Eternal Life: Hundredfold Rewards-Chapter 47 - 46: You Cross the Border to Kill, I Loaf Around (Please Bookmark)

Chapter 47: Chapter 46: You Cross the Border to Kill, I Loaf Around (Please Bookmark)
Deep within the Black Snake Abyss, at a fork in the path.
Qi Chuan leaned against the stone wall nearby, listening to Murong Fan’s proposal, and just nodded.
He had no intention of taking the lead.
Since Murong Fan himself suggested dealing with the stronger Female Snake, Qi Chuan naturally went along, saving himself some trouble.
"Shall we proceed directly, then?" Murong Fan looked at Qi Chuan, inquiring.
"I’m fine with that." Qi Chuan nodded, saying.
"Then let’s do it!" Murong Fan whispered.
He then led the charge, heading towards the farthest left path ahead.
"Hiss..."
As he appeared without hiding, the two Black Jade Spirit Snakes, male and female, in the nest midway down the farthest left path, instantly went on alert. Their slender black necks rose high, tongues flicking, and vertical black eyes glinting with a cold sheen, locking onto Murong Fan.
Their black tails flicked with a snap, and the stones below instantly turned to dust, smoke and dust rising. Amidst the smoke, two black shadows darted at Murong Fan with incredible speed.
Seeing this, Murong Fan shouted low and drew a small cyan-black umbrella-shaped Magical Artifact from his robe. With a burst of mana, it immediately enlarged, towering above his head like a canopy, emitting circles of light that shielded him.
This cyan-black umbrella-shaped Magical Artifact had blade-like protrusions around its edges, resembling knives or swords, exuding a sharp aura.
Bam!
At this moment, a black shadow emerged from the smoke, and the snake tail smashed into the light shield of the cyan-black umbrella-shaped Magical Artifact, causing the light to flicker and seem unstable.
Since Murong Fan rushed out aiming for the Female Snake first, being closest to it, the attack came from the Female Snake.
Seeing its attack ineffective, the Female Snake’s black eyes flashed coldly, its mouth opened wide, demon power surged within, and a pitch-black breath spewed out, landing on the light shield of the cyan-black umbrella-shaped Magical Artifact, spreading strong corrosive power.
As the corrosive power spread, the light shield flickered even more intensely.
"This Female Snake’s strength vaguely exceeds a Qi Refining Fourth Layer Cultivator, almost comparable to the Qi Refining Fifth Layer!"
Witnessing this, under the cyan-black umbrella, within the glowing shield, Murong Fan’s expression slightly changed.
This cyan-black umbrella-shaped Magical Artifact was a Tier One Upper Grade Magical Artifact, quite powerful, but dealing with a demon beast comparable to a Qi Refining Fifth Layer Cultivator still carried significant risk.
Moreover, the breath emitted by the Female Snake was particularly unusual, its corrosive power stronger than usual, somewhat restraining the protective light shield around him.
"However, merely relying on this to break my Magical Artifact is impossible."
Murong Fan remained calm, urged his mana, causing the cyan-black umbrella-shaped Magical Artifact above him to spin, its blade-like edges flailing continuously, slicing towards the Female Black Jade Spirit Snake.
The latter, sensing the sharp intent, seemed somewhat fearful, retracting its head and retreating slightly to avoid the edge.
"Sigh, another very nice Upper Grade Magical Artifact."
Not far away, Qi Chuan had already charged out, surrounded by a gray shadow swirling rapidly around him, protecting him while intercepting the male Black Jade Spirit Snake ahead.
While entangled with the male Black Jade Spirit Snake, his gaze shifted towards Murong Fan and the Female Black Jade Spirit Snake engaged in Magical Combat.
That Female Black Jade Spirit Snake’s strength was evidently superior, almost approaching the level of a Qi Refining Fifth Layer Cultivator.
However, against Murong Fan at Qi Refining Fourth Layer, it still couldn’t gain an advantage for a long time.
