"A snake head the size of a car—Shui Jue, based on that, how long do you think this snake is?" Su Li's face lit up with excitement.
Jiang Shui Jue said, "Hard to imagine. At the very least, no such snake existed on Earth before, not even the extinct Titanoboa was this big. Titanoboa could reach twelve to fifteen meters in length and weigh about a ton, but even then, its head width barely hit one meter. If Xue Hui isn't mistaken and there really is a giant snake hiding below with a head as big as a car, that means its head width could be over two meters—several times larger than a Titanoboa. It's almost unimaginable that such a terrifying creature exists."
Su Li pondered, "Now that the city's flooded by this mysterious water and we have these unexplained Spirit Sources that let us evolve, if there really is a snake of unimaginable size hiding here, it's not that hard to accept. Remember that Water Qilin I mentioned before? That's practically a mythical sacred beast, able to walk on waves—compared to it, this big snake is less unbelievable."
Jiang Shui Jue thought for a moment and said, "If there really is such a big snake down there, it must be incredibly dangerous. But how do we safely lure it out and make it attack the 'City of the Forgotten'?"
She couldn't think of any method that wasn't too risky.
Su Li said, "Yeah, if we go into the water to disturb it, it's way too dangerous. We don't know how strong it is. If it's too powerful, it might swallow us in one bite, let alone lure it three kilometers to the 'City of the Forgotten.'"
Su Li paused, then smiled. "So whether this works or not, it all depends on Xue Hui."
"Xue Hui?" Jiang Shui Jue looked at Xu Xue Hui, confused.
Xu Xue Hui's eyes were indeed sharp, but her main use was just to see if there were any terrifying monsters deep underwater. Even then, her ability had limits—many waters were pitch black, and she couldn't see through them.
That's why Su Li didn't fully rely on her eyes; otherwise, he'd take her hunting to check which waters were safe and which were dangerous.
Like last time when they hunted the sea cow beast—she hadn't spotted the hidden Lion Scorpion Ember Beast and Purple-Striped Mutant deep below.
Su Li patted the Crocodile-Toothed Turtle and said, "Move closer to the 'City of the Forgotten.'" Then he looked at Xu Xue Hui. "Kid, take out the bow I gave you."
Xu Xue Hui didn't know what he was planning, but she obediently pulled out the Green Shadow Bow.
"Kid, this Green Shadow Bow has a special skill called Green Shadow Divine Arrow. I've sensed it before—it's incredibly powerful, with long range and amazing penetration. Do you think you can hit that big snake you saw from the water's surface with this arrow?"
At this, both women froze.
Jiang Shui Jue exclaimed, "You mean for Xue Hui to shoot that snake underwater with this arrow to lure it out?"
Su Li nodded. "It's the safest way. Once we disturb the snake, I'll have the Crocodile-Toothed Turtle race toward the 'City of the Forgotten' at full speed, combined with your 'Mist Maze,' to lead it there. I can't guarantee success, but we have to try. That 'City of the Forgotten' is too big a threat to us."
Hearing Su Li's explanation, Jiang Shui Jue hummed in agreement. Compared to risking themselves to get close to the underwater snake, shooting it from a distance with the Green Shadow Divine Arrow was indeed much safer.
"Wait, what if the Green Shadow Divine Arrow is too strong and kills the snake in one shot?" Jiang Shui Jue suddenly thought of a problem.
Su Li laughed. "If it dies in one shot, then congratulations to Xue Hui for getting a Spirit Source. Maybe it's a rare snake, and she'll even get a Spirit Source item."
Xu Xue Hui chimed in, "If it can be killed by one arrow, it's not strong. Useless."
Jiang Shui Jue realized as soon as she asked that if the snake was killed by one shot, it wasn't the target they needed.
Su Li said, "Xue Hui, tell me—at what distance can you absolutely guarantee a hit? We can't see the snake underwater, but you should be able to."
Xu Xue Hui hummed, estimating the distance, and Su Li had the Crocodile-Toothed Turtle swim according to her directions.
Under her guidance, the turtle reached the spot she pointed to, and she gestured downward. "It's right below."
Su Li's heart tightened. He understood that directly beneath them lurked a super-massive snake. Its true form and strength were unknown; all they knew was its head was as big as a car, with horns.
