Serpent Ancestor

The crowd’s faces were pale, not daring to make a sound.

They split up, truly split up.

”Everyone, disperse!” Yin Mingzi shouted.

”Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...”

Without hesitation, the crowd quickly scattered, spreading throughout the canyon.

”That was an ancient vengeful spirit. As long as there are too many people and the Yang energy is strong, it will attract such entities. Plus, Li Yao was severely injured and weak, which allowed the spirit to succeed!”

The cultivation technique Yin Mingzi practiced was the Yin Ming Art from the Snake Catchers Sect. This sinister art was extremely sensitive, and he immediately identified the problem.

”We need to split into multiple small teams, each with no more than ten people,” Yin Mingzi said solemnly.

After arrangements were made, everyone gradually dispersed, forming small teams and entering the tunnels one by one.

…………Three days later, the people from the four major sects returned in disarray.

Their numbers were halved, with two Core Formation Stage cultivators fallen.

However, they did bring back some ancient relics according to Han Te’s map. Despite the heavy losses, it wasn’t a complete failure.

At least they gained more understanding of the situation inside the relic, allowing them to avoid danger as much as possible next time.

At the same time, the map of the ancient relic spread like a storm across the Southern Region.

Not only in the Southern Region, but it also spread throughout the country, even reaching the southern bank of the Yanluo River, becoming widely circulated.

This map, initially bought by Xu Hei for five thousand spirit stones, now seemed to be everywhere, almost everyone had a copy.

For a time, the whole country was in an uproar.

Countless people formed teams and rushed to the Wu Mountain Range to explore the relic.

The four major sects did not stop the people coming from all over the country, nor could they. The danger level of that relic far exceeded their imagination.

It wasn’t a treasure trove filled with riches, but a perilous place that devoured people!

Rather than risking themselves, they let these passersby probe the area, possibly reducing some losses.

However, while everyone was heading to the Wu Mountain Range, one sect remained indifferent.

—The Heavenly Puppet Sect!

Whether disciples or elders, they were given strict orders not to approach the Wu Mountain area.

They only sent some subordinate sects and families to investigate, but not a single person from their own sect went, causing experts from various factions to speculate on the reason.

Over time, more and more human cultivators gathered in Wu Mountain.

In the sky, Core Formation Stage cultivators could occasionally be seen leading teams, sweeping across from high above.

Initially, the nearby Demon Clan was furious, but gradually, they became accustomed to it.

Eventually, human cultivators even established a small base within Wu Mountain for information exchange and magical treasure trading.

Everything was in service of exploring this relic.

…………

Time flew by.

Unknowingly, a month had passed.

In the Wild Giant Elephant Tribe, Xu Hei’s seclusion was finally nearing its end.

This was the longest he had ever spent crafting a puppet.

”Finally... it’s done!”

Xu Hei let out a long breath.

Before him stood a three-meter-tall giant puppet.

Its bloated body, steel-like limbs, and that bizarrely large head provided a strong visual impact.

On the head were ten human faces, with over twenty eyes scattered in various directions, facial features twisted together like an ancient demon.

This was Xu Hei’s masterpiece after a month of work.

He was certain that the Heavenly Puppet Sect’s puppet techniques did not include the method to create this, because it was Xu Hei’s own creation! It had drained all his creativity.

He repeatedly disassembled and reassembled corpses, failing over a dozen times, even using Tie Xiong’s body, yet still failing.

Finally, it was only after injecting a Transformation Pill into the body that he began to see results.

This thing appeared to be a single person, but in reality, it was the amalgamation of thirty people.

For instance, the arms appeared to be only two, but inside, there were dozens more, ready to grow back immediately if severed, and the body was covered in various twisted faces.

Such a monster, just by its appearance, could scare a group of people to death!

If the Heavenly Puppet Sect knew that someone had used puppet techniques to create such a thing, who knows what they would think.

”Let’s test its strength.”

Xu Hei willed it to move.

The giant took a step forward, charging ahead like a cannonball, producing a booming sound as it swung its iron fist, striking the stone wall ahead.

”Boom!!”

The underground cave dwelling instantly collapsed, the tremor spreading for a thousand meters, like an earthquake.

Xu Hei gasped.

This physical body, this strength, this speed, it was the most perfect puppet Xu Hei had ever seen!

Xu Hei used the Spirit Devouring Sword to cut the puppet, only managing to make small wounds that healed in seconds.

It also had astonishing regenerative power!

Even if its limbs were severed, they could grow back immediately.

Xu Hei was certain that this thing wasn’t a match for a Core Formation Stage cultivator, but it wouldn’t be easy for a Core Formation Stage to deal with it either.

Its size was somewhat large, even after he had compressed it as much as possible.

”This puppet shall be called the Butcher, the butcher that slaughters people!” Xu Hei thought to himself.

Inside the Butcher was a small space specifically for storing Xu Hei’s main body.

Xu Hei immediately cut open a hole and climbed inside, the opening quickly sealing shut.

The Butcher donned a sealed helmet, covering its face, and then put on a set of heavy knight armor, covering itself completely.

This set of armor was also something Xu Hei crafted on a whim.

He controlled the Butcher and walked out of the collapsed underground cave.

At this moment, the entire Wild Giant Elephant Tribe was present.

Due to the frequent human activity, the Elephant Tribe dared not venture out casually, lest they be targeted and killed by humans.

The Lion Tribe was the same, staying close by to provide support at any time.

Xu Hei walked around and was surprised to find that even the Snake Tribe had come nearby, seemingly intending to band together.

”Senior, your body...”

Xiao Chou was drawn by the commotion and, seeing Xu Hei’s massive form, looked astonished.

Although he couldn’t see his appearance, the oppressive feeling from this body was stronger than ever, with a trace of Yin Sha Qi, like a fierce and evil demon, making Xiao Chou’s face turn pale.

”This is my new identity. From now on, call me the Butcher.”

Xu Hei controlled the puppet, its mouth opening and closing, producing a muffled voice.

”Yes!” Xiao Chou nodded.

”By the way, tell me about the situation over the past month.”

Xu Hei sensed changes in the outside world and inquired.

”It’s like this, deep in Wu Mountain, someone discovered an ancient relic...”

Xiao Chou explained truthfully, ”The map has spread everywhere, and people from all over the country have come, not just from the Southern Region. It’s said that people from the Eastern Region, Western Region, and even the Qin Kingdom have arrived.”

”So many people?” Xu Hei was stunned.

Logically, Qin Xuanji had cleared the area for thousands of miles, intending to monopolize it, but it ended up attracting cultivators from all over.

This situation was beyond Xu Hei’s expectations.

”That relic was initially very dangerous, with people dying as soon as they entered, but over the past month, it’s been mostly cleared, and many treasures have been retrieved. Even the Chu Tian Alliance is interested in taking a look,” Xiao Chou continued.