Serpent Ancestor

Xu Hei couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward.

The Star-Seeking Beast actually mistook the Old Tree’s roots for the Wood Spirit Clan. Its functionality still isn’t perfect.

”It’s nothing, I just got overly nervous,” Xu Hei said.

”Hmph, that little girl may be keeping an eye on you, but she’s only observing your whereabouts. At least within a thousand feet of the cave dwelling, there’s no one around.”

The Old Tree grumbled, ”Next time, don’t just grab my roots.”

Xu Hei nodded, then realized something was off and immediately cursed, ”Who the hell wants to grab your roots?”

…………

A month passed quickly.

During this time, Xu Hei devoted all his energy to cultivating the White Emperor Sutra and successfully reached the fourth level of Great Perfection.

But he was still a bit short of the fifth level.The first four levels were foundational; only upon reaching the fifth level could one truly be considered to have entered the path, effective against the Divine Transformation Stage.

Cultivating techniques cannot be rushed. Many people go into seclusion for decades or even centuries without much progress, let alone a top-tier technique like the White Emperor Sutra. If it were easy to reach the fifth level, it would be abnormal.

Xu Hei had a feeling that relying solely on seclusion would make it difficult to progress with the White Emperor Sutra.

The Heavenly Demon Technique required magic marrow crystals to break through, so the White Emperor Sutra couldn’t possibly need just spirit stones.

Additionally, Xu Hei had figured out the function of the Star-Seeking Beast.

This creature was essentially a super detector used for reconnaissance, but only those from the Shadow Clan or those possessing a token from the Shadow Clan could successfully operate it.

Xu Hei had only just begun to master the Star-Seeking Beast and was far from achieving the effect of detecting stars.

”The appointed time has come; it’s time to set off.”

Xu Hei packed up the formation, left the cave dwelling, and sped towards Qinglin Tower.

…………

An hour later, at the entrance of Qinglin Tower.

The usually bustling Qinglin Tower was deserted today, and even the surrounding hundreds of miles had been cleared.

It seemed Qing Shuang took this matter very seriously, going so far as to temporarily close Qinglin Tower.

Xu Hei pushed the door open and entered, finding Qing Shuang sitting in the hall.

Her attire was the same as before, dressed in a long green leaf dress, her legs long and graceful, her demeanor enchanting, but her expression was more serious than before.

Beside Qing Shuang was a man, his head covered in moss, his body entwined with vines, and his skin covered in thorny spikes, looking very much like a tree spirit.

This person seemed familiar; Xu Hei felt like he had seen him somewhere before.

”Let me introduce you, this is the person I invited to accompany us, named Qing Xuan, from the Thorn Clan,” Qing Shuang said with a smile.

Thorn Clan...

Xu Hei immediately remembered that Qing Ling, who had previously sold materials, was also from the Thorn Clan, which explained the similarity in appearance.

However, Qing Xuan was much stronger, with cultivation at the late Divine Power stage.

The Thorn Clan was also the most powerful branch of the Wood Spirit Clan, with one of the three Grand Elders being from the Thorn Clan.

”I am Xu Hei, pleased to meet you, Daoist Qing Xuan,” Xu Hei said, cupping his hands.

Qing Xuan only glanced at Xu Hei, nodded slightly, but did not speak.

Xu Hei didn’t mind and found a place to sit down.

It wasn’t long before another figure walked in through the door.

This was a stone man, his body colorful and not very tall, but he gave off an extremely heavy feeling, with a faint gravitational pull around him, even slightly distorting the nearby space.

”Great Perfection in the Divine Power stage?” Xu Hei’s heart tightened.

This was the highest cultivation stone spirit clan member he had seen since entering Dark Star.

As the colorful stone man passed, some dust in the air automatically adhered to him, indicating the natural gravity he possessed, showing the density of his physical body.

The colorful stone man looked around, cupped his hands, and said, ”I am Wang Dashan of the Stone Spirit Clan, honored to be invited here, greetings to all Daoist friends!”

Xu Hei quickly returned the gesture.

Qing Xuan also just glanced at him without speaking.

”Daoist Wang, this is Daoist Xu Hei and Daoist Qing Xuan, both invited companions...” Qing Shuang quickly introduced.

”Haha, I will be relying on you all for this journey.”

Wang Dashan laughed heartily and sat down near Xu Hei, waiting quietly.

Qing Xuan frowned slightly, seeming a bit displeased, ”Qing Shuang, why is the Stone Spirit Clan here too? How many people did you invite?”

”No rush, there are three more, they’ll be here soon,” Qing Shuang said with a smile.

Three more... Xu Hei squinted his eyes, looking towards the door.

As soon as she finished speaking, the door opened, and a wave of heat swept in.

Then, a tall figure as red as fire flew in from outside, landing in the center of the hall.

This person was blazing hot, his robe like fire, his figure tall and imposing like a demon, with red hair like burning flames, eyes sharp, walking with the majesty of a dragon and tiger.

Who else could it be but the Flame Demon Ancestor?

”It’s you?”

Xu Hei’s eyes narrowed, and he immediately stood up, his aura rising to its peak.

As soon as the Flame Demon Ancestor entered, he saw Xu Hei, his gaze locking onto him, first slightly stunned, then a murderous intent appeared in his eyes.

”Courting death!”

Xu Hei raised his hand, the Lunar Mystic Fire swept out, transforming into a sinister fire dragon, lunging at the Flame Demon Ancestor.

”Hmph!”

The Flame Demon Ancestor also snorted coldly, the Solar Essence Fire in his palm instantly condensed, forming a great sun, crashing towards Xu Hei.

The two flames, one yin and one yang, collided in an instant.

”Boom!!”

The earth-shattering explosion echoed within Qinglin Tower, but most of it was offset by the formation, causing no significant damage.

With the first strike unsuccessful, Xu Hei leaped into the air, his skin covered in rock crystals and dragon scales, the Star-Moon Sword drawn, while summoning a swarm of Black Needle Ants to surround him.

”Stop it!” Qing Shuang shouted.

Xu Hei ignored her, a black light ball forming in his palm, the Death Meteor, striking towards the Flame Demon Ancestor.

”Fire Demon Body!”

The Flame Demon Ancestor shouted, his fiery red robe suddenly exploding, his body swelling, burning with bright red blood flames, his power surging several times, his fist turning into the sun, punching towards Xu Hei.

Blood and fire surged, space trembled, the sun-like fist clashing with Xu Hei’s Death Meteor.

”I said, stop it!”

Qing Shuang waved her hand, a large green formation rose, dazzling green light sweeping over, shining on the two of them.

The rampant spiritual power within them was suppressed at a terrifying speed, even their violent tempers quickly calming down.

”Boom!!”

The two separated upon contact, the gentle green light omnipresent, separating them.

”Get out of my way!”

The Flame Demon Ancestor said coldly, ”Daoist Qing Shuang, you said before that if I helped you break the restriction of the cave dwelling, you would join forces with me to kill Xu Hei. Is this your promise?”