Jiang Yun slightly furrowed his brows and looked down, seeing a small nine-colored snake lying anxiously in his arms, desperately using its battle energy to ward off the invasion of spiritual power.
Pausing in surprise, he realized he had indeed forgotten about this little one.
At this moment, the nine-colored Heaven-Devouring Python was still struggling. Inexperienced, it could not prevent the dissipation of its battle energy. In its desperation, a dark flame rose, swirling around it and temporarily stabilizing the situation by preventing the entry of more spiritual power.
But this was not a long-term solution. Seeing Jiang Yun, the python's eyes flashed with joy. It immediately stuck its head out from his embrace and let out a hurried hiss.
"Hiss hiss hiss—"
"I understand, little one. I'll help you out, but given our tight schedule, it's best to let the elder sister handle it for higher efficiency."
Jiang Yun said with a gentle smile, gazing at the writhing nine-colored Heaven-Devouring Python tenderly.
Hearing Jiang Yun's words, the python showed a moment of hesitation but eventually compromised under the warmth in his eyes.
In the next moment, the naive, innocent gaze vanished, replaced by a pair of cold, complex eyes. A nine-colored beam flashed, revealing a curvaceous silhouette with an almost perfect and alluring face: Medusa.
As soon as she appeared, Medusa sensed the anomaly in her body and frowned at Jiang Yun, asking, "What's happening here?"
"We'll discuss the details later. For now, I'll impart a method to you. Follow it to cultivate, and we can discuss everything in detail once you've completed the process."
Jiang Yun quickly responded, then reached out a finger towards Medusa's forehead.
Seeing the finger approaching slowly, Medusa hesitated but ultimately did not resist, allowing Jiang Yun's finger to touch her brow.
This was an extreme display of trust; the forehead, after all, is a vulnerable human spot. In the Dou Qi Continent, one has another chance if the physical body is destroyed, but if the soul is extinguished, one must wait eighteen more years.
Thus, Medusa exhibiting such complete trust was surprising. However, given the influence of the nine-colored Heaven-Devouring Python, it was understandable.
As the information flowed into her mind, Medusa's surprise grew.
"Aight, start converting your strength." Shortly after, Jiang Yun retracted his finger and softly spoke to Medusa.
Medusa took a deep look at Jiang Yun, understanding the urgency to convert her strength. Without further words, she sat down cross-legged, following the method provided by Jiang Yun to transform her spiritual power.
As she cultivated, a dark flame once again enveloped her body, and the surrounding spiritual power flooded into her almost in reverse flow, swiftly converting her battle energy.
Jiang Yun watched this scene in astonishment but did not dwell on it, feeling a bit strange.
Shaking his head, Jiang Yun looked over at Zi Yan, who was diligently converting her spiritual power, ensuring there were no issues before he felt a sense of relief.
The fact that this continent harbored spiritual power was indeed beyond his expectations and caught them off guard. Fortunately, they landed in a relatively safe spot without encountering any danger thus far.
Otherwise, in that earlier situation, both he, Zi Yan, and Medusa would have been in grave danger!
As he pondered, Jiang Yun set up a concealing and a spirit-gathering array. Once the arrays were formed, he finally had the leisure to inspect this ancient land.
They were in an area with towering rock formations, overgrown with weeds and exuding a desolate and ancient aura.
Peering further away, a desolate land filled with bottomless abysses came into view. These chasms appeared more like the result of some fierce battle rather than naturally formed, making it seem as if a catastrophic war had ravaged this land.
This vast expanse was shrouded in a deep dark-red hue, with the earth and distant mountains tinged faint red, as if soaked in endless blood, imbued with a sense of fierce desolation.
Jiang Yun scrutinized the landscape, deducing from the intense battle marks that this place might have been the main battlefield guarded by the possessor of the Eternal Fire Body.
A Saint Grade Heaven Supreme with an original Dharma Body, even such a powerful being fell here, indicating the ferocity of the ancient battle.
"It seems there's demonic energy lingering here as well!" Jiang Yun rotated his palm, gathering a clump of energy in his palm, revealing an eerie black color among it, distinct from spiritual energy.
He recognized it immediately; it was the demonic energy cultivated by the otherworldly evil tribes!
"This indicates numerous mighty beings from both realms fell here!"
Understanding the situation initially, Jiang Yun spread his vast spiritual power, confirming no danger in the stone forest before fully relaxing.
He didn't fear battle but was worried it might disrupt Zi Yan's conversion process. After a glance at her focused cultivation, he estimated she would need some more time. Jiang Yun then sat down cross-legged on the spot, waiting quietly for her to awaken.
"Ding ling—"
In the high skies of the Northwestern Continent, the clear and melodious sound of bells echoed, floating over from the horizon.
From the end of the horizon, two giant Amethyst Winged Lion Kings gradually appeared. Their massive lion bodies were covered in heavy amethyst crystals, sparkling under the sunlight.
With every step they took, the void trembled, indicating their immense power.
Furthermore, light purple flames rose from their bodies, forming flame ropes connecting to a black war chariot behind them.
"Where are we?"
A cold voice emanated from the chariot, causing the Amethyst Winged Lion Kings to tremble and respectfully respond, "Master, we have reached the Bi Lin River. Ahead is the territory of the Serpent Empire."
"Mm."
After a long time, a faint hum came from the chariot, and without any further instructions, the Amethyst Winged Lion Kings sped up towards the Serpent Empire.
Inside the chariot, feeling the jolting, Yun Yi slowly opened his eyes, musing, "The Serpent Empire has Dou Zun existences, making them first-rate on the Northwestern Continent. Let's see how strong the Soul Palace in the Northwest region is."
