Serpent Ancestor

”Only that? Let’s hear it.”

As this ghostly voice echoed through the Cave Dwelling, everyone reacted as if they’d seen a ghost, instantly flying backward in retreat.

From the stone wall beside them emerged a head shaped like a diamond crystal, and then, the entire body followed, ignoring the formation they had set up, and calmly walked into the Cave Dwelling.

It was none other than Xu Hei, who had returned to his normal form!

”What were you discussing just now?” A cold voice rang out.

Everyone was terrified, quickly retreating behind the Leaf King.

The Leaf King’s face turned even more unsightly, instinctively wanting to retreat as well, but there was nowhere to go.

The plan he had in mind crumbled when faced with Xu Hei; he couldn’t muster any intention to execute it.

He was certain that if he dared to confront Xu Hei, it would be a path to certain death, with no chance of survival.

Xu Hei looked at the crowd.Besides the Leaf King, there were seven high-ranking deacons, most of whom were at the mid Divine Power stage or above, with two at the late Divine Power stage.

Once insurmountable powers, now in Xu Hei’s eyes, were like ants that could be crushed with a finger.

”Xu Hei, don’t push us. Wiping us out won’t benefit you at all!”

One of the mid Divine Power stage wood spirits shouted.

”Even if we all self-destruct, we can definitely drag you down with us!”

Another late Divine Power stage wood spirit yelled.

Those who could speak here were all prominent figures, once ruling with an iron fist in the Wood Spirit Clan, but now, Xu Hei couldn’t even remember their names, only finding them noisy.

”So, the result of your discussion was to self-destruct together?” Xu Hei said with a hint of amusement.

The room fell silent.

Having witnessed Xu Hei’s methods, combined with his current calm demeanor, they began to question: could self-destruction really threaten Xu Hei?

The Leaf King took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said, ”As an outsider cultivator, you seek nothing more than two things: resources and information...”

Xu Hei remained expressionless, but his gaze sharpened as he looked over.

”Resources, the resources needed for ascension, information, the information for ascension, and third... a way to leave Dark Star!” The Leaf King said slowly.

Xu Hei’s expression remained unchanged, but his eyes grew serious.

Earlier, he thought these people were all fools, but it turned out there were some clever ones among them.

These people followed the Thorn King in rebellion, merely accomplices at best. If they could truly offer something valuable, sparing their lives was not out of the question.

As they said, killing them would not benefit Xu Hei. Everything Xu Hei did was aimed at ascension, at leaving Dark Star.

As for eliminating threats, rooting out the problem?

Were they really a threat? From beginning to end, the only threat was the Thorn King; Xu Hei never considered these people a concern.

Moreover, they had offended the Qingteng lineage and the clan leader; the Wood Spirit Clan would deal with them. Their future days would surely be difficult.

”Leaf King, your conditions are indeed tempting, but if you want me to spare you, you must open your primordial spirits and let me plant soul marks!” Xu Hei said nonchalantly.

Everyone’s faces changed drastically.

Opening their primordial spirits to have soul marks planted? How was that different from being a slave?

They had cultivated to become top-tier Divine Power stage experts, each with their own fortunes and pride. How could they agree to such a thing?

”As you know, I am an outsider cultivator, seeking nothing more than to leave Dark Star and ascend to the Spirit Realm. This soul mark will dissipate in a hundred years.”

”Moreover, this soul mark can only be used for detonation, not enslavement. I merely wish to prevent you from causing any more trouble. Compared to death, this request isn’t excessive, is it?”

Xu Hei’s cold gaze swept over them, his terrifying aura spreading, making everyone shiver.

All eyes turned to the Leaf King.

Planting a soul mark meant their lives were in someone else’s hands, losing their freedom.

But at this moment, their lives were also in Xu Hei’s hands, seemingly making no difference.

”Fine, I agree.” The Leaf King nodded.

Hearing the Leaf King’s words, everyone felt a sinking feeling, knowing they had no choice.

The Leaf King stepped forward, his primordial spirit emerging from his brow.

It was a large banana leaf, the true form of the Leaf King.

No matter how the physical body transformed, the primordial spirit remained in its original form. He released all defenses, fully exposing his primordial spirit.

However, Xu Hei could vaguely see that the primordial spirit the Leaf King released was incomplete, still hiding a small part. But he didn’t expose it, simply raising a hand to plant a blood-red mark in the center of the primordial spirit.

Though this detonation could only destroy most of the primordial spirit, it was enough to severely injure him, preventing any future progress.

Xu Hei couldn’t be bothered to quibble; this was sufficient.

The others followed suit, having soul marks planted by Xu Hei.

Most released their complete primordial spirits, while a few, like the Leaf King, held something back, ensuring they wouldn’t die even if the soul mark was detonated.

The Leaf King observed all of this.

”These fools, so blatant, aren’t they afraid Xu Hei will notice?”

”No, Xu Hei must have noticed, but did nothing. This only means he doesn’t care!”

The more the Leaf King thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed.

Xu Hei likely noticed his small actions too, but didn’t expose them! This only meant that everything he did was child’s play in Xu Hei’s eyes.

If he dared to act deceitfully, he would surely die!

After a stick of incense, Xu Hei had planted soul marks in everyone, able to sense each of their locations with a thought.

”Leaf King stays, the rest return to the Wood Spirit Clan to confess.” Xu Hei said calmly.

”Yes!”

Everyone felt as if they had been granted amnesty, quickly leaving the Cave Dwelling. They would rather return to confess than face Xu Hei, as the pressure he exerted was simply too terrifying.

After everyone left, Xu Hei looked at the Leaf King and said, ”Time to discuss serious matters. Tell me everything you know!”

The Leaf King sighed and said, ”Xu Hei, before that, allow me to ask one question. Are you sure the Thousand-Eyed King you killed was an extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon?”

”Yes, I wouldn’t joke about such matters.” Xu Hei replied with certainty.

”Indeed...” The Leaf King sighed inwardly.

He wasn’t foolish; a failed Tribulation Crossing, a broken primordial spirit surviving until now with such combat power, was already incredible.

With this, their collaboration with the Thousand-Eyed King was akin to seeking skin from a tiger. Even if they killed Xu Hei, they wouldn’t have a good ending.

The Thorn King was likely already devoured; that demon never intended to return the physical body.

A strong sense of sorrow welled up in the Leaf King’s heart, and he continued, ”Xu Hei, the one the demon possessed is named the Thousand-Eyed King, the Thorn King’s master, and the strongest Grand Elder in history!”

”He is the only one besides the Ancestor to successfully shatter the void, and his secret to success was a technique called Nine Extremes Return to Origin.”