Serpent Ancestor

Spiritual energy from heaven and earth often gathers here, leading to the growth of some spiritual herbs.

The most famous of these is the Snake Fruit located at the deepest part of the valley!

Xu Hei dove into a pool and swam toward the depths of the Ten Thousand Serpent Valley.

Before long, he reached the end of the valley. The soil here was soft and wet, with no weeds, only a small tree growing on a high slope, having absorbed all the nutrients.

The tree was small, about the height of a person, and bore three pitch-black fruits.

“Snake Fruit!”

Xu Hei stared at the fruit on the tree with burning eyes.

The Snake Fruit, as the name suggests, is an extremely attractive fruit for snakes. Consuming it can enhance their physical abilities and has a certain chance of transforming them into snake demons.

Years ago, Xu Hei had become the fearsome Old Snake King after consuming a Snake Fruit.

The Snake Fruit matures every three years.

Calculating the time, this year is when it matures again.

Back then, Xu Hei did not know the purpose of the Snake Fruit and had merely consumed it by instinct.

Only after gaining human knowledge did he understand the true value of the Snake Fruit. Not only can it be consumed directly, but it can also be used in alchemy, making it very valuable.

The reason the Ten Thousand Serpent Valley attracts so many snakes is partly due to the breeding season and partly because of the Snake Fruit.

“Three years ago, I only consumed one Snake Fruit. This time, if I consume all three at once, I wonder if I can break through to the fourth level of the Spirit Enlightment stage.”

T/n: Spirit Enlightment Stage or Spiritual beast.

Xu Hei thought to himself. Once he reached the mid-stage of the Spirit Enlightment stage, he could use some spells, no longer relying solely on physical combat.

This would be a qualitative leap!

Before the Snake Fruit fully matures, it does not emit any fragrance, and its energy is very mixed. Only when it is fully mature does it exert its medicinal effects and emit a strong aroma that attracts snakes to consume it.

According to Xu Hei’s estimation, the maturity time is just in the next few days.

“Don’t get too excited too soon. Let’s see if there are any dangers nearby.”

Xu Hei left the fruit tree, sinking into the swamp, and extended his divine sense to observe the surroundings.

……

The Ten Thousand Serpent Valley is not very large.

Xu Hei spent an hour wandering around and did not find any dangers. Except for a few eagles circling in the sky, preying on the snakes, there was nothing else.

The presence of these eagles is normal, given that the valley is full of snakes and insects, attracting some natural predators.

These eagles pose no threat to Xu Hei, and unless they are demon beasts, he has no interest in them.

However, Xu Hei vaguely felt that such a place where spiritual herbs grow should be guarded by demon beasts.

Xu Hei suddenly froze. Isn’t he a demon beast himself?

After resting for a while, he planned to continue exploring the periphery.

At this moment, a female white snake slithered towards him.

The white snake was about a meter long, resembling him in shape but different in color. It was likely attracted by Xu Hei’s scent.

Xu Hei was not interested in such wild beasts now. For cultivation purposes, only a powerful snake demon would be of any benefit.

Xu Hei was about to leave.

Suddenly, he felt that the white snake seemed somewhat familiar, both in aura and appearance.

The white snake stopped about ten feet away from Xu Hei, lying still on the ground, observing him silently.

Its gaze was calm, and it made no sound, indicating it meant no harm.

“I remember now. This is an old friend. Every time I return, she comes to find me.”

Xu Hei realized that the white snake had memorized his scent and could track him whenever he returned.

Usually, it’s males that follow females, but this white snake was an exception.

Xu Hei thought of a saying and sighed, “We are separated by immortality and mortality. Let us part ways here.”

He made a rustling sound and turned to leave.

It was a pity he did not have a Forgetfulness Elixir; otherwise, he could have given her one.

Of course, it’s more likely that Xu Hei was being sentimental. Snakes generally do not have emotions. Even demon beasts with spiritual awareness mostly act on instinct, unlike Xu Hei.

After Xu Hei left, the white snake followed him for a while.

Xu Hei suddenly accelerated, shaking off the white snake, and disappeared from sight.

……

In a blink of an eye, several days passed, and the day of the Snake Fruit’s maturity arrived.

Outside the Ten Thousand Serpent Valley.

Two figures arrived simultaneously, one in front of the other.

The two stood on a tree, exuding a strong smell of realgar, causing nearby snakes to avoid them, repelled by the odor.

These two were a man and a woman, dressed respectively in dark green python robes and red Taoist robes.

If Xu Hei were present, he would recognize the young man as Zhao Wenzhuo.

The woman in the red Taoist robe was his senior sister, Song Shiyu.

“Senior Sister Song, this is the Ten Thousand Serpent Valley that Ding Shixiong and I discovered. The spiritual Snake Fruit is inside!”

Zhao Wenzhuo pointed to the valley, bowing and showing a flattering expression.

“Hmm! You did well.”

Song Shiyu nodded in satisfaction.

