Serpent Ancestor

Xu Qingzhi’s expression changed, and he hurriedly asked, ”Why is this happening?”

Before he could react, Jiang Chong suddenly wielded a thunder spear, and without a word, thrust it forward. The spear tip transformed into a roaring thunder dragon, its momentum terrifying, and the sky echoed with its rumble.

...

Xu Hei was unaware of the events occurring outside.

He had been in seclusion on the island for about ten days. During this time, he wasn’t completely immobile and would occasionally go to the seaside.

However, the feeling of being watched lingered on him, especially when he moved, the sensation was extremely intense.

”The Nightmare Demon Lord must be nearby, or perhaps he has the ability to teleport here at any moment,” Xu Hei thought to himself.

Escaping just like that wasn’t realistic, but Xu Hei could slowly probe.

The first time, he dived ten miles into the sea and captured some fish.

The second time, he went thirty miles into the sea, even unleashing his flying sword to kill some sea beasts.The third time, he ventured fifty miles away.

In this manner, even when Xu Hei left the island’s hundred-mile range, the other party still made no move. Xu Hei’s flying sword could even take a trip out and return.

”What would be the consequences if I just escaped like this?” Xu Hei pondered silently.

After thinking for a long time, Xu Hei decided against it and returned, either devouring the captured sea beasts or absorbing them into his body, thus providing an explanation for his actions.

In any case, the spiritual qi here was abundant, allowing Xu Hei to remain in seclusion and stabilize his realm while gaining some benefits.

Gradually, his second dragon vein showed signs of activity. Although it had transformed into a sword, it did not hinder his cultivation.

A month later.

Xu Hei’s second dragon vein had been opened about a third of the way.

At this pace, it would likely take at least half a year.

Xu Hei was not in a hurry. Many cultivators remained in the Core Formation Stage for decades or even centuries. Even prodigies like Qin Xuanji were stuck at Great Perfection.

Xu Hei had long prepared himself mentally.

That day, a black dot appeared in the distance, rapidly approaching.

Xu Hei focused his gaze and saw a black-robed cultivator, unkempt with a square face and large ears, whose cultivation was at the late Core Formation stage. In the Sea God Sect, he was considered high-level combat power.

”Fellow Daoist Ye Kong, the Protector has issued an order, please come with me.”

The black-robed cultivator cupped his hands slightly, maintaining a certain distance from Xu Hei, and spoke calmly.

Xu Hei nodded and followed.

Under the guidance of the black-robed cultivator, they left the dark island, traveling eastward for hundreds of miles, passing through a foggy area, and arriving at a larger island.

This island was about the same size as the main island of the Twin Islands, with a towering mountain in the center.

”This place is...” Xu Hei’s pupils contracted as he looked at the island’s environment.

The island seemed familiar; it was the one shown in Hei Huang’s projection, where cultivators were imprisoned.

Hei Huang had also informed him of the island’s location, so once Xu Hei left, he could fly northwest for ten days to half a month and return to one of the three major islands of the East Sea, Star Island.

By then, he would have successfully escaped.

Xu Hei took a deep breath, his expression calm, and landed on the island.

There was a clear formation here, isolating it from the outside world. Upon entering the island, even the feeling of being watched diminished significantly.

Ahead was a large mountain, and Xu Hei followed the cultivator into a cave.

Inside the cave was a vast space, where Xu Hei saw numerous cages, formations everywhere, each holding the silhouette of a cultivator.

”This place is where Foundation Establishment and Core Formation cultivators are imprisoned. Only second-level stewards are allowed inside. I’ll first show you around to familiarize yourself with the environment,” the black-robed cultivator said indifferently.

This person seemed indifferent to the butcher’s appearance, treating him like any normal cultivator, likely someone who worked with the Nightmare Demon Lord.

”Familiarize myself with the environment?” Xu Hei frowned.

”Hehe, Fellow Daoist Ye Kong just reached Core Formation, so it’s normal not to know. Everyone in the Sea God Sect who reaches the Core Formation Stage is assigned a corresponding position.”

The black-robed cultivator smiled, ”I forgot to introduce myself. I am Meng Hao, a third-level steward of this prison.”

Listening to the black-robed cultivator’s explanation, Xu Hei had various speculations in his mind, but he didn’t ask much. Speaking less was a golden rule.

