Chapter 36: The Serpent That Guards the Golden Pagoda (Part 4)

“What’s happening? Why can’t I move?” The Grand Commander cried out in alarm.

“Damn!” In the distance, the Chief Devotee’s expression changed dramatically.

“Die!”

Huo Guang’s eyes widened as he gave his spear a flick.

With a crack, the Grand Commander’s head was severed by the lance and, with a sweep, hurled far away.

To his last breath, the Grand Commander stared in disbelief, unable to accept this impossible fate.

“No!” Countless soldiers in black armor screamed in terror from afar.

“The censer? Poisoned incense? Fools!” The Chief Devotee instantly saw through the trick.

“Dahei, quickly—go save those three devotees!” he shouted to the great serpent.

At that moment, he could no longer afford to hesitate. Though he cherished Dahei the serpent, there were times when action was unavoidable.

The great serpent shook its massive head, its enormous body undulating as it sped toward the battlefield.

With a furious hiss, it surged towards Yan Chuan’s position.

“Your Highness, run!” Huo Guang’s face shifted as he moved to block Yan Chuan.

“No, I have waited for this moment a long time!” Yan Chuan brushed Huo Guang aside.

As the giant serpent lunged, Yan Chuan showed no fear—only a look of joy. He reached into his robe and drew out a folded sheet of xuan paper.

Unable to stop him, Huo Guang did not insist further, for Yan Chuan’s mysterious abilities over these days had already won his full respect.

“The enemy general is dead! Attack!” Huo Guang ordered the silver-armored troops behind him.

A thunderous roar rose up as the army surged forward, charging the now leaderless forces in black armor—the perfect moment to strike.

With a few sweeps of its tail, the great serpent closed the distance to Yan Chuan.

A wave of savage killing intent pressed toward Yan Chuan—yet such malice was nothing to him.

Unfazed, Yan Chuan unfolded the sheet of xuan paper.

Because the devotees were present, the serpent refrained from spewing poison, lashing out instead with its tail.

Stones all around shattered beneath the serpent’s blows.

Seizing the moment, Huo Guang hurled his spear with all his might.

It struck the serpent’s body with a metallic clang, as if hitting a steel wall; the mighty weapon could not pierce it in the slightest.

With a flick of its tail, a dark radiance burst forth, colliding with the spear in a deafening crash.

The spear flew off, now twisted into a V-shape—such was the terrifying power of the serpent’s tail.

“The power of the serpent is beyond what brute force can conquer!” Huo Guang cried in alarm.

The great serpent surged closer, its colossal head lunging toward Yan Chuan.

Its jaws gaped wide, a reeking stench flooding the air as it prepared to swallow Yan Chuan whole.

With a cold snort, Yan Chuan snapped the xuan paper open.

A blinding golden light erupted from the paper, dazzling the serpent and momentarily blinding everyone nearby—Huo Guang, Liu Jin, and even the soldiers locked in combat.

A massive boom resounded.

As vision gradually returned, all eyes turned in shock toward the serpent.

Upon the serpent’s head was a single sheet of white paper, and above it floated a resplendent golden tower nearly a hundred feet high.

The golden pagoda loomed majestically, emanating an aura that seemed to suppress all beneath the heavens.

Appearing as if conjured by divine will, the towering pagoda filled the hearts of both armies with awe and agitation.

Though it flickered between reality and illusion, its power was unmistakable.

With a series of agonized thrashes and mournful cries, the great serpent was forced down beneath the crushing weight of the golden tower.

With a thunderous crack, the serpent’s head was flattened, as if its skull had been shattered by the pagoda; blood poured from its eyes and maw.

“Dahei!” the bald Chief Devotee cried out in distress from afar.

Yan Chuan spared the serpent no further glance, but turned his gaze upon the two armies. His eyes grew cold.

“Kill!” he commanded.