Snake Shadow Killing Game

Yan Xiao Liu lay on the ground, smelling of humus, like a broken rag doll. Every shallow breath he took pulled at his sunken chest, bringing excruciating pain. The bubbling, dark red blood foam that continuously spilled from his mouth was proof of the severe internal injuries he had sustained. His unfocused eyes struggled to sharpen, and he saw Ye Yun leaning closer.

Ye Yun's movements were swift and steady, devoid of any panic. Without unnecessary words, he swiftly extended one hand, gently and firmly supporting Yan Xiao Liu's neck and shoulders to prevent further injury from movement. With his other hand, he precisely took his pulse. The pulse beneath his fingertips was weak, rapid, and erratic, like a candle flame about to be extinguished in a storm, indicating severe blood loss and internal damage. However, the tenacious life force had not yet completely faded—it wasn't a fatal wound that would kill him instantly.

Ye Yun's heart settled slightly, but this did not mean safety. His gaze, like two cold probes, instantly shifted from Yan Xiao Liu's grievous injuries, piercing through the air thick with the stench of blood and decay, and locked onto the dark green giant snake coiled in the shadow of the ancient tree!

The giant snake raised its ferocious triangular head, its dark golden vertical pupils like two cold, pale moons, indifferently looking down upon the small creatures who had trespassed into its territory. Its massive body was covered in dark green scales with a metallic sheen, flowing with a deathly luster in the dim light. The bulge in its abdomen, distended from its recent consumption of Shadowless Leopard, rose and fell slowly with its gentle breaths, silently showcasing its terrifying power. Its scarlet, forked tongue flicked in and out of its mouth, emitting a chilling hiss that made one's scalp tingle. Each flick brought forth a gust of foul wind mixed with the stench of poison and rotting flesh, so potent it was almost suffocating.

Ye Yun's senses were heightened to the extreme. He detected the heavy pressure emanating from the giant snake, like a solid mountain, a terrifying aura far surpassing that of the previous Shadowless Leopard leader! The wildness, the level of power, and the oppressive feeling on the very essence of life contained within this pressure allowed him to make an instant, clear judgment:

A Rank 2 Demonic Beast!

And an extremely ferocious one among Rank 2 Demonic Beasts! Its physical strength, defensive scales, and the terrifying speed it could unleash in an instant were far beyond anything a First-Order Demon Beast could match! Yan Xiao Liu being critically injured in one blow was no accident!

Just as Ye Yun's mind completed its lightning-fast assessment, the situation in the field changed drastically.

"Trash!" A blatant, contemptuous snort broke the deathly silence. It was Li San. He glanced with disgust at Zhao Si, who lay limply on the ground, his pants soaked, trembling like a sieve, his gaze like he was looking at a pile of filthy garbage. Then, his sharp, eagle-like eyes, now flashing with an unusual light, swept over the critically wounded Yan Xiao Liu and Ye Yun, who knelt beside him.

A subtle curve appeared on Li San's lips, a curve that was cold and cruel, a stark contrast to the "comrade" persona he had previously displayed. He turned to Wang Wu, who stood beside him like a silent mountain, and in a deliberately lowered tone, yet one audible to everyone present, said in a tone of "discussion," "Fifth Brother, it seems we can't count on anyone else. This beast has tough skin. Shall I go test its strength first? You cover my rear." His words carried a "relaxed" tone that was incongruous with their current desperate situation, and a hint of... eagerness?

Wang Wu's grim face remained expressionless, only a muffled "En" came from his nostrils, signifying agreement. His eyes, like poisoned hooks, lingered on Ye Yun for a moment before refocusing on the giant snake.

"Good!" Li San grunted, his eyes flashing with brilliance! He stomped hard on the ground, and his entire body shot forward like a cannonball, charging towards the terrifying Rank 2 snake demon! His speed was astonishing, his movements incredibly agile, far surpassing anything they had seen before! The heavy-bladed saber in his hand emitted a low hum, imbued with his potent internal energy!

