The conversation with Yu Qian went smoothly. Wu Jian explained why they were there and Yu Qian confessed that someone in his mercenary company had indeed witnessed the Azure Sovereign Serpent during his trek through the surrounding wilderness. According to the report he received, a gigantic serpent had been sighted around the southeastern area of the Yuan Mountain Range. Its scales were the color of the ocean and it appeared quite large and majestic. As the young man and his mercenary company were nowhere near the creature’s match, they had avoided the beast and circumvented the area. It was a wise move since the Azure Dragon was at the Seeker Realm and the strongest one among the mercenaries, Yu Qian, was only at the Human Limit Realm
Yu Qian called in the young man who had sighted the Azure Sovereign Serpent to be their guide. He was a fresh-faced cultivator who had the look of a new recruit. It was clear from the way he showed far too much deference than was normal, practically scraping his head on the floor as he kowtowed, that he had just begun his life as a cultivator. That his cultivation was still only at the Anima Realm was further proof of how weak he was.
“This is Zhang Wei. He is my newest recruit. He’s not very strong yet, but he is an excellent scout. He can show you where the Azure Sovereign Serpent hunts.”
Zhang Wei blushed bright red at the praise he received. It was clear that he admitted Yu Qian a lot. He bowed before Wu Jian and Mei Ling.
“It would be my honor to show you the way.”
“We appreciate your assistance,” Mei Ling said. She hadn’t spoken much, having left all matters regarding conversation to Wu Jian due to his familiarity with Yu Qian. Her soft, wind-chime like voice made the younger man blush.
Most of the Yuan Peninsula was made of dense, lush rainforests with towering trees, thick undergrowth, and an abundance of hanging vines. The air was humid and much of the ground muddy. Wu Jian grimaced at the stifling heat as their guide began leading them. It felt like sweat had burst from his pores the moment he stepped outside.
“Are you sure it’s okay to come with us?” asked Wu Jian.
Yu Qian smiled as he walked by their side. “It’s fine. Luo Ren is more than capable of managing the mercenaries while I’m away. He used to be their leader before stepping down to become my adviser.”
“Sounds like there’s a story there. We can share it over drinks.”
“I’d like that.”
Wu Jian felt Mei Ling’s eyes on him as he spoke with Yu Qian. Was she curious to know more about his relationship with Yu Qian? Or did she have something else to say? He didn’t know since she didn’t speak, and thus, he put it out of his mind.
Numerous fast-flowing rivers crisscrossed the mountain range that was their destination, fed by the tropical rains. Some of those rivers had picturesque waterfalls and cascades but most did not. A glance at the mountain range revealed steep slopes, sharp cliffs, and rocky terrain. It looked like the terrain became more treacherous the higher they ascended.
Yu Qian informed Wu Jian that the Yuan Peninsula used to be known for its tropical plant nurseries and insect farming. There were a number of local insects that only were raised here. Some were edible, some were used in medicine, and some released secretions that could create fabrics. Many of those nurseries and farms were now gone, destroyed during the magical beast attacked, but they used to line the rivers and streams.
The rainforests were home to a variety of exotic plant life, including vibrant orchids, giant ferns, and colossal, ancient trees with buttress roots. Colorful luminescent fungi and mushrooms abounded within the damp undergrowth.
“The Azure Sovereign Serpent makes its home deep within the cave network beneath the mountains, but its hunting ground is located in the center of the mountain range,” Zhang Wei explained as he led them.
The mountain range’s center was where the growth was thickest. This area was home to many magical beasts. Some of them looked like tropical birds with colorful plumage. They didn’t seem harmless at first glance, but they were at the Anima Realm and a few were even at the Asura Realm. They were no longer a threat to Wu Jian, but he remembered a time when magical beasts of this strength could have killed him easily.
Wu Jian and Mei Ling killed a few of the more daring magical beasts that attacked them, but most of the ones in the area were smart enough to avoid their group.
It was not long before they reached what their guide said was the Azure Sovereign Serpent’s hunting ground. Their prey was not present yet. According to their research, this magical beast was diurnal, but it only ate every few days. It spent most of its time in its nest deep within the underground caverns.
“The question is should we stay here or head into the underground caverns to hunt it,” Wu Jian murmured. He was mostly talking to himself. “Caves provide a confined space that could limit the serpent’s ability to move freely and potentially reduce its mobility during combat. I’m not sure I like the idea of having such an advantage. But caves are also dark and the confined space might limit my own ability to dodge the Azure Sovereign Serpent’s attacks.”
“The Azure Sovereign Serpent is not known for its ranged attacks, nor does it have any attacks that cover a wide area,” Mei Ling said. “According to the text I discovered in the Heavenly Sword Sect library, what makes it so dangerous is a combination of its venom and incredible physical strength. If you’re looking to challenge yourself, fighting in the open might be more difficult. The rainforest is its natural habitat, after all. It’s well-versed in hunting here, so it must possess greater fighting capabilities in the forest.”
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
“Hmmm. True…”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Yu Qian suddenly interrupted them. “It sounds like you’re trying to make this battle harder on yourself.”
Wu Jian turned his masked face to Yu Qian. “Because I am.”
“Why would you do that?!”
“What do you mean why? It’s obvious. Strength comes to those who struggle to attain it. I can’t get stronger if I fight enemies when I hold the advantage. By putting myself at a deliberate disadvantage, I can make combat more challenging for myself and attain greater strength.”
“I… I guess that’s why you’re so strong, but it sounds crazy to me,” Yu Qian confessed, slumping his shoulders. He seemed depressed. An aura of gloom hung over him.
