Chapter 8

The python slithered closer, its head and flickering tongue clearly visible in the lightning.

"Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!..." At this critical moment, Mu Canyang's mind went blank, his limbs felt weak, and his half-lifted body could not move any further. All he could hear was the pounding of his heart, loud as thunder, fast as a drum.

Seeing the python about to enter the cave, his out-of-body soul finally returned to its place, and his scattered thoughts gradually aligned. Mu Canyang slightly regained his composure and began to think of ways to protect himself.

Run?

Definitely too late!

During his moment of panic, the python had already slithered closer, its head halfway into the cave.

The cold-blooded creature, unable to withstand the cold and damp weather, had come to seek shelter from the rain.

Emotions can truly be deadly!

But what else could he do besides running...

Desperately searching his memory, Mu Canyang suddenly found a strategy.

Although... this strategy was also quite risky.

Suppressing his fear, Mu Canyang dared not make any large movements. Slowly, he lay back down on his back, legs together, and then propped himself up with his arms, hugging his head. Inch by inch, he moved toward the fire pit.

The python, now fully inside the cave, appeared even more massive.

Its scaly body brushed past Mu Canyang, the rain-soaked skin cold and slippery. Just the touch made his stomach churn, his insides turn to mush, and he wished he could faint to avoid the nightmare of being swallowed alive by the python.

But he couldn't faint, he absolutely couldn't faint, or everything would be over... His remaining rationality told him this.

His teeth chattered uncontrollably, and to avoid making noise, Mu Canyang placed his tongue in between them, biting it until it bled. The pain helped him stay focused, but his body was drenched in cold sweat, mixed with the rainwater, making it hard to tell if it was water, sweat, or tears.

The python circled around him, seemingly pondering how to swallow this free meal. Its foul breath, mixed with the stench of its open mouth, made him want to vomit.

By habit, it would start from the head, as this would be smoother and less likely to get stuck. However, Mu Canyang had propped his arms around his head, making his head appear larger. The legs, on the other hand, seemed more slippery.

The python, with its low intelligence, thought for a moment and then started from the feet. It slowly slithered to the cave entrance, opening its massive mouth. The joints in its throat clicked, and its mouth and throat expanded like an alien's.

Mu Canyang could clearly see his feet slowly disappearing into the python's mouth.

This feeling... was like bungee jumping. Watching others do it seemed thrilling, but when it was his turn, knowing there was a rope and the risk was minimal, few would dare to jump.

Moreover, this strategy was far more dangerous than bungee jumping. The opportunity was fleeting, and if he missed it, there would be no second chance, and the consequences...

Mu Canyang's eyes were wide open, and he was breathing heavily. He had no feeling in his legs.

It wasn't because the python had bitten him; the python swallowed its prey whole, and his skin was barely broken. This was due to the excessive secretion of adrenaline, which had numbed his senses.

If this continued, he would... faint, be on the brink of death, and die from fear before the python even swallowed him.

This can't go on! If it continues, I'll miss the opportunity, or even if I seize it, I won't be able to control my body and will miss it.

"I don't want to die! I don't want to die yet!"

"Why, why does heaven treat me like this? Why do everyone lie to me? Why, after dedicating myself to saving humanity, do I receive such treatment?"

"I am not willing, not willing at all!"

"I haven't avenged myself yet, though revenge is the most foolish thing in the world, as difficult as climbing to the heavens..."

"The five giants of the Federation are like deities in their respective worlds, able to command countless Federation experts to serve them. Now that Taichi is imprisoned, their combat power has only increased!"

"I haven't lived enough, I have lived in lies since birth, and I have never truly lived..."

Long-suppressed emotions, fear, anxiety, and unease... Mu Canyang vented them all, igniting his anger.

Anger is the simplest way to overcome fear.

Whether it was the python's slow swallowing speed or his distorted sense of time due to extreme fear, he repeatedly fueled his anger, perhaps hundreds or even thousands of times, until a moment finally arrived.

With all his strength, Mu Canyang suddenly bent his legs!

A faint "crack" sounded as the python's mouth was forced open.

At this moment, the python's mouth had reached Mu Canyang's buttocks, and his knees were stuck in its throat. His legs were already inside, and he could feel the corrosive mucus.

This was the only moment, the only position, where he could force the python's mouth open, preventing it from closing.

If he was too late, he would lose the ability to force it open; if he was too early, the python would have room to maneuver, realize he was still alive and resistant, and wrap around him until he died.

However, just his legs weren't enough. To be safe, Mu Canyang took several thick logs from the firewood pile and stuffed them into the python's mouth. He then grabbed another log and started hitting the python's head.

The python, realizing it had been tricked, was furious, but... its mouth was forced open and it was helpless.

To use its coiling technique, it would have to release its prey, but to do so, it would have to coil around itself, which was... quite difficult.

So the python could only thrash its head, trying to shake Mu Canyang off or knock him unconscious. Fortunately, despite its massive size, it wasn't as powerful as a crocodile or a shark in this regard.

Man and snake engaged in a fierce battle in the cave, entangled and splashing mud, the sounds never ceasing.

Damn... The survival guide didn't mention this part, nor did it mention that pythons have sharp teeth, which hurt a lot when stuck in the buttocks!

Swinging the log wildly at the python's head, Mu Canyang felt like crying but couldn't. Now that he was in this situation, he had to summon his last bit of courage and fight the python to the end!

The battle lasted for an unknown duration, and the rain outside had stopped. The python gradually stopped struggling, its head flattened, covered in blood, and motionless.

"Phew..." Mu Canyang let out a long breath, collapsing on the ground, utterly exhausted, and without the strength to pull his feet out of the python's mouth.

But he couldn't rest! He couldn't let his guard down! Time was not on his side!

Using all his strength, he pulled his feet out, staggered out of the cave, and limped toward the distant hill.

That was the place struck by lightning earlier, where thick smoke was now rising...

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