Serpent Ancestor

”Here’s your current situation.”

Qin Xuanji didn’t waste words and directly handed over a jade slip with recorded information.

Xu Hei took it and saw an image of four teams surrounding Ghost City.

From their attire, it was easy to identify them as the Tianhen Sword Sect, Yan Dao Sect, Blood Refining Sect, and Divine Puppet Sect.

Unlike before, each of these teams had someone with a mark on their forehead, which Xu Hei recognized at a glance as a law imprint, even though it was just a recorded image.

Four Divine Transformation Stage cultivators!

Among them, Xu Hei recognized one — Night Owl from the Divine Puppet Sect.

Further away were some scattered rogue cultivators, possibly there to watch the spectacle or perhaps enemies Xu Hei had inadvertently offended.

Despite being mentally prepared, Xu Hei felt his scalp tingle at the thought of facing such an encirclement. Besides fleeing, he couldn’t think of any other solution.

However, Xu Hei keenly noticed a problem.”If they’ve already surrounded us, why haven’t they made a move?”

Xu Hei looked outside the city, where the mist was thick, obscuring everything, yet the image in the jade slip showed that they had already arrived.

”The Divine Puppet Sect is stalling for time.”

Qin Xuanji explained his purpose, ”Xu Hei, you’re from Divine Continent Star. The sect has recognized your potential. As long as you’re willing to become a disciple of the Divine Puppet Sect, the sect can ensure your safety.”

This sudden turn of events caught Xu Hei off guard.

The Divine Puppet Sect had recognized his potential and was willing to protect him? Was there really such a good deal?

However, he had no irreconcilable conflicts with the Divine Puppet Sect, so this move was reasonable. But with so many enemies outside, Xu Hei doubted the sect could truly protect him.

”As long as you agree, we can proceed with the plan. I guarantee you can leave safely.”

Qin Xuanji then detailed the Divine Puppet Sect’s plan.

After listening, Xu Hei, though skeptical, had no better options and could only nod.

”Alright, let’s do as you say.”

Xu Hei nodded, remaining vigilant and ready to escape at any moment if things went awry.

…………

Before long.

The mist over Ghost City dissipated, revealing a vast number of cultivators in the sky, layered three deep, surrounding Ghost City completely.

Besides the three major sects and the Divine Puppet Sect, there were smaller sects, rogue cultivators, Xu Hei’s enemies, and onlookers.

The scale of this was several times larger than the siege of Liefeng City.

The four Divine Transformation cultivators at the forefront were like deities in an army, their overwhelming spiritual power making it hard for anyone to look directly at them.

”Roar!”

A black flood dragon rose from within the city, charging towards the army.

Night Owl from the Divine Puppet Sect wielded the Blade of the Firmament, and with one strike, the flood dragon was cleaved in two.

An ancestor from the Tianhen Sword Sect, Crow Daoist, unleashed ten thousand swords, slicing the flood dragon into eight pieces, its blood and flesh scattering across the sky.

”Kill! Grind this beast to dust!”

”Kill!”

Finally, the Yan Dao Sect’s team unleashed Five Elemental Spells as if they were free, covering the area in firepower and engulfing the black flood dragon.

In just a few breaths, the black flood dragon was utterly annihilated.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, the black evil dragon that had ravaged two cities was gone, leaving only debris behind.

An old woman from the Blood Refining Sect stepped forward, raised her hand, and absorbed the ashes on the ground, truly grinding it to dust.

The four Divine Transformation cultivators acted personally, and nothing unexpected occurred.

From then on, the Outer Battlefield would no longer have tales of the man-eating evil dragon.

Many people looked at the empty Ghost City, some holding their heads and crying, feeling that their great vengeance had been avenged, their wishes fulfilled.

Soon, the massive group dispersed, each returning to their own homes.

Xu Hei stood on the city wall, staring blankly at the spot where the black flood dragon was slain.

”Is it... over?” Xu Hei found it hard to believe.

That black flood dragon was merely a puppet Qin Xuanji had brought out, resembling him, with a remnant soul of a real flood dragon sealed within, appearing lifelike.

But no matter how realistic, it was just a puppet.

Could it really have fooled everyone?

Xu Hei felt a sense of unreality. Even if it could deceive those lower-level cultivators, how could it fool so many Divine Transformation old monsters?

”They all know it’s fake,” Qin Xuanji suddenly spoke.

Xu Hei looked at him in shock.

”Don’t underestimate those big shots. Those Divine Transformation old monsters have lived for thousands of years; what haven’t they seen? They only care about Supreme Spirit Stones and their own interests.”

”As long as you offer enough benefits and put on a show to save face, it’s over,” Qin Xuanji said.

Xu Hei was silent for a long time before he couldn’t help but ask, ”So, how much did you offer them?”

”High-level transactions, I don’t know,” Qin Xuanji shook his head.

Xu Hei was at a loss for words.

In any case, he seemed safe for now.

However, Xu Hei didn’t let his guard down. He didn’t know what these sects were planning, including the Divine Puppet Sect that was protecting him. He wasn’t sure what they wanted.

Was it really as Qin Xuanji said, that they valued his potential, or did they have other motives?

”Whoosh!”

A massive black shadow appeared beside Xu Hei, a gigantic puppet black ship. On the deck stood a figure with a cold face, a slightly wicked smile, and a black spiral law imprint on his forehead — it was Night Owl from the Divine Puppet Sect.

”Heh, we meet again,” Night Owl looked at Xu Hei and said, ”The last time we met was in Myriad Serpent Valley, when you had just formed your Nascent Soul. I didn’t expect you to have such strength in the blink of an eye.”

Xu Hei said nothing and obediently jumped onto the black ship.

”Oh? Quite sensible.”

Night Owl piloted the black ship, flashing towards a direction at high speed, heading for the space passage of the Outer Battlefield.

”I agreed to your terms, so I must keep my promise,” Xu Hei said.

In the past, Xu Hei might have taken the benefits and then reneged, finding a chance to slip away. But now, he couldn’t do such a thing.

Since he agreed to join the Divine Puppet Sect, he wouldn’t go back on his word. However, if the sect truly meant him harm, Xu Hei was ready to flee at any moment.

”Heh, I misjudged you. I was planning to forcibly take you away, but since you’re so sensible, it saves me the trouble.”

Night Owl said lazily, ”Let me introduce myself. My name is Night Owl, an inner elder of the Divine Puppet Sect, one of the youngest Divine Transformation cultivators in the sect’s history.”

He emphasized the last few words.

Xu Hei sat cross-legged, closing his eyes to rest.

Seeing Xu Hei ignoring him, Night Owl wasn’t angry and smiled, ”By the way, aren’t you curious how I convinced those Divine Transformation old monsters to let you go?”

Xu Hei was indeed curious about this, but he remained silent, making no move.

Night Owl, seemingly amused, said, ”Since you don’t want to know, let’s leave it at that.”