My path to immortality was smooth sailing.

"Hiss!" The black-striped horned python stared intently at Wei Jing, its forked tongue flicking in and out of its mouth.

"Elders, go and rescue Wei Long and Wei Qingyao. Leave this beast to me!"

"And please cover for me while you're at it." Wei Jing bowed to the three of them with his hands clasped in a respectful gesture of respect befitting a junior.

Then, wielding his black iron rod, he charged straight at the black-striped horned python.

It wasn't that Wei Jing wanted to show off, but the requirement of the True Inheritance Trial was to kill the Black-Striped Horned Python on his own. If others intervened to help, it would be considered a failure, and at most they could only stand by and provide support.

However, this is also excellent, as Wei Jing can now fight him without restraint.

With several elders of the clan present to protect and guard Jing, his life was almost certainly not in danger. Even if he couldn't defeat the black-striped horned python, the elders would intervene in time.

"Boom!" Wei Jing wielded a black iron rod and struck the body of the black-striped horned python. The collision between the black iron and the dark scales actually sparked.

The three of them looked at each other, all stunned.

Wei Jing and the Black-striped Horned Python fought fiercely, their battle so intense that neither gained the upper hand.

"I'll go help Jing'er." Without saying a word, Elder Hong Gu was about to rush into the battlefield.

"Elder Hong Gu, wait a moment. Just keep watch for me; you don't need to help me."

"This black-striped horned python is my true disciple's test. I carry a recording stone with me. If someone helps me, I will fail the test."

Wei Jing's voice came from the thick fog below, and Elder Hong Gu was stunned, stopping in her tracks.

"The True Disciple Assessment? Jing'er, your Qingfu Sect has only been around for a little over two years, and you're already about to become a True Disciple?" Wei Dao was shocked on the spot.

"We don't need to interfere; we can't ruin Jing'er's assessment," Wei Lie said at this moment. He stood at the edge of the battle, his eyes shining as he stared intently at Wei Jing and the black-striped horned python locked in combat.

"Yes!" Wei Dao nodded.

Elder Honggu said with a worried expression, "That beast is almost a dragon, its strength far surpasses that of an ordinary late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, Jing'er..."

"Let alone Jing'er, I wouldn't stand a chance against this beast even if I faced him alone."

After Elder Hong Gu finished speaking, Wei Dao and Wei Lie exchanged a glance, both feeling ashamed. They realized that their chances of winning against this giant serpent in a one-on-one fight were slim.

"Elders, please save Wei Long and Wei Qingyao!"

At this moment, Wei Yun arrived late, panting as she leaned against an ancient tree and called out to the three of them.

Wei Lie then seemed to wake from a dream and shouted:

"Long'er, Grandpa is here to save you."

He flashed forward, shattering the ice sculpture of the frozen Wei Long with a single palm strike, and then with a backhand blow, he also cracked the ice seal on Wei Qingyao's body.

Then, without saying a word, he placed his palms on the backs of the two people, and a continuous stream of spiritual energy flowed into their bodies.

Wei Long felt himself come back to life, his whole body radiating warmth. He slowly opened his eyes, feeling extremely weak.

"Grandpa...Grandpa." Only when he saw the old man did Wei Long finally feel relieved.

"You beast, die!"

Wei Jing leaped into the air, hovering above it, his robes billowing and rustling in the fierce wind. The black iron staff lay horizontally before him as he chanted incantations:

"Borrowing the power of Heaven and Earth, wielding the righteous command of the Five Thunders. In a flash, as the law commands!"

Wei Jing formed hand seals, and as soon as he finished speaking, he pointed one hand at the black-striped horned python. Instantly, a bolt of lightning burst from Wei Jing's palm and struck the black-striped horned python directly.

"boom!"

The black-striped horned python was struck by lightning as it tumbled about, its scales flying off and revealing a charred patch on its body.

Suddenly, black mist rose up all around, and this mist contained a deadly poison.

"Jing'er!" Elder Honggu exclaimed in surprise.

Wei Jing remained calm and composed, and then he made another hand seal.

"Wind-dispelling technique".

Suddenly, a strong wind arose, blowing away the poisonous fog along with the mist.

The next moment, Wei Jing's figure disappeared into the air, leaving only fragments of afterimages in mid-air.

"He has disappeared underground." Wei Yun exclaimed in shock, pointing to a raised area on the ground.

Everyone looked over and saw Wei Jing suddenly appear behind the black-striped horned python, holding a thick iron rod and swinging it towards the python's seven-inch spot.

"Pfft!"

The black-striped horned python was knocked more than ten meters into the air, its body dented and its scales falling off.

The black-striped horned python fell to the ground and writhed in agony, crushing several ancient trees that were hundreds of years old.

"Wow, that's amazing!" Wei Qingyao covered her mouth, her eyes filled with shock and surprise.

This cousin is several years younger than me, how can he be so amazing?

He, Wei Yun, and Wei Long fought the black-striped horned python for no more than ten rounds before two of them were devoured.

If the three elders hadn't arrived in time, they would likely have been doomed.

Wei Jing managed to gain the upper hand against the Black-striped Horned Python all by himself.

"Hiss!" The black-striped horned python's head flicked, its eyes fixed on Wei Jing.

It's him again, and it's this human again.

Clearly, the Black-striped Horned Python still remembered Wei Jing's presence. The two had briefly clashed two years ago, and Wei Jing had ended up fleeing in a sorry state.

Two years later, when they fought again, this human boy had become so strong.

Why? It's unfair! The Black-striped Horned Python has cultivated for a hundred years, yet it can't defeat a human youth.

Wei Jing's figure was reflected in its enormous snake eyes.

"Borrowing the power of Heaven and Earth, wielding the righteous command of the Five Thunders. In a flash, as the law commands!"

Wei Jing muttered incantations, and lightning flashed between his palms.

"Boom! Boom!"

Four or five bolts of lightning struck in succession, and the black-striped horned python fled in panic, darting through the mist and running aimlessly. Its massive body crashed into everything in its path, crushing trees and boulders along the way.

"Trying to run?" Wei Jing raised an eyebrow and immediately gave chase.

He hadn't expected that despite his thorough preparations, this intimidating guy would be so easily defeated.

"puff!"

The black-striped horned python spat out streaks of white silk, but Wei Jing neither dodged nor avoided them. He simply raised his black iron rod and smashed it to pieces with a single blow.

Some that were missed landed on the open ground nearby, immediately freezing a small area; those that landed on ancient trees froze the entire tree.

The black-striped horned python fled quickly, but Wei Jing was even faster.

He carried an iron bar and used the Shadow Tracking technique.

"Where do you think you're going!" Wei Jing shouted, raising his iron bar high.

"Hiss!" The black-striped horned python flicked its tongue. It looked pitiful at the moment, its body covered in wounds, and the blood flowing out stained the surrounding trees red.

Its eyes reflected Wei Jing's rapidly approaching figure, and it stopped running away.

The black-striped horned python stood upright with its head erect, reaching a height of over ten meters.

Its horns suddenly glowed, and its aura surged. It opened its blood-red maw and spewed white, icy air at Wei Jing.

"puff!"

"puff!"

Wei Jing wielded his staff, swinging it back and forth, but this time the white ribbon did not crumble in response.

Wei Jing's hands, which were holding the staff, were frozen solid. The next moment, several white streaks of light struck him, and Wei Jing was instantly frozen in ice.

"Jing'er!" Wei Dao was utterly horrified.

The reversal came too suddenly. One second Wei Jing was suppressing it the whole time, and the next second he was frozen.

This sudden turn of events left the group stunned and speechless, with no one able to react in time.