Chapter 26: Longchong

The long serpent's body was covered in interlacing dark brown patterns and was as thick as the waist of an eight or nine-year-old child. It was coiled in loops around a large banyan tree, staring coldly at Li Tongya and the others with bright yellow vertical pupils.

"What a massive serpent!"

While exclaiming in shock, Li Tongya's hand movements for his incantations were not slow in the slightest. As soon as he finished speaking, a hazy golden light manifested in his hand.

The serpent hissed, flicking its bright red tongue, and opened its maw wide, suddenly spitting out a thick cloud of black mist.

However, the golden light struck first, shooting straight toward the brown-patterned serpent's chin. The impact knocked the serpent's head to the side, causing the black mist to pour onto a nearby large tree instead.

The banyan tree creaked instantly, its lush leaves and branches being corroded clean in an instant, turning into droplets of black liquid that fell onto the soil. Even the main trunk, which was thick enough for two men to embrace, had a thick layer corroded away.

"Hiss!"

Seeing this, Li Yesheng and the others retreated in terror, looking as if they were on the verge of turning tail and running.

"Keep your eyes on it and retreat slowly."

Having just saved Li Yesheng and several village laborers from the serpent, Li Tongya shook his head solemnly and whispered.

Watching the group retreat step by step, the serpent did not pursue, remaining coiled on the banyan tree and watching everyone coldly.

Only after the banyan tree had disappeared from view did Li Qiuyang speak up timidly

"The fruit is right behind that tree!"

"No rush."

Li Tongya waved his hand and instructed Li Yesheng

"Call the laborers from the village. Tell them to bring long poles and iron shovels from every household. It would be even better if they have bows; tell them to bring arrows and come up the mountain together."

"Yes."

Li Yesheng complied and hurriedly led the laborers down the mountain.

Li Xiangping patted Li Qiuyang on the shoulder and said

"You must have encountered this serpent while it was out foraging. Not only did you escape with your life, but you also found an opportunity! Go back to the courtyard to cultivate; your business here is done."

Seeing Li Qiuyang dripping with cold sweat, Li Xiangping waited for him to head down the mountain before finding a bluestone to sit on. He turned to Li Tongya and said

"This serpent has very hard scales. A single Golden Light Technique only managed to shatter a few scales on its chin."

"Judging by its appearance, it is likely only a minor demon of the Fetal Breathing Realm. Its intelligence has not yet awakened; what use is hard scale if it is merely a beast?"

Li Tongya replied indifferently while carefully observing the terrain.

Before long, the able-bodied men of Lijing Village climbed the mountain one after another. Hearing that they were to kill a monster, they were both apprehensive and excited, following behind Li Yesheng on tiptoe.

After surveying the terrain, Li Tongya summoned Liu Linfeng and asked

"Uncle, I heard the Liu family used traps to kill wild boars last year. I wonder how large a pit we should dig for a serpent of this size?"

Liu Linfeng hesitated for a moment before asking cautiously

"I heard this serpent is a demon; we cannot judge it by common logic. What if it can fly..."

"Naturally, it cannot fly. Just follow your past experience and double the size," Li Xiangping interjected, thinking to himself: *If this serpent could fly, would any of us still be alive?*

"Then it's easy!"

Hearing Li Xiangping's words, Liu Linfeng gave his full assurance. He began directing the crowd to dig pits, acting quite grandly as he pointed and commanded.

Liu Linfeng had been suppressed for a long time. In the past, although the Li family was powerful, they had at least given the Liu family some face by coming to consult them when village matters arose. Now that the Li family had integrated the various villages, Liu Linfeng had not dared to step forward and point fingers. He had been stifled these past few days, and finally having something to do allowed him to instantly regain his vigor.

*This cannot go on. My Liu family must find its own place of utility under the protection of the Li family, otherwise, we will inevitably decline!* Liu Linfeng thought secretly as he directed the work.

Li Tongya was unaware of the drama playing out in Liu Linfeng's mind. He and Li Xiangping were busy imbuing arrows with the Golden Light Technique. If they did not use it, the spell could likely be maintained for six to seven hours, which was more than enough to kill this serpent.

At present, their respective mana could imbue about a dozen arrows each. Once their mana was exhausted, they would meditate to regulate their breath. By the time the crowd had finished digging the pits, covered the traces of fresh soil, and spread dead leaves over them, the two would have just finished their meditation.

The laborers set their formation, with those holding long poles standing in the front and those with bows behind them. Each held an arrow imbued with the Golden Light Technique, cautiously approaching the serpent.

As the front line reached the large banyan tree, they couldn't help but exclaim in unison

"What a terrifying serpent!"

The serpent was coiled on the banyan tree, its bright yellow vertical pupils striking fear into their hearts. It opened its mouth and released another thick cloud of black mist.

However, the front rank had already been warned; they had dropped their poles and retreated early. This cloud of black mist only corroded the dead leaves on the ground and a few long poles.

Streaks of pale golden light arrived before the mist could do further damage. These arrows, imbued with the Golden Light Technique, were incredibly sharp, embedding themselves one by one into the serpent's brown-patterned scales.

Being disturbed repeatedly, the serpent finally lost its temper. Hissing and flicking its tongue, it abandoned the banyan tree and slithered toward the crowd.

The people in front immediately scattered. Li Tongya and Li Xiangping hurriedly performed incantations to release successive Golden Light Techniques, striking the serpent until it cried out in pain. It turned its golden pupils toward the two and rushed at them rapidly.

Instead of being frightened, the two were delighted. Watching the serpent slither along the cliffside toward them, they shouted loudly

"Get ready!"

As the serpent moved, it felt the ground give way beneath it and nearly plunged headfirst into the large hole hidden under the dead leaves.

However, because the serpent's body was so long, it did not fall into the trap immediately. Its head quickly reared up, resting on the other side of the pit, looking as if it were about to climb out.

At that moment, a group of villagers emerged from the cliffside. Together, they pushed a large bluestone and shouted in unison

"Heave!"

The bluestone plummeted, smashing directly onto the serpent's back. There was a sound of snapping bones and crushing sinews. With a hiss, the brown-patterned serpent was instantly pinned to the bottom of the pit. Its head was held high, its body bent into a U-shape, but it was unable to move.

"Hahahaha!"

From the back of the crowd, Liu Linfeng let out a loud laugh, nodding with satisfaction at his successful masterpiece.

"Charge!"

Li Yesheng gave a great shout, and everyone began thrusting sharpened bamboo poles into the pit with all their might.

Although the serpent's scales were hard, it could not withstand the onslaught of over a dozen men working together. The crowd continued to stab for half an hour, only stopping when the bamboo poles were stained crimson.

After repeatedly confirming that the serpent was dead, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers, each feeling immensely proud. They began discussing loudly how to get the serpent out and carry it back to the village.

Leaving Liu Linfeng to oversee the matters, Li Tongya and Li Xiangping took Li Yesheng and several trusted confidants and quietly circled around to the back of the large banyan tree.

Seeing the ground covered in white bones amidst the dense grass, Li Yesheng sighed and said

"Li Yesheng went up the back mountain several years ago and never returned. He must have encountered this serpent while it was foraging and was swallowed by it."

Li Xiangping nodded naturally, but Li Tongya stared at the small tree hanging with five glowing red fruits with a solemn expression. He turned to Li Yesheng and said

"Take the men and watch this place. Do not let anyone come near."