Second-Order Nether Serpent Group
The Zhang and Ma Families were the first to enter the Dark Forest, advancing slowly and carefully as they explored the unfamiliar terrain.
Zhang Lingxiao had personally witnessed the terrifying strength of the Six-Armed Giant Ape earlier. Because of that, he suspected that the Dark Forest might be the ape's territory, so he did not dare to lower his guard.
The Li Family and the City Lord's Mansion followed behind them, keeping a considerable distance from the two leading groups.
The forest itself was extremely dark. Even with lighting tools, it was difficult to see clearly. Most of the light seemed to be swallowed by the thick shadows surrounding them.
"Brother Hongtao," a voice suddenly said, "I remember that the Li Family's leader is a Lingwu Realm Martial Artist named Li Zhan. Why haven't I seen him?"
The one who spoke was the leader of the City Lord's Mansion team—a very young Martial Artist named Long Quanya, whose cultivation had reached Qi Wu Realm Perfection.
He also had another identity: a distant relative of the City Lord.
The wooden token Zhang Lingxiao obtained from Li Zhan was an item possessed only by the three great families of Qingyun Town. Naturally, the City Lord's Mansion did not have such a token.
Therefore, although the average strength of the City Lord's Mansion Martial Artists was higher than that of the three major families, their peak combat power was not.
Inside the Ancient Tomb Space, the strongest they could display was Qi Wu Realm Perfection.
"Haha, Big Brother Li Zhan has other matters to attend to, so he didn't come," Li Hongtao replied with an awkward chuckle.
"I see." Long Quanya nodded.
Li Hongtao glanced at the Martial Artists behind him and asked curiously,
"Brother Quanya, I remember the City Lord's Mansion sent the most people into the Ancient Tomb Space—about sixty in total. Why are there fewer than thirty here?"
Long Quanya laughed dryly.
"They entered the Dark Forest from another direction."
Li Hongtao nodded.
"I understand."
---
Meanwhile, the Zhang Family and the Ma Family continued moving deeper into the Dark Forest.
Everyone remained extremely cautious, which made the already silent forest feel even more eerie.
Many years had passed since the Ancient Tomb Space last opened, and the three great families of Qingyun Town had suffered heavy losses back then.
The elders of the families still remembered those events vividly.
At that moment, a faint fragrance drifted through the air.
Zhang Lingxiao turned his head and saw that Ma Yinger had quietly moved closer to him.
Her skin was fair like snow, smooth and luminous like white jade.
Her tall and slender figure was wrapped in a bright yellow female Martial Artist outfit, giving her a charming blend of elegance and heroic spirit.
Their arms brushed lightly against each other. The touch was incredibly soft. Even though Zhang Lingxiao was no inexperienced youth, his heart still skipped a beat.
Zhang Lingxiao smirked.
"What's wrong? Don't tell me you're afraid of the dark?"
Ma Yinger rolled her eyes.
"Get lost. I'm here to tell you something serious."
"Alright. Go ahead," Zhang Lingxiao replied calmly.
"Our Ma Family has more people. If we discover any treasures in the Dark Forest later, our Ma Family will take the larger share. Do you have any objections?"
She tilted her small face slightly, her tone playful.
Although she was tall and slender, she was still about half a head shorter than Zhang Lingxiao.
Hearing this, Zhang Lingxiao rubbed his chin.
"Distribution according to contribution. Whoever earns it keeps it."
"Hmph. Stingy."
Ma Yinger pouted.
"Then we'll just compete and see who gets more!"
With that, she returned to the Ma Family's group.
---
As the two teams ventured deeper into the forest, the pitch-black surroundings gradually began to glow with faint lights.
"Are those… fireflies?"
Ma Yinger's girlish curiosity was immediately piqued, and she reached out to catch one.
Zhang Lingxiao suddenly sensed that something was wrong. He stepped forward and grabbed her wrist.
"What are you doing? Acting like a hooligan?" Ma Yinger snapped.
The clansmen behind them burst into laughter.
Everyone in Qingyun Town knew about the engagement between Zhang Lingxiao and Ma Yinger, so their interaction looked more like a young couple teasing each other.
"W-What are you doing?" Ma Yinger's face turned slightly red.
"Better safe than sorry," Zhang Lingxiao said seriously.
"Fireflies that survive in a place like this probably aren't ordinary."
"AHHH!"
Suddenly, a scream rang out.
A young woman from the Ma Family had caught one of the glowing "fireflies."
In the next instant—
Her entire body burst into green flames.
Within only a few breaths, before anyone could react, she was reduced to a pile of ashes.
A gust of demonic wind scattered the remains.
"Roar!"
"Hiss!"
"Not good!"
The scream shattered the silence of the Dark Forest.
Almost immediately, the forest echoed with the roars of Yao Beasts.
"Ahh!"
Another scream followed.
Everyone turned to see a male Martial Artist collapse. His skin had turned dark green, and eerie Netherworld Ghost Fire burned across his body.
"It's a Netherworld Serpent!"
Someone shouted in alarm.
Everyone finally noticed a black snake-like Yao Beast slithering on the ground. Faint green light seeped through the gaps between its scales.
The Netherworld Serpent was a Second-Order Yao Beast that preferred to live in groups.
It was less than half a zhang long, with extremely tough scales and deadly venom. Its fangs were as sharp as blades, and its poison was its primary weapon.
Once bitten, weaker victims would instantly ignite with Netherworld Ghost Fire, which was almost impossible to extinguish.
Zhang Lingxiao reacted instantly.
Seeing the serpent preparing to strike again, he summoned the Tianji Sword and thrust it forward.
The blade struck precisely at the serpent's seven-inch vital point, killing it in a single strike.
But Netherworld Serpents were known for their group behavior.
This was only the beginning.
From the surrounding grass, dozens of Netherworld Serpents suddenly shot out.
Sixty… seventy… perhaps even more.
They lunged directly at the Martial Artists.
"Fight back! Don't panic!" Ma Yinger shouted.
"If we cause too much chaos, we'll attract even more Yao Beasts!"
Her voice carried a commanding authority.
The previously panicked Martial Artists quickly regained their composure and formed defensive lines.
However, even the weakest Netherworld Serpents were Second-Order First-Grade, equivalent to a Lingwu Realm First Heaven Martial Artist.
Some of the stronger ones even reached Second-Order Third-Grade, comparable to Lingwu Realm Triple Heaven.
Among everyone present, only Zhang Lingxiao possessed strength comparable to the Middle Stage of the Lingwu Realm.
Zhang Yuyang was merely at Lingwu Realm First Heaven.
As for Ma Yinger, she also carried a wooden token that allowed her to maintain Lingwu Realm cultivation, but she likely did not exceed Lingwu Realm Triple Heaven.
The battle erupted instantly.
The serpents moved silently through the darkness, their pitch-black scales blending perfectly with the night.
Against such enemies, many Martial Artists were at a severe disadvantage.
In mere moments, several Martial Artists were bitten.
Their bodies ignited with Netherworld Ghost Fire, and they were reduced to ashes.
Zhang Lingxiao activated Phantom Step, his figure flashing through the battlefield like a ghost.
Wherever he appeared, a sword flashed.
One Netherworld Serpent after another was cut down.
In a short time, he alone had slain more than thirty serpents, saving many lives.
But the serpent swarm was simply too large.
Suddenly—
A massive Netherworld Serpent, nearly one zhang long, burst out from the grass.
It shot straight toward Ma Yinger's back.
"Watch out! That's the Netherworld Serpent King!"
Zhang Lingxiao shouted.
Without hesitation, he activated Phantom Step and rushed forward to intercept it.
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