Xu Hei hadn’t interacted much with humans and knew little about many things, so staying silent was the best approach.

Meanwhile, his divine sense swept through the cages in the prison, looking for familiar faces.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xu Hei spotted Bai Qiushui, who was imprisoned in an unremarkable corner cage.

At this moment, the young master of the Bai Family was meditating with his eyes closed, looking calm and composed, though noticeably thinner than before.

Xu Hei didn’t observe for long, just a quick glance, and followed Meng Hao into a room.

The room was large, with prayer mats on the floor and a censer in the middle, emitting wisps of black smoke. Three people sat nearby, two men and one woman, two at mid-stage Core Formation, and one at late Core Formation.

”Is this the newcomer?”

”Ye Kong, hehe, quite a unique appearance. One might think he’s the Protector’s avatar.”

”What if he is?”

The three discussed among themselves, with two merely glancing at Xu Hei before continuing their cultivation, while a young man stood up to greet him.

Meng Hao said, ”Let me introduce you. These three are second-level stewards of this prison, each responsible for a different area.”

”I am Xu Sheng, and these two are Yun Yan and Xiao Ran,” the young man who stood up to greet him said with a smile.

Yun Yan and Xiao Ran merely nodded in acknowledgment.

It seemed these three were immune to the butcher’s appearance, likely subordinates of the Nightmare Demon Lord.

Xu Hei stood stiffly in place, expressionless, making no movements. He ignored human etiquette whenever possible.

Meng Hao said, ”To be brief, Ye Kong is appointed by the Protector as a steward, starting from the first level. This is your steward token, which contains detailed work arrangements.”

With a wave of his hand, a black token flew out from the censer in the center and landed in front of Xu Hei.

It bore the Sea God Sect’s emblem, with the character ”one” on the back, indicating a first-level steward.

Instantly, a stream of information entered Xu Hei’s mind, detailing his work arrangements.

”So, I’m to be a slave overseer...” Xu Hei thought to himself.

The job was simple: lead the imprisoned cultivators to mine in the sea, collect deep-sea spirit medicines, and periodically extract their blood, squeezing them to the limit.

As for what Hei Huang mentioned about offering sacrifices to the sea god, the token did not mention it yet.

The steward’s rewards were also straightforward. The censer before him was one of the rewards; cultivating beside it for a day was equivalent to a month of seclusion outside. Additionally, accumulating enough contributions would earn extra benefits.

”Haha, congratulations to Fellow Daoist Ye Kong for joining us. From now on, we’re colleagues. Everyone, here’s my collection of Fishman Drunk, let’s toast to him!”

Xu Sheng enthusiastically took out a wine jug and filled five cups. The aroma was that of the famous East Sea wine, Fishman Drunk.

Seeing the Fishman Drunk, the two who were meditating reluctantly stood up, took the cups, and put on professional smiles.

All five present picked up their cups, including Xu Hei.

”Let’s toast to Fellow Daoist Ye! Cheers!”

Led by Xu Sheng, they raised their cups, and everyone drank in one go.

Xu Hei looked at the wine in his cup, remaining silent.

”Hmm?” Xu Sheng’s gaze sharpened, ”What do you mean, Fellow Daoist Ye? We’ve all finished our drinks.”

The other two curiously looked over.

Third-level steward Meng Hao also looked at Xu Hei with confusion, slightly frowning.

Xu Hei remained silent for a long time, then suddenly raised his head, staring at Xu Sheng, with all the mouths on his head curling into a smile.

”Boom!!”

In the next second, countless large hands shot out like lightning, suddenly attacking, instantly gripping all of Xu Sheng’s joints, with one hand clasping his neck.

”Stop!”

Meng Hao’s face changed dramatically, hurriedly attacking Xu Hei, while the other two unanimously retreated to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

”Hmph, poisoning me as soon as I arrive, truly heartless!”

Xu Hei’s expression remained unchanged, his smile growing more sinister, his hand exerting force. A series of cracking sounds followed, and Xu Sheng let out a piercing scream, but it was abruptly silenced as an octopus tentacle plunged into his mouth, reducing his cries to muffled whimpers.

Xu Hei’s sinister words caused Meng Hao to pause, but his actions didn’t stop. He unleashed a series of sealing spells, activating the restrictions in the area, with various spell fluctuations rushing toward Xu Hei.