Above White Egret Marsh.
A huge bird spread its wings and circled through the sky.
Its eyes shone as it looked down upon the territory that had once been its own, an almost human expression in its gaze.
When the roiling black currents that had made even its heart tremble vanished, the great white egret beat its wings and descended into the deepest reaches of White Egret Marsh.
It pushed through layers of miasma, passed a fine curtain of water, and entered a cave abode.
Inside, a colorful python lay coiled in slumber.
The python was enormous, yet not bulky. Its body was remarkably slender, lending it an alluring air.
Any well-traveled cultivator would have recognized its origins at a glance.
It was a Nine Nether Enchanting Python!
As the White Egret Demon King entered, the Nine Nether Enchanting Python seemed to sense her and opened a pair of clear eyes.
Their gazes met, and the White Egret Demon King lowered her head respectfully.
The Nine Nether Enchanting Python trembled, then transformed into a young woman.
After looking through the White Egret Demon King's memories, flecks of wonder appeared in the young woman's eyes.
"Not even twenty years old, yet already at Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment. Such talent beggars belief!"
"If he'd used some quick-and-dirty demonic method, that would be one thing. But his Mana is abundant, his foundation solid, without the slightest hint of instability. At Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, he easily killed an Early Stage Golden Core Cultivator. Even Master couldn't have done that back then."
"All I can say is that he truly deserves to be the clone Master took such pains to cultivate!"
After a moment of reflection, the woman hesitated.
She wondered whether to report Zhou Fuyou's astonishing speed of advancement to her master, especially his remarkable