Once upon a time there was a greedy snake.

Chapter 164 Trial of the Ancient Serpent
Lower reaches of the great river, Tatunbuto Apofis.

The former town of Buto has evolved into a massive Demon King's castle, but compared to the castle itself, the enormous figure that sits outside the castle is the true landmark of this castle.

Because the enormous serpentine body coiled on the south side of the city, occasionally blocking the midday sun, many locals say it is a symbol of the serpent god devouring the sun god—although this so-called symbol is completely illogical, it does not prevent the locals from regarding it as an auspicious sign.

Of course, this doesn't mean they don't really need the sun at all; they just have a problem with the sun god. As for the sun itself, it would be best if it could continue to hang in the sky and shine.

Just like now, the midday sun is scorching hot, and you'll be drenched in sweat just walking on the street—but this is the best time to dry clothes. Freshly washed clothes only need to be hung out to dry for a midday, and you can bring them back in the afternoon. The clothes will also be covered in the scent of sunshine, which has a reassuring aroma.

"But isn't today's sunshine... a bit too hot?"

Some of the people who came out to hang their clothes out to dry felt vaguely that something was amiss.

Yes, it does seem a bit too hot. If it were just a normal midday, although it would be hot, it wouldn't be unbearable. But right now, the sunlight is so intense that it can be described as scorching.

Even though it was just sunlight shining on my body, it felt like I was on fire. The gradually increasing stinging pain was like a sharp spear, piercing my flesh and bones bit by bit.

This also made people instinctively hide indoors, in the shade, and away from the already eerie sunlight.

Apart from the four chief priests.

Whether they're called the Four Demon Lords or the Four High Priests, it's just a title given to them by others.

Before acquiring these titles, and before encountering the great serpent god, they were all priests who worshipped the sun god.

Therefore, compared to ordinary people, they understand better what such sunshine truly means.

"...Are they here?"

Ansag, the Crowned One, couldn't help but let out a wry smile.

The other three priests also wore bitter expressions.

They had also considered that now that the Snake God had done something so great, the Sun God on the upper reaches of the river would certainly not just stand by and watch. The so-called Sun God warriors and their so-called divine arts might seem extremely exaggerated to ordinary people, but in the conflict between gods, they were ultimately just minor skirmishes.

Those so-called divine warriors alone cannot accomplish anything. The only one capable of destroying a god is probably another god.

Therefore, divine punishment descended.

It happened at a time no one could have predicted.

These priests who once served the sun god could not have imagined it, let alone the serpent god. This was a surprise attack without warning, yet it was also an extremely deadly one. With the serpent god's intentions being met with surprise, could he really handle it?
I'm afraid not.

Gazing at the enormous serpent in the distance, the four priests had already seen it, but the enormous serpent had not reacted at all.

"I'm afraid it's because his body is too big..."

Satek the Greatsword's expression was quite unpleasant.

"We can feel it because we are too weak. The divine light overflowing from the Sun God is enough to kill us... But for the Serpent God, it is probably just that the sun is a little too big."

The sun was just a little bigger, which might not seem like much, but when the golden spear of judgment, symbolizing the power of the sun god, fell from the sky, it was a completely different story.

If the Sun God were to personally intervene... not only the Serpent God, but even Tatun Buto, and the entire Buto region, would likely be reduced to ashes!
"We must warn the Snake God!"

With that thought in mind, the four priests mounted their warhorses and galloped toward the direction of the serpent god.

Clearly, the closer they got to the enormous serpent's body, the closer they were to danger. If they wanted to survive, the best course of action was to escape now. However, the four priests also knew that once the serpent god fell, they, the four traitors, would be the next to be punished.

Since the Sun God has personally taken action, he will naturally not allow these four traitors to continue living. Wherever the sun shines, there will be no place for them to hide!

"We must live!"

At this moment, the four priests placed all their hopes on the enormous serpent's body. "They must react... they must win!"

Of the four priests, Ansagh, the one with the crown who rushed to the front, had already started shouting loudly.

"Great Serpent God! Danger!"

"Enemy attack..."

boom--

Before he could finish speaking, a dazzling golden light descended from the sky.

As the golden light descended, golden flames instantly ignited on the enormous serpent's body—this was the sun god's divine punishment, the inextinguishable flames of the sun!

Nothing can withstand the scorching heat of the sun itself.

Even gods cannot do that.

Their warning came too late; golden flames had already spread across the enormous snake's body, which was melting away like ice and snow.

Before the galloping warhorse could reach the snake's body, the enormous snake had already been burned to ashes.

"This……"

Beneath the golden ash, the four priests were utterly desperate.

They never expected things to happen so quickly. They had tried everything, but the serpent god was still killed on the spot by this sudden attack.

"Is this... the sun god?"

The four priests had completely given up on thinking.

At this point, thinking about anything was meaningless. The serpent god was dead, and next up were the four of them—the four priests wearing sunglasses subconsciously raised their heads. They could even vaguely see the enormous, magnificent eagle descending from the sky.

Sure enough, because the four of them were too rebellious, the sun god had to personally descend and bring down divine punishment?

"This is really..."

Ansag, the Crowned One, gritted his teeth.

Is this the end of his fate?

"This is really... why is it an eagle again?"

Just then, a familiar voice rang in the ears of the four priests.

No, not even beside the ear, but beneath the feet.

It was at this moment that the four priests suddenly realized...

At the feet of the warhorses, on the ground unnoticed by them, a small snake wearing sunglasses, just like them, raised its head and looked at the sun in the sky.

"What are you looking at me doing?"

Sensing the gazes of the four priests, the little snake immediately spoke.

"Can't I learn some magic?"

(End of this chapter)