Serpent Ancestor

”With your assurance, Fellow Daoist Xu, I can rest easy,” Qing Shuang said, her excitement evident.

Xu Hei was encountering such a situation for the first time. His past experiences were either battles or schemes and intrigues. The blank slate of his emotional experiences left him unsure of how to react in this scenario.

Regardless, he hadn’t lost anything and had quite the feast for his eyes. More importantly, through this incident, Xu Hei saw Qing Shuang’s determination—she truly wanted to become the clan leader!

Under these circumstances, it was unlikely Qing Shuang would plot against Xu Hei. Not only would it not harm him, but it would also ruin her grand plans.

For Xu Hei, as long as he helped her become the clan leader and wield power, whatever treasure he desired would be just a word away. The resources of the entire Wood Spirit Clan were no joke!

Additionally, Xu Hei could learn some of the secrets of the Dark Star. For instance, how to leave the Dark Star—such critical information was likely only known to the upper echelons of the Wood Spirit Clan.

As for whether Qing Shuang would turn against him once she held power, Xu Hei naturally had ways to deal with it.

”Brother Xu, before we return, there are some precautions I need to tell you about, including potential troubles we might encounter, so you can be mentally prepared,” Qing Shuang said.

”Alright.”

Xu Hei glanced at Qing Shuang’s graceful figure and said, ”Could you put your clothes back on first?”Qing Shuang smiled gently, and the emerald green long dress reappeared.

…………

After a night-long conversation, Xu Hei had a general understanding of the Wood Spirit Clan’s situation.

The three Grand Elders were divided into three factions, each controlling a certain allocation of resources.

Among them, the Thorn King behind Qing Xuan controlled discipline and punishment, as well as more than half of the spirit sand mines, making his resources the most abundant. This was also why Qing Xuan could persuade Night Sky and Wang Dashan—he had too many benefits to offer.

The second elder, Leaf King, had the most troops under his command, was skilled in alchemy and formations, and was the strongest in combat, making him quite formidable.

The third elder, the Old Greenwood Demon behind Qing Shuang, was in charge of diplomacy and intelligence, with connections to various tribes of the stone spirit clan. Qing Shuang’s Qinglin Tower was an intelligence department established by the Old Greenwood Demon.

However, even Night Sky and Wang Dashan had betrayed, indicating that diplomacy was unreliable.

Finally, Xu Hei inquired about Lotus True Monarch.

”Lotus True Monarch... she is the founder and the first clan leader of our Wood Spirit Clan,” Qing Shuang said.

”Founder?” Xu Hei was taken aback.

”The Wood Spirit Clan has her ancestral statue, worshipped for generations. It is said that before ancient times, the Dark Star was not dominated by the Wood Spirit Clan alone. Lotus True Monarch cleared away external enemies, eradicating all foreign races, leading to the current situation.”

Qing Shuang shared everything she knew, leaving nothing out. However, these were all legends passed down by the elders to express their admiration for Lotus True Monarch.

When Xu Hei asked how Lotus True Monarch ascended, Qing Shuang merely shook her head, indicating she didn’t know. The inheritance of Lotus True Monarch contained only some insights into the laws and secret techniques, with no other information.

Xu Hei shook his head helplessly; he had hoped for some reference, but it seemed hopeless.

…………

A month later.

Outside the Immortal Burial Valley, a man and a woman appeared.

The man exuded a restrained aura, with an unremarkable appearance, blending into the surroundings like air. The woman wore an emerald green long dress, graceful and charming, with green leaves adorning her head, resembling a forest fairy.

Shortly after their appearance, several figures emerged from the ground or rushed over from afar, blocking the path tightly.

”Found the foreign race!”

”Finally found that foreigner!”

”Wait! That woman is... Qing Shuang?”

The crowd initially intended to attack Xu Hei immediately but froze upon seeing Qing Shuang beside him. Their task was not only to investigate foreigners but also to keep an eye on Qing Shuang. The simultaneous appearance of these two, with their seemingly subtle relationship, left them puzzled.

”What are you doing?” Qing Shuang stood in front of Xu Hei, her cold gaze sweeping around, her icy aura spreading rapidly, causing everyone’s expression to change.

Qing Shuang had disappeared for five years and seemed stronger than before!

”Are you blocking my way to attack me?”

Qing Shuang’s icy gaze fell on the crowd.

There were six people in total, led by a woman named Qing Hua from the Thorn Clan, in the late Divine Transformation stage. She stepped forward and said, ”So it’s Senior Sister Qing Shuang. The elder ordered us to investigate foreigners here. If found, they are to be killed without mercy. Is Senior Sister Qing Shuang standing by this person to shield him?”

”Shielding?” Qing Shuang sneered, ”This person is my friend. As the senior sister of the Qing Vine lineage, am I not allowed to have a friend?”

Qing Hua merely sneered, taking out a punishment order and loudly declaring, ”As an enforcer of the Thorn Clan, I must strictly deal with the guilty. Since Senior Sister Qing Shuang is stubbornly shielding a criminal... seize them both!”

In Qing Hua’s hand appeared a long whip covered in sharp thorns, which she lashed towards Qing Shuang. This whip, named Spirit Breaker, could render its target unconscious upon contact, highly effective against the Wood Spirit Clan, and was a unique magical treasure of the Thorn lineage.

Everyone surrounded them, attacking without a word.

”Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!”

Two Spirit Breaker whips, ten air-piercing wooden swords, and countless thorny flower seas attacked the two of them, the sound of breaking wind continuous, each move a killing blow.

This made Qing Shuang’s expression extremely grim. Although she had anticipated difficulties, she hadn’t expected it to be this challenging!

The opponents attacked without hesitation, clearly intending to deal with her as well, not considering her one of their own.

Just as Xu Hei was about to act, Qing Shuang suddenly said, ”Let me handle this!”

Qing Shuang soared into the air, a golden lotus appearing on her forehead, emitting dazzling golden light like Buddha’s light, like the sun, illuminating the earth.

With the emergence of the golden light, all attacks slowed drastically, as if trapped in a quagmire, even the thoughts and actions of the crowd became sluggish.

”Seal the evil, eradicate all wickedness!”

Qing Shuang whispered, and the golden light exploded, shining on everyone.

”Ah!!”

In an instant, piercing screams echoed in all directions. The holy light cleansed, eliminating evil thoughts, even causing bodies to perish.

All approaching attacks fell, whips dropped, wooden swords shattered, and the thorny flower sea turned to ashes, disappearing completely.

This group included two in the late Divine Power stage and four in the mid Divine Power stage, yet they couldn’t withstand even a single encounter and were utterly defeated.

Xu Hei’s eyes flashed with surprise; he had thought the Golden Lotus Law was merely strong in defense, not expecting its offensive power to be so formidable.