The sound of wind breaking accompanied Yan Jiaojiao's voice, a chilling hiss that charged directly at Jiang Yiling's head. Jiang Yiling reacted with lightning speed, dodging the attack. However, his speed was no match for the unseen entity lurking in the shadows. Just as Jiang Yiling felt his ear was about to be bitten off, Yan Jiaojiao flashed before him and snatched.
"Hiss, hiss, hiss—"
The sound of a snake's tongue flicking echoed by Jiang Yiling's ear. Jiang Yiling glanced over and saw a giant snake, as thick as an adult's arm, held by its seven-inch point by Yan Jiaojiao. The snake thrashed its massive, long body, trying to break free from Yan Jiaojiao's grip.
Yan Jiaojiao snorted, applying more force with her fingers. The sound of cracking bones echoed in Jiang Yiling and Xu Changzong's ears. The snake instantly went limp, hanging like a rope in Yan Jiaojiao's hand.
Jiang Yiling was stunned by Yan Jiaojiao's actions. "So, so powerful."
Yan Jiaojiao glared at him. "Powerful? Look at your feet!"
Heeding her words, Jiang Yiling and Xu Changzong quickly looked down. They saw the sandy ground beneath them rippling like water, indicating something was burrowing and wriggling beneath. Combining this with the human-like snake in Yan Jiaojiao's hand, they understood immediately. The Spirit Beast Compendium had never mentioned these human-like snakes living in packs!
"What do we do?"
Jiang Yiling felt he had been too careless. Since they had already suspected the area was unsafe and might be a trap set by spirit beasts, they should have turned back immediately. They shouldn't have come. Now they were trapped in danger, with no easy way out.
"What else can we do? Break through!" Yan Jiaojiao was a prime example of "if you disagree, fight." Since these human-like snakes had already surrounded them, even if they could fly, they wouldn't be able to outrun them.
"Is there anything human-like snakes are afraid of?"
"Herbs, perhaps. See if we have any."
These normal countermeasures were still applicable in the Ghostly Secret Realm. It was just that one couldn't cheat by using their own supplies to exchange for points.
"No..." Xu Changzong, who was responsible for preparing such items, had an excellent memory and clearly recalled nothing that snakes disliked.
Yan Jiaojiao remarked, "Who would specifically prepare such things? The spirit beasts here are all strange and their weaknesses aren't obvious."
Jiang Yiling then realized he had been a bit too idealistic. Spirit beasts, though animals, were different from ordinary ones. It was said that spirit beasts were more numerous than animals, but animals actually included spirit beasts. For example, the Desert Ten-Thousand-Speed Snake, an already fearsome creature, could become a spirit beast by being nourished by the spiritual energy of medicinal herbs. Encountering one meant you were practically stripped bare. Especially since these Desert Ten-Thousand-Speed Snakes were incredibly fast, beyond the capture of the naked eye.
"Then what do we do?"
Jiang Yiling was genuinely starting to panic. He had never felt this flustered when encountering other spirit beasts. After all, he knew spirit beasts could be subdued. But these Desert Ten-Thousand-Speed Snakes were a different matter. What if they were a pack of mindless snakes that only knew how to attack humans!
"Don't worry, let's find the Dragon's Tongue Grass first." Yan Jiaojiao's expression remained calm. Although her reaction earlier had been a bit intense, as long as the Desert Ten-Thousand-Speed Snakes were animals, she wasn't afraid of her innate pressure being ineffective. However, what was more important was that this type of snake was incredibly venomous, as evidenced by their hunting method. They were definitely not good creatures. Even if Yan Jiaojiao could directly suppress these Desert Ten-Thousand-Speed Snakes, if they realized they were here for the Dragon's Tongue Grass, these snakes might destroy it. Having come this far, they absolutely couldn't fail now.
"I understand."
Xu Changzong had a more thorough understanding of these things. After a brief explanation to Jiang Yiling, they entrusted their backs entirely to Yan Jiaojiao and began searching for the Dragon's Tongue Grass. The desert wasn't a place where things could be easily hidden. A quick search revealed traces of vegetation, and they soon found the Dragon's Tongue Grass.
"The Dragon's Tongue Grass is here! There's also something wriggling in the sand here. Judging by its size, it seems to be the largest among these Desert Ten-Thousand-Speed Snakes. They'll likely guard it fiercely, preventing us from picking it."
Yan Jiaojiao casually conjured a spiritual energy ball, directly blasting out a Desert Ten-Thousand-Speed Snake hidden beneath the sand.
"Hiss, hiss, hiss—"
This time, the snakes stopped speaking human language. Their hisses were sharp and piercing, making one's head buzz as if polluted by noise.
"Cover your ears!"
These little brutes had been wreaking havoc here for too long. Even sensing the pressure radiating from Yan Jiaojiao, they showed no fear and seemed ready to confront her head-on. Yan Jiaojiao snorted. The last spirit beast that dared to confront her directly had been subdued. This time, to conceal her innate pressure, Yan Jiaojiao unleashed a barrage of spiritual energy balls. One after another, the balls, accompanied by an overwhelming pressure like a collapsing mountain, descended upon the snakes. The snake pack had been the kings of the desert for too long, and they always thought humans were easy to fool. If they learned a few phrases, food would automatically come to them. Although they feared the aura emanating from Yan Jiaojiao, their arrogance and overconfidence filled their small minds. They reared up their bodies, appearing ready to attack Yan Jiaojiao. Yan Jiaojiao went all out, hurling fire-elemental balls at the snakes. The snakes' reflexes weren't bad; they twisted their flexible bodies to evade. However, they were quickly pinned in place by Yan Jiaojiao's pressure. That tremor from the depths of their souls rendered them incapable of thought. Who was this human before them? Why did they involuntarily feel the urge to submit?
"Hiss, hiss, hiss—"
The snake pack flattened themselves onto the sand, burying their heads, as if ashamed to be seen. Jiang Yiling and Xu Changzong stared at this scene, dumbfounded. The two massive snakes from beneath the sand also emerged. Compared to the one Yan Jiaojiao had instantly killed earlier, these two were more like colossal pythons. Their bodies were as thick as barrels, and their flicking tongues were long and disgusting, exuding a chilling aura. Jiang Yiling and Xu Changzong felt a pang of fear, but fortunately, Yan Jiaojiao, with her keen observation, sensed the appearance of the two giant snakes and unleashed several more spiritual energy balls. With a comprehensive suppression of both spiritual energy and souls, these Desert Ten-Thousand-Speed Snakes could no longer stir up any trouble. Yan Jiaojiao gave Xu Changzong a look. While the snake pack was busy burying their heads, they quickly went and picked the Dragon's Tongue Grass. The snake pack, realizing their guarded treasure was gone, quickly raised their heads, but it was too late. Yan Jiaojiao's suppression had rendered them incapable of making any waves.