Chapter 67: Giant Snake Part 2

Wang Ya stood stunned for a moment before reacting, cursing inwardly: Fuck, I’m last now. In that brief daze, Huang Qi had already reached the steps. Wang Ya dashed forward but soon felt a powerful aura surging from behind. She whipped around and saw a snake head—at least as big as a small car’s—emerge at the arch gate. She instinctively swallowed, then erupted her demonic power to its limit. Dazzling crimson light turned the passage blood-red.

The snake head at the gate recoiled and arched its body.

Wang Ya saw the snake was thicker than her; she had no doubt it could swallow her whole. Though inexperienced, she had watched TV and Animal Planet and knew a bit about snakes. The world’s largest, Amazon anacondas, grew to such sizes. This giant snake resembled one—emerald green with Dragon Scales suggesting excellent nutrition. But anacondas lacked forehead tumors, and this was China, not the Amazon. A mutant breed? Or had it cultivated into a flood dragon? If flowers could become demons and possess humans, why not an anaconda with a tumor becoming a jiao?

Wang Ya circulated her full demonic power, confronting the giant snake that seemed both anaconda and jiao. Advance or retreat? Advancing risked attack if it sensed weakness; staying meant drowning. She had meant to lure the underwater threats against Zhang Qingshui and the others, but now she was last, stuck facing it. Like failing to steal a chicken only to lose the rice. She fumed, wanting to stamp her foot.

The giant snake faced Wang Ya, flicking its tongue ceaselessly, showing no intent to retreat against her demonic aura.

Wang Ya couldn’t afford a standoff. Her demonic power was plentiful but not free, and worst, she couldn’t breathe underwater—far from the legendary realm of pore-breathing for days submerged. She channeled demonic power into her palm and slowly pushed it toward the giant snake. With the motion, the channel’s water formed a massive wall surging at it under immense force. Water before her rushed forward; more filled in behind. Ignoring the resistance, Wang Ya dashed up the passage.

Suddenly, the giant snake’s emerald scales glowed faintly green as powerful Demonic Aura spread. Its head thrust forward, piercing the demonic-force-driven water wall.

The head slammed the wall, splashing waves and churning mud. The shattered wall mixed with sludge surged at Wang Ya, shoving her to the steps. Sensing a massive object hurtling from behind, she cursed inwardly: Blind beast! The Feng Family left you to guard, and you attack me? She swung her palm at the approaching head.

Despite its size, the giant snake was agile. It recoiled its neck, dodged the strike, then lunged again.

Pythons were generally non-venomous, killing by constriction.

Wang Ya nearly died strangled by Zhang Qingshui’s Azure Dragon Vine and loathed constriction. As the head grazed past and the body coiled around her waist, fury ignited. Her eyes flashed fierce; left palm struck the coiling body—if it hit, the spine would snap. Her right formed the Yellow Springs Other Shore Flower Seal, a fiery bloom materializing to slap the snake’s forehead.

The giant snake seemed to sense her threat. As she raised her palm, it flipped in the water, slamming its massive body down on her.

Wang Ya’s left arm jolted from the impact, her palm veering to crack the stone wall, shattering chunks that rained down. Her right’s Yellow Springs Other Shore Flower Seal landed on the snake’s back.

Humans moved clumsily in water.

Snakes thrived in it!

The giant snake coiled tight after the flip, intent on crushing her.

Wang Ya’s waist was vise-gripped; she nearly exhaled. Biting her lip, she held her breath and swiftly formed the White Tiger Subduing Demon Seal, blasting the coils!

The seal’s force pierced deep, shuddering the snake; Wang Ya heard bones crack clearly.

The waist grip loosened; she slipped free. As she prepared another seal, the ground shook, water turned muddy, and a heavy mass struck. She blocked, but the giant snake hit like a tank, slamming her into the cracking wall amid falling stones. Without her demonic power shielding, she’d be pulp.

Wang Ya choked on water from the impact. Instantly, a thumb-thick rope constricted her waist, yanking her rapidly with immense force that absorbed her demonic power—familiar Yi Wood Energy.

Wang Ya knew without looking: Zhang Qingshui’s Azure Vine. The waist bind evoked traumatic memories; rage, humiliation, killing intent surged. She erupted wildly, blasting around in chaos of red light, turbid water, tumbling stones. One thought consumed her: Kill Zhang Qingshui.

Then, the murk cleared; blinding light hit her eyes. She squinted away as Old Tang yelled, “Fuck, what a huge snake!”

Old Tang drew his Tang Dao and swung at the meat tumor atop the giant snake’s head charging behind her.

The snake dodged, flinging Wang Ya aside in the process.

Midair, hurtling toward the wall, Wang Ya’s momentum halted as the Azure Vine released her waist and snaked like a nimble azure dragon toward the tumor-headed giant snake.

Wang Ya crashed to the ground, groaning “Mm” in pain. Her head throbbed, throat burned, lungs ached.

Huang Qi steadied her. “Wang Ya, you okay?”

Wang Ya refocused on the nearby Huang Qi. “I’m fine!” She squinted at Zhang Qingshui manipulating the vine against the snake, then slowly rose and strode toward her.

Huang Qi grabbed Wang Ya. “Wang Ya, don’t! We’re still teammates, right? Deal with this giant snake first, okay?”

Wang Ya turned, glaring coldly at Huang Qi—her expression savagely fierce, red eyes like a wounded lone wolf’s.

Huang Qi’s fingers trembled on Wang Ya’s arm. Shaking, she asked, “Can’t you give Qing Jie a chance to atone?”

Wang Ya said coldly, “Sure. Let her kill herself in front of me—that’s atonement.”

Zhang Qingshui, controlling the vine, glanced back. “If you want to kill me, wait till I finish this snake. Wang Ya, you’ve waited days; what’s a few more minutes?” She shouted, “Old Tang, its weak spot’s under the jaw!”