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Translator: Tamon
The Valley of Serpents was lush and overgrown with weeds and invasive plants around the many pools of water. The sunken terrain created a damp climate, while the stagnant water, a paradise for snakes, mosquitoes, and ants.
The Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth naturally gathered, leading to the growth of some herbs.
The most renowned was the Snake Fruit, in the deepest areas.
Xu Hei slipped into a pond and swam to the Valley of Serpents’ deepest area.
At the end of the valley, the soil was soft and wet, free of weeds. The only thing growing was a tree up on a slope, having sucked all the earth’s nutrients.
The tree reached the height of a human and bore three pitch-black fruits.
“The Snake Fruit!”
Xu Hei’s stared with fervent desire.
As its name implied, the Snake Fruit was alluring to snakes. Just by eating it, their constitution improved while also offering a chance of turning them into a demon.
Xu Hei had the fortune of eating one such fruit, turning him into the infamous Old Snake King that he was today.
The Snake Fruit matured once every three years, and this year happened to be the end of this cycle.
Back then, he ate the Snake Fruit out of sheer instinct, oblivious of its effects.
Only with the human knowledge did he learn of its worth. The Snake Fruit’s use wasn’t limited to eating. Refining it into a pill would multiply its value.
The Snake Fruit was one of the main reasons the Valley of Serpents attracted so many snakes, except for mating season.
“I ate one three years ago, but if I eat all three now, it might just be what I need to enter the 4th layer of Awareness Stage.”
[Once I advance to mid Awareness Stage, I can make use of magical arts and won’t need to always resort to brute force.]
[A qualitative leap!]
For three years, the Snake Fruit had no scent and its energy was chaotic. Only when matured would it showcase its true effect, as well as release an intoxicating aroma that no snake could resist.
Xu Hei figured there were only a few days until the moment arrived.
“It’s too soon to celebrate. I better check for danger first.”
Xu Hei left the tree and sinked back into the swamp, using his Divine Sense to scan at every step.
…
The Valley of Serpents wasn’t exactly large, taking two hours for Xu Hei to ascertain that it was free of danger. Except for the occasional goshawk circling the air before diving in for an unsuspecting snake.
With how many snakes there were in this valley, predators were a given.
The bird was no threat to Xu Hei. He ignored pretty much any beast, so long as it wasn’t a demon.
But Xu Hei had a vague feeling that any place with a growing spiritual herb would be sure to have a demon standing watch.
Xu Hei flinched. [Wait, aren’t I a demon?]
Relaxing, he returned to his patrol when a female white snake slithered over.
It was a meter long and of similar shape as him, except for the color. Xu Hei’s scent must’ve attracted it.
He had no interest in wild animals. Cultivation requires one to store their essence and vitality. If it were some stronger snake demon, sure, since mingling with it would boost his cultivation.
Xu Hei turned away when he noticed something familiar about the white snake, from its appearance and aura.
The white snake stopped thirty meters away, lying prone and just staring back.
Her level gaze showed no enmity.
“I remember now! An old friend. She always finds me every time I return.”
The white snake remembered his scent and would find him each time without fault.
Usually, it was the male that courted females, but this white snake was quite forward.
Xu Hei paused. “Immortality stands between us. It’s best we part ways.”
He hissed before leaving.
A shame he didn’t have a pill to make her forget.
Though it was just Xu Hei being oversentimental here since snakes were cold-blooded and cold-hearted. Even demons mostly relied on instinct, unlike Xu Hei.
The white snake was right behind him.
Xu Hei sped up and threw her off his tail.
…
Days passed and the maturing of the Snake Fruit was imminent.
Two people overlooked the Valley of Serpents from a tree. The thick scent of realgar drove all the snakes away, revolted by the smell.
The man and woman wore black python robes and a red Daoist robe, respectively.
Xu Hei would’ve recognized one of them, for the man was Zhao Wenzhuo.
As for the woman in red, she was his Senior Sister, Song Shiyu.
“This is Valley of Serpents, Senior Sister Song, the place Senior Brother and I discovered to have a Snake Fruit.” Zhao Wenzhuo pointed at the valley, stooping and looking meek.
“You’ve done well.” Song Shiyu nodded.
Something about that day was nagging her. Ding Hai was after something. It was the only explanation for hiring so many villagers. So she did some digging.
