Chapter 33: The blue snake
Zhou Duan approached the stone slab and carefully cleaned its surface with his hand. "You have no knowledge of spirit runes, Tang Jian. These aren't just any kind of spirit runes; they are inheritance patterns," he explained while examining the stone slab closely, sitting down next to it.
Tang Jian felt a tinge of embarrassment due to his ignorance. "Forgive my lack of knowledge, Brother Zhou. But what are inheritance patterns?" he asked, rubbing his hands in anticipation.
Zhou Duan looked at Tang Jian with a hint of pity. "You don't know something so basic? Well, I suppose it's to be expected, considering you are only three years into cultivation," he replied with a smirk.
Annoyed by Zhou Duan's condescending tone, Tang Jian responded, suppressing his anger, "My apologies, Brother Zhou, for not being as knowledgeable as you."
Zhou Duan chuckled and said, "It's fine. Let me explain about inheritance patterns to you, then."
Tang Jian moved closer to Zhou Duan, eager to hear the explanation, and sat down on the ground.
According to Zhou Duan, inheritance patterns are inscribed by Core Formation Stage or higher-ranking cultivators to pass down their legacies. These legacies can include treasure maps, techniques, or even spirit runes. It is not uncommon to come across stone slabs with inheritance patterns, as these patterns can last for tens of thousands of years. Some people even use them for gambling, although there are instances where these patterns are nothing more than pranks.
As Zhou Duan finished his explanation, a doubt arose in Tang Jian's mind. "That's all well and good, but why are we sitting here instead of searching for the eggs?"
Zhou Duan felt embarrassed as he realized he had forgotten about the beast eggs while engrossed in their conversation. "Ahem! Well, a person can better memorize information while sitting and listening to an explanation. Anyway, let's find the eggs before we run out of time. I'll hold onto this stone slab for now, and we can later figure out its significance," he said, picking up the slab.
With Tang Jian's confirmation, Zhou Duan dusted off his clothes and led the way, following the red string that guided them to a dark cave.
As exhaustion set in from their hurried pace, Tang Jian asked, "Brother Zhou, is this the place?"
Zhou Duan wiped the sweat off his forehead with a cloth, huffing for breath, and replied, "Yes, this should be the place. The string leads us here."
Both of them cautiously entered the dark cave, exercising great care. "Do you have a torch or a glowing stone, Brother..." Tang Jian began to ask a question but was interrupted by Zhou Duan.
"Don't speak so loudly, Brother Tang. You'll attract the attention of other monsters if you're too loud," Zhou Duan whispered lightly.
Tang Jian nodded in confirmation, realizing the need for silence in this perilous environment.
Moving silently with firm and strategic steps, they ventured deeper into the cave. Zhou Duan's voice whispered in Tang Jian's ear, "Brother Tang, since you're smaller than me, it's better for the person with a smaller figure to take the lead. It reduces the chance of being detected in case there are any beasts inside."
Tang Jian paused for a moment, observing Zhou Duan as if calculating something, before assuming the lead position without a word.
Thus far, they had encountered neither beasts nor traps within the cave. This was due to the female Green Viper already being dead, and the male Green Viper hunting outside during the nighttime, making it relatively safe to venture into the dark cave at this time. Or so they thought.
Moments later, Zhou Duan stepped on a slippery part of the cave floor and stumbled, letting out a loud noise.
"Ouch! That hurts," Zhou Duan exclaimed as he quickly got up, inspecting his hands. Frustration welled up within him as he examined a bruised patch on his elbow. In a fit of rage, he struck the wall of the cave, creating an even louder sound.
Tang Jian, watching Zhou Duan's immature behavior, felt anger boil within him. "Are you retarded, Zhou Duan? Why are you hitting the wall? Do you want to attract the beasts?" he scolded in a hushed tone.
Zhou Duan snapped out of his frustration upon hearing Tang Jian's scolding. He stood up, feeling embarrassed, and offered an apology. "Ahem! Forgive my unsightly behavior, Brother Tang."
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Tang Jian calmed himself down after receiving the apology and took a deep breath. "It's alright, Brother Zhou. Mistakes happen, especially when...," he began to speak but was interrupted by a sudden gust of chilling wind that swept through the cave.
After the gust of wind subsided, Tang Jian heard the faint sound of slithering, like that of a snake approaching. He fixed his gaze on the direction from which the gust had originated, utilizing his Eagle Eyes Technique.
While the Eagle Eyes Technique didn't grant him night vision, it allowed him to detect subtle changes in his surroundings.
Controlling his breathing to make the least amount of sound, Tang Jian remained still. Zhou Duan, on the other hand, took a slight step back, reacting to an unknown sensation.
Tang Jian glanced at Zhou Duan with a sidelong glance, about to shift his attention back to the front, when he noticed a blurred blue figure lunging toward him. Reacting swiftly, he dodged the attack just in time, feeling a graze on his right hand.