“Anyway, I guess we’ll stake out this area and wait for the Azure Sovereign Serpent to appear,” Wu Jian determined and no one disagreed with him.
***
Wu Jian had not done a stakeout in a while. The first thing he did was determine the location of their stakeout.
It was determined they should not be within the Azure Sovereign Serpent’s hunting ground; it had very keen senses and would detect them immediately.
This area was surrounded by mountains on all sides. Wu Jian carved out a section of a mountain where they could set up camp. He made sure their stakeout location was hidden enough that the serpent would not be able to find them.
They did not have much equipment to set up, just a pair of tents, which were located further back in a small cave that Wu Jian had created using the Dao of Space. One of the tents was for the boys; the other was for Mei Ling. Both were made of simple magical beast hide.
Because they did not know when the Azure Sovereign Serpent would appear, Wu Jian and Mei Ling took shifts to watch the forest floor. The Azure Sovereign Serpent was, according to Zhang Wei, well over one hundred chih; that would make it the largest magical beast Wu Jian had ever fought.
Nothing happened the first day. Wu Jian spent most of it meditating as he observed the surrounding forests. He caught sight of several territorial disputes between magical beasts, but that was it. Mei Ling took the second watch. However, the second day went much the same as the first.
And thus time passed…
Cultivators had enhanced physical strength thanks to their training. They could go days without food or rest. Through diligent cultivation, they could harness and refine their chi, which became a purified energy that flowed through their bodies, revitalizing and nourishing their cells more efficiently than ordinary people. This constant flow of energy could sustain them, reducing their reliance on external sources of nourishment.
Several days passed without anything happening. Wu Jian began wondering if their quarry was maybe hibernating, but then, on the seventh day, a disturbance in the distance caused him to become alert. He narrowed his vision and crouched low as he saw something slithering between the trees.
All the trees in this rainforest were massive, easily a hundred times bigger than the forest surrounding Zhan City. The fact that he could see the greenish-blue scales glittering between trunks, branches, and vines was a testament to its size. So big was it that several of the trees were pushed aside.
It can move so easily through the forest.
Wu Jian felt a thrill of excitement. This beast was able to easily glide between the trees despite its size, meaning it had a high degree of maneuverability. That would make fighting it tough. He was in for a definite challenge.
“It seems it has shown up,” Mei Ling said. He had sensed her coming up behind him but said nothing, busy as he was watching the creature pass through the forest. Yu Qian and Zhang Wei also appeared.
“Yup. I can’t wait to test my strength against it,” Wu Jian said, a grin spreading across his face that none of them could see.
“… Are you a battle junkie?” asked Mei Ling suddenly.
Wu Jian hesitated. “I don’t… think so?”
“Don’t listen to him. He is a battle junkie,” said Yu Qian.
“Rude.” Wu Jian stood up. “Anyway, I’m going in. You all can watch from here.”
Yu Qian raised an eyebrow. “Mei Ling Nǚshì won’t be fighting with you?”
There were many honorifics people could use to refer to a lady of high status. Yu Qian had taken to calling Mei Ling by the “Nǚshì” honorific, which was a general term for addressing a woman politely and respectfully. It was used to address women of various statuses, including those of high social standing.
Wu Jian shook his head. “Letting her join me would defeat the purpose of this. Our agreement was that I would fight alone in exchange for letting her retain all the parts of the beast that we harvest.”
His purpose for fighting this creature was training. Mei Ling just wanted to harvest it for parts. She did not care who killed it or how it was killed so long as she could get what she wanted.
Yu Qian shrugged and smiled helplessly. “You really haven’t changed at all, have you?”
“I think I’ve changed a little bit,” Wu Jian said. “Anyway, I’m off.”
Wu Jian quickly soared into the air, descending as he traveled straight toward the Azure Sovereign Serpent. His power over the Dao of Space still wasn’t good enough to sense exactly where it was at this distance, so he relied on his eyes. On the other hand, the magical beast seemed to know exactly where he was, for it stopped and raised its head above the trees.
The Azure Sovereign Serpent possessed a majestic and awe-inspiring visage that reflected its immense power. Its face was a symphony of vivid colors and intricate features. It had the elongated and sleek head all serpents possessed, tapering to a fine point at its snout. What made it really stand out was the regal, almost crown-like scales that rose along its brow, resembling a diadem. It was this feature that gave the magical beast its name.
Around its face were iridescent scales that shifted between shades of deep azure, emerald green, and vibrant turquoise. Each scale was tightly knit and highly resilient. Its mouth was lined with sharp, dagger-like teeth. Even a Deva Realm cultivator like him would be torn to shreds if he got caught in its mouth, though he was likely to be killed by its poison first.
“LET’S GET THIS BATTLE STARTED!!! ARE YOU READY FOR ME, SERPENT?!”
Wu Jian let out a loud whoop as he summoned Pale Moon and flew straight down. The serpent opened its mouth and hissed at the obvious challenge. It did not talk, though he assumed it could. Wu Jian grinned widely as he channeled chi through his sword, distorting the space around it.
[Toxic Spew]
The Azure Sovereign Serpent regurgitated a thick black sludge-like venom that sizzled as it met the atmosphere. It must have been highly corrosive.
[Spatial Severing]
Wu Jian swung his sword and split the toxic sludge in half, continuing his descent. He flipped around several times and extended his sword in a swing so powerful that it echoed like clapping thunder as he slammed it into the Azure Sovereign Serpent’s snout. A massive shockwave caused the trees to shake and the earth to rumble. This was the opening salvo of their battle.