This indicated that Murong Fan’s mana was quite profound among Qi Refining Fourth Layers and that his cyan-black umbrella-shaped Magical Artifact was also a rather formidable Upper Grade Magical Artifact.
This reminded Qi Chuan of the Golden Halo Magical Artifact he’d seen Qi Chan’Er use in the Cloud-Rising Mountain Range, which was also quite good, serving both offensive and defensive purposes.
In comparison, his Upper Grade Magical Artifact "Flying Ash" seemed somewhat mundane.
"This is the difference in background, huh..."
Qi Chuan reflected inwardly with a sense of empathy.
Qi Chan’Er in Red Maple Valley had a Preaching Elder grandfather who painstakingly prepared the Magical Artifact for her, naturally making it excellent.
And the cyan-black umbrella-shaped Magical Artifact Murong Fan wielded, possibly a gift from his elders, was similarly good.
In contrast, his Upper Grade Magical Artifact "Flying Ash" was rewarded by the Qi Family after competing for a spot in the Wind Moon Sect’s Inner Sect, obviously a bit inferior to those meticulously chosen by elders.
"Even possessing such excellent Upper Grade Magical Artifacts, Murong Fan at Qi Refining Fourth Layer faces considerable difficulty battling the Female Black Jade Spirit Snake, which is almost comparable to the Qi Refining Fifth Layer."
"Indeed, generally, one shouldn’t fight across realms."
Watching sweat appear on Murong Fan’s forehead, Qi Chuan shook his head slightly, musing to himself.
However, Murong Fan wouldn’t be defeated any time soon.
Qi Chuan then turned his attention to the male Black Jade Spirit Snake before him.
This male Black Jade Spirit Snake was much inferior to the Female Black Jade Spirit Snake on Murong Fan’s side.
It wasn’t just smaller in size.
Its strength only reached an ordinary Qi Refining Fourth Layer.
Now being at Qi Refining Fifth Layer, he dealt with it effortlessly, allowing him to watch Murong Fan’s battle.
"No need to make things look too abnormal or resolve this too quickly. Murong Fan seems like he can handle the Female Black Jade Spirit Snake alone."
"A bit of low-key effort benefits everyone."
With this in mind, Qi Chuan began entangling slowly with the male Black Jade Spirit Snake.
Meanwhile, Murong Fan on the other side fought desperately against the Female Black Jade Spirit Snake, paying it full attention and not noticing Qi Chuan’s situation.
The Magical Combat continued, and as time passed, Qi Chuan sensed it was about right and increased his mana supply slightly.
Whoosh!
The Upper Grade Magical Artifact "Flying Ash" suddenly accelerated, swiftly flying across the air and slicing through the neck of the male Black Jade Spirit Snake.
Thud!
Immediately, a line of blood appeared on the male Black Jade Spirit Snake’s neck, and its head separated from its body, falling to the ground. Blood spurted from the neck, filling the air with blood scent.
Then, Qi Chuan turned and looked towards Murong Fan, calling out, "Brother Murong, do you need my help?"
"No need, I’m almost done here."
Murong Fan replied while fighting.
He then gritted his teeth, poured more mana, and prepared to end the combat quickly.
After all, Qi Chuan had already finished on his side.
He was dealing with a Female Black Jade Spirit Snake almost comparable to a Qi Refining Fifth Layer Cultivator, yet taking too long would be embarrassing.
However, even with his intent and increased mana, it took a while before the Female Black Jade Spirit Snake fell.
Thud!
As its neck broke and the half-long Female Black Jade Spirit Snake fell lifeless to the ground, Murong Fan finally exhaled heavily, relaxing against the stone wall beside him.
Sweat soaked his forehead.
He appeared slightly weakened.
Fortunately, Qi Chuan showed no intention of approaching, merely standing and waiting for him to recover.
"However, this Brother Qi seemed to handle the male Black Jade Spirit Snake rather effortlessly?"
Watching Qi Chuan’s calm demeanor and steady breath from afar, Murong Fan subtly furrowed his brow, pondering inwardly.