My lord, spare his life!

Make way!

Zhang Daji spent a day taming his newly grown limbs. Although he could move normally, he was still not as skilled as those around him who had been in human form for over a decade or two. In Zhang Yang's view, the human form of Zhang Daji was just a fragile little thing. To survive on the battlefield, he would temporarily use his original Star Beast form. As for the Star Beast form consuming too much energy? That wasn't a problem for Zhang Yang.

Use the Star Beast form with confidence.

Relying on its exceptional mobility, Zhang Daji darted across the battlefield, occasionally flapping its wings to fan the flames of the red-hot warships, allowing the fires to spread faster and larger, causing the enemy soldiers to scream in agony. However, what Zhang Daji desired most was to fight alongside Zhang Jun, so that it could take this opportunity to avenge its mother's death. Unfortunately, there were always those who tried to stop it.

And the person who stopped it was someone it had never expected.

[Uncle Python, get out of the way! I'm saying this one last time!]

Yes, the person blocking his way was a large black python claiming to be a former subordinate of his mother. The python didn't reveal its star beast form, but instead threw two shots from its human form, grazing Zhang Daji's feathers and blocking his path. Seeing Uncle Python, who had left without saying goodbye, on the battlefield, Zhang Daji's first reaction was surprise and delight. But upon seeing the python's actions, Zhang Daji's expression turned to astonishment and disbelief, and finally, anger!

The black python simply sighed.

Using her fingers like a comb, she pulled back her hair, which hadn't been styled for days, to avoid obstructing her vision. With her other hand, she drew her weapon and slowly uttered, "Young lord, I regret that I cannot obey your command."

Zhang Daji realized that the other party was serious.

He shouted: "Which side are you on?"

The black python: "I take no sides. I was once your mother's personal guard, and I still serve under him. Even if we disagree, I will not help you harm him. If you wish to reclaim your mother's position, young lord, prepare to make a trip to the village."

Zhang Daji felt like his mind was a little foggy.

You clearly helped me!

Some things only star beasts know. Zhang Daji, who received a traditional education from a young age, naturally didn't know them, but the few days he spent with the black python filled in a lot of gaps in his knowledge. Zhang Daji could clearly sense the other's friendliness, which was not only the affection of an elder for a junior but also the complex emotions of a subordinate for the orphan of their former master. It even thought that the python uncle, as its mother's former subordinate, had endured humiliation and waited for it to grow up.

Now that we look at it, that's not the case.

Uncle Python's stance is strange; his loyalty to the former leader is not thorough, and his loyalty to the current leader is also mixed with outward compliance but inward resistance.

The black python, however, looked puzzled and replied, "You are the young lord left behind by the late lord, so helping you is only natural. Even if you didn't have this status and were merely an ordinary member of the same clan, I wouldn't stand idly by. The survival of the Star Beast race is difficult, and the birth of any new member is extremely precious."

He sensed Zhang Daji's emotions and understood that there was a misunderstanding between them. He added, "I helped you privately because of our personal relationship. I'm not loyal to any specific person, but to the chief. Whoever is the chief, I obey their orders. This chief may have many underhanded methods and his ideas differ from mine, but he is, after all, the village chief."

Zhang Daji was so angry that his head was throbbing.

If I were the leader, would you obey my orders?

"Of course, that's why I want you to return to the village and seize power. If you don't intend to do so, don't easily get involved in village affairs." The black python was happy to see Zhang Daji seize power. As a human-trained star beast, although Zhang Daji was raised by Wang Qi, since the custody was transferred to Zhang Jun, his temperament has become more and more like the former leader. Perhaps the other party can inherit the former leader's last wishes.

If Zhang Daji were to rise to power, the black python would naturally be more willing to assist him. However, he hasn't risen to power yet, has he? As one of the current leader's guards, the black python must diligently stand guard for the last few shifts and prevent Zhang Daji from causing trouble.

Zhang Daji was so angry that his feathers bristled.

The black python sensed a dangerous aura.

As a python belonging to the Pythonidae family within the suborder Serpentes, Zhang Daji was its natural enemy on the food chain. Logically speaking, at their size, the species advantage shouldn't be significant, yet the black python still sensed a subtle sense of suppression from Zhang Daji.

【Then I'll call you right now!】

Zhang Daji completely let go of the constraints of body size.

Its wings suddenly swelled and extended, blocking out the sunlight from the nearby battlefield and casting large shadows, making both enemy and friendly soldiers think it was a solar eclipse. The black python decisively leaped a few times to create distance: [Young Master, your original form has suffered too much damage!]

When a Star Beast unleashes its true form, it's like a human warrior releasing the Four Symbols Illusion—a seemingly overwhelming trump card that can't last long. Once its Star Power is depleted, the Star Beast often needs to consume large amounts of food to replenish its energy. Zhang Daji, however, ignored his nonsense.

It opened its terrifying beak and was about to peck at something.

