The cavern roared.
The divine serpent struck with the force of a storm, its body cracking the very stone as it lunged. Mo Tianzun blurred into motion, leaping back just in time as a massive jaw slammed into the floor where he stood, shattering it into shards.
Fangs like blades hissed past his ear.
The wind from the beast's breath alone sent him hurtling across the cave. He flipped mid-air, boots grazing the jagged wall before he kicked off again and landed in a crouch, eyes locked on the serpent.
Its coils tightened behind it, each scale shining with a black luster that reflected nothing—like mirrors made of death.
"Protecting that flute to the bitter end, are you?" Tianzun muttered, drawing his hand into a loose martial seal. His qi surged. "Let's dance then."
He flicked his sleeves—and the air twisted.
Spiritual fire burst into existence around him in the shape of an ancient sigil. His white hair fluttered behind him, aglow with silver brilliance. Despite the narrow cavern and oppressive air, his aura unfurled like a divine storm.
The serpent roared again, slamming its tail down. The entire chamber shook. Bones collapsed, stalactites shattered from the ceiling and rained down in deadly chunks.
Tianzun ducked and rolled forward.
He dodged a lash of the tail—barely. The air cracked where it passed, like lightning tearing through sky.
He landed near the center of the chamber—right beneath the floating flute.
For a moment, both beast and man paused.
The flute floated above his head, whispering to him now—closer, clearer.
He reached up—fingers brushing against its aura.
The serpent screamed and charged.
Mo Tianzun spun around and slammed both palms against the ground.
BOOM—!
A wall of spiritual fire erupted between him and the serpent, blasting it backward for the first time.
The serpent coiled and thrashed violently, its long body knocking over entire pillars of ancient stone. But Tianzun didn't let up. He chased after it, his feet skimming the ground as he launched into a high-speed assault.
He darted up the beast's scales, hands glowing with golden light.
Each strike he delivered burned with celestial flames—not to kill, but to test.
The serpent howled as Tianzun leapt over its head, flipped, and kicked down hard between its eyes. The impact forced it to crash into the cave wall, dust and debris flying in all directions.
The flute above hummed louder, now pulsing in time with Mo Tianzun's heartbeat.
The serpent recovered quickly.
Its mouth opened wide—wider than any mortal creature should be capable of—and spiritual mist poured from its fangs. The air grew cold. Frost coated the stone.
Tianzun's breath misted in the air.
His body slowed—not from weakness, but from the thickening spiritual suppression.
"A yin domain," he said under his breath. "Tch…"
His own qi flared in response—yang, hot and brilliant, trying to push back.
But it wasn't enough.
The serpent moved through the mist like a shadow, striking from all directions at once. Fangs grazed his side. A slash of its tail knocked him into a wall. Blood spattered the stone.
Tianzun coughed once, standing shakily.
He looked down—his robes torn, blood dripping from his lip—but his eyes glowed like stars.
"Is this what you were guarding for a thousand years?" he whispered to the beast. "Good. Then I'll show you who I was... and who I am."
He lifted both hands—and called upon the full strength of his spirit core.
Golden qi burst out of him in waves.
His skin shimmered. His form grew clearer, sharper—every vein glowing with power as his true nature, his old soul, fully awakened in sync with this body.
The serpent froze.
For the first time—it hesitated.
Tianzun walked toward it slowly, even as blood slid down his cheek. His voice was low, controlled, firm:
"I have no interest in conquering you. But if I must prove I am worthy—"
He clenched his fist.
"—then I will."
The flute behind him pulsed brighter and brighter. The cave trembled with it.
The serpent snarled and reared back—coiled for a final strike.
Tianzun's aura surged in a blazing spiral around him as he raised his hand again, preparing for the ultimate clash—