Serpent Ancestor

From Xiao Chou, they gained tons of amusement.

As the National Teacher of Le Kingdom, such fun was certainly not to be missed.

…………

On the outskirts of Yongle City, Xu Hei chopped wood and bamboo to build a small hut, which would be his residence for the year. Then, using the hut as the center, he constructed a wooden fence to form a small courtyard.

The courtyard wasn’t large, about thirty meters square, with the words ”Green Bamboo Residence” inscribed above the entrance.

Green Bamboo Residence would be where Xu Hei crafted his wooden puppet sculptures.

Situated beside the official road, the Green Bamboo Residence saw travelers and merchants pass by daily. Xu Hei would set out tea in the courtyard for passersby to help themselves.

While some seek seclusion in the forest, others find it in the city. Xu Hei wouldn’t truly settle in the mountains; he still engaged with people.

At this moment, Xu Hei’s courtyard was filled with various wooden sculptures—snakes, lizards, spiders, cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, and other domestic and wild animals.

Most of them were movable puppets, as lifelike as living creatures.Xu Hei sat in a chair, holding a half-finished wooden sculpture of a dog in one hand and a carving knife in the other.

”Crack!”

With a crisp sound, the dog’s head fell to the ground.

”Another one ruined.”

Xu Hei sighed and set down the dog sculpture.

This was the tenth sculpture he’d ruined in a month, and the original model was, of course, Hei Huang.

Yet no matter what, Xu Hei couldn’t successfully replicate Hei Huang’s likeness, only managing half-finished pieces. Whenever he tried to imbue them with spirit, the sculptures would immediately become worthless.

He shook his head and picked up another piece of wood, intending to carve Man Jin.

”Knock! Knock!”

There was a knock at the courtyard gate, and a slightly dark-skinned, honest-looking young man stood at the entrance.

”Come in,” Xu Hei said without looking up.

Xiao Chou entered the courtyard, sat down at the table, and took a sip of tea.

This was his second visit, so he was quite familiar with the place.

Seeing the scattered ruined sculptures, he said, ”Boss, did you fail again this time?”

”Yes,” Xu Hei nodded, ”still not skilled enough.”

”Haha, you’re too modest! Even those lofty immortals couldn’t create such perfect works without using magic!”

Xiao Chou didn’t hold back his praise, and he meant it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have given the sculptures to the National Teacher.

Xu Hei just smiled without responding.

Noticing the elephant outline in Xu Hei’s hands, Xiao Chou curiously asked, ”Boss, have you really seen so many wild beasts?”

”I used to hunt in the mountains,” Xu Hei replied.

”I see,” Xiao Chou nodded.

He looked at Xu Hei, thinking that if such a master could cultivate, he would be a genius in puppetry. Unfortunately, not everyone could cultivate.

Those with spiritual roots were one in a hundred, and Qi Refining practitioners were one in a thousand.

Beyond that, reaching Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, and Elemental Infant stages was even rarer.

He had only managed to break through thanks to the benefits from the Demon Lord’s fall, a super Divine Transformation cultivator returning spiritual energy. In the past, he might never have had the chance to reach this stage.

Talent was important, but opportunity was crucial.

Xiao Chou didn’t stay long, leaving a Peace Talisman and purchasing a wild boar sculpture from Xu Hei before departing.

…………

It took Xu Hei three full days to carve Man Jin. Though only the size of a fist, its intricate details were no less complex than a formation.

When Man Jin’s eyes were painted, it seemed to come alive. Xu Hei gazed into its eyes, sensing the wild aura within.

”Brother Man Jin, long time no see,” Xu Hei murmured.

But the old friend could no longer respond.

Xu Hei picked up a new piece of wood and began carving the Purple Lightning Lion King, Lei Meng.

Green Bamboo Residence often had visitors, mostly travelers and passersby, all mortals.

Since Xiao Chou’s last visit, no other cultivators had come.

Time flew by, seasons changed.

Xu Hei’s collection of wooden sculptures grew, from the wild boar he first ate, the octopus, to Er Gou, Man Jin, Lei Meng... He could find the original form of almost every demonic beast he had encountered among the sculptures.

He had finished carving beasts below his realm and was now starting on those of the same level.

Before long, a slender snake outline appeared in his hands. This snake had scales with wave-like patterns, an oval head, and a body as thin and long as a whip—a sea snake.

In its eyes was a defiant spirit against the heavens—this was Hai Teng.

Youthful passion, Xu Hei envied it, for he had none, nor dared to have any.

From the moment he stepped out, the world was treacherous, and any youthful recklessness could lead to death.

”Hai Teng, Nine-Headed Worm, Xiong Dabao, I wonder how you all are,” Xu Hei thought to himself.

Once, he didn’t care about their lives, but now, he found himself missing them.

At that moment, an image of a white snake appeared in his mind. She was on the sea, watching him from afar, as the ship sailed away, tears streaming down her face.

Xu Hei suddenly looked up at the sky, but there was nothing there.

He felt an emptiness inside, a sense of loss.

After a long while, he let out a sigh.

”Is this what it means to be mortal?”

…………

At the top of a mountain on the border of Le Kingdom.

Xiao Chou sat there, holding a wooden sculpture, looking troubled.

This year, he had searched every wood carving shop in Le Kingdom and even visited neighboring countries, seeking out every master carver, yet none could compare to Xu Hei.

He wanted to buy all of Xu Hei’s works, but the latter refused. Giving him one or two was already a great kindness.

But the National Teacher girl only had eyes for Xu Hei’s works.

Should he resort to theft or robbery? He couldn’t bring himself to do it. If it were an ordinary mortal, maybe, but not to a master who resembled an old friend.

”Forget it! A real man doesn’t worry about finding a wife.”

”I’m a cultivator at the Elemental Infant stage; what kind of woman can’t I find? No need to hang myself on one tree.”

”If I go to her again, I’ll be a fool!”

Xiao Chou muttered to himself, as if making a solemn vow, his eyes firm, radiating determination.

He took one last deep look in the direction of Changle City, then leaped, about to leave Le Kingdom.

But just then, his waist suddenly vibrated. Xiao Chou quickly jolted, pulling out a communication talisman with a message from the National Teacher of Le Kingdom.

”Here?”

The message contained just one word.

Xiao Chou began to tremble violently, barely able to hold the talisman. He quickly entered his divine sense, saying, ”I’m always here, I’m coming right away. What are your instructions? I’ll be there immediately...”

With that, he turned and rushed toward Changle City.