Serpent Ancestor

Xu Hei gazed at the first image for a long time, and once again, a trace of its essence emerged, bursting forth from the picture.

In a trance, Xu Hei saw the scene of a giant dragon swinging its tail, causing the sky pillars to collapse and the heavens to crumble.

However, this time, Xu Hei merely grunted, not being knocked back by the impact.

He opened his eyes, recalling the scene just now, imprinting it deeply into his mind.

That strike was incredibly powerful, no doubt about it. But how to fully comprehend and make it his own was the challenge Xu Hei faced.

”Let’s look again!”

Xu Hei continued to study the picture, over and over. After watching it dozens, even hundreds of times, until every detail was etched into his mind, he finally let out a long breath and reopened his eyes.

”Let’s give it a try.”

Xu Hei took a deep breath, his whole body tensed, and he immediately entered a state of immersion, recalling the details of that move in his mind.

At this moment, his bones emitted a cracking sound, as true essence flowed along the dragon vein into his head, from the skull to the tailbone, layer upon layer, the power stacking up.With each bone the power passed through, it layered once more.

Before this, Xu Hei’s attack methods were very simple, relying on sheer physical strength to charge, at most using the Diamond Suppression Technique to boost his power, without a hint of technique.

How to gather strength, how to exert it, how to dodge, all were based on instinct, never formally learned.

But now, Xu Hei applied the technique he had just learned.

That dragon’s tail swing was no ordinary move.

”Crack, crack...”

Xu Hei’s bones emitted a series of cracking sounds, from head to tail, with each transmission of power, the sound grew louder.

During this process, his whole body was in severe pain, the bones transmitting unbearable agony, penetrating to the marrow by the time it reached the tail.

Meanwhile, the accumulated power had reached its limit, his tail even glowing, as if about to ignite.

”Go!”

Xu Hei swung his tail, slicing through the void, emitting a dazzling rainbow light, all his bones exploding with a roar akin to a dragon’s cry.

”Boom!!!”

This strike hit the void outside the cave dwelling, striking nothing but air.

However—

”Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!...”

A series of explosions occurred on the sea surface ahead, blasting out a deep abyssal trench, waves surged, and torrential rain poured down.

The trench on the sea surface remained unhealed for a long time, leaving Xu Hei stunned.

”So powerful!”

Xu Hei panted heavily, but soon, his entire body was wracked with pain, if not for his dragon bones, this strike might have shattered all his bones.

Xu Hei looked again at the pattern on the stone wall, this time, the first image became incredibly clear to him.

In his mind, a faint dragon’s roar echoed:

”Azure Dragon Combat Technique, First Move, Dragon Tail Swing.”

Azure Dragon Combat Technique!

This was not a profound spell, just a combat technique, yet more powerful than any spell.

However, the burden on the physical body was immense, after one strike, Xu Hei almost couldn’t move, in this world, probably only Xu Hei at the Demon Core Stage could perform it.

”My strike was still too scattered, compared to the dragon in the image, whose power was more concentrated and had less side effects, I still need to practice diligently,” Xu Hei thought to himself.

The strike in the image only hit the pillar, not spreading out, thus concentrating the power at one point, minimizing self-impact.

Unlike him, who unleashed all his power at once, leaving no room, causing self-harm.

Xu Hei immediately took a healing pill, planning to recover before trying again.

At this moment, the sun rose in the east, sunlight pouring down.

The images on the stone wall slowly faded away.

Unknowingly, Xu Hei had pondered for an entire night, but had only grasped a superficial understanding.

”Right, this first cave dwelling holds the Azure Dragon Combat Technique, what about the other two cave dwellings?”

Xu Hei suddenly thought, there were two more cave dwellings on this island.

He moved swiftly, heading to the second cave dwelling.

By now, the sun had risen, the second cave dwelling also had images, but most had disappeared, only the first image vaguely showing a dragon swallowing clouds and mist.

Soon, the images vanished completely.

The sun was fully up, Xu Hei then went to the third cave dwelling, but saw nothing.

Xu Hei sighed, returning to the first cave dwelling to quietly meditate.

”On a full moon night, the images will reveal themselves, but there’s only one full moon each month, what a pity.”

Xu Hei shook his head helplessly.

However, he hadn’t fully comprehended even the first image’s technique, learning too much at once would be counterproductive, better to take it slow.

…………

In the blink of an eye, another week passed.

During this week, Xu Hei continuously practiced the Dragon Tail Swing, gradually discovering that starting the power transmission from the skull resulted in great power but also great side effects, while starting from the midsection reduced both significantly.

With his current strength, it was best not to start from the skull, otherwise, even if he could kill the enemy, he himself would be unable to move afterward.

Xu Hei looked up, seeing a sea serpent flying overhead, its divine sense scanning the sea surface erratically.

This was Hai Teng’s notorious follower, Hai Er, whom Xu Hei had seen for the third time.

However, while Xu Hei could see him, the other seemed unable to see Xu Hei.

Xu Hei smirked inwardly, this island could only be discovered by those holding Elder Mo’s token. Not being disturbed, Xu Hei was happy to enjoy his peace.

”Xu Hei, are you here?”

Hai Er hovered above, his gaze sweeping over the empty sea, his voice echoing out.

Xu Hei ignored him, entering the cave dwelling, intending to practice the Dragon Tail Swing again.

”Xu Hei, I know you’re hiding here, I’m ordered to remind you, you haven’t completed a task in three months, if you don’t show up soon, you’ll be expelled from the Penglai Sea,” Hai Er said coldly.

Xu Hei was startled.

He had heard Hei Huang mention this, saying that newcomers must complete a task within three months of joining, or be expelled.

But he had only joined for a month and a week.

”Don’t forget, you’re a latecomer! The real newcomers joined three months ago, and the first task settlement day is approaching, take care of yourself.”

After saying this, Hai Er turned and left.

His task was merely to deliver the message, whether the other party listened or not was none of his concern.

Shortly after Hai Er left, Xu Hei appeared in mid-air.

”Thanks for the reminder.”

Xu Hei nodded, speeding towards the task island.

Crossing the sky and sea, it wasn’t long before Xu Hei reached his destination, the island was small, filled with stone tablets, guarded by an elder crane.

On the task island, a few demonic beasts were wandering, watching the task board.

Hai Teng was among them, coiled in a circle, eyes closed, meditating at the entrance, calm and composed.

Xu Hei’s arrival didn’t stir him at all.

”Hmph! Today is the last day, even the simplest task can’t be completed in a day, I want to see how you beg me for help.”

Hai Teng sneered inwardly, a slight curve forming at the corner of his mouth.