'What a beautiful snake. So powerful... a rare Snake Species.' Meilin's alluring eyes began to sparkle.
Owning a rare Snake Species was Meilin's dream. With a venomous snake from a rare species, her shop's reputation would soar, and business would be endless.
'No way. I can't let anyone else snatch this snake. It has to be mine.'
Meilin's competitive spirit surged. She also had a strange feeling—it was as if she had seen this snake before. It gave her an uncanny sense of familiarity.
Meilin stepped out from the crowd. At the sight of her, many people's eyes lit up in instant recognition.
"Well, if it isn't Lady Bai. What, you want this snake too?"
Someone called out teasingly.
Perhaps many were so mesmerized by Meilin's beauty that they forgot she was also a very skilled Snake Catcher.
"A rare Snake Species. Who wouldn't want one?"
Meilin's eyes were fixed on the little Silver White Snake in the center of the field, as if branded there.
"Lady Bai, everyone in Bai Town knows you want a rare Snake Species and that you'll marry whoever catches one for you. So how about this: I'll catch this snake and give it to you, and you'll marry me. What do you say?"
The speaker was one of the five Snake Catching Masters who had stepped out earlier. His name was Chen Gao, a Snake Catcher from the same generation as Meilin. In his early thirties, he was short and scrawny, with shifty, rat-like eyes. As he spoke, his gaze, filled with greed, roamed shamelessly up and down Meilin's full and graceful figure.
This Chen Gao did not have a good reputation in Bai Town. He was a compulsive gambler. Usually, after returning from catching snakes and selling them for money, he would immediately head to the casino. He eventually fell deep into debt. Now in his thirties, he still hadn't managed to find a wife and had always coveted the beauty of Lady Bai, Meilin.
"You, Chen? You want me to marry you? In your dreams." Meilin's thin lips were as delicate as rose petals, but she looked at him with utter contempt.
The look of contempt wiped the expression from Chen Gao's face. Laughter erupted from the crowd. "Haha, Chen Gao! Still a toad lusting after a swan's flesh, are we?"
"Bah! Swan's flesh? She's just a black widow," Chen Gao said with a sneer. "She should be thankful I'm even giving her the time of day."
Hearing this, Meilin was instantly enraged. "Chen Gao, watch your mouth! Who the hell do you think you are?"
Chen Gao gave a wicked, roguish smile. "You're the one not cherishing this opportunity. Once I catch this snake and cash it in, what kind of beauty can't I have?"
The Silver White Snake, standing tall and proud in the center of the field, stared at the scoundrel-faced Chen Gao. Tu Xiao'an sneered inwardly, 'This scumbag wants to catch me? Is he looking to die?'
This Chen Gao was no good. He and Tu Xiao'an had never gotten along. Chen Gao was a full twelve years older and had often used snakes to bully him when he was a child. Later, when Tu Xiao'an also became a Snake Catcher and caught a few impressive venomous snakes, his fame completely overshadowed Chen Gao's.
'I'd feel bad biting anyone else, but if this piece of trash tries to catch me, I won't hold back. I'll bite you to death!'
"HISS..."
In an instant, a fierce light flashed in the Silver White Snake's eyes. It stared at Chen Gao with a ghostly glow, and its hiss was more terrifying than a Fierce Ghost's wail.
"Gah!"
Chen Gao was startled. Gripping the Snake Hook in his hand, he looked at the Silver White Snake and sneered, "What are you hissing for, you beast? Watch how I deal with you!"
With that, the Snake Hook in Chen Gao's hand shot towards the Silver White Snake, whistling through the air. If it hit, an ordinary snake would be turned into paste.
'Looking for death!'
Tu Xiao'an's body moved like a phantom. He was now glad that when he had leveled up to Level 5, he had used his extra enhancement point on speed.
BANG...!
Tu Xiao'an easily dodged Chen Gao's Snake Hook. It slammed violently onto the ground, sending up a shower of sparks.
"HISS..."
As Tu Xiao'an dodged, Chen Gao's Snake Hook hit the ground, leaving him wide open. It was the perfect time to strike.
"Chen Gao, look out! I've got this!"
Just as the Silver White Snake was about to bite Chen Gao, another Snake Hook came smashing towards its face. Tu Xiao'an had no choice but to dodge again.
At this moment, everyone except Lady Bai, Meilin—all seven Snake Catching Masters—attacked Tu Xiao'an, the Silver White Snake, at once. The air filled with the afterimages of their Snake Hooks.
Tu Xiao'an was forced to dodge again and again. The crowd of onlookers was dumbfounded. 'This snake is incredible! It's still fighting back instead of being captured!'
During this time, Tu Xiao'an was struck several times by the Snake Hooks, and one hook tore a gash in him. It hurt tremendously.
"Beast! Stop dodging if you've got the guts!"
A fierce glint in his eyes, Chen Gao swung his Snake Hook wildly at Tu Xiao'an.
"HISS..."
Tu Xiao'an lunged at Chen Gao again, but Chen Gao was scrawny and agile. His reactions were quick, and he managed to evade Tu Xiao'an's attacks several times, frustrating Tu Xiao'an so much that Venom was practically dripping from his fangs.
'Screw it! I'm going to bite you and you alone!'
Tu Xiao'an's Killing Intent surged. He risked taking a few hits and lunged straight for Chen Gao, his sharp fangs glinting with a cold light.
Chen Gao was baffled. This damn snake was so vindictive! There were so many Snake Catchers here, so why was it only chasing him, as if it wouldn't rest until it sank its fangs into him?
Suddenly, Chen Gao cried out in alarm.
SHRED...!
The Silver White Snake bit his calf. He quickly pulled back, but its fangs caught his pants, ripping them open.
The perilous close call sent a cold sweat trickling down Chen Gao's spine.
"Damn, that scared the hell out of me!"
A few of the Snake Catching Masters laughed. "Chen Gao, that's what you get for running your mouth. The snake's got it out for you now."
"You guys deal with it! I'll attract the beast's attention!" Chen Gao stopped attacking and started running quickly around the center of the field.
'Idiot. Does he really think I'm just a snake? He just announced his strategy out loud.'
Tu Xiao'an suppressed his killing intent for Chen Gao. He knew he couldn't go on like this. After all, he was currently only a Level 5 venomous snake. How could he fight against seven Snake Catchers?
With seven Snake Hooks in play, all he could do was dodge. Plus, since he had already bitten and injured two people, the Snake Catching Masters were now being extremely cautious with him.
'Sister Meilin.'
Tu Xiao'an turned his gaze to Meilin, who still hadn't attacked him, and a plan formed in his mind.
Suddenly, his body twisted, and he shot towards Meilin like a bolt of lightning.
This was completely unexpected. Everyone watched, utterly shocked, as the snake leaped into the air and shot towards Lady Bai, Meilin.
"What is that beast trying to do?!"
The Snake Catching Masters on the scene were stunned. They wanted to intercept it but were too late.
The Silver White Snake's speed was too fast. Meilin herself was at a loss, frozen like a clay statue, watching the silver-white serpent fly straight at her, completely unable to react.