"There are two teams up ahead in the core territory. One is also 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. One team of Feathered Serpentfolk and one of Earth Vein Serpentfolk—it all makes sense now."
The Shadow Serpentfolk team Fang Xiaohan had sent out quickly reported back. A look of understanding crossed her face.
There was no need to explain the Feathered Serpentfolk. The vassals on this trial planet were Feathered Serpentfolk, and they belonged to the same kind. They should know best where their people could settle.
As for the Earth Vein Serpentfolk, they were another special kind of serpentfolk vassal. Their name alone gave away their specialty: they excelled at cultivation and at detecting the power of earth veins. The core territory of a trial planet was also where the earth veins converged, so it was only natural for the Earth Vein Serpentfolk to find it quickly.
"The good news is that those two teams probably haven't been here long. They're fighting the demon-corrupted Feathered Serpentfolk on this planet right now."
"They probably haven't had time to gather the Spirit Roots, Spirit Seeds, Spirit Stones, and other treasures here yet."
"We can swoop in and get our share."
Liang Ji and Peng Yue nodded at her words, their faces brightening as they each readied their teams to move forward.
"Hmm? Wait..."
Just then, Fang Xiaohan abruptly stopped them. Her brows lifted slightly as she said,
"How interesting. There are other teams lying in ambush nearby. They're planning to sit back and reap the spoils."
Liang Ji and Peng Yue couldn't help frowning.
People came in all kinds, and Star Lords were no different. In a trial, some fought openly, while others preferred schemes and ambushes.
There was no right or wrong in it. It all came down to whose methods were better.
"Can you mark where the hidden teams are? How strong are they?"
Liang Ji asked.
"There are two ambushes. One is in the forest at the foot of the mountains to the southwest. It's a combined team of Green Bamboo Serpentfolk, Wood Vine Serpentfolk, Entwining Tree Serpentfolk, and other serpentfolk vassals that are good at concealing themselves in the woods."
"They're hiding in the trees. My Shadow Serpentfolk almost didn't spot them."
"One thing to watch out for: these wood-element serpentfolk vassals are usually the most poisonous and the most venomous—far more so than the Crimson Serpentfolk."
Fang Xiaohan cautioned them.
"The other ambush is in the mountains to the north... Oh no! They have Shadow Serpentfolk vassals too. My team's been spotted!"
Before she had even finished speaking, the sounds of battle and clashing metal erupted from the northern mountains.
Clearly, the two teams of Shadow Serpentfolk had engaged.
Fang Xiaohan hurriedly said, "My Shadow Serpentfolk team is retreating while they fight. Be ready to cover them."
Liang Ji and Peng Yue had no objections. Peng Yue's Ice Soul Serpentfolk had already drawn their bows, and her archers were better suited to cover the retreat. Liang Ji's Half-Dragonfolk had also formed ranks and moved forward to take the lead, ready to block an enemy charge.
Before long, the two Shadow Serpentfolk teams, still fighting and clashing, appeared in the distance.
Their battle was fascinating to watch. Both sides of Shadow Serpentfolk seemed to materialize out of thin air, suddenly appearing from the shadows to exchange a few quick blows before vanishing again.
They didn't clash often, but every encounter was fierce. Even so, there weren't many casualties.
It was clear that the two Shadow Serpentfolk teams were evenly matched in equipment, skills, and combat strength.
"Hu Dayong! I knew it was you!"
Fang Xiaohan seemed to have recognized the Star Lord commanding the opposing Shadow Serpentfolk. She couldn't help shouting angrily.
"Peng Yue, shoot them dead!"
The two sides had now come within range of the Ice Soul Serpentfolk's bows. Even without being told, Peng Yue's Ice Soul Serpentfolk had already loosed a volley of arrows.
The opposing Shadow Serpentfolk could conceal themselves and were skilled at stealth and assassination. But under the hail of arrows and the sweeping force of icy power, they had nowhere to hide. One after another, they were driven into the open; some were shot dead on the spot, while the rest retreated in disarray.
"Haha... Beautifully done!"
Fang Xiaohan laughed and praised them.
At the same time, she explained to Liang Ji and Peng Yue, "Hu Dayong is my cousin. He's in the Star Lord class at No. 3 High School, and he's bullied me plenty since we were kids."
"He even tried to steal the Shadow Serpent Demon Core I had my eye on!"
"I've been sick of him for ages."
Liang Ji and Peng Yue nodded. They knew all too well what it was like to have a "sworn enemy" among their relatives or friends.
Meanwhile, the situation in the core territory of the trial planet had already changed rapidly.
At the center of the battlefield, the Earth Vein Serpentfolk team and the Feathered Serpentfolk team had been fighting the demon-corrupted Feathered Serpentfolk, who lived in the settlement of this planet's vassals. Now, both teams had withdrawn from the battle and taken up positions on either side of the mountain at the heart of the core territory.
The clash between Fang Xiaohan's and Hu Dayong's Shadow Serpentfolk had alerted them that other Star Lords' teams had arrived, and might even be lying in wait nearby, hoping to reap the spoils after they finished fighting the demon-corrupted Feathered Serpentfolk.
In that situation, how could they keep fighting the demon-corrupted Feathered Serpentfolk?
At that moment, starlight gathered above both the Earth Vein Serpentfolk and Feathered Serpentfolk teams, forming human figures. The Star Lords of the two teams had clearly sent down their projections.
The Earth Vein Serpentfolk's Star Lord was a tall young man with an honest, kindly face. Three other Star Lord projections had appeared behind him; they were the Star Lords of ordinary Spotted Serpentfolk teams that had teamed up with him.
On the other side, the Feathered Serpentfolk's Star Lord was a beautiful, alluring young woman. Four Star Lords had also appeared behind her, all teammates of hers. They were all young men, and the looks they gave the woman were unmistakably adoring.
"Since you're all here, why not show yourselves?" The young woman covered her mouth as she laughed. "Or are you still planning to stay hidden nearby and gang up on me?"
"The Earth Vein Serpentfolk's Star Lord is Huang Yao from No. 4 High School. He comes from a Star Lord family. The Feathered Serpentfolk's Star Lord is Cao Chanyue from No. 9 High School. She doesn't come from a Star Lord family, but her household is very wealthy, and one of her paternal aunts married a very powerful Star Lord."
Fang Xiaohan had recognized the two of them as well. She quickly gave a brief summary of their backgrounds.
"Let's go down too," Peng Yue said.
Liang Ji and Fang Xiaohan had no objections. Now that everyone had gathered in the core territory of the trial planet, they would have to meet and discuss whether to fight or make peace.
Besides, the opposing Star Lords had already sent down their projections and invited them to join. How could they back down?
At once, starlight gathered to form the figures of Liang Ji, Peng Yue, and Fang Xiaohan above their respective vassal teams.
Almost at the same time, two more figures formed from starlight in the north. Below them were two serpentfolk teams: one of Shadow Serpentfolk and the other of Black Iron Serpentfolk.
The figure above the Shadow Serpentfolk team was, needless to say, Fang Xiaohan's cousin, Hu Dayong—a man with a weathered air and a full beard.
The Star Lord above the Black Iron Serpentfolk team was a slender young man with a cold, stern face.
Black Iron Serpentfolk were another special kind of vassal. Their greatest strength was their bodies, hard as iron, and their peerless defense.
There are so many big names on the new xianxia novel rankings! Why did they all have to release their books at this time? Do I still have a chance of making the top ten? o(╥﹏╥)o
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