Most meteorites are composed of various minerals or are swept by cold winds, making them barren and devoid of life.
However, the meteorite where Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying currently stand is lush and green, even supporting plant life, which astonishes them both.
This is no meteorite; it's a miniature planet teeming with vegetation.
"Shall we explore it? Perhaps we might discover some treasures," Luo Yingying suggested.
"That sounds good. Besides, Zhuge Jin didn't give us any specific destination, so we can go wherever we please," Ning Beichen replied.
"Beichen, are you really going to help Zhuge Jin find the Star Coffin?" Luo Yingying asked.
"I'll look for it, but whether I give it to him depends on what the Star Coffin is and what it does. My purpose here is to find my master, not some Star Coffin," Ning Beichen stated.
"But this place is so vast, and your master could be anywhere. How do you plan to find him?" Luo Yingying inquired.
"When the cart reaches the mountain, the road will naturally appear. I'll take it one step at a time. With my master's strength, if something has truly happened to him, my own abilities probably won't be of much help. I can only pray he's safe," Ning Beichen said.
"That's true. Just do your best and don't put too much pressure on yourself," Luo Yingying told him.
"Don't worry, I'm perfectly clear about what I'm doing," Ning Beichen responded.
"Indeed. You show no respect for your master at all," Luo Yingying couldn't help but roll her eyes when this topic came up. She now understood that this guy had never treated her as the sect leader of the Flying Immortal Sect.
"I am very respectful of my old man," Ning Beichen chuckled awkwardly. Fortunately, Luo Yingying didn't dwell on the matter. She had come to terms with it; nothing was more important than survival.
"Let's go, we'll explore this place," Ning Beichen changed the subject, flying forward on his sword, with Luo Yingying following closely.
Not long after, they landed on a protruding giant rock. Below them was a vast expanse of strangely shaped stone forest. The stones in the forest resembled emerging bamboo shoots, appearing like a spiked trap from above. However, up close, it was simply a maze-like stone forest.
"Ning Beichen."
"Shhh..." Ning Beichen made a silencing gesture and pointed downwards, motioning for Luo Yingying to look.
They saw a giant python within the stone forest. Its skin was the color of the stones, making it appear like part of the rock at first glance. If one weren't careful and descended, they would become the python's meal.
Luo Yingying glanced at Ning Beichen, asking for his intention to engage. After all, with their strength, dealing with a python shouldn't be an issue. However, Ning Beichen was concerned. The python here was clearly not an ordinary one. While he wasn't afraid, he was unsure of its strength, which made him slightly hesitant. But soon, Ning Beichen nodded at her, as he also wanted to gauge the abilities of the creatures here. Ning Beichen's reasoning was that if they were to survive and return, evasion wouldn't be enough. Only by understanding the strength of the local creatures could they make accurate judgments in critical moments.
"Attack!" Ning Beichen made the first move, launching a punch at the giant python in the stone forest, using the Great Collapse Fist technique. Ning Beichen's Great Collapse Fist was now vastly different from before. After Ning Beichen's integration and improvement in strength, the current power of the Great Collapse Fist was no weaker than ordinary Mortal Shedding martial arts, and even more formidable than most.
With a bang, Ning Beichen's fist landed on the giant python like a missile, instantly detonating a large area of the stone forest and creating a massive pit. The giant python, however, was unharmed. It merely lifted its head, then lazily sprawled on the ground as if Ning Beichen's punch had only tickled it, leaving Ning Beichen dumbfounded.
"Let me try!" Luo Yingying drew her sword and unleashed an arc of sword energy at the python. The sword energy struck the python, leaving only a white mark, failing to even break the skin. Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying exchanged glances, shock evident in their eyes.
"Forget it, let's not disturb it," Ning Beichen whispered to Luo Yingying. After all, the giant python was minding its own business and hadn't provoked them. Luo Yingying nodded, and they quietly retreated.
"Could the giant python be guarding some treasure?" Luo Yingying asked Ning Beichen after a while. Ning Beichen felt Luo Yingying's point was very valid. Otherwise, why would the python remain in the stone forest even after being attacked?
"Shall we go back and deal with it then?" Ning Beichen asked Luo Yingying.
"Yes," Luo Yingying nodded. Neither she nor Ning Beichen was willing to leave just like that. Soon, Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying returned to the stone forest. They exchanged a look, their intentions clear: to combine their sword arts. Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying were not indecisive people. They immediately combined their sword arts and unleashed a red sword energy at the giant python. The sword energy rumbled towards the stone forest, turning the surrounding rocks into dust as it passed. The giant python, sensing the danger, coiled its entire body into a circle.
With a deafening roar, the red sword energy carved a gaping wound into the giant python. The python, in pain, let out a hiss that caused blood to flow from Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying's nostrils.
"Not good, the python has noticed us!" Ning Beichen quickly pulled Luo Yingying away. Just as they fled, they saw the python's tail sweep towards their previous location. With a thunderous crash, the area where Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying had stood was flattened. A giant rock, about ten meters high, was also smashed into rubble by the python's tail.
"Yingying!" Ning Beichen pushed Luo Yingying aside as the python's tongue shot between them, striking a stone mountain behind them. The stone mountain, as if made of soft mud, was pierced by the python's tongue, creating a hole several square meters in size.
"Draw your sword!" Luo Yingying shouted to Ning Beichen after dodging. Ning Beichen immediately understood, drew his bronze ancient sword, and unleashed a beam of sword light towards the python. Luo Yingying followed closely with her sword. The black and white sword lights met in the air, transforming into a red sword energy that struck the python's head with immense power.