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Early the next morning, Xiao Yan handed over some refined tier 6 medicinal pills to Yun Yun before departing with Qing Lin and Medusa toward the Sky Serpent Mansion's main compound.
Meanwhile, Yun Yun, Jia Xing Tian, and the others boarded the Serene Sea Scaly Beast to return to the Jia Ma Empire. The Yan Alliance couldn't remain unattended for too long.
Xiao Yan had visited the Sky Serpent Mansion before and had even been to Qing Lin's residence, but he had never seen the main compound.
"Where exactly is this main compound?" Xiao Yan asked, gazing at the endless mountain range before him. He couldn't help but admire the Sky Serpent Mansion's profound heritage. Although called a 'mansion,' it actually occupied an entire mountain range.
"Young Master Xiao Yan, the main compound is actually beneath that giant serpent," Qing Lin explained with a smile, pointing to the towering serpent statue.
It was evident that after living in the Sky Serpent Mansion for five years, Qing Lin had developed some affection for the place.
"I always felt that statue was somewhat strange," Xiao Yan said as they flew toward the giant serpent statue. He had sensed something unusual about it when they first entered the Sky Serpent Mansion.
Qing Lin's expression immediately turned solemn and serious. "That's not a statue. It's the corpse of the first Mansion Lord of the Sky Serpent Mansion, the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint."
"What?!"
Both Xiao Yan and Medusa couldn't hide their surprise. That structure towering into the clouds, massive as a mountain range, was actually a snake?!
"That's truly exaggerated. Worthy of a Half-Saint... It should be dead, right?" Xiao Yan asked cautiously. He had experience with such matters; old monsters like this often had a habit of playing dead.
Qing Lin nodded. "Yes, it's dead. However, Half-Saint level experts can create spaces within their bodies. The Jade-Eyed Snake Saint's inheritance lies inside its body."
Medusa glanced up toward the clouds and asked slowly, "Has no Dou Venerate ever attempted to force their way in?"
"No!" Qing Lin quickly shook her head. "This inheritance is within the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint's body. Even a Dou Venerate who forcibly entered would likely face attacks."
"Once, the old Mansion Lord invited a Dou Venerate to enter through cracks that appeared during spatial seal fluctuations. They all fled in miserable condition."
"Oh?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. It seemed that even though this Jade-Eyed Snake Saint was only a Half-Saint, and despite the passage of time, it still couldn't be underestimated.
His gaze swept across the lush, verdant mountains surrounding them. With his keen spiritual perception, he indeed sensed some extremely obscure auras.
"Looks like we've arrived. Since we're 'guests' this time, let's walk from here," Xiao Yan decided. He was too lazy to provoke She Tianhao any further. His only goal was the inheritance of the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint.
"Qing Lin, over here." The ones coming to welcome them were naturally their old acquaintances, Bai Ya and Lu Man.
"Sister Lu Man, Uncle Bai Ya," Qing Lin greeted with a smile as she gradually descended onto the mountain.
Bai Ya cupped his hands respectfully. "Grandmaster Xiao Yan, Queen Medusa, this way please. The Mansion Lord has been waiting for some time."
Since they were being courteous, Xiao Yan wouldn't act arrogantly. He returned the gesture and nodded. "Then we'll trouble you to lead the way."
When Xiao Yan's group arrived beneath the giant serpent, the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint's body appeared mountain-like in its enormity. Not only could they not see its head above the clouds, but standing below, they could hardly see to either side. It was like a wall reaching to heaven.
"There's a Space Lock above the clouds blocking spiritual perception," Xiao Yan noted. He had tried to use his Spiritual Strength to probe upward but discovered a layer of space that his spiritual power couldn't penetrate.
He guessed that opening this Space Lock would require Qing Lin's help, and the inheritance probably lay above the clouds.
Soon, Xiao Yan's group encountered She Tianhao and a crowd of Sky Serpent Mansion experts. Counting She Tianhao and Bai Ya, the Sky Serpent Mansion had eight Dou Ancestors present—four low-star Dou Ancestors like Bai Ya, one 4-star Dou Ancestor, and two 5-star Dou Ancestors.