With that thought, Yun Yi took out a black token, unremarkable save for the soul character etched on it. This token was only held by the Palace Master and Vice Palace Master of the Soul Palace, capable of mobilizing all forces below the Semi-Saint level in the Soul Palace.
Yun Yi sent out a burst of battle energy towards the token. In the next moment, the Soul Token levitated, buzzing, emitting an inexplicable wave that spread far beyond Jiang Yun's sight.
After arranging everything, Yun Yi closed his eyes again, continuing to cultivate his inner battle energy.
Serpent Empire.
Its territory was vast, occupying the central part of the Northwestern Continent. In terms of national power, it surpassed the combined strength of the four great empires: Jia Ma, Mu Lan, Chu Yun, and Luo Yan, making it naturally more expansive.
Within the Serpent Empire, there was a transcendent power called the Serpent Palace.
The Serpent Palace was situated beside the imperial capital of the Serpent Empire, in the most spiritually enriched Serpent Mountain Range. From the sky, the Serpent Mountain Range appeared like a giant serpent lying on the ground.
The Serpent Palace monopolized all the resources of the Serpent Empire. Even the emperors needed the approval of the Serpent Palace Master to ascend the throne.
This was all due to their founder, a matured Three-Flowered Green Serpent. The Serpent Palace's initial strength was formidable.
However, after the first palace master's demise, they scouted for another Three-Flowered Green Serpent, but all efforts had been fruitless. Yet recently, news of a new Three-Flowered Green Serpent surfaced.
The entire Serpent Palace was shaken. They soon learned that this new serpent had encountered a benefactor, suspected to be an eighth-grade alchemist!
Moreover, they lost a sixth-tier magical beast in the process, a blatant insult to the Serpent Palace's dominance. Enraged, they clamored for Jiang Yun's demise, intending to make him pay.
Additionally, they saw this as an opportunity to reclaim their saintess, properly educate her, and lead the Serpent Empire back to prosperity.
However, another faction considered the potential ramifications, suggesting caution due to the mysterious benefactor likely being from the Central Plains—someone beyond their capability to provoke.
Despite their dominance within the Northwestern Continent, the Serpent Palace would be nothing in the Central Plains, irrespective of the alchemist's backing or solitary eighth-grade status.
Radicals argued that someone as young as Jiang Yun couldn't be an eighth-grade alchemist, dismissing his alleged prowess as unheard-of. After all, even the renowned 'Continental First Alchemist' Yao Zun Yao Chen was only fifth-grade at a comparable age.
Nonetheless, moderates advised caution, reminding of the irrevocable consequences should their assumptions be wrong. Given such potential, Jiang Yun stood to be a seven-grade alchemist at the very least.
Thus, the Serpent Palace found itself at a stalemate of opinions, pushing the current Palace Master, the Green Serpent Venerable, to action. He discreetly dispatched people to gather intelligence in the Jia Ma Empire.
Their findings shocked him: Jiang Yun not only auctioned seventh-grade pills but was at least a seven-grade alchemist. His age aside, such expertise would undeniably lead to greatness. Union with both Jiang Yun and the Three-Flowered Green Serpent could foresee an unimaginable future.
The Green Serpent Venerable, eyes gleaming with fervor, teetered on a bold idea as he prepared to make his move. Meanwhile, Yun Yi's swift journey brought him to the heart of the Serpent Empire—the holy city of the Serpent Palace.
Serpent Holy City!
This ancient and bustling city outshone the Holy City of Jia Ma with its vibrance. Here, magical beasts, particularly serpent-types, outnumbered humans significantly, vacationing under the founder's legacy who had the innate control over serpents.
Thus, the Serpent Palace's inherited techniques fostered amicable relations, enabling humans and serpents to coexist harmoniously, making it a unique sight.
Booming!
From the distant horizon, a purple halo erupted, accompanied by the crisp sound of bells.
The sound of the bells, almost magical, grew louder, soon echoing throughout Serpent Holy City, drawing everyone's attention.
"What is that commotion?"
"Such a mighty magical beast, what kind is it?"
"It seems to be the Amethyst Winged Lion King. Could it be seventh rank?"
"Such deep backgrounds, employing a seventh-rank Amethyst Winged Lion King to pull a chariot. Which faction could this be?"
The Serpent Empire, powerful and influential, was the hive of the Northwestern region. Therefore, its citizens were no strangers to extravagance. However, a spectacle of this magnitude, with seventh-rank beasts drawing a chariot, was unprecedented.
"Heavens—what are they planning?"
"Don't they know it's forbidden to fly within Serpent Holy City?"
"I have a bad feeling about this. The Serpent Empire is about to face a storm!"
Suddenly, gasps of astonishment resonated as people watched in disbelief what was unfolding above. Realizing the blatant disregard for regulations set by the Serpent Palace, shivers of unease spread among them.
In the middle of Serpent Holy City, the Serpent Palace strictly forbade flying. Violators faced fatal consequences. Previous violators had been thrown into the Wanshe Pit as a grim warning.
Now, people witnessed another daredevil challenging the Sepert Palace's rules. Moreover, this time seemed to be a formidable figure.
"Who dares offend the Serpent Palace!"
At this moment, a slightly aged voice echoed across the city, clashing with the imposing power of the Amethyst Winged Lion Kings in mid-air.
Boom!
Following a deafening clash of aura, strong figures rapidly took to the skies from all corners of the Serpent Palace, swiftly surrounding Yun Yi's war chariot.
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