Chapter 18: The Lair's Threshold: A Guardian's Fury
A ferocious roar echoed through the mist-shrouded canyons, shaking the very air. A colossal shadow, swift and powerful, burst forth from the swirling fog – it was a Canyon Serpent, a creature of the Golden Core Realm, its aura brimming with ancient, untamed energy. Its eyes glowed like burning embers, and its massive, scaly body lunged towards Liam and Sael, its venomous fangs glinting menacingly. Liam knew this was a guardian, a preliminary test set by the lair itself.
"A Canyon Serpent!" Sael hissed, her hand instinctively reaching for her whip. "They are territorial and incredibly dangerous, masters of ambush in this mist!" Her voice held a predator's caution.
Liam nodded, his eyes shimmering with blue particles. Though the effects of the Viper's Nectar Drop were waning, his Foundation Establishment Realm strength was still at its peak. He activated his star-mark perception, and in his eyes, the serpent's spiritual meridians, its energy flow, and its attack patterns became vividly clear. He knew this serpent was a formidable opponent, but he was ready.
The Canyon Serpent let out a venomous hiss, and its massive tail lashed out with lightning speed towards both Liam and Sael, aiming to crush them. Every flick of its tail ripped through the air, creating a sharp gust of wind that whipped the mist across their faces.
Liam reacted. Utilizing the 'Celestial Wind Arts', he became one with the air, a mere blur. He narrowly dodged the serpent's tail whip, the strike passing mere inches from his cheek, allowing him to feel the intense pressure of the displaced air. Sael retreated with equal swiftness, her whip circling around her like a shield, causing the serpent's attack to miss.
"It's fast!" Sael exclaimed, admiration in her eyes. She activated her whip, transforming it into a shimmering green, energy-infused serpent, which struck at the Canyon Serpent's massive body. The whip collided with the serpent's thick scales, producing a loud thud, but the serpent's hide was so tough that it seemed to have little effect.
"Its hide is like stone!" Sael warned. "And it uses the mist to conceal its movements! Be careful!"
Liam nodded. He observed that each of the serpent's attacks came with a distinct energy pattern, which his star-mark vision could read. The serpent lunged again, this time spitting a greenish-yellow orb of venom from its open maw. The venom spread through the air, tainting the mist and emitting a nauseating odor.
Liam knew the venom was highly potent. He activated his 'Cosmic Fire Tiger Clone' technique, pouring his remaining energy into it. A smaller, yet fierce fire tiger erupted from his hand, roaring into the air, and lunged towards the orb of venom. The fire tiger instantly incinerated the venom, producing an intense sizzling sound, but the fire tiger itself weakened, its flames dimming.
The serpent now attacked both Liam and Sael simultaneously. Its massive tail and venomous mouth struck in unison. Liam and Sael both utilized their full speed, evading the serpent's assaults, moving through the mist as if they were dancing with the wind. It was a fierce battle, their very survival hanging in the balance.
Liam used his star-mark vision to find the serpent's weaknesses. He saw that on the serpent's head, just above its eyes, there was a small point where the scales were slightly thinner. This was a point where its energy was less concentrated. This was a critical vulnerability for the serpent.
"Sael!" Liam yelled, urgency in his voice. "Attack just above its eyes! That's its weakness!"
Sael reacted without question. She concentrated her whip, transforming it into a gleaming green blade of energy. As the serpent launched another massive attack at Liam, Sael swung her whip with lightning speed, striking it directly at the weak point above the serpent's eyes.
HISSS!
The whip collided with the serpent's scales, producing an intense hiss of pain. The serpent convulsed in agony, and its massive body began to writhe. Its eyes, once like embers, now dimmed slightly. It was a small but effective attack.
Liam seized the opportunity. He concentrated the full power of his 'Celestial Wind Arts,' pouring his remaining energy into his hand. He activated his 'Ocean Blast,' compressing the air into a concentrated, invisible force. He lunged towards the serpent, his speed so blinding that he seemed like a shimmering phantom.
The serpent writhed in pain, and it tried to strike Liam with its tail. But Liam used his speed, evading the serpent's tail, and darted towards its neck. He concentrated all his remaining energy into his hand, and slammed his fist into the serpent's neck, where the scales were slightly thinner.
BOOMM!
A tremendous explosion erupted, echoing even through the thick mist. The serpent's colossal body shuddered, and it let out a horrifying shriek of pain. A deep wound appeared on its neck, and its massive body crashed to the ground with a loud thud. The serpent was still convulsing, but its power had been severely diminished. Its eyes were now completely lifeless.
Liam took deep breaths, his body aching, and all his energy depleted. He had defeated the serpent. He looked at Sael, who gave him a proud smile.
"You did it, Liam," Sael whispered, admiration in her voice. "Defeating a Golden Core Realm beast... it is inconceivable for a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator."
Liam nodded. He felt that the effects of the 'Viper's Nectar Drop' had completely receded, and the tremor in his body had intensified, signaling even greater difficulty in future breakthroughs. He knew he needed to find the 'Spirit Anchor Stone' within the Azure Dragon Lair as soon as possible.
Sael inspected the remains of the Canyon Serpent. "Its core is valuable, Liam. It can provide us with energy for the rest of our journey." She carefully extracted a shimmering green core from the serpent's body.
As they proceeded, beneath the serpent's massive body, a hidden entrance appeared in the mist. It was an ancient, intricately carved stone door, now no longer obscured by the Canyon Serpent's body. The door bore the same mysterious symbols that Liam had seen on his star-mark.
"This is it!" Sael exclaimed, excitement in her voice. "The entrance to the Azure Dragon Lair! This serpent was the guardian of this place."
Liam touched the door. He felt a faint energy, beckoning him inside. The door slowly swung open, revealing a deep, dark tunnel within. A cold, damp air emanated from the tunnel, and the air itself carried a strange energy that made his star-mark hum.
"We must be careful, Liam," Sael said, her voice grave. "The Azure Dragon Lair is dangerous. It may hold even more powerful beasts and ancient traps."
Liam nodded. He knew the danger was immense, but it was the only way to achieve his goals. He was resolute in his desire to breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm, unravel the secrets of the Star Emperor's Scripture, and learn about his parents' past. He looked at Sael, who gave him a reassuring smile. Together, they stepped into the tunnel, the door slowly closing behind them, plunging them into the mysteries of the Forbidden Sands and the unknown dangers of the Azure Dragon Lair. Their journey had just entered a new, more enigmatic phase.