Serpent Ancestor

"Get lost!" Hei Huang's low growl sent the crowd scattering in panic.

"Hmm?" The white-bearded elder upstairs opened his eyes and frowned slightly.

"Elder Zhou, what's wrong?" Qin Ye, who was beside him, asked.

"Nothing."

Zhou Xu shook his head. He felt that the short cultivator looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn't recall where he had seen him before. Among the people he knew, none were that short.

He had important matters to attend to here and didn't want any unnecessary complications, so he didn't dwell on it.

...

Before long, the ferry set off.

The boatman hoisted the sail and steered towards the center of Yanluo River.

The boatman was also a cultivator, though only at the first level of the Qi Refining Stage. However, he had been steering boats for many years and was experienced, following a fixed route that ensured the boat's safe arrival at the opposite shore.

Even the mortals on the boat were strong and vigorous, most having practiced martial arts. Otherwise, those with weaker constitutions might have been blown away by the wind.

The closer they got to the center, the more turbulent the river became, with stronger winds and waves causing the boat to rock.

Xu Hei, feeling the rushing water, suddenly had an idea. Could he find the most turbulent spot in the water to temper his physical body?

He had tried tempering his body in the earth before, so perhaps doing it in water was also feasible.

After eating some demonic beast meat, he could give it a try.

Just then, he noticed Hei Huang's paw scratching something on the ground, carving out spiritual power patterns that faintly outlined a miniature formation.

"This..."

Xu Hei felt uneasy. What was the old dog up to now?

"Xu Hei, how about we pull off a big heist and split the loot fifty-fifty?"

The familiar voice made Xu Hei's eyes widen.

It's one thing if no one noticed you, but you actually want to stir up trouble? Can't you just stay quiet?

"How confident are you?"

"Thirty percent."

"Then I'll eat you first!"

"Heh, just kidding, don't take it seriously."

Hei Huang chuckled and erased the formation marks under his paw.

Xu Hei breathed a sigh of relief.

Thus, everyone safely reached the opposite shore without incident.

Xu Hei seriously suspected that the old dog had boarded the boat with the intention of killing and robbing, but fortunately, a Foundation Establishment cultivator had boarded midway, making him hesitate. Otherwise, he would have definitely made a move.

"This old dog's thoughts are too dangerous. I need to be careful not to get dragged into his schemes," Xu Hei thought warily.

After disembarking, everyone went their separate ways without any further incidents.

The white-bearded elder hesitated for a moment after getting ashore and then said to Hei Huang, "Fellow Daoist, have we met before?"

Hei Huang smiled and replied, "I saw you at an auction once. Didn't expect you to remember."

Zhou Xu was taken aback.

Auction? What nonsense?

Thinking back, he did attend an auction six years ago. There were too many people and it was too long ago for him to remember clearly.

"I see. I have important matters to attend to. Farewell!"

Zhou Xu cupped his hands and turned to leave.

The young man named Qin gave Hei Huang a deep look but said nothing, following Zhou Xu as they left.

The group gradually disappeared from sight.

Xu Hei was surprised. "That's it?"

"What else? You want to fight him? Just say the word, and I'll go after him!" Hei Huang rolled up his sleeves, ready to chase after them.

"Stop! Pretend I didn't say anything!"

Xu Hei quickly pulled him back.

...

In the afternoon, the group followed the road and arrived at the riverside city, Linjiang City.

Linjiang City, located on the border of the Qin Kingdom, was far from the emperor's reach, with chaotic order and a mix of good and bad people.

Many fugitives and wanted criminals hid here, keeping a low profile. Therefore, Hei Huang's appearance didn't attract much attention.

On the streets of Linjiang City, people hurried by with wary expressions, keeping a considerable distance from each other. Even the beggars had sharp eyes, clearly not to be trifled with.

Hei Huang found a tavern and walked in.

"I want a top-notch private room and serve all your most expensive dishes, especially the demonic beast meat. Lots of it," Hei Huang shouted.

The innkeeper, with a sharp face and pale complexion, looked like he had practiced some evil arts and was clearly not someone to mess with.

He sized up Hei Huang, nodded slightly, and immediately ordered someone to make arrangements.

Before long, Hei Huang was led into a private room, and plates of delicious food were brought in.

Xu Hei eagerly crawled out and devoured the food.

Hei Huang grabbed a wine jar, took a big gulp, and then spat it out, cursing, "What garbage wine, even dogs wouldn't drink this!"

He then started eating the dishes.

Xu Hei could tell at a glance that the wine was drugged, likely with some kind of sedative.

The two demons had enormous appetites, eating one round after another. After several rounds, Hei Huang was still not satisfied and shouted, "Not enough, not enough, bring everything again!"

Outside the private room, the waiter grimaced and whispered to the innkeeper, "Boss, this guy has already eaten nearly a thousand taels of silver's worth of food, including two demonic beasts. Should we keep serving him?"

The innkeeper, sitting in his chair, coldly replied, "Keep serving until he's satisfied. Double the dose of the Soft Fragrance Powder."

Two hours later.

Xu Hei was completely stuffed, bloated like a ball, unable to eat another bite.

Hei Huang, not only full, had also sneaked into the kitchen and packed some demonic beast meat.

"Let's go!"

He took out a talisman and activated it, making both of them invisible and blending into the surroundings.

"Just like that?" Xu Hei was incredulous.

"Of course! This place is obviously a shady establishment. Be glad they didn't serve you human flesh. Were you planning to pay?" Hei Huang scolded.

"I meant, aren't you going to kill and rob them, splitting the loot fifty-fifty?" Xu Hei asked in surprise.

"..." Hei Huang was speechless.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, the door to the private room was kicked open. The innkeeper, with a grim face, said, "Even emptied the kitchen. You have quite the appetite, aren't you afraid of bursting?"

He entered the room, looking around, but saw no one. Furious, he smashed the table with a single palm.

"Search the place! Daring to dine and dash at my Blood Wolf Tavern, even if you're a cultivator, I'll kill you myself!" the innkeeper roared.

"Yes, sir!"

The waiter and a group of people rushed out of the tavern.

Meanwhile, Hei Huang and Xu Hei quietly left, found another place, and checked into an inn.

The inn was a bit more normal. Seeing that Hei Huang was a cultivator, they dismissed any ill intentions and arranged a top-notch room for them.

Xu Hei climbed onto the bed, seizing the time to refine the demonic beast meat he had just eaten. This time, his physical strength should increase significantly.

Xu Hei had grown accustomed to the constant trouble and enemies, as it was always the old dog's doing and had nothing to do with him.

"You refine slowly. I have some business to attend to. I'll be back soon."

Hei Huang put on a raincoat and jumped out the window.

Xu Hei opened his eyes and looked outside.

"He left me here and went out alone."

Xu Hei frowned, feeling uneasy.

"No, I have to follow him. If the old dog is up to no good again, I won't even know if I get dragged into it."

Immediately, Xu Hei took out a talisman and activated it.

The talisman turned into a beam of light, hitting Xu Hei.

Xu Hei's body quickly became transparent, his aura disappearing. Ever since he saw Hei Huang's invisibility talisman that day, he had asked for two, keeping them for emergencies.

This thing was excellent for both life-saving and tracking, undetectable even by a Great Golden Immortal.

Xu Hei's figure flashed as he slipped out the window, quietly following Hei Huang to see what he was up to.