As Long Xuechan had said, this path led deep into the Tianlang Mountain Range. After trekking for more than ten li, the way grew increasingly narrow, hemmed in by overwhelming masses of towering trees that cast a perpetual gloom. Even the dawn light, slanting through the gaps in the canopy, struggled to dispel the pervasive, sinister atmosphere.

The deeper they ventured, the more troubled Long Xuechan became. Both she and Nie Kong were merely Dan Ling Masters, while Tai Yan appeared to be an ordinary person who hadn't cultivated at all. Forget Tian Ling experts—if even one of their pursuers was a Dong Ling Master, they could easily wipe out the three of them in one fell swoop.

Yet, seeing Nie Kong remain resolute, his expression firm and confidence overflowing, Long Xuechan could only suppress the anxiety churning within her and choose to stake her life alongside the man.

"A snake!"

Suddenly, Long Xuechan cried out in alarm. A thick, water-barrel-sized object lay coiled across the narrow path ahead, covered in vividly colored scales. Almost as soon as her voice faded, a sharp, hissing sound echoed through the forest, and the massive object began to writhe.

In less than two seconds, a flat, enormous serpent's head descended from a branch several meters high. Its mouth was slightly agape, revealing glistening fangs, while its blood-red tongue flickered in and out. Even from over ten meters away, the overwhelming, stomach-turning stench of musk and decay was palpable.

"Hiss!"

With violent friction, the full form of the colossal serpent rapidly revealed itself, coiled in a massive knot ahead. Its head was held high, swaying left and right intermittently. A cold, malicious glint flashed in its pitch-black, grayish eyes, suggesting it was ready to launch a swift attack on the three figures before it at any moment.

"It's really here."

Faced with the immediate danger, Long Xuechan paradoxically grew calmer. Her beautiful eyes stared unblinking at the monstrous serpent opposite them. A crystal-clear, verdant dragon silhouette swiftly coalesced above her head, spiraling gracefully. It occasionally opened its mouth, sending silent shockwaves rippling outward.

In stark contrast to Long Xuechan’s heightened readiness, Tai Yan appeared utterly unperturbed. If there was any change in his expression, it was merely a flicker of curiosity directed at the giant snake.

Nie Kong’s face remained placid. He gazed toward a colossal tree dozens of meters away and smiled warmly, "Come out. Stop hiding. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time."

"Hmm?"

A sound of surprised inquiry arose from behind that tree, immediately followed by a streak of black shadow—like a sudden flash of light—shooting forth. In an instant, it traversed the several dozen meters of empty space, landing delicately atop the serpent's massive head. It turned out to be a small black snake, barely a foot long and only as thick as a thumb.

Sensing the distinct aura of danger radiating from the tiny black serpent, Long Xuechan’s posture grew even more wary. At that moment, the black snake opened its mouth wide, its body beginning to twist and morph violently. In a heartbeat, the figure standing on the giant serpent's head transformed into a tall, gaunt, black-clad silhouette.

"She Ming!"

Long Xuechan’s delicate features hardened, and she spat the two words out as if grinding them between her teeth. Regarding this old veteran of the Snake Spirit Clan, who possessed Tian Ling strength, Long Xuechan felt an utter, consuming disgust—perhaps even more profound than what she felt for She Ya. The primary reason was that whenever she saw the old man, his gaze always carried an obvious, undisguised lust, as if his mind were constantly churning with vile thoughts.

Gripping Long Xuechan’s hand, Nie Kong gently squeezed her palm and chuckled, "It is indeed you, old thing. I thought you would make your move a few li back, but I never expected you to wait until now. You are truly timid as a mouse, wasting all those opportunities I deliberately created for you."

"For a mere Dan Ling Master like you to dare speak to this old man in such a manner is truly laughable."

In truth, when Nie Kong had chosen this route, She Ming had scrutinized the situation, suspecting Nie Kong might be setting some kind of trap. However, considering his own strength, coupled with the fact that no Tian Ling experts from Ling Yu City had departed, She Ming convinced himself there was no real danger, allowing him to follow confidently.

To avoid alerting the powerful figures in Ling Yu City, She Ming had deliberately waited until Nie Kong’s party was quite far ahead before revealing himself. Hearing Nie Kong’s words now, She Ming couldn't help but wear an expression of utter mockery. "But then again, this old man must sincerely thank you. If you hadn't brought these two exquisite, beautiful maidens here, how could I have acquired them so conveniently? I’ve coveted them for so long; today, I can finally enjoy myself properly."

"It’s a pity this little dragon must be reserved for the Crown Prince, but that doesn't matter; one will suffice for this old man. Little darling, don't worry. Though I am old, this ancient blade remains sharp; the moment I catch the scent of fresh meat, I’ll instantly display my vigor, hehe, hehe..." The old man let out a lewd chuckle, his gaze shifting from Long Xuechan to Tai Yan, whose figure was equally alluring beside her, making him wish he could pounce immediately and strip the clothes from her body.

"Old man, what are you saying? I don't quite understand," Tai Yan asked, sounding genuinely confused.

"Could she still be a virgin? This old man is truly fortunate. Little darling, it’s alright if you don't understand; I will make it perfectly clear to you soon enough." Seeing Tai Yan's innocent and charming appearance, She Ming was overjoyed. His body drifted to the ground, and he pointed a finger at Nie Kong. "Cai Lian, take care of this brat."

"Hiss!"

The colorful giant serpent shrieked and lunged, carrying a gust of foul, wind. Long Xuechan remained completely unaffected by She Ming's lewd rambling, her entire focus locked onto the colossal serpent opposite her. Almost the instant the serpent moved, her delicate body flickered, shooting forward like an arrow loosed from a bowstring.

However, after she had dashed out only a few steps, her body was yanked back by a hand—it was Nie Kong pulling her to a halt before striding past her with long steps.

"Whoosh!"

The serpent’s head had not yet arrived, but its tail was already sweeping in with a whistling roar.

For a moment, sharp, golden winds churned the void.

Seeing this, Long Xuechan couldn't help but worry secretly. If her observation was correct, the giant serpent She Ming called "Cai Lian" was likely a peak Seventh Grade Spirit Beast. Given her status as a member of the Dragon Spirit Clan, she possessed an inherent advantage when dealing with such serpents, yet this fellow Nie Kong had deliberately held her back.

At this crucial moment, Nie Kong burst into loud laughter, his body instantly swelling to over five meters in height, appearing majestic like a descending deity. In that split second, both Long Xuechan and She Ming, except for Tai Yan, were struck dumbfounded. Neither had anticipated such a massive, sudden transformation in Nie Kong’s physique!

"'Heaven and Earth Sect's 'Elephant Heaven, Earth Body'? No, that's not it..."

Such a thought flashed rapidly through She Ming’s mind. Compared to Nie Kong’s current towering form, he felt as minuscule as a newborn infant.

"Boom!"

The colossal tail of the variegated serpent was completely unimpeded, sweeping toward Nie Kong’s legs with the force of ten thousand mountains. Immediately afterward, the serpent’s head darted forward, and in the blink of an eye, its thick body wrapped tightly around Nie Kong’s chest and back twice. Its gaping maw then bit down ruthlessly toward Nie Kong’s throat...

... ...RO