The Lesser Venom Wyrm decided to reveal herself at that moment.

  She felt no threat from the humans. Perhaps, if they were cultivators, she would take caution, yet her instincts told her their mortal weapons would be unable to pierce her tough scales; she was in no danger of showing herself.

  I need information, and they will provide it.

  The Lesser Venom Wyrm knew that she could either avoid them or seek information; slaughtering them was another option, yet she had no real inclination to do so.

  They were too pitiful, weak, and smelled horrible.

  Sun Yuying found that she felt a real distaste for things lacking in spiritual energy; even the formerly tasty Giant Hornets lost their appeal. She found it was no longer enough to sate her.

  Zhu, the young girl, was the first to spot her as her gigantuan serpentine body slithered through the bushy shrubs forcefully.

  Her airy voice yelled out, “Spirit Beast!”

  Sun Yuying did not even make the effort to mask her movements, causing heavy rustling and the crushing of undergrowth as her large body snapped twigs or anything in her path beneath it, and the humans yelled in fright.

  Qian, the woman, turned pale, walking backwards in fright as she nervously reached around to draw her bow.

  The two men seemed equally nervous fumbling for their weapons; the leader, Min, on the other hand, instantly stood protectively in front and, with practised movements, drew an old, worn-looking sabre.

  His poker face was impressive, and if not for the deathly hard grip as he held the sabre and the reek of fear her sharp senses picked up, it was almost faultless.

  “Stay back, Beast!” Min Feng yelled, waving his sabre threateningly.

  The Lesser Venom Wyrm felt delighted by the response; the only disappointment was the young girl, who, whilst wearing an expression of pure fright, was faking it.

  Sun Yuying knew young girl Zhu was the only one genuinely fearless. Whilst the others panicked, the young girl secretly showed none of the biological responses or true fear.

  She picked this up as she fixated on the young girl, as she was the one among the five with the mysterious aura.

  I know there is something special about you. What is it?

  Her golden serpentine eyes narrowed as she stared at them intently.

  Waving around those toys?

  Stop waving your stick around. Can you humans not engage in a simple discussion?

  Despite the Lesser Venom Wyrm possessing human memories, she felt no empathy for them. It was strange; she felt distant, and the sabre the lead human waved around felt like some pointy metal stick that was more of an annoyance than a threat.

  It seemed she underestimated their tolerance for a talking serpent, too. The woman, Qian, shrieked, “It can speak!”

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  The woman, in fear and utter futility, reacted badly, instinctively launching a sharp iron-tipped arrow at her, which ricocheted harmlessly off her large head and only served to irritate her further, as it felt akin to someone forcefully flicking her head.

  Breathing in, she was about to melt the Impudent woman in a cloud of venomous gas, but the young girl, Zhu, hastily stepped in front diplomatically as she said, “One moment! I can help you. She was being foolish, yet let me explain, if you let me speak, I can give you a good reason to spare her from harm.”

  The lead human, Min, was shocked at Zhu's calm, measured, swift response as he said, “Zhu, what do you think you are doing? Get behind me now.”

  Zhu shook her head as she replied, “You have no idea what trouble we’re in! If that Serpent wanted us dead, there is nothing we can do about it, so stop. The Whispering Spirit Beast Pavilion has kept Spirit Beasts from bothering the village for a long time. A Spirit Beast makes the fierce beasts here look like kittens, and they are the cause of countless herb-gathering groups' deaths yearly. So, do you really think you can do anything with that sabre?”

  Min furrowed his brow as he said, “Zhu Mei! You may be a bit wise beyond your years, but I made a promise to keep you safe!”

  At that moment, he tried to drag her behind him, but the slight girl evaded his grasp with surprising ease, nearing the gigantic serpent and waving her hands harmlessly in the air to show she had no hostile intent.

  The Lesser Venom Wyrm, who had been watching the human affairs with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, at this point felt it was time to speak once again.

  Humans are indeed more complicated than animals. I do find it quite entertaining how they stupidly argue, even when confronted by someone like me! Was I really this foolish before? To let emotions dictate yourself to this extent seems… rather pointless.

  She felt glad that her human memories did not bring with them such fruitless emotions.

  Tell me why I should not just slaughter you all. I am losing patience.

  Sun Yuying projected a voice filled with grievances, but in reality, she was cold as ice; the only human she really felt like burning in a cloud of venom was the one who had hit her with an arrowhead.

  Zhu Mei hurriedly continued as she said, “I have both important information about the Whispering Spirit Beast Pavilion and useful spirit plants that are effective even for Spirit Beasts! Just let them go.”

  Sun Yuying ruminated quickly before she replied.

  I accept; now follow. The rest of you can leave. Hurry before I change my mind.

  The other humans, apart from Min Feng, had relieved expressions on their faces as she said that. The two men had already begun to walk away rather carefreely, and the woman, Qian, though slightly slower, with an expression of partial guilt, also began to follow shortly.

  Only Min Feng had major reluctance as he stared at Zhu Mei, who was waving her hand at him to leave.

  One of the men turned back and said, “Min, come on, you heard the beast! Zhu made her decision!”

  Shaking his head one last time, Min Feng said, “Beast, if she doesn’t return, I will make sure you don’t have a pleasant end.”

  Sun Yuying held his firm gaze as she stared at the insignificant human who was far beneath her. He already turned to leave, following the others, as Zhu Mei said goodbye and waved them off. She even hugged Min Feng as they shared an emotional moment before he left.

  The large serpent just stared there, lacking understanding; even her human memories did not prepare her for such irrationality.

  He dares say something ridiculous?

  Bravery? More like pure stupidity, no idea how righteous fools like that survive.

  The Lesser Venom Wyrm treated his words like dirt as she shook her head. Perhaps she’d find him later after if her discussion with the young girl proved inadequate.

  Now that they've left, it's time for you to share what you promised. If it fails to satisfy me after dealing with you, I will find them. I hate treachery.

  Contrary to her expectation, Zhu Mei dropped the naive act as soon as they left. Instead, eyes that felt old met hers as she said, “Finally, I thought that stubborn man would never leave! Because he was my father's trusted disciple, and because of all that he does, he feels way too obligated to me. Though never mind boring you with those details, I can assure you, everything I have to tell you will be worth it; in fact, I think this may be the beginning of a fantastic partnership.”

  The Lesser Venom Wyrm eyed the girl with interest.

  I have a feeling this discussion will prove valuable after all.