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墨書 Inktalez
A strong scent of blood lingered in the air of the Desert, its sweet aroma enticing many beasts to emerge from their lairs. Colorful venomous snakes flicked their purple-black tongues in the night; these were the most terrifying killers of the desert. Typically lurking deep underground, their bodies cold and their scales as hard as iron armor, they despised sunlight and only came out at dusk to bask in the fading light, their vibrant patterns resembling the markings of death. In the darkness, they remained unseen, coiling their bodies and leaving a winding trail in the sand.
One such creature was a three-zhang long Underworld Python, moving with an eerie speed while holding its head high. Its body glimmered in the moonlight, revealing only a pale silhouette against its black form. The white reflection came from the scales of the Underworld serpent. Within a few breaths, this deadly serpent had slithered into the sand where Hibiscus was located; it was the first beast to arrive since its den lay beneath the quicksand.
The Underworld Python coiled beside Hibiscus, its long and powerful tail striking the sand with a sound reminiscent of flowing water. It seemed to declare to the beasts approaching that this food belonged to it. The extended tongue hissed ominously.
The Underworld Python's belly bulged with an undigested meal; lacking teeth, it could only swallow its prey whole, requiring time for digestion. With its eyes closed, it lay beside Hibiscus, processing its last meal. After several hours—or perhaps just one—the Underworld Python would open its eyes again and swallow Hibiscus whole. It did not need to chew; no matter how hard the bones were, they would slowly be absorbed and become part of the serpent's body.
Several large black birds circled low overhead, their shadowy eyes fixated on the human flesh next to the giant snake. They were harvesters of the desert and scavengers among various fierce beasts, possessing strong talons capable of swiftly tearing apart flesh. Their sharp and long beaks were crucial for feeding, but more importantly, they had powerful wings that could stir up small whirlwinds. They moved collectively, always gaining an advantage during feeding frenzies, leaving other predators preoccupied. These were Vultures, feeding on decaying corpses and bones; they were not picky eaters—any meat would suffice. At that moment, they circled low, waiting for the right opportunity to swoop down on the unsuspecting Underworld Python.
As these black birds descended en masse, before the Underworld Python could swallow Hibiscus whole, he feared he would already be torn apart.
The Vultures seemed to sense that this magical python was resting and occasionally emitted sharp screeches. Unlike the already satiated python, these Vultures were ravenously hungry and impatiently called out; they awaited a signal from their leader—a long cry—before diving down.
Finally, a piercing call rang out; it was the signal for attack. Six Vultures swooped down toward Hibiscus on the ground. Their sharp beaks resembled daggers as they spun through the air, kicking up clouds of dust. The resting python opened its concealed eyes at that moment; its green gaze radiated a chilling sense of death.
Though still digesting its meal, the python's speed matched that of the Vultures riding on the wind. It raised its front body and spun around as a fierce wind erupted, disrupting the formation of Vultures in flight and sending Hibiscus flying away as well. With a dull thud, Hibiscus landed on a sand dune before rolling down its slope.
Hibiscus opened his eyes in pain and looked in shock at the three-zhang giant snake not far away (a seven-foot man is considered one zhang).
Had he ventured deep into the Western Abyss? He had encountered many desert creatures in recent days, but none had been as unsettling as this one.
Gritting his teeth, Hibiscus crawled across the sand, determined to distance himself from this ferocious beast.
A few breaths later, several Vultures soared into the sky again, leaving behind three Vulture corpses and scattered feathers in the sand, emitting mournful cries as the remaining three Vultures flew away reluctantly.
The Underworld Python extended its tongue, searching for food.
A massive shadow loomed over Hibiscus. Realizing there was no escape, Hibiscus tightly gripped the sharp rib bone in his hand; he only had one strike left. The Underworld Python coiled back onto the sand, having exhausted its strength from the earlier battle and now feeling a bit hungry. Its tail wrapped around Hibiscus, blood still seeping from his chest, and now bound by the Python's tail, he looked like a bloodied figure. Hibiscus coughed lightly, spitting out a clot of blood lodged in his throat, meeting the cold gaze of the Underworld Python.
The snake's tail lifted Hibiscus towards the gaping maw of the monstrous serpent, finally facing it directly; the front of the snake was its blind spot. Seizing the opportunity, Hibiscus thrust the rib bone into the tail that bound him, crimson blood spraying onto his face. The Python recoiled in pain, collapsing a nearby sand dune. Suddenly suspended in mid-air, Hibiscus leaped onto the back of the Python, gripping its magical scales tightly as it thrashed in the sand, its massive body flattening nearby small dunes. Hibiscus glowed with a white light that gradually concentrated in his right hand. "Die for me," he murmured lowly; tonight either this snake would perish or he would be left without a complete corpse. A sound echoed as the weapon pierced flesh, blood gushing forth. The three-meter-long snake nearly stood upright, twisting in mid-air before crashing down to the ground.
Hibiscus was also violently thrown onto the sand, forcibly stopping his acupoints. A man does not shed tears while bleeding, but that does not mean this blood is endless.
Hibiscus crawled to where the giant snake was injured, blood still oozing out. Drinking the snake's blood raw, he struggled to pull out the rib bone from its body. Exhausted, Hibiscus collapsed on top of the giant Python; the bloody scent in this sandy area intensified significantly.
Uncertain whether it was the beast's blood or a thirst for life, moments later, Hibiscus felt invigorated. He tore off a piece of snake meat and circled back through the sand pit where he had been trapped during the day, retracing his steps to leave this mirage behind.
Coughing up another clot of blood from his throat, he tucked away the three-inch rib bone into his clothes.
The night was still long; tonight could bring misfortune.
Hibiscus sat cross-legged on the sand, rubbing fine sand over his blood-stained clothes in hopes of masking some of that thick scent of blood.
"Surviving today is a stroke of luck," Hibiscus said as he took out some snake meat and began chewing. It was firm and smooth upon entry without any trace of fishy odor; it was certainly not an ordinary beast. Having narrowly escaped death from the serpent's jaws, this Western Abyss was fraught with danger; I had been too careless. Hibiscus shook his head, his gaze resolute yet now carrying a hint of calmness. Looking longingly into the distant sky, he wondered if he would ever make it back alive.
Once madly infatuated and now lightly reckless, laughter floated away in the night wind.
"I am willing to know you, living and dying together is enough." Fengyin Pushing open the window, I gaze at the stars and moon in the sky, softly speaking words that no one can know.
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