Before anyone else could react, Zhu Zhuqing leaped down from the tree, showing no fear as she dove toward the thousand-year Spirit Beast. As she descended, her first Spirit Ring lit up, and she activated her Hell Stab ability, her sharp claws gleaming.
As she closed the distance, the others finally got a clear look at the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Snake. Its size was the first thing they noticed; it was just as Zhu Zhuqing had described, about six or seven meters long. The bright red, fleshy crown on its head gave it a ferocious appearance.
The snake was still rushing forward when Zhu Zhuqing's attack reached it. Her Hell Stab was aimed directly at the fleshy crown on its head, but the snake reacted with incredible speed. Even while moving, it managed to tilt its head just enough to cleverly avoid the direct hit. Zhu Zhuqing's claws missed the crest and instead scraped across its body.
The Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Snake let out a muffled hiss, and its forward momentum slowed for a moment. It immediately twisted its head, opened its mouth, and sprayed a cloud of colorful mist toward Zhu Zhuqing. At the same time, the red crown on its head glowed, and its speed, which had briefly faltered, instantly increased again.
"White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"
At that critical moment, Dai Mubai activated his third spirit ability. His body expanded dramatically as he charged toward the snake.
Bang!
A dull, heavy thud echoed through the clearing. The snake's charge was brought to a dead stop, its huge body twisting in the air before crashing to the ground. But the force of the impact was immense; Dai Mubai, who had blocked it with a full-force punch, let out a groan and was thrown back nearly ten meters before he could steady himself.
Just then, Ma Hongjun released the full pressure of his Spirit. The Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Snake seemed to sense the powerful aura of the Evil Fire Phoenix, and its body began to tremble. This kind of innate bloodline suppression strikes fear deep into the hearts of lesser Spirit Beasts. However, it was a thousand-year Spirit Beast, and it wouldn't give up so easily. With a powerful twist of its body, the snake not only dodged Ma Hongjun's attack but also used the opportunity to dive into a patch of tall grass nearby.
The grass swayed violently as the snake slithered close to the ground at an incredible speed. In the blink of an eye, it had already put ten meters between itself and the group.
"Trying to run?" Huo Feng, who had been standing at the rear of the team, spoke calmly and leaped into the air. The next second, he was hovering a meter above the ground.
"First Spirit Ability: Sword Breaking Slash!"
He activated his first spirit ability. His Thunder Sword crackled with electricity as he swung it down.
Sizzle!
Chain lightning shot into the tall grass, instantly turning the entire patch a charred black. The Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Snake, which had been hiding within, was revealed. Its movements had slowed dramatically, and the muscles under its skin were twitching uncontrollably. The snake had been completely paralyzed by Huo Feng's electric shock.
"Second Spirit Ability: Raging Fire Spreads!"
Huo Feng flicked his right wrist, and the Thunder Sword instantly transformed into the Fiery Sword. Flames roared to life, and a searing red blade of light shot out.
Boom!
The already electrocuted snake was engulfed in the raging fire. A series of small explosions erupted across the surface of its body. The intense pain caused it to twist and writhe on the ground, trying desperately to escape the agony. Its violent thrashing only served to ignite the surrounding grass and trees, and the fire around it grew stronger.
Although the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Snake looked pathetic, it was still a thousand-year Spirit Beast. Huo Feng's current strength wasn't enough to deliver a fatal blow.
Thump!
At that moment, Zhao Wuji stomped his foot on the ground. As his third Spirit Ring shone, the snake's body suddenly stiffened, its speed dropping significantly. It was Zhao Wuji's third spirit ability, Gravity Enhancement. Immediately after, his fourth and fifth Spirit Rings lit up at the same time.
He leaped into the air. Using his fourth spirit ability, Positional Tracking, he instantly appeared right in front of the snake as he fell. His fifth ability, Gravity Compression, activated simultaneously. No matter how slippery the snake was, it had no chance to escape Zhao Wuji's overwhelming spirit power. This was the strength of a level 76 Spirit Saint. Dealing with a thousand-year Spirit Beast was an easy task for him.
Zhao Wuji reached out with his massive bear paw, grabbed the snake by its head, and lifted it effortlessly. With his other hand, he flicked its fleshy crest. The powerful blow from the Mighty Vajra Bear knocked the snake unconscious instantly.
Zhao Wuji grinned and pulled a short blade from his belt, handing it to Oscar. "Do it now, before something unexpected happens. Pierce it just below its crown to reach its brain. This Spirit Ring will be yours."
"We did it!" everyone else cheered, their faces filled with relief. This trip to the Star Dou Great Forest was going surprisingly smoothly.
Only Xiao Wu, standing in the crowd, had a strange expression on her face. She looked slightly pale. Huo Feng, who was standing beside her, noticed immediately. He knew that she was reacting this way because she herself was a Spirit Beast. Everyone else was too focused on the captured snake to notice her distress.
Oscar took the blade excitedly. The thousand-year Spirit Beast was now completely helpless before him. His third spirit ability was just moments away, and he was so excited that his hands were shaking. He raised the short blade, ready to strike.
Just then, a hoarse, angry voice shouted, "Stop!"
Two figures suddenly leaped out from the direction the snake had come from, appearing in front of the group. They were two women, one old and one young. The old woman looked to be in her sixties or seventies, with a neat head of white hair. Though she was old, her face was as rosy as a baby's, and she radiated energy. Her eyes shone with a sharp light. In her right hand, she held a three-meter-long, snake-headed cane, and six Spirit Rings—two yellow, three purple, and one black—pulsed around her.
Following her was a beautiful young girl with short hair, who looked to be about sixteen or seventeen. She wore a neat outfit that hugged her well-developed figure. Her large, dark brown eyes were fixed on the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Snake in Zhao Wuji's hand. She also held a shorter, two-meter-long snake-headed cane, and two yellow hundred-year Spirit Rings floated around her.
"Meng Yiran," Huo Feng muttered to himself as he saw the girl. He remembered this part of the plot, the encounter with the Unrivaled Dragon Serpent.
[Beep!]
[System has detected the thousand-year Spirit Beast: Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Snake!]
[System detects Meng Yiran's presence!]
[Hidden mission triggered!]
[1. Sacrifice the thousand-year Spirit Beast, the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Snake!][2. Sacrifice Meng Yiran!]
[Superimposed Quest Reward: Right Arm Soul Bone ×1!]
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