Core Land (Seeking Support)

"In the core area ahead, there are two teams. One is led by Feathered Serpentfolk, and the other is led by Earth Vein Serpentfolk."

"So that's why someone found this place before my Shadow Serpentfolk. A team of Feathered Serpentfolk and a team of Earth Vein Serpentfolk, that makes sense."

Fang Xiaohan's Shadow Serpentfolk team quickly relayed the message, and a look of realization appeared on his face.

As for the Feathered Serpentfolk, it goes without saying. The retainers on this trial star are Feathered Serpentfolk. Being of the same kind, they would know best where it's suitable for Feathered Serpentfolk to live.

As for the Earth Vein Serpentfolk, they are a special type of Serpentfolk retainer. As their name suggests, they excel at cultivation and sensing Earth Vein power. The core area of the trial star is also where Earth Veins converge, so it's natural for Earth Vein Serpentfolk to find it quickly.

"The good news is, these two teams probably haven't been here long. They are currently fighting the demon-corrupted retainers, the Feathered Serpentfolk, on this star."

"They likely haven't had time to harvest treasures like Spirit Roots, Spirit Seeds, and Spirit Stones here yet."

"We can take a share of the spoils."

Liang Ji and Peng Yue nodded slightly upon hearing this, their faces showing joy. They each began to organize their teams, preparing to move forward.

"Hmm? Wait a moment..."

Just then, Fang Xiaohan suddenly stopped their actions, his eyebrows slightly raised.

"Interesting. There are other teams ambushing us nearby. Are they planning to reap the benefits without lifting a finger?"

Liang Ji and the other person frowned upon hearing this.

People are diverse, and Star Lords are naturally varied. Some trials involve open combat, while others prefer schemes and ambushes.

There's no inherent good or bad in this; it all depends on the skill of the methods employed.

"Can you pinpoint where the ambushers are and how strong they are?" Liang Ji inquired.

"There are two ambushes in total. One is in the jungle at the foot of the mountains to the southwest, consisting of a joint team of several Green Bamboo Serpentfolk, Wood Vine Serpentfolk, and Entwining Tree Serpentfolk – Serpentfolk retainers skilled at hiding and becoming invisible in the jungle."

"They were hidden so well in the trees that my Shadow Serpentfolk almost didn't find them."

"It's important to note that these wood-element Serpentfolk retainers usually have the strongest and most potent poison, far exceeding that of Crimson Serpentfolk," Fang Xiaohan cautioned.

"There's another ambush in the northern mountains... No! They have Shadow Serpentfolk retainers too! My team has been exposed!"

Before he could finish speaking, sounds of battle and clashing metal erupted from the northern mountains.

Clearly, the Shadow Serpentfolk from the two teams had engaged each other.

Fang Xiaohan hurriedly said, "My Shadow Serpentfolk team is fighting and retreating. Be ready to provide support."

Liang Ji and the other person naturally had no objections. Peng Yue's Ice Soul Serpentfolk already had their bows drawn; her archers were more suited for providing support. Liang Ji's Half-Dragonfolk had already formed ranks and moved to the front, guarding against any enemy charge.

Soon, the two Shadow Serpentfolk teams, constantly clashing and fighting, appeared in the distance.

Their battle was quite interesting. Both sides' Shadow Serpentfolk were elusive, constantly appearing suddenly from the shadows. They would exchange a few blows before quickly disappearing again.

The frequency of combat wasn't high, but it was intense. However, casualties were not significant.

It was evident that the equipment, skills, and combat power of the two Shadow Serpentfolk teams were roughly equal.

"Hu Dayong! I knew it was you!"

Fang Xiaohan, however, seemed to have recognized the Star Lord of the opposing Shadow Serpentfolk and shouted sternly.

"Peng Yue, shoot them to death."

At this moment, the battlefield had entered the range of the Ice Soul Serpentfolk's arrows. Without him needing to say more, Peng Yue's Ice Soul Serpentfolk team unleashed a volley of arrows.

Although the opposing Shadow Serpentfolk could hide and were skilled in stealth and assassination, they were exposed by the arrow rain and the widespread icy power. They were either shot dead on the spot or forced to retreat in disarray.

"Haha... Well done!" Fang Xiaohan exclaimed with a laugh upon seeing this.

He then explained to Liang Ji and the other person, "Hu Dayong is my cousin. He studies in the Star Lord class at Third Middle School and has bullied me since we were kids."

"He even tried to snatch the Shadow Serpent Demon Cores I fancied!"

"I've been fed up with him for a long time."

Liang Ji and the other person nodded slightly. They could somewhat relate to having such 'arch-rivals' among relatives and friends.

Meanwhile, the situation in the core area of the trial star had rapidly changed.

At the center of the battlefield, the Earth Vein Serpentfolk team and the Feathered Serpentfolk team, who were fighting the demon-corrupted Feathered Serpentfolk in the star's retainer territory, had now disengaged from the battle. They took positions on either side of the mountains in the core area.

The commotion caused by Fang Xiaohan and Hu Dayong's Shadow Serpentfolk combat had made them realize that other Star Lords' teams had arrived and were even lying in ambush, waiting for them to finish fighting the demon-corrupted Feathered Serpentfolk before reaping the benefits.

Under such circumstances, how could they continue fighting the demon-corrupted Feathered Serpentfolk?

At this moment, starlight condensed above the Earth Vein Serpentfolk and Feathered Serpentfolk teams, manifesting into human figures. Clearly, the Star Lords of both sides had descended in projection.

The Star Lord of the Earth Vein Serpentfolk was a tall, sturdy young man with a honest appearance. Three Star Lord projections descended behind him; they were the Star Lords of the ordinary Spotted Serpentfolk team allied with him.

The Feathered Serpentfolk Star Lord, on the other hand, was a beautiful and alluring young woman. Four Star Lord projections manifested behind her; they were all Star Lords from allied teams. All four were young men, and their gazes towards the woman clearly held admiration.

"Since all fellow students are here, why not reveal yourselves?" the woman said with a chuckle, covering her mouth. "Are you still planning to ambush us from the surroundings and bully me?"

"That Earth Vein Serpentfolk Star Lord is Huang Yao from Fourth Middle School, from a Star Lord family. That Feathered Serpentfolk Star Lord is Cao Chanyue from Ninth Middle School. Although she's not from a Star Lord family, her family is extremely wealthy, and she has a paternal aunt who married a very powerful Star Lord."

Fang Xiaohan recognized the two people at this moment and quickly gave a brief rundown of their information.

"Let's head down too."

Peng Yue said at this time.

Liang Ji and the other had no objections. Given the current situation, everyone had gathered at the core of the trial Star. Whether they would fight or make peace next, and what decisions would be made, still required them to meet and discuss.

What's more, the opposing Star Lord had already projected its presence and invited them. How could they possibly refuse?

Thus, Liang Ji and the other two figures also converged from starlight, appearing above their respective Retainer teams.

Almost simultaneously, two more figures appeared in the north, formed from converging starlight. Below them were two Serpentfolk teams: one was Shadow Serpentfolk, and the other was Black Iron Serpentfolk.

Above the Shadow Serpentfolk team, the manifested figure was none other than Fang Xiaohan's cousin, Hu Dayong, a mature-for-his-age man with a full beard.

And above the Black Iron Serpentfolk team, the starlight coalesced into a lean young man with a stern expression.

Black Iron Serpentfolk were also a special type of Retainer, their greatest characteristic being bodies like hardened iron, granting unparalleled defense.

I see so many great authors on the Xianxia New Book list! Why did they all choose to publish now? Is there still hope for me to break into the top ten? o(╥﹏╥)o

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