The Unparalleled Sword Emperor Chapter 2657 - 2632: Earth Snake Forest

Lin Bai, astride his flying sword, pursued the fleeing Soul Snatcher Leader. Three hours elapsed, yet he found no trace of the target within the desolate wilderness.

"His mastery of movement and concealment techniques is truly exquisite; I cannot locate him!"

"It appears the assassins of the Faceless People are not merely bluster!"

Lin Bai mused aloud.

Just then, Lin Bai observed rows of withered, yellow woods emerging between the mountains ahead, devoid of any leaves.

Curious if the Soul Snatcher Leader was ensconced within this Yellow Wood Forest, Lin Bai steered his sword to investigate.

However, the moment Lin Bai set foot inside the forest.

Suddenly.

A potent sense of mortal peril washed over Lin Bai.

As he spun around, a colossal, earth-toned serpent erupted from the ground, lunging at him with its crimson maw agape.

This serpent, camouflaged flawlessly against the terrain, had evaded Lin Bai's notice until its sudden assault, catching him entirely off-guard.

Fortunately, the snake's cultivation was not formidable, merely the first layer of the Death Reversal Realm.

Lin Bai prepared to draw his gleaming sword to dispatch the creature.

At that precise instant, a booming shout echoed from a distance, "Brother, be cautious!"

With that declaration, a burly, robust man, clad only in tiger skin on his lower half and bare-chested, revealing his well-defined musculature and perfect physique, charged forward with surprising speed, delivering a powerful punch directly to the snake's head.

A resounding THUD!

The man's strike was imbued with immense power; with a single blow, the snake's head was obliterated!

Only then did Lin Bai ascertain that the formidable individual who had intervened was positioned at the seventh layer of the Death Reversal Realm!

Following the strong man's execution of the snake, over a dozen youths, both male and female, rapidly converged behind him. Their cultivation levels were modest, only reaching the Great Perfection of the Yin Saint Realm.

Observing them, they appeared to be acolytes from a particular family!

Witnessing the man's swift defeat of the snake, Lin Bai offered a smile, clasped his fists together, and expressed, "Thank you, brother, for your timely assistance!"

The robust man chuckled heartily, "Haha, it was merely a trifle!"

The assembled youths behind the strong man gazed at him with admiration sparkling in their eyes, exclaiming, "Mentor Ban Ye is truly remarkable, dispatching the Death Reversal Realm's Yellow Spotted Snake with a single punch!"

"Indeed, had we encountered the snake, we might have endured a prolonged struggle. Who would have anticipated Mentor Ban Ye felling it with but one strike!"

"Truly awe-inspiring!"

"I aspire to attain such strength as Uncle Ban Ye one day, so that I too may explore the Northern Continent!"

The young disciples voiced their sentiments softly.

The strong man, Ban Ye, responded with a humble smile, "It was merely that this brother here drew the Yellow Spotted Snake's attention, allowing me to execute a surprise attack successfully with one punch. Otherwise, it would have required more effort!"

"By the way, young brother, why do you find yourself alone in this area?"

"Are you aware that the Yellow Forest before us is counted among the most perilous locales within a million-mile radius of Black Water City?"

Ban Ye inquired, his gaze fixed solemnly upon Lin Bai.

Lin Bai's brow furrowed slightly. He cast a backward glance at the Yellow Forest before chuckling, "I hail from elsewhere and became disoriented on my journey, inadvertently arriving here. Had it not been for your timely reminder, brother, I would have remained oblivious to this Yellow Forest's treacherous nature!"

"Sir, pray tell, what makes this Yellow Forest so dangerous?"

Lin Bai inquired further, genuine curiosity in his tone.

Ban Ye's expression turned solemn, bordering on grim, as he contemplated the Yellow Forest.

Before he could articulate his thoughts, the ten or so young disciples behind him interjected, "You haven't heard of the Earth Snake Forest? What an ignorant warrior you are!"

"Hmph, hmph, consider yourself fortunate to have crossed our path. Otherwise, you would already be nourishment for those Yellow Spotted Snakes!"

