The Witcher: Start with the Lord Marrying a Wife.

Chapter 575 The Deathmatch of the Vine Python
However, these conventional spells had little effect on the undead guardian constructed from pure elemental life forms before them.

The vine python's body surface seemed to be able to partially absorb heat or cold energy, preventing the attack from causing the expected damage and leaving only shallow ripples spreading out like water ripples.

“It seems that fire and ice can only serve as supplementary weapons.” David’s expression hardened. He knew he had to change his strategy. “We must use the environment to seek a breakthrough.”

So he quickly looked around.

Within the projection core, massive, intertwined aerial roots stand tall and strong, supporting the entire spatial structure like the spine of a giant snake.

These roots not only contain abundant vitality, but also accumulate powerful wood-type energy due to their long-term resonance with the World Tree itself.

David bit his lower lip and focused all his attention on the shimmering green patterns on the staff.

He attempted to draw upon the essence of the wood element, transforming his staff into a conduit to channel the continuous life force of the earth into himself. At the same time, he used these massive aerial roots as cover and strategic high ground to nimbly move inside and outside the thorn cage, avoiding sudden attacks from the vine pythons.

Whenever the emerald snake coiled and approached, he would use his agility to dodge the deadly entanglements.

At the same time, both hands snatch the accumulated water droplets from the palms, wrap the stinging skin with the fine streams, and then bless it with the element of wind to blow away the water vapor to form a clean protective layer to cut off the path of toxin invasion.

The green snake, twisted and deformed by the fierce attack yet rapidly healing and regenerating, relentlessly coiled its slender vines in an attempt to restrain his movements, but it could never completely bind this experienced and extremely intelligent fighter.

The battle intensified, with each exchange of blows accompanied by immense mental strain and a test of physical endurance—his breathing grew increasingly rapid, but his gaze became ever more resolute and clear.

Neither the physical pain caused by climbing nor the mental fluctuations caused by coping with the increasing pressure could shake his unwavering determination.

Beads of sweat slid down his forehead, merging with the moisture in his palms, as ordinary yet tenacious as returning to the earth's origin!

At the same time, the emerald vine python seemed to realize that although its attacks were fierce, it lacked a weapon to break through defenses, and its movements became more cautious and cunning.

It began to frequently use seed spraying to create more thorny obstacles, accelerating its reproduction and making the entire battlefield as terrifying as a lively forest maze.

And those undead guardians, formed from the primordial power of the World Tree, whose constant regeneration and healing make it even more despairing and unpredictable as to where their true weakness lies!
“This trial…” Liliana said solemnly. She stood to the side, constantly using rune scrolls to awaken the elemental control techniques within her body to provide support, “It’s not just a challenge of strength, but also a test of your adaptability and strategic vision.”

She witnessed David skillfully navigating treacherous thorns and brambles, drawing upon the rhythms of nature and integrating them into his work. Her admiration for David's resilience, determination, indomitable spirit, and agility in the face of adversity was profound.

But at the same time, she also saw the weariness and exhaustion gradually building on his face, and the road ahead remained long, arduous, and unpredictable...

As time went on, the destructive toxins and entangled forces spread around the battlefield, constantly expanding and pressing down, and the atmosphere of crisis throughout the area became increasingly intense.

"I can't fall!" David gritted his teeth, insisting that every defense and counterattack be as precise and effective as possible, using minimal consumption to achieve maximum potential.

But his thoughts began to blur, and sometimes he even briefly lost control and swayed, needing to grip his staff tightly to regain his direction and balance.

Suddenly, a deep rumble came from underground, and a thick, emerald-green aerial root suddenly rose up, as if a living thing had broken free of its restraints and thrust forward, pointing straight at the enemy!
This is a gift from nature, and also a crucial turning point on the battlefield!
"Seize the opportunity!" Liliana shouted, raising the rune scroll high above her head and channeling powerful magical energy into it, drawing upon the power of the misty forest to provide ample support for the impending attack!
Taking advantage of this sudden advantage and initiative, David adjusted his pace, focusing all his energy on using all available wood, water, and wind elements, and vigorously swung his staff straight at the chest of the Emerald Serpent.

