353 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

Chapter 353: The Shattered Serpent Egg! At some unknown point, the black Cloud Leopard that Ye Linglong had been holding vanished from her embrace. Yan Ke hadn't noticed its absence, as the leopard had shrunk so small that it was hardly visible while being cradled. Facing Yan Ke's query, Ye Linglong suddenly flashed a smile: "My Little Black..." She paused, leaving everyone puzzled. Then she continued, "is preparing a gift for you all!!!" No sooner had she spoken than Yan Ke was left in a stupor, unable to comprehend why Ye Linglong would offer such kindness. Suddenly, from the jungle behind, came a violent roar. The ground started trembling, and a black shadow darted out of the underbrush. It moved at such speed that no one could discern its form, only catching a fleeting glimpse. In an instant, the shadow was beside Yan Ke, appearing to clutch something in its mouth, which it flung toward her. "What is this?!" Yan Ke instinctively caught the object. It felt smooth and oval, fitting snugly in her arms, with a faint fishy scent wafting to her nostrils. "Not good! That's a beast egg!" Yan Xiu's expression changed abruptly as he reached out to hurl the egg from Yan Ke's grasp. Sadly, it was too late. A sharp strand of sword energy sliced through the air, shattering the egg in Yan Ke's hands. The shell burst, spraying egg fluid everywhere. Encircled around Yan Ke, everyone got splashed to varying degrees, with Yan Ke the worst off, her face nearly covered, sticky and reeking. "Ye Linglong, you’ll pay for this!!!" Yan Ke shouted furiously at Ye Linglong, believing her culpable for the sword energy. Observing the egg fluid on Yan Ke and the others, Shen Hansong’s complexion suddenly shifted. "Quick! Use cleansing spells to get rid of the egg fluid!!" "Ye Linglong, quite a trick you pulled!!!" he exclaimed. In response, Ye Linglong smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment." Soon, a loud rustling echoed from the thickets behind, as if something massive crawled upon the earth. Two enormous heads emerged from the foliage, revealing two fearsome serpent heads. Their purplish-gold scales shimmered under the sun, with two small lumps protruding from their crowns, appearing ready to transform into flood dragons. Their eyes, as big as bronze bells, immediately fixed on Yan Ke, sensing the presence of their offspring’s egg fluid on her. And at Yan Ke’s feet lay a tiny white snake, lifeless as it wasn't yet time to hatch. "Roar!!!" With a furious cry, an overwhelming aura spread out. The serpents’ mouths were large enough to swallow a person, and their giant fangs glowed with a ghostly green venom. Their bodies coiled slightly before launching themselves at Yan Ke. Chaos erupted, with the demonic sects and denizens overrun, unable to contend with the two serpents, desperately fleeing. "It's the black leopard who stole your eggs, not us!" Yan Ke shouted, pointing to the spot where Little Black had paused. But it was empty now. Little Black had been stowed away by Ye Linglong into a spiritual pet space, leaving the serpents to target Yan Ke and her group, unrelenting and vengeful. Feng Li, witnessing the disarray, was momentarily bewildered. "When... when did you send Little Black to steal the eggs?" Feng Mian, however, wore an approving grin. "Hahaha, so you were stalling. Ye Linglong, you wicked little thing, you're clever, but I like it." Ye Linglong replied, "Right when we found the stone platform. Yan Ke and I were born rivals. We’re in a death match. If she wants me dead, why wouldn’t I want the same? Only one of us will walk away alive." Her voice brimmed with lethal intent. She vanished in an instant, lunging at Yan Ke with her sword. Yan Ke's prowess wasn’t her own, weaker even than most at the tribulation stage. She was inept against Ye Linglong's assault. The sword energy grazed her neck, shaving a lock of hair. Without Yan Xiu tugging her aside, Yan Ke would have certainly been decapitated. Ye Linglong lamented her missed chance. Invoking the Ice Soul Physique and the heart of the Frost Phoenix, she summoned a blizzard, spreading freezing cold. Frost extended from Ye Linglong's feet, paralyzing the demon sect figures, almost freezing their blood. Without internal energy for warmth, they'd be encased in ice. Even so, their energy flow and movements slowed considerably. Ye Linglong's absolute zero couldn’t freeze them entirely, but slowing them was enough. In a single stride, she swung her sword towards Yan Ke. Staring at the approaching blade, Yan Ke’s eyes widened; she staggered backward, sensing the chilling sword energy and death's breath. Witnessing her impending demise, Yan Xiu couldn’t reach her in time. In Ye Linglong’s perception, the world fell silent. She heard her breath and heartbeat clearly; everything slowed to a crawl. Just as Yan Ke was about to fall, Feng Tianxi suddenly appeared by her side, blocking the strike. With her slash deflected, Ye Linglong sighed wistfully. Shen Mengjie and Yan Ke shared a knack for surviving grim fates. "Save me! Ye Linglong wants to kill me!" Yan Ke clung to Feng Tianxi, petrified. "Shut up!" Feng Tianxi barked. Injured himself, he had taken a hit from the serpent to save Yan Ke, a necessity for his plans—not due to any fondness for her foolishness. "Retreat!" Ye Linglong signaled, resolved to flee. Unable to kill Yan Ke, she wasn’t keen to linger; the serpents were mad, claiming several tribulation cultivators already. In dire straits, Feng Tianxi thundered, "Shen Hansong, what are you waiting for? With the heavenly path blocked, we only have one option. Remember our deal!" At his words, Ye Linglong sensed danger. "Watch out!" Feng Mian's voice echoed as Ye Linglong felt a sharp pain in her waist, sending her sprawling sideways onto the stone platform. Fortunately, her sturdy body endured, suffering only minor injuries. Fumbling to rise, she missed noticing the platform drinking her spilled blood.