With a tearing sound that made one’s teeth ache, Zhu Ping’an clamped onto the Fire Cicada Snake’s upper and lower jaws and ripped them apart with force. The entire snake was instantly torn into two halves.
Bathed in snake blood, Zhu Ping’an looked like a killing god from the underworld.
Soon, both of them had killed four Fire Cicada Snakes each. Gu Xuan stared at them as if looking at monsters.
On their very first time leaving the city, they had each hunted four Fire Cicada Snakes solely by their own strength. The two of them were fierce like wild beasts.
Leng Tianjiao was understandable. Backed by the powerful Leng family, she had abundant resources. It was normal for her to be strong. But Zhu Ping’an, who was previously unheard of, was equally formidable. That left Gu Xuan genuinely astonished.
Gu Xuan still remembered his own first time leaving the city. A Level 1 Gale Mantis had slashed his back with its scythe, and he had nearly lost his life. Comparing people truly made one feel inferior.
He had a strong intuition that if these two were allowed to grow, they would one day dominate among all Martial Artists.
“Since the mission is complete, let’s return to the city.”
Nearly six hours had passed, and the sky was gradually darkening. Spending the night outside with two such young geniuses was definitely not a good idea.
Just as Gu Xuan was about to lead them back, an unusually strong sweet and fishy fragrance drifted over from somewhere.
“Hold your breath! Don’t breathe! The scent is poisonous!”
Gu Xuan had taken only one breath when his expression changed drastically.
His gaze shifted instantly and locked onto a direction. There, a massive Fire Cicada Snake nearly 10 meters long was staring at them ominously.
The sweet, fishy scent they had smelled was being exhaled from the mouth of this Fire Cicada Snake King.
“This is bad! It’s a Fire Cicada Snake King!”
The Fire Cicada Snake King was the ruler among Fire Cicada Snakes. Its strength was comparable to a peak 3rd stage Martial Artist. How could such a creature appear here?
“Stay behind me. Don’t act recklessly!”
Gu Xuan stroked his beard. He himself was not afraid of the Fire Cicada Snake King, but in a true fight, he might not be able to protect Zhu Ping’an and Leng Tianjiao at the same time.
“You beast. If you want to die, I’ll grant your wish!”
Gu Xuan roared angrily. His already robust body grew even larger, muscles bulging like granite.
He moved in an instant, his fist crashing down like a heavy hammer. With a thunderous explosion, the Fire Cicada Snake King’s head was knocked violently to one side.
However, the Fire Cicada Snake King’s hide was thick and tough. Though injured, it was far from fatal. It twisted its head back and spat a mouthful of venomous saliva at Gu Xuan.
Gu Xuan dodged swiftly. The saliva landed on the ground, corroding the hard stone with sizzling sounds.
“Damn it, I’m not surnamed Zhou. Why are you spitting venom at me?”
Gu Xuan’s eyelids twitched. If he were hit by that toxic spit, it would not be pleasant. He attacked again, this time far more cautious.
As Gu Xuan and the Fire Cicada Snake King fought intensely, Zhu Ping’an watched with full concentration. Observing a 3rd stage Martial Artist fighting at full strength in person was an extremely rare opportunity. In school, they were only shown videos.
But as he watched, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine. A sense of unease rose from the depths of his heart.
“Don’t you feel… like something’s wrong?” Zhu Ping’an asked Leng Tianjiao beside him.
“No.”
Leng Tianjiao glanced at him indifferently and looked away. In her view, he was merely trying to start a conversation. As the princess of the Leng family, she had seen countless men rack their brains to gain her attention.
“Strange… Was it just my imagination?”
Zhu Ping’an frowned slightly. The next moment, the feeling of unease intensified sharply.
“Watch out!”
Without time to think, Zhu Ping’an instinctively lunged sideways, tackling Leng Tianjiao to the ground.
Feeling the warmth from Zhu Ping’an’s body pressing against hers, Leng Tianjiao’s originally pale face instantly flushed red, even her ears turning crimson.
Since childhood, she had never been this close to any man other than her family. After the brief embarrassment, overwhelming anger surged up.
“Zhu Ping’an, have you gone mad?” Leng Tianjiao shouted angrily, a cold killing intent flashing in her eyes. She was about to strike when she saw a huge blood-filled maw slam down at the spot where they had just stood.
She had thought he was trying to take advantage of her. She never expected he had been saving her.
“Two Fire Cicada Snake Kings? One male and one female. They’re laying eggs here!” Gu Xuan exclaimed, his face turning extremely grim.
No wonder they had been attacked. His luck today was truly terrible.
“Hey! This is Gu Xuan! I’ve encountered two Fire Cicada Snake Kings in Valley One. Requesting reinforcements!”
Gu Xuan quickly sent out a distress signal. He wanted to go assist Zhu Ping’an and Leng Tianjiao, but the male Fire Cicada Snake King seemed to perceive his intention and attacked even more ferociously, giving him no chance to move.
“Run!” Gu Xuan shouted, panting heavily, his eyes turning bloodshot. Disregarding his own safety, he began exchanging injuries to quickly end the fight.
Zhu Ping’an climbed up from Leng Tianjiao.
“Classmate Leng, run. Leave this to me.”
His expression was cold as he gripped his long sword, standing alone against the female Fire Cicada Snake King, leaving only his slender back facing Leng Tianjiao.
“Actually…” Leng Tianjiao tried to speak but was interrupted.
“Don’t worry. Unless this Fire Cicada Snake King steps over my corpse, it will never harm you.” Zhu Ping’an’s gaze was firmer than ever.
“No, that’s not…” Leng Tianjiao tried again.
“No need to say more!”
Zhu Ping’an pointed his sword directly at the Fire Cicada Snake King, his battle intent surging.
“I know this is a Level 3 Ferocious Beast. I cannot possibly defeat it. But everyone must die eventually, either heavier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather! To stand by and watch a woman die in my place while I cling to life, I, Zhu Ping’an, cannot do that!”
“Everyone must die… either heavier than Mount Tai… or lighter than a feather?” Leng Tianjiao murmured, a strange light appearing in her eyes as she looked at him. “Zhu Ping’an, listen to me…”
“Silence! In my life, I act only with a clear conscience! Go! Don’t let my death be meaningless!”
“Second form of the Nine Mountain Divine Sword, One Sword Shaking the Mountain!”
Holding his long sword, Zhu Ping’an slashed down at the Fire Cicada Snake King.
Leng Tianjiao: “…”