In that instant, countless fine fern leaves and tender shoots exploded with the violent impact. The opponent was amazed that such a combination of methods forced a rare crack to appear on its body, but it also instantly activated a rapid regeneration mechanism, releasing a large number of spores from the crack and scattering them in order to disrupt and counter the attacker!
The emerald green vines spread rapidly through the air, like the outstretched claws of a beast, swiftly piercing out from David's blind spot.

In that instant, before his eyes could catch the sudden attack, his heart tightened, but it was too late.

"Get out of the way!" The voice was urgent and resolute.

Liliana's eyes were sharp; she kept a close eye on the vine python's movements and energy fluctuations, trying to decipher the complex and hidden patterns of this giant beast's energy body.

Without hesitation, she rushed towards David and pushed him away from danger.

However, the vine, which possessed a strong corrosive life force and emitted a faint green light, quickly pierced through her chest.

"Pfft..." Blood spurted out, intertwining with the emerald light, instantly staining the dust in the surrounding air red.

The emerald green was gradually eroded by the crimson, withering and fading as if life were being swallowed by darkness.

Her body trembled slightly, her eyes filled with astonishment, yet also with determination and fearlessness.

The surrounding space seemed to freeze suddenly, and a deathly silence and oppressive feeling enveloped the area. It was a chilling atmosphere brought about by the ruthless taking away of life force and the gradual withering and decay.

David froze, instinctively reaching out to help, but felt those hands were unusually cold, as if he were touching something fragile and transparent.

His pupils contracted sharply, and a pain that felt like his chest was being torn apart surged into his heart.

He knelt down and held Liliana in his arms. Her face was as pale as paper, and her breathing was rapid and weak, each breath seeming as if she were fighting for her life.

“Lily…you…” His voice trembled, weak and sorrowful, his eyes gradually moistened, but the tears did not spill out. They just remained heavily and suppressed at the edge of his eyes, like the surging anger and self-blame deep in his heart that he could not vent.

The vines, exuding a poisonous and corrosive aura, still clung tightly to the remaining parts of her body, while the green glow gradually dimmed and disappeared.

This power is different from ordinary toxins; it seems to have the quality of extracting the essence of life and stripping away the essential vitality of existence, causing unbearable pain and irreversible weakness.

"Why...why..." His voice choked with sobs and confusion, "I...I can protect you!"

But at this moment, he knew that this was not a problem that could be solved by simple protection, but a helpless sacrifice in the deeper blood ties and intertwined fates.

A stubborn yet gentle smile appeared on Liliana's face. She raised her hand slightly and, with her last bit of strength, touched his face. The touch was warm and soft, yet heartbreakingly fragile. "David..." she whispered, "You must be strong... This is part of the trial, part of the protection."

Though the words were light, each one struck his soul like heavy cast iron.

"I am willing to endure all of this, just hoping that you can go further and no longer be alone."

Tears finally fell, and as their eyes met, endless sorrow and unwavering resolve blossomed simultaneously—an emotion that transcended the boundaries of life and death, a trust, a reliance, and a flame of hope burning in the darkness.

David clenched his staff with both fists, his whole body surging with unprecedented rage.

He growled, "I'll make that monster pay! I won't let your sacrifice be in vain!"

A surge of elemental power erupted from his body, and with rage as the trigger, he unleashed a deafening roar. A brilliant energy wave, formed by the fusion of wood, water, and wind elements, burst forth from the tip of his staff, sweeping through space like a torrent and violently enveloping the emerald vine python.

However, the opponent still demonstrated amazing regenerative ability, standing stubbornly even with cracks all over its body, constantly wielding its poisonous vines to fight back. Every collision was full of killing intent and destructive aura, plunging the entire projection space into the center of a fierce battle.

However, this battle is no longer just about fighting against the giant guardians, but also about mourning the fallen guardians and bearing the heavy responsibility of the future to carry on their will!
The air was filled with the fragrance of earth mixed with the sound of grass and trees breaking, and every gust of wind seemed to echo in the ethereal atmosphere like a prayer.

"This is a battle for the living, and also an important ritual for the souls of the departed to guide their future paths." Liliana's weak words seemed to linger, constantly encouraging David to forge ahead—

Inside the projection core, the corrosive, acrid stench grew stronger, and the air seemed to be filled with an ominous sign of death.

The soil rotted and trembled as if devoured by toxins, and the tangled thorny vines seemed to be slowly shaking.

David gripped his staff tightly, holding Liliana's frail body close to his chest. Her eyes, once full of light and hope, were now gradually dimming.

