Volume One, Chapter 16: Mutual Destruction

“White Tiger’s Mysterious Overwhelming Flame.” The white tiger raised its right paw to the level of its head, summoning a massive fireball in a single breath. The fireball was as large as a basket, and within the flames, a small white tiger seemed to leap and dance.

“Die!” With a fierce motion, the white tiger hurled the fireball toward Wang Long. The blazing sphere shot forward at an incredible speed.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The fireball struck the protective barrier of the Azure Lotus Heartfire, triggering a violent explosion. Smoke billowed in all directions, and the surrounding trees ignited into roaring flames, turning the once solitary forest into an inferno.

This strike consumed half of the white tiger’s strength.

“Is that all? If that’s your full power, you sickly cat, then it’s my turn to show my might,” Wang Long sneered. He swallowed a mouthful of Azure Lotus Heartfire, and soon, a fiery serpent identical to the one within the flames appeared beside him.

Without hesitation, Wang Long charged at the white tiger, the fiery serpent surging alongside him. Cornered by the twin serpents, the white tiger attempted to unleash the pressure of a second-tier mythical beast once more. But before it could fully manifest, Wang Long had already closed in. The fire serpent whipped around the white tiger, enveloping its body in scorching flames.

The Azure Lotus Heartfire burned fiercely, suffocating the white tiger. Seizing the moment, Wang Long entwined his body around his opponent.

“Release me! I am a divine beast! I will flay you alive and ensure you suffer a dreadful death!” roared the white tiger, its voice deep and powerful.

“Tch, you sickly cat. Don’t think you can beat me just because you’re a rank above. Today, I’ll swallow you whole and teach you a lesson—you better be careful next life,” Wang Long retorted, tightening his grip and squeezing relentlessly.

At that moment, the vengeful white tiger suddenly sensed the threat of death. The character “Wang” on its forehead began to glow brightly.

“Serpent, you have truly angered me,” it growled.

A deep, resonant tiger roar burst forth, forcefully repelling Wang Long and sending him flying dozens of meters away. Thanks to the wings on his back, Wang Long quickly regained his balance.

As he looked back at the white tiger, an astonishing sight met his eyes.

The white tiger, once merely a second-tier beast, had broken through to third-tier—a level equivalent to a human Grand Martial Artist. It was now capable of manifesting aura armor, radiating spiritual energy outward, condensing it into a solid diamond-shaped form that further amplified its combat strength.

A brilliant white light shimmered as it washed over the white tiger’s body, gradually forming a gleaming white armor upon its exterior.

“Hahaha!” the white tiger laughed wildly, then sneered at Wang Long, pointing a claw at him. “Thanks to you, I have broken through to the third tier. Now, your mission is complete—it’s time for you to descend into hell.”

With that, the white tiger charged forward, moving faster than before, its strength now tripled.

Wang Long stared at the onrushing white tiger. Though he longed to be a dragon, he was still merely a giant python. Against a third-tier opponent, a first-tier like him stood no chance.

In desperation, Wang Long prepared to use his last resort—the deadly venomous fangs. Although uncertain if his poison could quickly kill a beast several ranks above him, it would at least inflict severe damage. If necessary, he was prepared to perish alongside his foe.

Despite the white tiger’s speed, Wang Long, blessed with the Lightning Talent, was still faster, though the white tiger’s high-level pressure slowed him to a crawl.

“Wait, maybe I can still talk this through,” Wang Long said, curling his body into a circle.

The white tiger halted, not in a hurry, and asked, “What last words do you have before you die?”

“No, no, no, Brother White Tiger, I just want to ask—how did you break through so fast when the spiritual energy has only just revived?” Wang Long inquired.

Hearing this, the white tiger’s muscles tensed. “You little brat, how dare you probe my limits? Do you think I’d reveal my secrets to you?”

Wang Long shook his head. “I just want to die knowing the truth. Besides, you’ve already reached the third tier—what do you have to fear from a first-tier like me? Even if word gets out, it won’t disgrace your White Tiger clan’s reputation.”

“Hahaha,” the white tiger laughed heartily, seemingly pleased with Wang Long’s flattery.

Raising its paw, it pointed at Wang Long’s head. “Listen well, giant serpent. I am a descendant of the divine beasts. It is your honor to be my prey. Devouring you might even make me stronger.”

Without further words, the white tiger charged at Wang Long again. In a matter of breaths, their bodies collided.

The white tiger’s claw struck Wang Long’s abdomen with brutal force, leaving five bloodied claw marks.

Wang Long bit down hard on the white tiger’s right paw, injecting venom through his fangs into the beast’s body.

Five hundred milliliters of venom flooded the white tiger’s bloodstream within a second.

“Ah, no!” The white tiger struggled free, retreating to a nearby spot and glancing at a clear bite mark on its left paw.

Two seconds later, the venom spread throughout the white tiger’s body. Despite its formidable strength and third-tier status—two ranks above Wang Long—the poison did not kill it instantly but suppressed seventy percent of its power.

With a low, powerful voice, the white tiger mockingly said, “I didn’t expect you, a giant python, to have venom. I underestimated you.”

“But just wait. Once I’ve healed, I won’t let you off,” it vowed fiercely before darting into the dense forest.

Watching the white tiger disappear, Wang Long exhaled deeply. Had the beast charged recklessly, he might have been torn apart on the spot.

After all, the white tiger was a creature capable of contending with dragons, let alone a giant python, especially when it was two ranks higher—he stood no chance.

This battle made Wang Long realize that strength is the ultimate truth; all truths lie within the bounds of power.

Not long after, Wang Long rested at the edge of the Dragon’s Pool, his abdomen bearing five tiger claw marks—a constant reminder of his recent defeat.

In the days that followed, Wang Long gradually healed, while the villagers of Tian Village steadily offered dozens of points of faith.

Meanwhile, in an unnamed forest, the white tiger paused and spat out a mouthful of black blood.