Xiao Yan's gaze settled on the 5-star Dou Ancestor standing beside She Tianhao. This elderly man hadn't appeared at the Great Meeting of Factions.
'That must be the previous Mansion Lord, She Tianhuang. His bloodline strength has indeed withered.' Xiao Yan thought. He had heard rumors about She Tianhao's lineage from Bai Ya and Lu Man, including the existence of this former mansion lord.
Besides those Dou Ancestors, the Sky Serpent Mansion had brought several dozen peak Serpent Kings and Serpent Emperors. Among them were magical beasts like Lu Man who had reached the peak Dou Emperor stage. Such strength indeed gave them the qualifications to dominate.
"The Mansion Lord seems quite cautious. The Sky Serpent Mansion truly has no shortage of powerful experts," Xiao Yan said with a smile as he swept a glance at the dense crowd of experts behind She Tianhao.
She Tianhao understood Xiao Yan's meaning and replied calmly, "Better safe than sorry. Besides, there might be serpent puppets inside the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint's body. It's best to be prepared."
The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils possessed a formidable ability to induce illusions within serpent-type magical beasts, then control them through it.
Although Qing Lin had only reached the 3-star Dou Emperor stage, she could already control peak Dou Emperor serpents, forcing a spiritual connection and pulling them into her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils space to serve as puppets.
This was how she had controlled the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent. Such was the ability of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.
But the terrifying power of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils didn't stop there. During his research, Xiao Yan discovered that serpents controlled by Qing Lin would gradually experience a decline in their cultivation, which would be absorbed entirely by her through their soul contract.
This ability, reminiscent of a cultivation-stealing technique, astonished both Xiao Yan and Medusa. Controlling serpents was one thing, but actually absorbing their cultivation to enhance one's own was something else entirely!
This explained why Qing Lin's cultivation had improved so rapidly. Currently, besides the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent, there were two other peak Dou Emperor serpents within her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils space.
Such was the frightening potential of a special physique!
Naturally, the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint also possessed the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. As a Half-Saint from a thousand years ago, it was possible that serpent tribes had been reproducing within its body all this time.
"Let's go."
Without further delay, Xiao Yan waved his hand and took the lead, transforming into a streak of light and shooting toward the colossal corpse. Behind him, Medusa, Qing Lin, She Tianhao, and the others quickly followed.
Dozens of figures flew over the corpse of the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint, which was as massive as a mountain. Even the unique chilling atmosphere of the Sky Serpent Mansion was forcibly dispersed under such a terrifying aura.
Upon reaching the Space Lock, She Tianhao slowly took out a green scale. This was undoubtedly the token passed down through generations in the Sky Serpent Mansion.
Xiao Yan clearly sensed intense fluctuations within the Space Lock when the token appeared. A wave of green light resonated with it.
A creaking sound rang out. The Space Lock rippled, and a groove took shape.
Xiao Yan instantly recognized the shape of the groove. Wasn't this identical to the form of that ring found inside the stone?
She Tianhao and Qing Lin clearly recognized it as well. Without hesitation, Qing Lin took out the proof of passing the trial and gently placed it into the groove.
Buzz!!! Rumble rumble rumble!!!
Instantly, a violent tremor swept through the entire Sky Serpent Mansion mountain range, as if something enormous was emerging!
Boom!!
A sight that made even Xiao Yan's scalp tingle appeared!
A colossal serpent head slowly emerged from above the clouds.
"What the hell?!!!" Xiao Yan couldn't help blurting out. He could not be blamed for this; that head was simply too massive!
The serpent was jade-green in color. Several green flower patterns adorned its pair of yellow serpent eyes. Even Medusa's expression changed dramatically at the sight.
The serpent head was like a meteorite, as if the moon were crashing into the earth. All scenery before them was obscured by its enormity. Everyone's expressions changed drastically at this scene.
"This... this is too big!"
"How are we supposed to get in?!"
In that moment, the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint's head appeared to be ten thousand feet high, a dominating presence connecting heaven and earth. The enormous head, obscuring the sky and sun, gave everyone a crushing sensation. All present felt as if the ancient Demon Saint was looking down upon a group of insignificant ants.
Everyone held their breath as they watched this unforgettable scene, one that would be etched into their memories forever.