"It is a blessing that you encountered Uncle Ban Ye!"

The youngsters chimed in one after another.

Ban Ye then elaborated, "Young brother, the desiccated woodland before us is what we refer to as the Earth Snake Forest. It is inhabited by a species of communal demonic beasts known as Yellow Spotted Snakes!"

"The very snake I eliminated moments ago!"

"Within the Earth Snake Forest, the population of these Yellow Spotted Snakes is staggeringly immense, potentially numbering in the tens of thousands. Whispers persist of even a Snake King residing here, possessing Wending Realm cultivation and unparalleled might!"

"Numerous individuals from Black Water City who have inadvertently wandered into this domain have met their demise, becoming prey to the Yellow Spotted Snakes!"

"Today, I have brought the younger members of our family out for experience, venturing only to the periphery of the Earth Snake Forest. We dare not venture further inland!"

Ban Ye stated with considerable gravity.

Lin Bai finally grasped the situation and nodded, "So that is the case. This deadwood forest is indeed fraught with peril. It is fortunate I encountered you, big brother, otherwise, I would have courted disaster by venturing inside."

Looking back at the deadwood forest, Lin Bai's heart remained unmoved.

Even with his current cultivation at the seventh layer of the Death Reversal Realm, he was confident he could emerge from the forest unscathed, even if he encountered the formidable Snake King.

The reason Lin Bai spoke to Ban Ye in such a way was to avoid revealing too much of his strength during their journey, thus preventing any unwanted attention from being drawn to him!

Ban Ye, a man of considerable strength, inquired, "Little brother, are you making your way to Black Water City?"

Lin Bai's eyes gleamed as he responded with a smile, "How did Big Brother Ban Ye discern that?"

Ban Ye let out a hearty laugh, "Haha, within a radius of a million miles, Black Water City is the only significant destination. If you aren't heading there, then what business do you have in this region?"

"Furthermore, we are not far from Black Water City now; it's merely seven days' travel!"

Lin Bai chuckled, stating, "Indeed, my intention was to proceed to Black Water City, but I unexpectedly found myself lost."

Ban Ye remarked, "The terrain of the Northern Continent is quite complex, featuring vast deserts and numerous mountains; it is indeed quite easy to lose one's way. We too are planning to return to Black Water City."

"If little brother wishes to go to Black Water City, we can provide you with passage!"

Lin Bai nodded with a smile, offering his gratitude, "Thank you sincerely, then."

Lin Bai certainly desired to locate a city where he could gather intelligence regarding the Northern Continent, and more importantly, ascertain the whereabouts of the Sword God Family.

Without such information, Lin Bai would be left to wander aimlessly across the Northern Continent, like a fly without a head, with no clear idea of when he might finally locate the Sword God Family!

"Then let us depart!" Ban Ye declared with a smile.

Lin Bai gave a slight nod, resolving to accompany Ban Ye to Black Water City for the time being!

However, just as Lin Bai and Ban Ye were on the verge of departing the Earth Snake Forest, a violent tremor emanated from its depths, unleashing an overwhelming and potent aura.

This formidable aura surged forth like a relentless tsunami, causing everything to tremble and shake.

Both Lin Bai and Ban Ye turned back in a state of shock.

The sight filled Ban Ye with dread, his countenance shifting to one of grave solemnity.

"There are others here!" exclaimed those ten young men and women, their gazes fixed on the direction of the Earth Snake Forest.

"Did someone stumble into the Earth Snake Forest?" Ban Ye questioned, his voice laced with surprise.

Lin Bai turned his head and observed a disheveled old man clad in black clothing, fleeing from the Earth Snake Forest in a state of sheer panic, as if his very life depended on it!

Upon recognizing the old man in black, Lin Bai’s lips curled into a sneer, "Soul Snatcher Leader, so you truly did flee into the Earth Snake Forest!"

This fleeing elder, dressed in black, was none other than the Soul Snatcher Leader whom Lin Bai had been relentlessly pursuing!