Demons and monsters wreak havoc: gain one new confidante every day.

Since creating the "Crimson Serpent Slash" technique, this was the second time Shen You had unleashed this strike.

The main reason is that I haven't been able to find a suitable opponent, and this move requires a strong killing intent in one's heart, so it's actually quite tiring to unleash.

However, he deduced that the obstacle ahead could even trap Liu Gongbai, so he naturally wouldn't hold back and went all out with his sword.

laugh--!

The crimson blade light flew forward with a sharp whistling sound, even emitting a hissing sound like a snake.

With a flash of light, a huge black shadow in front of him was cleaved in two from the base and fell to the ground with a thud.

"There really is something!" Hong Xiugu exclaimed, looking ahead and then turning to look at Shen You, her mouth agape.

At that moment, amidst the swirling dust, Liu Gongbai's cough echoed: "Who...cough cough...saves me...?"

Upon hearing Liu Gongbai's voice, Hong Xiugu's surprise was even more overwhelming.

She initially thought Shen You was just guessing randomly, but now she saw that Shen You had accurately deduced Liu Gongbai's predicament from a few clues and had stepped in to help without hesitation.

Whether in terms of intelligence or martial prowess, Shen You displayed an unusually mature and reliable demeanor.

Hong Xiugu recalled Shen You's slash just now. The crimson blade light sent chills down her spine just thinking about it.

Having confirmed its power, she knew it was a deadly move she couldn't withstand.

Thinking of this, her already curious and resentful feelings towards Shen You were stirred up by an indescribable emotion.

She stared intently at Shen You, feeling inexplicably unhappy, her heart tightening and making it hard to breathe.

"Ugh, so annoying!" she thought to herself.

"What's wrong?" Shen You turned around and looked at Hong Xiugu, puzzled.

Hong Xiugu remained silent and turned her gaze away.

【Ding! 】

[Your affinity with Hong Xiugu has increased, and you have become 'close friends' (Affinity Value: 75)]

Your constitution value +2

Current Root Bone: 119

Suddenly, the system notification sounded in Shen You's ear again. At the same time, a warm current rose in his body, and his physical strength finally improved once more.

Wait, what's up with this girl?

Did seeing me swing my sword finally increase our affinity?

Shen You thought to himself, "So Hong Xiugu really likes strong people? That's interesting. When I reveal my second-grade cultivation level later, won't Hong Xiugu's affinity with me increase even more?"

"Senior Brother Liu, we've come to help you!"

Shen You then led Hong Xiugu and Tian Yier to greet them.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that Liu Gongbai was being strangled by a giant python that had emerged from above, rendering him unable to make a sound and nearly suffocating in its coils.

"So it's Junior Brother Shen, Junior Sister Hong, and this Junior Brother..." Liu Gongbai nodded to the three of them.

"I just saw a demon in a green robe. I didn't expect him to have arranged for a giant python to ambush me from above. I was caught off guard and almost fell for his trick," Liu Gongbai said, still somewhat shaken.

Shen You asked curiously, "So the person behind it all is really a demon?"

"That's right, it's a demon in human form, there's no mistake!" Liu Gongbai nodded. "As for its strength, it's at least a third-rank demon, otherwise it wouldn't be able to control so many first- and second-rank demon snakes."

"I see!" Shen You nodded. "It's fortunate that Senior Brother Liu brought us here. Otherwise, we apprentices in blue robes would have no chance against a third-rank demon."

"There's no need to belittle yourself," Liu Gongbai said. "I owe you all the credit for saving me, otherwise I would have died at the hands of that demon."

He continued, "The danger here has exceeded my expectations. We now have two options. One is to return to Renxin Hall for help, but by the time reinforcements arrive, the demon may have already escaped, and we won't have such a good opportunity to capture him next time. The other option is for us to continue forward, but I need you to cover for me so that we can support each other if we encounter a similar situation again. However, for you, doing so would be even more dangerous..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shen You replied without hesitation, "Of course we must move forward!"

