'Found you!'
Hearing that faint sound, a trace of a smile crossed Xiao Ming's eyes. He extended his soul perception and meticulously searched the direction from which the sound had come.
However, just as Xiao Ming focused, the peculiar sound vanished as if it had never appeared in the first place.
'Why hide again?'
Xiao Ming's brows slightly furrowed. His gaze gradually lowered. If someone were truly hidden here, it would only be beneath the sand. Without hesitation, he fiercely grabbed downwards.
Splash!
With that forceful palm strike, the sandy ground was instantly marked by his imprint. Amidst the rolling sand and rocks, a massive metal chain, a hundred meters in length, was exposed to Xiao Ming's line of sight.
Seeing this immense metal chain, a faint smile curved Xiao Ming's lips. With a casual wave of his hand, the chain was slowly pulled out.
As the ground shook, three more metal chains emerged from the ground. These metal chains were connected to a mountain-like outcropping, impossible to budge with a tug.
Xiao Ming paid no attention to where the metal chains were connected. His gaze remained fixed on the center of the four chains. A large cluster of black mud lay there...
Looking at the cluster of mud, Xiao Ming chuckled and casually waved his hand. The mud was instantly dispersed, revealing what lay within. It was a person!
A person whose body was dry and shriveled like a skeleton!
'Although he's extremely weak, his former power is still evident. Truly worthy of being the most talented individual of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe. It's not in vain that I made this trip!' Xiao Ming's eyes held a hint of joy as he lightly laughed.
"Save me.... save me! And I will get the entire Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe to be your subordinate!"
While Xiao Ming gazed at the shriveled human figure, the eyes of the latter suddenly opened. Those eyes were slightly crazed as they stared at him. A hoarse roar reverberated across the bottom of the spring. It resembled the cry of a ghost, chilling one's heart in the process.
Xiao Ming continued to smile, completely unaffected by the figure's roar, waiting for him to calm down.
"Hu hu…"
After a while, the skeleton-like human figure gradually quieted down. The struggle from earlier seemed to have drained a considerable amount of his strength, and he now panted.
Xiao Ming could sense an extremely dark and cold energy being emitted from those four large metal chains, depleting the figure's Dou Qi. This caused the figure to remain in an extremely weak state, but it would not take his life. All this figure could do was live on the edge of his last breath amid this perpetual exhaustion.
Such a method left Xiao Ming shaking his head in disbelief. Yao Xiaotian was indeed a good little brother, treating his older brother in such a brutal way.
Glancing at the now silent figure, Xiao Ming spoke, "Why don't you start with a self-introduction?"
"..."
"I am Yao Ming, the chief of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe."
Facing Xiao Ming's words, the skeletal figure hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. His voice was extremely hoarse, like sandpaper scraping against glass, piercing to the ears.
"Is that your entire self-introduction? As far as I know, the current chief of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe is Yao Xiaotian," Xiao Ming said in a soft voice.
"That scum, that bastard! He's the one who used a treacherous scheme to snatch my position and sealed me at the bottom of this Nine Serene Spring. Ah! That beast. He subjected me to centuries of torment in this dark and cold abyss. If I'm fortunate enough to see daylight again, I, Yao Ming, will make sure he suffers a fate worse than death!"
As the name Yao Xiaotian reached his ears, Yao Ming's eyes instantly turned blood-red. An overwhelming sense of resentment emanated from him, and his furious roar reverberated ceaselessly at the depths of the spring.
"So you were saying you'll have the tribe follow me as subordinates?"
"Yes, I possess the Nine Serene Profound Scepter, the symbol of the chief of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe. Possessing the Profound Scepter is the true mark of being the chief. Once I break free and deal with Yao Xiaotian, I will become the tribal chief. The other elders will also have to obey my orders! I'll make the entire Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe follow your lead," Yao Ming pleaded urgently.
"Really? I don't believe you."
"No, you have to believe me! Although I, Yao Ming, might not be a paragon of virtue, my words hold immense weight... If you save me, I'll obey your commands. I'll do whatever you ask of me!" Yao Ming's initial astonishment turned into desperation as he spoke.
"Don't bother saying such things. I don't trust you. However, there's a way I can save you. I can even help you regain your position as the tribal chief. But you'll have to voluntarily release your soul and allow me to place a spiritual imprint on it. If you lie or deceive me, I'll trigger the spiritual seal. Even if you're a Dou Saint expert, you'll undoubtedly be severely injured, and your future progress will be forever hindered."
