Word Count: 3,081 Words
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"Entering Nine Snake Ridge is free, but you have to give half of any spirit fruits or medicinal herbs you take to the Strange Serpent Tribe. You're essentially harvesting for them without pay." The vendor's face twisted with helplessness and frustration as he spoke of the Nine Snake Ridge.
All that hard work, all those risks, just to gather a few spirit fruits and then surrender half as tax. The bitterness of it all!
After all, danger lurked everywhere in such places. Though the Strange Serpent Tribe dominated the ancient forest, Nine Snake Ridge still harbored natural perils beyond their control.
Moreover, the ridge stretched vast beyond measure, and the tribe's numbers were clearly insufficient to harvest its bounty alone. By allowing outsiders to enter and imposing a tax, they had devised a brilliantly efficient system.
The Strange Serpent Tribe truly knew how to profit!
Xiao Yan laughed inwardly. If the Strange Serpent Tribe had not discovered the ruins, then the situation was perfect!
"Great sir, this is a map of Strange Serpent Forest, and it marks the location of Nine Snake Ridge. I have no more use for it, so please take it." The vendor smiled broadly as he offered the map to Xiao Yan.
How perceptive! The Tenth Tianzun appreciated such intuitive people most.
Xiao Yan nodded and pocketed the map. He then produced a brocade box from his storage ring, placed it on the ground, and leaped onto the back of the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent.
The vendor snatched up the box and cracked it open. A glimpse of the medicinal pills inside made him gasp. He immediately activated an agility technique and hurried away.
A heaven-sent opportunity!
"How powerful is the Strange Serpent Tribe?" Xiao Yan asked while glancing at the map.
"Their strength isn't weak. The tribe has several Rank 8 serpents. Their patriarch, She Ba Shou, is a Rank 8 Strange Serpent with strength equivalent to a 6-star Dou Venerate," Cai Lin replied with a hint of gravity. This formidable strength was precisely why she and Qing Lin had not rushed to investigate.
"We previously invited them to join the Yan Alliance, but they refused. Even the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe couldn't win them over."
The Four Pavilions, Three Valleys, and Two Sects circulating through the Central Plains represented human factions; magical beast tribes were not counted among them.
'A 6-star Dou Venerate? One-on-one wouldn't be a problem. The concern is what other variables might exist in their territory.' Xiao Yan feared no direct confrontation; even the Eighth Tianzun probably could not match him now.
However, as the saying went, even a mighty dragon cannot suppress the local snake. The Strange Serpent Tribe had ruled this forest for ages. Even the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe, with their elite Dou Saints, had never attempted a direct assault on Strange Serpent Forest.
"Qing Lin, can you sense anything now?" Xiao Yan asked.
Qing Lin shook her head, a hint of dejection in her voice. "I'm sorry, Young Master Xiao Yan. I haven't sensed anything since we arrived."
This puzzled her as well. Earlier, her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils had reacted, and her bloodline had fluctuated briefly, but the sensation had vanished too quickly for her to pinpoint the source.
Xiao Yan stroked his chin, lost in thought. By now, they could be reasonably certain that an Ancient Heaven Serpent ruin existed somewhere in the forest. The problem was: where?
And if the Strange Serpent Tribe had lived here for so long without finding it, the ruins must be exceptionally well hidden.
"Let's conceal our identities first. The Yan Alliance has negotiated with the Strange Serpent Tribe before, after all."
Both women nodded and donned black robes, and Xiao Yan used his Spiritual Strength to help shield their true strength from detection.
He did not bother with a Soul Robe, instead using the Soul Command Token to alter his appearance, taking on the features of the Tenth Tianzun—the likeness of Hun Yu Cun.
Of course, should they encounter other Dou God Clans, he would present himself as Hun Yan, possessor of Grade 6 Dou God Bloodline!
Nine Snake Ridge represented a land of riches and treasure to many sects and clans in the Eastern Region. Spirit fruits grew in abundance, medicinal herbs of all varieties flourished, and powerful magical beasts roamed in herds.
Though it could not compare to certain treasure grounds in the Beast Region, it remained an exceptionally valuable location, primarily due to its extraordinary abundance.
