A Jiu could see now that Grandma Wang had been faking it earlier, perhaps to avoid worrying her family.
She didn't hold back, pulling out the stopper and holding it to Grandma Wang's lips.
This time, he no longer had the strength to tilt his head back and gulp, only taking small sips.
"Grandma, you caught this snake because you wanted to eat it, right?"
Wang Shi waved her hand to indicate she had drunk enough, closed her eyes tightly, and let out a long sigh:
"This snake possesses a potent spiritual energy, truly rare in this world. It would be a shame to miss such an opportunity."
Wang Shi was referring to how rare it was in this world. After all, this place was practically desolate. After finally encountering one after a long struggle, she had decided to risk her life to try.
Perhaps if she succeeded, she would have won the gamble.
"Then you're risking your life! Besides, I don't know if this spirit spring water can neutralize such potent venom."
A Jiu was speaking the truth. She couldn't do anything if Grandma was so bent on self-destruction.
"The spirit spring water might not neutralize it, but if this old one drinks it, it can be neutralized."
A Jiu didn't understand what she meant at all.
Not long after, smoke began to rise from Wang Shi's head, similar to the steam when cooking.
A Jiu quickly pinched her nose. It smelled awful.
It seemed to be steaming out the accumulated stench from Grandma's half-year unwashed hair, probably enough to kill lice.
After an unknown amount of time, A Jiu, hugging her knees, was almost falling asleep.
The only sound in her ears was the rustling of the small snake trapped under the basket.
A Jiu opened her eyes and saw Wang Shi still meditating, but the smoke from her head had subsided, and the foul smell had also lessened.
A Jiu propped herself on the outside of the basket, watching the small snake. It flicked its tongue through the narrow gap.
If it weren't for the potent venom, A Jiu would have found its tiny eyes rather attractive.
As soon as this thought crossed her mind, A Jiu felt like she was going crazy.
At that moment, the small snake in the bamboo basket suddenly raised its upper body. This movement clearly indicated an attack.
Terrified, she instantly became alert.
Turning to look at Wang Shi, A Jiu froze: "Grandma... Grandma."
She braced herself on the ground and scrambled backward.
Behind Wang Shi, a thick, banded snake was silently flicking its forked tongue.
"Grandma... there's, there's a snake, a big snake." A Jiu forced out a few words from her throat, her teeth chattering loudly.
With a rustle.
A Jiu found herself pressed against the bamboo basket, and the small snake inside darted out through the gap.
"Grandma, run!"
It's over, it's all over.
A Jiu screamed, finally waking Wang Shi from her meditative state.
"What are you yelling about? This old one still has a piece of venom on their backside..." Wang Shi yelped, clearly annoyed that her granddaughter had disturbed her.
Before she could finish, her eyes fell on the overturned bamboo basket.
Her pupils constricted this time, and she quickly looked around. What she saw was alarming.
"Oh, my ancestors..." Wang Shi was stunned.
Outside, people were already discussing how Wang Shi, having been poisoned by that snake, was somehow unharmed. It was truly strange.
Wu Dalei, in particular, found it increasingly bizarre. While the old lady was certainly odd, that was undeniably the venom of a king cobra. How could she be fine?
The shout echoed, and Wu Dalei and Meng Shaode grabbed their tools and ran into the depths of the cave.
"What happened?"
When the two brothers reached the spot, they were so startled that they dropped the sticks in their hands.
Meng Shaode had never seen such a large snake up close. At that moment, it raised its head and stared menacingly at their group.
A Jiu stood rooted to the spot, unable to flee.
Wang Shi chuckled, "Granddaughter, didn't I say this little snake was intelligent? Look."
Wu Dalei raised the torch higher. Although he had never seen such a large snake, seeing the snake's skin prepared him mentally.
However, why were A Jiu and Wang Shi still chatting? Why weren't they running?