Wuying’s tiny head bobbed furiously at Zhang Yang’s words. Though not a fighting-class spirit beast, it still defended the dignity of its kind, refusing to allow other wild animals to casually tear apart and devour the corpse of a deceased spirit beast here.

Regrettably, this was beyond its power, leaving it no choice but to seek Zhang Yang’s help. “Zhang Yang, shall we—shall we go back first?” Su Zhantao had glanced back stealthily a moment ago, immediately terrified again, and whimpered the request.

Li Ya, not far away, also had legs gone weak, barely able to stand. Long Cheng rushed forward first, catching Li Ya before he could collapse entirely to the ground.

“Zhang Yang, I’m taking him back!” Long Cheng supported Li Ya, remembering to inform Zhang Yang, but his heart clenched again upon seeing the terrifying head of the Golden-Crowned Python. He led Li Ya away after speaking.

Zhang Yang glanced back once, then turned again, nodding softly. “I promise you, I will bury it properly!” This was directed at Wuying, who understood his meaning perfectly.

Wuying vigorously nodded assent, then hopped back onto Zhang Yang. It didn't dwell on complexities; as long as Zhang Yang agreed and prevented the Golden-Crowned Python’s corpse from being exposed and desecrated by these beasts, it was enough.

Zhang Yang helped Su Zhantao walk back, where the latter immediately sank onto the ground. This experience had truly terrified him.

Seeing their state, Zhang Yang couldn't help but shake his head. If the dead Golden-Crowned Python could scare them this badly, the living one was unthinkable.

Back at the camp, Zhang Yang explained his intention to Long Cheng and Mayor Wang: he wanted to bury the terrifying giant python. Mayor Wang was quite puzzled by this request.

Such a terrifying python looked intimidating enough to make anyone want to detour; yet, Zhang Yang wanted to bury it. Long Cheng was even more bewildered.

In his view, Zhang Yang must have killed the python, so why the sudden benevolence to inter the massive snake, which was already in pieces? “It’s so large; burying it might be difficult!” Mayor Wang genuinely wished to refuse.

The python gave him an extremely uneasy feeling, and he didn't want to linger near it. However, he knew Zhang Yang held a unique status among this group; even Boss Long, the leader, deferred to Zhang Yang’s words.

It was difficult for him to voice an objection, so he spoke tactfully. “Zhang Yang, perhaps we should just leave it?

We didn’t bring tools, and this creature is simply too massive!” Long Cheng added his voice. He also desperately wanted to leave this place, even suspecting Zhang Yang was responsible for the kill; the atmosphere here was too dreadful.

While they spoke, several more wild beasts fell dead, and simultaneously, new ones arrived, seemingly drawn to their demise. This was akin to a natural slaughterhouse, and with the thick scent of blood, no one was willing to remain except Zhang Yang and Long Feng.

“I agree; it’s better to bury it!” Long Feng suddenly stepped forward. He had heard Wuying’s cry and Zhang Yang’s words.

He didn't grasp Wuying’s precise intent but could roughly surmise that this was a powerful spirit beast whose might deserved recognition, even in death. Whether human or beast, the fallen strong should not suffer such profanity.

He understood both Zhang Yang and Wuying, so he voiced his support. With his declaration, Long Cheng could not possibly object.

To oppose him would be to oppose a senior figure from the Long family’s inner circle—a death wish he certainly didn't possess. The Long family’s rules were notoriously strict.

“Mayor Wang, please help me inter it. I will help you repair your road!” Zhang Yang said slowly.

Mayor Wang froze, then looked back at Long Cheng. In fact, after the system upgrade, Zhang Yang’s sight, hearing, and sense of smell had greatly improved; he had overheard the conversation between Mayor Wang and Long Cheng that day, knowing Mayor Wang’s deep desire to repair the road connecting the town to the county seat.

He had promised Wuying the Golden-Crowned Python would be buried, but the python was too massive; even with only half its body remaining, it was beyond his ability to handle alone. He had to ask Mayor Wang for assistance, recognizing this put the mayor in a difficult position, thus offering compensation.

“Mayor Wang, please trouble you. This—this python must be buried!” Long Cheng immediately shifted his stance.

With two masters, Zhang Yang and Long Feng, insisting on the burial, he had to comply. “Very well, Boss Zhang, thank you for your consideration.

We will bury this python!” Mayor Wang looked deeply at Zhang Yang and immediately summoned the men behind him. For the sake of that road, there was nothing he wouldn't do.

He would willingly bury himself if it meant getting the road done. Burying the python required an enormous pit; a shallow grave would only invite scavengers to dig it up, rendering the effort useless.

Digging such a massive pit deep in the mountains was not easy and required tools beyond what their small group possessed. Mayor Wang and his men carried their equipment and left first.

