Lin Xuan watched cautiously from behind the thick foliage as the serpent lay coiled, its scales glinting ominously in the fading sunlight. He recalled the hours spent preparing this battlefield—hidden pitfalls lined with sharpened stones, precarious rock formations ready to collapse, and snares hidden in the underbrush. Every trap had been placed with meticulous care. This was his battleground.
Before he could consider retreat, the system's sudden voice jolted him into sharp awareness:
[Urgent Quest Activated: "Spirit Vein Thief!"]
The serpent is absorbing the spirit vein's Qi, weakening your future sect's foundation.
Objective: Defeat the serpent immediately.
Reward: 1000 Sect Points.
Failure Penalty: Permanent damage to the Spirit Vein.
Lin Xuan's breath quickened. "Of course it's urgent now," he muttered irritably. But retreat was never an option—not with the spirit vein's future at stake.
With his Cloudwalking Sandals, he launched a stone lightly infused with earth Qi at the serpent's flank. The massive creature stirred, hissing violently before surging toward him, its enormous body plowing through the undergrowth like a tidal wave of scales and muscle.
Lin Xuan turned and ran, guiding the beast along the path he had laid out earlier. As it passed a thicket, one of the vine snares activated, coiling around its lower coils and tugging it briefly off balance. The serpent hissed and twisted violently, snapping the vines—but not before it slowed just enough to enter the canyon mouth exactly as Lin Xuan had planned.
The serpent's massive form blocked the narrow gorge, and as it prepared to strike, Lin Xuan triggered the first talisman. A pulse of light consumed the beast's venomous attack, buying Lin Xuan a few crucial moments. He responded with a blast of Qi into the canyon wall.
With a rumble, the trap was sprung. Heavy boulders and sharpened debris tumbled from above, crashing onto the serpent. Several stones struck with enough force to pierce its scales, pinning part of its sinuous body under tons of weight. The creature screeched, coiling in pain as blood seeped from its wounds. As they neared the prepared canyon, Lin Xuan's plan hinged precariously on perfect timing.
He activated one charge of his Three-Seal Talisman precisely when the serpent released a devastating strike of venomous Qi. The attack vanished harmlessly, leaving the serpent momentarily stunned. Seizing the opportunity, Lin Xuan unleashed a focused wave of earthen Qi toward the cliffside.
The ground rumbled violently as rocks cascaded downward. Massive stones slammed onto the serpent's muscular form, pinning parts of its massive body beneath their crushing weight. The beast roared furiously, writhing and hissing as scales shattered, exposing tender flesh beneath. Lin Xuan exhaled sharply, relieved but aware that victory was far from assured.
Now partially immobilized, the serpent swung its tail desperately. Lin Xuan leaped backward, narrowly evading the strike, only to feel the gust from its near miss slicing painfully across his chest, breaking ribs and sending him sprawling onto the rocky ground. Pain radiated through him, sharpening his senses with the dire urgency of survival.
Gritting his teeth, Lin Xuan forced himself up, knowing his Qi was rapidly dwindling. Drawing deeply upon his physique, he summoned brief bursts of wind and lightning Qi, sending focused bolts at the serpent from a safer distance. Each attack gouged deep, cauterized wounds into the serpent's flesh, yet each strike drained him considerably.
With his vision beginning to blur from exhaustion, Lin Xuan narrowly dodged another venomous strike—this time activating the last charge of the Three-Seal Talisman at the final second. The serpent's venomous Qi dissolved mere inches from his face, leaving Lin Xuan breathless.
Determined and desperate, Lin Xuan rallied his remaining Qi. Knowing he had only one chance left, he focused deeply, visualizing the convergence of elements—earth for power, lightning for piercing sharpness, and wind for speed. His sword thrummed intensely with gathered energy, becoming a conduit of pure elemental force.
With a final burst of strength, he lunged forward, propelled by the Cloudwalking Sandals. The serpent's fangs descended, and Lin Xuan met them head-on, thrusting his blade deep into its open maw. Elemental energies exploded violently inside the beast, erupting outward in a burst of blinding light and raw power.
When the light faded, the serpent lay motionless, its mighty form collapsed upon the fractured earth. Lin Xuan staggered backward, sword falling limply from his trembling grip. His chest burned from exertion, his breaths ragged and labored.
He dropped to his knees, barely conscious, as the system chimed once more:
[Quest Completed! Reward: 1000 Sect Points credited.]
Relief washed over him, mingling with the overwhelming fatigue. "Next time," he whispered to himself, "I'm definitely buying those pills."
After a short rest, he rose shakily to his feet, limping toward the cave entrance. The closer he drew, the more he could feel the potent spiritual energy emanating from within. He knew the hidden spirit vein lay just beyond, waiting patiently to become the cornerstone of his reborn sect.
His thoughts briefly returned to Mu Yeling, and more importantly, to the disciples he had yet to recruit—the future of the sect. This battle, this hardship—he endured it not for himself, but to lay the foundation of a haven where none of his disciples would need to risk their lives as he had today. He was battered, bruised, and utterly drained, yet victorious—and this was only the beginning.
Gathering his strength and determination, Lin Xuan stepped forward into the cave, prepared for whatever lay ahead.
[System Notice: This is why you were chosen. To build a foundation strong enough to shelter others. Just like you once built a company from nothing—you understand what it takes to rise and protect what you build.]
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