The exact origins of Nine Snake Ridge remained shrouded in mystery. Some claimed it had always existed and was only later renamed by the Strange Serpent Tribe. Others insisted it had formed suddenly, a place artificially created.
For ages, Nine Snake Ridge had belonged exclusively to the Strange Serpent Tribe. A century ago, however, several Eastern Region factions united to wage war against them. Though the Strange Serpent Tribe successfully defended their homeland, they ultimately lost control of Nine Snake Ridge.
In years past, Nine Snake Ridge had served as the tribe's private hunting ground, untouchable by others in the Eastern Region. Despite its abundant resources that made mouths water, none dared covet it.
It was much like the situation with the Heaven Eye Mountain Range. Even though the Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe lacked a Dou Venerate, the Wind Lightning Pavilion dared not use force against them, and the Strange Serpent Tribe was even stronger.
Though the Eastern Region factions had united against the Strange Serpent Tribe, rumors suggested that the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe had provided covert assistance, which was how they ultimately achieved victory.
Now, Nine Snake Ridge operated under new terms. It was ostensibly shared by all Eastern Region factions and periodically opened to allow visitors to harvest its spirit fruits. Rogue cultivators without backing from major factions, however, had to pay an 'entrance fee' to the Strange Serpent Tribe.
When Xiao Yan's group finally reached Nine Snake Ridge by following the map's guidance, they encountered a massive Space Lock. Several powerful, human-form serpents guarded its entrance.
"How was your harvest this time?"
"Harvest? What harvest! All the good fruit trees were already picked clean. Not just Venerable Jian from Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion, even Venerable Huang Quan from Yellow Springs Pavilion showed up."
"What?! Are they out of their minds? Now they're fighting us for scraps? That's just too much."
Some rogue cultivators grew disheartened at these words. Finding a secret realm where they could share the bounty was not easy, yet now major factions had arrived, leaving them with barely any soup to sip.
"It's obvious why they're here. They're searching for that Ancient Heaven Serpent ruin! If such a place existed, the Strange Serpent Tribe would have emptied it centuries ago. Would anyone else get a turn?"
Xiao Yan's group had just arrived in time to overhear these comments.
"It seems the war wasn't fought merely for Nine Snake Ridge. The Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe likely wanted to extract certain information," Xiao Yan transmitted to his companions.
"Mm, the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe definitely knows something." Cai Lin nodded. After all, they possessed Ancient Heaven Serpent bloodline. If an Ancient Heaven Serpent ruin truly existed here, it would belong to their ancestors; knowledge of such matters would not be surprising.
Hiss hiss.
The massive Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent slithered nimbly forward, soon reaching the Space Lock's entrance.
"A two-headed serpent? Is this someone from the Strange Serpent Tribe?"
"Probably not. This two-headed serpent has reached peak Rank 6. The Strange Serpent Tribe's two-headed members are only Rank 2."
"Which faction do you represent?" Two elderly men blocked the path of the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent, their voices low and imposing.
Xiao Yan regarded the two obstructing figures with unruffled composure. These were magical beasts who had taken human form, their strength at Rank 7.
"What, isn't this supposed to be open to everyone?" Xiao Yan replied placidly.
One of the elders snorted coldly at Xiao Yan's apparent ignorance of protocol. "Hmph! Rogue cultivators need identification tokens. These will track how much you've gathered. When you leave, you have to hand over half. Those without tokens can be executed on sight by our Strange Serpent Tribe."
Some rogue cultivators just emerging from inside gritted their teeth at these words but dared not protest. The strong ruled; the weak could only endure.
Xiao Yan merely shrugged, seeing no point in argument. He took three tokens and entered without a hitch.
Once inside, he examined the token in his hand, smiled faintly, and crushed it to powder with a gentle squeeze.
You think you can stop me from leaving?
Cai Lin and Qing Lin did likewise, instantly crushing their own tokens. They had not come to pick fruits; they were here to claim an inheritance!
ROAR!
Barely forty minutes after entering Nine Snake Ridge, they encountered a massive python with Rank 7 strength.
The giant python sported a rhinoceros-like horn on its head, a single spike as sharp as a sword. Its body matched the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent in size. Behind it stood a small fruit tree, which it guarded with vigilant eyes.
