Chapter 114: I Have Taken Care of the Viper!

The giant snake coiled around Qin Feng for quite some time, and seemingly convinced that he was truly dead and not worth the effort of consuming, it began to slowly slither down the tree.

The serpent’s movement was sluggish, its slick, cold body sending shivers through Qin Feng. Every second felt like an agonizing century; he felt as though he were enduring a brutal torture in the depths of hell. The need to gasp for air became so intense that he felt as if his lungs were on the verge of rupturing.

"I need fresh air," Qin Feng told himself. If he didn't breathe soon, he would surely die of asphyxiation.

With that thought, he suddenly tore the giant snake’s body away and gasped desperately, drawing air into his lungs. Only then did he feel a modicum of relief.

"Hah! Hah!" Qin Feng gulped down the fresh air. It tasted sweet; he had narrowly escaped death.

The sudden movement startled the snake. Instinctively, its body tightened, constricting around Qin Feng even more fiercely than before. Qin Feng, having only just caught his breath, was caught off guard by this renewed aggression. As the snake’s head whipped around, it flickered a long, forked tongue. Its triangular eyes stared coldly at him, filled with a mocking, chilling glint, as if it intended to finish him off once and for all.

"Damn it, it's a venomous snake," Qin Feng realized with a jolt. The triangular head, visible even in the dim night, was terrifying and hair-raising. He hadn't expected to encounter such a deadly creature.

"You beast, you dare mock me?" Rage surged within him. Seeing the snake’s cold, derisive gaze, he realized the creature possessed a level of intelligence. It had coiled around him earlier just to toy with him and cause him agony.

"Vile creature. I never imagined such a terrifying viper existed," Qin Feng thought, stunned. The snake’s unnatural behavior hardened his resolve; he had to eliminate it, or it would pose a grave threat to everyone.

In the next instant, the viper lunged toward his head, jaws agape, fangs bared. If those fangs connected, even if he didn't succumb to the venom immediately, the consequences would be catastrophic.

"Stay calm. Be calm. The more dangerous the situation, the more composure is required," he reminded himself. He knew that panic would only lead to his death.

He struggled, determined that even if he were to perish, he would drag this serpent down with him.

Although his neck was constricted, his hands remained free.

"There is only one chance. Life and death hang in the balance." Qin Feng knew he had to seize this moment to survive, to continue the fight, and to complete his mission. Only by living could he return home and see Su Yun again.

As the viper’s head struck forward, Qin Feng timed his move perfectly, realizing the serpent’s head was within reach of his military dagger.

"Now!" He struck with precision.

A beautiful arc of cold light flashed through the air. With a soft *thwack* and a spray of blood, the snake’s head was severed from its spine by his blade and sent tumbling to the ground.

However, the snake did not die instantly. Its body continued to writhe and coil tightly around his neck.

"I have to pry this off." Knowing the nature of snakes, he used both hands to tear at the constricting coils. The strength of the giant snake in its death throes was immense, creating a terrifying pressure.

But Qin Feng was no weakling. With a forceful heave, he managed to pull a section of the serpent's body away. As he regained his breath, his strength returned. He continued to pull with all his might until the entire coil was loosened. Devoid of its head, the snake’s body finally lost its vitality, and he cast the carcass aside.

"That was too close," he panted, his heart still racing. Had he not possessed extensive jungle survival experience and remained cautious, he would surely have perished.

"This jungle is full of nightmarish creatures. I must remain vigilant to survive, to overcome the dangers ahead, and to complete my mission," Qin Feng mused.

"Feng, what's going on?" Snow Leopard approached, having been alerted by the commotion.

"Yes, what happened?" War Eagle and the others had also been roused by the noise and looked at Qin Feng with concern.

"It was a venomous snake. It was extremely dangerous just now," Qin Feng replied.

"A venomous snake? Were you bitten? How are you?" War Eagle asked urgently.

"I'm fine. I took care of it," Qin Feng said, touched by the concern of his comrades. He climbed down to the ground to inspect the creature.

"Thank goodness," War Eagle sighed in relief.

As Qin Feng examined the severed head, he noticed a red skull marking on it. His expression shifted instantly. "Could this snake have been controlled by the Blood Skull Mercenary Group?"

He was deeply shaken. If the Blood Skull mercenaries were capable of controlling such venomous creatures, they were a far more dangerous enemy than he had ever imagined.