Serpent Ancestor

Zhao Nanqi was taken aback, not understanding Xu Hei’s intentions, and laughed, ”What, does Junior Brother Xu have more to say?”

”Since we’re done talking, please open the door. I happen to have a gift for you that can help you break through to the Divine Transformation Stage!” Xu Hei said calmly.

Zhao Nanqi’s lips curled into a smile, ”Junior Brother Xu, you’re too kind. I’m quite confident in my breakthrough this time and don’t need extra help. However, you can observe the process from outside; it might be beneficial for you.”

After speaking, Zhao Nanqi threw all the Spirit Medicine he had scavenged from Xu Hei’s herb garden into the Creation Furnace.

As the Spirit Medicine entered the furnace, it quickly dissolved, forming a vast amount of spiritual liquid that condensed on the furnace’s walls, showing signs of crystallization, indicating the high quality of these Spirit Medicines.

”Tsk tsk tsk, such fine Spirit Medicine, but unfortunately, they’re poisoned. However, under the Creation Furnace, any toxins will be refined away. Junior Brother Xu, you needn’t worry about me.”

Zhao Nanqi smiled brightly and quickened his pace, tossing in medicinal herbs as if they were free.

”Clang!”

A thunderous noise erupted outside as Xu Hei slashed down with his sword, causing the barrier to shake violently, ripples spreading throughout the entire formation.

The structure of this formation was intricate; if one concentrated their attack on a single point, the force would be evenly absorbed by the entire formation, dispersing in ripples, rendering the Star-Moon Sword ineffective.”I’ll ask one more time, will you open the door?” Xu Hei said coldly.

Zhao Nanqi’s smile faded, and he frowned, ”Junior Brother Xu, what are you doing? I saved you, and you can’t repay kindness with enmity!”

He hadn’t expected Xu Hei to be so unyielding.

Although he didn’t believe Xu Hei could break in, having such a person constantly harassing at the door was somewhat unsettling.

Xu Hei ignored him and slashed again, the sword light dazzling like a descending galaxy, causing the barrier to shake violently, like boiling seawater.

”Junior Brother Xu, I’ve already explained to you, don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! Withdraw now, and I’ll pretend this never happened!” Zhao Nanqi said with a stern face.

”Hmph! If I withdraw now, I’ll be truly doomed!” Xu Hei replied.

From the moment the other party intruded on his mountain, a grudge had been formed between them.

He could ignore it, go back to seclusion, and pretend nothing happened, but if Zhao Nanqi truly achieved Divine Transformation, would he eliminate him?

Xu Hei didn’t know!

And from Zhao Nanqi’s perspective, having stolen from Xu Hei, would Xu Hei hold a grudge?

Zhao Nanqi wasn’t sure either!

In the Divine Puppet Sect, there’s a premise: as long as you can break through to Divine Transformation, you can decide the life and death of Elemental Infant cultivators.

Neither side knew if the other would be a threat after achieving Divine Transformation. Given this uncertainty, rather than living in constant fear, there was only one sure way—

Eliminate the other, preventing them from reaching Divine Transformation!

Xu Hei wasn’t sure if he understood correctly. Although he had lived for less than twenty years, the life-and-death trials he had faced were countless, and he had seen through one truth.

Divine Transformation is achieved by stepping over the corpses of others!

From the outer battlefield to the Divine Puppet Sect, everything he had experienced pointed to this truth!

”I don’t believe I can’t break this turtle shell!”

Xu Hei released five thousand Spirit-Eating Ants, forming a swarm that tore at the barrier. He also deployed a thousand Flying Swords, arranging the Star Sword Formation to attack.

”Boom boom boom...”

The ripples on the barrier grew more intense, like a raging tsunami, yet it showed no signs of breaking.

Zhao Nanqi’s expression remained calm, and no one knew what he was thinking.

He wasn’t afraid of Xu Hei.

On the contrary, if he wanted to, he was confident he could eliminate this annoying fly in front of him, but he had other concerns.

”Junior Brother Xu, we could have coexisted peacefully. I could have achieved Divine Transformation first, then used all my resources to help you achieve it too. Why are you forcing me?” Zhao Nanqi said with a half-smile.

Xu Hei merely sneered. Speaking of achieving Divine Transformation first to help others achieve it later was a lowly lie. Did Zhao Nanqi think he was a three-year-old child?

Just as Xu Hei was about to continue his assault, something in his ring reacted.

It was a branch of the Divine Wutong Tree.

For the past year, Xu Hei had been trying to refine it and integrate it into a Flying Sword, but he had always failed.

This time, however, he noticed that the Wutong Tree branch showed signs of voluntarily melting.

Xu Hei’s eyes flickered, and he immediately took out the branch, along with a Star Fragment Flying Sword, and a flame appeared in his palm to fuse them.

This time, the process went unexpectedly smoothly, with no signs of the Flying Sword being ruined.

”Did it succeed?”

Xu Hei was very surprised.

The branch of the Divine Wutong Tree seemed to have voluntarily sacrificed itself, which was the first time Xu Hei had encountered such a strange occurrence.

This gave Xu Hei great confidence.

”Hmph, let’s see how your formation withstands the next strike!” Xu Hei smirked.

...

Outside Rising Sun City, on a solitary mountain ridge.

An old man and a handsome young man stood atop the peak, looking in the direction of Zhao Nanqi’s Cave Dwelling, smiling. These two were Ji Qian and Shen Shaopeng.

”Hehe, it seems Junior Brother Xu can’t break the formation. Should we step in to help?” Shen Shaopeng shook his fan, taking out a Token.

”Don’t rush!” Ji Qian said solemnly, ”Zhao Nanqi won’t sit idly by forever. Let’s wait for him to make a move and let them both suffer before we act.”

”Both suffer? Are you sure?” Shen Shaopeng expressed doubt.

He knew Zhao Nanqi’s strength well, and did this newcomer Xu Hei have the qualifications to make it a mutual defeat?

He was eager to step in because he feared Zhao Nanqi might suddenly strike and kill Xu Hei before he had a chance to join forces.

”I’ve witnessed the power of that Black Dragon. You should trust my judgment,” Ji Qian said.

...

Time passed by the second.

The Wutong Tree branch in Xu Hei’s hand had completely merged into a Flying Sword. This sword was originally crafted from star fragments, entirely purple-gold, and was a fourth-grade superior Flying Sword.

But after merging with the Wutong Tree branch, it turned entirely wooden in color, only palm-sized, with tree rings on its surface, and the faint sound of a phoenix’s cry resonating within.

Despite being just a palm-sized Flying Sword, Xu Hei felt it was as heavy as a thousand tons, requiring him to transform one hand into a dragon claw to barely hold it.

Although this sword’s refinement didn’t trigger a heavenly tribulation, it felt stronger to Xu Hei than the Star-Moon Sword.

”Go!”

Xu Hei could no longer hold it, and with all his remaining strength, he hurled the Flying Sword towards the barrier.

This simple action exhausted all of Xu Hei’s True Essence.

”Whoosh!”

The wooden sword flew forward like an inconspicuous pebble, landing on the barrier.