Wen Ning and Lu Ming had barely taken a few steps when Big Green Snake's voice suddenly rang out behind them.
But unlike her earlier disappointment, her voice now held a hint of wariness and genuine confusion.
"Who are you? Why are you trying to beat me up?"
Wen Ning stopped in his tracks.
Lu Ming stopped almost at the same instant. They exchanged a glance, then turned around together.
On the stone steps outside the ruined temple, Big Green Snake had propped up her upper body and tilted her head slightly, looking at a black snake that had appeared out of nowhere.
The black snake was twice as long as the Green Snake, pitch-black from head to tail, with dark red markings covering his scales.
Wen Ning's brows furrowed sharply.
Baleful energy.
Extremely dense baleful energy. This monster was bad news.
Big Green Snake clearly still had no idea what was going on.
She looked the black snake up and down, then tilted her head the other way, her voice carrying the peculiar innocence of a little country-bumpkin snake.
"I've never seen you before. The rivers around here, three ponds, and two wells are all under my care. Where did you come from?"
The black snake flicked his tongue, his voice low and raspy.
"You've been the Dragon King for so long."
He spoke at a leisurely pace.
"How about letting me have a turn?"
Big Green Snake froze, then her eyes lit up as if she had been injected with a stimulant.
"Sure, sure!"
She nodded repeatedly, bobbing her head like a pestle pounding garlic. Even her tail lifted with delight, waving behind her like a little flag.
"You can have it! Let me tell you, this temple might be a bit rundown, but people still bring offerings.