Soaking in the river, Shengqing instantly went on high alert. "Yu Yu," he said gravely, "a Beastman is approaching us. I'll move you somewhere safe first."
Although snakes enjoy the water and he had an advantage fighting in the river, Su Yu was on his head. If he fought now, she could easily get caught in the crossfire.
He quickly swam toward the bank and placed Su Yu in a tree. Just as he was about to lie in ambush, a nearby bush started to rustle. A huge black shadow suddenly shot out from the riverside thicket, pouncing toward Shengqing with a low growl.
Shengqing reacted in a flash. With a powerful swing of his snake tail, he whipped the black shadow and sent it flying.
He then deliberately tried to lure it deeper into the forest, away from Su Yu's tree, to ensure her safety.
But to his surprise, the black shadow he'd sent flying completely ignored him. After getting back on its feet, it ran straight for the tree where Su Yu was hiding.
