Chapter 50: Jade Snake Orchid
As soon as they approached this area, Ye Fan and Pang Bo were startled. Hundreds of venomous dragons as thick as water buckets were hissing, spewing toxic mist that had corroded a large stretch of the forest beyond recognition. Deep within the dense woods, low, guttural roars echoed continuously, and countless large beasts prowled restlessly among the trees.
For some unknown reason, they weren't attacking each other. All were extremely agitated, gathering in this area in ever-increasing numbers, surging like a tidal wave from the inside out. Most of the ferocious beasts couldn't even be named.
In the sky above, a massive flock of fierce birds gathered, circling low in an unending loop. Each creature was several meters in size, forming a dark, oppressive mass that blotted out the sun.
"What's happening?"
Ye Fan and Pang Bo were both astonished. What they saw before them was truly shocking—a sea of savage beasts and endless fierce birds had converged on this region, all restless and uneasy, surging like a wild tide.
After observing for a while, Ye Fan said, "I think they've all retreated from the depths of the ruins."
"Could it be because the Lightning Bird and the Scaled Ape King were fighting, scaring all the other beasts and birds out?"
"Hard to say. Even if beast kings were battling, it shouldn't drive out this many strange beasts and spiritual birds."
"How do we get past? So many fierce birds and ferocious beasts, packed together like a flood, completely blocking the way."
"Let's find a way around. This is definitely an opportunity. I think there must be a vacuum zone inside. Maybe a super beast king is fighting in the deepest part, or some other incident has pushed most of the fierce birds and beasts to the edges."
The two circled for over ten li, found a sheer cliff, climbed up using the vines, then crossed several more cliffs and cliffsides before finally descending along old vines. They successfully reached the depths of the dense forest, bypassing the tide of ferocious beasts and birds.
"It's so quiet in here!"
In this area, ancient trees towered to the sky, old vines twisted around, and the greenery was lush, but it was utterly silent. It seemed all living creatures had fled—a deathly stillness, not a single sound.
"What happened in the depths of the ruins? Even a beast king's fight wouldn't cause this. I think there's another reason! Otherwise, how could all the fierce birds and beasts have fled?" Ye Fan and Pang Bo were uncertain, but they eventually pressed forward. Soon, they had advanced over ten li. The ancient trees grew even more robust, presenting a completely primeval landscape.
"Hiss, hiss..." Among a stretch of rocky forest, a hissing sound came, like a snake spitting its forked tongue. Five-colored mist gathered there, and a foul, fishy odor drifted over.
"A giant snake!" Pang Bo exclaimed softly.
In that rocky forest, a snake as thick as a water vat coiled among the rubble, constantly spewing five-colored venomous mist. It was extremely agitated.
"That's no ordinary snake. It has a jade horn on its head!"
The snake, thick as a water vat, had scales the size of palms, colorful and vivid, glittering in the sunlight. The most peculiar feature was the jade horn on its head, from which light flowed down like colorful threads, bright and sparkling, merging into its skull.
"This horned snake has already become a spirit. It knows how to absorb the essence of the sun and moon. If claws grow under its belly, it would be a legendary flood dragon."
The two felt a chill. Not all ferocious beasts had retreated; some powerful ones remained. But this giant snake was also agitated, as if wanting to leave but hesitating.
Suddenly, a faint, muffled sound came from deep within the ruins, like a giant drum being struck, traveling across a great distance.
When Ye Fan and Pang Bo heard this muffled sound, for some reason, their hearts felt uneasy. At that moment, the jade-horned snake trembled involuntarily a few times, then swiftly slithered into the depths of the rocky forest.
"Snake cave!"
The rocky forest was its lair. It rushed anxiously into a huge, dark hole and refused to come out again. The five-colored venomous mist dissipated, and the foul smell drifted away, allowing everything in the rocky forest to be seen clearly.
"This should be the jade-horned snake that the Dharma-Transmitting Elder mentioned!" At first, the two didn't make the connection, but after the venomous mist cleared and they saw the dark snake cave deep in the rocky forest, they recalled something.
"I remember the Dharma-Transmitting Elder said that this kind of jade-horned snake evolves after an old snake absorbs the essence of the sun and moon for over a hundred years. In its habitat grows a rare spiritual herb called 'Jade Snake Orchid'..."
Both had some impression, but their memories were not very clear. Besides teaching mystical arts, the Dharma-Transmitting Elder had also imparted other knowledge over the past few months, such as explanations of cultivation texts, weapons, and spiritual herbs. Ye Fan and Pang Bo focused on cultivation and hadn't devoted much effort to other subjects. Before this training, they had crammed on relevant books; otherwise, while they could recognize many herbs, they might not have spotted them quickly.
"It really is 'Jade Snake Orchid'!"
Ye Fan and Pang Bo were both excited. At the entrance of the pitch-black snake cave, they saw three palm-high strange plants. The plants were as white as jade, crystal clear all over. At first glance, they looked like three small white snakes standing upright, with a few jade-white leaves hanging from them. At the top, they bore fruits like white pearls, emitting a faint fragrance.
"Jade Snake Orchid is a rare spiritual herb. It can be used to refine the 'Snake Transformation Pill,' which is extremely effective for cultivators in the Wheel and Sea realm," Pang Bo said, his eyes shining.
"Be careful. The jade-horned snake is inside the cave. We need to find a way to lure it out or wait for it to leave on its own," Ye Fan said, frowning.
"Look, there's also a 'Moonlight Orchid' over there!" Pang Bo pointed to a spot not far from the snake cave, where a plant with silver leaves and a faint glow grew.
"Good fortune! These are all rare spiritual herbs. Since the fierce birds and beasts have fled, this is a rare opportunity! And something remarkable might be happening deep in the ruins—perhaps a great opportunity for us."