Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 999

On a certain lake, a pair of humanoids, a man and a woman with fish tails for their lower bodies and human-like upper bodies, floated side by side. A monstrous whale with nine golden eyes confronted them, emitting an astonishing aura.

The man’s eyes were silver-white, while the woman had golden eyes, giving her an aura similar to the monstrous whale. At that moment, the whale let out a long roar, its nine eyes flashing fiercely. It was clearly hostile.

However, the humanoid woman, who had been talking with the man beside her, began to make sounds similar to the monstrous whale. The whale was startled by the sound, blinking its eyes and hesitating. Seeing this, the woman relaxed and continued to roar even louder.

As her sounds continued, the monstrous whale suddenly moved its massive body, circling around the humanoid pair before returning to its original position and making a short sound.

The humanoid woman’s face lit up upon hearing the sound. She leaped onto its back, and the monstrous whale remained docile without showing any signs of anger. The monstrous whale, with the woman on its back, shot forward with a flash of navy light, followed by the fish-tailed man.

* * *

The Dark Beasts were not among the strongest demonic beasts in the Guanghan Realm. However, even the ancient ferocious beasts hesitated to fight a pack of adult Dark Beasts alone. This was because their abilities were several times stronger at night than during the day.

Moreover, for some unknown reason, two-thirds of the day in the Dark Beast Forest was night, with only a very short period of daylight. Thousands of Dark Beasts lived within it, and the proportion of adult Dark Beasts was not low.

Therefore, even the ancient ferocious beasts of the Myriad Gold Ridge and the Eight Ferocious Seas did not dare to venture into the Dark Beast Forest. The Dark Beasts roamed freely in the Dark Beast Forest as if it were their home, and they were the top predators, devouring other beasts in the forest.

Only a very few monsters had abilities that were specialized for the night, just like the Dark Beasts, and could compete with them on equal terms.

One day, somewhere on the outskirts of the Dark Beast Forest, a huge blue python was confronting a Dark Beast.

The giant python, which resembled a reticulated python, was actually one of the few demonic beasts that could stand against the Dark Beasts in the Dark Beast Forest: the ‘Azure Night Python.’ When night fell, the Azure Night Python’s body became much harder, and it could transform into a much more violent monster, similar to a berserker.

After transforming, the giant python could exert power comparable to an adult Dark Beast, but the aftereffects were also significant. Its strength would greatly diminish for several years, and its lifespan would be shortened. Therefore, the Azure Night Pythons tried not to transform unless their lives were in danger.

However, the Azure Night Python’s inner core was like a tonic for the Dark Beasts, so when the two demonic beasts encountered each other in the Dark Beast Forest, they would fight to the death. The two demonic beasts in front of them had clashed alone on the outskirts of the Dark Beast Forest, so they could not avoid a fight.

The Azure Night Python raised its head high and hissed.

The Dark Beast looked like a huge wolf, but its fur was black, and its tail was slender like a leopard’s, giving it an elegant and mysterious feel. Judging by its physique, it had not been an adult for long and was slightly leaner than others of its kind.

However, the Dark Beast stared greedily at the giant python but did not rush in immediately. Although adult Dark Beasts often managed to seize the inner core when fighting Azure Night Pythons, they also often suffered serious injuries at the hands of the Azure Night Pythons.

The Dark Beast was pleased to have encountered the giant python, but it had no intention of acting rashly. This was because the Azure Night Python had a weakness during the moment of transformation, despite becoming stronger after transforming. If it attacked at that moment, it could catch its opponent much more easily.

Conversely, the Azure Night Python threatened as if it was ready to transform at any moment, but it seemed reluctant to do so. Thus, the standoff between the two demonic beasts continued.

Time passed, and about an hour had gone by.

As the waiting time grew longer, the Dark Beast, unable to endure any longer, began to move. The Dark Beast growled lowly and slowly circled around the python, its movements so subtle that it seemed like a shadow flickering back and forth.

The Azure Night Python’s breathing became rapid, and it hissed quickly.

*Whoosh!*

The moment the Dark Beast’s eyes turned fierce, a dark light flashed from its front claws, and its jet-black tail whipped through the air, leaving afterimages. The sound of air being torn apart could be heard.

