Serpent Ancestor

Xu Hei was extremely familiar with Xu Bai’s aura. Even if she had transformed into someone else, that feeling would never be mistaken.

Traveling forward, Xu Hei journeyed for about a day before finally reaching the center of the grand tomb.

At this moment, Xu Hei saw a massive mountain towering ahead. At the peak, a withered figure sat cross-legged, as thin as a stick, resembling an ancient pine tree that had stood for countless years.

The figure sat as still as a pine tree, its body so emaciated it seemed devoid of blood. If not for the fact that its gaze was fixed on him, Xu Hei would have thought it had already passed away.

”Who is this person? Why is there such a peculiar figure in this tomb?”

”Xu Bai’s aura has vanished, stopping abruptly here.”

Xu Hei’s mind raced.

The withered figure spoke, ”Xu Hei, Snake Demon, with half the traits of the dragon clan. It seems you’ve obtained the inheritance of a great dragon clan power.”

Xu Hei’s heart surged with waves of shock. How could this person see through him at a glance?

Not daring to be negligent, Xu Hei quickly flew forward, cupped his fists, and said, ”Greetings, Senior. May I know who you are…””I am the gravedigger here, also the guardian of the tomb. I’ve long forgotten my name; you may call me Tomb Elder,” the Tomb Elder said calmly.

A gravedigger, a tomb guardian… Xu Hei’s heart was even more shaken.

Doesn’t this mean that all these tombstones were excavated by this elder, and that this person is the master of the Void Realm?

No wonder he could see through his background at a glance; this person’s cultivation must be unfathomable.

Xu Hei had some understanding of the Divine Transformation Stage, but such a powerful figure was completely beyond his comprehension.

”I believe you have many questions,” Tomb Elder said.

”Indeed!” Xu Hei nodded, ”Junior and many cultivators have come here for opportunities, but the dangers of the Void Realm far exceed our imagination.”

”Senior has set up so many barriers, causing us to fight among ourselves. There must be a reason. Please speak plainly; if there’s anything junior can help with, I will do my utmost.”

Xu Hei’s attitude was very sincere.

Facing such a supreme powerhouse, Xu Hei had no ulterior motives. The best choice was to cater to his wishes.

The other party set up so many obstacles to ”screen” them; Xu Hei didn’t think it was just for fun.

”You are very clever. Though young, you are more astute than most,” Tomb Elder said, looking at Xu Hei.

”Let me ask you a question first. Are you aware of the Inner Demon?”

Hearing Tomb Elder’s question, Xu Hei’s heart skipped a beat, immediately thinking of the extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon.

However, Xu Hei knew nothing about the upper realm. Whether there were extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons there was still unknown.

Xu Hei quickly said, ”On the Divine Continent Star where junior resides, the Inner Demon is an intangible entity born when an extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon enters the body, equivalent to oneself.”

”Mm.” Tomb Elder nodded slightly, ”It seems you have some understanding, but…”

He stared at Xu Hei and continued, ”Do you think it’s possible for billions of cultivators to be simultaneously possessed by extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons before their demise?”

Xu Hei was stunned.

”The extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon you speak of is merely a physical external demon. The true Inner Demon is born from the heart, emerging from within. It is always present, hidden within you, accompanying you from birth.”

Tomb Elder’s voice was unhurried, yet it exploded like thunder, leaving Xu Hei speechless.

He thought of yesterday, the scene of the chaotic battle, where everyone seemed to have gone mad.

At that time, Xu Hei also heard a voice in his heart urging him to kill. Was that his Inner Demon?

”Everyone has an Inner Demon. Although I have buried all the cultivators, even after sixty million years, their Inner Demons still exist, suppressed within the tombstones. Contacting the tombstones is equivalent to contacting these Inner Demons.”

”They are all my kin. If these Inner Demons are not eradicated, they can never enter the cycle of reincarnation.”

At this point, Tomb Elder’s voice trembled slightly.

The obsession remains, and the dead cannot rest.

Without eliminating the Inner Demon, one cannot enter reincarnation.

Xu Hei understood Tomb Elder’s intention. As a gravedigger, he buried all the deceased cultivators and erected tombstones for them, clearly wanting them to rest in peace.

And Tomb Elder, having guarded this place for sixty million years without dissipating, also wished to expel the cultivators’ Inner Demons.

”These tombstones are not just tombstones but also seals, sealing those Inner Demons! My purpose is simple: to completely eradicate these Inner Demons and let the deceased rest in peace.”

”The previous tests were also to select qualified individuals, those capable of exorcising demons!” Tomb Elder sighed.

Xu Hei nodded, cupped his fists, and said, ”I understand Senior’s intention, but… junior’s strength is limited. With so many Inner Demons, I’m afraid I am powerless.”

The number of tombstones was in the billions, making Xu Hei’s scalp tingle. How long would it take to expel them all?

”I can help you.”

Tomb Elder took out a command flag and said, ”Plant this flag, and it will form a demon-exterminating formation within a hundred-mile radius, expelling all Inner Demons from the tombstones within the formation. You can clear a hundred-mile area in one go.”

”Within the demon-exterminating formation, Inner Demons will be suppressed. With your strength, eliminating a thousand Inner Demons a day is a breeze.”

”Moreover, countless predecessors have already cleared most of them, leaving only the last part and a few troublesome leaders.”

”Once this last part is resolved, I will have no regrets.”

With a wave of his hand, Tomb Elder sent the command flag flying into Xu Hei’s hand.

Xu Hei examined the command flag. With his understanding of Magical Treasures, he couldn’t discern its grade. But from the fluctuations it emitted, there was indeed a formation inside, possessing a suppressive effect.

”I want to ask about the risks of exorcising demons.” Xu Hei did not immediately accept the command flag but cautiously asked.

”There are, of course, risks. The Inner Demon won’t harm your physical body but will attack your spirit. If you’re too weak, you might go mad. But as long as you don’t die, I can send you out. Once you leave the Void Realm, the Inner Demon will naturally disappear,” Tomb Elder said slowly.

This was within Xu Hei’s expectations. If there were no risks, anyone could exorcise demons.

No wonder memories are erased after leaving the Void Realm; it’s also about clearing one’s Inner Demon.

Xu Hei took a deep breath, accepted the command flag, and cupped his fists, saying, ”Junior can give it a try, but I can’t guarantee success.”

”No matter,” Tomb Elder said calmly, ”I have waited sixty million years, encountered countless failures, but even in failure, you will gain enough benefits. For instance, the inheritance of laws you obtained earlier, as well as the artifact refining inheritance you excel in, including the dragon clan’s Divine Abilities, all are available.”

Xu Hei’s heart burned with excitement.

He knew Tomb Elder spoke the truth because those who left the Void Realm alive had all gained something, and breaking through to the Divine Transformation Stage was no longer difficult.

However, Xu Hei had a vague feeling that something was amiss.