Chapter 156: A Reckless Attack, Forced Back

Spirit Snakes lay lazily around the cave in such numbers that Qin Xiao nearly developed trypophobia.

Moreover, weren’t these so-called Spirit Snakes a bit too large?

“Are you sure this thing is called a snake?”

Qin Xiao was speechless.

“If it isn’t called a snake, what should it be called?”

Ling Ruoxue was also confused by Qin Xiao.

“Back in my hometown, we call these things pythons.”

Qin Xiao was speechless. How could there be such a huge snake? It was almost the size of a Titanoboa.

“What is the difference? Pythons are snakes too, aren’t they?”

Ling Ruoxue was just as baffled. What was the difference?

“Uh, I guess you’re right. But your definition isn’t rigorous enough. Snakes generally have venom glands and can poison people. Pythons generally don’t use venom, so they’re much easier to deal with.”

Qin Xiao was still glad they were pythons rather than snakes. Venom would be another problem. They might not pierce his defenses, but he did not dare gamble.

“By your definition, then, these are snakes. Spirit Snakes release venom, so don’t be careless.”

This was Ling Ruoxue’s first time hearing such a distinction, so she kindly reminded him.

“What? This thing also has venom?”

Qin Xiao was stunned, then stopped worrying about it. Things in this cultivation world did not follow common sense. So they were venomous. Fine.

“What is the cultivation base of that Spirit Snake?”

Qin Xiao asked Yun Man. A snake that large ought to be at Nascent Soul, shouldn’t it?

“Early Golden Core stage.”

Yun Man gave him the Spirit Snake’s precise cultivation without wasting words.

“Alright, Golden Core it is.”

He was getting used to this. Tell him it was only at Qi Condensation, and he would accept that too. It already defied common sense.

After speaking, Qin Xiao dropped straight down and killed one Golden Core Spirit Snake with a single punch. He then pried open its massive jaws to take a look, and indeed, there were venomous fangs inside.

The commotion Qin Xiao made drew the attention of the other Spirit Snakes. The snakes that had been lying motionless began to slither over toward him.

He did not want to waste time on the swarm of little snakes. He flew toward the cave’s top, where the Profound Moon Grass grew. Better to snatch it and run. Visit novelping(.)com for the full chapter.

Although these Demon Beasts could not fly, their physical bodies were exceptionally strong. Seeing Qin Xiao fly toward the top of the Spirit Snake Cave, they leaped into the air one after another, launching themselves toward him.

“Damn, they can launch themselves?”

Seeing the numerous Spirit Snakes shooting toward him, Qin Xiao hurriedly halted his advance. He climbed higher into the air, temporarily dodging the swarm’s attacks.

More snakes emerged at the disturbance. Their cave was a hole one zhang across in a rocky mountain, with many smaller openings of different sizes around it.

Snakes began pouring out of those holes in staggering numbers. The entire mountain was likely hollow beneath the surface.

“So many! No wonder the association couldn’t do anything. Even I’m nearly out of options. Just looking at them scares me. I’m about to get trypophobia.”

Qin Xiao felt goosebumps prickle across his skin.

From their size, the snakes seemed to be around Golden Core. There were simply too many, and all were venomous. A bite would probably hurt for a long time.

His disciples had been about to help. Seeing the snakes force him back, they withdrew.

“Let’s watch first. Master will retreat if he can’t do it. If we go in and get trapped, he’ll have to come back and rescue us.”

Yun Man sensed quite a few powerful auras inside the cave. They might be ambushed if they went up now, and Qin Xiao was not yet in danger.

“Let me be clear: I’m not fighting. I’m only at middle Golden Core, and I can’t beat them with my cultivation suppressed. Don’t count on me.”

The sight left Ling Ruoxue numb and nauseous. Not fleeing was the best she could do. They could not expect her help, and she could not beat the snakes anyway.

“Don’t worry, Sister Ruoxue. I’ll protect you if there’s real danger.”

Seeing that Ling Ruoxue was a bit frightened, Yun Man quickly promised.

