Chapter 349

Chapter 349: Human-Snake Battle

Tang Qianqiu had emerged just a moment too late, and coupled with the dense evil aura cloaking the area, he hadn’t seen the spirit weapon, Dream Emperor Sword, in Lou Yun’s hand at first. Otherwise, he would have recognized Lou Yun’s true identity. After all, they had fought before, an encounter etched bitterly into his memory, unforgettable.

Only now, as Tang Qianqiu focused on Lou Yun’s hands, did Lou Yun have time to retract the Dream Emperor Sword. All Tang Qianqiu saw was Lou Yun standing there empty-handed.

This prompted a cold smile to twist Tang Qianqiu’s brows. He thought to himself: this evil weapons master who came out of nowhere clearly had no clue of the evil snake’s ferocity. Foolishly trying to face it bare-handed? Fine, let him learn a harsh lesson!

Simultaneously, Tang Qianqiu swept a glance over Chang Feng and Mo Bingju. He found it rather odd. If this evil weapons master came seeking fame, why bother saving those two?

But he didn’t dwell on the question. It wouldn’t be long before this evil weapons master lay defeated by the evil snake. Plenty of time for questioning later.

Until now, Tang Qianqiu hadn’t considered why, despite their lengthy exchange, none of his junior brothers had appeared. Not even seeing Chang Feng and Mo Bingju triggered a thought about the fate of those guarding them.

Had he thought of that, he wouldn’t be standing here idly, watching Lou Yun battle the evil snake as a spectator!

Despite Lou Yun’s immunity to the poisonous mist, this evil snake capable of detecting his traces stirred a sliver of caution. His spirit perception scanned the snake, finding only thick layers of evil energy obscuring its true strength, particularly troublesome since he had to fight it bare-handed to avoid revealing himself. Thus, Lou Yun stood with a grave expression, eyes locked fiercely on the evil snake, his body rigid as wood or clay, utterly motionless.

The evil snake facing him remained equally still, save for the constant flickering of its forked tongue. It seemed to be patiently waiting for the perfect moment to strike!

This behavior alone told Lou Yun this evil snake was a demon beast of high rank, certainly no lower than the Heavenly level, possessing considerable intelligence!

Snakes were creatures of immense patience, capable of waiting endlessly for prey. Yet now, sensing Lou Yun was no ordinary quarry, the snake finally lost composure. A chilling gleam flashed in its jet-black eyes, its maw yawning suddenly wide as it lunged at Lou Yun like lightning.

The attack came abruptly, without warning! Chang Feng and Mo Bingju’s hearts leaped into their throats. But Lou Yun didn’t falter. Facing a high-level demon beast, any lapse in concentration was a death wish!

Lou Yun let out a sudden roar! His right arm shot straight up, fingers tight as a blade. He lashed directly towards the oncoming, gaping maw.

Concealing his true self, Lou Yun didn’t draw upon genuine cosmic energy, only channeling the accumulated evil aura into his arm. Yet, incredible power burst forth! A sharp tearing sound ripped the air as his arm swept like a broadsword, smashing brutally into the snake’s open jaws.

A thunderous crash followed! Lou Yun felt a massive force slam through his arm, threatening his stance. Planted feet stomped fiercely, bracing his frame upright. Yet the force propelled him skidding back three steps before he managed to disperse the impact.

This snake boasted not just diamond-hard flesh and serpentine agility, but also formidable strength!

That was Lou Yun’s immediate assessment of the beast.

Superficially, Lou Yun seemed slightly outmatched in this first direct exchange. Only he knew the truth: it wasn’t inferior strength, but self-imposed restraint! He had held back his true power.

Lou Yun’s hand-blow landed solidly on the snake’s snout, yet inflicted no visible harm. Seeing Lou Yun pushed back spurred the snake forward without pause, surging ahead relentlessly!

Frustration flared within Lou Yun. He yearned to unleash his full power upon the beast. But the thought held him back: Tang Qianqiu would undoubtedly attack him too, hurling him into greater peril.

Therefore, Lou Yun abandoned the head-on clash. Instead, his figure shimmered, activating profound footwork to effortlessly evade the snake’s second charge.

Dodging also revealed the snake’s immense size: a body over ten meters long, thick as a bucket. No wonder it packed such force!

Missing its target, the snake coiled instantly, launching another charge at Lou Yun. Lou Yun’s nimble movements easily dodged it a second time.