"Junior Brother Shen..." Liu Gongbai said with some surprise.

Shen You laughed and said, "Senior Brother Liu, you may not know, but I have a grudge against that snake-playing sorcerer! A few days ago, my little sister, who works as a maid in the Lin family, almost died in the mouth of a snake. This grudge must be avenged, so I would like to ask Senior Brother Liu to take me to seek revenge!"

"In that case..." Liu Gongbai took a deep breath and nodded, "Then let's explore this snake's lair together again!"

"Thank you for your help, Senior Brother Liu!" Shen You said sincerely.

Liu Gongbai then looked at Hong Xiugu and Tian Yier: "As for you two, would you like to come with us?"

"Of course we should go together!" Hong Xiugu glanced at Shen You and said, "If he dares to go, why shouldn't I!"

Tian Yi'er firmly replied, "If Brother Shen went, then I'll go too!"

"Good, all of you did a great job!" Liu Gongbai praised. "Without further ado, let's set off!"

With Liu Gongbai leading the way, the four of them ventured deeper into the passage.

As they went deeper, Tian Yi'er suddenly said, "There's a huge space ahead, and the wind is blowing inside... It looks like an underground cave..."

"Looks like we're almost there!" Liu Gongbai said coldly. "Everyone, be alert and ready for battle!"

"Yes!" Shen You picked up the broadsword.

Hong Xiugu also picked up her soft whip.

Tian Yier then raised both palms.

A glimmer of light could be seen ahead.

The four of them rushed out of a cave entrance and found themselves in a huge underground cavern with strangely shaped stalactites hanging overhead, emitting a faint glow.

It wasn't completely dark, but there was a faint light, and the rustling of snakes in those dark corners only added to the eeriness and terror.

Most remarkably, in the very center of the cave is a small pool filled with stalactites, and in the middle of the pool, a glowing lotus flower blooms, its petals tightly closed, as if brewing something within.

"The sorcerer is there!"

Liu Gongbai coldly shouted.

Following his gaze, everyone saw a green figure standing in the shadows behind Xiao Tan.

The man was dressed in a green robe, with a graceful figure, handsome face, and extraordinary temperament. He was clearly an exceptionally handsome man who could charm anyone to death. But strangely, there were several emerald green scales on his cheeks, shimmering with an eerie light, and his eyes were both vertical pupils like those of a snake, now blood red.

"Who are you to dare commit such evil deeds in Rongcheng!"

Liu Gongbai gestured for the others to stay, while he rushed forward, confronting the demon without fear.

"Well done!" the green-robed demon finally spoke, his voice as soft and serpentine as a snake.

"I hid right here, yet you still found me. And you even managed to neutralize the giant python that had been lying in ambush. The disciples of Renxin Hall these days are truly skilled!"

"You cowardly coward, you know about Renxin Hall?" Liu Gongbai sneered, sizing up the green-robed demon, then his expression suddenly changed.

"Green scales... Could you be the Jade Scale Gentleman from fifty years ago?"

Liu Gongbai looked thoughtful and said, "I read in the ancient books that a snake-clan demon, who called himself the Jade Scale Gentleman, also caused trouble in Rongcheng fifty years ago, harming women everywhere. I never expected that you would reappear after fifty years!"

"Heh." The Jade Scale Gentleman clapped his hands lightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "I didn't expect that after fifty years, someone would still remember me! Since you know my reputation, you still dare to come looking for me. Could it be... you're not afraid of death?"

"Arrogant!" Liu Gongbai said coldly, "You've only clung to life long enough to forget who you are! The one who should be afraid is you, isn't it?"

Liu Gongbai brandished his longsword, and a phantom of a roc, crackling with lightning, slowly emerged from his body: "It seems it was ordained by heaven that I was sent here to take you..."

Upon seeing the movement on Liu Gongbai's body, Bi Lin Lang Jun's expression finally changed: "A member of the Liu family?"

"That's right!" Liu Gongbai sneered. "Fifty years ago, it was my great-uncle who killed you with his sword. Today, it's my turn!"