Li Ya, Huang Hai, and Chang Feng all departed as well; they were unwilling to stay a minute longer. Finally, Zhang Yang drove Su Zhantao and Long Cheng away too, telling them to return first and not to come back to help dig the pit and bury the giant python—that would be worse than killing them.

Once everyone had gone, only Zhang Yang and Long Feng remained. Long Cheng and Su Zhantao left with a sense of relief; they knew Zhang Yang’s capabilities and that no beast here could harm him.

“Long Feng, could you trouble yourself to escort them out?” Once everyone was distant, Zhang Yang finally turned to Long Feng. Although the Golden-Crowned Python was gone, its presence had attracted many large predators.

They carried firearms, but being deep in the forest, injury was always possible. Zhang Yang asked Long Feng to watch over their exit for their safety.

Long Feng shrugged and left directly. He had changed considerably; when he first followed Zhang Yang, he would never have agreed to such a request.

The lives of these people, aside from Long Cheng, held no relevance to him. When all others had departed, Zhang Yang was alone in the forest, and his eyes shifted slightly.

They became sharper, imbued with a nascent killing intent. The wild animals were still tearing at the Golden-Crowned Python’s corpse.

No matter how many fell, the lure of a spirit beast’s body was an irresistible draw; even in death, they craved a bite of its flesh. Zhang Yang moved suddenly, launching himself forward.

Two wolves gnawing at the python were sent flying by two swift kicks, dying instantly. Earlier, with so many people present, it was inconvenient to act; now alone, he would not allow these beasts to continue their desecration.

Zhang Yang’s body weaved and darted; soon, no beasts remained near the Golden-Crowned Python. All were kicked to death.

Wuying climbed onto Zhang Yang’s shoulder, chattering ceaselessly, fully supporting his actions. If it were as swift as lightning, it would have descended to poison these brutes long ago.

After dispatching all the beasts, Zhang Yang searched for the skeletal remains dragged away by the scavengers. Those already eaten were gone, but he gathered any bones untouched.

Since a burial was planned, he wished to provide the Golden-Crowned Python with as complete a body as possible. He had just finished gathering the remains when Long Feng returned; he had only escorted the group out of the deep woods, not further.

Once outside the deep forest, the immediate danger passed. Seeing Zhang Yang painstakingly piecing together the Golden-Crowned Python’s remains, Long Feng felt speechless.

A Five-Crowned Golden-Crowned Python—what an immensely powerful spirit beast. Even within their clan, only a few elders could handle one alone; others encountered it only to flee.

That such a creature should die by their hands—even now, Long Feng found it hard to believe. Having finished the grim task, Zhang Yang began to meditate, restoring his inner strength.

He hadn't fully recovered from yesterday’s exhaustion, and Mayor Wang’s group would take time to return. Better to cultivate than wait idly.

Long Feng sat nearby as well, beginning to assimilate his Thousand-Year Ginseng Pill. This pill would take a long time to fully digest, and upon complete absorption, his strength would increase—it was a true spirit medicine.

While cultivating, both men released their internal energy fields, powerful auras suffusing the surroundings, warding off any beasts. Any creature approaching would meet certain death.

A full three hours passed before Mayor Wang and his contingent returned. Only Long Cheng and Chang Feng accompanied Mayor Wang this time; the others were too frightened and remained huddled in the camp, unwilling to emerge.

Zhang Yang expected Long Feng’s return, but he was surprised Chang Feng had come, acknowledging that Chang Feng, being police-trained, still possessed significant courage. Furthermore, Mayor Wang brought over thirty members of the local defense force; he had called everyone available, understanding this was a massive undertaking, and more hands meant faster work.

For the sake of the road, everyone was committing fully. “Brother Chang, please, no more photographs, alright?” Chang Feng had returned with a camera and was just lining up a shot of the python when Zhang Yang approached him quietly and spoke.

Zhang Yang buried the Golden-Crowned Python to grant it peace. If Chang Feng’s photos circulated, countless people would flock here, and even after burying it, they might dig it up again.

Zhang Yang was acutely aware of the Chinese people’s curiosity; if that happened, the burial would be pointless. “Fine, I won’t take pictures!” Chang Feng looked at Zhang Yang with surprise, then nodded, putting the camera away.

He didn’t grasp the reason behind Zhang Yang’s request to stop photographing, but his perception of Zhang Yang was no longer that of an ordinary doctor. What doctor could fell three wild boars with a single shot from a hunting rifle loaded with only two rounds?

What doctor would dare remain alone in a primeval forest, facing numerous beasts and the carcass of a dead giant python? Even dead, the python was terrifying; he certainly wouldn't dare stay here alone.