At that moment, the Star Mirror flew out from Feng Qingran’s sleeve.
The two collided, and the Star Mirror emitted a radiance like that of the sun and moon.
Instantly, the black mass vanished into nothingness, and the Star Mirror returned to Feng Qingran’s hand.
Feng Qingran held the Star Mirror, stroking the dull, lifeless gem on its surface. It was clear that the mirror had exhausted its stellar energy to save her life.
She tucked the mirror safely into her robe.
She looked towards the Dark Serpent not far away, meeting its cold, gloomy eyes. A chill spread through her entire body.
The Dark Serpent stared fixedly at Feng Qingran, waiting for an opportunity to strike with a fatal blow.
Having lived for years in the venomous swamp, the serpent had developed a cautious and meticulous nature.
It never attacked enemies who fell into the swamp hastily, preferring to wait until they were powerless to resist before moving in.
During their brief standoff, Feng Qingran noticed the black mud had already submerged half of her lower legs.
A piercing pain came from the submerged parts. Her expression turned grave—the black mud was poisonous!
Feng Qingran narrowed her almond-shaped eyes and noticed something unusual about the Seven-colored Mystical Robe in the mud. She pulled the robe out.
It was as clean as ever, unstained by the filth around it.
Perhaps the Seven-colored Mystical Robe could help her!
Suddenly—
Feng Qingran felt something grab her legs, trying desperately to pull her deeper into the mud.
She remained alert, her eyes locked with the Dark Serpent’s, but it showed no unusual movements.
Was it not the serpent?
Could it be those dark creatures that feared sunlight?
The Dark Serpent and the dark creatures weren’t allies!
Realizing this, an idea flashed through Feng Qingran’s mind.
The Dark Serpent would never give up prey that was within reach, and neither would the dark creatures. If these two forces clashed, it would be her chance to escape.
“Hey, big snake! Seems like something’s trying to steal your meal!” Feng Qingran’s voice was light and cheerful, without a trace of panic.
Sssss!—
The Dark Serpent hissed, enraged at being called a snake!
This little girl deserved to die!
It charged at Feng Qingran, its massive maw gaping wide, ready to swallow her whole.
However, the serpent’s enormous body almost completely blocked the sunlight over the swamp.
As soon as the sunlight disappeared, the dark creatures surged out, attempting to snatch the prey from the serpent’s grasp.
One of the dark creatures clawed at the serpent’s vital spot. Startled, the serpent swung its tail to strike the creature.
The dark creature wasn’t afraid of the serpent’s attack but feared the slivers of sunlight filtering through.
It dodged the tail, which then swept straight toward Feng Qingran. She bent backward swiftly.
The serpent’s tail brushed past the tip of her nose.
Seizing the opportunity, Feng Qingran executed a backflip, graceful as a startled swan, lifting her feet out of the black mud and landing lightly on a layer of withered leaves.
Then, with a nimble leap, she grabbed onto the serpent’s still-swinging tail.
Using it as leverage, she propelled herself to a safe spot and released her hold.
All of this happened in the span of a few breaths.
By the time the Dark Serpent and the dark creatures realized what had happened, Feng Qingran was already far away.
Roar!—
The Dark Serpent let out a furious roar, lashing its tail with immense force.
Dark creatures throughout the swamp were sent flying. Some managed to evade the sunlight and burrowed back underground, while the rest dissolved into wisps of smoke, vanishing into the world.
The Dark Serpent flicked its tongue, testing the air, then gave chase.
It hadn’t been pursuing for long when it saw Feng Qingran running straight toward it.
The serpent charged at her rapidly.
Feng Qingran, sweating and panicked, shouted at the serpent, “Run… run… now!”
Whoosh!—
She zipped past the serpent in a flash. Furious, the serpent realized it had been tricked again by this human!
It turned around to chase her.
Swish, swish, swish!—
Crack, crack, crack!—
A cacophony of noises arose from behind the serpent.
The serpent grew even angrier. How dare some creature trespass on its territory? It was asking for death!
It glanced at Feng Qingran’s retreating figure, certain she couldn’t escape.
The serpent turned back to teach the intruder a lesson, but the sight of red and yellow in the distance made it freeze, its snake eyes widening in shock.
Crimson-Yellow Ants!
What were these creatures doing in its territory?
Wherever the Crimson-Yellow Ants passed, not a leaf remained—only barren yellow earth was left behind.
Terrified, the serpent darted away, simultaneously adding another mark of blame against Feng Qingran.
That wretched girl was nothing but trouble!
The serpent followed the direction Feng Qingran had fled, but when it reached the swamp, there was no sign of her.
This was the only place she could have gone. Had she already sunk into the swamp?
The serpent had no time to ponder further, as the Crimson-Yellow Ants were closing in. It plunged into the swamp.
Soon, the ants surrounded the entire swamp.
The black mud of the swamp contained toxins that repelled the Crimson-Yellow Ants. The Ant Emperor ordered the swarm to halt and encircle the swamp.
“Dark Serpent, get out here! Hand over that wretched girl now!” The Ant Emperor was small in size, but its voice echoed throughout the withered forest.
The once forested area was now a bare, barren hillside, without a single leaf remaining.
The Dark Serpent emerged, its eyes gleaming coldly. “The girl isn’t here. Look somewhere else. I have a score to settle with her too!”
The Ant Emperor clearly didn’t believe it. “Our kind is highly sensitive to scents. That girl’s scent is right here in the swamp. Hand her over now!”
The serpent grew impatient. “You’re the one to blame! If it weren’t for you, I would have caught her earlier…”
“Hmph! You’re lying. I saw that girl talking to you. You must be in cahoots with her.”
The Ant Emperor’s tone suddenly shifted as it demanded, “Was it you who conspired with that girl to have her crush our eggs?”
