The Fire Cicada Snake King

Screee!

With a teeth-grating sound, Zhu Ping'an seized the Fire Cicada Snake by its upper and lower jaws and ripped with all his might. The entire snake was torn in half in an instant.

Bathed in snake blood, Zhu Ping'an looked like a bloodthirsty asura.

Before long, both of them had killed four Fire Cicada Snakes. Gu Xuan stared at them as if they were monsters.

To hunt down four Fire Cicada Snakes all by himself on his first trip outside the city—those two were fierce as beasts.

Leng Tianjiao was one thing. She had the mighty Leng Family backing her, with resources to spare, so it was only natural that she was strong. But Zhu Ping'an, standing right beside her, was practically unknown, and he was just as ferocious. Gu Xuan couldn't help marveling at him.

Gu Xuan still remembered his first time outside the city. A first-tier Gale Mantis had slashed him across the back with its scythe, nearly killing him. Comparing people really made you want to throw yourself away.

Gu Xuan had a feeling that if those two managed to grow stronger, they would one day cut a brilliant figure among all martial artists.

"Since we've completed the mission, let's head back to the city."

Nearly six hours had passed, and dusk was falling. Spending the night outside with two geniuses like these was definitely a bad idea.

Just as Gu Xuan was about to lead them back, an unusually rich, sweet, fishy scent drifted over from somewhere.

"Hold your breath! Don't inhale! That scent is poisonous!"

Gu Xuan had barely caught a whiff before his expression changed dramatically.

His gaze swept across the area and locked onto a direction. There, a massive Fire Cicada Snake nearly ten meters long was watching them with a sinister stare.

The sweet, fishy scent they had smelled was coming from the Fire Cicada Snake King's mouth.

"Not good! It's a Fire Cicada Snake King!"

The Fire Cicada Snake King was the ruler of its kind, its strength comparable to a peak Third Rank Martial Artist. Why had one appeared in a place like this?

"Stay behind me. Don't make any rash moves!"

Gu Xuan rubbed his whiskers. He wasn't afraid of this Fire Cicada Snake King himself, but if they really fought, he might not be able to protect Zhu Ping'an and Leng Tianjiao.

The two didn't try to play the hero. They quickly retreated.

"You beast! If you're looking to die, I'll grant your wish!"

Gu Xuan let out an angry shout. His already powerfully built frame grew even larger, his muscles bulging like granite.

He moved in a flash, his fist crashing down like a hammer. With a thunderous boom, the Fire Cicada Snake King's head was knocked sideways.

But the Fire Cicada Snake King was thick-skinned and tough. The blow had only wounded it slightly, nowhere near enough to kill it. It whipped its head around and spat a mouthful of venomous saliva at Gu Xuan.

Gu Xuan dodged sharply. The glob of saliva hit the ground, sizzling as it corroded even the hard stone.

"Damn it, I'm not surnamed Zhou! Why are you spitting poison at me?"

Gu Xuan's eyelid twitched. Getting hit by the Fire Cicada Snake King's loogie would be no joke. He attacked again, this time far more cautiously.

Watching Gu Xuan and the Fire Cicada Snake King fight to a standstill, Zhu Ping'an watched with rapt attention. It was an incredibly rare opportunity to see a Third Rank Martial Artist go all out in person; at school, all they got were videos.

But as he watched, a chill suddenly crept up his back, and a feeling of unease rose in his heart.

"Don't you feel like... something's not right?" Zhu Ping'an asked Leng Tianjiao beside him.

"No."

Leng Tianjiao glanced at him coolly, then looked away. As far as she was concerned, Zhu Ping'an was just making conversation. As the little princess of the Leng Family, she had seen far too many men rack their brains trying to get her attention.

"Strange... Could it just be my imagination?"

Zhu Ping'an furrowed his brows, but the next second, that feeling of unease grew even stronger.

"Look out!"

Before Zhu Ping'an could think, he instinctively lunged to the side, knocking Leng Tianjiao to the ground.

Feeling the warmth of Zhu Ping'an's body pressed against hers, Leng Tianjiao's fair face instantly flushed red, all the way to her ears.

She had never been this close to a man outside her family in her entire life. Embarrassment gave way to a towering fury.

"Zhu Ping'an, have you lost your mind?" Leng Tianjiao shouted. A cold glint of murderous intent flashed in her eyes. She was just about to strike him when she saw a gaping maw snap down hard at the spot where they had just been.

Leng Tianjiao froze. If Zhu Ping'an hadn't knocked her down just now...

She had thought he was trying to take advantage of her, but he had actually been saving her.

"Two Fire Cicada Snake Kings? One male and one female—they're laying eggs here!" Gu Xuan cried out, his expression turning grim.

No wonder the Fire Cicada Snake King had attacked them. His luck today really was awful.

"Hey! This is Gu Xuan! I've encountered two Fire Cicada Snake Kings in Valley One. Requesting backup!"

Gu Xuan hurriedly sent out a distress call. He wanted to help Zhu Ping'an and Leng Tianjiao, but the male Fire Cicada Snake King seemed to have seen through his intentions. It attacked even more fiercely, giving Gu Xuan no chance to get over to them.

"Run!" Gu Xuan panted like an ox, his eyes turning bloodshot. Ignoring his own safety, he started trading injury for injury, hoping to finish off the Fire Cicada Snake King as quickly as possible.

Zhu Ping'an climbed off Leng Tianjiao.

"Classmate Leng, run! Leave this to me."

His expression icy, Zhu Ping'an faced the female Fire Cicada Snake King alone, long sword in hand. He left Leng Tianjiao with nothing but the sight of his lean back.

"Um..." Leng Tianjiao had just started to speak when Zhu Ping'an cut her off.

"Don't worry. Unless the Fire Cicada Snake King steps over my corpse, it won't lay a finger on you." Zhu Ping'an's eyes were more resolute than ever.

"That's not..." Leng Tianjiao was interrupted again.

"Say no more!"

Zhu Ping'an pointed his long sword at the Fire Cicada Snake King, his fighting spirit soaring.

"I know this Fire Cicada Snake King is a Third-Tier Mutant Beast, and I can't possibly match it! But everyone must die. Some deaths are heavier than Mount Tai; others are lighter than a feather! I, Zhu Ping'an, can't stand by and watch a woman die in my place while I cling to life!"

"Everyone must die... Some deaths are heavier than Mount Tai... others are lighter than a feather?" Leng Tianjiao murmured, a strange glimmer appearing in her eyes as she looked at Zhu Ping'an. "Zhu Ping'an, listen to me..."

"Silence! I, Zhu Ping'an, have lived my life asking only to have a clear conscience! Hurry and go! Don't let me die for nothing!"

"Nine Mountain Divine Sword, second form: One Sword Shakes Mountains!"

Zhu Ping'an raised his long sword and slashed down at the Fire Cicada Snake King.

Leng Tianjiao: "..."