Chapter 79, The Black Dog’s Goodbye

Translator: Tamon

 

[What’s with those looks? What did I say? Am I wrong?]

 

Xiao Qiu was swarmed by thoughts, looking pleadingly at Xu Hei.

 

[Finish your words..] Xu Hei spat in his mind.

 

Snap~

 

Hei Huang’s fangs sank into Xiao Qiu’s thigh, breaking his leg.

 

Next came the customary yell from such a gruesome act, one that shook the valley.

 

…

 

The old white ape stared at the valley from a distant peak. Next to it was a golden eagle. It was huge., with claws and feathers sharp enough to cut steel.

 

A Foundation Establishment great demon.

 

“You’re saying the two snake demons in the valley have tons of pills and all they do is stuff themselves each day?” The golden eagle asked.

 

“Correct, the demons must have a huge secret,” the ape spoke.

 

The eagle nodded. “I can tell.”

 

Spreading his wings, a fierce gale blew and vanished from his spot.

 

The old ape had a hard look on his face, his eyes flashing with coldness as he followed along.

 

…

 

Hei Huang took out many array flags to stick them all around the caves for the concealing array that could fool most Foundation Establishment cultivators.

 

He gave Xu Hei a spirit jade. “It reacts to any powerful cultivator within fifty kilometers, turning from red to darker colors depending on their strength. It only works on humans.”

 

Xu Hei stashed it in his storage bag. The treasure would save him time on his patrols to check for approaching humans.

 

Hei Huang related some experiences from his days as a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He rambled on and on like a broken record, boring Xu Hei out of his skull, though he made sure to keep every word in mind.

 

Hei Huang was grave. “Xu Hei, I came to say goodbye.”

 

“Huh?” Xu Hei gasped.

 

Hei Huang said, “I found a place of extreme yin, the perfect place for me to cultivate and will be in seclusion for a while.”

 

Xu Hei exclaimed. [That’s why he gave me the detecting spirit jade, set up an array, and explained Foundation Establishment. He’s leaving.]

 

He got used to it though, and could handle most dangers without the dog’s help.

 

Xu Hei spoke. “How long?”

 

“Until I use up all the yin energy. It could take anywhere from a year and a half to five years. The time is hardly long, especially with a cultivator’s long lifespan. Seclusion to them feels like a decade passed overnight.” Hei Huang rambled.

 

He’d slept for two hundred years, what was a couple more years?

 

Xu Hei hadn’t gone through anything like that. He became aware less than two years ago.

 

He nodded.

 

“Oh, and here’s a little something for your protection.”

 

Hei Huang searched his waist for a light gold storage bag and threw it.

 

He rushed to stop Xu Hei. “Don’t open it until you’re in mortal danger. Once you use it, you’ll have a fifty-fifty chance of winning against any opponent. Just don’t forget, it only works once, so make it count.” Hei Huang reminded.

 

Xu Hei swallowed it.

 

“Go with ease and stop yapping so much. You think I’ll just keel over?” Xu Hei said.

 

Hei Huang was lost for words. “Fine, fine, I’m off. I hope you’ll reach Foundation Establishment the next time we meet.”

 

Hei Huang stopped stalling and flew into the air with the help of a black wind, straight at the mountains.

 

He went deeper into the Wicked Mountain Range. Dangers lurked at every corner, but deep within these peaks lay a tomb bearing a heavy and dark air.

 

Xu Hei watched him go.

 

“Is that animal gone?” Xiao Qiu relaxed and rubbed his aching and twitching thigh.

 

Meeting Hei Huang, he came to appreciate the bonding moments he had with the snake. [At least he doesn’t bite me out of nowhere.]

 

It dawned on him how mild Xu Hei was by comparison.

 

Xu Hei held the light gold storage bag.

 

“What is in this thing anyway? I’m dying to know.” Xu Hei curiosity stirred.

 

[A fifty-fifty chance against any opponent? Does that include a Golden Core cultivator?]

 

His instinct was to open it for a peek but got scared something almighty might jump out.

 

[Forget it.]

 

“Oh, how could I forget.” Xu Hei recalled a crucial fact.

 

The damn dog didn’t give him the puppets he promised.

 

…

 

Ten thousand meters above, where clouds ruled the skies, a golden eagle circled and watched.

 

Its sharp eyes pierced the clouds and took in the valley’s every detail.

 

The white snake wasn’t around, hiding in her cave most likely, leaving only a black snake and a human, both at late Awareness Stage.

 

“And not one crappy pill in sight. The old ape must’ve incited me to act since  I’m his natural enemy. A parlor trick.”

 

The golden eagle observed for a long time and saw nothing remotely resembling pills, souring his mood.

 

He didn’t stop either.

 

The animal kingdom had many creatures working together for mutual gain, demons included.

 

Since luck had it that the eagle was a snake’s natural predator, handling couldn’t be easier. As for the human, that was the ape’s problem.

 

Gorging himself on two demon snakes was a win in his book.

 

“Now!” The eagle dived straight for the valley.

 

Swift like lightning, an eagle’s plunge reached speeds up to a thousand meters a second, making it cross the height quicker than a blink.

 

Xiao Qiu and Xu Hei were cultivating when the black snake’s scales stood on end. He dived underground out of reflex.

 

Pa!

 

Two huge eagle claws dug into the ground, breaking stones and sending a powerful force straight at Xu Hei.

 

The snake shifted his lower half to meet the attack and used a Golden Shield Talisman.

 

Clang!

 

The shield snapped like paper and the force raked hard on the tail.

 

Xu Hei’s lower half was covered in dark golden scales. As sparks flew from contact, it resulted in no harm, yet Xu Hei was still burrowed deeper into the mud.

 

The demon eagle failed in its strike and vanished back among the clouds.

 

“That was close, a Foundation Establishment demon! Why is it after me?” Xu Hei paled.

 

Eagles were a snake’s predator, holding natural superiority.

 

If not for those nigh indestructible scales covering his lower half, he’d be without one right about now.

 

Being an eagle’s target wasn’t pretty.

 

Alas, demons weren’t humans. The eagle had to target him for food, far simpler in purpose than a human’s.

 

Xiao Qiu ducked underground in fright.

 

“That scared the hell out of me! Why am I so unlucky to meet a Foundation Establishment great demon?” Xiao Qiu paled.

 

Xu Hei was silent, toiling on how to bring that oversized chicken down to earth.