Long Serpent

The serpent's dark brown patterns crisscrossed its body, which was as thick as the waist of an eight- or nine-year-old child. It coiled around a Banyan Tree, its yellow Vertical Pupils fixed coldly on Li Tongya and the others.

"What a huge serpent!"

Though he exclaimed aloud, Li Tongya's hand seals did not slow in the slightest. Before his words had even faded, a hazy golden light had already appeared in his hand.

The serpent hissed, flicking its scarlet tongue. It opened its jaws wide and spat out a dense cloud of black mist with a bang.

Yet the golden gleam arrived first, shooting straight at the Brown-Patterned Serpent's jaw. Its head was knocked aside, and the black mist poured onto a nearby tree.

The Banyan Tree immediately began to creak and crackle. Its lush branches and leaves were corroded away in an instant, turning into droplets of black water that fell onto the mud. Even its trunk, thick enough for two men to wrap their arms around, had a heavy layer eaten away.

"Hiss."

Li Yesheng and the others recoiled in fright, looking ready to turn tail and run.

"Keep your eyes on it. Back away slowly."

Having saved Li Yesheng and several villagers from the serpent, Li Tongya shook his head gravely and spoke in a low voice.

As the group slowly retreated, the serpent did not pursue them. It remained coiled around the Banyan Tree, watching them coldly.

Only after the Banyan Tree had vanished from sight did Li Qiuyang speak timidly.

"The fruit is behind that tree!"

"No rush."

Li Tongya waved a hand and instructed Li Yesheng, "Gather the villagers. Have them bring all the long poles and iron shovels they have. Bows would be even better—bring arrows too. Come up the mountain together."

"Yes."

Li Yesheng acknowledged the order and hurried down the mountain with the other villagers.

Li Xiangping patted Li Qiuyang on the shoulder and said, "You must have happened upon the serpent while it was out hunting. Not only did you escape with your life, you even gained a fortuitous opportunity! Go back to the courtyard and cultivate. There is nothing for you to do here."

Seeing Li Qiuyang break out in cold sweat and head down the mountain in response, Li Xiangping found a bluestone to sit on and said to Li Tongya, "That serpent's scales are incredibly tough. Even a Golden Light Art only shattered a few scales beneath its jaw."

"From its appearance, it is merely a minor demon in the Fetal Breath Realm. Its intelligence has yet to awaken. No matter how hard a beast's scales may be, what use are they?"

Li Tongya replied blandly as he carefully surveyed the terrain.

Before long, the strong men of Li Jing Village came up the mountain one after another. Hearing that they were going to kill a demon, each of them was both anxious and excited as they followed behind Li Yesheng on tiptoe.

After examining the terrain, Li Tongya sought out Liu Linfeng and asked, "Uncle, I heard the Liu Family used traps to kill wild boars last year. For a serpent this large, how big should we dig the pit?"

Liu Linfeng hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking, "I heard this serpent is a demon. We cannot judge it by ordinary standards. What if it can fly..."

"Of course it cannot fly. Just double the size based on your usual experience."

Li Xiangping spoke up, silently muttering to himself, If this serpent could fly, would any of us still be alive right now?

"Then it will be easy!"

Upon hearing Li Xiangping's words, Liu Linfeng readily guaranteed it. He directed the others to dig the pit, pointing here and there with considerable authority.

Liu Linfeng had also been stifled for a long time. Though the Li Clan had always been powerful, they had at least given the Liu Family some face before, consulting them whenever something happened in the village.

Now that the Li Clan had consolidated the various villages, how would Liu Linfeng dare come out and point fingers again? He had been pent up badly these past days. Now that he finally had something to do, Liu Linfeng instantly regained his vigor.

This cannot go on. My Liu Family must find a place to put our abilities to use under the Li Clan's protection, or we will decline sooner or later!

As he directed the work, Liu Linfeng thought to himself in secret.

Li Tongya had no idea that so much drama had played out in Liu Linfeng's heart. He and Li Xiangping were busy applying Golden Light Art to the arrows. If left unused, the spell could probably last six or seven hours, more than enough to kill the serpent.

Each of them could currently enchant around a dozen arrows with their spiritual power. Once their spiritual power was exhausted, they sat down to meditate and regulate their breathing. By the time the others had finished digging the pit, covered the traces of fresh earth, and spread dead leaves over it, the two had just finished recovering.

The villagers formed their ranks. Those carrying long poles stood in front, while those behind held bows, each with an arrow imbued with Golden Light Art. They cautiously advanced toward the serpent.

As soon as those in front reached the Banyan Tree, they could not help exclaiming together, "What a terrifying serpent!"

The serpent was coiled around the Banyan Tree. Its bright yellow Vertical Pupils filled everyone with terror, and when it opened its mouth, a dense cloud of black mist shot forth.

But those in the front had been warned beforehand. They had long since abandoned their poles and retreated, so the black mist merely corroded the dead leaves on the ground and several long poles.

Streams of faint golden light followed after yet arrived first. The arrows, imbued with Golden Light Art, were incomparably sharp, embedding themselves one after another in the serpent's brown-patterned scales.

After being disturbed again and again, the serpent finally grew enraged. Hissing and flicking its tongue, it abandoned the Banyan Tree and slithered toward the crowd.

The people in front scattered at once. Li Tongya and Li Xiangping hurriedly formed hand seals and released streak after streak of Golden Light Art, making the serpent cry out in pain. It raised its golden eyes toward the two and rushed at them.

Rather than being alarmed, the two were delighted. Watching the serpent slither along the slope beneath the cliff, they shouted, "Ready!"

As the serpent moved forward, it suddenly felt its body sink and nearly plunged headfirst into the large hole hidden beneath the dead leaves.

Yet its body was quite long, and it did not immediately fall into the trap. Its head swiftly reared up and braced itself against the other side of the pit, looking as though it was about to crawl free.

At that moment, a group of villagers emerged from above the cliff. Together, they pushed a Large Bluestone and shouted in unison, "Now!"

The bluestone immediately crashed down, striking squarely onto the serpent's back. Tendons snapped and bones shattered. With a hiss, the Brown-Patterned Serpent was pinned to the bottom of the pit. Its head reared high, half its body bent into a U-shape, but it could not move in the slightest.

"Hahahahahaha!"

Behind the crowd, Liu Linfeng let out a booming laugh. Seeing his masterpiece succeed, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Attack!"

Li Yesheng shouted, and everyone seized sharpened Mao Bamboo poles and stabbed them into the pit with all their might.

Though the serpent's scales were hard, they could not withstand more than a dozen strong men attacking it together like this. The crowd stabbed for half an hour, only stopping once the Mao Bamboo in their hands had been dyed bright red.

After confirming again and again that the serpent was dead, the crowd erupted in earth-shaking cheers. Each of them was immensely proud, chattering all at once as they discussed how to drag the serpent out and carry it back to the village.

Leaving Liu Linfeng to oversee matters, Li Tongya and Li Xiangping led Li Yesheng and several trusted men quietly around behind the Banyan Tree.

Seeing white bones scattered all over amid the dense grass, Li Yesheng sighed and said, "Li Yesheng went up the Back Mountain several years ago and never returned. He must have encountered the serpent while it was hunting and been swallowed by it."

Li Xiangping nodded naturally, but Li Tongya stared solemnly at the small tree bearing five glistening red fruits. Turning to Li Yesheng, he said, "Take men and guard this place. Do not let anyone come near."