12dz Chapter 13: The Divine Eagle Appears, and the Venomous Pythons Engage in Fierce Battle!
Chapter 13: The Divine Eagle Appears, and the Venomous Pythons Engage in Fierce Battle!
Ouyang Ke spent three whole days in seclusion in the cave where the "Sword Demon" Dugu Qiubai once lived.
For three days, the valley was deep and silent, with only the firebird for company. There was no strife or intrigue, not even a single human voice could be heard. It was as if only he, the spiritual firebird, and the inexhaustible Bodhi serpent existed between heaven and earth.
The gallbladder of the Bosphorus snake is indeed remarkably effective.
For the past three days, Ouyang Ke has been consuming snake gallbladders daily, using the "Tendon Changing and Bone Strengthening Technique" to dissolve the essence within, strengthen his foundation, and simultaneously nourish his cultivation of the "Nine Yang Divine Skill." In just a few days, nearly half of his meridians have been opened, his true energy circulation has become increasingly smooth, and his internal strength has increased day by day.
Firebird deserves much credit for this progress.
Every few hours, this little creature would go out to forage for food, returning with one or more Boscis snakes in its mouth. It would toss the snakes in front of Ouyang Ke, head held high and chest puffed out, looking like it was asking for a reward. Whenever Ouyang Ke saw this, he would reach out and stroke its feathers, giving it a snake gall as compensation.
In this secluded valley, a tacit understanding developed between the man and the bird, a mutual dependence that allowed them to rely on each other for survival.
With the help of snake gall, Ouyang Ke has successfully cultivated up to the third volume of the Nine Yang Divine Skill.
However, this scripture is indeed profound and complex; even with the help of snake gall, it would take more than a day to fully comprehend it. Although he has now entered the realm of enlightenment, he is still some distance from true "minor success," but Ouyang Ke has not been discouraged.
It's because he now has something to rely on.
It should be noted that Yang Guo, who had only been in this desolate valley for a little over a month using snake gall to replenish his strength, was able to barely contend with the astonishing strength of the Divine Condor, and even managed to cultivate the Xuan Tie Heavy Sword with his one arm amidst a flash flood—such progress was beyond the reach of ordinary people.
After his internal energy greatly improved, Yang Guo went to Zhongnan Mountain and defeated three great masters in succession: Nimo Xing, Xiao Xiangzi, and Yin Kexi. Later, he fought against Jinlun Fawang and was not at a disadvantage at all. He even narrowly won a move with the help of Xiaolongnü. At that time, Yang Guo had lost an arm, but he was able to fight Jinlun Fawang to a draw with Guo Jing, who was not at a disadvantage, with the Xuan Tie Heavy Sword.
It is evident that the gallbladder of the Bodhi snake is far more than just "extraordinary" in terms of its miraculous effects.
Whenever Ouyang Ke thought of this, he became more and more certain: with the help of this snake gall and the Nine Yang Divine Skill by his side, the day when his legs are healed and his martial arts are perfected will not be far away.
……
On this day, Ouyang Ke was meditating in a cave.
Suddenly, the cries of firebirds echoed from outside the cave. The cries were different from usual; they were both high-pitched and urgent, as if they had encountered some formidable foe, their emotions a mixture of eager excitement and a hint of wariness and tension.
Ouyang Ke opened his eyes, his brows twitching slightly.
He knew that the Firebird was a rare and extraordinary bird, and the nemesis of all poisonous insects. Ordinary snakes and insects would only lie prostrate and die upon seeing it. However, in this desolate valley, the Firebird was not without natural enemies—for example, the Divine Eagle that had accompanied Dugu Qiubai in seclusion for many years, and the venomous python deep in the valley whose age was unknown.
Speaking of that venomous python, Ouyang Ke knew quite a bit about it. In the original story, this python fought against the Divine Condor and actually gained the upper hand. If Yang Guo hadn't intervened, the Divine Condor might not have been its match. Its enormous size and potent venom were evident.
Before Ouyang Ke began his meditation, he was already aware of the existence of the venomous python. However, he was not worried about the firebird—this little fellow was extraordinary and incredibly fast; even if it encountered the giant python, it could quickly escape if it was no match for it.
But hearing the firebird's eager cry, Ouyang Ke suddenly realized he had overlooked something—
Although the firebird is a spiritual creature, it also possesses the pride of a spiritual being. When faced with a powerful enemy, it doesn't think of fleeing, but rather of fighting.
Having figured this out, Ouyang Ke dared not delay. He grabbed his crutches, mustered his strength, and stood up, heading straight for the cave entrance.
Over the past three days, with the help of the "Tendon Changing and Bone Strengthening Technique" and the power of snake gall, although his legs had not fully healed, his strength had greatly increased. At this moment, with his crutches on the ground, his figure was elusive, and he ran like the wind, incredibly fast.
