(First update)
That small, golden-red orb was the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent's inner core, cultivated in tandem with its very life. It would never release it lightly; once released, it was certain to be its most powerful killing move.
Now that its inner core lay in Susanoo's hand, its very lifeline was effectively in his grasp!
Seeing its strongest attack fail, the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent lost its earlier domineering swagger. Its body slumped limply to the ground, its eyes showing an almost human expression: four parts fear, three parts ingratiation, and two parts apprehension.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
The Dark Gold Three-Headed Bat grew frantic, hopping up and down on Yang Ming's shoulder. It feared that Yang Ming would take in the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent, which would put its place in the team in jeopardy!
"All right, all right."
Yang Ming raised a hand to soothe the little creature. He had never intended to subdue the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent anyway. The thing was far too large to bring along easily, and more importantly, the fleshy tumors on its body were truly disgusting. Even though Yang Ming was no card-carrying member of the looks-obsessed club, the sight still made him uncomfortable.
At a thought from him, Susanoo seized the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent at its vulnerable spot, seven inches below its head. Having lost its inner core, the serpent retained less than a tenth of its strength and had no power to resist. It was now fish on the chopping block, ready for slaughter. With a slight squeeze from Susanoo, the boss of Hell Road's second trial met its end.
Yang Ming toyed with the fist-sized inner core in his hand. It looked like an enlarged piece of amber, smooth and rounded to the