When the Phoenix Tail Chicken Crown Snake was captured by Tang San and his companions, bound tightly by his Blue Silver Grass, its heart collapsed.
It knew for a fact that it was going to die today, no matter what.
What was even more infuriating was that these two-legged beasts in front of it were brazenly discussing who would kill it.
Damn it, didn't it have any dignity?!
"Xiao Ao, see these faint red wings? This is a thousand-year-old Phoenix Tail Chicken Crown Snake. Judging by its length, it's six to eight meters long, and its cultivation year should be between thirteen hundred and eighteen hundred years. It's just right for your third spirit ring," Tang San pointed at the tightly bound snake, his voice laced with amusement.
Oscar's eyes lit up, "Really?"
"Of course. The Phoenix Tail Chicken Crown Snake itself is not poisonous. Although its attack method is singular, only using its body to coil around enemies and suffocate them to death, the more it faces danger, the faster the Phoenix Tail Chicken Crown Snake becomes. It's a top-tier existence among snake spirit beasts," Tang San patiently explained to Oscar.
"If you obtain this spirit ring, your next spirit skill should be related to speed augmentation. Whether for yourself or to assist others, it would be the most suitable choice for you." As he spoke, Tang San's voice carried a hint of a smile, "It seems all our luck in entering the forest is on this one."
The Phoenix Tail Chicken Crown Snake, weakly flicking its tongue, thought: ...I heard you say thank you, and you've sucked away all my luck.
Listening to Tang San's explanation, Oscar's gaze towards him became even more fervent, "Xiao San, I've discovered you're practically a walking encyclopedia of spirit beasts! You're amazing!"
He praised him from the bottom of his heart.
Tang San smiled, thinking of the Master who had taught him this knowledge, the curve of his lips softened slightly, "This is all Master's credit. Sui Sui knows these things too."
Oscar chuckled, looking at the Phoenix Tail Chicken Crown Snake, which lay there like a sacrificial lamb. He rubbed his hands and was about to step towards it when Xiao Wu's somewhat pained voice rang out:
"Do we really have to hunt spirit beasts?"
Ning Rongrong also showed a flicker of melancholy on her face as she looked at the Phoenix Tail Chicken Crown Snake, which seemed resigned to its fate.
"Survival of the fittest is also the law of nature. If we were weaker than it now, it wouldn't hesitate to devour us, its prey."
Tang Sui's gaze was calm. Although her voice still carried a hint of childishness, she was enveloped in a transcendence beyond her years, as if she were an experienced individual.
Tang San couldn't help but glance at Tang Sui. Seeing his sister's seemingly vacant eyes, though fixed on the Phoenix Tail Chicken Crown Snake, his brow furrowed. Just as he was about to say something else, Zhao Wuji fumbled for a short blade at his waist and handed it to Oscar,
"To avoid any further complications, Oscar, hurry up. Stab it through the red crown on its head, and it will end its life."
Oscar nodded, raised the sharp blade, and approached the Phoenix Tail Chicken Crown Snake. Just as he was about to stab it, a spirit power attack shot out from the dense woods. The toxin carried by the spirit skill instantly withered the passing branches, turning them yellow.
"Be careful!"
Zhao Wuji's bear-like eyes widened, and in a flash, he appeared behind Oscar, blocking the trajectory of the spirit power attack. The solid muscle on his arm bulged, and a yellow protective aura erupted, forming a barrier that easily neutralized the incoming attack.
"Whoosh, whoosh—"
Two figures, one after the other, darted out from the woods and appeared in everyone's sight.
A stooped old woman, leaning on a snake-headed cane, had her white hair neatly coiled at the back of her head, adorned with a jade snake-head hairpin.
Although her appearance was aged, her complexion was remarkably rosy and healthy. She now stared at Oscar, who was about to stab the Phoenix Tail Chicken Crown Snake, with an alert and vigorous gaze. Her eyes, like those of a cold-blooded snake fixated on its prey, were sharp and carried a hint of icy chill, causing Oscar to freeze involuntarily.
"Buzz, buzz—"
Six spirit rings of different colors circled the old woman's body, floating up and down.
There was no sign of her spirit beast martial soul manifesting, only the cane she held gleamed with a faint, ethereal light. It was likely that the cane was her martial soul.
"That's my prey! You're not allowed to touch it!"
A black-haired girl, about seventeen years old, who followed the old woman, also stared intently at Oscar, who held the knife. Her inexplicable declaration made the others feel an inexplicable sense of familiar arrogance.
A peculiar expression flickered across Tang Sui's face, and she glanced at Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong, who met Tang Sui's gaze, blinked innocently.
She had changed now.
— Author's Notes —
Phoenix Tail Chicken Crown Snake: Let me thank you, two-legged beasts.