Xiao Yan spared the fruit tree a single glance before dismissing it. Such minor treasures no longer interested him.
"Qing Lin, can you sense anything?"
Qing Lin pulled down her hood, her eyes flickering with a jade-green glow. Once inside the Space Lock, she had begun to hear a faint, indistinct voice, as if something were calling to her.
A strange expression crossed her face. She pointed in a certain direction. "The voice seems to be coming from over there, it's just..."
"Just what?"
"It's just... why do I hear nine voices?" Qing Lin sounded uncertain. The voices resembled noise, a constant chatter that she found most irritating.
"Nine?!"
Xiao Yan and Cai Lin exchanged startled glances. Could this place have witnessed an ancient civil war among Ancient Heaven Serpents, leaving nine of them fallen?!
If that was truly the case, it would be too terrifying. Nine Ancient Heaven Serpents! If they had all reached peak Rank 8 or even Rank 9, the value of such ruins would be incalculable!
Xiao Yan summoned his Tianzun Soul Command Token with a thought. If this truly was a ruin of nine Ancient Heaven Serpents, he would not hesitate to mobilize the Hall of Souls' power. Anyone who got in his way would become soul points!
At the Dou Venerate level, spatial jade slips were no longer rare. The opponents one saw on the surface were not necessarily all there were; they might use spatial jade slips to summon reinforcements.
If nine Ancient Heaven Serpents were involved, the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe or Sound Valley might summon peak Dou Venerates, perhaps even Dou Saints.
Cai Lin nodded gravely, understanding his concerns. Summoning Hall of Souls reinforcements would risk exposing his identity. If necessary, she would help him eliminate all witnesses.
"Let's go. There's no justification for turning away from such a treasure mountain once it's been discovered." Xiao Yan patted the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent's scales, urging it to accelerate toward the direction Qing Lin indicated.
As they ventured deeper into Nine Snake Ridge, the voices grew increasingly clear to Qing Lin. Even with his Heavenly State Spiritual Strength, Xiao Yan could not detect the slightest sound. Apparently, only Qing Lin with her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils could hear them.
After traveling for an indeterminate time, they finally reached their destination.
During their journey, Xiao Yan had even spotted members of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe. These experts were not harvesting spirit fruits or medicinal herbs; they appeared to be conducting some form of investigation.
"This is it," Qing Lin announced.
The Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent halted. Before them stretched a vast expanse of land. The soil appeared somewhat barren; though vegetation and trees grew in abundance, fruit trees and medicinal herbs were notably scarce.
"Why is the natural energy here thinner than elsewhere?" Xiao Yan's Heavenly State Spiritual Strength immediately detected the anomaly.
The difference was subtle, imperceptible to ordinary people who would merely assume the soil lacked fertility, explaining the stunted plant growth. But with his Heavenly State soul, Xiao Yan recognized that natural energy had mysteriously diminished in this location.
Cai Lin removed her hood and jumped off the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent. Upon reaching this area, she too sensed something amiss. The Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python bloodline within her generated a vague sense of vigilance and hostility, as if warning her of a powerful enemy.
"There is definitely something here." Her delicate features tightened with alertness. Magical beast bloodlines carried ancestral memories, instincts embedded within their very essence.
The Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python was considered a royal bloodline of the Heaven Swallowing Python Race in ancient times. If even this royal bloodline sensed danger, whatever lay hidden here could not be simple.
"Let's look around first..." Xiao Yan continuously extended his Spiritual Strength to probe the surroundings, yet discovered nothing.
"We don't know the specific situation right now. If there's really no other way..."
Just as Xiao Yan considered unleashing a fire lotus to obliterate the area and expose what lay beneath, a sudden change occurred!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!
Without warning, the ground began to convulse violently. The entire Nine Snake Ridge—indeed, the entire forest—shuddered in the throes of this upheaval!
Then, the soil beneath their feet erupted upward as enormous bone spikes burst from the depths. Each massive spike stretched hundreds of meters skyward, and more terrifying still, these black bones radiated tendrils of demonic energy.
