novelraw Chapter 128
Chapter 128
After hundreds of real combat kills, every draw of the bow brought new insights and subtle improvements.
In such an environment, both Archery and Hundred Paces Piercing the Poplar advanced at remarkable speed.
Wangchuan felt deeply grateful to Bai Jingtang. With her present, everyone could train safely. Order was strict, interference nonexistent. It felt as though a general commanded from the center of an army.
He finally understood why the experts of the Land-Clearing Team held her in such high esteem.
Captain Bai was truly formidable.
He stole a glance toward Monk Dalong.
After exchanging more than a hundred blows with the giant python, Dalong was panting heavily. The python’s body was bruised blue and purple, mottled with dark red patches.
Unable to coil around him, the python began to retreat. But Dalong had already entered the heat of battle. He chased it down and smashed it repeatedly with his iron staff until, at last, he crushed it to death.
The moment the python died, movement stirred at Snake Den.
Whoosh! Whoosh!Four even larger pythons suddenly emerged from the cavern, their immense bodies swaying through the brush, sending shrubs and grass trembling as they slithered toward the lake.
“Giant snakes!”
“So many giant snakes!”
Some Quasi-Martial Artists felt their legs go weak.
These pythons were over ten meters long, moving swiftly. Their thick scales easily deflected arrows, exerting overwhelming pressure.
Wangchuan frowned and looked toward Bai Jingtang.
He was unsure whether she intended to leave these four pythons for the First-Rank Martial Artists to train upon.
Suddenly, she appeared behind him.
Without asking, she drew four armor-piercing arrows from his quiver. Calmly, she nocked all four at once and drew her bow, holding without releasing.
“Snake Elder, if you do not show yourself, the four treasures you have cultivated will not survive today.”
Her voice carried clearly through the forest.
A strange, rasping laugh echoed from Snake Den.
“I did not expect that after hiding behind Blackwind Stronghold for so many years, I would be discovered by a little girl like you…”
A hunched figure appeared at the cavern entrance, leaning on a staff twisted like a dried vine.
Everyone stopped shooting.
They stared in disbelief at the bent silhouette standing amid countless venomous snakes.
What kind of monster was this…
To coexist so harmoniously with serpents?
“I would not have discovered you,” Bai Jingtang said calmly, lowering her bow, “but when Snake Elder sent out all four of his personal guards, it was hard not to notice.”
“What shall we do now?” the hunched figure rasped from the shadows, making no move to step fully into the light. “You have slaughtered so many of my little treasures and uncovered my hiding place. There is no reason to let you leave alive.”
Wangchuan overheard Monk Dalong whispering to Qin Jinguo.
“Snake Elder?”
“Who is that?”
“No idea. But judging from Captain Bai’s demeanor, he is no simple character. Prepare to retreat at any moment.”
Zhang Xiaoxiao discreetly signaled her team to shift backward.
Instructor Yu and Lin Xun also began withdrawing their people, clearing space for Bai Jingtang.
Wangchuan gave Chen Ergou a look, signaling the inner disciples of the Yulong Gang to retreat toward Blackwind Stronghold.
Caution ensured longevity.
In Spirit Realm, vigilance was paramount.
Bai Jingtang’s voice sharpened.
“If Snake Elder truly had that ability, would he have waited until so many of his subordinates were killed?”
She exposed his bluff with a single sentence.
“Moreover, we have prepared ample realgar. If you truly wish to test us, we do not mind seeing whether the legendary Snake Elder, one of the Five Great Elders of the Five Poison Sect, still possesses the might of old.”
“You insolent girl!” Snake Elder’s tone turned icy. Countless venomous snakes raised their upper bodies, flicking their tongues as though sensing their master’s killing intent. “Which sect do you belong to, to dare speak so boldly?”
“Disciple of the Qingcheng Sect, Bai Jingtang.”
She declared her identity openly.
“We came under orders to clear Blackwind Stronghold. We did not expect to uncover Snake Elder’s hidden domain. Forgive the intrusion.”
“A disciple of a renowned orthodox sect. No wonder you have courage.”
Snake Elder’s tone shifted again, faint wariness entering his voice.
“Since this was not intentional, I shall spare you today. Leave.”
“Many thanks for Snake Elder’s magnanimity.”
Bai Jingtang relaxed slightly and cupped her fists.
“We disturbed you unintentionally. The wolf corpses at Blackwind Stronghold may serve as our token of apology.”
“Very well. I accept.”
Snake Elder waved dismissively.
Bai Jingtang turned to the group, her expression graver than ever.
“This place is not safe to linger.”
“Withdraw!”
No one dared question her.
They immediately retreated into Blackwind Stronghold.
“Captain Bai, what about the stronghold?”
At that moment, Old Qiu, Old Yuan, Old Fan, and Sister Yuan of the First Land-Clearing Team had already arrived.
Bai Jingtang spoke swiftly.
“If Snake Elder is here, then one of the Five Poison Sect’s branch halls is likely hidden in these mountains. We have alerted him today. If we delay further, other experts of the Five Poison Sect will arrive.”
“Descend the mountain at full speed. This outpost must be abandoned.”
The words sent shockwaves through the group.
The Five Poison Sect!
They were infamous masters of venom.
“Captain Bai, what rank is Snake Elder?”
“In terms of martial cultivation, likely between Second and Third Rank,” Bai Jingtang replied, a faint sheen of sweat at her temples. “But his poison arts can threaten even Fourth Rank.”
“Today, we were fortunate Wangchuan brought armor-piercing arrows. They deterred Snake Elder’s four guards. He did not dare act.”
“Otherwise, at least half of the Land-Clearing Team would have died.”
Everyone nodded solemnly.
To wage war in the forest against countless venomous snakes while facing retaliation from the Five Poison Sect was beyond what a mere game studio could withstand.
“Wangchuan, a lucky general indeed,” Lin Xun said, patting his arm.
Wangchuan felt slightly embarrassed. He had not expected his usual habit of carrying armor-piercing arrows to inadvertently save them all.
“Enough.”
“Descend the mountain immediately.”
“Snake Elder is likely waiting for reinforcements. If we delay, we may not leave at all.”
Hearing this, they abandoned all attempts at tidying up and rushed down the mountain.
Before long, countless venomous snakes slithered into Blackwind Stronghold, devouring the wolf corpses scattered within and without.
The hunched figure stood atop the stronghold wall, his presence bleak yet filled with killing intent.
“A disciple of Qingcheng Sect.”
“You dare enter the territory of a branch hall of my Five Poison Sect and slaughter my treasures.”
“Do you think you can still leave the mountain alive?”
Then strange incantations flowed from his lips.
The venomous snakes within Blackwind Stronghold lifted their heads in unison, tongues flicking, hissing in eerie chorus.
The scene was chilling beyond words.
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