“I knew Little Sister Man’er was the best. But if this doesn’t work out, let’s just call Qin Xiao back. We can just give up on this Profound Moon Grass.”

Although Ling Ruoxue had the information, this was her first time truly seeing so many Spirit Snakes in person. She already wanted to retreat.

Over on Qin Xiao’s side, he still couldn’t find a good opportunity. All the Spirit Snakes were flicking their tongues at him; launching a surprise attack was no longer possible.

“I should have tested their fangs and venom first. If they couldn’t pierce my defenses, it wouldn’t matter. Even if they could, I’d be fine if the venom couldn’t hurt me. Testing it now will be difficult.”

Qin Xiao felt helpless. He should have tested their attacks earlier. His body refinement was strong, but who wanted a bite from a snake that big? From the look of things, he would get quite a few.

Qin Xiao finally understood how badly his lack of ranged attacks could hinder him. This wasn’t a spar with restricted boundaries and a one-on-one setup where he could simply close the distance and force his opponent into close combat. These Spirit Snakes didn’t care about any of that. They swarmed him directly. There was enough venom here to give him a bath.

“Wait. Master Ji Ci refines artifacts, doesn’t he? When I get back, I must ask him for a Dharma Treasure that can fire at range. I can’t keep fighting at close quarters.”

With all the snakes alerted, Qin Xiao decided to withdraw. He did not know what their venom could do and dared not force an attack. He would retreat, then catch one and test it.

With a few consecutive flashes, Qin Xiao disappeared from the perception range of the Spirit Snakes and returned to his disciples’ side.

“How did it go, Qin Xiao? Is there no way? Should we give up?” Enjoying the story? Read on at novelрing.com.

Ling Ruoxue asked with concern upon seeing Qin Xiao return.

“No great problem. These snakes aren’t that strong. I was a little reckless. I’ll catch one and test its venom first.”

Qin Xiao had no intention of giving up; he merely wanted to test the snake venom first.

“Yun Man, go help your master catch a Spirit Snake.”

After saying this, Qin Xiao instructed Yun Man to fetch a snake.

He was not unwilling to go himself, but lacked a way to restrain a snake. He could knock one out or kill it, but that might alert the swarm. Yun Man had the highest cultivation and more methods. She should be able to catch one quietly.

Yun Man did not waste words and quickly departed. Before long, she returned and presented a securely bound Spirit Snake before Qin Xiao.

“As expected of my First Disciple. That was quick!”

Seeing Yun Man return so swiftly, Qin Xiao praised her with great satisfaction.

The entire Spirit Snake was tied up firmly, thrashing its body about, yet no matter how much it twisted, it could not break free.

Looking at the snake’s water-vat-sized head, Qin Xiao thought for a moment, then put his hand into its mouth. He would test its bite first.

The Spirit Snake bit down without hesitation when he offered his hand. It adjusted its position, and its venomous fangs, about the size of Qin Xiao’s arm, struck his arm.

The fangs failed to pierce his arm and broke instead. Venom spilled over it.

The corrosive venom ate away at Qin Xiao’s clothing but did not hurt his skin.

“Damn, these clothes were the Low Grade Spirit Weapon robes I bought back then, and the venom ate through them?”

It had not hurt his skin, but had eaten through Low Grade Spirit Weapon clothing. Qin Xiao could tell the venom was no ordinary poison.

“Yun Man, cast a Cleaning Spell for me. My clothes are torn and can’t clean themselves.”

He had tried the clothes’ self-cleaning function, but it no longer worked. He had to ask Yun Man.

Yun Man immediately cast a Cleaning Spell, washing away all the venom on Qin Xiao’s hand, leaving not a single trace on his arm.

“These Spirit Snakes look scarier than they are. They are not particularly strong, their bites are weak, and their venom is nothing special. Wait here. Your master is going back for another try.”

Having roughly tested its attack and venom, Qin Xiao felt reassured. The venom was potent, but could not penetrate his defenses.

After finishing his words, Qin Xiao changed into fresh clothes and flew toward the Spirit Snake Cave once again.