Chapter 40: Perhaps It’s Not Impossible

Boom!

With a powerful strike from his copper staff, Tan Xiong sent the demon snake flying, rolling back several zhang before it finally came to a stop.

Xu Changge and Duan Li, having seized their chance, moved in swiftly. Their swords crossed, and with a loud tearing sound, the black scales were split open, blood spurting from the wounds.

Like nails pinning it down, the two swords skewered the snake's tail, holding it firmly to the ground.

The demon snake, writhing in pain, let out a piercing scream. Its two heads opened their gaping jaws, spraying poison mist as the tail thrashed violently, each head lunging backward to attack.

The creature's tough skin and massive strength nearly allowed it to wrench its tail free. Xu Changge and Duan Li held onto their sword hilts with all their might, faces flushed red with exertion, refusing to budge as they pinned the tail down.

"Take this!"

Moving like a whirlwind, Lu Lingxi swung her sword with lightning speed. Her blade flashed and plunged precisely into the open maw of the demon snake.

In the midst of spewing poison, the sword pierced through, unleashing three feet of sword energy that tore into the creature's brain, causing one head to explode, spraying blood and brain matter everywhere.

Though it was his first time fighting with these people, Lu Chengfeng's battle experience was extensive. Seeing Lu Lingxi targeting the snake's right head, he decisively aimed for the left.

While Lu Lingxi wielded her three-foot sword energy with precision, striking deep into the creature's skull, Lu Chengfeng's energy only extended a foot, limiting him to a different approach.

Without hesitation, he aimed for the most vulnerable part: the snake's left eye. In perfect coordination, his Cold Cicada Sword sliced through the air, thrusting into the eye.

Squelch!

Though he struck the softest part, he felt as though he were piercing rock. He gritted his teeth and channeled his sword energy, twisting his wrist to churn the energy within the eye socket.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The demon snake, pushed to its limit by the successive blows, erupted in a frenzy. With a fierce shake, it ripped its tail free, tearing open a bloody wound. The right head drooped lifelessly, dripping blood, while the left head, blinded in one eye, roared furiously, spewing poison mist as black wind swirled around its body, stripping the soil beneath it bare.

The beast's violent thrashing shattered nearby trees, while the toxic mist spread, withering the surrounding foliage, turning the area perilous.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Xu Changge and Duan Li's swords were wrenched from their hands as they were thrown back, blood trickling from their torn palms. Tumbling through the air, they barely managed to recover by grabbing onto a tree.

Having completed her attack, Lu Lingxi quickly retreated, her iron armor and green robes immaculate, as if untouched by the chaos.

Lu Chengfeng, however, wasn't as lucky. Just after piercing the snake's eye, he was thrown backward by a fierce head-butt. His chest tightened, his vision blurred, and he spat out a mouthful of blood as he hit the ground, rolling several times, ending up covered in mud and blood.

Fortunately, his black iron armor and internal energy protected him from serious harm. Though he looked battered, he only suffered minor injuries.

"Monster, prepare to die!"

As the others had been attacking, Tan Xiong had been gathering his strength. His Huanglong Peak lineage cultivated the Yellow Dragon's Hidden Sword Technique, which excelled at power buildup.

Tan Xiong's copper staff was a rare artifact, and with his internal energy infused, it emitted an exceptionally sharp aura, sharper than any ordinary sword.

Now, as he unleashed his gathered strength, his staff glowed faintly yellow. It appeared unremarkable, yet it was enveloped by a dense aura of sharp energy. As he swung, it was as silent as a passing shadow.

Squelch!

The strike was swift and deadly, landing precisely at the demon snake's vulnerable spot. The staff broke through the tough skin, sending blood splattering, nearly severing the snake's body.

However, the demon snake's life force was astonishingly tenacious. Despite the grievous injury, it continued to thrash about, howling as it wrapped itself in black wind and attempted to flee into the depths of the marsh.

"Stay here!"

With his copper staff spinning in his hands, Tan Xiong struck the snake on its head. Before it could fall, he delivered another horizontal blow, sending it flying backward.

With a final roar, Tan Xiong's copper staff, glowing with yellow light, smashed the remaining head to pulp, splattering blood and fragments of bone everywhere.

Even with both heads destroyed, the snake's body continued to writhe. Tiny venomous insects crawled from its wounds, a disturbing sight.

"What a troublesome creature!"

Tan Xiong frowned, "Gather some dry wood, and let's burn this corpse. Otherwise, the disciples coming to clean up afterward may be in danger."

Lu Chengfeng had already risen from the ground. Taking a deep breath, he circulated his internal energy, calming his churning chest.

"Are you alright, Junior Brother?" Lu Lingxi approached him, her respect evident. This junior brother had shown remarkable composure and skill, and despite his short time in the sect, his battle experience and swordsmanship surpassed many more senior disciples.

With such talent, he was bound for greatness, possibly even a place among the Seven Heroes.

"Thank you, Senior Sister. It's just some internal shock. A bit of rest, and I'll be fine." Lu Chengfeng took out a deer-hide cloth and wiped the blood from his Cold Cicada Sword, sheathing it with a resounding clang.

"That's good to hear. Rest and recover while we gather the wood." Lu Lingxi showed care for him, knowing it was his first time fighting in the beast tide and that he was a newcomer among the inner disciples.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister, but I'm fine," Lu Chengfeng replied. Looking at the venomous insects emerging from the snake's corpse, he shuddered. "Let's burn the corpse quickly."

"Good idea, but don't push yourself. Rest if needed," Lu Lingxi said before leading the others to gather firewood.

Soon, they'd gathered a pile of wood. However, the marsh's damp air left most of the wood cold and wet. Without Duan Li's lightning fire, they would've struggled to ignite it.

As the flames took hold, the snake corpse and venomous insects sizzled and crackled in the blaze, releasing thick black smoke that billowed into the sky.

"We'll rest here until the fire dies down, then check the remains before moving on," Tan Xiong instructed, and the group spread out around the fire.

Lu Chengfeng found a large rock, brushed off the dirt and insects, and sat cross-legged on it, beginning to regulate his breathing.

…

Meanwhile, back in Houde Court, Cai Zhang had delivered Lu Chengfeng's message to Lady Qiutong's maid. Afterward, he waited outside anxiously as the maid went inside to report.

After an unknown length of time, a hazy silhouette appeared at the window. A cool voice drifted out, "An interesting man. I wonder what he looks like. If the opportunity arises to meet… if he is pleasing to the eye, then perhaps… it's not impossible."

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