The frozen lake exploded beneath the roar of the Thunder Serpent.
Ice shattered into the sky like broken mirrors. Lightning danced across the beast's black scales, and every movement of its massive body made the surrounding trees tremble.
Its eyes locked onto us.
Cold.
Ancient.
Hungry.
The pressure alone made the Phoenix Flame Guards take half a step back.
This thing was far stronger than ordinary spirit beasts.
At least Qi Gathering Peak, maybe even half a step into the Spirit Core Realm.
Good.
Perfect.
I tightened my grip on my sword and smiled.
Behind me, Hu Mei sighed dramatically.
"Master really knows how to flirt with dangerous things."
Lin Xue's hand rested on her sword.
"Focus."
Yue Lian lowered her spear.
"My Prince, shall we attack together?"
I shook my head.
"No."
I pointed at the Thunder Serpent.
"This one is mine."
Hu Mei immediately laughed.
"There it is. The line every foolish hero says before almost dying."
She wasn't wrong.
But this mattered.
Not just for the reward.
Not just for the EXP.
For reputation.
For confidence.
And most importantly—
for that kiss.
I glanced at Feng Yuehuang.
She stood beneath the falling snow like a goddess of flame, golden eyes calm and proud.
She crossed her arms.
"Try not to die."
I smiled.
"That would make kissing difficult."
For the first time, I clearly saw it—
the faintest blush at the edge of her ears.
Excellent.
Motivation unlocked.
The Thunder Serpent roared and struck.
Fast.
Far too fast for something that large.
Its tail whipped through the air like a falling mountain.
BOOM!
I jumped back as the ground exploded where I had been standing.
Trees shattered.
Snow burst upward.
Damn.
That would have ended the novel early.
I let my qi circulate through every meridian.
Qi Gathering Level 3.
Not enough.
But enough to survive.
For now.
The serpent attacked again, jaws wide open, lightning gathering between its fangs.
I rushed forward instead of retreating.
Its size was its weakness.
Big enemies hated close-range fighters.
My sword flashed.
Clang!
The blade struck its scales—
and bounced.
I nearly cursed.
Too hard.
The serpent's head turned, and lightning exploded from its mouth.
I barely rolled aside.
The blast hit the frozen ground and left a smoking crater.
Hu Mei called from behind,
"Master, if you die, can I keep your room?"
"Fight first, inheritance later!"
Another strike.
Another dodge.
The beast was stronger.
Faster.
And annoyingly difficult to stab.
Good.
That meant the rewards would be worth it.
I needed an opening.
Then I noticed something—
Its neck.
Just beneath the jaw.
A section where the scales were thinner.
Weak point.
Perfect.
I smiled.
The Thunder Serpent saw that smile and probably regretted existing.
I turned toward Yue Lian.
"Distract it."
She didn't hesitate.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The Phoenix Guards moved instantly.
Spears of flame shot toward the serpent's eyes.
It roared in fury and turned.
Good.
Lin Xue stepped forward next.
She raised two fingers.
The frozen lake beneath the beast suddenly cracked again—
But this time, not from thunder.
From ice.
Massive chains of frost wrapped around the serpent's lower body.
It thrashed violently.
Hu Mei's illusion mist followed, turning the forest into a maze of false enemies.
The serpent struck at shadows.
Perfect.
Teamwork.
Even kings needed competent employees.
I took a deep breath.
This was it.
I ran.
Straight toward the beast.
The world narrowed into one line.
Its roar.
My heartbeat.
The weak point beneath its jaw.
Feng Yuehuang's promise.
Everything else disappeared.
The serpent broke free of the ice and lunged.
Too late.
I jumped.
Qi exploded beneath my feet.
I rose above its open jaws.
Then drove my sword downward with everything I had.
"Die!"
The blade pierced through the weak point.
Straight into its throat.
Silence.
For one impossible second—
Everything stopped.
Then—
BOOM!
Lightning exploded outward.
I was thrown across the frozen lake like a broken kite.
Pain.
Everywhere.
I hit the ground hard enough to see my ancestors.
For several seconds, I just lay there staring at the sky.
Snowflakes drifted down.
Peaceful.
Very suspicious.
Then I heard it.
The giant body of the Thunder Serpent is crashing into the lake.
Dead.
I started laughing.
Painfully.
But still laughing.
Worth it.
Absolutely worth it.
The myth system exploded with notifications.
[Elite Spirit Beast Slain]
Thunder Serpent defeated
EXP +2000
Reward: Divine Summon Card ×2
Reward: Thunder Beast Mount Token
Reward: Lightning Body Tempering Art
Breakthrough Achieved
Spiritual qi rushed into my body like a flood.
The frozen lake trembled.
The surrounding trees bent under the pressure.
Even the Frost Wolf pack lowered their heads.
BOOM.
Another breakthrough.
Then another.
[Qi Gathering Level 3 → Level 5]
I exhaled slowly.
Now that—
felt good.
Very good.
A shadow fell over me.
I opened one eye.
Feng Yuehuang.
She looked down at me, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"Well?"
I smiled weakly.
"I believe…"
I coughed dramatically.
"…I earned something."
Behind her, Hu Mei was already trying not to laugh.
Yue Lian was pretending not to listen.
Lin Xue had fully given up pretending she wasn't interested.
Feng Yuehuang stared at me for several long breaths.
Then—
to everyone's shock—
She knelt slightly.
Leaned down.
And pressed a soft kiss against my forehead.
Warm.
Gentle.
Gone too fast.
For a moment, I forgot how breathing worked.
She stood again, calm as ever.
"That is enough."
Hu Mei screamed.
"Favouritism!"
I sat up, offended.
"Forehead? That was not the agreement!"
Feng Yuehuang's lips curved faintly.
"Defeat me first for the rest."
Then she turned and walked away like she hadn't just destroyed my entire soul.
I stared after her.
Dangerous woman.
Very dangerous.
But I smiled.
Fine.
One day.
I would collect the full reward.
And probably a kingdom too.
Honestly, both seemed equally difficult.
I stood, still aching, and looked at the dead Thunder Serpent beneath the broken ice.
A new beast mount.
Two new summon cards.
Another breakthrough.
And one forehead kiss.
Today has been very productive.
Very productive indeed.