Ding--

After a brief burst of sparks, the bird's beak easily severed the black python's weapon, and the python was slammed into the river by the force of the impact, creating huge waves that rocked nearby warships. Beneath the water, a dark light emerged, and the tail of a black python, so thick that it would take two or three strong men to encircle it, lashed out at Daji.

Zhang Daji intercepted with his sharp claws.

The sharp claws left several scratches on the black, jade-like python skin.

In the next instant, the black python attacked from an unbelievable angle, swiftly coiling around Zhang Daji's wings and neck. Zhang Daji lost control of his flight and was pulled underwater. One python flapped its wings with all its might, while the other tightened its muscles, trying to briefly suffocate Zhang Daji and loosen its grip, almost turning him into a ball.

The two beasts struggled, causing the river water to surge and boil.

The nearby warships were all in trouble, their hulls rocking violently as they were battered by increasingly larger waves.

Wang Qi glanced at the two beasts when he had a spare moment.

He clicked his tongue: "Two kids fighting."

He thought that this kind of fighting wouldn't kill the Star Beast, as the water released by the black python could lower the river's water level by several inches.

[You brat, you dare to daydream!]

Along with the angry shout came a rapidly enlarging, cold blade that almost grazed his hair in his peripheral vision. Wang Qi regained his composure, and the Jishui Leopard, knowing his intentions, pounced from a tricky angle, its mouth still smeared with blood and flesh.

The enemy general saw the familiar fragments of flesh and blood stuck together and was furious.

You wicked beast, how dare you harm my son!

"It's killing, not wounding." Wang Qi sneered bloodthirstyly, lightly stroking the head of the water leopard with an approving air. "It tore its head off in one bite; it must be dead beyond any doubt. I'll see this through to the end and send you and your son to reunite in the Western Paradise!"

Only then did the enemy general notice the horrific state of the nearby corpses.

Some had their chests and backs pierced by sharp claws, while others had their limbs and heads violently torn off by some wild beast. Every face bore the same look of terror and pain, their eyes wide open in death. The enemy general scanned his surroundings and spotted something in a corner that was still stubbornly clinging to life, struggling to survive—it no longer resembled a human being, but rather the leftovers of a wild beast.

Before the enemy general could recover from his brief shock, Wang Qi charged forward with his weapon, his blade slashing down from above. The enemy general could only temporarily suppress his grief over the loss of his son, channeling his sorrow into revenge, and met the attack head-on with his spear held above his head.

The moment the two made contact, his expression changed drastically.

He hastily retreated, barely managing to stop only after being several dozen feet away. The lingering chilling aura from his weapon made his hands numb, and even his arms felt as if they had been ripped off and frozen in an ice cellar. The enemy general circulated his energy, using his star power to expel the violent and chilling aura from his body, and his arms gradually warmed up. The enemy general slowly exhaled a breath of stale air and said, "What a ruthless young man."

He was decades older than Wang Qi, and he hadn't lived in vain.

Roar!

A dragon's roar erupted from underwater.

A column of water shot into the sky, with a glimmer of golden light hidden within it.

Only after the water column receded and crashed onto the river surface did the creature inside become visible. It resembled a blue dragon, with four fingers and claws growing from its belly, its entire body covered in dense, golden scales that shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, and a pair of horns on its head.

The golden dragon circled behind the enemy general, glaring angrily at Wang Qi.

Wang Qi said calmly: [Kang Jinlong.]

Kang Jinlong appeared tough, but was actually kind and simple-minded. This one, however, was different. Its dragon eyes were filled with a fierce, scarlet light, faintly showing signs of the same uncontrolled depravity as that Void Sun Rat: [I only killed one of your sons, and you've already fallen into depravity?]

If Wang Ba had been killed, he certainly wouldn't have had such a strong emotional reaction—Wang Qi knew the meaning of the law of the jungle even before he was as tall as his sword. Kang Jinlong let out a dragon's roar, answering Wang Qi on behalf of the enemy general, and charged towards Wang Qi like an arrow released from a bow.

The leopard attacked from the side.

He opened his mouth to bite Kang Jinlong's vital spot.

With one bite, sparks flew, yet Kang Jinlong's scales remained as smooth as if coated with wax, while Ji Shuibao grimaced in pain, worried that his teeth had broken. Kang Jinlong nimbly darted through the air, instantly fixing his attention on Wang Qi to one side.

Wang Qi sneered: "You little bastard, you've given me too much face!"

He raised his sword and slashed at the dragon's head, then grabbed a dragon's whisker and leaped up, flipping onto the dragon's head and grabbing a golden dragon horn in each hand. The enemy general tried to cooperate with Kang Jinlong but was blocked by Ji Shuibao. The next second, Wang Qi's upper clothes exploded open.

He gathered all his strength in his arms, pouring in all his immense stellar power. The Kang Jinlong, which had been about to throw him off, let out a distorted roar, its body thrashing wildly out of control. The more it struggled, the more excited Wang Qi became, letting out a series of arrogant laughs: "Take your dragon horns, see if they can be used in medicine!"

