King of the Wilderness

The head is smooth and oval-shaped, with no distinct separation from the neck, a typical feature of non-venomous water snakes.

A pair of small, sharp black eyes quietly observe the water surface.

It is also waiting; for the lead-colored water snake, a careless stonefish or a passing frog is an unmissable feast.

The tongue does not flicker, and the whole body remains motionless, as if it has merged with the rock, becoming an eternal part of this creek valley.

Lin Yu’an’s lips curled into a hunter-like smile.

"Found it."

He whispered almost inaudibly to the camera: "Change of plans, our target is no longer those agile appetizers, but this main course delivered to us!"

"Lead-colored water snake," he silently mouthed to the camera, "Round head, smooth scales, non-venomous, not on the protection list, a typical non-venomous aquatic snake."

"Its appearance here indicates a very healthy ecosystem, with ample frogs and fish for it to prey on. Today it will be my source of protein."

Without hesitation, Lin Yu’an quickly untied the laces of his hiking boots.

"Guys, remember one rule," he explained to the camera while taking off his shoes, "In non-emergency situations, never let your shoes and socks get wet."

"A pair of soaked boots in the wilderness is a disaster; they not only sap the warmth from your feet but can also cause blisters, and even fatal trench foot. Shoes are an extension of the legs; their dryness must be protected."

He placed his boots and socks on a dry rock, then stood up and rolled his pant legs up above his knees, revealing muscular calves.

The entire preparation process took no more than thirty seconds, with each action filled with clear purpose.

Barefoot, he felt the rough texture of the rock, "My feet are unprotected, and every second, the icy creek water will directly rob me of warmth. So this must be a swift battle. Success only, failure not permitted."

After speaking, he picked up the stone spear, took a deep breath, and stepped barefoot into the icy cold creek water.

"Hiss—!"

The coldness rushed up like a thousand ice needles piercing his soles, charging straight to his celestial spirit! He couldn’t help but gasp, but his body remained as steady as a rock.

Being barefoot allowed him to sense the contours of the underwater rocks and the slippery biofilm on them more clearly, stepping as steadily as a heron wading in the water.

He stood motionless in the knee-deep water, letting his silhouette blend into the environment, eyes locked on the target beside the rock.

He did not rush to act but quickly simulated the best attack strategy in his mind.

"Against such a smooth, nimble water snake, brute force is the least efficient option," he whispered tactically to the chest camera.

"A massive strike would only alarm it prematurely; the water will serve as its buffer. The only way is at the fastest speed, to pin its spine firmly against the rock beneath it with the stone spear. One strike, leaving no escape or counterattack opportunity."

For this, he adjusted his posture. Lowering his center of gravity, holding the spear shaft with one hand in front of the other, the spear tip aimlessly pointing underwater, he was like a fully drawn bow.

There’s only one chance; a snake’s reaction is as fast as lightning, any hesitation would lead to failure.

He slowly submerged the stone spear in the water, the sharp flint spearhead silently stealthily aiming at the snake’s spinal weak spot about a fist behind its body.

His bare toes clung tightly to the sand and stones at the bottom, providing the firmest support for this thunderous strike.

Taking a deep breath, he tensed his muscles instantly, then explosively!

"Thud!"

With a short and dull splash, the stone spear in his hand was not cleaving, but like an arrow off the string, transforming into a blur heading sharply downward!

The entire movement was crisp and efficient, without a superfluous motion, power transmitted from the waist and abdomen to the arms, then infused into the spear tip!

This time, what the spear shaft conveyed was no longer the dull feeling of hitting rock, but a vivid, severe tremor tearing through tough muscle and scales, finally crashing into the hard rock!

Success!

The sharp spear tip pierced through the snake’s body with precision, and pinned it firmly to the black granite at the bottom, like a biological specimen!

"Hiss hiss—!"

The intense pain unleashed astonishing life energy in the water snake! The water instantly churned violently, murky silt and strands of blood burst forth.

Its body writhed and coiled furiously, trying to wrap around the deadly spear shaft.

Lin Yu’an stood firm as if rooted to the ground, pressing down on the spear shaft, letting the snake struggle. He knew as long as the spear tip remained lodged in the rock, the snake with its destroyed spine had no chance of escape.

Minutes later, the underwater struggle gradually subsided, leaving only unconscious twitching.

Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief, not wasting a moment, quickly lifting the meal along with the stone spear from the water, and swiftly walked back to the rocks on the shore.

As soon as he left the frigid creek, he immediately threw the snake on the ground, checked his feet and calves for leech bites, scraped off the water from his legs with his palms, and then quickly put on dry socks and boots.

A warmth spread from the soles of his feet, allowing him to exhale a long breath.