It hid under the earth, snapped up roots from below, and used the crops as cover so that anyone trying to cut it would risk damaging the entire field. Mo Yuxin paced around the perimeter first, marking the strongest growth points, while Su Yubing floated just above the rows with one hand spread open and a layer of cold light sinking gently through the leaves. It was more like surgery than battle at first. They separated the harmless vines from the corrupted ones, traced the flow back to the broken formation, and then broke the whole wild knot open in a single coordinated strike. When the spirit finally burst out, it was shaped like a huge twisting serpent made of leaves and flowers, with bright green eyes and a mouth full of root teeth. It did not scream in malice. It screamed like a thing waking up in pain.
