Serpent Ancestor

Deep within the East Sea.

The waves had calmed, the tides were still, and streams of black sewage slowly spread from afar, devouring the remaining waters of the East Sea at a steady pace.

At this rate, within a year, it would reach Star Island.

The first to discover this were two fugitives.

They sent this precious information back, only to be killed on the spot by the righteous sects, who believed they were spreading lies and setting a trap to lure them in.

After all, that was the territory of the Sea God Sect; who would dare approach it lightly?

Thus, the news was buried.

It wasn’t until half a month later that two passing cultivators discovered it, causing an uproar throughout the East Sea.

At this moment, about thirty people from various factions gathered in the sky, gazing into the distance, all with deep shock in their eyes.

”Is this... crude oil?””Impossible, how could there be so much crude oil?”

”If it’s not crude oil, then what is it?”

The seawater had turned black, and approaching it would result in being sucked down, leaving no trace of the body.

This pollution was spreading across the entire East Sea.

Although the speed was slow, everyone present could easily retreat, but if it couldn’t be stopped, the East Sea would eventually be consumed by this darkness.

If all the seas turned black, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Retreat inland?

What if one day the inland became like this too, then what?

Would there be any place left in the world to live?

”If the sky falls, the taller ones will hold it up. If anyone’s going to die, it’ll be the aquatic demonic beasts first!”

”The Penglai Sea will definitely take major action; let’s wait and see.”

The crowd discussed.

…………

Deep within Wu Mountain.

Xu Hei and his group had been in seclusion here for a while, organizing their previous gains.

Suddenly, the sky was filled with lightning and thunder, and torrential rain poured down.

The massive downpour flooded the mountains, and in just one day, it formed a mountain torrent, destroying several territories of the Demon Clan.

Countless wild beasts died tragically, swept away by the flood.

The place where Xu Hei was in seclusion had been a basin three days ago, but now it had turned into a lake.

”Seven dragon veins have been opened, two remain,” Xu Hei thought to himself.

He could attempt to form a Nascent Soul now, even without all nine dragon veins. Just like during the Foundation Establishment Stage, he could establish the foundation first and then complete the last dragon scale.

However, before forming the Nascent Soul, he needed to prepare a few things.

”Xu Bai, this is the ancient jade I bought at the auction; see if it’s useful to you.”

That day, Xu Hei took out the ancient jade he had acquired at the Twin Islands trade fair. It contained some pill recipes and a depiction of a green cauldron, which might be useful to Xu Bai.

Xu Hei had obtained this item long ago but had somehow forgotten about it until now.

Xu Bai looked at the ancient jade in front of her, hesitated for a moment, and then said something inexplicable: ”Are you sure you want to give it to me?”

”Huh?” Xu Hei was taken aback by her words.

”Of course, it was bought for you, but I kept forgetting to give it to you for some reason,” Xu Hei muttered.

Xu Bai accepted the ancient jade with a slight smile. ”Thank you.”

”No need to be polite,” Xu Hei replied with a wry smile.

He suddenly felt that something was off with Xu Bai’s demeanor.

However, Xu Hei didn’t think much of it, as he could never quite figure out Xu Bai’s temperament.

A day later.

Above Xu Bai’s place of seclusion, thick thunderclouds gathered, towering like a mountain, spanning thousands of feet, with purple lightning flashing, carrying a destructive aura.

This power was a hundred times stronger than the thunder tribulation of the Core Formation Stage!

If it were outside Wu Mountain, it would surely cause panic among the people.

”The Five-Nine Thunder Tribulation, she’s about to form her Nascent Soul!” Xu Hei looked up.

Such a thunder tribulation had been experienced by both the Nine-Headed Worm and Hai Teng, who had long developed mature strategies to deal with it.

Lightning avoidance formations, defensive formations, golden bell formations, lightning-attracting formations, and more were set up by Xu Hei nearby. Of course, these were just extra precautions; the main reliance was still on Xu Bai herself.

The thunder tribulation came too suddenly; it was uncertain if she was fully prepared.

Xu Hei and the others stayed nearby, ready to intervene at any moment to prevent any mishaps.

This thunder tribulation also attracted the Demon Clan from deep within Wu Mountain, including a royal great demon comparable to the Elephant Tribe.

Regardless of their intentions, when they saw Xu Hei and his group standing menacingly nearby, they dismissed any ill thoughts.

”This is a critical area for the thunder tribulation; idle demons are prohibited from approaching!”

Hai Teng had specially written some plaques and hung them in various locations.

These royal demonic beasts, after pondering for a moment, settled nearby, with some even attempting to engage in conversation, seemingly wanting to establish connections.

The royal families living deep within Wu Mountain understood the importance of a Nascent Soul great demon.

If they could establish ties with one more Nascent Soul great demon, it would greatly benefit their tribe, expanding their territory and resources.

This group had three Nascent Soul great demons; who wouldn’t want to make connections? Even if they couldn’t, they wouldn’t let their competitors succeed!

