When I tried to climb out of the pit, the wrist-thick black snake suddenly slithered in front of me, stopping less than a meter away. I was so scared that I couldn't move.

I locked eyes with the large black snake, its eyes gleaming with a faint green light. It hissed at me, seemingly preparing to attack.

Sweat broke out on my forehead, my body trembled, and my heart raced as the large black snake, with its head raised and mouth wide open, prepared to strike. However, Xu Yan swiftly moved to my side, wielding her copper coin sword, and struck the snake's head, instantly knocking it unconscious.

"Thank you."

I wiped the sweat off my forehead, breathed heavily, and thanked Xu Yan.

"Quickly, let's get out of here."

Xu Yan reached out her left hand to me.

As I grabbed Xu Yan's left hand with my right, it felt like grabbing onto a soft ball of cotton. The sensation was exceptionally pleasant. Holding onto Xu Yan's left hand, she pulled me up. As I supported myself with my left hand on the ground, ready to climb out of the pit, I felt someone grabbing my ankle, and pulling me down.

"Master Chen, it seems like there's a pair of hands grabbing my ankle."

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I looked at Chen Yuanshan with a terrified expression and spoke.

Chen Yuanshan, standing behind me, looked towards the tall locust tree in the center of the chaotic burial mound. The leaves of the locust tree first made a rustling sound, and then the branches rapidly grew and extended toward us.

"This old locust tree has absorbed enough Yin energy and resentment. It has cultivated into a spirit. We must leave now."

Chen Yuanshan warned both me and Xu Yan.

Chen Yuanshan walked over with large strides, took the bag hanging around my neck, and pulled out a talisman from it. He placed the talisman on the ground.

"Nine heavens, nine energies, a million heavenly soldiers, subdue the celestial demons above, inspect the netherworld below, a thousand gods bow, ten thousand demons follow the order... Urgent as if issuing a command."

After Chen Yuanshan finished reciting the incantation to the talisman, the talisman ignited with a "whoosh." A white smoke emerged from the pit I was stuck in, and I felt the hands grabbing my ankle suddenly release.

Xu Yan pulled my right hand forcefully, I pushed against the ground with my left hand, and my body climbed out of the pit.

As I crawled out of the pit, the thorny branches grown by the tall locust tree had already spread around us.

"Yan, give me the copper coin sword."

Chen Yuanshan shouted at Xu Yan.

"Here."

Xu Yan replied and threw the copper coin sword to Chen Yuanshan.

Chen Yuanshan took the copper coin sword, bit his left index finger with his teeth, and smeared a drop of blood onto the blade. The copper coin sword, now stained with Chen Yuanshan's blood, suddenly emitted a red glow.

Swinging the copper coin sword, Chen Yuanshan cut the thorny branches that reached us into pieces.

"You two quickly retreat down the mountain."

Chen Yuanshan instructed me and Xu Yan.

"Martial uncle, you..."

"Don't worry about me; I'll be fine."

Upon hearing Chen Yuanshan's words, Xu Yan nodded at him. She took the initiative to pull my arm and ran down the mountain.