'Hmm, it's good that I infuriated it first; now I can see a lot of openings,' Han Xiao thought to himself as he analyzed the serpent's behavior.
When they were three and a half yards apart, he swiftly skidded across the grassy ground, evading the serpent's direct frontal attack, the swift biting motion in the air. With lightning reflexes, he gathered essence energy in his right leg and rolled over the ground, delivering a powerful kick just an inch below the snake's neck. The force of the blow sent the serpent airborne, temporarily disrupting its footing.
Seizing the opportunity, Han Xiao continued his assault, leaping into the air and landing a heavy punch infused with the strength of 250 catties. The impact caused the snake to instinctively shake its scales rhythmically in an attempt to parry the powerful shock.
However, this was exactly what Han Xiao had been waiting for. As the serpent's tail thrashed about, two vulnerable spots opened up at the end. With lightning speed, he unsheathed the long sword from his waist, kicking hard against the ground to propel himself into the air.
In a swift and precise motion, he descended upon the serpent and drove the sword through one of the openings in its tail. With a smooth, fluid motion, the blade penetrated the serpent's flesh, aided by the momentum of his propulsion. In a moment of triumph, Han Xiao's carefully planned attack proved successful, striking a decisive blow against this formidable adversary.
As Han Xiao's momentum carried him in the opposite direction, the force of his attack caused the sword embedded in the serpent's tail to slice through, severing the lower part of the appendage in half. A torrent of crimson red blood gushed forth, flooding the surrounding area with its vibrant hue.
Emerging from the pool of blood, Han Xiao stood tall, his gaze fixed upon the wounded serpent writhing in agony. Despite its pain, the creature continued to hiss and shriek, its curses directed at Han Xiao echoing through the air.
[+1 The Snake Is Cursing at You!]
+1
+1
+1 Cursing!
Curse Points: 9!
Like its nature, as the wounded serpent curled up in a helical shape around its severed tail, leaving its head vulnerable and exposed, Han Xiao seized the opportunity. Gathering all his strength into his right arm, he hurled the sword with deadly accuracy.
The blade shot through the air like a straight bullet, piercing through the serpent's open mouth and exiting from the back of its head. With one final, agonized hiss, the last vestige of life faded from its eyes, and the creature collapsed onto the lush green ground, its breaths growing shallow and labored as its life slipped away.
As Han Xiao approached the large carcass of the slain serpent, a series of notifications flashed in the red interface.
[A 2 Stars Soldier Rank Gluttonous Green Python Killed!]
[Congrats! +22 Curse Points Are Added!]
[Total Curse Points: 31!]
"Hmm, why are you offering free points?" he queried, a hint of suspicion in his voice.
[Not For Free!]
[At The Moment Of Its Death, When the Soul Separates From the Body, It Releases A Large Amount Of Negative Energy. That's What You're Getting!]
[The Stronger the Prey and the Higher Its Intelligence, The Greater the Amount Of Negative Energy!]
"Hmm, that makes sense," Han Xiao murmured as he continued to sever the large cadaver with his sword. Over the next quarter of an hour, he methodically chopped the meat into several pieces and separated the scales from the flesh. All that remained of the python was its excreta, intestines, and the spilled blood staining the ground.
Gathering some small branches, he fashioned several sticks and skewered the meat before starting a large bonfire. Soon, the tantalizing aroma of grilled meat filled the air as Han Xiao expertly cooked his freshly harvested bounty.
Sensing his intention, another notification flashed in the red interface:
[New Skill Available!]
[Anti-Heavenly Curse Smithing Skill!]
[Cost: Three Shopping Keys!]
[Do you want to Buy it? Yes/No]
Without much hesitation, he clicked 'Yes'.
Ding!
[+30 CP Deducted For Three Shopping Keys!]
[Total Curse Points: 1]
"Hmpf! What a penny-pincher?!" He cursed, another point added to the tally.
In the next moment, the familiar worn-out book reappeared in the red interface, unfurling its pages with an air of anticipation. A fourth section emerged, emblazoned with the title "Curse Weapon-smithy!"
[Curse Apprentice Available!]
With a decisive motion, he reached out, and the enigmatic glyphs dissolved into a swirling mist, enveloping him before seamlessly integrating into his consciousness. A flood of knowledge surged forth, detailing the intricate properties of magical metals, potent catalysts, and the essence of beast cores. As the primer unfolded, he delved into the craft of forging and melting these arcane materials, witnessing a masterful artisan with a rugged visage, laboring over his workshop's fiery forge. The vision unfolded, revealing the meticulous artistry involved in the creation of powerful weapons.
As he emerged from the trance-like state, he was greeted by the savory scent of roasting meat wafting through the air. "Almost there," he murmured, taking a knife salvaged from his fallen comrades. With practiced precision, he scored the meat's surface, preparing it for seasoning. He liberally applied a crushed mixture of black pepper seeds, allowing their pungent aroma to infuse the flesh. Next came a sprinkling of salt, each granule enhancing the meat's flavor profile with a delicate balance of seasoning.
With a stick in hand, the succulent fat and juices dripping from the meat, he murmured a toast, "To good health and happiness!" Taking the first bite, a smile played across his lips, his eyes twinkling with euphoria. "Ah, divine!" he exclaimed between mouthfuls. "The aroma alone is intoxicating, and the meat simply melts in my mouth." He lost himself in the feast, devouring each grilled morsel with relish. As the hours passed and the sky darkened, the feast continued unabated. By the middle of the night, not a bone remained, testament to his voracious appetite and satisfaction.