The battle between the three powerhouses continued, while Yang Han maintained the darkness barrier behind them. Meanwhile, the noise coming from the cave in the Dead-Forbidden Zone grew louder, making everyone feel a sense of impending doom.
"If you want me dead today, then I'll drag you down with me!" Madam Serpent Dora shouted angrily, her body beginning to change. Her lower-body serpent scales started peeling off, blood pouring out. Soon, the area around Stone Freak and Mark Howe morphed as the blood condensed into countless small snakes, which wrapped around the two.
Although these small snakes weren't very powerful, their strength was enough to bind Stone Freak and Mark Howe, drastically slowing their movements. Madam Serpent Dora was clearly gambling with her life—now so weak that her strength was less than one percent of what it once was. But by relying on these snakes to entangle her enemies, she could seize the chance to rush into the cave, capture Yang Han, and snatch the Divine Pill Chapter. With the snakes holding everyone else back, she hoped to escape unnoticed.
But Madam Serpent Dora had underestimated Yang Han. In her eyes, he was just an Immortal Sovereign, and she believed he obtained the Divine Pill Chapter by luck. She had no idea that, in her current weakened state, she was no match for him at all.
As Madam Serpent Dora entered the cave, she locked onto Yang Han. Yang Han released the barrier, which shocked Stone Freak and Mark Howe outside—they knew this meant something had happened to Yang Han.
"What do we do now?" Mark Howe asked Stone Freak.
Stone Freak replied, "We have to kill these troublesome snakes first."
"But they're nearly impossible to kill—they're incredibly stubborn," Mark Howe said worriedly.
"Even if they're impossible to kill, we have to try. If we don't hurry and help him, once Madam Serpent Dora comes over and uses her eyes, we'll be in real trouble," Stone Freak said.
"Got it," Mark Howe said, fighting with all his strength.
Yang Han swiftly sealed several key points on Dora Du’s body, leaving her unable to move. Dora Du never expected Yang Han to be so terrifying. She could only ask, “You…”
Don’t bother trying. You were too careless, thinking you could catch me in your weakened state?" Yang Han said with a smile.
Damn it, I won’t let you get away," Dora Du said furiously. Now, except for her mouth, her whole body was immobilized—even in the light, she couldn’t open her eyes.
You’re no longer in a position to deal with me. Soon I’ll hand you over to Senior Stone, and then I can leave," Yang Han said.
You—I want you dead," Dora Du said, furious. But no matter what, her body never recovered; she remained weak and completely bound.
When Yang Han carried Madam Serpent Dora out of the cave, Stone Freak and Mark Howe watched him in shock. Yang Han saw the small snakes but did not provoke them; they seemed to obey a death command, only wrapping around Stone Freak and Mark Howe.
How can I make those small snakes stop attacking?" Yang Han asked Madam Serpent Dora. He was pressed for time—if he didn’t hurry, they would all be in trouble soon.
Madam Serpent Dora was now completely immobilized. She ignored Yang Han and just sneered, "I’ve bound them. They won’t be leaving—just wait for that strange creature in the cave to come out."
Stone Freak and Mark Howe frowned when they heard this. If it was true, they really wouldn’t be able to leave. But Yang Han wouldn’t just stand by and watch, so he smiled and said, "Don’t worry, I’ll make her tell us."
With that, Yang Han locked eyes with Madam Serpent Dora, and in an instant she was drawn into her own illusion, where she could move freely.
She frowned, looking at her hands and feet. Finding herself in an unfamiliar place, she shouted at the empty air, "Kid, what trick are you playing?"
I’m not playing tricks. I just want to see your inner world," Yang Han said with a smile.
You!" Madam Serpent Dora shouted angrily.
At that moment, an illusion appeared before Madam Serpent Dora—a beautiful woman stood by a lakeside, while a man gazed at her, lost in thought.
“Siniang, I have to go. You must live well,” the man said weakly. The beautiful woman turned, agitated, and replied, “No, you won’t die. I’ll find you an antidote right away.”
“It’s useless. The poison in me is too deep—unless there’s a divine pill, I’ll never recover,” the man said, his face weary.
No, I won’t accept that. I’ll go right now—you must hold on!" the beautiful woman said.
“Siniang, I don’t want you to wear yourself out,” the man said with a smile, but as soon as he finished, he fainted. The beautiful woman cried for days and nights, then sealed the man in a cold place to preserve his body, and resolutely left for Poison Serpent Valley.
