C9 Secret Technique!

Upon hearing the challenge, Lin Chen's gaze sharpened, and he nodded in agreement.

"Alright, bring it on. Show me what you're capable of."

With a cold snort, he stripped off his shirt, unveiling a torso rippling with muscle.

The Green Spirit Snake coiled around a tree before launching itself at Lin Chen like a dart, its speed so swift that all one could see was a blur of green.

"Bring it! Rushing Fist!"

The impact was thunderous. No fancy maneuvers, just a raw clash of flesh and power.

Lin Chen was sent flying back, finally crashing into a large tree. His chest felt tight, his vision darkened, and he nearly coughed up blood.

The Green Spirit Snake didn't fare much better, flung back onto a rock with a smack. Several of its green scales scattered, and blood began to seep out.

The battle was still evenly matched.

"You fool, why go for a direct confrontation? Even if you manage to kill it, you'll be gravely injured," Chen Wuji berated from inside the jade pendant. "To take down a snake, aim for its vital spot, seven inches below its head—that's where its heart lies, its most vulnerable point. Why on earth are you attacking its tail? Breaking it won't necessarily kill it!"

Chastised, Lin Chen sheepishly scratched his head and offered a grin. "Got it, got it. Don't worry, I'll win this time for sure."

He massaged his sore chest and stood up, his expression turning serious as he approached the Green Spirit Snake once more.

The snake lunged again, its gaping maw and sharp fangs aiming for Lin Chen's neck.

"Trying to bite me again? Get lost!"

Lin Chen was well aware of the Green Spirit Snake's lethal venom and remained vigilant. He was ready for its attack, and as soon as it opened its mouth, he knew his move.

He sidestepped, pivoting on his right foot, and spun past the snake's head. In one fluid motion, his right hand reached out and firmly grasped the snake, tightly securing its head.

With its head immobilized and its body dangling helplessly in the air, the Green Spirit Snake was rendered powerless. Despite its frantic struggles, it was no match for Lin Chen's hold.

"Heh, bet you didn't see that coming?"

Lin Chen burst into a triumphant laugh.

Whoosh—

Smack!

Lin Chen's laughter was cut short as his face was struck by a shadow as swift as lightning. His mind went blank for a moment, and he even experienced a brief ringing in his ears, nearly causing him to lose his grip.

"Damn, that hurts!"

Lin Chen's face swelled up from the Green Spirit Snake's tail whip, with blood gushing out as if it cost him nothing. Enraged, he stomped down hard on the snake's tail, then squatted and delivered a powerful punch to the snake's body at the vital seven-inch mark, producing a dull thud.

Hiss—

The Green Spirit Snake screamed in agony, thrashing wildly.

"Charge!"

He landed another precise punch, and blood trickled from the corner of the snake's mouth.

"Charge!"

With the third punch, Lin Chen heard a popping sound by his ear, followed by the Green Spirit Snake's pained wail as its movements gradually ceased, and it soon lay lifeless.

"Is it dead?"

Lin Chen tossed the Green Spirit Snake's body to the ground, then clutched his face and howled in pain. His face was a patchwork of purple and blue, as if he had been mauled by wasps, with his eyes and nose grotesquely swollen and blood still streaming from his nostrils—a sight of extreme misery.

"Hmph! In combat, you must remain vigilant. You can only let down your guard when your teammate is completely incapacitated. Your complacency allowed the Green Spirit Snake to ambush you. You brought this on yourself," Chen Wuji said, devoid of sympathy for Lin Chen's plight, and instead delivered a stern rebuke. "Had the Green Spirit Snake not been weakened, you'd have been dead a hundred times over. Consider this: if your opponent had been Wang Qianjue or Chu Yifeng instead of the Green Spirit Snake, and they had successfully ambushed you, would you still be alive?"

Lin Chen, hearing this, felt a cold shiver run down his spine. It was indeed perilous. His master was correct; when engaging in combat, one must give their all and not take anything for granted, lest they capsize in a gutter unexpectedly.

"Master, rest assured, I've taken your words to heart. When I face my enemies in the future, I won't let my guard down again."

Chen Wuji's face softened somewhat. "Good, as long as you understand. A true martial artist must be decisive and swift in action. No dilly-dallying! Now, go and collect the Purple Brilliance Bamboo. And don't forget, the gall of the Green Spirit Snake is a rare treasure, just as valuable. Make sure to secure that as well."

Lin Chen paused, glancing at the carcass of the Green Spirit Snake and then at the nearby Purple Brilliance Bamboo. He felt a wave of emotion and spoke earnestly, "I appreciate your concern for me, but next time, could you please avoid hitting my face? You know, 'don't hit the face'?"

...

Night fell in an instant, shrouding the land in darkness, with only faint starlight above. The Sunset Mountain Range was enveloped in pitch black, where one couldn't see their own hand in front of their face.

"Nighttime in the Sunset Mountain Range is perilous. Typically, hunting parties venture into the mountains during daylight to seek treasures and make sure to leave before dusk, as many Demonic Beasts are nocturnal, resting during the day. So come nightfall, it's crucial to keep a low profile."

Chen Wuji tirelessly imparted his hunting wisdom to Lin Chen, who listened intently, knowing full well his life could depend on it.

"Once you're in the mountains, there's no such thing as a safe place. Danger lurks at every turn, so if you plan to stay in the mountains long-term, you must find a secure and concealed spot to set up camp."

Lin Chen nodded vigorously. His current hideout was a well-concealed tree hollow, perched high in a large tree, with thick vines draping down to naturally disguise the entrance.

"At night, lighting a fire is out of the question. While some Demonic Beasts fear fire, many of the stronger ones are drawn to it. Lighting a fire in the forest is like sending an open invitation to all the Demonic Beasts around — 'Come and get me!'"

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen felt a chill run down his spine and quickly tossed the flint he was about to use for a fire far away.

Chen Wuji nodded and proceeded, "Alright, I'm about to impart a Secret Technique to you. Take a seat and stay still!"

"A Secret Technique?" Lin Chen's eyes widened in amazement. While a Secret Technique might not be a Combat Skill, it was equally valuable to a warrior, offering significant assistance. For warriors, the allure of Secret Techniques was on par with that of Combat Skills.

"Don't get too worked up. It's merely a Secret Technique for concealing one's presence. It's just that the one I'm teaching you is rather impressive."