Xiao Ming spoke this way, but in reality, he didn't particularly care whether Yao Ming would betray him after being rescued. After all, Yao Ming's strength was only a two-star Dou Saint, and dealing with him wouldn't require much effort on his part.
However, the real concern was securing Demon Saint Huang Quan's inheritance. If Yao Ming harbored resentment and caused trouble during that time, it would undoubtedly complicate matters.
Hence, retaining some means of control was still quite necessary.
Upon hearing Xiao Ming's response, Yao Ming opened his mouth but found himself unable to voice his thoughts. Trusting Xiao Ming completely after their initial encounter wasn't easy for him. His nature didn't lean towards submission, yet the accumulated bitterness and hatred he'd endured over centuries surged within him.
Gripping his teeth tightly, he let out a low roar, "Alright, I'll do as you say. I can no longer bear this hatred. I'll tear that scoundrel into countless pieces!"
Xiao Ming was not surprised after hearing that Yao Ming had actually agreed to his proposal.
Yao Ming took a deep breath, and a glimmer shimmered between his brows. Invisible soul power surged forth, ultimately coalescing into a large black snake before him.
Seeing Yao Ming proactively summon his soul, Xiao Ming smiled. His mind moved and a hint of heated soul power shot forth and rapidly invaded the forehead of the black giant snake. As the spiritual imprint entered the giant snake's forehead, its body quivered violently before scattering and returning to Yao Ming's brow.
Xiao Ming could sense Yao Ming's spiritual fluctuation the moment his soul returned to his brow. All he needed was a thought, and the spiritual imprint, which contained the power of a Heavenly Flame, would explode and shatter Yao Ming's soul into pieces.
"By the way, bring me a Spring Blood Crystal from this Nine Serene Spring."
The Spring Blood Crystal was a main ingredient for refining Ninth-Tier Treasure Pills. Even within the Nine Serene Spring, it was exceptionally rare. Typically, it took nearly a thousand years for a piece about the size of a palm to form.
Since most of the Spring Blood Crystals in this area had been devoured by Yao Ming, Xiao Ming made this request.
Yao Ming hesitated for a moment, then suddenly opened his mouth, and a blood-red light shot out. It halted in front of Xiao Ming, revealing a blood-colored crystal about the size of a fist. Within the crystal, blood seemed to flow as if it were alive, lending it an eerie appearance.
Xiao Ming reached out and took the blood-colored crystal suspended before him. Upon contact, a bone-chilling, dark force spread through his hand, instantly freezing his arm.
'It is indeed a Spring Blood Crystal. This intensity of dark and cold force is genuinely terrifying.'
Seeing this, Xiao Ming nodded with a hint of satisfaction. He shook his arm, breaking the ice crystals that had formed, and then stored the blood crystal in his storage ring.
"You've done well. It's time to set you free. By the way, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am the Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Court, Xiao Ming. You can address me as Alliance Leader Xiao from now on."
"Yes, Alliance Leader Xiao!"
Though curious about this so-called Heavenly Court, Yao Ming's imminent liberation kept him from delving into further questions. He simply looked at Xiao Ming with eager anticipation.
Xiao Ming understood his sentiment and followed the chain with his gaze, which was deeply inserted into a dark-black mountain-like outcropping. This mountain shape was not large. It was only over a few dozen meters in size, but the dark and cold force contained within it caused Xiao Ming to involuntarily shudder despite having the protection of a Heavenly Flame.
"This is the source of the cold energy..."
Xiao Ming's figure shifted, and he arrived before the mountain in an instant. Staring at the dark-black surface, he clenched his fist, and a vast surge of Dou Qi burst forth. He then slammed his fist forcefully into the mountain body.
Boom!
Ripples resembling huge waves spread from the point of impact, but the dark-black mountain merely trembled slightly. This punch from Xiao Ming, which could easily take down a high-level Half-Saint expert, had left not even a mark on it.
"Tsk tsk, this Yellow Spring Yin Rock is quite the treasure."
Xiao Ming chuckled softly, no longer wasting any effort. He curled his two fingers together, and an extremely compressed strand of Heavenly Flame extended from them, resembling a sharp blade.
With Xiao Ming's motion, the flame blade effortlessly slid into the mountain body at the end of the metal chain. After a short while, it felt as if it had come into contact with an unusually hard circular object.
Without hesitation, Xiao Ming exerted a sudden force with his fingers, and the flame blade ruthlessly penetrated the hard pellet-like object.
Crack!
As the blade pierced the pellet, an odd fluctuation was emitted from the outcropping. Immediately, the massive metal chain broke apart.
Following the same method, Xiao Ming destroyed the remaining three chains connected to the dark-black mountain.
