Serpent Ancestor

Oli was clearly aware of Xu Hei’s needs. After hesitating for a moment, he said, ”As long as you agree to help us reclaim our goods, we can offer thirty percent of the spirit sand as compensation.”

Thirty percent of the spirit sand, though the exact amount was unknown, judging by the twenty spirit stones Xu Hei had seized, it shouldn’t be too little.

Xu Hei’s expression didn’t change much. He said calmly, ”Lead the way.”

”Yes!” Oli was overjoyed and asked, ”Does this mean you’re willing to help?”

”I didn’t say that. I just told you to lead the way,” Xu Hei replied.

Even though his strength had increased significantly, he wasn’t arrogant enough to agree to act without knowing the enemy.

He wasn’t invincible in the mortal realm yet.

”Alright.” Oli nodded.

After handling the situation there, Xu Hei spent some time relocating Ji Ying’s cocoon to a new location before following Oli away from the area.

On the way, Xu Hei asked Oli some questions.”How did you know I was here?” Xu Hei inquired.

”The clan leader told me. His earth vein sensing can detect any place in the Earth Rock Zone,” Oli explained.

”Oh? Did the clan leader also teach you this language?” Xu Hei asked with a half-smile.

”That’s right. The clan leader said it might come in handy in the future. I didn’t expect it would actually be useful,” Oli scratched his head.

Xu Hei continued to ask other questions, and Oli answered them one by one.

In short, all of Oli’s actions were based on the advice of the clan leader, Ao De.

Whether it was fleeing to Xu Hei after being pursued, learning the language, or using spirit sand as bait, it was all arranged by Ao De.

Additionally, Xu Hei discovered that Oli seemed to have no hidden agenda, answering every question, even those involving clan secrets, without reservation.

”The clan leader instructed us not to provoke you, senior. Today, I had no choice but to take the risk and flee here,” Oli said helplessly.

”No worries! If I were driven to a dead end, I would make a similar choice, but I would also bear the corresponding consequences,” Xu Hei said calmly.

Soon, the two left the safe zone of the Earth Rock Zone and entered a dangerous area with intense gravity.

In such a region, survival below the Divine Transformation stage was nearly impossible.

Even at the peak of mid-stage Divine Transformation, Xu Hei felt his physical body was as heavy as a mountain, making it difficult to move. In contrast, Oli only seemed slightly slowed, showing no discomfort.

In terms of physical strength alone, Xu Hei was far inferior to the stone spirit clan.

As a half-transformed flood dragon, Xu Hei’s physical body was naturally stronger than a human’s, but compared to the stones of Dark Star, flesh and blood life forms were inherently inferior.

”Hehe, Xu Hei, I almost forgot, this place is perfect for cultivating a powerful body-refining divine skill. Once mastered, not just this small Dark Star, but the entire mortal realm would be no match for you!” The Old Tree’s cackling laughter came from Xu Hei’s ring.

”What kind of body-refining divine skill is that powerful?” Xu Hei was taken aback.

”Heh, wait until you’ve earned enough spirit stones. Without them, you can’t do anything,” the Old Tree chuckled.

Xu Hei asked no more.

He followed Oli for about half a day, arriving at a place where fierce winds raged.

The sky was dark, the land barren, and the biting wind seemed to emerge from the ground, stinging the face. Even Xu Hei’s dragon scales emitted a scraping sound like knives.

”This is where we were ambushed,” Oli pointed to the dark land ahead. ”We chose such a harsh route to avoid the enemy, but we were still discovered.”

Xu Hei spread his Divine Sense, probing the surroundings, and indeed found many traces of battle.

The destructive power of the stone spirit clan was immense, causing shifts in the land and mountains. However, Xu Hei noticed many unusual traces, filled with the violent power of the flame law, as if scorched by fire.

This didn’t seem like the stone spirit clan’s doing.

”Someone’s coming,” the Old Tree suddenly transmitted.

Xu Hei quickly burrowed underground, unfurling his Night Demon Wings and donning his spider silk armor.

Oli also hurriedly hid in a crevice in the rocks.

Before long, a convoy slowly approached from the distance.

It was a convoy led by stone men, totaling five people, two at mid-stage Divine Transformation and three at early-stage. They were dragging a stone chariot filled with various goods, slowly approaching.

Earth Core Stone Flowers, Sky Cold Ore, Yaoguang Rock... and even a small pot of Ten-thousand-year Cold Marrow.

There were also some materials Xu Hei had never heard of, which looked extremely valuable.

”It’s the convoy from the neighboring Yan family!” Oli transmitted. ”The Yan family is about as strong as our Oli family, but they excel in earth and thunder techniques. Any inch of their skin can self-destruct, so even the Chi family, who robbed us, wouldn’t provoke them lightly.”

Xu Hei remained silent, hiding in the shadows, quietly observing.

”Two at mid-stage Divine Transformation, three at early-stage. With my current cultivation, plus some of the swarm, taking on five shouldn’t be a problem,” Xu Hei thought to himself.

”What, are you planning to target this group?” the Old Tree sneered.

”No, I’m just preparing myself mentally,” Xu Hei replied.

At this moment, the Yan family’s convoy slowly passed by Xu Hei’s hiding spot without any sign of noticing him.

Oli breathed a sigh of relief.

But just then, the Yan family’s eldest son, Yan Feng, suddenly stopped. With a raise of his hand, the entire convoy halted.

Xu Hei immediately focused, ready to act at any moment.

”Since a fellow Daoist is lurking here, you must have a purpose. Why not show yourself?” Yan Feng said calmly.

”We’ve been discovered!” Oli’s pupils contracted.

Xu Hei made no response.

Oli sighed helplessly and was about to come out.

Suddenly, a cold laugh came from the shadows: ”Hehe, Yan Daoist’s perception has improved since back then, to have discovered us. Chi admires you.”

As the voice fell.

Crimson figures emerged from all directions around the convoy. These stone men were entirely red, emitting a scorching light, and the leader had a flame mark on his forehead.

A total of six, one at late-stage Divine Transformation, five at mid-stage.

All were elite!

These were the Chi family members who had attacked the Oli family convoy.

Xu Hei was surprised, ”They were hiding so close, and I didn’t even notice!”

This truly caught Xu Hei off guard.

Luckily, he had hidden in time and hadn’t ventured forward to investigate, or he might have fallen into their encirclement.

”Old Tree, did you notice them earlier?” Xu Hei asked.

”I... of course, I did,” the Old Tree stammered.

”Then why didn’t you say anything?”

”Do I have to tell you everything?”

”...” Xu Hei was speechless.

Meanwhile, at the center of the battlefield.

Yan Feng was equally startled to see the sudden appearance of the Chi family’s forces.