Snake Shepherd's expression changed. His body twisted with serpentine weirdness, dodging the strike that would have taken them both down.
He was afraid.
"What a Black Knight. Even after I seized the initiative with a sneak attack, you still managed to turn the tables."
An Xiaotong's gaze sharpened as information on the man before her flashed through her mind. "You're... Snake Shepherd, one of the Twelve Beast Tamers who stood alongside the Zodiac!"
Snake Shepherd sneered. "Not for much longer. From now on, there will be no Zodiac in this world—only the Zoo's beast tamers!
I was guarding this spatial passageway, yet I actually hooked a big fish like you. What a pity you're injured. I won't get to witness the Black Knight at her peak."
"Killing you is enough."
An Xiaotong was ruthless and sparing with words. She knew her injuries would not allow for a prolonged battle, so she immediately seized the initiative.
The Pure Silver Cross Sword transformed into a soul-piercing flash of silver and came crashing down. There was no grand display, only absolute sharpness.
Snake Shepherd's expression shifted slightly. Before the sword even arrived, its fierce edge made the skin all over his body sting.
Rumor had it that the Black Knight's Pure Silver Cross Sword could cut through anything. Seeing it today, the rumors were true. He could not take it head-on!
As though every bone in his body had been pulled out, he twisted away in a bizarre movement, narrowly evading the sword light. He refused to fight An Xiaotong directly, doing nothing but dodge.
An Xiaotong slashed again and again, each strike faster than the last. Yet her face grew paler and paler, while the wound on her abdomen split open under the fierce combat.
Snake Shepherd naturally noticed this. He gave