'Found you!'
Hearing that faint sound, a trace of a smile crossed Xiao Ming's eyes. He extended his soul perception and meticulously searched the direction from which the sound had come.
However, just as Xiao Ming focused, the peculiar sound vanished as if it had never appeared in the first place.
'Why hide again?'
Xiao Ming's brows slightly furrowed. His gaze gradually lowered. If someone were truly hidden here, it would only be beneath the sand. Without hesitation, he fiercely grabbed downwards.
Splash!
With that forceful palm strike, the sandy ground was instantly marked by his imprint. Amidst the rolling sand and rocks, a massive metal chain, a hundred meters in length, was exposed to Xiao Ming's line of sight.
Seeing this immense metal chain, a faint smile curved Xiao Ming's lips. With a casual wave of his hand, the chain was slowly pulled out.
As the ground shook, three more metal chains emerged from the ground. These metal chains were connected to a mountain-like outcropping, impossible to budge with a tug.
Xiao Ming paid no attention to where the metal chains were connected. His gaze remained fixed on the center of the four chains. A large cluster of black mud lay there...
Looking at the cluster of mud, Xiao Ming chuckled and casually waved his hand. The mud was instantly dispersed, revealing what lay within. It was a person!
A person whose body was dry and shriveled like a skeleton!
'Although he's extremely weak, his former power is still evident. Truly worthy of being the most talented individual of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe. It's not in vain that I made this trip!' Xiao Ming's eyes held a hint of joy as he lightly laughed.
"Save me.... save me! And I will get the entire Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe to be your subordinate!"
While Xiao Ming gazed at the shriveled human figure, the eyes of the latter suddenly opened. Those eyes were slightly crazed as they stared at him. A hoarse roar reverberated across the bottom of the spring. It resembled the cry of a ghost, chilling one's heart in the process.
Xiao Ming continued to smile, completely unaffected by the figure's roar, waiting for him to calm down.
"Hu hu…"
After a while, the skeleton-like human figure gradually quieted down. The struggle from earlier seemed to have drained a considerable amount of his strength, and he now panted.
Xiao Ming could sense an extremely dark and cold energy being emitted from those four large metal chains, depleting the figure's Dou Qi. This caused the figure to remain in an extremely weak state, but it would not take his life. All this figure could do was live on the edge of his last breath amid this perpetual exhaustion.
Such a method left Xiao Ming shaking his head in disbelief. Yao Xiaotian was indeed a good little brother, treating his older brother in such a brutal way.
Glancing at the now silent figure, Xiao Ming spoke, "Why don't you start with a self-introduction?"
"..."
"I am Yao Ming, the chief of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe."
Facing Xiao Ming's words, the skeletal figure hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. His voice was extremely hoarse, like sandpaper scraping against glass, piercing to the ears.
"Is that your entire self-introduction? As far as I know, the current chief of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe is Yao Xiaotian," Xiao Ming said in a soft voice.
"That scum, that bastard! He's the one who used a treacherous scheme to snatch my position and sealed me at the bottom of this Nine Serene Spring. Ah! That beast. He subjected me to centuries of torment in this dark and cold abyss. If I'm fortunate enough to see daylight again, I, Yao Ming, will make sure he suffers a fate worse than death!"
As the name Yao Xiaotian reached his ears, Yao Ming's eyes instantly turned blood-red. An overwhelming sense of resentment emanated from him, and his furious roar reverberated ceaselessly at the depths of the spring.
"So you were saying you'll have the tribe follow me as subordinates?"
"Yes, I possess the Nine Serene Profound Scepter, the symbol of the chief of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe. Possessing the Profound Scepter is the true mark of being the chief. Once I break free and deal with Yao Xiaotian, I will become the tribal chief. The other elders will also have to obey my orders! I'll make the entire Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe follow your lead," Yao Ming pleaded urgently.
"Really? I don't believe you."
"No, you have to believe me! Although I, Yao Ming, might not be a paragon of virtue, my words hold immense weight... If you save me, I'll obey your commands. I'll do whatever you ask of me!" Yao Ming's initial astonishment turned into desperation as he spoke.
"Don't bother saying such things. I don't trust you. However, there's a way I can save you. I can even help you regain your position as the tribal chief. But you'll have to voluntarily release your soul and allow me to place a spiritual imprint on it. If you lie or deceive me, I'll trigger the spiritual seal. Even if you're a Dou Saint expert, you'll undoubtedly be severely injured, and your future progress will be forever hindered."