He watched as her chest rose and fell slightly, her breathing intermittent, each breath seeming to be taken with all her might.

"No... we can't just leave it like this..." His voice was hoarse and trembling, his brows furrowed, and he subconsciously used his palm to gently wipe away the bright red, wet bloodstains on her forehead.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I couldn't let them fall; they were firmly suppressed by the unspeakable pain in my heart.

The corrosive fumes around us seemed to be piling up, making it suffocating.

The spreading toxins cut into his nerves like invisible blades, each breath feeling like a scraping against his throat, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

But even such an environment could not stop the anger and determination burning within him.

"Why...why..." David whispered, but found that despair and anger intertwined into an unbearable weight, and he almost lost control and collapsed to the ground.

But he knew this was not the time to give up, but the time to unleash all his strength to fight back!
His gaze suddenly shifted to the enormous, ferocious, and terrifying emerald vine python coiled in the center of the space.

The behemoth was covered in cracks, its scales shimmering with a ghostly green light, yet it still swung its poisonous branches with imposing majesty, constantly spewing out destructive acidic droplets and seeds.

These seeds, like demonic flowers, sprouted from the soil and rapidly multiplied into an impenetrable, thorny, and extremely poisonous cage, mercilessly enveloping the entire battlefield.

David took a deep breath. Sweat mixed with blood dripped from his forehead and slid down his cheeks, but his mind remained unusually clear.

He knew he had to disregard everything and mobilize the life runes in his sea of ​​consciousness that had been floating and sinking, never fully awakened but possessing immense hidden power!
As his thoughts converged, he suddenly raised his staff with both hands, and the green patterns on it burst with amazing brilliance, as if the ancient life veins had been reawakened, stirring up sharp symbols in the dark void.

These primal marks not only contain the life force of heaven and earth, but also bear the spiritual anger and resilience forged through countless painful experiences.

"Give her my life!" he roared, his voice like thunder tearing through the night sky. The sound reverberated throughout the projection space and also shook the long-dormant core energy deep within the jade python!

Streaks of green runic flames burned fiercely, bursting forth from the tip of the staff, piercing towards the giant serpent's energy core like sharp, pointed knives.

This is not just an ordinary elemental attack, but a kind of attack containing the power of a primordial curse, using sharp spiritual power to sever the foundation of the opponent's life!

The air instantly became scorching and filled with a sense of rupture. Every rune that passed through brought a soul-burning pain. One after another, the vital patterns were peeled away and decomposed. Countless sharp soul marks were interwoven and pieced together on the enemy's surface, like life and death inscriptions carved with blood.

The once indestructible scales of the vine python began to show spiderweb-like cracks, and in some places even a faint dark red scorched color was visible.

The projection area trembled violently, and the earth roared continuously. Huge, emerald-green aerial roots rose from the ground and moved about, constantly shaking to avoid the backlash from the earth's power. At the same time, they were also pressed by the strong shockwaves, revealing subtle cracks that indicated their limits.

The forest maze was already intricate and complex, but now, as the primordial curse power overflowing from David's body gradually disintegrated, the previously unbreakable shackles began to collapse and loosen, opening up a new path for passage.

His facial muscles were stiff and contorted from the intense exertion of his entire body, but his eyes shone with an unprecedented, steely determination—

This is not only the fiercest counterattack against the enemy, but also a stab that plants a seed deep in the soul to reverse fate!

Each swing of the staff is like drawing a bright red wound on one's own skin, but in return, it inflicts unbearable ripples of trauma on the enemy. This is the bloody price behind this decisive battle!
With each strike, his footwork shifted rapidly, nimbly weaving through the chaotic, thorny branches. He used a combination of wood, water, and wind elements to construct a barrier against the remaining attacks, while simultaneously using runes to enhance his physical recovery speed, allowing him to remain standing despite his exhaustion, achieving a near-perfect transition between offense and defense.

Suddenly, he felt an unusual response from his staff, an ancient resonance signal transmitted from the World Tree itself through its massive, intertwined roots!
They are like the skeletons of giant beasts supporting the ecosystem, and also contain infinite potential waiting to be awakened.

At this critical juncture, the earthquake intensified, atmospheric fluctuations brought a shower of fine leaves and raindrops, and the natural rhythms were fully awakened by his struggle...

(End of this chapter)