Against The Eternity Chapter 67: [66] Chapter - 42: Titans of the River Depths {Special Chapter}

Read chapter 67 of Against The Eternity by Phoenixfly_steller on NovelPedia.

[66] Chapter - 42: Titans of the River Depths {Special Chapter} Before Eklavya could even complete the instinctive motion of turning his head to identify what had surged toward him from behind, a massive, tail-like appendage tore through the water and struck him with brutal precision. It slammed his body directly into the solid river wall ahead with such overwhelming force that the impact reverberated through stone, water, and bone alike. The blow drove the breath from his lungs and forced dark blood from his mouth. The blood immediately dissolved into the surrounding current and was carried forward by the river’s flow. As though the water itself refused to acknowledge his injury. For a brief moment, the world spun violently around him as he struggled to stabilise his footing against the uneven riverbed. His senses dulled under the combined shock and the sudden pressure of water surging around his body. Yet even in that instant of disorientation, years of combat-honed instinct prevented him from collapsing entirely. Forcing himself upright, he raised his gaze toward the source of the attack with cold focus rather than panic. What met his eyes was a being that dwarfed the surrounding terrain. It was a colossal serpent-like creature nearly six hundred feet in length, its thick, wide body coiled partially along the riverbed and partially suspended within the water. Near black-brown scales covered its form, ancient and scarred, each plate layered tightly over the next like natural armour forged through centuries of survival. Violent arcs of lightning continuously crawled across its massive body. The Lightning emerged from beneath its dense skin before converging and dispersing again into the water. The irregular patterns gave the impression that thunder itself was imprisoned within the creature’s flesh. The oppressive pressure radiating from the beast distorted the water around it. Even before it moved again, Eklavya could feel the threat pressing directly against his senses. It was a silent declaration that this was not a creature meant to be challenged lightly. Yet he did not hesitate because hesitation in such moments meant death. Drawing his sword in a single smooth motion, Eklavya thrust forward and channelled ki into the blade as the serpent surged toward him simultaneously. It released a deafening ‘Schhheee!’ that rippled through the water and vibrated violently against his body. The sound alone carried enough force to destabilise a weaker cultivator before the creature even closed the distance. The clash came instantly and without mercy. Eklavya’s sword met the sweeping arc of the serpent’s tail, which the beast had whipped forward with terrifying speed in an attempt to crush him aside before using its massive jaws to swallow him whole. Reinforcing his arm with surging ki, five luminous chakras manifested around each of his hands as he poured increasing strength into the block. ‘haaaaaa’ His muscles screamed in protest as he absorbed the full weight of the blow. Even as he resisted the crushing force of the tail, his eyes caught sight of the serpent’s enormous mouth opening wide. Rows of jagged fangs were exposed as it lunged closer, clearly intent on ending the battle in a single, decisive gulp. “Fuck.” The word escaped him instinctively as he disengaged. He retreated in a burst of speed and circled around the serpent’s massive body before it could fully turn its head to track his movement. Using the brief opening, he leapt high through the water. He gathered momentum before driving his sword downward with precision into the hardened scales atop the creature’s head. The impact sent a violent tremor through the serpent’s body. It released a distorted, enraged roar beneath the water as Eklavya landed atop its skull, his blade buried deep between armoured plates. The strike anchored him momentarily to the beast’s massive form as he prepared to follow up with another attack. However, before he could press his advantage furthe