Serpent Ancestor

Xu Hei had two choices for his descent from the mountain: the Purple Mist Sect or the Mountain Movers Sect.

In terms of strength, the Purple Mist Sect was undoubtedly the weaker option. With the fall of Patriarch He Luohua, there was no longer a Core Formation Stage expert to hold the fort, significantly increasing the safety factor.

Moreover, Xu Hei had been to the Purple Mist Sect once before and had experience in sneaking around, making him quite familiar with the place.

Xu Hei decided to head to the Purple Mist Sect first to take a look.

However, after spending three days traveling to the Purple Mist Sect, he found the place completely deserted, with not a single disciple in sight.

All the houses and pavilions were empty, and even the medicinal gardens had been thoroughly cleaned out.

Only a few unattended spirit beasts remained, wreaking havoc on the ecosystem.

"Have they... moved?" Xu Hei's face showed a hint of suspicion.

He used the Earth Escape Technique to reach the former location of the Purple Mist Pavilion, only to find that the entire building was gone, undoubtedly moved by someone.

There were no signs of battle or bloodshed, indicating that it was a voluntary relocation.

Xu Hei searched around but only found a few outer disciples on the periphery.

To be cautious, Xu Hei didn't ask anyone and simply turned to leave.

"Senior, aren't you going to ask someone?" Xiao Chou asked in confusion.

"What's there to ask? Without a Core Formation expert, the Purple Mist Sect is vulnerable in these troubled times. Moving to seek protection from the Snake Catchers Sect is quite reasonable."

Xu Hei had figured it out and wasn't surprised.

The head of the Purple Mist Sect had formed a Dao companionship with a significant figure from the Snake Catchers Sect, so such a move was easily arranged.

Unexpected, but reasonable.

Xiao Chou looked disappointed. He had hoped to settle a score with a woman who had humiliated him before.

With no other choice, they turned and headed for the Mountain Movers Sect.

Going to the Mountain Movers Sect had its advantages. Xiao Chou was a disciple there and could use his disciple token to enter openly.

"Aren't you afraid of trouble, showing up like this when you're wanted by the Snake Catchers Sect?" Xu Hei asked.

"That was before. Now that I'm in the Foundation Establishment Stage, who would dare trouble me?" Xiao Chou said proudly.

In the late Qi Refining Stage, he was just an inner disciple. But in the Foundation Establishment Stage, he was at the elder level. Hua Yuntian didn't have the power to make the Mountain Movers Sect hand over an elder.

After a moment of contemplation, Xu Hei decided to go with Xiao Chou to take a look.

The Mountain Movers Sect was one of his backup options anyway.

The Mountain Movers Sect was at the pinnacle of Earth Spiritual Roots research in the Chu Kingdom, making it the best place for Xu Hei to learn Earth Element Spells.

After another two days of travel, they arrived at the Mountain Movers Sect's mountain gate.

Before them stood a towering mountain, its edges steep and its middle flat and expansive. It was said that the Mountain-moving Patriarch had spent many years moving mountains from all over the Chu Kingdom to form this one.

After half a year, Xiao Chou returned to his homeland, feeling a mix of emotions.

"Xiao Chou, why do I feel like there's something off about the way you walk?" Xu Hei couldn't help but ask.

"Hmm? What's off?" Xiao Chou wiggled his hind limbs, slithering forward like a snake.

"Aren't humans supposed to walk upright?"

Xu Hei pointed ahead, where an outer disciple was walking up the mountain.

Xiao Chou was stunned for a full five seconds before he realized.

"Hey, that's right! I walk on two legs!"

He quickly stood up and walked back and forth but felt awkward and continued to crawl on the ground, frowning in thought.

"Strange, why is this happening?"

Xiao Chou couldn't figure it out.

To avoid strange looks, he decided to walk upright, even though it felt awkward.

Xu Hei shrank his body to a meter and was stuffed into a sack by Xiao Chou, who slung it over his shoulder and headed for the mountain gate.

Before long, they reached the entrance halfway up the mountain.

"Stop!"

The gatekeeping disciple glanced at Xiao Chou, looked closely for a while, rubbed his eyes, and his face changed dramatically. "Xiao Chou? Is that you?"

"Is there a problem?" Xiao Chou's face was expressionless.

"You're not dead?" The gatekeeping disciple was shocked.

"What do you mean? Who said I was dead?"

Xiao Chou squinted his eyes, feeling puzzled.

The gatekeeping disciple's face turned strange, and he hesitated to speak.

Feeling the overwhelming pressure from Xiao Chou, the gatekeeping disciple swallowed hard and explained honestly.

"It's like this. Last year, you were wanted by the Snake Catchers Sect and fled into the deep mountains. After being missing for half a year, the sect removed you from the roster and listed you as deceased."

"Your cave dwelling and all your belongings were handed over to your relatives."

