Chapitre 45: Hot & Cold

"Is everyone ready?" Inquired the burly man with broad shoulders, a large scar across his face, and a greatsword in hand, addressing his fellow sect disciples.

"Elder brother Juéxīn, rest assured," replied one of the disciples in a respectful tone. Like the rest of the group, he appeared to be in his mid-thirties, tall with a scruffy beard. "We are more than ready."

"Good, stay on guard, stick to the plan, and heed my orders." The burly man nodded, grasping his sword tightly, walking closer to the cave entrance. "It's merely a snake on death's bed, meat on our chopping block."

With his words, the group's expressions became resolute, confident laughs and chuckles resounded as they stepped forward, following their leader.

"Onward!"

They marched into the cave, shrouded in darkness, with only faint sunlight managing to stream in. As they ventured deeper, the air became both hotter and colder, a strange phenomenon but expected with the formidable beast they were about to face.

Navigating through the cave, which resembled more of a circular tunnel, tall enough for two adults to stand atop each other, and wide enough for four to walk side by side, they eventually encountered complete darkness, hindering their vision.

To counter this, one of the group members flicked their wrist, and a talisman whizzed forward, releasing a bright yellow light that illuminated the path before sticking to the cave wall.

Despite bringing out lanterns from their bags of holdings for more visibility, their efforts seemed futile as the tunnel expanded, revealing a vast clearing where they saw the source of the hot and cold air.

Their eyes beheld ice-like scales shimmering with light, reflecting their images. These scales contrasted with fiery red scales, casting a reddish-orange hue on the surroundings.

The coiled serpentine figure was enormous, displaying clear signs of a draconic heritage, indicating a vile hybridization.

Sensing the group's presence, the beast began to slither, revealing two heads, equally irritating to the eye. A loud hiss echoed, the disciples felt it in their bones, as the two heads simultaneously opened their fiery red and icy blue maws, releasing gales of hot and cold air.

Excitement shone in their eyes despite the horrifying pressure. The beautiful azure and fiery scales were marred by gashes, and emitted a metallic stench. The icy-blue head had both its eyes missing, gouged out with crimson liquids dripping down.

"It's true! If it's like this, we can do it!" one disciple remarked, his eyes shining.

"Hahaha, even if it is a Foundation Establishment demonic beast, there's no way it can survive with those kinds of injuries."

The leader's wide smile appeared as he cautioned, "Right, but don't let your guards down; a starving wolf is more dangerous than a satisfied lion." Turning to his men, he nodded, and four crimson robed figures came to the front, stretching out their arms.

Their hands glowed with an array of colors as their spiritual pressure spread out. Moments later, talismans, wind blades, and short swords flew towards the serpent. The beast hissed in agitation, unleashing a curling ball of fire in response.

The inferno ball met the attacks with a resounding boom, sending heat waves through the cave. The serpent hissed in pain as the leader closed the distance, sinking his great sword into an opened wound.

Blood burst out, and the serpent shrieked. Enraged, it swung its body. The leader, with a burst of Qi, leaped into the air, avoiding the massive tail and plunging his blade into it once more.

The group didn't remain idle.

Three members charged forward with swords, their killing intent radiating as they selected opened wounds for a relentless assault.

The other four extended their hands, filled with black feathers mixed with talismans and imbued with spiritual energy. From their palms, dark-black ravens with blood-red eyes whizzed through the air, diving their beaks into the gashes.

An unholy scream mixed with a hiss reverberated through the cave as the ravens chowed down on the serpent's flesh, their sharp beaks digging in like a hot knife through butter. The icy serpentine head opened its gaping maw, releasing a chilly air that froze the blood spilled on the floor, forming long icy-blood spears.

Suddenly, warm air enveloped the area, providing a brief respite from the icy cold but also sending shivers down their spines.

"Retreat, NOW!" the leader shouted, removing his blade from flesh and hastily running back. "Do it!"

A distance away, the four long-range fighters nodded and burnt the talismans in their hands. Subsequently, the four ravens erupted into an explosion of black gas, seeping into the wounds. The open flesh began to turn a murky green; it had been infected.

With an enraged shriek, the python sent hundreds of ice spears in the intruders' direction, narrowly missing the retreating figures while others were deflected. However, some met their marks.

"ARGHH!" A pained scream rang out as the blood spear plunged into and out of a disciple's shoulder. He kept running frantically, holding his shoulder. His arm was missing, and frostbite threatened to take over; pain coursed through his veins, but he focused on escape.

The tunnel and the rest of the team were meters away when he suddenly felt an overwhelming heat on his skin and saw his leader shout something. Before he could reply, a fuming boulder-sized ball of fire engulfed him.

An ear-piercing scream filled with agony shook the air as hot red-orange hues consumed the disciple, receding moments later to reveal ashes.

He was burnt alive.