Chapter 67：Blood Striped snakes (1/2)
Sam and his group stayed at the bank of the stream for the night and started their journey next day. Meanwhile the only other remaining team, consisting of only three members are staying at a same place, without moving at all.
Hawk took the scroll and partially unsealed his cultivation. He is at the 6th stage initiation now. Even though it is very low, he can roam around the forest however he wants, but the main thing is that the two people who are left along with him are badly injured and cannot move freely like him. That is why they planned to stay in a same place for the day.
Sam and his team though, they are fatigued it was gone with the good sleep and food they had. They started exploring the forest. They encountered some small animals and the beasts with some considerable strength are very rarely seen.
They encountered some animals which gave him some points and the fourth day is over just like that with their final points being.
Sam – 74
Jack -62
Eve and Shor- 50
The fifth day, they again started exploring. By this time Eve and Shor are extremely delighted with their decision of following Sam at that time. But they also felt a little guilty when they thought of their points.
After all, they didn't do much but they got a good share.
”Sam, thank you so much.” Shor thanked him when they are walking.
Sam looked at him with askance about the gratitude out of blue. Then Eve explained from side.
”We actually didn't help you much, but you still gave us more than enough points. Thank you very much.”
”You shouldn't thank me. You should thank the people who didn't agree to join us instead.” Sam replied and didn't explain further.
Both Shor and Eve are puzzled and looking at them, Jack explained with a smile. ”Actually, it won't be a difference whether there are two extra people or six extra people with us. Because, he can't trust you guys completely. Hell, he doesn't even trust me completely and every trap or plan he makes is very detrimental and dangerous if any slip ups occurs. So, he always did major share of the work and gave me some tasks with importance because he trusts me more than you guys.
So, if there are another four-extra people, he won't take away points from his or my account. Rather, they will be sharing the miscellaneous tasks you performed as well as the points you got. So, you have to thank the remaining members, who didn't come here.”
When Jack explained, Eve and Shor were dumbstruck for a second. They didn't expect that the reason would be this. But still they felt that the points are rather high even with that reason. After all, Sam can just take more than half himself, just for the plan he made.
After that they didn't talk much, and moved normally. But suddenly Eve collapsed.
The three of them immediately checked on her and saw a snake bite mark on her ankle. Sam immediately pulled a rope out of bag and tied it tightly around the wound to not let the venom spread.
Then he broke her token immediately.
Sam and Jack looked around vigilantly to find the snake. Shor meanwhile was really afraid. When Sam finally found the snake, which is already a distance away, he immediately struck in his movements.
Jack saw the solemn expression on his face and immediately got alerted.
Sam turned towards Shor and said. ”The situation is a bit dangerous; I think it is better if you go.”
Shor nodded and immediately broke his token without any complaints. After all, he has more than enough points to rank higher and he is sure that he would be ranked extremely higher.
Then Sam gestured towards and Jack and both of them started running in a direction, where there is an open ground.
When they reached the place, Sam looked around and felt that the place, is a bit better and there are less possibilities for snakes sneaking up on them.
”What is the situation?” Jack asked as soon as Sam calmed down a bit.
”Actually, this is a situation with the biggest danger as well as the biggest opportunity we encountered.” Sam said as he looked at the horizon.
”What do you mean?”
”The snake that bit Eve earlier is actually an evolved beast. But its combat potential is at the lowest of the snake species. But they have a special ability. They can only sneak on its opponents but when they bite the people, it is actually lethal. It particularly works against, the cultivators and the magical beasts.” Sam paused a bit before continuing.
”The snake before is a Blood stripe snake. It actually not only bites the people, but it will also suck as much blood as possible. It is actually in green in colour. But after it has its fill, the blood coloured stripes will appear on its back.
But this is not the main reason they are dangerous. The venom they inject inside will grow rapidly inside one's body by absorbing the spiritual energy. If you got bit once, if you are not stronger by much, it will kill you with your own spiritual energy.
Even more dangerous thing is that these snakes unlike other snakes live in a group and there is a king of snakes, which will absorb the blood from all the snakes and evolve itself. If all those snakes and the king worked together, a person with a whole cultivation level higher will have the same situation as a person with same cultivation as them.”
”Then isn't it quite dangerous. We are normal humans. What kind of opportunity are you talking about?” Jack asked with confusion.
”Well, as I said. All of them working together is indeed dangerous, but they can only sneak attack. It is will be lethal if a person doesn't know their existence near them, but now that we have already known that we might get an opportunity.
Right now, our cultivation being sealed, is quite an opportunity. The only dangerous thing about these snakes to us is the blood loss. Even Eve fainted due to loss of blood. It will take a lot of time for the venom to reach the spiritual core.
If we are cautious enough, we can make it big. After all, the danger is directly proportional to the rewards we got. Do you want to try?” When Sam finished explaining, Jack fell into deep contemplation.
Just as he was about to say something a loud scream was head from a distance.
”AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”
Sam and Jack immediately exchanged a glance and started running towards the direction of the scream. Because, the voice is familiar to both of them. When they reached the spot, they saw Kelly trying to drag Hawk, the other guy who was helping just now saw the snakes and immediately abandoned Hawk and broke his token to escape.
Sam and Jack exchanged a look and immediately helped Kelly. Kelly finally saw hope when she saw Sam and Jack. She almost fell into despair.
Sam and Jack carried Kelly and Hawk and ran. When they saw that there are no snakes following them anymore, they finally stopped.
Sam immediately searched Hawk's pockets in search of token, then he asked Kelly. ”Where is his token?”
”I don't know. When he went inside the cave alone, we didn't see anything, but he immediately felt weak and fell unconscious there. Me and the other teammate, went inside and dragged him out. After we came to a certain distance, the snakes are still following us.” She didn't say the rest but Sam and Jack could understand, what happened.
Sam thought about where the token would be and couldn't help but frown. He examined Hawk's condition and frown got deeper.
”Did he unseal his cultivation?” Sam asked in a deep voice. Kelly nodded and he immediately got even more serious.
”This is serious. If we don't make it fast, he will die. The Elders won't interfere without breaking the token. We have to find the token as soon as possible.” When Sam finished speaking, Kelly started crying. She looked at Sam with some hope and pleading. Hawk is the close friend of hers from childhood.
Actually, Sam could really leave them and go on his way and if Hawk was really a complete stranger, he might even leave him without batting an eyelid.
But he had a pretty good impression of Hawk. He has a pretty good heart and is not like other young masters who are arrogant beyond their abilities. He didn't really want a positive person like this to die at such a young age.