The gatekeeping disciple was only in the early Qi Refining Stage and didn't dare offend an inner disciple. He explained everything in detail.

"Relatives? My parents are mortals. What relatives?" Xiao Chou glared, feeling something was off.

"That, I don't know. But it was two female cultivators wearing Purple Mist Sect robes. You can go back and check for yourself," the gatekeeping disciple said hurriedly.

Hearing this, Xiao Chou's eyes immediately flared with anger.

He stepped forward and rushed into the mountain gate at an incredible speed, heading straight for his cave dwelling.

...

Inside the Mountain Movers Sect, the inner disciples' residences were different from those of the Purple Mist Sect. All disciples lived inside the mountain, with cave dwellings allocated based on their cultivation levels.

It was said that the center of the mountain contained half a spiritual vein, making the spiritual energy in the cave dwellings much denser. Many disciples from other sects envied the Mountain Movers Sect for this.

At this moment, inside Xiao Chou's cave dwelling, sat two female disciples from the Purple Mist Sect.

Xu Hei had seen these two before; they lived next to Silver Bell and had constantly mocked and ridiculed Xiao Chou.

A month ago, they had used special means to take over Xiao Chou's cave dwelling.

"Elder Qiu, this is the contract for their Dao companionship. It clearly states that if Xiao Chou dies, all his property belongs to Silver Bell. As her sister, I have the right to inherit it," Xu Mei said with a flirtatious smile.

"Haha, well said. I'll open the cave dwelling and take out that kid's belongings right away."

Elder Qiu of the Mountain Movers Sect laughed heartily, forcibly opened the cave dwelling, and handed it over to Xu Mei.

All the items inside were also given to Xu Mei.

In fact, Xu Mei and Elder Qiu had been secretly involved for a long time, and this was just a natural progression of their relationship.

Elder Qiu would occasionally visit the cave dwelling to meet Xu Mei for illicit activities.

This time, Xu Mei had even brought her good sister along for a threesome.

"Dual cultivating with a Foundation Establishment cultivator is extremely effective. In just a month, I've reached the ninth level of the Qi Refining Stage."

"Haha, I should thank you for letting me benefit as well."

The two chatted happily.

"Boom!!!"

Suddenly, the cave dwelling's door was blasted open with a punch.

Xu Mei and her sister were startled awake and looked outside.

"Who dares to barge into my cave dwelling? Are you tired of living?" Xu Mei shouted in anger after realizing someone had intruded.

At the cave dwelling's entrance, dust rose, and a young figure walked in from outside.

This person had a bundle hanging from his waist, was travel-worn, had dark skin, and an ordinary appearance. His eyes burned with fiery anger—it was Xiao Chou.

"It's you?"

Xu Mei was shocked, thinking she was seeing things.

"You... you're not dead!"

Xu Chun, beside her, widened her eyes in disbelief.

They were very familiar with Xiao Chou, having often mocked and ridiculed him. How could they not recognize him?

Xiao Chou just stared at them silently.

"You've got some nerve! Don't you know Hua Yuntian is looking for you? How dare you come back to court death!" Xu Mei reacted quickly and scolded with a flushed face.

She knew how to deal with such men; she had to be tough.

Xu Chun also threatened, "If you're smart, leave now, and we'll pretend nothing happened. Otherwise, when Young Master Hua arrives, it'll be your death!"

They were smart women. If Xiao Chou wasn't dead, they would likely have to give up the cave dwelling.

Their dual cultivation plans with Elder Qiu would be ruined, which was unacceptable.

So, Xiao Chou had to die!

Given Xiao Chou's cowardly nature, he might just submit to their threats. After all, they had mocked him countless times before, and he never dared to say a word.

Xiao Chou remained expressionless and coldly said, "Do you know what it means to be overbearing?"

Xu Mei sneered, "Oh? A lowly coward dares to resist? Kneel and lick my toes, and maybe I'll spare you..."

"Bang!!"

Her words were cut off by a punch.

Xu Mei's nose bled, her face caved in, and she was sent flying, crashing into the stone wall with a bloody head.

With just one punch, her face was disfigured!

Xu Chun's expression changed drastically, as if she had seen a ghost.

Who was this? Xiao Chou?

How was this possible? Xiao Chou was a coward, a simp who couldn't even speak clearly to women. How could he hit a woman?

"You... you dare hit..." Xu Chun's voice trembled, but she couldn't help but threaten.

"Bang!!"

Another heavy punch landed on Xu Chun's face.

Her teeth flew out, and her head was twisted, nearly breaking her neck, as she crashed into the ceiling.

"Boom!!"

The entire cave dwelling shook, and dust fell.

Both women were knocked down with a single punch.

At this moment, Xiao Chou seemed like a different person.

"I've been honing this punch for five years!"

Xiao Chou clenched his fist, his eyes red, and said through gritted teeth, "But from now on, I'll only endure for five seconds!"