In an instant, the once verdant, life-filled land was stripped of vitality as wisps of deathly aura rose from the earth.
The three hastily ascended into the air. Qing Lin activated her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils to recall the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent into her triple flower space.
In the blink of an eye, the area transformed into a hellish landscape. Corpse energy permeated the air, and the soil turned a sickening blood-red.
Anyone witnessing this scene would shudder involuntarily, an ominous feeling gripping their hearts.
"Are these serpent bones?! So enormous!" Hovering in midair, Xiao Yan stared in astonishment. These black bones clearly formed the coiled remains of a massive serpent!
Moreover, the head of this giant serpent was nowhere to be seen. The portion protruding above ground was merely its tail; its body and head remained buried below.
It defied imagination to consider just how terrifyingly vast this ancient python must have been. It was perhaps the size of an entire country!
"What in the world is happening?!"
"Look! A Rank 7 magical beast!"
"So many magical beasts! They're fleeing from Nine Snake Ridge and Strange Serpent Forest!"
Everyone trembled in terror as hordes of magical beasts fled in panic, their tumultuous auras sweeping across the entire forest!
Those rogue cultivators who had just been thinking of entering Nine Snake Ridge turned pale with fright. Countless weaker cultivators were so scared they collapsed onto the ground.
"It's over, it's over! What's happening?!" Some cultivators lost all composure, their souls nearly leaving their bodies in terror.
But for certain individuals, this unexpected development represented a heaven-sent opportunity.
"Could those white bones be the Ancient Heaven Serpent! There really is an Ancient Heaven Serpent ruin here!" Venerable Huang Quan's eyes narrowed, a trace of delight showing.
"No wonder rumors claimed this area experienced a minor tremor a month ago!" Venerable Jian exclaimed in surprise. He had come precisely because he had heard that Nine Snake Ridge had suffered an earthquake a month earlier, after which the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe had dispatched experts to negotiate.
"It seems the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe truly knew something."
"These bones are completely black. That's rather ominous."
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Shortly after the earthquake began, streams of light shot from the depths of Strange Serpent Forest. Without exception, all were powerful members of the Strange Serpent Tribe.
Not only them; the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe members investigating Nine Snake Ridge also crushed spatial jade slips, summoning reinforcements from their tribe.
The first to arrive was an elderly figure, none other than the patriarch of the Strange Serpent Tribe, She Ba Shou. Space distorted as three more figures appeared, followed by increasing numbers of experts with Dou Ancestor strength. All belonged to the Strange Serpent Tribe.
"There's no mistake. This is our tribe's ancestor. Hahaha! We've finally found it!" She Ba Shou could barely contain his excitement. His tribe had always known that an Ancient Heaven Serpent ruin existed within Nine Snake Ridge.
Their tribe had been born when their ancestor, through fortunate circumstances, had obtained some essence blood and flesh from this Ancient Heaven Serpent. After consuming these materials, its body had mutated, giving rise to the Strange Serpent Tribe.
They too possessed Ancient Heaven Serpent bloodline and naturally refused to submit to the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe. Why should they bow when both tribes descended from the same Ancient Heaven Serpent ancestor?
"Patriarch, someone seems to have entered already."
She Ba Shou's gaze sharpened, as if he could peer through to the deepest recesses of this place. Finally, he said slowly, "Regardless, this is precisely what our tribe needs. If we can obtain all the essence blood and bloodline, our tribe might evolve a true Ancient Heaven Serpent. Then we shall rule over all serpent tribes in the world!"
"No one shall stand in our way!"
The three tribesmen behind him nodded in agreement. They had searched tirelessly for these ruins and would not abandon their quest, no matter what dangers arose.
Without hesitation, She Ba Shou led the tribe's experts into the depths below the exposed bones.
Soon after, the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe, Yellow Springs Pavilion, Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion, and other major factions arrived. None showed any hesitation as they too surged toward the underground passage.
"We should enter as well! With the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe and other factions taking the lead, we should at least be able to drink some soup!" a Sect Leader said in a low voice. "Even if we can't get the essence blood, some scraps will do!"
In the end, numerous factions and rogue cultivators followed, all rushing underground to compete for the Ancient Heaven Serpent inheritance.