Chapter Nineteen: The Giant Sand Serpent

Out of guilt, and unwilling to admit any flaw in his own character, Fang Tang still roasted a pound of beef, sliced a few pieces of ham, and handed over a packet of instant noodles to Xie Ling.

Upon receiving the food, Xie Ling promptly gave him two bandages in return.

Looking at the bandages in his hands, Fang Tang was deeply moved.

Truly the luck of a European emperor!

He had searched fifty caves—fifty! Not a single medical blueprint had turned up.

These bandages were clearly crafted from a blueprint and possessed powerful healing properties. It was evident that Xie Ling had become something of a wealthy lady.

Healing—if these bandages could be produced in bulk, wouldn’t the elemental stones flow in endlessly?

Not much, two bandages for one elemental stone, there would absolutely be buyers.

After all, matters of life and death are never taken lightly.

“Incredible!”

Fang Tang blinked so hard he was nearly training crows’ feet, but his eyes hadn’t uttered a single word.

He must have been struck yet again by the emperor’s luck.

Silently, he packed up his things, shouldered his pickaxe, and looked toward the surrounding walls.

[Ahead, bronze.]

Fang Tang dug a hole and stepped into the black mist.

After gathering all the supplies from Cave 51, he continued to survey the cave network.

“The Level 3 tent is finished, the pickaxe has nine uses left. Let’s dig quickly and collect as many resources as we can, then we’ll be able to rest for twelve hours.”

He spoke to himself, but truly it was for the benefit of his eyes.

To be honest, he was already feeling exhausted.

But the thought that the pickaxe had only a few uses left, and that he’d get twelve hours of rest afterward, filled him with motivation.

His eyes seemed to agree, sweeping away their earlier gloom and eagerly guiding Fang Tang.

[Left, crocodile and lightning stone.]

Without hesitation, Fang Tang strode into Cave 52.

The saying “the more skilled, the bolder” described Fang Tang perfectly now.

Armed with the Explosive Bow and ****, as long as it wasn’t a boss, he could handle it.

The crocodile moved swiftly.

An arrow pierced its skull, followed by a shot from the ****, and it was utterly finished.

He harvested a lightning stone and looked toward the wall, his vision flooded with golden light.

[On the right is a creature stronger than a kobold, massive in size and with scales as hard as armor. It can burrow underground and launch ambushes. It is—the Sand Anaconda. As a creature a level above kobolds, it will be a significant challenge for you. Of course, upon passing this trial, you’ll be greatly rewarded. Simply put, Sand Anacondas are extremely valuable.]

“Hm… You want me to take down this Sand Anaconda?”

Fang Tang mused, watching the golden subtitles gradually fade. He decided to go for it.

His eyes never gave aimless advice; since he hadn’t been told to flee, it meant the anaconda was killable, if only with some difficulty.

If that was the case, he needed to rehearse possible dangers.

It could burrow for ambushes?

Scales were tough—the Explosive Bow should penetrate, but **** might not.

Huge body, could move slowly or quickly.

And the target was obvious.

Thus, he needed thorough preparation.

First, he contacted Xie Ling, gave her some materials, and asked her to make ten arrows.

The saying goes, “those who eat your food owe you,” and Xie Ling agreed readily.

This time, Fang Tang didn’t pay her a commission.

After all, he never charged a fee for ****.

It was only fair.

Next, he adjusted his condition.

A great battle awaited; he needed ample stamina and focus.

After thirty minutes, Fang Tang rose.

He strapped the **** to his waist, tied the Long Wind Hunting Knife to his arm, and fully armed, stepped into Cave 53.

Immediately, he saw a massive, pitch-black form coiled in a circle, a snake head as wide as a bowl exposed at its center.

His Explosive Bow was already drawn to a full arc; upon spotting the anaconda, he instantly released.

Whoosh!

As soon as he entered the cave, the anaconda sensed him, but hadn’t expected Fang Tang to attack first.

The sharp arrow plunged into its body, followed by a burst of electric net.

It was a hurried shot, so the arrow didn’t strike the snake’s head.

Still, even so, it inflicted tremendous pain.

“Hiss~”

The powerful voltage paralyzed it, making its movements sluggish. Still, driven by animal instinct, it roared at Fang Tang.

No sooner had it finished than another white flash streaked by, and another electric net exploded across its body.

Yet this anaconda possessed a certain intelligence.

Having suffered twice, it realized it couldn’t face Fang Tang head-on.

The enormous snake head instantly burrowed underground, the thick body vanishing like a black rope into the earth.

Fang Tang’s brow furrowed, cursing his miscalculation.

The anaconda was incredibly fast.

A gentle touch from its head and a hole appeared in the ground.

What was this?

A burrowing serpent?

Slightly fantastical!

Fang Tang stayed alert, waiting for the anaconda to reappear.

Suddenly, his vision brightened; his eyes spoke.

[Roll forward!]

He had no time to react, instinctively diving forward.

The spot where he had stood was now a crater, the black shape of the anaconda flashing through it.

Quick as lightning, Fang Tang fired an arrow at its body—another white net crackled, and the anaconda shrieked in agony.

[Jump!]

His eyes prompted him.

Fang Tang leaped with all his strength, just as an enormous snake head emerged where he had been, jaws wide, lunging for him.

He nocked another arrow, drew the bow to its limit.

Whoosh!

A meter apart, the arrow plunged into its throat, the electric net exploding.

The blow wasn’t fatal, but it seriously wounded the anaconda, slowing it further.

Fang Tang knew well the principle of striking while the enemy was weak. He drew another arrow and pulled the Lightning Bow taut.

Whoosh!

This time, the arrow struck the anaconda’s upper jaw, electric net enveloping its head, smoke rising and the scent of cooked meat wafting out.

[Retreat to the corner!]

His eyes gave another prompt, and Fang Tang, acting on instinct, retreated to the corner.

He hadn’t even found his footing before the ground erupted beneath him, the anaconda’s twisting body stirring up clouds of dust.

[Shoot, fire all your arrows as fast as you can.]

Fang Tang didn’t know why his eyes instructed this, but chose to obey.

He raised the Explosive Bow, swiftly drawing and releasing arrows into the smoky shadow.

Strong electric nets exploded one after another.

The anaconda’s screams echoed from the haze.

Sweat beaded on Fang Tang’s nose; his eyes stared unblinking at the black shadow, his right hand repeating the motion of drawing, aiming, and releasing.

When all his arrows were spent, Fang Tang gasped for breath, warily watching the anaconda.

The hissing grew fainter, the shadow’s movements slowed.

As the dust settled, the anaconda finally collapsed.

Its five-meter-long body was riddled with arrows, each surrounded by the scent of burnt flesh.

Seeing this, Fang Tang finally loosened the taut string of his nerves.

He grabbed the dismantling hammer, strode over, and dismantled the Sand Anaconda, at last letting out a deep breath.

“Damn, that was dangerous!”