Considering water resistance, to ensure absolute accuracy, Xu Xue Hui decided to shoot straight down from the surface—the closest point to the snake, but also the most dangerous.
"Crocodile-Toothed Turtle, as soon as I slap your back, swim like crazy toward the 'City of the Forgotten' at top speed, got it? Shui Jue, watch below. If something goes wrong, use 'Mist Maze' immediately. If that doesn't work, activate the Spirit Source power in your weapon."
"Okay." Jiang Shui Jue nodded nervously, feeling the tension. Now she understood why Su Li had specifically helped Xu Xue Hui level up to 8 last night. Everyone thought he was just favoring her, but now she realized he had planned all this—he wanted her stronger to increase the mission's success rate.
Jiang Shui Jue pulled out her Thunderclap Gloves, and Su Li drew his twin swords from his chest, revealing all his Spirit Source gear. He didn't dare underestimate this unknown snake. If the turtle couldn't escape or the 'Mist Maze' failed, he wouldn't hesitate to use sword skills to ensure their safe retreat.
Everything ready, Xu Xue Hui slowly drew the Green Shadow Bow. The bowstring began to glow emerald, forming a thick, radiant arrow as long as a zhang (about 3.3 meters) and as thick as an arm, with terrifying power gathering into it.
Her small face was solemn. Jiang Shui Jue had never seen her so serious.
Still riding the turtle, Xu Xue Hui lowered the zhang-long Green Shadow Divine Arrow, her dark eyes gleaming as she stared at the water below. Finally, the emerald arrow dipped into the water.
Suddenly, she took a deep breath and let out a soft shout. With a whoosh, a deep whirlpool formed on the surface as the zhang-long arrow shot in, trailing emerald light as it vanished into the depths.
The Green Shadow Divine Arrow was fired.
Almost simultaneously, Su Li slapped the Crocodile-Toothed Turtle.
The turtle paddled with all its might, charging toward the 'City of the Forgotten' three kilometers away.
It was intelligent enough to sense the danger—if it didn't flee fast, it was in trouble too.
In an instant, the turtle shot ten meters ahead. From deep below, a muffled rumble came, followed by a thunderous explosion on the surface behind them, as if the water had boiled.
The sheer force was terrifying. Su Li and Jiang Shui Jue paled.
They had guessed the snake was strong, but they hadn't expected such a massive reaction from Xu Xue Hui's arrow.
As the water violently churned and boiled, a faint, piercing screech rose from the depths.
The turtle fled desperately with the three aboard.
After it covered fifty meters, a towering wave dozens of meters high erupted behind them. A giant snake burst from the water, its massive jaws wide open, letting out an enraged hiss.
The Green Shadow Divine Arrow had struck it from dozens of meters away while it slept in the depths. Blood dripped from its head—it was injured.
Caught off guard, the arrow had punched a bloody hole in its skull. Though not a serious wound, it enraged the snake completely. It surged out of the water, spotted the trio and turtle fifty meters away, and roared with fury.
As it roared, the water seemed to boil. Suddenly, countless dark shadows emerged—a swarm of snakes of all sizes swimming out.
The entire nest below had been stirred.
Su Li and Jiang Shui Jue were drenched in cold sweat. Xu Xue Hui, after firing the arrow, seemed drained, sitting between them, breathing lightly. Her small face showed no fear—only excitement and thrill, especially at the sight of the giant snake breaking the surface.
Seeing the snake firsthand, Su Li and Jiang Shui Jue believed Xu Xue Hui. Its head was indeed as big as a small car. Though its body wasn't fully exposed, the head alone extended seven or eight meters above water, suggesting the snake was at least thirty meters long.
It was a snake of unprecedented size.
Completely black, with a pair of antlers like a deer or dragon, its vertical pupils gleamed with eerie, terrifying light. Forked tongue dripping black liquid from its massive jaws sizzled and smoked when it hit the water.
Around its head was a fleshy frill of tough muscle and cartilage, which could expand like a peacock's tail or contract to protect its head.
Su Li activated his "Peek Rune" to examine the snake's data.
"Name: Pseudo-Dragon. A legendary evil dragon, actually a rare beast evolved from the King of Black Snakes. It grows dragon horns and claims to be a dragon, but it's just a pseudo-dragon. Further data unavailable due to insufficient level."