However, Xu Hei and the others ignored these demonic beasts entirely.

The thunder tribulation rumbled down, its power more terrifying than the usual Five-Nine Thunder Tribulation, indicating that the one undergoing the tribulation was exceptionally talented.

This only inspired more admiration.

In the blink of an eye, seven days passed, and Xu Bai’s thunder tribulation reached its final stage.

On this day, a familiar visitor arrived, flying to Xu Hei.

It was a vulture, someone Xu Hei had seen at the Chu Tian Alliance, seemingly named Ku Ming, a companion of that demon monk Ku Xuan.

Xu Hei calmly asked, ”It’s you. What do you want?”

”The Demon Lord wants to see you,” Ku Ming said bluntly.

”The Demon Lord?”

Hearing these words, Xu Hei’s pupils contracted.

The Demon Lord... a bald youth appeared in his mind, whose mere reprimand made Qin Xuanji flee without a word.

Xu Hei had heard many rumors about the Demon Lord, said to be the guardian deity of Wu Mountain, deterring humans from invading due to his presence.

The royal families here all revered the Demon Lord.

However, with Wuyou City being developed and humans occupying the outskirts of Wu Mountain, Xu Hei held doubts about this guardian deity.

”What does he want with me?” Xu Hei asked.

”I’m not sure. You can refuse if you don’t want to go, but it’s the first time the Demon Lord has personally requested to see someone. You should consider it carefully,” Ku Ming replied with a smile.

Xu Hei fell into deep thought.

The Demon Lord’s strength was undoubtedly formidable. If he meant harm to Xu Hei, even a hundred lives wouldn’t be enough.

But what could such a powerful figure want with Xu Hei? Did he have something that attracted the Demon Lord’s attention? Or was there some benefit he wanted to offer?

”Give me three days to consider,” Xu Hei said thoughtfully.

”Alright, in three days, take this token to this place, and I’ll guide you there,” the vulture said, tossing a token before flying away.

Xu Hei caught the token and glanced at the destination, which was not far, about half a day’s journey.

Xu Hei called Hai Teng and explained the situation.

”The Demon Lord? That name sounds familiar, like I’ve heard it somewhere,” Hai Teng pondered.

”The guardian deity of Wu Mountain, known to the royal families here,” the Nine-Headed Worm interjected.

But beyond that, the two knew nothing about the Demon Lord’s background.

Thus, two more days passed.

The Five-Nine Thunder Tribulation finally ended.

None of the formations Xu Hei had prepared were needed; Xu Bai was exceptionally well-prepared and easily withstood the thunder tribulation.

At this moment, a white figure emerged from the ruins of the thunder tribulation.

It was a young woman in snow-white robes, with skin like jade and emerald green eyes. Her robe was adorned with green lotus flowers, and she wore a jade crown, her hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders.

She walked on air, and with each step, an illusory lotus bloomed beneath her feet. A green spiritual aura emanated, and the once-destroyed mountains were instantly covered in plants, with flowers blooming everywhere.

”Wow!”

”Such a stunning person!”

The distant demonic beasts were mesmerized.

The beauty of this woman transcended racial boundaries; her allure was not in her appearance but in an indescribable ethereal quality, unlike anything of this world.

Yet beneath this layer of beauty, her eyes held a cold indifference, exuding a regal aura as if she were looking down upon all beings, giving off a sense of unfamiliarity.

”Xu Bai?” Xu Hei looked at her in astonishment.

”It’s me,” Xu Bai nodded calmly, her tone devoid of any emotion, merely bowing her head and saying, ”Thank you, all three of you, for guarding me.”

The Nine-Headed Worm and Hai Teng quickly returned the gesture, expressing that they hadn’t been of much help.

”Hai Teng, don’t you think she resembles someone?” the Nine-Headed Worm whispered.

”Yes, I have the same feeling,” Hai Teng replied quietly.

The more Xu Hei looked, the more unfamiliar she seemed. He hesitated and asked, ”Can you still transform back into your serpent form?”

”Of course, but I prefer my human form,” Xu Bai replied.

”......”

Xu Hei, Hai Teng, and the Nine-Headed Worm all fell into silence.

Having just broken through to the Elemental Infant stage, she already preferred her human form? Even Xu Bai sensed something was off, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

Xu Hei sighed, said nothing, and left.

…………

He flew at full speed until everyone disappeared from sight.

Only then did Xu Hei take out a map.

It was an ancient map he had obtained from the inheritance in Wuyou City, with four names written on it.

”Superior Immortal Da Luo, Heavenly Demon Scattered Person, Tian Jizi, Green Emperor.”

At the top of the map, another name had been added: ”White Emperor,” written later.

Mr. Bai had once said he could have those named on the map do something for him.

”Xu Bai, will you really become someone else?”

Xu Hei was no longer the naive youth he once was; he could see many issues.

Before long, Xu Hei arrived at the designated location.

”I knew you’d come,” the vulture’s voice echoed.

”Lead the way.”

Xu Hei’s response was straightforward.