Serpent Ancestor

The old black dog was a shrewd character. He squinted his dog eyes and said, "Are you saying that deep in these mountains, there's a place rich in serpent resources and abundant in spiritual qi, suitable for establishing a sect?"

Xu Hei didn't hide anything and nodded, "That place is called Myriad Serpent Valley. I go there every spring, and there are hundreds of thousands of serpents."

As he spoke, he glanced at the little white snake. This white snake had escaped from Myriad Serpent Valley.

Hei Huang sighed helplessly, "There's nothing we can do about it. The Snake Catchers Sect is a two-star sect. If they're setting up a branch, there will definitely be a Core Formation Stage cultivator overseeing it. We can't beat them, so we can only run."

"Burning the mountains is also for clearing the land. All human cities were established this way; it's inevitable."

Hei Huang consoled him. He didn't feel much about it, but Xu Hei's reaction was intense, as if it were a deep-seated grudge. His pale golden eyes turned blood red.

Hei Huang was startled and instinctively reminded him, "Xu Hei, don't be impulsive. You've always been the cautious one!"

Xu Hei took a deep breath and nodded heavily, "I know, I'm not stupid!"

A group of demonic beasts burst out of the encircling flames and headed deeper into the mountains. The flames behind them continued to chase, and Xu Hei didn't dare to stop, fleeing forward.

Now, in the dense summer vegetation, the fire would only grow stronger. Any firefighting measures would be like a drop in the bucket.

Along the way, many animals joined the fleeing group.

Most of those who could escape the flames were demonic beasts. These intelligent creatures formed small teams and fled deeper into the mountains.

Unlike usual, they didn't attack each other on sight. Instead, they were quiet, their expressions filled with fear and dread. They feared the flames and were also angry.

In Xu Hei's group, there were a bunch of pangolins, two porcupines, a giant centipede, and a large frog.

For the sake of survival, these demonic beasts, who were usually natural enemies, had no intention of fighting.

...

The raging fire turned the mountains into scorched earth, spanning dozens of miles. The sky was gray, covered by thick smoke.

In the sky, a middle-aged scholar in white walked on air, his gaze like lightning, scanning the scorched earth below.

The middle-aged scholar took out a jade slip and recorded the terrain he saw.

"This place is flat and suitable for establishing a mortal town. Eight points."

"This place has many mountain springs, suitable for raising spiritual birds. Five points."

"This place is near a river, suitable for opening a herb garden. Seven points."

"This place is suitable for planting spiritual fields, but the mountain is a bit ugly. Only three points."

...

At each place, he recorded the terrain and gave his evaluation.

This person was Xuan Yangzi, a core elder of the Snake Catchers Sect, who had a keen interest in this area.

The plan to establish a branch hall was his idea.

The terrain was still being surveyed, and his true body had not arrived. Only a clone was here.

Xuan Yangzi moved quickly. Soon, he crossed the fire-ravaged area and reached the deeper parts of the mountains, untouched by the flames.

"I heard Myriad Serpent Valley is ahead, rich in serpents. I must go and see how many points it deserves," Xuan Yangzi thought expectantly.

...

Thirty miles ahead.

Hei Huang was walking forward when he suddenly sniffed the air, his expression tensing. "A human cultivator is coming."

In the past, if Xu Hei heard this, he would have hidden without hesitation.

But now, with killing intent in his heart, his eyes flashed, and he said with a grim face, "What cultivation level?"

"Core Formation Stage," Hei Huang answered without thinking, rubbing his nose.

"Whoosh!"

Without another word, Xu Hei turned and fled, disappearing faster than a dog.

"Hey, I haven't finished. It's just a clone, not the true body," Hei Huang shouted.

"Damn it, why didn't you say so earlier!"

Xu Hei stopped in his tracks, cursing as he turned back.

Xu Hei asked, "What level is this clone?"

