounding space seemed to warp. With a single beat of its wings, a gale roared, sending gravel flying as if the end of the world had arrived.

Niu Yichen was quick-witted; he pulled Zhan Qingxue into his arms, shielding her behind him. "Hold on tight!" he commanded in a low voice. Like a bolt of lightning, he darted away, barely dodging the python's initial strike.

Having missed its first attack, the python grew even more ferocious. Its massive tail swept across with the force of a landslide, crushing everything in its path. Niu Yichen dared not meet it head-on and was forced to evade again.

"This range—it’s practically an AOE attack!" he thought to himself, stunned. The python’s power far exceeded his expectations.

In his arms, Zhan Qingxue felt as though her internal organs were being churned; a surge of blood rose to her throat, but she forced it back down. As the python continued its rapid-fire onslaught, Niu Yichen found himself struggling to keep up, and small wounds began to appear on his body.

"Brother Chen, we can't keep this up! We'll be worn down to nothing!" Zhan Qingxue said anxiously.

Niu Yichen understood this well, but he couldn't think of a better plan. The python’s hide was thick and tough, rendering ordinary attacks useless, and its own strikes were so violent that evasion was becoming nearly impossible.

Suddenly, the python ceased its attack. It raised its massive head high, its crimson eyes locked onto Niu Yichen as if brewing something even more terrifying. A suffocating pressure radiated from the creature; Niu Yichen felt as though an entire mountain were pressing down on him, rendering him unable to move.

Zhan Qingxue’s face turned pale as she clutched the corner of Niu Yichen's clothing. "Brother Chen..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

Niu Yichen took a deep breath, a flicker of resolve in his eyes. "Xue’er, trust me!" he whispered, and then—he abruptly shoved her away.

"Brother Chen! No!" Zhan Qingxue cried out, but it was already too late to stop him.

Locked in the python's suffocating aura, Niu Yichen could not dodge. He watched helplessly as the creature opened its gaping maw to devour him. At this critical juncture, Niu Yichen let out a roar: "Open!" He channeled the Power of Longevity to its absolute limit, forming a golden shield around his body as if he were a god descended from the heavens.

"Is that it? I thought this was some world-shattering skill, and that's all you've got?" he mocked.

The python’s attack slammed into the golden shield, producing a deafening boom. The shield trembled violently but did not shatter. Seizing the opportunity, Niu Yichen countered, golden needles flashing in his hand like shooting stars as he struck at the python’s vital point.

"Ever heard of Traditional Chinese Medicine? Let me show you how it's done!"

The golden needles pierced the python’s weak spot with unerring precision. The creature shrieked in agony—its attack had been neutralized!

Zhan Qingxue’s eyes filled with joyful surprise. "Brother Chen, you're amazing!"

However, the python was not finished. Realizing that physical attacks were futile, it shifted its tactics. Its eyes turned blood-red, and an intangible mental force swept out, attempting to invade the minds of Niu Yichen and Zhan Qingxue.

"A psychic attack? Playing dirty, are we?" Niu Yichen sneered.

He felt immense pressure, as if countless demons were whispering in his ears, trying to shatter his will.

"Brother Chen, watch out!" Zhan Qingxue’s voice came from afar, sounding ethereal and distant.

Niu Yichen gritted his teeth, battling the fear within. It was a conflict of the self, a duel between his Daoist heart and his inner demons. Beads of sweat as large as peas broke out on his forehead, and his complexion paled.

"My fate is in my hands, not heaven's! You think a mere psychic attack can shake me?" Niu Yichen roared internally. He pushed the Power of Longevity to the breaking point, forming an impenetrable mental barrier to repel the python’s assault. Not only that, he used the power to retaliate, reflecting the python's psychic energy back upon itself.

Caught off guard, the python suffered from its own rebound and let out a pained wail.

"A cheap trick, attempting to show off in front of an expert?" Niu Yichen scoffed, the light in his eyes sharpening.

Realizing that long-range attacks were useless against him, the python let out a heaven-shaking roar and charged at Niu Yichen with its massive body.

