From Swamp Dog to Crocodile Ancestor

Li Yi's gaze gradually shifted from a brief moment of confusion to complete indifference and rationality, as if the human side brought about by that dream was merely a fleeting moment.

That complex soul, a blend of wildness and humanity, returned to this body in an instant.

The white python flicked its tongue and landed on Li Yi's black scales, bringing a slight touch. It circled around Li Yi, observing him from head to toe, its vertical pupils reflecting the wound on his back that appeared to have healed on its own.

Li Yi tried to move his body, but found that the wound on his back was burning hot, and his movements brought a sharp pain and a sense of weakness.

Fortunately, the spine was not damaged.

However, at the very last moment before the white python pulled out the yellow crystal sword, it simultaneously used its physical strength and the twilight spirit to trigger the sword's resonance.

In that instant, the small sword briefly unleashed a sharp edge deep within its wound, damaging a small portion of its core essence blood.

This is inevitable.

Because the yellow crystal sword was already owned at that time, the moment the white python activated it in order to pull it out, it inevitably triggered the snake's spontaneous counterattack.

But things are different now.

The white python has completely refined this natural artifact, erasing the marks left by the old baboon who nurtured it for many years. Now, the artifact has completely changed hands.

Li Yi nodded in satisfaction.

This natural magical artifact can only be used by the white python. It must be activated by the glow of dusk, and even moonlight will not work, as it will lose most of its power.

Moonlight comes from the moon and belongs to the yin element.

Dusk and dawn, both kinds of rosy light, come from the rising and setting sun, and belong to the yang.

The transformation of Yin and Yang is no simpler than the transformation of purity and turbidity; in fact, it is more complex.

Li Yi now vaguely sensed these things, and thus immediately recognized that this magical artifact was suitable for the white python.

After resting for a long time, the white python carefully dripped a drop of willow sap into Li Yi's mouth.

In an instant, a surge of vital energy exploded once again in Li Yi's abdomen, rapidly flowing to his limbs and bones, coursing through his tough and powerful body.

What followed was excruciating pain in two places on my back.

An injury is healing rapidly, with new flesh filling the gaps, but also bringing growing pains.

Another spot was deeply embedded with purple fragments, which could not be completely removed. In fact, after that encounter with the old fox, it was affected even more deeply.

Li Yi closed his eyes, enduring the excruciating pain, digesting the immense life force, and resisting the stubborn injuries by constantly strengthening his own body.

After a long while, Li Yi opened his eyes, his limbs went limp, and he slowly lay down on the yellow wax stone.

This battle was entirely undeserved; its old wounds were aggravated, and it was unlucky enough to run into a new one.

Currently, his back is injured, and he may need to rest for a long time. He hasn't found any crystals yet, and instead, he will have to lie low for a long time.

The dramatic change at the cedar tree seemed to foreshadow something; those red-haired foxes must be a branch of the Flame Breath Fox Clan, and in Li Yi's view, they might be very important.

If one can communicate normally with the old fox, one can surely obtain a lot of information from it, and even... it may not be impossible to resolve the stubborn injury on one's back.

However, it's estimated that this group of Flamebreath Foxes will have difficulty communicating.

There's nothing we can do but wait.

Li Yi sighed slightly. These were turbulent times, and he had suffered a severe injury. Fortunately, the white python had also gained something, and the sap from the large willow tree here would help him recover faster.

The free-range spirit water hasn't been checked on in a long time, has it?

The old baboon was highly skilled. Although the baboon clan was defeated, they might not have been completely wiped out in the swamp. Moreover, judging from the unusual movements of the yellow crystal sword...

Did it wander into its own territory?

Why?

For... the red banyan tree!?

Li Yi's tightly closed eyes trembled slightly as he became increasingly convinced that his idea was correct: the baboons, having lost the protection of the spirit tree, could not stay in the swamp for long.

They must find another place to protect themselves.

So... which territory is the safest and most known for their species after such a devastating blow?

Red-leaf banyan tree.

Following this line of thought, if the baboons were to attack the Red Leaf Banyan Tree, the group of red-faced monkeys, already weakened and suffering heavy losses from the demonic tree, would have no chance to resist.

They could only flee.

What about that demonic tree that's been roaming near the fruit trees? Without its fixed food source, driven away by the white python, it will inevitably leave its spot, disappear, and continue to roam.

A single hair can affect the whole situation.

It's troublesome, extremely troublesome.

There are currently only two spirit trees in this area that can provide shelter: a large willow tree and a red-leaf banyan tree. After the demon tree leaves its original location, it will inevitably choose one of them to continue its encirclement.

Which side is really in trouble?

Should we continue to live in fear and trepidation?

The more Li Yi thought about it, the more he felt he had fallen into a dangerous quagmire, from which he could not extricate himself anytime soon.

As it pondered, closing its eyes to rest, it failed to notice that the white python beside it was staring intently at the shimmering yellow crystal sword with its enormous eyes, seemingly deep in thought.

After a long while, the white python opened its mouth and swallowed the small sword. Then it coiled up around Li Yi, and various fine lights gradually shimmered between the gaps in its scales.

One moment it's the orange glow of sunset, the next it's the faint glow of flames, and the two seem to be gradually merging...

During this time, Li Yi could only recuperate while being led by the white python to absorb moonlight at night and lie motionless in the hollow of the big willow tree during the day, absorbing the mixed and polluted swampy energy.

It didn't let the white python leave the big willow tree rashly, even though there were still many things to explore, and the area around the swamp was quiet enough.

However, if danger arises, it could really become a problem.

Having already suffered severe injuries and greatly diminished his combat strength, the white python was roaming outside, and if it encountered a demon tree or a troop of baboons, it would be extremely dangerous.

Although Li Yi had only seen the old baboon once, he always felt that it was a very troublesome opponent.

……

Sunrise and sunset over the swamp, the light of the sun and moon alternately piercing through the poisonous barrier, rotating endlessly in this dark and treacherous land.

There are no seasons here, and the humid and hot climate persists year-round. Only on certain days will a light, pale green breeze with a peculiar scent blow in from the far west.

The old willow tree still stands here quietly as always, its thousands of branches hanging down, carrying a lingering eerie atmosphere.

At noon, Li Yi slowly crawled out of the tree hole to bask in the sun.

Its body, covered in black scales, has grown increasingly larger, its length unknowingly approaching three zhang (approximately 10 meters), but it is still some distance away.

On its thick back, there is a long, barely noticeable wound, and the scales on both sides grow together in a somewhat twisted way, revealing a kind of ferocity, making this huge black-scaled crocodile look even more terrifying.