Serpent Ancestor
Chapter 485: Ghost

Above his head, the Fire Phoenix Seal hovered about thirty meters away. Within a thirty-meter radius around Xu Hei, the space had become a confined area where magma couldn't flow, and Xu Hei was frozen at the center.

Xu Hei pondered whether he could seize the Fire Phoenix Seal, but the thought quickly vanished as he dismissed the dangerous idea.

This woman named Jiang Nine Phoenix, he had no idea of her origins, but even the Tianhen Sword Sect feared her not. Xu Hei dared not rashly take anything from her.

The best plan was to leave this place, change his appearance, and assume a new identity.

Xu Hei tried to move, but despite his best efforts, he could only operate within the thirty-meter square area, unable to escape the seal's suppression.

Now, there were two options: one, consume a drop of dragon blood and use Dragon Soul Descent to see if he could deal with the seal.

The second was to seek help from Luo Gang through the Simulated Combat Tower.

But Xu Hei dismissed both options.

Dragon Soul Descent was his last resort, using the dragon blood would immediately weaken him. As for Luo Gang, Xu Hei couldn't fully trust him. Once Luo Gang knew Xu Hei could enter the combat tower at will, who knew if he would harbor ill intentions? Xu Hei couldn't guarantee it.

Human nature is the most fragile under scrutiny, even among the closest of friends.

Xu Hei had to find another way.

"A fifth-tier magical treasure is indeed troublesome, but speaking of fifth-tier treasures, I have one too." Xu Hei's eyes flashed as he thought of the Dragon Slaying Sword sealed within him.

This item was left by Huangfu Duanlong, sealed inside him, but with Xu Hei's current cultivation level, he couldn't wield it yet.

Jiang Nine Phoenix was severely injured and had said she'd come for his life in three years, so she posed no immediate threat.

Xu Hei moved slightly, discovering the oppressive force here was immense. The scorching magma and the omnipresent pressure from the earth made his muscles tense, his body emitting cracking sounds as his true essence slowly compressed.

He unexpectedly found this place to be an excellent spot for tempering his physical body.

Having just absorbed Supreme Spirit Stones, his cultivation had greatly improved, and he needed a place to refine his true essence and solidify his foundation. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity?

Xu Hei's thoughts raced, and he made up his mind.

"Though the Fire Phoenix Seal's pressure is strong, it's perfect for tempering my physical body. Once my foundation is solid, I can aim for the mid-Elemental Infant stage."

"Moreover, I've never had the time to fully accept Huangfu Duanlong's memory inheritance. Now is the perfect time."

"Though I'm sealed, there are no external threats here, making it an ideal place for seclusion."

"That's the plan!"

Xu Hei took a deep breath, swallowed a handful of pills, and began refining his foundation.

In these deep underground depths, only Xu Hei could remain calm. Anyone else would either be crushed by the gravity or burned painfully by the magma.

When Xu Hei was weaker, he often ventured underground to temper his physique, making him more adaptable to the current environment.

Once his body slightly adapted, Xu Hei closed his eyes, and his consciousness entered his sea of consciousness.

Within his sea of consciousness, a light orb floated quietly. It was the memory inheritance left by Huangfu Duanlong, containing all his life's knowledge and experiences.

With a thought, Xu Hei's divine sense plunged into the memory inheritance.

In an instant, his consciousness returned to ancient times, witnessing the era where heroes rose.

He began to witness the life of Huangfu Duanlong.

Huangfu Duanlong wasn't born a mortal; he was born into the illustrious Huangfu family of the time. As a child, he was nourished by various spiritual pills, and by the age of eight, he had successfully established his foundation.

Indeed, Divine Transformation cultivators never have simple backgrounds.

There are very few like Xu Hei, who climbed from obscurity to where he is today.

Xu Hei didn't plan to miss these details. He had ample time and wanted to witness everything about this Divine Transformation cultivator.

…………

Above Xu Hei, outside the magma, in a narrow space.

Ji Ying was tightly bound by a large web of spider silk, hanging in mid-air.

In front of her was a figure resembling a spider, with the torso of a humanoid woman but with eight slender spider legs and a round abdomen, with a ghostly face on its back.

The Ghost-faced Spider Emperor!

Beneath the Insect Emperor's plump body was actually a spider empress, something no one had expected!

The Spirit-Eating Ants were her offspring, as were the Ghostface Stone Spiders.

"Corpse Beetle, at the Elemental Infant stage, your master really trusts you, a mere little insect, to chase me. How contemptuous!"

The Spider Empress's cold laughter echoed, a signal only insects could understand.

Several Ghost-faced Spiders emerged nearby, baring their sharp fangs, watching intently.

"Spare me, Your Majesty! I was forced to pursue you, it was never my intention!" Ji Ying was terrified, her intestines almost turning green with regret. Who could have guessed the Insect Emperor's true form was so terrifying?

"Call me Empress!" the Spider Empress snapped.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Ji Ying stammered, barely able to speak.

The Spider Empress scrutinized Ji Ying, a sinister smile curling on her lips.

Ji Ying's heart was uneasy, seeing the expression on the Spider Empress's face. She hurriedly said, "Actually... I'm here to pledge my allegiance to you. I've long been displeased with that average face! Only Your Majesty is worthy to lead me. Give me a chance, and I'll do anything for you!"

"Oh?" The Spider Empress raised an eyebrow, chuckling, "Is that true?"

"Of course, insects don't deceive insects!" Ji Ying quickly replied.

"What insects? Call me Empress!" the Spider Empress snapped.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Seeing the Spider Empress's displeased expression, Ji Ying added, "By the way, Your Majesty, my master... that average face is deep underground. How about I lead you there?"

"No need, that little ghost is suppressed, and someone will deal with him in three years. Besides, my insect army can't reach such depths," the Spider Empress said.

Ji Ying's compound eyes shifted, and she awkwardly smiled, "Then, Your Majesty, could you untie me?"

"I've told you many times, don't call me Your Majesty!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

…………

Three days later, at the Divine King's Hall ruins.

Luo Gang had gathered a rescue team to excavate the area.

They had experts with strong divine senses, earth element cultivators skilled in earth-based divine abilities, powerful body cultivators capable of moving mountains, and insect cultivators proficient with insects.

After seven days and nights of excavation, they found nothing except for bringing out a barely alive Ah Yin.

They even dug a thousand meters beyond the previous Insect Emperor's cave dwelling without finding any signs of life.

They did find many storage bags from the deceased, but further excavation proved impossible.

"The cave dwelling below is extremely sturdy, built by ancient powers, far beyond our ability to break."

"Continuing further isn't impossible, but the efficiency..."

The earth element cultivator looked troubled. He had done his best, and continuing would be meaningless, just a waste of time.

And according to the divine sense cultivator's detection, the spiritual pool was empty, all spiritual liquid taken.

Even the Spirit-Eating Ants had vanished, likely relocated elsewhere based on the remaining underground paths.

Luo Gang glanced at the slightly recovered Ah Yin and asked, "Do you know where Brother Xu is?"

Ah Yin just shook his head.

Luo Gang pondered for a moment, then asked, "Is he still alive?"

Ah Yin nodded.

"How can you be sure he's still alive?" Luo Gang asked again.

Ah Yin hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

Gongsun Bo impatiently stepped forward and said, "Can't you say something?"

Ah Yin just looked at him quietly, and after a long pause, said, "Something."

Everyone was left speechless.