His figure was like lightning. With a few leaps, he was close to the giant snake! Still several yards away from its body, he suddenly sprang into the air, his body tracing a sharp arc. Gripping the saber hilt with both hands, he raised it high above his head!

"Open for me!"

A thunderous roar! Li San unleashed, astonishingly, the same supremely powerful move, "Cleaving Mount Hua"! The movements, the aura, and even the desperate concentration of his entire being into a single strike were identical to Yan Xiao Liu's!

However, the subtle details were worlds apart!

Yan Xiao Liu's saber strike was a desperate gamble, filled with valor and an unyielding forward momentum. Li San's strike, on the other hand, possessed a kind of effortless mastery and precise control! His footwork in the air was more agile, his control over his strength was exquisite, and the sharp whistle of the blade tearing through the air was more condensed and piercing! Clearly, his cultivation and understanding of martial arts far surpassed Yan Xiao Liu's!

"Clang--!"

The deafening sound of metal striking metal echoed through the forest once more!

The heavy-bladed saber, imbued with immense force, fiercely slashed down at the area below the giant snake's neck, covered in dark green scales! Sparks flew! The piercing grinding sound was grating!

However, the result was completely different from Yan Xiao Liu's!

The giant snake's scales only dented slightly, leaving a shallow white mark! The rebound force surged back like a tidal wave, causing Li San's body to abruptly halt in mid-air. He was then pushed backward by this immense force, sliding back several steps. His feet plowed two deep furrows in the soft, loamy soil! But his stance was extremely stable. He rotated the saber, dissipating most of the force, and although his posture was somewhat disheveled, he did not lose his balance!

"What tough scales!" Li San shook his slightly numb arm. Instead of fear, his eyes burned with even fiercer fighting spirit (or rather, a certain excitement after verification). He took a deep breath, and the internal energy in his Dantian surged again. Without waiting for the giant snake to counter, he charged forward again!

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

The saber light was like a flowing silk, instantly enveloping the area around the giant snake's head! Li San's movements were so fast they almost created afterimages. He moved at high speed around the giant snake, his blade like a viper's tongue, striking, slashing, hooking, and thrusting with precision and ferocity, specifically targeting the giant snake's relatively vulnerable eyes, nostrils, and the gaps between its scales!

The giant snake was thoroughly enraged! Fierce light blazed in its dark golden vertical pupils! Its massive body writhed violently. Its enormous tail swung like a steel whip, accompanied by a terrifying sonic boom that tore through the air, sweeping and lashing out with ferocious power! Each attack contained the force to shatter mountains and split rocks. The ground was pounded, sending soil and debris flying!

For a time, the forest floor was a blur of flying figures, flashing saber light, and dancing snake shadows! Fierce energy erupted, swirling fallen leaves and dust into the air!

Li San displayed astonishing strength! His footwork was like a phantom, weaving and dodging amidst the giant snake's stormy attacks, always narrowly avoiding the fatal fangs and tail strikes. His saber techniques were even more vicious and cunning. Although it was difficult to inflict heavy damage on the giant snake's main body, his blade always left deep scratches on the scales, which were harder than fine steel. On several occasions, he narrowly grazed the giant snake's eyelids, forcing it to momentarily close its eyes in defense!

"Cough, cough... How... How is this possible..." Yan Xiao Liu, lying on the ground, endured the excruciating pain and forced his eyes open, watching the thrilling battle in the arena with an expression of disbelief and horror! He had always thought Li San was just an experienced comrade, perhaps slightly stronger than himself, but he never imagined he was this powerful! To be able to move with ease amidst the ferocious attacks of a Rank 2 Demonic Beast, and even inflict effective damage? This was something no ordinary martial artist could achieve! His gaze towards Li San and Wang Wu was filled, for the first time, with deep fear and immense confusion.