Chapter 32: The Snake Woman’s True Nemesis

Chapter 32: The True Bane of Snake-Women

Would he and Su Keke encounter dinosaurs while searching for a water source? Would they run into unknown predators capable of hunting dinosaurs? Since these creatures existed in this jungle, the probability of an encounter was certainly high. After a moment of contemplation, Xu Yi decided that they must press forward. They could not survive without water. Besides, retreating did not guarantee safety; as long as they remained in this world, they were in danger.

"Let’s take these bones. Once we break them, we can use them as drinking straws." The small dinosaur’s teeth were too short, so Xu Yi didn't find them useful and left them behind. The ribs were too curved for his current needs, so he discarded those as well. With that, the two continued their journey.

"Look, the trees ahead are noticeably thicker than those in other areas, which suggests this is a more primeval part of the jungle," Xu Yi said cheerfully, leading Su Keke forward. "The humidity is higher, and the vegetation seems much more abundant. A place like this might even have mushrooms. Of course, the chances of finding a water source are much greater here."

Xu Yi suspected that this type of jungle would be teeming with snakes. By relying on snakes, he and Su Keke could ensure a steady supply of food. Other contestants would likely find it difficult to track snakes due to their natural camouflage, but before Xu Yi’s X-ray vision, they had nowhere to hide. With a 30-meter range, no snake or other predator could ambush them. His X-ray vision was his greatest advantage. Compared to other contestants, his and Keke’s safety was significantly higher. Most contestants who had been eliminated by animal attacks were not the ones initiating the conflict; they were caught off guard by surprise attacks. Therefore, Xu Yi felt quite confident about surviving the 100-day challenge. Even though he was looking after six-year-old Keke, she was helpful and didn't require much extra care. Plus, with Keke by his side, he wouldn't feel lonely. It was easy to be defeated by loneliness in the wilderness.

"The temperature is a bit lower in here; it must be because of the humidity," he noted.

"Under normal circumstances, this kind of jungle is rich in animal resources," Xu Yi continued, clearing the path with his stone machete while keeping a sharp eye on his surroundings. "Spiders and ants, which were rare in the outer jungle, are everywhere here. The leaves on the ground are quite damp, so starting a fire won't be easy."

Xu Yi had collected some tinder, which he kept in his basket along with some snake skins, but he felt it wasn't enough. "I plan to find something for dinner first, then head back. It's better to return to the outer jungle for the night." The inner area was too damp; they would likely need to lay down snake skins just to sleep. The trees were covered in moss, making them unsuitable for resting either. The drastic difference in humidity between the two areas seemed illogical to Xu Yi, as there was no significant change in terrain. It was possible they were nearing a river, though he and Keke hadn't heard the sound of flowing water.

"Keke, do you hear anything?" Xu Yi suddenly stopped and asked.

Su Keke shook her head, then tilted her ear to listen. "Is that the sound of a tongue flicking?"

"Yes, it's a snake, and it's not far from us. Stay behind me; I'm going to catch it." Xu Yi scanned the area and spotted the creature. It was a large snake, as thick as his arm and over a meter and a half long. He didn't know if it was venomous, but it was a different species from the ones he had eaten before. He cut a branch with a fork at the end, intending to pin the snake's neck, crush its head, and decapitate it. With his stone machete, his offensive capabilities had improved significantly.

Su Keke stood by the basket, clutching Xu Yi’s spear, watching him nervously as he approached the snake. The snake raised its head the moment it sensed him. Xu Yi struck decisively, pinning the snake's head with the forked branch.

[66666! The true bane of snake-women!]
[Nice! He pinned the snake-woman's head perfectly. Dinner is secured!]
[That looks like a venomous snake; its head is triangular.]
[It looks like a pit viper. Terrifying.]
[Contestant No. 1 is decisive. Using a branch was the right call.]

Feeling the snake’s immense strength, Xu Yi pushed down, driving the end of the branch into the soil. He quickly stepped forward and delivered a clean strike with his machete, severing the head from the body without a moment’s hesitation. The stream of comments was once again filled with praise.

"I don't know if this snake is venomous, so we have to be careful. Sometimes a severed head can still bite. Don't touch the head for at least half an hour, and stay away from it," Xu Yi warned, keeping the branch pinned while checking for other animals. The snake's body continued to writhe on the ground. Once the branch was wedged firmly in the mud, he let go, and the head remained trapped. The snake’s body had coiled around a piece of deadwood, which Xu Yi picked up.

Returning to Su Keke, Xu Yi shouldered his basket. "This snake is huge, probably five or six jin. After removing the bones and skin, there should be at least three jin of meat." It was much larger than the previous ones he had caught. The vertebrae might even be suitable for making bone needles, which would allow them to sew the snake skins together.

Back in the outer jungle, Xu Yi found a spot to stop for the night, about 200 meters from where he had killed the snake. There was a small piece of deadwood nearby, perfect for roasting the meat. It was not yet 4:30 PM, and Xu Yi considered heading back into the damp jungle to find some vines to see if they were water-yielding. The water in his snake-skin bag still had a fishy odor, and finding fresh water from vines would be much better.