"Shit! What is this anaconda-like bastard?" Tang Jian exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and surprise. The unexpected encounter with such a formidable adversary caught him off guard, but he refused to back down.
In the chaos of the moment, Tang Jian noticed a sudden movement out of the corner of his eye. He glanced at Zhou Duan, only to realize that his companion had already fled, leaving him behind to face the snake alone.
A mix of anger and betrayal welled up inside Tang Jian. "Zhou Duan, you coward!" he shouted, his voice filled with frustration and disappointment. But there was no response except for the echoing silence of the cave.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Tang Jian pushed aside his anger and focused on the task at hand. He knew he couldn't dwell on Zhou Duan's actions now. Survival was paramount.
"Damn snake! Tonight, I'll turn you into snake soup," Tang Jian exclaimed, feeling both dejection and determination.
Carefully, he nocked a silver feathered arrow to his bow, feeling the smoothness of its surface beneath his fingertips. Despite his trembling hands, he aimed at the formidable blue snake, which remained coiled, ready to strike. The close quarters of the cave posed a significant disadvantage, limiting his range of movement.
Drawing upon the Eagle Eyes Technique, Tang Jian focused his concentration, sharpening his vision to pinpoint accuracy. The world around him seemed to slow as he prepared for his shot.
With newfound resolve, he released the arrow, propelling it through the air with astonishing speed and precision, aimed straight at the head of the blue snake.
Time seemed to slow down as the arrow's trajectory appeared destined for a fatal blow. Yet, with a display of agility, the blue snake swiftly dodged the projectile, narrowly escaping its deadly path. Tang Jian's heart sank as victory slipped through his fingers.
Before he could react, the snake lunged at him, its movements quick as lightning. It sank its fangs into his already bruised right hand, sending waves of excruciating pain coursing through his body. The frosty miasma emitted by the snake enveloped him, chilling him to the core.
Determined to free himself from the venomous grip, Tang Jian fought against the searing pain. With a desperate effort, he reached for a small dagger concealed on his back, his fingers trembling from the pain and adrenaline. Ripping off its cover, he swiftly drove the blade into the snake's body, piercing its flesh.
A hiss of agony escaped the snake's mouth as Tang Jian's dagger found its mark. The snake's grip on his hand weakened, allowing him to wrench it free. Blood mixed with the icy miasma, painting a gruesome picture in the dimly lit cave.
Gasping for breath, Tang Jian refused to succumb to the pain coursing through his body. Drawing upon his inner reservoirs of strength, he pushed himself upright, determined to confront the wounded snake. The creature's once icy blue eyes now glowed with a murderous fervor, its intent clear.
With a sudden thrash of its tail, the snake lashed out at Tang Jian, the movement swift and deadly. Reacting with lightning reflexes, Tang Jian narrowly evaded the lethal whip-like strike, his body contorting to evade the onslaught. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline fueling his every move.
Seizing the moment, Tang Jian capitalized on the snake's vulnerability. As it recoiled from the missed attack, he seized the opportunity to strike back. Gripping his dagger firmly, he lunged forward, driving the blade with precision and force into the snake's head.
The snake let out a final hiss, its red eyes fading into lifelessness. With the dagger embedded in its skull, the creature slumped to the ground, defeated. Tang Jian stood victorious, though battered and bruised, a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination.
Exhausted and gasping for breath, Tang Jian found himself sprawled on the ground. Despite his weariness, he fought against the encroaching darkness, refusing to succumb to unconsciousness. Gritting his teeth, he mustered the strength to assess the condition of his right hand, which had suffered from the snake's venomous bite.
A wave of numbness washed over Tang Jian as he examined his hand. The skin had turned hard and black, a clear sign of frostbite caused by the snake's venom. Despite the pain and discomfort, a chuckle escaped his lips, mixed with a sense of relief. "Well, it seems it won't be fatal, at least," he muttered, a victorious expression illuminating his face.
Summoning his remaining courage, Tang Jian pushed himself up from the ground, using the nearby walls for support. His body ached, protesting every movement, but he was determined to press on. With sheer determination, he retrieved the lifeless body of the blue snake, cradling it in his arms.
A mixture of revulsion and practicality played across his features as he realized the value of the snake's body. "This damned snake's body is still precious. I can't leave it behind," he murmured, his face contorting in disgust. Gathering his resolve, Tang Jian mustered his remaining strength and made his way deeper into the cave.
As he ventured into the depths, the atmosphere transformed. Glowing blue crystals adorned the walls, casting an ethereal light, while an intriguing sight greeted him at the cave's heart—a large egg surrounded by a peculiar plant.
Intrigued and cautious, Tang Jian approached the scene, his eyes fixated on the mysterious egg. The plant emanated an otherworldly aura, enticing yet unnerving. While weariness threatened to overcome him, his curiosity pushed him forward.