The Azure Night Python, which had been watching its opponent, could not have missed it. The giant python’s dark blue scales flashed, and it swelled up as if it had been filled with wind.

*Thwack!*

In almost a single breath, the python’s scales were torn off, and a much larger body appeared. The dark blue python had now transformed into a silver-white python with ornate patterns.

Large and small magic characters glowed faintly in silver on the python’s body, and a pure white horn with a spiral pattern protruded from its head. It was far too sharp to be considered an ordinary horn.

The giant python’s eyes turned blood-red, revealing its madness. As soon as the python finished transforming, the Dark Beast launched its attack in earnest. It flashed with black light and disappeared into the darkness.

The next moment, a black light flashed beside the python, and the Dark Beast rushed out of the darkness. Several streaks of light extended from its claws, aiming for the python’s neck.

The few pieces of red scales on the neck were the weak points that the Azure Night Python revealed when it transformed. Even an ordinary sword could leave a deep wound if it pierced this spot, let alone the Dark Beast’s sharp claws.

This weak point would only appear for the brief moment when the Azure Night Python transformed and would soon disappear.

*Thud!*

The Azure Night Python’s body trembled from the light that flew from the claws. It had been grazed by the streaks of light, but thanks to its reflexive dodge, it had not suffered a fatal blow. A scar was visible on the back of the giant python’s neck, but it was not a very deep wound.

*Hiss!*

The python, greatly enraged, slammed its tail on the ground. A blue tail phantom appeared in the air and flew towards the Dark Beast.

Even though its attack had failed and a counterattack was immediately launched, the Dark Beast was not flustered. Instead, its body blurred, and it summoned black light monsters on both sides.

The monsters were blurry, like dark gray lumps of light. As soon as they appeared, they swung their claws along with the Dark Beast.

*Swish!*

*Clang! Clang!*

The light from the claws and the blue tail phantom collided in the air, creating a loud explosion. It seemed like a draw, as both the claw light and the tail phantom disappeared simultaneously.

*Bang-*

At that moment, a blue light exploded above the heads of the gray shadow monsters, and the giant python appeared, swallowing the shadow monster like lightning. The giant python shook its head violently, swallowing the monster whole, and shot towards another shadow monster.

Seeing this, the Dark Beast leaped into the air. The demonic beast, with its mouth open, revealing its sharp teeth, seemed intent on biting and severing the Azure Night Python.

However, the speed of the Azure Night Python after its transformation was not inferior to that of the Dark Beast. The giant python changed direction and rushed towards the main body of the Azure Night Python with its huge mouth open. It had chosen a head-on confrontation. At this time, another gray shadow monster, which was the original target of the python, transformed into a long rope and chased after the Azure Night Python.

*Clang! Clang!*

Loud noises rang out in succession, and the monsters were mixed together, biting and fighting, making it difficult to tell who was gaining the upper hand.

Far away from the demonic beasts, in a cave within a thick, old tree, three people sat cross-legged, surrounding a mirror floating in the air.

Strangely, the front of the mirror was flowing with blue light, while the back was shimmering with silver light. The battle between the Dark Beast and the Azure Night Python was vividly unfolding within the blue light.

The people sitting there were Han Li, wearing a blue robe, Liu Shui’er, wearing a white bamboo hat, and Shi Kun, with his yellow skin. They had flown for over half a month to finally arrive at the Dark Beast Forest and were observing the monsters in the mirror with cautious expressions.

After half an hour, the mirror showed the Dark Beast transforming into over a hundred black bats, tearing apart the wounded Azure Night Python, digging out its inner core from its belly, and leaving the scene joyfully.

“Hmm, what do you think of seeing the Dark Beasts in person?”

Liu Shui’er sighed briefly and cast a spell on the mirror, blurring the scene.

“If it’s a one-on-one fight, I can kill it in about 30 moves!” Shi Kun replied first.

“What if three or four, or even a dozen, appear at the same time?”

“In that case… I can’t guarantee victory with more than three, and I’ll fail with more than five. If there are more than ten, I’ll have to run without hesitation.”