After running for about ten breaths, before they had even gotten close to the firebird, they heard a cry from an eagle. The eagle's cry was slightly hoarse, yet it was passionate and desolate, with a very powerful momentum. It intertwined with the firebird's sharp cry, and it was hard to tell which was better.
Ouyang Ke's heart skipped a beat: It's that divine eagle!
He quickened his pace and arrived in the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.
In the low sky, firebirds circled continuously, emitting a cry that made one's eardrums vibrate slightly. And not far away on the ground, a giant eagle stood proudly.
The eagle was enormous, taller than a man, but extremely ugly. Its feathers were sparse and scattered, as if most of them had been plucked, and its yellow and black plumage made it look very dirty. Ouyang Ke had seen the pair of white eagles that accompanied Guo Jing and Huang Rong, and compared to this ugly eagle, they did bear some resemblance, but the difference in their appearance was worlds apart.
This ugly eagle had a hooked, curved beak and a large, blood-red fleshy growth on its head, but its eyes were bright and piercing, exuding an indescribable majesty and vicissitude. Of the millions of birds in the world, Ouyang Ke had never seen such an ancient and majestic bird of prey.
The giant eagle merely glanced at Ouyang Ke's arrival before turning its gaze back to what lay ahead. Compared to the firebird's loud cries upon seeing Ouyang Ke, the giant eagle's attitude was noticeably colder.
Following its gaze, Ouyang Ke saw a giant python, as thick as a bowl, hanging upside down from a large tree several feet away.
The python was entirely black, with a triangular head and a pair of icy, sinister eyes, looking down at the eagle and the bird. Even though the man and the python were still some distance apart, the pungent, nauseating stench was already overwhelming.
Ouyang Ke instantly understood—both the firebird and the divine eagle had come for this venomous python.
This venomous python was completely different from the common Bodhi snakes found in the valley. Its enormous size and potent venom far surpassed those of ordinary snakes. Even the firebird's cry, which could make hundreds of snakes kneel, had no effect on this python. Although the Divine Eagle was enormous and incredibly strong, it had to proceed with caution when facing this giant python.
Three rare and unusual creatures gathered together, their tension palpable.
Ouyang Ke saw this and found it amusing.
When the firebird saw him arrive, its call was tinged with surprise, and it nodded at him, as if to say: You watch, I can handle this myself.
At the same time, the divine eagle turned its head and its gaze fell on Ouyang Ke. It flapped its wings slightly and made a low "cooing" sound, as if it were saying something.
Upon seeing this, Ouyang Ke immediately understood the Condor Heroes' meaning and couldn't help but chuckle. He waved his hand and said loudly, "Fine, since none of you want me to get involved, then I'll stand by and watch, and won't help a single one of you!"
Having said that, he touched the ground with his crutches, and with a swift movement, he retreated to a distance of ten feet.
Seeing that he had wisely stepped back, the Divine Eagle nodded slightly, then raised its head and let out a loud cry. With a flap of its wings, it rushed straight towards the venomous python coiled under the tree!
Although this divine eagle was enormous, it had lost the ability to fly at a young age. Yet, its charge was faster than a galloping horse, and its movements subtly revealed the shadow of martial arts techniques.
Upon seeing this, Ouyang Ke was startled, but then realized what was happening.
This divine eagle had lived in seclusion with Dugu Qiubai for many years, spending every day with him, and naturally had received guidance from that "Sword Demon". Although it could not practice martial arts, it had integrated the essence of the sword techniques into its instincts, so when it made a move, it carried the rules and momentum of a martial arts master's battle.
Seeing the divine eagle charging towards it, the venomous python was not to be outdone. It swooped down from the tree, opened its blood-red maw, and went straight for the divine eagle!
A python and an eagle instantly engaged in battle!
In an instant, blood splattered everywhere!
The divine eagle moved with incredible speed, catching the venomous python in the instant it pounced. Its iron beak slashed repeatedly, leaving several gruesome bloody holes in the python's head. The python, in pain, writhed violently, its tail sweeping out, but the divine eagle slapped its wings, dissipating most of its force.
Ouyang Ke saw this and couldn't help but frown slightly.
He grew up in White Camel Mountain Village and spent his entire life dealing with venomous insects, knowing firsthand the terror of such a giant python. Ordinary venomous snakes, once struck in a vital spot, instantly lose their fighting ability. But this giant python before him was enormous and incredibly resilient; once it coiled around him, that would be real trouble.
Although the Divine Eagle had the upper hand at the beginning, if it could not end the battle in an instant, it would probably be the Serpent's turn next.
Sure enough, the venomous python, having suffered a loss, became extremely ferocious. Ignoring its head injury, it suddenly opened its jaws wide and, with a "snap," bit down on the blood-red growth on the eagle's head!