"Even if it's a fake dragon, it thinks it's a real one—that says a lot about its strength."
Su Li felt a chill as he processed the info.
With the Pseudo-Dragon's roar, countless snakes swarmed from below. The turtle fled for its life.
Before it had covered a hundred meters, snakes appeared in the waters ahead.
Su Li knew they were in trouble. If the snakes caught them, the Pseudo-Dragon would finish them off.
"Mist Maze!" Su Li shouted.
Jiang Shui Jue didn't hesitate, unleashing "Mist Maze."
At level 8, her "Mist Maze" had a second form, vastly more powerful. In an instant, thick fog rolled out, covering everything within a hundred meters.
The Pseudo-Dragon charged in, roaring. It was fast, but the sudden fog blinded it. It plunged in, unable to see, and let out furious hisses as it tried to break free, but the fog seemed to solidify, trapping it.
Even as strong as it was, it couldn't escape.
The area was shrouded in the "Mist Maze," and the turtle used the chance to flee.
The commotion three kilometers away quickly caught the attention of the "City of the Forgotten."
Lookouts relayed the news. In the building's corridors and windows, Forgotten people curiously watched the distant water.
They didn't know what was happening yet, only hearing the terrifying hisses—a powerful monster had surfaced.
The second-form "Mist Maze" lasted longer. When it finally dissipated, the turtle had carried them five to six hundred meters away.
Freed, the Pseudo-Dragon angrily raised its tail, tipped with a massive fleshy hammer, and slammed the water.
With a thunderous crash, waves dozens of meters high erupted, splitting the surface into a deep trench. Using the tail hammer's force, it launched itself into the air, its massive body fully revealed.
Su Li looked back at the Pseudo-Dragon, almost flying, and estimated its length from head to tail at between thirty and forty meters.
It leaped dozens of meters, then crashed back into the water with a huge splash.
The Pseudo-Dragon wasn't a true dragon—it couldn't defy reality and truly fly.
Besides the Pseudo-Dragon, countless snakes of all sizes appeared on the surface, mostly black. Su Li had used "Peek Rune" on them earlier, knowing the weakest, three-to-four-meter ones, were level 8 Black Snake Beasts without horns. The five-to-six-meter ones were level 9 Horned Black Snakes, with a small horn. There were also stronger level 9 elite Horned King Snakes, seven to eight meters long.
The swarm chased the turtle, but they weren't faster. Thanks to the "Mist Maze," the gap was five to six hundred meters and growing.
The Pseudo-Dragon kept leaping, covering dozens of meters per jump, quickly outpacing the swarm. It was faster than the turtle.
As it closed in, the distance shrank from five to six hundred meters to under three hundred. Meanwhile, the distant "City of the Forgotten" grew nearer.
When the turtle reached within a kilometer of the city, the Pseudo-Dragon was less than a hundred meters away.
Su Li knew the last kilometer would be the hardest.
In the "City of the Forgotten," many noticed the trio and turtle, but most focused on the giant snake behind, looking shocked.
"It's him again!" a Forgotten suddenly shouted, his face twisted with anger.
He recognized Su Li.
Yesterday, Su Li, Gong Xiao, and Jiang Shui Jue had approached the city underwater, been discovered, and fled. A Spirit Swordsman and a Holy Archer had led a group of Forgotten in pursuit, including this man. He remembered Su Li.
After killing the Spirit Swordsman and Holy Archer, Su Li had escaped. When the Forgotten group arrived, they found only the bodies.
Unable to pursue, they brought the corpses back to the city.
This caused a huge uproar.
The slain Spirit Swordsman and Holy Archer held high status in the city, among the top fighters. Only the few leaders outranked them. Now, they'd been killed by despised Old Humans.
Revenge was inevitable.
Since night had fallen, they postponed action, deciding to send eight teams in eight directions today to find Su Li and his group. Once located, they'd concentrate forces for bloody retaliation.
Now, all eight teams were gathered on a floating island behind the city. Each had thirty elite Forgotten and a leader. They'd just been assigned when distant water noises drew their attention.
They saw the giant snake, dozens of meters long, approaching.
Though surprised, they weren't alarmed—even a bit excited.