Recognizing this advantage, Lou Yun shifted tactics. He darted swiftly around the evil snake, relying entirely on agility, striking occasionally with hands or feet but refusing to let the snake engage him fully.

This ‘dance-and-strike’ approach infuriated the snake. Never before had it faced an enemy that only leapt about, avoiding direct contact! Its speed simply couldn’t match Lou Yun’s. Ceasing the blind chase, the serpent slowed its movements, keeping only its head locked onto Lou Yun, once again biding its time, waiting for a slip in Lou Yun’s guard.

Watching this, Tang Qianqiu’s brow furrowed. To be honest, he had never seen anyone possess footwork as swift as Lou Yun’s displayed!

Despite pushing his evasive skills to the limit, Lou Yun conserved his true energy remarkably well. After all, these were merely small maneuvers within a confined space. Crucially, Lou Yun saw Tang Qianqiu as his true threat, not the snake. Most of his strength needed reserving!

However, the snake’s sudden cessation of aggression, its attempt to counter his movement with stillness, posed a new headache. Stalemate was not an option!

A glint sparked in Lou Yun’s eyes. He had an idea. His darting form halted abruptly. He stood rigidly right before the evil snake.

With a flick of his wrist, a sword appeared in his hand. Not the Dream Emperor Sword, but a mundane common weapon chosen at random from his master’s bequeathed collection.

Infused by Lou Yun’s evil aura, a black light shimmered along the blade. Lou Yun bellowed, raising the sword high, and brought it chopping down towards the snake’s skull.

Provocation!

Raw, blatant provocation to the snake! Lou Yun’s earlier blow to its maw achieved nothing. Now he wielded a mere common weapon?

A savage, ice-cold glare filled the snake’s tiny eyes. Its mouth opened impossibly wide, looking capable of swallowing a bull whole! It lunged, vicious fangs aiming to snap around the striking blade!

Simultaneously, the three observers were utterly perplexed. Why would an evil weapons master, in such a dire clash, eschew his evil weapon for a common sword? Could he truly be so arrogantly confident that an ordinary blade could fell an evil snake?

"Swoosh!" The snake’s gaping maw enveloped Lou Yun’s cutting sword with pinpoint accuracy! Its momentum propelled its head and body forward in a fierce surge! The blade vanished entirely down its gullet! Its venomous fangs were now perilously close to biting Lou Yun’s sword-wielding hand!

Abruptly "Pfft!" Black vapor erupted violently from the snake’s mouth! Lou Yun, caught completely off-guard, plunged instantly into the thick, roiling smoke.

Tang Qianqiu’s face finally showed a flicker of grim satisfaction. At such close range, poisoned by the mist, Lou Yun would surely collapse immediately!

Yet he didn’t see the flash of relief that also crossed Lou Yun’s face within the cloud.

Though the sudden toxic spray surprised Lou Yun, he remained unfazed. The ice crystal jade weapon he kept in his mouth rendered him immune to any venom. His relief stemmed from the snake finally taking the bait—swallowing the common weapon greedily and almost trapping Lou Yun’s arm!

Immersed in the dark smoke, a cruel smirk touched Lou Yun’s lips. Facing the monstrous maw, he didn’t withdraw or retreat. Instead, he stepped two paces forward, deliberately thrusting his entire forearm into the snake’s open throat!

The snake was utterly bewildered by Lou Yun’s move. Was this human insane? Poisoned, yet shoving his arm in? Seeking death?

Yet if Lou Yun sought death, the snake wouldn’t hesitate to oblige!

Its impossibly stretched jaws began to snap shut! But midway through the closing motion, terror—raw, violent terror—flared in the snake’s eyes alongside its fury!

It suddenly felt searing heat erupt from within Lou Yun’s consumed fist! This heat wasn’t merely scalding; it traveled with hurricane speed, instantly coursing through its entire body!

Lou Yun stared coldly at the now visibly panicked snake. His voice a low whisper: "So… how does ‘heavenly fire storm’ taste?"

The snake, with its intelligence, understood his words. But it could offer no response.

Inside its immense, ten-meter long body, the flames of the heavenly fire storm had already incinerated everything to ash. Tendrils of thick, black smoke began to seep through its scales, harder than steel! Then, with a muffled "Boom!" the serpent’s tail section burst open violently!