With a successful strike, the venomous python, over two zhang long, fell completely from the tree and tightly coiled around the divine eagle, its grip tightening with each passing moment!
The divine eagle struggled desperately, flapping its wings and pecking wildly with its iron beak, but how astonishing was the constricting power of the venomous python? In just a moment, the divine eagle's movements gradually slowed down, and it was clear that its life was about to be in danger!
At this critical moment—
A red shadow streaked down rapidly from the low sky!
It's a firebird!
It had been circling high in the sky, but seeing the eagle in danger, it swooped down without hesitation! Swift as a shooting star and fast as lightning, it was already on top of the venomous python's head in an instant!
With a flash of its iron beak, it pecked down fiercely!
The foul-smelling snake blood splattered everywhere!
With a single peck, the firebird blinded the venomous python in both eyes!
In excruciating pain, the venomous python hissed and screamed, instinctively releasing its grip on the divine eagle. Its head thrashed wildly, tearing and biting haphazardly in all directions. But its eyes were blind; how could it possibly bite anything?
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the eagle suddenly flipped itself up, pressed its claws firmly against the python's seven-inch mark, and pinned it to the ground! At the same time, its iron beak rained down, frantically pecking at the python's head!
The venomous python twisted and thrashed, its tail whipping the ground and sending dirt flying. But with its vital spot controlled, it was already at its last gasp.
Just then, the firebird moved again.
It spotted the exposed belly of the venomous python as it thrashed about, slashed open its belly with its iron beak, and then reached inside to pull out a pungent, foul-smelling gall bladder!
The snake gall was the size of three or four ordinary longans, and it was completely black with a faint glow!
The firebird, carrying the snake's gall in its beak, took flight and landed squarely on Ouyang Ke's shoulder.
"You little rascal, you always know how to pick up a bargain!"
Upon seeing this, Ouyang Ke couldn't help but laugh.
But the next moment, he was stunned.
Firebird gently placed the hard-won snake gall in his palm.
Ouyang Ke looked down at the enormous snake gall in his palm, then at the firebird's smug yet somewhat nervous expression—its eyes kept glancing toward the Divine Eagle, as if afraid that the big guy would come and snatch it away.
For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
"This is... for me?"
The firebird cooed softly and nuzzled its head into his palm, as if urging him to eat quickly, as if the divine eagle would snatch it away.
Meanwhile, the venomous python was already dead. The Divine Eagle stood up from the snake's corpse, shook its feathers, and turned its gaze this way, just in time to see the Firebird offering the snake's gall to Ouyang Ke.
It immediately let out a loud "coo," its voice filled with resentment!
If it hadn't desperately entangled the venomous python, how would the firebird have had the chance to launch a sneak attack?
Now look what's happened! This little brat actually dared to steal the snake gall and then give it to someone else!
The more the divine eagle thought about it, the angrier it became. With a flap of its left wing, it swooped down on the firebird, creating a strong gust of wind!
This strike was incredibly fierce, and the wind from its wings stirred up a fierce gust of wind in the air! The firebird felt its body lighten and was almost blown off by the strong wind!
Ouyang Ke's brows twitched slightly. He tossed the snake gall into the air with his right hand, gripped his cane tightly with his left hand, and channeled all his strength into his right palm, striking the eagle's wing with a palm strike!
A muffled "boom"!
A man and an eagle engage in a fierce battle from a distance!
The cane held in Ouyang Ke's left hand was shaken by this tremendous force and plunged three feet into the ground! The enormous body of the Divine Eagle also trembled slightly and took half a step back!
The Divine Eagle let out a soft "coo-coo," its eyes filled with astonishment. Having followed Dugu Qiubai for many years and witnessed countless masters, it had never seen anyone who could match its strength in a direct confrontation without being at a disadvantage!
Moreover, this person clearly has difficulty moving around.
It spread its right wing and attacked again!
Ouyang Ke bit the snake gall with his mouth, held the crutch in his right hand, and pointed forward!
The man and the eagle clash once more!
The moment the cane touched the tip of the wing, Ouyang Ke felt an extremely heavy and fierce force coming from the cane, overwhelming and almost breaking his arm! He was shocked and instinctively activated the Nine Yang Divine Skill within his body, his true energy surging out like a tide, forcefully blocking that enormous force.
The Divine Eagle felt an overwhelming force of rebound coming from its right wing, which forced it back several steps.
It steadied itself, and its gaze toward Ouyang Ke was filled with even greater astonishment.
Just then, the firebird moved!
Taking advantage of the eagle's retreat, it swooped down from the sky and fiercely pecked at the blood-red growth on the eagle's head with its iron beak!
"Gurgle—!"
The divine eagle cried out in pain and spread its wings wildly!
In an instant, a strong wind arose, and sand and stones flew everywhere!
