Xu Ran commands with absolute authority!

He seems to be the highest authority in this valley...

With just a single command, all creatures, whether living or turned to dust, freeze in place simultaneously.

Even the enormous hundred-meter-long red Snake Demon.

Up in the sky.

The leaves disturbed by the huge fluctuations also come to a stop, settling back on the ground.

A single emerald leaf becomes the only moving thing in the valley, gently floating to the ground under everyone’s gaze.

"Shhhhh~~~~"

A faint rustling sound arises, so soft that even in the peace of the valley, it’s barely audible.

However, in the valley where time seems frozen, the moment the leaf touches the ground, all creatures appear to awaken.

Howling winds blow from the depths of the valley, and the leaf is whisked away, destination unknown.

Vivid green fog, Innate Qi, and red mist interlace continuously but distinctly within the valley, each occupying its own territory in an even match.

But in reality, the vibrant green fog, which had almost condensed into a tangible form, now thins out amidst the clash of energies, resembling morning mist through which objects can now be seen.

Meanwhile, the Innate Qi bursting forth from Xu Ran and the red mist emanating from the Snake Demon are evenly matched.

In this moment.

The red Snake Demon regains its senses, its nine snake eyes glowing crimson again, and a serpentine mark on one forehead flickers with red light.

Upon closer inspection, fine threads of red mist continually emanate from this snakehead’s mark, drifting towards the region occupied by the red mist.

The other eight heads droop slightly, as red light surfaces on their body.

Clearly, the Snake Demon feels aggrieved by Xu Ran’s abrupt command to "silence".

It was just a strong voice, without any Divine Techniques, yet it was intimidated.

This is clearly uncharacteristic of it.

Hence, it seeks to recover some pride from elsewhere.

Within the valley, the red mist that’s devouring the green fog is produced by the snakehead whose mark shines red continually.

They know defeating Xu Ran requires immense Power; Innate Qi in the valley solely belongs to Xu Ran.

Moreover, it had been slumbering underground, yet it was aware of everything happening here.

It knows Xu Ran possesses the Great Success Innate Saint’s Sacred Body, capable of transforming materials on par with Innate Qi into Innate Qi.

The red mist within itself meets this condition; targeting energy supplementation on Xu Ran would risk turning itself into his fuel source.

Thus, absorbing all the green mist in the valley first is the optimal strategy.

Upon regaining awareness, the snakehead controlling the red mist acts immediately, with the serpentine mark on its forehead emitting a steady red glow as proof.

Although.

The valley’s green mist, Innate Qi, and red mist are of the same caliber.

However.

The green mist in the valley is unclaimed property. Though they are equal, without any being controlling it, it becomes easier prey.

Surely, the low-hanging fruit should be chosen!

"Hmm?!"

The Innate Qi dispersing from his body surrounds Xu Ran, protecting him from all Damage.

While the vigilance of Innate Qi is unparalleled, capable of detecting minute changes in the environment.

Xu Ran now senses something significantly amiss.

He distinctly perceives the rapid dwindling of green mist in the valley.

Feeling uneasy, Xu Ran immediately looks towards the zone where the green fog resides.

Observing that the once near-solid green mist now appears extremely thin, as if diluted.

Then, Xu Ran shifts his gaze to the red mist mingling with the green, his eyes gleaming gold, rendering blurred objects crystal clear.

Behold.

Within the red mist, numerous tiny, imperceptible snakes are continuously burrowing into the green mist, leaving behind a red trail as they move.

These red snakes, upon entering the green mist, extend a long proboscis from their mouths resembling octopus tentacles, attaching to the green fog.

Next moment.

Red light bursts from the tiny snakes’ bodies, as the proboscis writhes like maggots, and the green fog, upon entering, transforms into red mist, retreating back into the red mist along the red trail.

This is merely one red snake in action; within the red mist exists tens of thousands of red snakes, mirrored by countless others hidden within the green mist.