When she uncovered some clues, Zhao Wenzhuo spilled the beans.
He even revealed that Ding Hai incited a demon bear to prey on the villagers.
She didn’t pry further.
“For your dedication, we shall split the Snake Fruit between us,” Song Shiyu spoke.
Zhao Wenzhuo bowed in excitement. “Thank you so much, Senior Sister!
“But, we must remain vigilant, Senior Sister. All spiritual herbs have a demon guarding them.” Zha Wenzhuo added gravely.
“You don’t have to worry about me. I came prepared. These parts only have Old Snake King as a demon snake. It’ll be good that he comes, for I’ll just take his gallbladder for myself!”
Zhao Wenzhuo laughed. “Brilliant! I’ve also come prepared to handle that Snake King!” He finished by showing off a snake-shaped flute.
Song Shiyu gave a knowing smile, taking out a a yellow ointment, and smeared it on herself.
It was realgar, something the Snake Catchers made to repel insects and snakes. Common snakes were revolted and fled, while demons were also affected somewhat.
Zhao Wenzhuo did the same before following her into the Valley of Serpents.
…
Xu Hei lay on a big rock and breathed in Spiritual Energy.
The white snake lay a stone’s throw away, staring.
The only time it tore itself from gazing upon Xu Hei was when it went to hunt.
Xu Hei didn’t bother with it since it was an acquaintance, sort of. He’d just leave after eating the Snake Fruit anyway.
The white snake sniffed the air and recoiled, fleeing as if bitten.
Xu Hei blinked.
He then heard rustling from a nearby bush as snakes fled in the same direction.
“What on earth?” Xu Hei cocked his head.
The most revolting stench he’d ever smelled hit him the next moment, almost making him puke.
“What in heaven’s name could stink so bad?” Xu Hei couldn’t even describe it.
In human terms, it was like the rancid smell of a shoe that hadn’t been taken off once during a seven-day march through a swamp, garnished with rotten eggs and aged like fine wine.
The first hit made him sick, the second puke and the third almost knocked him out.
Maybe it was a slight exaggeration, but it drove Xu Hei to hightail it out of there. How could anyone bear it?
He only won against his instincts with his extensive knowledge.
Xu Hei knew something was afoot. He forced himself to fight the unbearable stench, held his breath, and looked ahead.
A man and woman walked through the marsh sprinkling yellow powder as they went, driving any creature into a mad dash to escape.
The slow snakes were knocked out then and there, with some dying of poison.
“Again with the Snake Catchers!” He recognized them on the spot.
The woman was unfamiliar, but he’d never mistaken Zhao Wenzhuo for anyone.
He knew how much of a snake Zhao Wenzhuo was, even more than he was, killing his fellow man without a qualm. Though his attitude towards the woman showed he was bootlicking.
“Are they here for the Snake Fruit?”
Xu Hei watched them walk in the Snake Fruit’s direction.
The fruit was a prime alchemy ingredient. Rare and precious, it could be made into a cultivation tonic.
The old him would’ve fled at the mere sight of snake catchers, but not today, for he was confident in handling them.
He was at peak 3rd layer of Awareness Stage, on the verge of hitting the mid level. He wasn’t weak by any means.
The snake catchers weren’t invincible. Weren’t the octopus and demon bear tough? He killed them all the same. Now it was the snake catchers’ turn.
Xu Hei followed them in secret from the water.
With how small he was, just two and a half meters even after a year, unlike the usual snake demon, he was built for concealment.
Xu Hei wanted to observe for now.
What if they turned on each other? Betrayal was humanity’s finest tradition.
“What do we do if the Old Snake King doesn’t come, Senior Sister Song?” Zhao Wenzhuo smiled.
The woman eyed him with a smile of her own. “That old thing is over a dozen years old, at the end of the line. The Snake Fruit is crucial if it doesn’t want to just die of old age. It’ll show up for certain!”
Xu Hei started.
[I’m over a dozen years old? How come I don’t feek it?]
Xu Hei forgot just how long he lived, but he did eat a Snake Fruit three years back. The fact that the fruit took three years to ripen was ingrained in his being.
It was in these three years that he devoured people and earned the title Old Snake King.
[But from what the woman said, I’m over a dozen years old?]
Zhao Wenzhuo exclaimed and nodded.
Xu Hei was even more stumped. [Am I that old?]
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