She had already sensed something strange about the events that day. Ding Hai had gathered many villagers, clearly searching for something. So, she investigated secretly.

When she uncovered some clues, Zhao Wenzhuo had eagerly spilled all the information.

He even revealed the details about Ding Hai disturbing the bear demon and causing the villagers’ deaths.

As for the rest, she did not press further.

“I won’t take advantage of you, we’ll split the Snake Fruit evenly, is that alright?” Song Shiyu said calmly.

Zhao Wenzhuo was instantly excited, cupping his hands in thanks, “Thank you, Senior Sister!”

“However, Senior Sister, any spiritual herbs are usually guarded by demon beasts, so we must be cautious!” Zhao Wenzhuo said seriously.

Song Shiyu nodded slightly, then coldly smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Senior Sister is well-prepared. The only snake demon in this area is the old snake king. If it dares to appear, I can use its snake gallbladder for medicine!”

Zhao Wenzhuo immediately laughed heartily, “Haha, what a coincidence! Junior Brother is also well-prepared—specifically for dealing with the old snake king!”

After saying this, Zhao Wenzhuo took out a snake-shaped flute and showed it off.

Song Shiyu smiled knowingly and said no more. She took out a yellowish clay block and applied it to herself.

This was the cinnabar powder made by snake catchers, which could repel snakes and insects. As long as they smelled this odor from afar, snakes would avoid it automatically and it had a certain effect on snake demons as well.

Zhao Wenzhuo did the same, and after finishing, the two entered the Valley of Serpents one in front of the other.

…

That day, Xu Hei was lying on a large rock, practicing his breathing techniques.

The white snake was lying not far away, always watching him.

Aside from when it was hunting, the white snake stayed close to Xu Hei.

Xu Hei did not mind; after all, it was a semi-familiar face. Once it finished eating the snake fruit, it would leave.

At this moment, the white snake, which had been still, seemed to catch a whiff of something and quickly slithered away.

Xu Hei was taken aback.

Meanwhile, in the distant grass, there was a constant rustling sound. All the snakes seemed to be retreating, heading in the same direction.

“What’s going on?” Xu Hei wondered.

The next moment, a nauseating smell hit him, almost making him vomit.

“Damn it, what is this smell?”

Xu Hei couldn’t describe the stench.

In human terms, it was like a mixture of rotten eggs, feces, and urine—a terrible, nauseating stench.

One whiff made him gag, two whiffs made him vomit, and three whiffs almost made him pass out.

Although it was a bit exaggerated, Xu Hei almost couldn’t control his body’s urge to flee. Who could stand this?

However, his rationality won over his instinctive reaction.

Something unusual must be happening. Xu Hei forced himself to endure the smell, holding his breath, and looked ahead.

He saw a man and a woman walking through the marsh, advancing deeper into the area.

As they walked, they scattered yellow powder, and the snakes and insects all retreated, indicating it was the cinnabar powder which snakes were extremely afraid of.

Some snakes that didn’t manage to escape in time were even fainted or poisoned to death.

“Another damn snake catcher!”

Xu Hei immediately recognized the man as Zhao Wenzhuo.

Xu Hei had witnessed Zhao Wenzhuo’s scheming before, and although he didn’t recognize the woman, Zhao Wenzhuo seemed to be trying to curry favor with her.

“They must be here for the snake fruit as well.”

Xu Hei looked at the direction they were heading, which was precisely where the snake fruit was located.

The snake fruit, besides being ingested, could also be used to refine pills, benefiting human cultivation. It was a rare and precious material.

Had it been before, Xu Hei would have been afraid of the snake catchers and might have fled.

But now, he felt confident.

In Human terms he was at the peak of the third level of the Qi Refinement stage, and in terms of cultivation, he was not weaker than the others.

Snake catchers were not invincible. Xu Hei had easily killed them before, and he was much stronger than those creatures.

Xu Hei pondered for a while, then hid in the water and quietly followed.

His small size, only two meters long even after a year, made him well-suited for concealment, which was his advantage.

Xu Hei didn’t act immediately; he just wanted to observe first.

What if these two suddenly turned against each other? That would be a fine human tradition.

“Senior Sister Song, what if the old snake king doesn’t show up?” Zhao Wenzhuo asked with a smile.

Song Shiyu glanced at him and replied, “The old snake king has lived for over ten years and is nearing the end of its lifespan. The spiritual snake fruit is crucial for it; if it doesn’t eat it, it will age and die. It can’t possibly not show up!”

Xu Hei was startled upon hearing their conversation.

It lived for over ten years? He had no idea!

Although he had forgotten exactly how long he had lived, he clearly remembered that the snake fruit had ripened three years ago. This was something he could not mistake.

It was also in these three years that he had repeatedly eaten humans, which earned him the title of the old snake king.

But listening to this woman, he was supposed to have lived for ten years?

Looking at Zhao Wenzhuo’s expression, it didn’t seem unusual to him. He even nodded in realization.

This made Xu Hei even more confused.

“Am I really that old?”