But the firebird had already learned its lesson. After its successful attack, it flapped its wings and soared into the sky, flying several feet above the divine eagle's head. No matter how frantically the divine eagle flapped its wings, the powerful wind couldn't touch it at all.
The firebird, having gained an advantage, was extremely pleased with itself. It kept cooing in the high sky, its calls rising and falling as if mocking the divine eagle. It even deliberately lowered its altitude, circling twice above the eagle's head, waiting for the eagle to raise its wings to flap them, before suddenly soaring high again. This angered the eagle, which cried out in anger and flapped its wings furiously.
Looking at these two clowns, Ouyang Ke couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.
He held the snake gall in his right hand and said loudly, "Brother Eagle, this snake gall is of great use to me. Forgive me for taking it from you, Firebird. However—"
He took the porcelain bottle from his pocket, uncorked it, and a rich medicinal fragrance immediately wafted out.
"The elixirs in this porcelain bottle are made from the essence of snake gall. Although their effects are not as potent as those of this giant python's gall, they are still extraordinary. I will offer them to Brother Eagle as an apology!"
With that, he raised his right hand, and a bright green pill flew out of his hand and straight into the Divine Eagle!
The divine eagle, already possessing human-like intelligence, recognized the elixir's fragrance and knew it was a valuable item. It opened its beak, caught the elixir, and swallowed it.
As the elixir entered its stomach, a warm sensation spread throughout the eagle's body, making it feel completely refreshed and invigorated. It couldn't help but spread its wings and let out a long cry, its voice filled with joy.
After chirping, it turned to look at Ouyang Ke with a more affectionate look in its eyes, and then cooed twice, as if asking for something.
Ouyang Ke was not stingy either, raising his right hand repeatedly, sending out one pill after another.
The eagle opened its mouth and caught them, swallowing them one after another with great relish.
Just as Ouyang Ke was putting all his strength into throwing, a red figure suddenly swooped down from the sky.
The firebird seized the opportunity and snatched a pill in mid-air, swallowing it whole.
After swallowing the pill, the firebird cawed triumphantly and did a somersault high in the sky, clearly showing off.
The eagle was so angry that it kept making "coo coo" sounds and flapping its wings frantically, wishing it could swat the little creature down.
The firebird was prepared, so it flew high, calling out as it flew. Its cries were sharp and shrill, clearly mocking the bird.
Looking at these two clowns, Ouyang Ke couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.
He took out a few more pills and continued throwing them.
This time, he deliberately slowed down, wanting to see what these two guys would do next.
The Divine Eagle looked up at the sky, poised to pounce.
The firebird also circled high in the sky, ready to swoop down at any moment.
Ouyang Ke raised his right hand, and a pill flew out—
The divine eagle flapped its wings as if to catch it, but the firebird swooped down.
But just then, the Divine Eagle suddenly spread its wings, and a gust of evil wind rushed up!
Caught off guard, the firebird was swept up by the gust of wind, lost its balance, and was forced to fall.
Meanwhile, the Divine Eagle opened its mouth and caught the pill steadily, swallowing it into its stomach!
After swallowing the elixir, the Divine Eagle raised its head and cried out "coo coo," a triumphant sound clearly mocking the Firebird's overestimation of its abilities.
The firebird steadied itself and landed on Ouyang Ke's shoulder, chirping softly at the divine eagle. The chirping was urgent and fast, as if accusing it of cheating.
The Divine Eagle ignored it completely, only staring at Ouyang Ke, and then cooed twice more, still not satisfied.
Looking at these two clowns, Ouyang Ke couldn't help but burst into laughter.
With that smile, the fatigue and loneliness of the past few days of meditation seemed to vanish.
He put the porcelain bottle away and bowed to Shen Diao, saying, "Brother Diao, the elixir is finished. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely share it with you again."
The Divine Condor nodded as if it understood, then gave Ouyang Ke a deep look before turning around and striding towards the depths of the valley.
The firebird perched on Ouyang Ke's shoulder and made two "coo-coo" sounds at the back of the Divine Condor, whether as a farewell or a provocation, it was unclear.
Ouyang Ke stroked its feathers and looked up at the giant python's gall bladder that he still had in his mouth.
This snake gall is more than ten times larger than that of the Bosphorus snake. How immense must the vital energy it contains be?
He smiled slightly, put away the snake gall, and, leaning on his crutches, slowly followed the Divine Eagle towards the valley.
The Divine Eagle seemed to notice that Ouyang Ke and the bird were following behind, but it didn't care. It just cooed once, as if urging them to hurry up.
Behind him, the setting sun cast his long, long shadow.
From the depths of the valley, the long cry of the divine eagle could be faintly heard, desolate and far-reaching.
The firebird on his shoulder made a soft "coo" and nuzzled his cheek with its head.
Ouyang Ke raised his head and looked at the slowly setting red sun, a faint smile appearing on his lips.