The others immediately seized the opportunity and launched their attacks.
Windsor and her group also unleashed a barrage of spells, but even so, they couldn't finish the creature off. Most of their attacks were blocked by the creature's Fire Shield spell.
Seeing this, everyone's expressions grew grim. Before long, the restraining item's effect wore off, and the Crimson-Eyed, Blue-Eyed Two-Headed Python broke free.
Both heads hissed in rage. Then, its right hand shot into the air as it chanted an incantation.
Clouds began to gather in the sky, turning crimson. A moment later, they descended into the heart of the ship formation, igniting both the vessels and everyone aboard in red flames.
In the blink of an eye, a large number of people perished.
Everyone who witnessed the scene was shocked. The skill was overwhelmingly powerful—massive area coverage and devastating damage. It was insane.
Fortunately, after casting the attack, the Two-Headed Python began to pant heavily, clearly drained. That attack wasn't something it could cast lightly.
At that moment, Bai Xue acted. She crushed a green orb in her hand, and the orb transformed into wisps of green mist that she inhaled.
Her face flushed red. She raised her staff and released a large, emerald-colored vine-wrapped arrow, which shot forward and pierced straight through the red-eyed head of the python.
Blood sprayed everywhere. Everyone was stunned by Bai Xue's power—she had actually managed to destroy one of its heads in a single shot.
The python screamed in pain. The remaining head locked onto Bai Xue with murderous intent, its serpentine tail lashing as it surged toward her.
Bai Xue's expression shifted—not because the beast was coming for her; she had expected that after landing the blow.
What alarmed her was seeing the head she'd just destroyed slowly beginning to regenerate.
Her attack… had been in vain?
Gu Ning also watched with shock—not just at Bai Xue's damage output, but at how unbelievably resilient the Two-Headed Python was.
He immediately pulled out a special item: a Poison Element Bomb. He hoped it would work.
He hadn't used it earlier because the python had been uninjured—he feared the bomb wouldn't break through its defenses and that the poison wouldn't take hold.
But now, with one head severely damaged, it was the perfect time. Hopefully, the poison could enter its bloodstream and wreak havoc from the inside. Otherwise, they were running out of options.
But the creature was moving too quickly. There was no guarantee he could hit it. He needed it immobilized again.
"Can anyone restrain it? I've got something that might work!" Gu Ning shouted.
James and Kawanishi Nai both responded at the same time, "I'll do it!"
Then they exchanged a glance and said in unison, "Let's do it together!"
Since Gu Ning was near Bai Xue, the two of them steered their ships closer.
Gu Ning had no time to question why Kawanishi Nai was suddenly being so helpful, but he wasn't worried—he still had Darkmoon and Little Blue as backup.
As the two approached, they each pulled out an item—Kawanishi Nai held a red talisman, and James had a small collar-like device.
James acted first. He tossed the collar, which flew above the python's heads, expanded, then dropped down and shrank, locking it in place.
"It's restrained! Now!" James shouted.
Gu Ning instantly threw the Poison Element Bomb.
With a sharp crack, clouds of purple mist burst forth. As they touched the python's wounds, sizzling sounds echoed.
The beast let out an agonized scream. The mist seeped into its mouth and nostrils.
It roared in agony, flinging water arrows and fireballs in every direction. Suddenly, its gaze locked onto Gu Ning.
Consumed by pain, the python lost all sense of reason. It focused entirely on Gu Ning, the one who had caused its suffering.
It could feel the poison invading its body—and it knew death was near.
It was going to take this man with it.
Seeing the python charging straight for him with burning hatred in its eyes, Gu Ning's heart dropped. Crap! It's not dying fast enough!
"Stop it!" Gu Ning shouted.
He quickly cast Freezing Spell—but the beast was too fast. The spell missed.
Windsor cast a confusion spell, hoping to disorient it.
At the same time, Huo Huo and Xia Rui launched their own attacks in an effort to stop it.
"Stop him, Kawanishi Nai!" Licor shouted from nearby.
But Kawanishi Nai only smiled faintly. He activated his talisman—but instead of targeting the python, he flung it at Gu Ning.
A streak of red light slammed into Gu Ning, locking him in place. It felt as if the air around him had solidified, making movement impossible.
"Damn it! I walked right into your trap!" Gu Ning cursed under his breath.
"What are you doing, Kawanishi Nai?!" Bai Xue and Licor shouted angrily.
James looked at him with disdain.
Some of the surrounding participants began shouting in outrage, while others sneered in schadenfreude. Quite a few had been hoping Gu Ning—the front-runner—would fall.
Even James, though disgusted by Kawanishi Nai's tactics, wasn't exactly displeased at the prospect of Gu Ning being eliminated.
"I was just too nervous… It was an accident, I swear!" Kawanishi Nai said, feigning regret. But the smugness in his eyes betrayed his delight.
Bai Xue and Licor were furious but helpless. They could only cast control spells to try to slow the python down.
Despite being trapped, Gu Ning remained calm. He could see the creature's speed was noticeably dropping. It was weakening fast.
The python spotted the tower ship directly ahead. Out of magic, it used its tail to slap the sea, launching itself high into the air.
It descended, aiming to crush Gu Ning's vessel.
Just as it came crashing down, Stoneplate stepped in front of Gu Ning, giant shield raised.
Boom! The impact drove Stoneplate through the deck, his feet punching straight through the wood.
But the delay was just enough. Windsor, Huo Huo, and Xia Rui followed up with their control spells, finally restraining the beast.
Right after, Darkmoon emerged and slashed down with Windbreaker Blade, casting Dark Blade and Shadow Corrosion directly onto the creature's remaining head.
Even so, in its final moments, the Two-Headed Python swung its weapon one last time, smashing both Darkmoon and Gu Ning.
The two were sent flying into the inner wall of the ship, coughing up blood.
Just then, from the side of the ship where Gu Ning lay, two massive tentacles suddenly rose from the sea, reaching for both Gu Ning and Darkmoon.