Xiao Yan, with his powerful Spiritual Strength, sensed something unusual and quickly turned to look at Qing Lin. Her eyes had become vacant as she received some form of spiritual information.
Moments later, her eyes released a burst of green light that shot toward the enormous serpent head.
Buzz!!!
The serpent head began to fluctuate violently, and those eyes that were as lifeless as gems actually slowly gained luster! The Space Lock also fluctuated wildly, as if it would shatter at any moment.
"It's opening!" She Tianhao exclaimed in excitement.
If he could enter the inheritance site and seize what the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint had left behind, especially if he could obtain the essence blood of a Half-Saint, reaching the Dou Venerate realm would be just around the corner!
However, Qing Lin's body began to tremble, and the light in her eyes started to dim.
"Not good! Qing Lin's cultivation is insufficient; she can't fully activate the inheritance!" Xiao Yan quickly realized as he scanned her with his Spiritual Strength. Qing Lin's cultivation was simply too weak.
Originally, she would have needed to be at least at the Dou Ancestor realm to pass the trial and obtain the ring token. However, due to Xiao Yan's intervention, she had skipped this prerequisite step.
She Tianhao's excitement plummeted as he observed the glow in the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint's eyes weakening. He glared at Qing Lin and roared, "Hurry up! It's almost there!"
Medusa's eyes narrowed, and a terrifying pressure crashed down upon She Tianhao, causing him to taste blood in his mouth. Feeling Medusa's anger, he suddenly came to his senses. He forcibly swallowed the blood in his mouth and didn't dare to say anything more.
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. He let out a cold snort and walked to Qing Lin's side. Gently grasping her small hand, he immediately channeled an immensely powerful Spiritual Strength into her body.
Along with his Spiritual Strength flowed the Ten Thousand Beast Flame.
The Ten Thousand Beast Flame possessed the power to strengthen and activate magical beast bloodlines. Qing Lin couldn't open the inheritance because her cultivation and bloodline strength were too weak.
"Young... Master..." Qing Lin murmured. The Ten Thousand Beast Flame felt like a warm current through her cold body.
"Don't speak. I'll help you," Xiao Yan said. He carefully controlled both the Ten Thousand Beast Flame and his Spiritual Strength to help her open the inheritance.
Qing Lin nodded slightly. With Xiao Yan's assistance, the green light in her eyes suddenly intensified, and a powerful aura burst from her body.
Buzz buzz buzz buzz!!! Boom!
The Jade-Eyed Snake Saint's eyes filled completely with jade-green light. Instantly, the Space Lock before them shattered.
"It's open!"
She Tianhuang exclaimed, "Those eyes are the gateway to the inheritance site!"
Hearing his father, She Tianhao could no longer contain himself. He immediately took the lead, stepping into the air and flashing into the enormous jade-like serpent pupil, disappearing from sight.
The other Sky Serpent Mansion experts followed closely, unwilling to lag behind. One by one, they transformed into streaks of light and entered the serpent pupil.
"Aren't we going in?" Medusa looked at Xiao Yan and asked.
"No rush. Let them be the advance party. Qing Lin has overexerted herself. I'll help her recover first." Xiao Yan held the unconscious Qing Lin, whose face had gone pale from the exertion. He quickly took out two tier 6 medicinal pills—one to restore Dou Qi and another to replenish her spirit and soothe her soul.
Combined with the Ten Thousand Beast Flame, color soon returned to Qing Lin's pale face.
"Young Master Xiao Yan," Qing Lin softly called out. Realizing she was nestled in Xiao Yan's embrace, she immediately blushed and ducked her head.
"Rest a bit longer." Xiao Yan carried Qing Lin on his back without further ado. He couldn't help but feel his heart flutter as he felt the soft and delicate body so warm and supple against him.
He then glanced at the colossal serpent pupil in the distance. Together with Medusa, he leapt forward and slipped into it.
A flash of white light passed, and as they looked around, they found themselves in an immense forest spanning hundreds of kilometers. Towering trees were everywhere, and they could even hear the angry roars of magical beasts.
