Chapter 464: Yao Ming's Consideration
Hearing Yao Ming's offer, Xiao Ze fell silent. He knew that this time, his relationship with Yao Ming was purely transactional. It wasn't like in the original story where Xiao Yan had greatly helped Yao Ming.
In the original story, Xiao Yan not only rescued Yao Ming from the Nine Nether Yellow Springs but also provided him with elixirs to restore his Dou Qi, and defended him against the attacks of Yao Xiao Tian and the Grand Elder, giving Yao Ming time to recover. This allowed Yao Ming to take revenge and reclaim his position as clan leader. In that context, Yao Ming offering the Demon Saint's blood essence and the high-tier Heaven class combat technique "Yellow Springs Fury" as compensation made sense.
But Xiao Ze didn't go to such lengths to help Yao Ming. Before Xiao Ze could respond, Yao Xiao Tian, still impaled by the Nine Nether Scepter, spoke first, looking heartbroken.
"Yao Ming, I can't believe you would betray the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan by handing over our high-tier Heaven class combat technique to an outsider just to reclaim your position as clan leader!" Yao Xiao Tian's tone was passionate, as if he genuinely cared about the clan's interests. But in reality, he was trying to use this as leverage. He didn't know the exact relationship between Xiao Ze and Yao Ming, but he understood that mishandling benefits could create a rift between them. For a self-serving person like Yao Xiao Tian, using benefits to sow discord was second nature.
However, neither Yao Ming nor Xiao Ze showed any change in expression. Without a word, Yao Ming placed his hand on Yao Xiao Tian's throat and, with a slight squeeze, crushed his windpipe, silencing him permanently.
"Apologies, Xiao Ze. I didn't handle this properly. I will take him back to the Nine Nether Yellow Springs and imprison him," Yao Ming said with a smile. Yao Xiao Tian, in immense pain, looked incredulously at Yao Ming.
Yao Xiao Tian's plan had failed. Yao Ming and Xiao Ze's relationship was one of absolute subordination. With a single thought, Qing Lin could activate the soul contract and control Yao Ming completely. Thus, ordinary benefits couldn't drive a wedge between them.
"Why? I didn't help you that much. Is it really worth giving me a high-tier Heaven class combat technique?" Xiao Ze asked. Yao Ming's expression turned slightly bitter.
"Xiao Ze, if I'm not mistaken, the Grand Elder is under your control too, right?"
"Yes," Xiao Ze admitted straightforwardly. He had previously avoided mentioning it to prevent distrust among the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan, but now that Yao Ming brought it up, there was no need to hide it.
"If the Grand Elder is under your control, then all of the clan's secrets are exposed to you. Rather than waiting for you to demand it, I might as well offer it willingly," Yao Ming explained honestly. He deeply understood the power of the soul contract on his soul. Qing Lin could control him completely with a single thought. Recognizing this reality, Yao Ming chose not to struggle. He hoped that by cooperating and showing goodwill, Qing Lin wouldn't activate the soul contract unnecessarily.
Additionally, he had a personal motive. If Xiao Ze obtained the high-tier Heaven class combat technique, it would also benefit the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan. After some consideration, he decided to offer it.
"Of course, I have a selfish reason. If you can acquire that high-tier Heaven class combat technique, our clan's strength will also improve," Yao Ming added, then stood quietly, waiting for Xiao Ze's decision.
Xiao Ze glanced at Yao Ming and guessed that his decision was influenced by the soul contract. "Alright, after all, a high-tier Heaven class combat technique is tempting, even for me."
Yao Ming sighed in relief and began explaining the origin of the combat technique. "This technique isn't originally from our clan. The Yellow Springs Demon Saint, who once roamed the Dou Qi Continent and earned great renown, had a deep connection with our clan. Over the ages, his legacy faded, leaving only his legendary name. However, our clan still holds the Demon Saint's legacy, including 'Yellow Springs Finger,' 'Yellow Springs Palm,' and 'Yellow Springs Fury.'
Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa were surprised to hear about the famous 'Yellow Springs Fury,' a technique known to have claimed the lives of many Dou Shengs under the Demon Saint's hand.
"Indeed, 'Yellow Springs Fury.' But the method to practice it lies within the Demon Saint's remnant soul in the legacy stone tablet. No one in our clan has been able to meet the Demon Saint's requirements, so we haven't been able to learn it. We estimate that one needs a Heaven realm soul power to pass the Demon Saint's test. Our clan has long lifespans and strong physiques, but weak soul power remains a common flaw. Even at my level, my soul power is only equivalent to a seventh-tier alchemist."
"Our clan has always been wary of inviting high-level alchemists from outside, fearing the exposure of such a famous combat technique. If you can pass the test, you will also obtain the Demon Saint's blood essence, a boon even for those at our level."
"Very well, I would like to see the prowess of a peak expert from ancient times," Xiao Ze agreed. Yao Ming's face lit up with joy. With Xiao Ze's help, the chances were much better than hoping for a rare alchemical genius to emerge from their clan.
After making arrangements for Xiao Ze and his group, Yao Ming took Yao Xiao Tian back to the Nine Nether Yellow Springs, ready to make him experience the centuries of torment he had endured.
