The female viper gaped her bloody maw in fury, her long tongue shooting out.
A streak of afterimage sprayed from that bloody mouth, hurtling straight at Song Wen's face.
It was jet-black venom, shaped like an arrow and swift as a flash of light.
Yet Song Wen had long been prepared. The withered yellow aura around him grew several degrees denser.
But he did not take the venom head-on. Instead, he flashed backward.
Immortal stones and Immortal Spirit Marrow were spread across the ground. If he clashed head-on with the female viper, the mere residual force would be enough to crush all the immortal stones and Immortal Spirit Marrow to dust.
The Startling Swan Blade had appeared before Song Wen at some unknown moment and immediately shot through the air. Yet it did not slash toward the venom, nor did it fly at the female viper's gaping bloody maw or eyes. Instead, it drew an arc through the air, circling around toward the viper's rear.
The female viper clearly understood Song Wen's intention. Panic flashed through her eyes as she hurriedly raised her upper body and pounced backward.
Bang!
The venom struck Song Wen first, but it was blocked by the Five Decays Yellow Springs Qi swirling around him.
The withered yellow aura shook violently, yet did not collapse.
Then Song Wen unleashed another killing move.
—Nine transparent blades flew from between his brows, streaking toward the female viper's enormous head.
At that moment, the Startling Swan Blade happened to close in, coming within mere feet of the half-formed snake egg.
Before the blade arrived, the fierce blade qi emitted by the Startling Swan Blade had already descended, leaving white marks across the eggshell.
This snake egg was no ordinary thing either, and it did not immediately shatter.
A sharp