"A Half-Saint's body can actually contain such a massive space within it. What a sight," Xiao Yan marveled. A Dou Saint's corpse remaining intact for a thousand years was shocking enough, but to contain such a vast space inside it was even more astonishing.
"This should be the pupil space of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. Ordinary Dou Saints wouldn't be able to create something this exaggerated," Medusa explained.
"Qing Lin, can you sense a specific location?" Xiao Yan turned to ask the girl on his back.
A green light flashed in Qing Lin's eyes. She raised her hand and pointed in a certain direction. "I feel something strange over there."
Xiao Yan and Medusa exchanged glances. The direction Qing Lin indicated was precisely where the Sky Serpent Mansion group had gone.
"It seems the Sky Serpent Mansion has some knowledge about the inheritance. Even without the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, they appear to know something," Xiao Yan said thoughtfully.
"If obtaining a Half-Saint's inheritance were simply a matter of who arrived first, that would be laughable," Medusa said dismissively. Her Snake-People Tribe also had inheritance grounds, and she herself had received inheritances before. She knew ancient experts would never make it easy for successors. There would definitely be numerous trials along the way.
Sure enough, as they followed Qing Lin's directions, they soon heard the miserable screams of the Sky Serpent Mansion experts.
"Sigh, I regret not bringing that girl Zi Yan along. Given that this place has existed for a thousand years, there must be many heavenly treasures," Xiao Yan sighed when they arrived, immediately understanding the cause of the screams.
It turned out that a peak Serpent King from the Sky Serpent Mansion had discovered a tier 6 medicinal ingredient. When he attempted to harvest it, he was ambushed by a small, ice-blue snake.
Clearly, the Sky Serpent Mansion hadn't brought so many people just for the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint's inheritance. The space within the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils had developed into a primitive treasure trove over the millennium.
"Save me!" The peak Serpent King cried out in agony. His body was now covered in pustules, and his flesh had begun to rot.
"Qing Lin, do you know this person?" Xiao Yan asked calmly.
Qing Lin shook her head. Although she had lived in the Sky Serpent Mansion for five years, she hadn't befriended everyone and didn't know most of the serpent tribe members.
"Is that so." Xiao Yan was kind-hearted and directly summoned Mao Wu to 'relieve the man's suffering.'
He didn't stand on ceremony and casually stored the tier 6 medicinal ingredient into his storage ring.
"Let's go. The real treasures should be deeper inside."
The forest was extremely vast. Xiao Yan and his companions flew through it like birds. Along the way, they observed several Serpent Emperor experts from the Sky Serpent Mansion scavenging for treasures.
Some even dug three feet into the ground, thoroughly searching the area. Although their actions were somewhat crude, there were indeed some lucky ones who found skeletal remains and obtained scrolls from them.
However, the levels of those scrolls weren't particularly high; the best ones barely reached the Di Class. Xiao Yan had no interest in competing with them. He directly accelerated toward the main inheritance. The Dou Saint inheritance was the true prize.
The space within the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils far exceeded Xiao Yan's expectations. Even with Qing Lin guiding them, it took the trio about ten minutes of flight before the view before them suddenly broadened. After advancing a bit further, a massive ancient palace finally appeared in their sight.
The palace was entirely jade-green in color. Countless years had deepened its bronze hue, giving it a profound appearance. An ancient aura emanated from every stone slab, allowing one to feel the weight of countless silent years.
The palace was incredibly vast. Standing within it made one feel as insignificant as an ant. In the center of the palace floated ten enormous light clusters. These served the same purpose as those in the Jia Nan Academy's Book Collection Hall, protecting the items within from the erosion of time.
One could faintly discern scrolls, medicinal ingredients, and pill bottles suspended in mid-air within the dazzling radiance.
The moment Xiao Yan and the others saw these clusters of light, their hearts began to pound rapidly. Could these be the legendary Demon Saint inheritance treasures?
"This is the inheritance ground," Qing Lin said in a low voice while looking around.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. His gaze shifted from the light clusters to the spacious center of the palace. There, numerous figures already stood waiting. It was none other than She Tianhao and the other experts from the Sky Serpent Mansion.
'Tsk, it seems stealing the chicken is impossible now.' A cold smile appeared on his face as he observed the waiting figures.