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Chapter 465: The Yellow Springs Monument
That night, the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan's territory in the Nether Serpent Veins was far from peaceful. Waves of battle energy radiated from various places. Yao Ming was a decisive person; once he made up his mind, he acted swiftly with a thunderous approach. He quickly began to purge the remaining loyalists of Yao Xiao Tian within the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan.
After all, Yao Xiao Tian had been sealed at the bottom of the Nine Nether Yellow Springs, enduring extreme cold energy day and night. These loyalists might surprise Yao Ming with some trouble. Even if they didn't have the power to free Yao Xiao Tian, causing trouble for Yao Ming would be easy for them. Some of these loyalists were elders of the clan, holding many secrets.
For instance, the secret of the Yellow Springs Demon Saint's monument. If external forces learned about it, endless troubles would follow. While Yao Ming might fend off ordinary Dou Saints, he couldn't guarantee the same against mysterious ancient races. This could spell disaster for the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan.
As the clan leader, Yao Ming couldn't leave such a massive hidden threat. Within a single night, he used his thunderous methods to purge Yao Xiao Tian's loyalists.
The next morning, Yao Ming stood at the door of Xiao Ze's palace, waiting quietly. Xiao Ze sensed Yao Ming's presence and quickly summoned Xiao Yi Xian, Medusa, and the others. Despite their current relationship, Yao Ming was essentially Xiao Ze's subordinate. Xiao Ze had no intention of making things difficult for his subordinate, so he opened the palace doors.
"Yao Ming, you don't have to be so polite. Despite the soul contract, as long as you don't sabotage our cooperation, I won't make Qing Lin use the soul contract," Xiao Ze said.
Hearing this, Yao Ming relaxed. "Thank you, Xiao Ze. I have no ulterior motives."
"Xiao Ze, everyone, please follow me. We will head to the location of the inheritance monument," Yao Ming said.
About ten minutes later, they arrived at a hidden mountain range. After passing through a spatial seal, they finally saw an ancient altar built from massive green stones. The altar was grand, standing atop it gave a feeling of overlooking all the surrounding peaks. Under Yao Ming's guidance, they landed on the altar's top.
In the center of the altar stood a massive monument, towering a hundred meters high, pale yellow in color. An ancient aura emanated from the monument, as if it had stood there since time immemorial. This was the Yellow Springs Monument left by the Yellow Springs Demon Saint for the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan.
Xiao Ze looked up at the Yellow Springs Monument, seeing strange runes flickering on its surface. On the front, there was a huge carved finger and a half-meter-deep palm print. Standing on the altar, they could vaguely sense the strange information emanating from the finger and palm print, which were likely the training methods for Yellow Springs Finger and Yellow Springs Palm.
Yao Ming solemnly bowed to the monument before turning to Xiao Ze. "This is the Yellow Springs Monument left by the Yellow Springs Demon Saint. The demon saint's blood essence and Yellow Springs Fury are hidden within. Only you can reveal them."
Xiao Ze nodded silently, feeling the weight of the soul pressure emanating from the monument. According to the original story, the Yellow Springs Demon Saint's soul realm was shockingly at the Emperor level, a vast gap from his current late Heavenly realm soul.
However, Xiao Ze had some confidence. His soul, housed within the Source Tree, could tap into its power and manifest in his soul. If it came to a soul confrontation, Xiao Ze wouldn't fear the demon saint's remnant soul. Even if he couldn't win, the Source Tree's protection would ensure his safe retreat.
"Xiao Ze, be very careful. When I was young and foolish, I attempted to train in Yellow Springs Fury. My soul was repelled by the monument, causing me to vomit blood and requiring six months of recovery. Even now, as a two-star Dou Saint, I feel the same fate would await me," Yao Ming warned, his eyes showing lingering fear.
"Is it really that dangerous? Xiao Ze..." Xiao Yi Xian asked, worried.
Xiao Ze shook his head and gave them a reassuring look. "The monument indeed has a terrifying soul pressure. The Yellow Springs Demon Saint was a peak expert, almost stepping into the Dou Emperor realm. But it's just a remnant soul, and after such a long time, even the strongest soul would weaken. I want to try it, see the grandeur of an ancient peak expert, and maybe push my soul realm further."
Seeing Xiao Ze's determination, Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa didn't persuade him further. Xiao Ze sat cross-legged on a stone stool in front of the monument, instructing, "Don't let anyone approach while I'm in the monument."
The soul within the Source Tree slowly opened its eyes. A vast soul force surged from Xiao Ze's forehead, forming a solid figure identical to Xiao Ze. Yao Ming couldn't help but widen his eyes in amazement at the lifelike soul form, even more condensed than his own, signifying a soul realm far beyond his reach.
Xiao Ze nodded to everyone and then rushed towards the monument. As he made contact, the surface of the monument rippled like water, enveloping his soul form and pulling him in.
Thunder roared in the ancient sky, the sound shaking the very heavens. Xiao Ze's soul form appeared in a vast space within the monument. The ability to create such a large space inside a monument showcased the Yellow Springs Demon Saint's extraordinary power, far beyond Xiao Ze's current capabilities.
"Thinking too much. I'm just a newly minted Dou Saint, how can I compare to a near-Dou Emperor level expert?" Xiao Ze shook his head, pushing away his earlier thoughts.
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