Perfect: I am Shi An from Shicun, and I am Huang’s brother!

Chapter 429 Forbidden Zone Ancient City
The Fiery Python's enormous head drooped slightly, its vertical pupils flashing with crimson light, as if it were weighing its options or struggling.

Shi An did not urge him, but stood with his hands behind his back, letting the fire energy surge in the crack, making his robes flutter.

After a long silence, the Flame Python finally spoke slowly, its voice deep and thunderous: "Fine, I'll trust you this once! If you dare to deceive me, I'll tear a piece of flesh from your body even if it costs me my soul."

The Fiery Python finally made up its mind, and its enormous body slowly swam toward the crimson-gold rift.

As Shi An watched the fiery python enter the crack, a meaningful smile appeared on his lips. He then raised his hand and waved it, causing the crimson-gold crack to slowly expand and completely engulf the fiery python.

Upon entering the crevice, the Flame Python was stunned by the sight before it.

Eighty-one volcanoes stand amidst a vast ocean of fire, their craters constantly spewing forth scorching flames of various colors—crimson, orange-yellow, and golden-purple—each flame containing extremely pure fire energy.

"This...this kind of fire source power is hundreds of times stronger than anything I've encountered before!"

The Fiery Python roared excitedly as its massive body slowly swam toward a volcano crater, preparing to absorb the pure power of fire.

Shi An also entered the crevice, standing quietly to the side, his gaze fixed on the Flame Python.

The reason he helped Yanmang was partly because he had a past karmic connection with Yanmang's clan.

On the other hand, he also wanted to take this opportunity to see how the relocation of these eighty-one volcanoes to the Purple Spirit Domain would nourish fire-type creatures.

At the same time, the Flame Python began to frantically absorb the fire power erupting from the volcano. Its crimson scales, which had been somewhat dull and even had minor cracks due to damage to its source, were rapidly re-tempered under the nourishment of the pure fire source, and began to shine with a dazzling light as clear as burning divine gold.

The ancient patterns on the scales, which were originally faintly visible, became incredibly clear and bright, like an activated innate Dao diagram, radiating a mysterious and powerful force, and faintly revealing a unique aura of a dragon.

Its size did not continue to expand, but every inch of its muscles became firmer and more condensed, containing explosive power. A powerful and majestic aura of a demon god, steadily increasing like an awakened lava behemoth, rolled out from its body, stirring the surrounding fire elemental energy.

"The results far exceeded expectations."

This scene caused a hint of satisfaction to flash in Shi An's eyes.

The speed at which the Flame Python was transforming proved that his approach of moving the volcano and organizing the rules of the fire path was correct.

The power of the Purple Spirit Realm can perfectly support and nourish these powerful primal forces, even amplifying their effects.

However, he also understood that it was unlikely that the Flame Python could truly cross that insurmountable barrier and condense the Heavenly God Dao Fruit in the short term.

It needs time to settle and digest this enormous power, and it needs to undergo a deeper transformation to accommodate the divine status.

"The foundation is solid; all that remains is to work diligently and patiently."

Shi An understood that the Flame Python's condition had stabilized and it had entered a period of deep cultivation in seclusion. He no longer needed to pay close attention to it, as the fire source here would continue to nourish it.

After confirming the experimental results, Shi An did not linger. With a slight thought, his figure disappeared from the Purple Spirit Domain like ripples on water.

The next moment, under the golden road, Shi An's figure reappeared, still near the pass of the crimson mountain range.

The surroundings were desolate, save for the scorching wind that whipped up sulfurous dust as it howled past. Those prodigies were long gone, leaving only traces of battle and the coiled fiery serpents.

His gaze calmly swept over the battlefield scorched by flames, then he took a step forward, his figure moving like lightning, speeding along the dazzling golden road deeper into the no-man's land. His brief interlude within the Purple Spirit Domain was over; his destination was the Heavenly God Academy, the ancient city further ahead, and the "nourishment" that might exist along this ancient trial path, helping his inner world grow faster.

The golden road seemed endless, stretching into the increasingly dark and desolate depths of the no-man's-land. The scenery along the way was bizarre and surreal. Sometimes it was a broken star belt that distorted space, sometimes it was a silent forest flowing with eerie light, and sometimes it turned into a deathly gray desert. Everywhere was filled with an ancient, vicissitude and unpredictable atmosphere.

Shi An could sense that the suppression of the rules here was getting stronger and stronger, and ordinary escape techniques were almost ineffective. He could only rely on his physical strength or the guidance of the Golden Path itself to move forward.

Time passed slowly, and after traveling countless miles and crossing countless mountains and rivers, Shi An finally entered a strange place.

In the distance, a colossal city stands majestically between heaven and earth, like an ancient, ferocious beast lying prone.

The city walls are pitch black, neither gold nor stone, seemingly constructed from some mysterious black boulders, exuding an ancient and profound aura.

It is covered with knife marks and arrow holes, and is stained with blood. It has not faded even after thousands of years and exudes a terrifying aura.

This is a crucial node on the ancient trial path—the forbidden ancient city!
"I wonder if this city is the one where the Qilin appeared..."

Shi An pondered to himself, but his feet never stopped, and soon he entered the city.

However, to his surprise, he ran into an acquaintance as soon as he entered the city.

"younger brother!"

Seeing Shi Hao chatting happily with a woman in a black dress not far away, Shi An couldn't help but feel a hint of surprise in his eyes. Then, a smile appeared on his lips, and he slowed his pace as he walked towards the two figures.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, the woman in the black dress with a graceful figure turned around almost simultaneously with Shi Hao.

"elder brother?!"

Upon seeing Shi An, a hint of surprise flashed in Shi Hao's eyes, and he immediately greeted him with a loud laugh: "Why did you take so long to come? I thought you had already gone there!"

"Something came up on the way, which caused a slight delay."

Shi An simply smiled and explained, then turned to look at the woman in the black dress.

Her face was cold and beautiful, her eyes were like cold stars, and she wore a black dress as dark as ink. Her temperament was cold and aloof, as if she were a witch who had walked out of the deepest hell. Although she stood quietly in place, she had a sense of oppression that made people's hearts tremble.

"It's been a long time, Celestial Fox Fairy!"

Indeed, the woman in the black dress was none other than the Heavenly Fox Fairy, who had once been acquainted with Shi Hao and Shi An in the mortal realm, and was also a successor of the Intercepting Heaven Sect—the Witch!
Upon hearing Shi An's words, she smiled sweetly, her smile blooming like a lotus in the night, a hint of cunning in her allure. Her gaze swept between Shi An and Shi Hao: "Long time no see, Brother Shi!"

"I never expected you to fall behind Xiao Shi. I wonder what Da Shi will think when he finds out?"

"Well..."

It has to be said that the witch's words made Shi An imagine that although Shi Yi probably wouldn't say anything on the surface, he would probably scold him in his heart.

(End of this chapter)