"I don't know. Clones have different levels. The strongest external incarnation is at least at the False Core Stage, while the weakest paper clone is barely at the Qi Refining Stage," Hei Huang said nonchalantly.

Xu Hei squinted his eyes. If you don't know, then why are you talking nonsense?

Just then, the cultivator behind them approached rapidly, surprising even Hei Huang with his speed.

He immediately took out a jade talisman, activated it with a spell, and a ripple flashed, making Xu Hei and Hei Huang's figures transparent, blending into the natural environment.

"Whoosh!"

The middle-aged scholar's figure swept past above them.

But as he passed over Xu Hei and Hei Huang's heads, he suddenly stopped, as if sensing something. He sniffed the air and landed on the ground.

"Is this guy part dog too?" Xu Hei thought in surprise.

"Don't panic. My invisibility talisman is foolproof. Even a Great Golden Immortal wouldn't detect us. Trust me!" Hei Huang reassured Xu Hei, holding him back from making any rash moves.

At this moment, Xu Hei's heart was in his throat, and he didn't dare to move.

It was his first time observing a Core Formation Stage cultivator up close!

Even though it was just a clone, the invisible pressure made Xu Hei's heart tremble. Why did he come back? He should have just run!

Xuan Yangzi frowned, observing for a moment before standing with his hands behind his back, closing his eyes, and loudly saying, "Your concealment technique only deserves two points. Stop hiding and come out!"

With that, he raised his hand and struck a large boulder in front of him.

The boulder split in two and crumbled into dust.

There was nothing behind it!

Xuan Yangzi frowned again and struck another boulder, splitting it open, but still found nothing.

Xu Hei was puzzled. What was this guy doing?

"He sensed something but doesn't know where, so he's trying to bluff us. Don't worry," Hei Huang said with a smile.

"Didn't you just say even a Great Golden Immortal wouldn't detect us?" Xu Hei glared at him.

"Great Golden Immortal is the name of my pet," Hei Huang explained.

Xu Hei: "..."

At this moment, Xuan Yangzi was also stroking his chin, falling into self-doubt. He muttered to himself, "Could it be an illusion?"

After observing again and finding nothing, Xuan Yangzi couldn't help but shake his head.

"Tch, this clone is of poor quality. I'll dismantle it and make a new one when I get back!"

Saying this, Xuan Yangzi flew up and headed towards Myriad Serpent Valley.

Hei Huang didn't move, and neither did Xu Hei.

After thinking for a moment, Hei Huang suddenly whispered, "Xu Hei, how about we do something big?"

"What are you talking about?"

Xu Hei had a bad feeling when he heard this.

Hei Huang licked his lips, a greedy look flashing in his eyes. "Did you see the storage bag on that clone's waist? That's..."

"Stop!"

Before he could finish, Xu Hei's face darkened, interrupting him, "If you want to go, go by yourself. I don't want to die!"

This old dog was too bold. They couldn't even handle a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and he wanted to target a Core Formation Stage one. Where did he get the courage?

"Hey, listen to me! That clone is just a paper tiger, barely at the Foundation Establishment level, with even weaker resistance. One stab and it's done. Trust me, I'm not bragging. I have more than a fifty percent chance of taking him down!"

"We'll split the loot fifty-fifty. That's a Core Formation Stage cultivator's storage bag. Who knows how many spirit stones are in there? Who knows how many Spirit-Tail Chickens we could buy!"

Hei Huang kept persuading, but Xu Hei was unmoved, shaking his head like a rattle drum.

"Kill the clone, and there's still the true body. I don't want a Core Formation Stage cultivator holding a grudge. If you want to go, go by yourself," Xu Hei shook his head.

Hei Huang pondered for a while, then suddenly squinted his eyes, staring coldly at Xu Hei. "Xu Hei, don't you want revenge? Your home was burned down!"

Hearing this, Xu Hei's shaking head immediately stopped.

After a moment, his eyes gradually filled with blood.