Chapter 28: Yu You's Decision

"Your Majesty , let's escape quickly. The monster in front of us is incredibly strong. I can't gauge its power at all!"

Dark Serpent shouted loudly the moment he laid eyes on Feng Yan. From the first glance, Dark Serpent deduced that the girl standing before them was immensely powerful. She had effortlessly dealt with the Fat Demon and his followers, emerging unscathed from a fierce battle. The disparity in power between the two was enormous, rendering any comparison meaningless.

Dark Serpent glanced at Yu You, expecting her to move. Instead, he found her glaring at Feng Yan with eyes full of hatred and anger, as if she truly intended to attack. Seeing this, Dark Serpent almost lost his composure entirely and screamed inwardly, "Who does this girl think she is to even consider attacking this savage girl? Damn it, if she wasn't Lady Shun's vessel, I wouldn't waste my time even looking at her."

Dark Serpent clenched his teeth, cursing his misfortune at being stuck beside a girl like Yu You. He then decided to forcibly take Yu You and flee. However, the moment he tried, he was crushed by a massive aura:

The Aura of Death!!!

Dark Serpent's body froze as the Aura of Death pressed upon him mercilessly, like a giant hand from the sky crushing him into the ground with no chance of resistance. He lost control of his spiritual energy under the weight of the death aura, and all he could do was move his eyes to see the source:

Feng Yan!

He saw abyssal eyes staring at him, and just looking into those eyes made him lose every ounce of resistance. The beautiful and gentle aura he initially saw vanished, replaced by the embodiment of death itself, intent on crushing his spirit. Dark Serpent tried to speak but lacked the strength to move his tongue.

At that moment, Feng Yan spoke:

"Yu You, the tea will get cold!"

Dark Serpent couldn't comprehend this simple sentence. Normally, he would understand it, but Feng Yan's death aura had paralyzed him, preventing even coherent thought.

After that, Dark Serpent heard nothing but the wind and the sound of Feng Yan stirring sugar into her tea. This continued until Yu You finally spoke:

"Feng Yan, you seem to think you're something big just because you managed to survive by chance. I am Shun, the guardian of the Eternal Tower. Beings like you are mere insects before me!"

Noble Power: Healing Technique: Brave Light!

Upon hearing his saintess's voice, Dark Serpent felt the death aura that paralyzed him vanish, replaced by a completely different aura. This new aura filled his body, making his spiritual energy flow better and sharpening his senses, erasing all feelings of weakness and replacing them with courage and strength. Dark Serpent immediately bowed towards Yu You and said:

"Your Majesty , it is my honor to meet you. I am Dark Serpent, a follower of the Demonic Snake Tribe—"

"Cut the useless chatter. There is one thing I want from you: bring me the head of that insect who doesn't know her place!"

"Your orders will be fulfilled!"

Demonic Snake Art > Poisonous Wind Claws!

Dark Serpent charged at Feng Yan with all his courage and determination. He revealed his black claws and slashed towards Feng Yan, creating five black arcs that sped towards her. Dark Serpent smiled confidently, knowing the power of his attack.

The Poisonous Wind Claws were among the strongest techniques of the Demonic Snake Art, famous for their ability to poison anyone within hundreds of meters. Those who knew the Demonic Snake Tribe feared their attacks and tried to avoid them as much as possible.

Dark Serpent watched Feng Yan's movements. Contrary to his expectations, Feng Yan did not try to escape or do anything at all. She merely moved her left hand, tucked her long hair behind her ear, and a strand of hair remained in her hand. Feng Yan glanced at the hair, then casually flicked it towards the five black arcs heading her way.

Whoosh!

"Impossible!"

Boom!

Before Dark Serpent's eyes, the strand of hair transformed into a cannonball, tearing through the air with brutal force. It collided with the five black arcs, shattering them as if they were mere illusions. The hair strand did not lose any momentum and continued straight for Dark Serpent's heart. Without time to dodge, he mustered all his strength:

Demonic Snake Art > Steel Scales!

He crossed his wrists over his chest, activating a defensive enhancement technique. His skin turned black as the hair strand struck.

Boom!

"What terrifying power!!!"

Dark Serpent cried out as the hair strand hit him, resulting in a massive explosion. He was flung backward, losing his balance and rolling on the ground several times before regaining his footing through sheer determination, not wanting to disappoint his saintess Shun. Once steady, he looked at Feng Yan with a mixture of fear and hatred and said:

"I don't know who you are, but I know the power gap between us is immense. Still, since Her Majesty commanded me to kill you, I will do so, even if it costs my life!"

Demonic Snake Art > Demonic Sacrifice!

Roar!

Dark Serpent roared as he underwent a massive transformation. His body grew larger, his skin turned a dark purple, and his veins turned black. He exuded a chaotic death aura as he glared at Feng Yan with madness. Then, he attacked:

Boom!!!

Dark Serpent's rapid charge shattered the ground beneath him like a mighty hammer. He aimed his fists to crush Feng Yan with one blow. Nearly losing his mind, his sole goal was to kill Feng Yan at any cost. But Feng Yan's response to his powerful attack was a simple word:

"Fool!"

Dark Serpent didn't understand at all. Before he could comprehend, he heard Shun's voice behind him:

"Dark Serpent, you have proven yourself loyal to Shun. Therefore, I will reward you with the honor of serving her alone!"

Whoosh!!!

After those words, Dark Serpent felt something slice through his neck. Immediately, before he could grasp what had happened, he was airborne, spinning. When he saw Shun smiling as he spun, he finally understood: she had beheaded me!

Crash!

Dark Serpent's head hit the ground, rolling a few times. He looked in shock and disbelief at Shun, the person he had sacrificed his life for to fulfill her wishes. He had hoped to hear a word of thanks, but instead, he was betrayed. All he wanted now was to know why, why she had betrayed him so cruelly. Gathering the last of his spiritual energy, he cried out:

"Why???"

"Didn't I say I would grant you the honor of serving  Shun alone? I did not lie. Since Shun is dead, it's best you serve her in the afterlife!"

"Impossible!"

These were Dark Serpent's last words as he saw Yu You walk gracefully and respectfully towards Feng Yan, whose calm and charming demeanor had not changed from the beginning of the battle to its end. If his pitiful struggle could even be called a battle. Eternal darkness slowly enveloped his consciousness.

Thus ended Dark Serpent's life.

...

"I hope the tea hasn't gotten cold."

"Don't worry, the tea is still warm. You can sit and relax."