Xiao Ming spoke this way, but in reality, he didn't particularly care whether Yao Ming would betray him after being rescued. After all, Yao Ming's strength was only a two-star Dou Saint, and dealing with him wouldn't require much effort on his part.
However, the real concern was securing Demon Saint Huang Quan's inheritance. If Yao Ming harbored resentment and caused trouble during that time, it would undoubtedly complicate matters.
Hence, retaining some means of control was still quite necessary.
Upon hearing Xiao Ming's response, Yao Ming opened his mouth but found himself unable to voice his thoughts. Trusting Xiao Ming completely after their initial encounter wasn't easy for him. His nature didn't lean towards submission, yet the accumulated bitterness and hatred he'd endured over centuries surged within him.
Gripping his teeth tightly, he let out a low roar, "Alright, I'll do as you say. I can no longer bear this hatred. I'll tear that scoundrel into countless pieces!"
Xiao Ming was not surprised after hearing that Yao Ming had actually agreed to his proposal.
Yao Ming took a deep breath, and a glimmer shimmered between his brows. Invisible soul power surged forth, ultimately coalescing into a large black snake before him.
Seeing Yao Ming proactively summon his soul, Xiao Ming smiled. His mind moved and a hint of heated soul power shot forth and rapidly invaded the forehead of the black giant snake. As the spiritual imprint entered the giant snake's forehead, its body quivered violently before scattering and returning to Yao Ming's brow.
Xiao Ming could sense Yao Ming's spiritual fluctuation the moment his soul returned to his brow. All he needed was a thought, and the spiritual imprint, which contained the power of a Heavenly Flame, would explode and shatter Yao Ming's soul into pieces.
"By the way, bring me a Spring Blood Crystal from this Nine Serene Spring."
The Spring Blood Crystal was a main ingredient for refining Ninth-Tier Treasure Pills. Even within the Nine Serene Spring, it was exceptionally rare. Typically, it took nearly a thousand years for a piece about the size of a palm to form.
Since most of the Spring Blood Crystals in this area had been devoured by Yao Ming, Xiao Ming made this request.
Yao Ming hesitated for a moment, then suddenly opened his mouth, and a blood-red light shot out. It halted in front of Xiao Ming, revealing a blood-colored crystal about the size of a fist. Within the crystal, blood seemed to flow as if it were alive, lending it an eerie appearance.
Xiao Ming reached out and took the blood-colored crystal suspended before him. Upon contact, a bone-chilling, dark force spread through his hand, instantly freezing his arm.
'It is indeed a Spring Blood Crystal. This intensity of dark and cold force is genuinely terrifying.'
Seeing this, Xiao Ming nodded with a hint of satisfaction. He shook his arm, breaking the ice crystals that had formed, and then stored the blood crystal in his storage ring.
"You've done well. It's time to set you free. By the way, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am the Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Court, Xiao Ming. You can address me as Alliance Leader Xiao from now on."
"Yes, Alliance Leader Xiao!"
Though curious about this so-called Heavenly Court, Yao Ming's imminent liberation kept him from delving into further questions. He simply looked at Xiao Ming with eager anticipation.
Xiao Ming understood his sentiment and followed the chain with his gaze, which was deeply inserted into a dark-black mountain-like outcropping. This mountain shape was not large. It was only over a few dozen meters in size, but the dark and cold force contained within it caused Xiao Ming to involuntarily shudder despite having the protection of a Heavenly Flame.
"This is the source of the cold energy..."
Xiao Ming's figure shifted, and he arrived before the mountain in an instant. Staring at the dark-black surface, he clenched his fist, and a vast surge of Dou Qi burst forth. He then slammed his fist forcefully into the mountain body.
Boom!
Ripples resembling huge waves spread from the point of impact, but the dark-black mountain merely trembled slightly. This punch from Xiao Ming, which could easily take down a high-level Half-Saint expert, had left not even a mark on it.
"Tsk tsk, this Yellow Spring Yin Rock is quite the treasure."
Xiao Ming chuckled softly, no longer wasting any effort. He curled his two fingers together, and an extremely compressed strand of Heavenly Flame extended from them, resembling a sharp blade.
With Xiao Ming's motion, the flame blade effortlessly slid into the mountain body at the end of the metal chain. After a short while, it felt as if it had come into contact with an unusually hard circular object.
Without hesitation, Xiao Ming exerted a sudden force with his fingers, and the flame blade ruthlessly penetrated the hard pellet-like object.
Crack!
As the blade pierced the pellet, an odd fluctuation was emitted from the outcropping. Immediately, the massive metal chain broke apart.
Following the same method, Xiao Ming destroyed the remaining three chains connected to the dark-black mountain.