The valley was filled with venomous snakes. The beautiful woman bravely entered, suffering bites from snakes and insects. Her face and body were covered with wounds and poison. At the deepest part of the valley, she finally encountered a giant serpent.
The beautiful woman looked at the giant serpent and asked, “Are you the serpent demon?”
“What do you think?” the giant serpent replied, speaking like a human.
“Can you help me get the divine pill?” the beautiful woman asked.
“I can, but you must offer your body. Only then can I help you, lending you my powerful strength,” the giant serpent said with a laugh.
“Alright,” the beautiful woman said resolutely, without a moment’s hesitation.
The giant serpent emitted a beam of light that enveloped the beautiful woman. Her body began to transform—her lower half became a snake’s body, and her eyes turned strange and eerie. Gradually, her beauty vanished, leaving only a monstrous form.
Seeing her new form, the beautiful woman wept bitterly, but soon calmed herself. At least now she had power. She bid farewell to the giant serpent and left.
Afterward, the woman—now Madam Serpent Dora—relentlessly searched for the divine pill, killing many along the way. Her eyes were red with exhaustion; for years she had worked tirelessly, all for the chance to find the divine pill. But she never expected things would turn out like this.
Madam Serpent Dora cried out to the sky, “Heaven is unjust!”
Yang Han watched Madam Serpent Dora’s whole story and was stunned. She had courage, but he realized she never killed anyone unless forced to defend herself. As for Stone Freak’s relatives, they were actually alive, hidden as hostages to force him to hand over the Divine Pill Chapter. He never expected such an ending.
When Madam Serpent Dora awoke from the illusion, her eyes were red as she stared at Yang Han and said, “Why did you show me all this? Why?”
There's no reason. I only wanted to find your inner weakness, but ended up seeing so much more. Why didn't you just say you hadn't killed anyone?" Yang Han said.
Would anyone believe me? Most people are terrified just by seeing my face, let alone listening to me. They hunt me down, besiege me, and that's how I ended up like this," Madam Serpent Dora said coldly.
If I say I can cure your lover, will you release them and give up chasing the Divine Pill Chapter?" Yang Han asked.
Madam Serpent Dora thought she must have misheard. She looked at Yang Han and asked, "What did you say?"
I said, if I save your lover, will you release them and stop pursuing the Divine Pill Chapter?" Yang Han repeated.
I only searched for the Divine Pill Chapter to cure him. If he can be healed, why would I need the scripture? Why keep entangling them, degrading myself like this? What's the point?" Madam Serpent Dora said.
Knowing Madam Serpent Dora's true motive, Yang Han said, "Alright, I'll help you. Now, can you let them leave?"
Are you sure? You're not lying to me?" Madam Serpent Dora asked skeptically. In this world, almost no one can save her lover—how could Yang Han possibly do it?
I swear on my soul," Yang Han said, then began his oath. Hearing Yang Han's vow, Madam Serpent Dora decided to take the risk. Since she was already in this state, she had no way to stir up trouble, so she said, "Alright."
She looked at the small snakes, muttered something, and they vanished, returning to her body. The snake scales reappeared, wrapping around her once more.
Freed from the snakes, Stone Freak immediately rushed to Madam Serpent Dora, raising his palm to kill her, but Yang Han shouted, "Stop!"
Stone Freak stopped and said, "What? You're not planning to let her go, are you? She killed my relatives and so many others."
Senior, please hear me out. Once you know everything, you might let her go," Yang Han said.
Stone Freak wanted to hear Yang Han's explanation, and Mark Howe watched curiously. Yang Han recounted Madam Serpent Dora's story, and as she listened, her eyes grew wet, as if she was reliving it all.
When Stone Freak heard that his relatives weren't dead and learned of Madam Serpent Dora's tragic experience, he asked, "Is this true?"
I've seen it myself—it's true," Yang Han said.
You saw it?" Stone Freak asked, curious.
I can see a person's inner illusions—the things hidden deep inside. I originally wanted to find her weakness and free you, but instead found all this," Yang Han said.
Stone Freak looked at Madam Serpent Dora and asked, "Why didn't you tell me? Otherwise, I would've given you the Divine Pill Chapter long ago."
Did you ever give me a chance to speak?" Madam Serpent Dora asked. Stone Freak fell silent; back then, everyone assumed she was a monster. When they saw her terrifying eyes, it only convinced them further, and things gradually became like this.
Now, knowing his relatives are alive, Stone Freak was secretly overjoyed inside.