"Looks like we're doing this hand-to-hand..." Niu Yichen whispered, a spark of excitement in his eyes.

Zhan Qingxue clenched her fists, watching his back with concern. The python lunged forward, bringing with it a foul wind; its massive form was like a small hill, and every movement caused the ground to tremble as if it were about to collapse.

"Brother Chen, be careful!" Zhan Qingxue called out, continuously condensing energy stones into flying blades to distract the creature.

Niu Yichen dared not be careless. If that thing actually hit him, he would lose a layer of skin even with his indestructible physique. He dodged nimbly, dancing through the python's reach like a butterfly. At the same time, he flicked his golden needles, striking the creature’s joints and acupuncture points.

"Breaking the whole with a single point—do you understand?" he teased while attacking.

The python, stung by pain, slowed its movements, though its attacks remained fierce. A massive tail swept toward him; Niu Yichen barely dodged, though the force of the wind still caught him, making him stagger a few steps.

"Brother Chen!" Zhan Qingxue cried out, her energy blades forming a curtain of light to shield him.

Niu Yichen steadied himself and took a deep breath, feeling the surging Power of Longevity within him. "Time to unleash the ultimate move!" A confident smile touched his lips.

The python seemed to sense the danger. It let out a deafening roar, its scales standing on end as a powerful wave of energy emanated from its body.

"Come on, let's see who breaks first!" Niu Yichen was fearless. He pushed his power to the limit, golden light shining from his body like a celestial being.

He pressed his palms together, then suddenly pulled them apart. A brilliant beam of light erupted from his hands, surging straight toward the python. Simultaneously, the python gathered all its strength and opened its maw, spewing a beam of black energy.

The two powerful energies collided in mid-air, creating a cataclysmic boom. The surrounding space began to twist and warp, as if it might shatter at any moment. The explosion’s light illuminated the entire rift; Zhan Qingxue was blinded by the glare and could only cover her ears, praying silently.

As the light faded, dust filled the air, obscuring everything.

"Brother Chen! Are you okay?" Zhan Qingxue called out anxiously.

A gentle breeze blew, clearing the dust and revealing the scene at the epicenter of the blast.

"Is that it?" a familiar voice asked.

The sight left Zhan Qingxue stunned. Niu Yichen stood there perfectly unscathed, his clothes not even ruffled. He wore a faint smile, as if the world-destroying collision had been nothing more than child's play.

As for the arrogant giant python, it had vanished without a trace—not even a fragment remained.

"Brother Chen, you... you're really okay?" Zhan Qingxue couldn't believe her eyes.

"Is that it? I thought it would be much stronger, but that's really all it had?" Niu Yichen shrugged, looking entirely relaxed. He opened his palm, where a sphere of pure energy rotated slowly, emitting a heart-stopping aura. "Looks like this thing was just a glorified battery."

It turned out that in the moment of impact, Niu Yichen had used his insights into longevity not only to remain unharmed but to absorb the energy dissipated by the python, resulting in a qualitative leap in his own power. He felt so full of strength that he believed he could shatter the earth with a single punch.

Zhan Qingxue rushed into his arms, her eyes filled with love and adoration. "Brother Chen, you’re amazing! You’re my superman!"

Niu Yichen stroked her hair, feeling the warmth of her presence, his heart at peace. However, this tranquility did not last. He suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of unease, as if an invisible pair of eyes were watching them from the shadows, making the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

"Xue’er," Niu Yichen’s tone suddenly turned serious. "I have a feeling... there are many more unknown dangers waiting for us in this world."

Zhan Qingxue sensed his change in mood and looked up, asking worriedly, "Brother Chen, what's wrong?"

Niu Yichen did not answer. He merely looked up at the sky, a sharp glint in his eyes. He did not know when or where the next challenge would arise. He tightened his grip on Zhan Qingxue’s hand and said firmly, "Let's go. It's time to go home."

Hand in hand, the two left the dangerous rift. Just as they stepped out, Niu Yichen suddenly stopped. He spun around to look deep into the rift, a sharp, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

"Come out. I know you're still there..."