Venturing further into the forest, Linfei soon encountered a swift serpent gliding through the underbrush. This was the perfect chance to test the Swift Serpent Steps in a real challenge. The serpent's movements were graceful, smooth, and full of sudden bursts of speed—a living embodiment of the very flow his new technique sought to emulate.
Linfei focused his breath and chakra, moving silently as a shadow, matching the serpent's rhythm. As the serpent lunged a strike, Linfei sidestepped fluidly, feeling his body respond with the training he had poured into the Swift Serpent Steps. He observed keenly how the serpent curved and twisted, its coiling tail and snapping jaws telling a story of balance and relentless agility.
With every step and dodge, Linfei's understanding deepened. He mimicked the serpent's bends and coils, adapting his footwork to mirror its unpredictable patterns. His own movements grew sharper, more effective, blending offense and defense as seamlessly as water flowing around rocks.
The fight was challenging—feeling the serpent's hot breath and swift attacks—but Linfei fought tooth and nail, confident that his new skills allowed him to evade the savage bites and strike at vulnerable moments.
By the end, though exhausted, Linfei had not only survived the encounter but had gained deeper insight into both the serpent's fighting style and his own newfound technique.