Translator: Tamon
The dog was a sharp guy. “You’re saying there’s a place on this mountain with many snakes and thick Spiritual Energy for them to set up a branch?”
Xu Hei nodded. “It’s called the Valley of Serpents, a place I visit every spring. There are tens of thousands of snakes there.”
He glanced at the white snake, who came from there.
Hei Huang sighed. “We have no choice. A branch from the two-star Snake Catchers Sect means they’ll have a Golden Core cultivator overlooking it. We can only run.
“They set fire to make space to build their city.”
Hei Huang didn’t much care, speaking for Xu Hei’s sake, seeing the black snake’s light golden eyes turning bloodshot from being consumed by revenge.
Hei Huang warned, “Xu Hei, don’t be rash. You’ve always looked for stability.”
Xu Hei took a deep breath. “I know, I’m not stupid.”
Demons stormed out of the flames even as the fire expanded behind. Xu Hei was forced to run as well.
The lush vegetation of summer stoked the flames, making any attempt at putting them out an exercise in futility.
As they moved, he saw many other animal packs joining the exodus.
The ones that could charge the flames were demons, forming their own packs.
They no longer fought upon meeting. The demons were peaceful, too afraid and scared of flames to give in to their other instincts.
Xu Hei’s group had a pangolin, two porcupines, a big millipede, and a large frog.
These predatory demons lost their turf and the reason to fight.
…
The inferno scorched the forest, leaving blackened earth behind for tens of miles. The sky darkened from all the excessive smoke.
A middle-aged scholar dressed in white walked on air as he scouted behind the inferno.
He took a jade slip and recorded everything he saw.
“Flat terrain, suitable for a mortal city. Eight points.
“Plenty of springs, suitable for raising spirit fowls. Five points.
“Close to a river, suitable for gardens. Seven points.
“Suitable land to grow spirit crops, albeit ugly. Three points.
Each area received an input as to its practicality.
Elder Xuan Yangzi from the Snake Catchers Sect had a vested interest in this place.
He pushed for the idea of establishing a branch.
First, a survey of the land was needed, but he didn’t come in person, sending an avatar instead.
Xuan Yangzi’s speed made little work of it, soon passing the inferno and going deep into the mountain, to the areas untouched by flames.
“The Valley of Serpents must be up ahead, a breeding ground for snakes. I’m curious how many points it’ll earn.” Xuan Yangzi was eager.
…
Ten miles ahead, Hei Huang’s nose scrunched. “A cultivator’s coming.”
Xu Hei would’ve fled by now, but his bloodlust was too great. “What cultivation?”
“Golden Core Stage.” Hei Huang sniffed again.
Whoosh~
Xu Hei vanished from sight, fleeing for his life.
“Hey, I wasn’t finished. It’s just an avatar.” Hei Huang shouted.
“Why didn’t you say so in the first place?” Xu Hei paused and cursed. “How strong is it?”
“Don’t know. Avatars have many levels, from as weak as a passable Qi Refining cultivator to as strong as a half Golden Core cultivator.” Hei Huang said offhandedly.
Xu Hei squinted. [If you don’t know, then zip it.]
The cultivator approached at high speed, startling Hei Huang.
He activated a jade talisman and the two demons phased out, blending with the background.
Whoosh!
The middle-aged scholar passed overhead.
He halted above the demons, his nose scrunching as he landed.
[Is he also a dog?] Xu Hei started.
“Easy, my Invisible Talisman is unnoticed even by a Supreme Gold Immortal.” Hei Huang pulled on Xu Hei to keep him steady.
Xu Hei’s heart was stuck in his throat, frozen in place. He’d never been so close to a Golden Core cultivator!
An avatar, granted, but the pressure almost crushed Xu Hei’s poor heart. What would he get from fleeing? He’d be pulverized all the same.
Xuan Yangzi frowned as he looked, shouting, “I’ll give you two points for your hiding skill. Stop hiding and come out!”
He chopped with his hand at a rock. It split in two before crumbling to dust. Nothing was left.
Xuan Yangzi frowned harder, chopping another rock.
Xu Hei was sweating buckets. [What is he doing?]
“He must’ve caught a vague scent and is now probing. Don’t panic.” Hei Huang smiled.
“What was that about a Supreme Gold Immortal then?” Xu Hei glared.
“Supreme Gold Immortal is my pet.” Hei Huang explained.
Xuan Yangzi rubbed his chin, talking to himself. “Was I wrong?”
Giving the place another look, he shook his head.
“Tch, the avatar is too poor. I’ll scrap and remake it once I return.” Xuan Yangzi resumed his flight for the Valley of Serpents.
The demons waited to make sure he was gone for good.
Hei Huang whispered. “Xu Hei, wanna do something big?”
“What?”
Xu Hei had a really, really bad feeling.
Hei Huang licked his lips, his eyes shining with greed. “Did you see the avatar’s storage bag? Maybe…”
“I don’t wanna hear it!” Xu Hei cut him off. “You’re on your own in this one. I rather enjoy living.”
The dog had too big a nerve, going after a Golden Core cultivator when he couldn’t handle a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Where was his confidence?
“Just hear me out. The avatar’s strength is a front, only at the Foundation Establishment Stage, with worse defenses. He’d pop with a poke. Trust me on this. I’m not blowing smoke. I’m half sure of success.
“We’ll split the haul in half. A Golden Core cultivator’s avatar must carry a load of spirit stones in his bag, and many more Spirit Tail Chickens.”
Hei Huang laid it on, but Xu Hei didn’t buy it.
“An avatar will have a main body. I’d like to avoid being hunted by a Golden Core cultivator. You’re on your own.” Xu Hei shook his head.
Hei Huang grumbled, but then he fixed his canine eyes on the snake. “Xu Hei, you don’t want revenge? Your home is up in smoke.”
Xu Hei paused and his eyes turned bloodshot.