After Maxing out all Classes

Chapter 864: The Enormous Serpent

TL: I sincerely apologize for my recent absence. Due to the overwhelming demands of college finals and projects, I found myself utterly burnt out and needed to take a hiatus. The looming project deadlines only made the situation situation.

I want to express my deep appreciation for the concern and support Ive received during this time. The comments and emails expressing worry and encouragement have touched me deeply. Your unwavering support has been a source of strength.

I am pleased to announce that I am now back and rejuvenated. Our regular translation schedule will resume without interruption.

Once again, thank you for your understanding and support. Lets continue this journey together.

Before the five of them, a narrow and eerie gorge stretched out. The gorge, shrouded in an almost perpetual gloom, had a narrow passage at the top, almost like a thread of sky, which was concealed by towering ancient trees. Sunlight struggled to pierce through, barely reaching the ground below. Crossing this gorge would lead to the most remote and terrifying part of the Jinghong Mountains.

Xuelu stood at the mouth of the gorge, peering inside for a moment. She sensed a dense aura of magical creatures within, which made her a bit uneasy. However, with Robb behind her, her courage swelled.

Had Robb not been present, they wouldnt have dared to venture into such a perilous area of the Jinghong Mountain Range. But with Robb by their side, everything seemed possible.

Summoning her courage, she took a step into the gorge. Barely two steps in, she suddenly felt the ground give way beneath her. In an instant, an enormous spider web shot up from the ground, ensnaring her and hoisting her up onto a tree branch.

In the midst of the spider web, Xuelu exclaimed, What the heck is this?

A spider, as massive as a mammoth, descended from a nearby tree and landed on the branch where Xuelu was suspended. It emitted a hissing sound from its mouth.

Jike quickly drew his bow and fired an arrow at the giant spider. Surprisingly agile, the spider sidestepped the arrow with a small leap, then turned toward the remaining four and let out a menacing growl, revealing its glistening venomous fangs.

Robb exclaimed, Wow, its trying to intimidate us, telling us to scram and not even think about saving Xuelu.

Gorda added, Im really scared. Maybe we should leave Xuelu behind and run.

Robb agreed, I was thinking the same thing.

Xuelu shouted, Hey!

Suofa silently withdrew two daggers and said, Enough with these tasteless jokes. Lets quickly free her.

Gorda charged forward, and the spiders bite merely clanged against his Titansteel shield, unable to penetrate. Gordas one-handed sword swung forward, but the spider agilely sidestepped the strike.

Meanwhile, Suofas daggers moved swiftly, slicing through the spider web that bound Xuelu.

Xuelu fell to the ground, tearing the sticky spider silk off herself as she grumbled, Damn, this place wasted no time in showing its hospitality.

Gorda laughed heartily ahead, saying, Whose idea was it for a magician to lead the way? In a place like this, its either me up front or a hunter skilled in detecting traps. You really thought it was your turn?

Whatever! Xuelu pouted, rolling her eyes.

At this moment, Robb ambled forward, leaning on his staff, and kept on muttering, Wow, the deepest part of the Jinghong Mountain Range is so terrifying, so terrifying. Weve barely stepped in, and we have already been ambushed by giant spiders.

Go ahead and keep pretending, Xuelu retorted with a playful grin.

It was you who told me not to intervene, right? Robb mimicked Xuelus tone, playfully teasing her, You just pushed everyone aside, and now theres no fun left.

Xuelu protested, I dont sound that cutesy when I talk.

Gorda said, Really? I think you sound pretty similar.

Jike chimed in, Agreed +1!

Xuelu grumbled,

She huffed a couple of times, deciding not to lead anymore. She stepped closer to Robb, with Suofa on one side and her on the other. It looked like Robb was flanked by his two female bodyguards. This position felt safe and secure hopefully, they wouldnt fall into another spider web.

Gorda and Jike exchanged amused headshakes and proceeded into the gorge.

Xuelu latched onto Robbs arm, holding tightly, just like how a woman would hold her boyfriends arm while strolling. She smiled and said, Lets go, we should join them.

Robb remarked, Youre holding onto me so tightly, you wont have time to react in an emergency if youre not in a proper combat stance.

Xuelu chuckled, I dont care. As long as Im sticking close to you, I feel safe.

Robb muttered,

Meanwhile, Suofa rolled her eyes discreetly and whispered, No wonder the Queen scolds you.

Xuelu asked, Huh? What are you saying? I didnt catch that.

Suofa replied, I didnt say anything.

Though Suofa stopped speaking, she purposely walked closer to Robb. Normally, she was more reserved and kept her distance from him. But with Xuelus antics, she found herself unable to maintain that distance. So, she opted to stand shoulder to shoulder with Robb, not as bold as holding his arm but still close enough.

Robb secretly chuckled to himself, [Women can get jealous too. Men cant catch a break. Great, keep it up, girls!]

Gorda and Jike, leading ahead, glanced back, exchanged a bewildered look, and shrugged before continuing their path.

The three of them walked closely together into the gorge. Unlike the city, this wild and rugged terrain was filled with boulders and trees. Walking side by side proved quite challenging. They either stumbled upon rocks or got caught in branches it was quite awkward.

Suddenly, Xuelu spotted a narrow path between the trees that seemed fairly open. They could walk side by side there without any issues. She quickly tugged on Robbs arm and said, Lets go over there, its less crowded.

Suofa cautioned, Gorda and Jike havent checked that path.

Xuelu replied, No worries, dear. Youre with us, whats there to be afraid of?

After a moment of consideration, Suofa agreed.

So, the three of them maneuvered their way out of the trees and boulders and onto the slightly wider path.

Xuelu grinned mischievously, Isnt it strange? In the Jinghong Mountain Range, filled with magical creatures, who would go through the trouble of clearing a path?

Just as she finished saying this, Gorda, who was leading the way up ahead, turned back and yelled, Hey, you guys arent walking on a regular path at all. Thats the back of a super-sized giant magic python!

Xuelu:

At this point, there was no time for further reaction.

The ground began to tremble, and with a swift motion, a colossal python emerged from the earth. Indeed, this wasnt some woodland trail; it was the back of a massive magic python lying across a mountain ravine. Its enormous body filled the ravine, creating the illusion of a wide forest path

Perhaps sensing that someone had stepped on its back, the python seemed quite irritated. It rapidly coiled its massive body, moving astonishingly quickly. In an instant, it ensnared Robb, Xuelu, and Suofa. When a snake coils around something, the more it coils, the tighter the grip becomes. The three of them were squeezed together in an instant, the pressure increasing.

With one woman in front and the other behind, they were tightly pressed against Robbs body. Xuelus little face was less than a centimeter away from Robbs lips.

This was quite the situation!

Robb was thoroughly amused!