Invincible Snake Emperor

What was that?

The moment Tu Xiao’an’s Snake Gaze fell upon that long, slender shadow, he couldn’t look away.

It was a snake, yes, but not some massive python. It was a small snake, just over three feet long.

It slithered out from a dark corner at a leisurely pace, its bewitching, dance-like movements holding an irresistible allure.

Tu Xiao’an couldn’t believe it. How could such a small snake cast such a huge shadow? He looked at the back wall of the mourning hall, and sure enough, the enormous snake-like silhouette was still reflected there.

A small snake casting a huge shadow—this was so fucking unscientific.

A moment later, the three-foot-long snake slithered up to Zhao Da, who was kneeling with his head bowed. The snake then raised its head, coiling up the front half of its body. It was only then that Tu Xiao’an finally got a clear look at it.

On its head was a fiery red crest, like that of a rooster, giving it a domineering air. Its entire body was covered in vibrant, translucent stripes, as if it were draped in a multicolored robe. It was beautiful. Its appearance was flawless, as if carved by a master’s knife, and its crystalline Snake Gaze shone like Luminous Pearls.

’What a peculiar venomous snake,’

Tu Xiao’an marveled inwardly. It was the kind of admiration one handsome guy feels upon seeing another, a sense of pure appreciation.

Perhaps it really was a House Snake, but that term alone wasn’t enough to accurately describe it.

”GAK... GAK...”

The snake stood erect before Zhao Da and let out a strange cry. The moment he heard it, it was as if Tu Xiao’an had been struck by lightning. ’So that crowing sound was coming from it!’

This really was a venomous snake that was unconventional through and through. Even its cry defied all logic.

A snake making the sound of a chicken... How were the chickens of the world supposed to feel about that?

’Let’s see just what kind of venomous snake you are.’

Tu Xiao’an’s eyes were fixed on the snake. As his Snake Pupils constricted, the System’s voice suddenly sounded in his mind.

”Ding! Mutated House Snake, Crowned King. Rank Two Middle Level Awakened Creature. Level 20. Evil Kill Count: (15).”

The snake’s data instantly appeared in Tu Xiao’an’s mind.

’Holy shit, this snake has really become a demon.’

A Level 20 creature. This was the highest-Level being Tu Xiao’an had encountered so far.

The only exception might have been the Vampire Snake that evolved into a peerless Snake Species after being injected with the Giant Snake Gene. But Tu Xiao’an’s System Ability wasn’t working back then, so he never knew the Vampire Snake’s final Level.

The brief data contained a lot of information. First, it was indeed a House Snake. Second, it had mutated from a House Snake into a Mutated Crowned King Snake. The third point was the most interesting: the ”Evil Kill Count.” As the name implied, fifteen people had already died at this snake’s hands.

This was a new type of data entry.

This was a man-killing snake, a venomous serpent of legend, and an Awakened Creature to boot.

There had long been folktales about the Crowned Snake, and Tu Xiao’an had heard them before. According to legend, this type of venomous snake was highly intelligent and used a crowing sound to bewitch people.

They were also said to record and imitate human voices. Rumor had it that late at night, the snake would mimic a person’s voice and call out someone’s name. If that person answered, they were doomed to die.

The crowing sound was true, but the part about imitating human voices was probably not entirely accurate.

A Rank Two Awakened Creature like this probably didn’t just imitate. It could likely speak human language directly.

Based on Tu Xiao’an’s experience, for any normal venomous snake in the world, Level 10 was the cap. An average adult venomous snake was around Level 5, which was within the normal range.

But if a venomous snake lived long enough, or consumed some kind of Heavenly and Earthly Treasure, it could break through the shackles of its bloodline. If its Level rose to 11, it would become an Awakened Creature—in other words, it had succeeded in Cultivation and become a demon.

Of course, this wasn’t true for every species. Large creatures were another matter entirely.

”Ding! Target for Devouring Awakened Snake Species has appeared. If the host devours this snake and completes the evolution mission, your Level will increase by two, and you will be rewarded with one spin of the random prize wheel.”

The System’s voice rang out.

Tu Xiao’an grew excited. ’The rewards are that generous?’

Devouring this snake would grant him a direct 2-Level increase. That was simple and brutal. He knew that reaching the next Level currently required 100,000 Energy Value, and to reach Level 16, the Energy required for evolution would double again.

It was safe to say that if Tu Xiao’an tried to level up normally by grinding on monsters, there was no telling how long it would take or how many living creatures he would have to devour.

But if he devoured this Crowned Snake, his Level would jump straight to 17. The temptation was too great to resist.

Plus, there was the chance for a spin on the random prize wheel, which was also incredibly valuable.

He got one spin for every five Levels he gained. As his Level increased, a chance every five Levels became a very, very demanding requirement.

Just thinking about it made Tu Xiao’an’s excitement build. On top of that, after devouring it and completing his evolution, he would also gain complete control over his Thunder Attribute Ability.

The benefits were simply too numerous.

’Haha... Mutated Crowned King Snake, it seems you’re destined to be nothing more than a stepping stone for me, Tu Xiao’an!’

Just as Tu Xiao’an was reveling in his excitement, a joyful, chirpy voice sounded from beside him.

”Wow... Is that the legendary House Snake? It’s so beautiful!”

Li Qingzhao, who had been pale with fear just moments ago, was now staring intently at the Crowned King as it slithered out, a sudden burst of life returning to her. Her beautiful eyes didn’t even blink.

Tu Xiao’an was speechless. ’What’s wrong with this girl? A beautiful young lady in the prime of her youth, exuding a vibrant energy, is actually a snake fanatic. How unexpected.’

Suddenly, he thought this girl was just like someone else. Yes, she was just like Sister Meilin. They were both extraordinary women who were crazy about snakes.

She was clearly on the verge of tears from fright a moment ago, but the second she saw this snake slither out, she was instantly back at full health.

’What a strange girl.’

’I should really introduce her to Sister Meilin. They’re kindred spirits; they’d definitely become the best of friends.’

’What is this snake trying to do?!’

At that moment, Tu Xiao’an had no time for idle fantasies. His Snake Gaze sharpened as he watched the Crowned Snake coil around Zhao Da’s corpse-like body. The snake’s blood-red crested head glowed eerily as it flicked its tongue.

’What is it doing?’

Soon, Tu Xiao’an saw the Crowned Snake’s tongue licking the side of Zhao Da’s neck. That’s right, it was licking him.

It wasn’t the typical bite of a venomous snake, injecting its Venom.

Seeing this, Tu Xiao’an was instantly dumbfounded. ’This snake has some heavy tastes.’

He never thought the Snake Race could have such a perverted quirk.

A moment later, the Crowned Snake moved away from Zhao Da’s body. Tu Xiao’an was stunned. A lifelike snake tattoo had appeared on Zhao Da’s neck.

From a distance, it looked as if a real snake were swimming gracefully beneath Zhao Da’s skin.

If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he never would have believed it. The controversial snake tattoo had actually been licked into existence by this snake.

To be able to lick such a lifelike tattoo into skin... All the tattoo artists in the world could just throw themselves into a river out of shame.