LingYue realized he had been too careless, humans weren't his only enemy within this forest, in actuality, humans were the least of his worries when faced with the threat of ferocious and Demonic beasts.
Now injured he was faced to face with a beast that seemed to be a peak tier stage 2 beast. Its scales gleamed under the bits of moonlight that had been shed upon the forest floor.
This serpent had been able to sneak up on him without any sounds or warning at all...
He somehow wondered if this was a type of retribution for eating the snakes in the mine to almost extinction...
LingYue shook his head as he regained his focus, now wasn't the time to be thinking of such things.
The serpent hissed as it slithered and curled itself in a spring-like fashion, its eyes focused on Xiao LingYue.
LingYue's pupils shrank as he jumped out of the way without hesitation as a strong wind brushed by him, sending him tumbling once again from the sheer wind pressure.
The serpent landed and tumbled as it regained its bearings from the speed it shot out at, its eyes keenly observing LingYue as it readied itself once again.
This humongous serpent had started to develop its spiritual awareness as it knew the best ways to utilize its body and apply force for better hunting.
Its human-like expressions and the contempt and gloating on its face couldn't be fabricated...
Xiao LingYue knew that currently, he was not a match for this humongous serpent, its gaze focused and callous while it watched him.
He was already injured while his injuries worsened from the constant movement and high-intensity situation.
Xiao LingYue held his saber as he got into the Smiling Spectre Stance, his only current objective is to run away and seek shelter.
He wasn't a fool who believed he could always triumph, the one who lives longest always has the last laugh!
The snake's body shot forth once again at lightning speed, the wind whipping up gusts around it.
Xiao LingYue leaned as he placed his blade to deflect the Serpent's attack; sparks flew as the blade filled with Spiritual Qi scraped against its black scales while its tail whipped around and smashed into his chest!
LingYue flew backwards as the blade fell from his hands, his body rocketing backwards as he smashed tree after tree before sliding across an encampment of The Heaven Net Society disciples.
His body slid straight through the flames of their campfire, plunging the camp into an abrupt yet eerie darkness.
The disciples on watch stood as they shouted to alarm the others, soon around 12 females were standing within the surroundings with their swords drawn.
LingYue lay in the dust as his chest heaved, he wasn't even able to use his martial movement; he wasn't fast enough!
His head rang as he slowly crawled out of the debris and smouldering cinders of the fire as he stared at the incoming dark shadow.
The females all targeted him with the swords as they noticed his torn and ragged Blood Gate Cult clothing as they readied themselves to strike this beggar-like disciple of that evil Cult.
A hissing echoed within the surroundings as it slithered over, its head moving to and fro as it focused on the group.
The girls were all frightened and speechless as they saw the size of this abominable serpent as its Demonic Qi pervaded the campsite.
LingYue slowly retreated into the darkness with his wounds as their attention shifted to the serpent; their weapons drawn as they began to utilized different arts of the Heaven Net Society.
His eyes were hidden amongst the foliage as he watched quietly, his breath soon vanishing as his presence all but disappeared.
The disciples of the Heaven Net Society realized his missing figure but were unable to let themselves be distracted so they could only curse his shamelessness to themselves as they attacked relentlessly.
Their swords weren't able to wound it nor even pierces its scales. It remained unobstructed like an unstoppable force within the darkness of the night.
The first to die was a younger disciple as she was torn apart as its heavy tail smashed into her chest, flinging whatever remained of her through the surrounding shrubs.
The battle within the night continued as the crunching of bones rang out while screams accompanied them.
Another died after the serpent swallowed her whole and slowly but surely their numbers dwindled as the snake killed them one by one as the stench of blood became heavy in the air.
* * * * * * * * * *
Soon there was only one disciple left as she began to cough blood which was black and had a nauseating fishy smell.
Her facial orifices began to bleed as she continuously tried to wipe it away, her panic evident as she screamed.
"You callous bastard, how dare you poison me!!"
The serpent reared its head as it dived towards her, its maw gaping open as it swallowed the last girl into its stomach.
The serpent had a complacent look on its face as its gaze began to sweep the campsite, it slithered to and fro as it searched for its prey...
Its body coiled as it searched before its temperature began to fall as dark blotches appeared on its skin...
The poison he had released into the surrounding air finally began to take effect.
Its muscles began to twitch and spasm as the serpent became alarmed.
It trashed back and forth frothing at the mouth as it began to bleed.
Black blood oozed from beneath its scales as its eyes turned bloodshot, looking for the culprit to release its pent-up rage.
The more it moved and squirmed in pain, the more the poison spread, slowly infecting its body as it soon began to feel lethargic.
Its movements slowed as its scales turned dull and began to fall from its body, its flesh no longer pink but dry, cracked and mottled and as its breathing grew laboured Xiao LingYue slowly walked out of the darkness, his eyes completely focused on the beast.
He weakly leaned against the stump of a broken tree as he watched its life slowly fade from its body while he was inwardly fearful of how close to death he had truly been...