Serpent Ancestor

Divine Continent Star.

After vanquishing numerous external foes, Divine Continent Star entered a prolonged era of peace.

The previous great war claimed countless cultivators, with less than one in ten surviving. Yet, those who lived would forever remember the names of a few.

They have ascended, but their legends still circulate in the mortal realm.

”Haha! Xu Hei? Back in the day, I even hunted him down. I had him running for his life, almost costing him his.”

”And that Han Superior Immortal, I was once sworn brothers with him.”

In a small courtyard, a white-haired elder was boasting to his three disciples while holding a wine jug, drinking as he spoke.

His words caused everyone’s faces to change dramatically, and they hurriedly sealed the courtyard with a formation to prevent outsiders from hearing.

The elder’s face was flushed with drink, his body reeking of alcohol, speaking without any reservations. This wasn’t the first time he had done so.

One disciple curiously asked, ”What happened afterward?”

”Afterward, I let Xu Hei go, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to display his might and save this realm from disaster. Haha, I have great merit too!” the white-haired elder laughed heartily.

”Master is bragging again!” one disciple muttered.

”He’s not got much time left, let’s just humor him and not expose him.”

”Oh, Master is amazing!”

Everyone chimed in, discussing animatedly.

Eventually, it turned into flattery, making the white-haired elder laugh heartily.

”Then... Master, all your old friends have ascended, why are you still at the Core Formation Stage?” someone couldn’t help but ask.

Xuan Yangzi was silent for a moment, took a swig of wine, and drunkenly said, ”What’s wrong with having low cultivation? I’ve lived this long precisely because my cultivation is low and I didn’t draw attention. The Core Formation Stage has its own way of life, and for me, it’s enough.”

”By the way, these are your scores for this year’s final assessment.”

Xuan Yangzi took out three tokens and handed them to the three, each inscribed with a perfect score of ten.

It was the first time the three had received full marks, and they were overjoyed, quickly bowing in gratitude to Xuan Yangzi.

However, Xuan Yangzi sat on the platform, motionless, his drinking motion halted.

His face still bore a smile, gazing at the sky, forever still.

…………

Renwang Star, Tianhen Sword Sect.

The Tianhen Sword Sect was destroyed, but many disciples survived. Ah Yin was one of them.

During the campaign against Divine Continent Star, Ah Yin avoided battle by claiming severe injuries and securely locking the space of her cave dwelling, thus avoiding being forcibly taken away.

Now, she has taken on the task of reviving the sect.

The remaining cultivators of the Tianhen Sword Sect all found her, electing her as the Sect Master, as she was the only surviving Divine Transformation cultivator and the only one who mastered the Tianhen Immovable Sword.

”Though I’m from Divine Continent Star, reaching this point was greatly aided by the Tianhen Sword Sect. Consider it repaying a debt of gratitude,” Ah Yin thought to herself.

…………

Yan Dao Sect.

Bai Luo left the sect, returned to Divine Continent Star, and joined the Divine Puppet Sect, becoming the new generation’s Grand Elder.

Qin Xuanji refused the position of Grand Elder and went to Moon Star to seclude himself, seeking the path to ascension. He resolved that if there was no progress within a hundred years, he would venture to Dark Star.

He was the harshest on himself; if he couldn’t ascend, all his efforts would be in vain, and both he and the sect would eventually turn to dust.

For the sake of ascension, he would spare no cost.

Xu Hei left behind a thick book detailing his experiences on Dark Star, which was one of the reasons Qin Xuanji was determined to go there.

…………

Dark Star.

Since fleeing here, Wei Wudao had been plagued by nightmares every day.

Falling onto Dark Star left him gravely injured, forcing him to find a secluded place to retreat and heal. Yet, as time passed, every time he meditated, he saw eerie images and heard strange sounds.

Before his eyes, sometimes a black dog’s shadow appeared, sometimes a black snake bared its fangs at him, lunging forward, startling him awake.

As someone at the Great Perfection of the Divine Transformation Stage, a half-step into Void Shattering, how could he still have nightmares?

There must be something wrong!

But after thoroughly checking himself and searching with his divine sense, he couldn’t find any issues. His experience told him he must have been cursed by some kind of sorcery.

The Superior Immortals of Divine Continent Star were all highly skilled, and it was not surprising they were proficient in such arts. Wei Wudao regretted provoking them in the first place.

”Wei Wudao, so this is where you’ve been hiding. Heh heh, Xu has been looking for you!”

Suddenly, a sinister voice echoed, accompanied by a terrifying aura, causing Wei Wudao to tremble all over. He immediately stood up, brandishing the Soul Banner before him.

However, there was nothing in front of him.

Another illusion!

”Damn it, what on earth is going on?”

”If this continues, I’ll go mad sooner or later!”

Wei Wudao’s face twisted, looking extremely grim.

”Husband, you have such a cruel heart, even refining my soul. Give me back my life!”

Three days later, Ji Qing’s voice also appeared, biting towards Wei Wudao’s neck.

”Heh heh! I see Lady Wei is still quite charming. Why not let me have her, and I’ll spare your life,” Xu Hei’s voice appeared again.

”Ah!!!”

Wei Wudao let out a scream, striking out with his palm, shattering the illusion before him.

His face turned pale as he retreated to the corner, cold sweat pouring from his body.

He realized he couldn’t continue like this; he had to take action, or he would eventually suffer a mental breakdown and lose control.

Wei Wudao took out hundreds of soul banners, arranging them around to form a Heaven-Sealing Soul-Capturing Formation. In terms of divine sense, this was an absolute seal, preventing any divine sense from penetrating.

The howling of fierce ghost souls echoed from all directions, wandering within the formation, silently devouring any entering divine sense.

At this point, Wei Wudao finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although this method consumed the number of wandering souls, it at least allowed him some peace for a while.

Compared to those illusions, the wailing of these ghost souls actually reassured Wei Wudao.

”Seize this opportunity to heal, then completely eradicate this inexplicable curse,” Wei Wudao thought to himself.

”Buzz buzz buzz...”

Suddenly, another sound appeared.

”What is it this time?”

Wei Wudao shivered.

He listened for a moment, but only heard buzzing, no human voices. This made Wei Wudao breathe a sigh of relief, though he was puzzled. How could there be a buzzing sound like flies within the formation? Could some spirit insects have gotten in?

Spreading his divine sense, he found nothing. The source of the sound was unknown, as if it originated from the depths of the void.

Wei Wudao had a foreboding feeling, as the buzzing grew louder and closer, the eerie sound almost upon him.

”No!!”

With a scream.

The cave dwelling fell into dead silence.