Serpent Ancestor

In this vast desert, it’s unclear where the end lies; this thing here clearly wants to lure people over.

”This place is strange, better not get too close. Let’s check ahead first.”

Xu Hei pondered for a moment, ignored the pyramid, and bypassed it, moving forward.

…………

Just as Xu Hei was in seclusion, breaking through and advancing deeper.

Outside, a series of events were unfolding.

News of the opening of the Earth Path spread overnight across major sects and forces, with sects continuously sending people to explore and seek opportunities within the Earth Path.

However, those sent returned empty-handed, and the dangers inside were unimaginably absurd.

Rumors of ancient fierce demons, man-eating sand, terrifying spells, and more circulated, making it known as the most difficult path.

The very first obstacle, the sand, stumped countless people.Even if someone managed to pass through with clever methods, their soul tablets would soon shatter, dying under unknown circumstances.

This only deepened people’s fear.

As casualties increased among the various groups, the exploration of the Earth Path was put on hold.

Some enthusiasts compiled a list of the top ten most dangerous ancient relics.

”The latest top ten dangers of ancient relics, available for just five thousand spirit stones, fair to all, a purchase is a profit!”

Outside the relic, an elderly man with purple hair was selling the list, attracting a crowd, but upon hearing the price of five thousand spirit stones, many hesitated.

Such a price could bankrupt a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator.

”Whoosh!”

Suddenly, the scroll on the stall was snatched away. Han Te was about to lose his temper but froze upon seeing the newcomer.

The newcomer was a young man in a white robe, tall and handsome, with black hair like a waterfall, exuding an air of elegance and knowledge.

Behind him stood a middle-aged warrior in silver armor, wielding a long spear, emanating an indescribable aura of slaughter, as if forged from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, having killed countless people.

Just one glance felt like entering a hellish realm.

”Such a murderous aura, he must have killed no less than a hundred thousand!”

”With such a terrifying expert as a protector, who is this young man in white?”

Han Te, having met countless people, made a rough judgment and was about to observe secretly when he felt a chilling killing intent, quickly lowering his head, not daring to look further.

The young man in white unfolded the scroll and read from top to bottom.

”Second on the danger list: Black Sand, located at the entrance of the Earth Path, black sand fills the sky, sweeping across thousands of miles, contact means death, no one has entered so far...”

”Third on the danger list: Historical Projection, located at the forefront of the relic, an ancient projection appearing randomly, containing great divine abilities, even a slight ripple can kill...”

”Fourth on the danger list: Blood Corpse, a puppet targeting Core Formation Stage cultivators, the higher the cultivation, the stronger the blood corpse attracted...”

”…”

The young man in white scanned the list, his gaze falling to the end.

”Ninth on the danger list: Demon Butcher, composed of countless corpse puppets, disguised as human cultivators, traveling with people, actually an ancient fierce creature, capable of driving Core Formation Stage cultivators insane.”

”Tenth on the danger list: Illusionary Forest, randomly induces sleep, originally could rank in the top five, but the pattern was cracked, hence ranked last.”

After reading the list, the young man in white smiled gently, ”The ninth one is interesting, even corpse puppets can develop intelligence and disguise as humans.”

Then he asked, ”Why isn’t the first on the danger list marked?”

Han Te replied truthfully, ”To be honest, for the first on the danger list, no one has survived to describe what it is.”

”But some speculate it’s a demon infant with Elemental Infant stage cultivation, encountering it means certain death.”

Han Te spoke convincingly.

The young man in white nodded slightly, took out a storage bag containing five thousand spirit stones, placed it on the stall, and then turned to leave.

”Thank you for your patronage, take care!”

Han Te accepted the storage bag, his heart racing. He even considered throwing the bag away, not wanting any involvement, but he kept it.

”That murderous aura, clearly from a great general of the Qin Kingdom, with such an expert as a protector, who could that young man be? Heavenly Puppet Sect? Impossible, right?”

Han Te fell into thought, sensing something big was about to happen.

……

At this moment, in the deep entrance tunnel.

Countless vengeful spirits hovered around, but with a surge of killing intent from Lei He, all the spirits retreated in fear.

Soon, they arrived at the circular plaza.

”The Demon Lord hasn’t appeared, it seems the plan succeeded,” the young man in white smiled.

Lei He replied indifferently, ”The Demon Lord isn’t omniscient. Every rule has loopholes. Find the loophole, and success is inevitable.”

This man was Lei He, one of the top ten experts of the Qin Kingdom, a late Core Formation Stage cultivator.

And the young man in white was Bai Luo, the current top Chosen of the Heavenly Puppet Sect.

But through some method, he had changed his appearance and identity, even sealing his puppet techniques and altering his personality to become gentle and refined.

”The legacy of the third-generation ancestor must belong to me. It’s my only chance to return to the headquarters!” Bai Luo’s heart was resolute.

The Heavenly Puppet Sect had dispatched various experts to help them compete for the relic, but not everything could be entrusted to outsiders.

Bai Luo was the top Chosen of his generation, second only in talent to the already Golden Core Great Perfection Qin Xuanji, chosen as the best candidate.

Three years ago, he could have formed his core, but he deliberately suppressed it, waiting for today’s grand plan.

Though still at the Foundation Establishment Stage, in terms of strength and various extraordinary means, he could contend with ordinary Core Formation Stage cultivators.

After glancing at the path of the Earth Path, the two entered without hesitation, moving in perfect harmony.

Meanwhile, the Zhou family also rushed in.

…………

Deep within the Earth Path, in front of the black pyramid.

Xu Hei returned again, bouncing with determination.

Because since entering the Earth Path, he had gained nothing, his only spoils coming from killing, unrelated to the opportunities here.

Logically, every path should have great opportunities, Xu Hei couldn’t return empty-handed.

Ahead was still the endless desert, repeating eternally, with the only thing present being this pyramid. Xu Hei had to give it a try.

”Let’s see if there’s any danger first.”

Xu Hei released puppets, scattering them around, and summoned various magical treasures for protection, then cautiously approached.

Under the pyramid, there was a dark entrance. Xu Hei pondered briefly and sent a sand puppet inside first.

Once the sand puppet entered, it immediately lost contact with Xu Hei.

It was as if there was a thin membrane at the entrance, isolating it from the outside world.

Xu Hei sent in a scouting snake, with the same result.

”I’ll have to try it myself.”

Taking a deep breath, Xu Hei activated various magical treasures, and with a flash, dashed into the pyramid’s entrance.