Serpent Ancestor

”Oh? Speak freely!”

Elder Green Turtle said, brimming with confidence. After all, Xu Bai was part of his Turtle lineage, which was his greatest advantage. Of course, he wouldn’t reveal this advantage, but kept it to himself.

”This young man can even match Hai Teng in battle and knows how to keep a low profile by pretending to be weak. No matter what, I must recruit him!”

The Narwhal’s eyes flickered with determination.

”He’s made it to the top ten of the wanted list, slaughtering humans left and right. He’s exactly what our Giant Shark clan needs!”

Elder Tiger Whale’s gaze was equally fierce. Xu Hei was his target, and no one could take him away.

”A demonic beast skilled in artifact refining and formations, he belongs with our Heavenly Roc clan!”

Elder Yunpeng’s eyes were resolute.

Various thoughts flashed through the minds of all the elders, but none of them showed it. They all awaited Xu Hei’s response.

Xu Hei shifted his gaze, firmly looking ahead at the old Flood Dragon. Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he solemnly said, ”I wish to become a disciple of Elder Mo.””......”

In that instant, the entire venue fell into a brief silence.

The demonic beast elders looked at each other, thinking they had misheard.

Even Elder Mo was stunned. Xu Hei’s answer was beyond everyone’s expectations.

”What did you say?” Elder Tiger Whale frowned.

”Xu Hei, what do you mean by this?” asked the Nine-Eyed Toad.

”This is my true intention. I genuinely only wish to join Elder Mo,” Xu Hei said earnestly.

The Nine Transformations of the True Dragon, transforming from a serpent to a flood dragon, then to a true dragon, was his destined path!

Although the elders before him possessed vast divine abilities and varied skills, and Xu Hei could gain something from any of them, only Elder Mo was the best choice. Xu Hei trusted his judgment.

The entire venue remained silent, with no one speaking further.

Competing for outstanding disciples had been a tradition among the six lineages for years. In the past, they would often fight fiercely, resulting in bloodshed, just to win over a Chosen.

But now, they all strangely refrained from saying a word.

They simply looked at the ancient Flood Dragon, maintaining their silence.

Elder Mo, expressionless, slowly said, ”Xu Hei, I am old and frail, with only a few years of life left. I can’t teach you anything. Following me would only waste your time. Choose someone else.”

Over the years, some demonic beasts had secretly inquired if he was accepting disciples.

But upon learning the truth, without exception, they all decisively gave up.

No one would waste their time on an old man nearing death, especially one who couldn’t teach anything. Ultimately, it would only lead to wasted time and achieving nothing.

What he said was not false; it was something every elder present knew. It was an open secret.

However, Xu Hei shook his head and said, ”I didn’t come here to learn anything.”

”Then what is it?” Elder Mo asked, puzzled.

”When you were young, you must have been a legendary figure, dominating your era, right?” Xu Hei quietly looked at him.

”......” Elder Mo remained silent.

Back then?

He had almost forgotten the events of those days. The long years, coupled with his declining strength and nearing end of life, left him remembering less and less.

Only the scars on his body and the items he left behind could remind him of some things.

”A once legendary figure, now old, without a single disciple or descendant. As a flood dragon, how tragic,” Xu Hei said slowly.

At this moment, he suddenly addressed Elder Mo solemnly, ”I have no ulterior motives. I simply wish to become your disciple, nothing more.”

The entire venue fell silent, with only these calm words echoing on the island.

Xu Hei wanted to join Elder Mo, not to learn anything, but simply to join, without any reason.

For other disciples, this would be unthinkable!

Who comes to the Penglai Sea not to cultivate? Not to become stronger? Not to learn immortal spells?

Without the heart of a strong person, why come here?

The six elders wanted to say something, but hesitated when the words reached their lips. They looked at each other, hoping someone would speak up, but all remained silent.

”Are you sure?”

Elder Mo gazed at Xu Hei, a glimmer of light in his eyes.

”Of course! Unless you look down on me and are unwilling to take me in, I will leave!” Xu Hei said earnestly.

Elder Mo remained silent for a long time, then sighed helplessly.

Seeing Xu Hei’s determined attitude, Elder Mo said, ”Your aptitude is average, your strength and talent are mediocre, with nothing outstanding.”

”But...”

At this point, Elder Mo shook his head bitterly, ”You’re right, I have no disciples, no descendants. I’ll let you stay here for now.”

”However, I won’t accept you as a disciple, nor do you need to formally become one, because I truly have nothing to teach you.”

Hearing Elder Mo’s words, Xu Hei bowed respectfully, ”Thank you for granting my wish, elder!”

Seeing this, the six elders all shook their heads and sighed.

”What a pity, such a promising talent.”

”Not learning my poison arts is a great loss.”

”When he learns nothing and falls behind others, he might regret it.”

Various thoughts flashed through the minds of the six elders, but none spoke them aloud, though their disappointment was visible to the naked eye.

Xu Hei’s choice was indeed disappointing, but no one said anything and turned to leave.

If Xu Hei had chosen any of the six lineages, it would have sparked a fierce competition.

But choosing Elder Mo, no one dared to dispute.

Although Elder Mo’s strength was lacking, in terms of seniority, he surpassed all the demonic beasts present. Even across the entire Penglai Sea, no one could surpass him.

This was a mark of respect for an elder.

Before long, five elders left one after another, disappearing into the horizon.

Only Elder Green Turtle remained, hesitating for a moment before saying to Xu Hei, ”Xu Hei, you are welcome to visit our Turtle lineage anytime. Our clan always welcomes you.”

Elder Green Turtle then vanished.

On the island, only Elder Mo and Xu Hei remained.

Elder Mo continued to lazily lie on the ground, his body retreating into the cave, closing his eyes, and a snoring sound emanated from his throat.

Xu Hei looked at Elder Mo, silent and motionless.

”This is a place for testing newcomers; staying here isn’t appropriate!”

Elder Mo opened his mouth and spat out a token, which landed in front of Xu Hei.

”There’s an uninhabited island to the southeast, it’s yours. You can enter with this token. Go, and don’t disturb my sleep,” Elder Mo said.

With that, his snoring resumed like thunder.

Xu Hei picked up the token from the ground, bowed slightly, and turned to leave.

”Also, there’s no need to bring those human manners into the demonic beast world. I don’t care for them,” Elder Mo added impatiently.

Xu Hei nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, he paused, taking out an ancient spirit medicine. It was a ten-thousand-year-old spirit medicine, beneficial even to those at the Elemental Infant stage.

Xu Hei had nine such spirit medicines left.

He placed the coral-like spirit medicine at the entrance of Elder Mo’s cave and said, ”Elder Mo, a little exercise can keep you energetic. Even an old steed in the stable still aspires to gallop a thousand miles. Even in old age, one shouldn’t stop moving forward.”

After speaking, Xu Hei didn’t wait for Elder Mo’s response and hurriedly left to find the island.

The elder had given him an island, and he reciprocated with a spirit medicine, a gesture of courtesy.

Shortly after Xu Hei left, Elder Mo opened his eyes, looking at the ten-thousand-year-old spirit medicine, a strange light flickering in his eyes.

”Heh, an interesting young man.”

Elder Mo moved a little, extending half of his body outside. His rear half remained hidden in the cave, its length unknown.

However, he only moved twenty meters before stopping.

”What a pity, these old bones of mine can’t move even if I want to.”