Chapter 551: Chapter 10: Giant Python

“Swoosh—!!!”

Filthy mud spilled down like a waterfall from the giant entity that suddenly rose, revealing its suffocatingly terrifying true form—

An enormous dark green python, as massive as ancient mountain ranges!

Its entire body was covered in mossy, shield-like scales, thick and rough. Viscous mud flowed through the crevices, emitting a pungent aura of poisonous decay. The triangular head soared into the dim ceiling of this twisted space.

Narrow, vertical pupils burned with a ghastly green phosphorescence, like two spotlights from the netherworld, coldly and indifferently scrutinizing the insignificant Mystical Wizards on the mudflat. The crimson serpent’s tongue flickered, producing a bone-chilling “hiss.” ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⁂𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱

This is…

Seeing the python before him, Lynch couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows in some surprise: ’Ausen Giant Python?’

The giant python before him was clearly an Ausen Giant Python. Lynch had encountered such a creature during his apprenticeship; he recalled that it was during that task he met and grew familiar with Avery.

It’s modified…

If any other species appeared before him, Lynch might not be so shocked, even if it were a World Species. But this was an Ausen Giant Python.

One must know, Ausen Giant Pythons are merely Apprentice Level Magic Creatures; however, the aura emanating from this python at the moment was by no means weaker than Trans beside Lynch, and its attributes were comparable to a Third-tier Monster.

To modify an Apprentice Level Magic Creature to a Third-tier Level, only those truly familiar with biological transformation know how difficult it is…

“Astod…” Jeraf from the Jade Tower muttered the name softly, recognizing the python before them: “The most powerful follower of the Rotten Wood Elder Altonia, the original guardian demon of the Decaying Swamp…”

The python’s enormous head lifted high, flicking its tongue as its massive eyes settled on Jeraf, speaking with interest, “I didn’t expect, after all these years, someone still remembers my name. What an interesting little fellow.”

Being one of the eight Mystical Wizards of the Jade Land, every wizard here has existed for over a thousand years, but compared to the python before them, they indeed could be called little fellows.

After all, it has existed for several thousand years.

Having exchanged brief greetings, Astod spoke no more, raising its serpentine head high. Its massive, phosphorescent pupils slowly scanned the mudflat’s eight Mystical Wizards. Wherever its gaze fell, even Anderson’s pure white cloak seemed to be stained with an invisible, graying aura. The air grew as thick and oppressive as congealed swamp muck.

A rough, deep, wood-scraping voice, with a moist, slippery texture, directly rang deeply within each soul, bypassing the ears, like an ancient curse:

“By the command of my master Altonia, I announce to you trialists seeking the Crown of Decay the rules for entering the Secret Garden trial. Remember them—”

The voice carried undeniable authority.

After a brief peak, it opened its mouth and said, “There’s only one rule: from the starting point to the end point, reach it alive, and whoever arrives first shall inherit the legacy of Rotten Wood.”

Straightforward and ruthlessly cold! No complex tasks, no extra hints, just a death-laden straight line—from start to finish, survive!

Having announced the rules, Astod suddenly turned its massive head towards the swirling blue Vortex Door.

It opened its terrifyingly large mouth capable of swallowing a giant dragon, not to roar, but to unleash a dense, inky green breath of decay! This breath was not flame, but more like concentrated swamp essence, carrying the despairing aura of all things withering, precisely striking the vortex center!

“Buzz—!!!”

The blue vortex twisted and convulsed as if a stone had been thrown into the water! The stable starlight fragments were instantly tainted with muddy green. The entire vortex expanded rapidly, spun faster, and at its core formed a bottomless, decay-laden, spatially turbulent dark passage!

“The entrance is open!”

Astod’s soul-resonating voice carried a slight, cruel urging.

“Enter or leave, decide for yourselves!”

Its enormous body sank slowly back into the swirling mire, leaving behind only those phosphorescent green vertical pupils hovering over the swamp surface, coldly watching the crowd and the ominous gateway, forcibly propped open by the Power of Decay, leading to the unknown and death.

The eight Mystical Wizards, including Lynch and Anderson, who had moments ago been on edge, now held their breaths, eyes locked on the vortex passage, where the green and blue intertwined and emitted a fatally alluring pull. The air filled with decay, danger, and the seductive call to supreme power.

Jeraf took a deep breath and was the first to step forward, his white hair fluttering in the turbulent air, his figure unwaveringly vanishing into the twisted light.

Sophia followed closely, letting out a low, excited laugh, like a moth to a flame.

Anderson coldly glanced at Lynch, his pure white figure carrying a resolution, entering the vortex alongside Kano.

Witch Kalsa approached Lynch, asking, “Sir Saphieros, what’s your plan?”

Lynch responded quizzically, “Plan?”

Witch Kalsa looked towards the vortex, her expression somewhat tense, saying, “I can feel the strong energy fluctuations inside. I fear this trial won’t be easy, and might even be highly dangerous.”

Among the eight giants, Kalsa undoubtedly had the lowest strength, seemingly just having barely entered the Middle Stage of Mystical Level, making her quite insecure about the trial.

Lynch replied, “Danger and rewards always coexist, don’t they? Besides, we should have mentally prepared ourselves before coming here. Are you considering giving up now?”

“Fate doesn’t easily grant favors.”

Baggen stepped over: “Saphieros Wizard is right!”

He fixated intensely on the vortex ahead, his voice booming, “Opportunity is within reach, perhaps the only chance to touch the Domain in this life! No matter if it’s a mountain of blades or hell’s abyss ahead, let them come!”

As a contemporary of Felvin, Baggen had existed for over a thousand years in this world, nearly reaching the life limit of a Mystical Wizard.

For him, if he couldn’t advance to the Third-tier Level to achieve a Domain, then only death awaited.

“Both of you, I’ll go ahead, take your time deciding!” Baggen roared and charged in like a bull.

Lynch bowed to Kalsa: “Your Majesty the Queen, then allow me to excuse myself.”

With that, he too stepped into the vortex.

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