The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 770: Predicament!

Predicament! . . .

Cha Eun Xiao's words sparked a glimmer of hope in Xiao Mufei's previously disheartened eyes. He patiently waited for Cha Eun Xiao to complete his thoughts, absorbing every word intently.

The conclusion was clear, and Cha Eun Xiao expressed it concisely, "We must eliminate the snake king. Our survival hinges on the snake king's defeat."

Xiao Mufei's spirits soared, his gaze directed toward the distant golden light filled with renewed determination. "Excellent!" he exclaimed, his eyes ablaze with a newfound vigor. "I'll take on this challenge myself."

Cha Eun Xiao nodded in acknowledgment of Xiao Mufei's resolve. Among those present, only Xiao Mufei possessed the requisite strength and skill to combat the formidable snake king. The others would be embarking on a perilous mission.

Erhuo, positioned by Cha Eun Xiao's feet, observed Xiao Mufei intently, curiosity in its feline eyes. It seemed to be silently inquiring, "Will he succeed in defeating the snake king?"

With a commanding shout, Xiao Mufei gathered the remaining disciples. "Maintain our defense and stay vigilant," he ordered. "The snakes will continue their assault. I will confront the snake king and return shortly."

With that declaration, he propelled himself into the sky. Even before landing, his sword was drawn. In a dazzling display, he spun like a colorful cyclone, and then a thunderous burst erupted.

The ensuing speed of his charge defied description, as if the very heavens and earth were witness to his incredible velocity. A Dao Origin Stage cultivator's combination of human and sword was indeed a marvel to behold.

In his wake, the snakes fell like blades of grass before a scythe. Over a thousand of them met their demise in his relentless wake.

Approaching the sea of silver light, he encountered the true elite: the snake king and its retinue of colossal serpents. Each snake was as thick as a barrel, and hundreds of them encircled the king. Upon witnessing Xiao Mufei's approach, they rose on their tails to attack.

Yet Xiao Mufei did not waver. He brandished his sword and unleashed thunder and lightning with a mighty roar.

The sword strikes rent the air, and seven massive snakes were torn asunder by lightning. Dozens more were sent flying in disarray, leaving a trail of devastation in his path.

He descended to solid ground, but his determination remained unwavering. Swiftly, he advanced, pointing his sword at a golden snake a few hundred meters away—the snake king itself.

The snake king's hisses grew frantic, and it beckoned its brethren. The massive silver serpents converged upon Xiao Mufei, assaulting him en masse.

One snake, distinguished by its size, spat a silvery liquid into the air. The poisonous projectile resembled an arrow in flight, aimed squarely at Xiao Mufei.

The Dao Origin Stage cultivator dodged with the agility of desperation. The venomous substance struck the ground, causing leaves to hiss and emit noxious fumes. Within seconds, the leaves decomposed, revealing a patch of silver-tinged earth, still steaming from the venom's corrosive effect.

Xiao Mufei's legs trembled with the close call. He felt a profound sense of relief, realizing that the venom's impact would have been catastrophic. His narrow escape from its deadly touch left him profoundly grateful. The venom was far more potent than that of ordinary Silver-scaled Golden-caruncle Snakes.

However, there was no time for reflection, as countless enormous snakes hemmed him in. Poisonous projectiles continued to assail him, leaving him with no choice but to remain in constant motion. He dare not even attempt to deflect the venom with his sword.

Cha Eun Xiao knew that if the poison liquid made contact with his sword, it would corrode the weapon. Losing his sword would significantly complicate the already treacherous situation. This apprehension weighed heavily on him, hampering his fighting abilities. The confrontational scenario grew increasingly dire, with the immense number of snakes forming a formidable barrier between him and the snake king, encircling the formidable serpent.

The snake king regarded Xiao Mufei with an air of indifference. Xiao Mufei was a seasoned and skilled warrior, not one to fall easily. Nonetheless, escaping the clutches of the big snakes that hemmed him in and reaching the snake king was a task that bordered on the impossible. The notion of vanquishing the snake king felt distant and elusive in the current circumstances.

As he fought valiantly, Xiao Mufei couldn't help but voice his growing frustration. "Why are these Silver-scaled Golden-caruncle Snakes so resilient?" he pondered. He knew that a single sword strike could dispatch dozens of the normal-sized snakes, and even the larger ones should pose no significant challenge. Armed with the knowledge of the snake's weak point, he initially believed that defeating the snake king would be a straightforward endeavor.

However, the reality proved far more complex than he had imagined. The snakes' proficiency in attack wasn't their most notable trait. Instead, it was their silver scales that provided exceptional protection. Despite delivering a full-strength blow, he couldn't easily dispatch them. Yet, the most vexing aspect was the snakes' uncanny ability to evade him each time he attempted to strike at their caruncles. When confronting a single snake, he might have a second chance to strike and succeed. However, he faced hundreds of them, and second chances were a luxury he couldn't afford. Although he tried repeatedly to strike, he was successful only once. The other snakes posed a constant threat, always ready to retaliate and bite him.

To inflict damage on the massive snakes, he considered employing his human-sword incorporation attack. However, to vanquish the snake mountain, he would need to execute the attack five times. Performing such a formidable technique was not a simple feat, and with his current energy levels, he could execute it at most two more times. The vastness of the snake mountain seemed insurmountable, and hope for victory grew increasingly dim.