Shi Kun twitched his lips and spoke the truth.

“It is said that tens of thousands of Dark Beasts inhabit this Dark Beast Forest. There is also a big difference in strength between individuals, and the Dark Beast we just saw seemed weaker than a typical adult Dark Beast. Otherwise, the battle wouldn’t have lasted this long.

Also, there are two types of special high-level Dark Beasts. The first is the ‘Three-Eyed Dark Beast,’ which is much stronger than a normal Dark Beast and emits a strange ray from its third eye that causes the body to rot like a piece of rotten wood if hit. The second is the Dark Beast King, a demonic beast with golden fur, but no one knows how strong it is. The only record is that a cultivator who previously entered the Dark Beast Forest saw the Dark Beast King commanding hundreds of adult Dark Beasts from afar and immediately fled.”

Liu Shui’er explained in a serious voice.

“I have also seen related records in the scriptures. In the case of the Three-Eyed Dark Beast, I think I could handle one alone, but I can’t guarantee it with more than two. The golden Dark Beast King commands a pack of demonic beasts, so its divine power must be greater than that of the Three-Eyed Dark Beast.

Even if we fight together, we won’t be able to defeat it. However, there can’t be many Dark Beast Kings in the Dark Beast Forest. If we happen to encounter the Dark Beast King in the vast Dark Beast Forest, we would be extremely unlucky. I don’t think it’s a problem to worry about right now.”

Han Li stated his thoughts after listening.

“Yes, you are right! Our goal is to quietly pass through the Dark Beast Forest within a month, so we should avoid the Dark Beasts as much as possible anyway. It’s frustrating that we have to push through the undergrowth when we could fly through in a few days.”

“Isn’t there no other choice? If we fly, we’ll be quickly discovered by the Dark Beast packs and surrounded.”

Liu Shui’er sighed, and Han Li also gave a wry smile.

“According to the experiences of previous cultivators, the Dark Beasts’ strength decreases during the day, but their vigilance increases. Many Three-Eyed Dark Beasts deliberately patrol the forest during the day. At night, the Dark Beasts’ strength increases, but the high-level Dark Beasts return to rest, and their vigilance becomes lax.”

Liu Shui’er added.

“Then are you saying we should move at night? I was originally planning to do the opposite.”

At those words, Shi Kun narrowed his brows slightly.

“I also agree with Fellow Daoist Liu’s opinion. Not only do high-level Dark Beasts appear more frequently during the day, but it’s also more difficult for us to hide. It will probably be difficult to avoid the eyes of the Three-Eyed Dark Beasts, even if we can avoid other demonic beasts.

Usually, monsters with many eyes have divine powers that can see through illusions or stealth techniques. Even if it’s daytime, if our movements are discovered and we’re surrounded by over a hundred Dark Beasts, it will be even more difficult to escape.”

Han Li organized his thoughts and nodded calmly.

“It makes sense when I hear it. Then let’s go at night!”

“Since both of you agree, let’s depart right away. I’ll feel relieved once we get out of here as soon as possible. Ah, did you happen to prepare any useful stealth techniques or treasures?”

Liu Shui’er looked at the two men.

“Judging by how you’re asking, it seems that Fellow Daoist Liu has prepared something separately.”

Han Li, quick to notice, immediately grasped her intention and smiled.

“As expected of Brother Han! Actually, before we departed, my master lent me three ‘Thousand Transformations Masks.’ With these, we can transform into any appearance, and unless someone scans us with a powerful consciousness or we fight, we won’t be discovered. You two may have excellent stealth techniques, but there’s nothing better than this to deceive the Dark Beasts.”

Liu Shui’er smiled and took out three thin pieces of leather.

“The Thousand Transformations Mask is a famous treasure! I’m lucky to be able to use a treasure containing Senior Cai’s unique secret technique.”

Shi Kun was delighted and summoned one of them, examining it closely, but Han Li had never heard of a treasure called the Thousand Transformations Mask. However, judging by Shi Kun’s reaction, it was definitely a great treasure. He also thanked her and summoned a thin piece of leather.”