Serpent Ancestor

If we can truly eliminate the hidden threat of the Flame Demon Ancestor, offering some treasures is not out of the question.

”Is this treasure sufficient?” Xu Hei asked.

”Ten-thousand-year Cold Marrow? No, judging by its quality, it should be thirteen thousand years old.”

Qing Shuang’s eyes narrowed. As expected of someone knowledgeable from the Wood Spirit Clan, she recognized the treasure in Xu Hei’s hand at a glance, even estimating its age more accurately.

”However, even though Ten-thousand-year Cold Marrow is rare, I’ve seen it before, and it’s still not enough,” Qing Shuang said.

”Oh?”

Xu Hei raised an eyebrow and took out a pile of broken materials.

These were obtained from the divine sense formation in Guanghan Palace, remnants of magical treasures left behind during the battle of the five Superior Immortals, after repairing the Star Compass.

If utilized properly, the value of these materials could rival that of the Ten-thousand-year Cold Marrow.

”Void Flame Crystal, Hun Tian Sand, and... fragments of Heaven-Mending Jade.”Qing Shuang immediately stood up, her eyes fixed on the fragments Xu Hei had taken out, recognizing traces of many rare materials among them.

These materials, even in the metal-rich Dark Star, were considered invaluable treasures.

”Not enough! Our Wood Spirit Clan purchases the most of these metal treasures. Do you have anything else?” Qing Shuang asked with a smile.

Xu Hei put away the Ten-thousand-year Cold Marrow and all the materials, his face darkening.

He did have something more precious, but he was reluctant to give it away.

Suddenly, Xu Hei thought of the mysterious crossbow. He took it out and said, ”Fellow Daoist Qing Shuang, do you recognize this treasure?”

This was the crossbow he had obtained from Hei Xuan.

”Hei Xuan’s magical treasure, it was once used to shoot and kill a late Divine Power stage cultivator, indeed remarkable! It’s said that Hei Xuan once entered a cave dwelling left by a great figure of the Shadow Clan, and this treasure was likely acquired then.”

Qing Shuang explained the origin of the treasure in detail.

”Left by the Shadow Clan...” Xu Hei was shocked inside.

The Shadow Clan, he had heard this name once again.

It was an extremely powerful alien race, but unfortunately, the fragmented memories Old Tree had obtained contained little information about them.

In that case, the transparent cloak must also be a Shadow Clan item.

Wait!

An idea flashed in Xu Hei’s mind, and suddenly many things became clear to him.

Transparent cloak, Night Demon Wings, Night Owl, Crow, Star-Seeking Beast... all these seemed to connect into a line.

What was once complex suddenly became clear to Xu Hei.

Now, he was eager to go back and conduct an experiment. If successful, the Star-Seeking Beast might prove useful.

”Although this crossbow has a mysterious origin and considerable value, our Wood Spirit Clan also possesses powerful magical treasures, so this is still not enough.”

Qing Shuang didn’t notice Xu Hei’s change and continued to evaluate on her own.

Xu Hei said nothing, putting away the crossbow, and said, ”In that case, you might as well continue cooperating with the Flame Demon Ancestor. I really have nothing more to offer.”

”Farewell!”

Xu Hei cupped his hands and was about to turn and leave.

”Wait!”

Suddenly, Qing Shuang called out to him, smiling, ”Why are you in such a hurry to leave? I haven’t finished speaking yet.”

Xu Hei paused and asked, ”Is there something else?”

”Actually, it doesn’t matter if Fellow Daoist Xu can’t offer any treasures. I have another condition. If you can agree to it, I can still lure out the Flame Demon Ancestor and eliminate him,” Qing Shuang said with a smile.

Xu Hei frowned.

He just wanted to leave quickly and test his hypothesis.

However, he still curiously asked, ”What condition?”

”It’s like this, within our Wood Spirit Clan’s territory, we’ve discovered a secret cave dwelling, but it requires powerful means to break the restriction to enter.”

Qing Shuang’s expression turned somewhat serious, ”Since Fellow Daoist Xu is an outsider cultivator and can easily eliminate these assassins, your methods are naturally extraordinary. I would like to invite you to join this expedition to the cave dwelling.”

”By the way, during ancient times, the cultivators from your outside world died in this cave dwelling!”

”I suspect that the owner of this cave dwelling might be the legendary ascended cultivator.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Hei’s eyes narrowed, staring intently at Qing Shuang.

At this moment, Qing Shuang’s previously playful attitude was gone, replaced by an unprecedented calmness and seriousness, calmly meeting Xu Hei’s gaze.

Xu Hei understood.

So, the previous demands for treasures were all tests! Just to see what Xu Hei had.

Now, this was Qing Shuang’s true purpose.

Inviting an outsider cultivator to break the restriction and enter the ascended cultivator’s cave dwelling.

What could be more tempting than this?

”So, the late-stage Divine Transformation seniors who died in Dark Star back then were also invited by you to break into some cave dwelling, and that’s why they perished?” Xu Hei probed.

”How would I know about ancient matters? But he did indeed die there,” Qing Shuang replied.

Xu Hei didn’t respond immediately, only cupped his hands and said, ”I need to consider this matter carefully. But let me be clear, even if I agree, if I sense anything amiss, I will withdraw immediately.”

”Of course, as long as Fellow Daoist Xu agrees, you can meet at Qinglin Tower in a month. I will also invite some other fellow daoists to accompany us, and I’ll introduce you to them then,” Qing Shuang said with a smile.

…………

Xu Hei left Qinglin Tower and returned to his own cave dwelling.

Once he was sure there was no one around and it was completely quiet, Xu Hei activated the formation restriction.

Then, he took out the semi-transparent mysterious wings and wore them, followed by the crossbow.

Finally, he took out the Star-Seeking Beast and sent his divine sense into it.

Suddenly, the Star-Seeking Beast and Xu Hei resonated in a peculiar way.

”It really works!” Xu Hei thought to himself.

With a thought, the Star-Seeking Beast flew up, circling around the cave dwelling.

When Xu Hei gave the command, the Star-Seeking Beast flew out of the cave dwelling, circled the vicinity, and then returned.

Instantly, countless pieces of information flooded into Xu Hei’s mind.

”Within a radius of ten thousand miles, there are over five thousand one hundred members of the Wood Spirit Clan, seven from the Stone Spirit Clan, including five thousand and six Core Formation stage Wood Spirits, one hundred Elemental Infant stage Wood Spirits, and five Divine Transformation stage Wood Spirits...”

In Xu Hei’s consciousness, a map of the distribution of living beings appeared, detailing the positions of each Wood Spirit and Stone Spirit.

Among them, a late-stage Divine Transformation Wood Spirit was right beneath Xu Hei, a tree root he hadn’t noticed at all.

This both delighted and infuriated Xu Hei.

He was delighted by the Star-Seeking Beast’s powerful capabilities, but infuriated by that tree root.

”So close, are they here to monitor me?” Xu Hei’s face darkened.

Being monitored was normal, but what angered Xu Hei was that he was unaware of it.

This was troublesome! Couldn’t they just send some experts to surround him without him knowing?

Xu Hei immediately dove underground, reaching out to grab that tree root without a word.

”Hey, why are you grabbing me?”

Suddenly, a voice shouted from Xu Hei’s ring, it was Old Tree’s voice.

”...” Xu Hei was stunned.

Old Tree quickly realized something and said, ”That tree root is mine, I put it out to keep watch, what did you think it was?”