Kang Jinlong and Wang Qi crashed directly into the water.

Nearby warships suffered even more.

Before Zhang Daji and the black python could suffocate their opponent, Wang Qi was already trying to break off the dragon's horns—Kang Jinlong, as a phantom of a star, doesn't have deer antlers as its horns, so they can't be used in medicine.

Kang Jinlong sometimes enters the water, and sometimes soars into the sky.

Whether it was splashing water or crashing into mountains, Wang Qi remained firmly atop its head. Cracks had appeared at the tips of its dragon horns, from which a faint golden liquid oozed. Wang Qi's maniacal laughter echoed nearby.

Zhang Daji struggled to shout and curse as he teetered on the brink of suffocation.

[...You son of a bitch, you bastard!]

If we don't come soon, its neck will really be snapped.

The black python was also frustrated. Despite its seemingly tough exterior, it was actually quite weak—Zhang Daji showed no signs of exhausting itself and shrinking, but it was running out of energy. In order to avoid being eaten like a spicy snack by Shaojun, the black python could only hold its strength tightly and dared not loosen it.

The two beasts tumbled and rolled around in the mud at the bottom of the water several times.

Zhang Daji struggled to the surface to catch his breath and called for help from Wang Qi, only to see the latter laughing maniacally while riding the dragon. This sight caused him to stumble, and he was dragged into the water by the black python, choking on several mouthfuls of water: [You bastard!]

At that moment, a cry rang out from the sky.

A small dot rapidly enlarged, appearing above the battlefield in a few breaths. The bird glanced at the chaotic battlefield, then suddenly swooped down, its claws gripping Zhang Daji's wing, grabbing Zhang Daji along with the large black python coiled around it.

Seeing Zhang Daji's predicament, it then pecked at the black python's eyes.

The black python, in pain, loosened its grip slightly.

Zhang Daji seized the opportunity, shrunk rapidly, and flew out through the gap, escaping to safety. Zhang Dagu chirped at it twice, essentially asking if it wasn't thinking straight, why didn't it do something earlier?

Zhang Daji: [...]

"Oh right, it could have shrunk in size immediately and escaped quickly. So why did it maintain its maximum size and entangle with Uncle Python? It almost got strangled to death by Uncle Python!" Zhang Daji guiltily looked away, but fortunately, Zhang Dagu didn't continue to mock it, saving it some face. The two birds exchanged a glance, and Zhang Dagu chose to stand up for Zhang Daji.

Zhang Dagu: [Coo coo!]

Zhang Daji: [Take this peck!]

The giant black python: [...]

Faced with two star beasts that could be considered his natural enemies, it shook its oxygen-deprived brain and chose to flee immediately.

Just kidding, kids never know how to hold their own.

If those two birds, one grabbing its head and the other its tail, tear it in two like children fighting over food, it would suffer a great loss. The black python simply dived underwater.

Zhang Daji: [Uncle Python, come out here!]

Black python: [Come down here if you dare!]

Come up here if you dare!

Come down here if you dare!

Zhang Dagu circled the water twice to determine the target's exact depth. After Zhang Daji and the black python had fought back and forth three times, Zhang Dagu suddenly realized something was wrong. He turned his head and stared intently at Zhang Daji, making Daji feel uneasy.

【Coo coo coo?】

Did you hear that right?

The voice Zhang Daji made was indeed human speech.

Zhang Daji's mouth moved faster than his brain: [Hahaha, yeah, yeah, I've transformed into a human! Zhang Jun personally watched over me and helped me with the transformation. I look really good now, I'll give you…]

It was about to say that it would let Zhang Dagu take a look.

Zhang Dagu, who had just been helping it, suddenly pounced from a great height.

The two bird claws took turns stomping on its head. Zhang Daji was caught off guard and fled in a sorry state, leaving behind a string of feathers.

Zhang Dagu: [Coo coo coo!]

The angry and mournful bird cries even reached the black python hiding underwater. It cautiously poked its head out and saw that the two star beasts, which had been working in perfect harmony just moments before, had suddenly turned on each other. The newcomer was chasing after the young lord, scratching, clawing, and pecking at him...

The black python tried so hard but couldn't even get a few feathers off Shao Jun, while the new bird has almost scratched Zhang Daji bald.

Zhang Daji had exhausted too much energy and was unable to fly anymore. Zhang Dagu grabbed his head with a bird claw and forcefully pressed him down.

With one paw, it held Zhang Daji down, and with the other paw, it began to pluck his fur.

Zhang Daji pleaded, kicking its two bird claws: "I was wrong!"

To preserve his beautiful feathers, Zhang Daji, drawing on his previous experience, quickly transformed into human form: [Hehehe, now you don't have any feathers to grab... Ouch, my hair!]

Grandma, don't touch there!

? ?|??w?`)

Eating too many red beans—longing for love (wanting to die).

Although it's a pun, I won't be penalized.

Zhang Dagu: Ahhh—you jerk!