Black Jade Spirit Snake Nest, Battle Assignments (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Ever since he had heard Second Master mention it two years ago, Qi Chuan had not shown anything on the surface, merely keeping it faintly in mind.

Now, hearing Murong Fan explain that the treasure site marked on the Treasure Map was also within Black Snake Abyss, his heart stirred.

"There are Tier 1 Mid-grade Black Jade Spirit Snakes in Black Snake Abyss. If I kill one and obtain its gall, extract the bile, then find someone to refine it into a Black Jade Bone-Setting Pill, wouldn't that solve Second Master's minor meridian problem?"

"If his meridian problem is resolved, could Second Master possibly advance from Qi Refining Third Layer into the Mid Qi Refining Stage?"

Qi Chuan privately felt that the possibility was still slim.

Second Master had indeed suffered injuries in his early years, leaving some minor problems in his meridians. Yet his Lower Ninth-grade Spiritual Root was also a fact. Even if the meridian issues were resolved, there were still the problems of his spiritual root and age. There might be a sliver of hope for advancing into the mid stage, but the odds were not great.

Still, resolving Second Master's meridian problems would at least make his days more comfortable, sparing him those occasional faint aches.

"Besides, the treasure site is there as well. It could be said to kill two birds with one stone."

Qi Chuan pondered inwardly and had already made a tentative decision.

"...Brother Qi, what do you think? Will you join the exploration?"

Across from him, Murong Fan gave some more information about the Treasure Map, then turned his gaze toward Qi Chuan. He said nothing further and simply waited for the latter's answer.

If Qi Chuan refused, there was nothing Murong Fan could do except seek out someone else.

However, even if he sought someone else, Murong Fan could only look for other Qi Refining Fourth Layer disciples from the Inner Sect.

If his partner's Cultivation Base was too high, he would not trust them much either.

And if they were at Qi Refining Third Layer, even at the Qi Refining Third Layer Peak, he felt their strength might be insufficient. They might drag him down during the operation.

Moreover, the Murong Family and the Qi Family had some cooperation between them. With that foundation, going out to handle matters with Qi Chuan was slightly better than working with others; they could maintain a threadbare measure of mutual trust.

"Will anyone else be joining?" Qi Chuan asked.

"Just the two of us. More people means more complications, and perhaps even more danger." Murong Fan shook his head.

Qi Chuan nodded at that. Murong Fan's thoughts happened to align with his own.

"In that case, I agree. I hope this cooperation goes pleasantly, just like the previous two times." Qi Chuan smiled faintly and extended his hand.

Hearing that definite answer, Murong Fan also showed a trace of a smile. Extending his hand, he said, "A pleasant cooperation. As for dividing the gains, shall we do as before?"

Qi Chuan nodded. Their usual method of dividing gains was simple: barring special circumstances, so long as their contributions were not wildly unequal, they would split everything fairly down the middle.

For the time being, both of them were quite satisfied with this arrangement.

Their hands clasped together.

Afterward, Murong Fan took out a yellowed parchment covered in rust-like stains. A map could vaguely be seen upon it, marked with several symbols of unclear meaning.

Naturally, Qi Chuan could not understand it at first glance. Only after Murong Fan's explanation did he gradually learn the true location of the treasure site.

Murong Fan was not afraid that Qi Chuan would go back on his word after seeing the Treasure Map, then secretly explore Black Snake Abyss alone.

If he did that, Qi Chuan would thoroughly offend him.

They were both Inner Sect Disciples and gifted heirs of Cultivation Families, with comparable strength and backgrounds. Qi Chuan likely could not bear Murong Fan's retaliation.

"Then let us each make preparations and set out in three days." After letting Qi Chuan inspect the map and finishing his explanation, Murong Fan put away the Treasure Map and made the suggestion.

"Fine." Qi Chuan naturally had no objections.

Once they had made their agreement, Qi Chuan turned and left Murong Fan's Tier 1 Mid-grade Cave Mansion, swiftly returning to his own Tier 1 High-grade Cave Mansion.

After returning, he spent some time making preparations, then began consolidating his Spell Power once more.

You circulated the Evergreen Art, absorbed Spiritual Qi, refined the medicinal power, and converted it into your own Spell Power. You triggered a sevenfold Baoji and gained sevenfold rewards. Your Total Mana increased slightly.

A small portion of the Gathering Yuan Pill's medicinal power still remained in his body.

Qi Chuan circulated the Evergreen Art. After triggering his Golden Finger, he swiftly absorbed all of the remaining medicinal power from the Gathering Yuan Pill.

As the Spell Power in his Dantian rose a little further, his Qi Refining Fifth Layer Spell Power was finally completely consolidated.

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

That day, Qi Chuan stepped out of his Tier 1 High-grade Cave Mansion. Behind him, the cave mansion's great doors crashed shut, while the formation above descended to enshroud it.

The moment he emerged, he saw Murong Fan waiting nearby, fully prepared. Upon seeing Qi Chuan, Murong Fan clasped his fists and said, "Brother Qi! Are you ready?"

Qi Chuan smiled faintly and nodded. "Let's go."

The two then cast the Levitation Technique, their bodies rising into the air as they flew toward the Wind Moon Sect Mountain Gate.

Black Snake City lay sixty miles northwest of the Wind Moon Sect.

Two young figures appeared outside the city gates, paid the entrance fee, and entered the city.

They were Qi Chuan and Murong Fan. To avoid drawing attention, neither wore the Inner Sect attire of the Wind Moon Sect, making them look like Mortals.

Walking down the broad streets, they were surrounded by a noisy stream of passersby. As they looked at the buildings and shops lining both sides, the air was thick with the bustle of common life, yet also carried a rough, rugged flavor.

"Some Xiu Xian practitioners are hidden among these people, but... there are not many."

Qi Chuan swept his gaze across the street. He could vaguely sense several faint fluctuations of Spell Power within the crowd.

However, the Vast Majority were cultivators in the Early Qi Refining Stage, at Qi Refining Second or Third Layer. There were even quite a few at Qi Refining First Layer.

"Since Black Snake City is close to Black Snake Abyss, many Rogue Cultivators come here. Their purpose is to enter Black Snake Abyss and hunt Black Jade Spirit Snake demonic beasts. However, they generally only operate around the outskirts and do not dare venture into the depths."

Murong Fan explained from beside him, "That is why Black Snake City has become a city where Mortals and Xiu Xian practitioners live together. The sect sends people here year-round to keep watch."

Qi Chuan nodded upon hearing this.

Within the Sect Domain ruled by the Wind Moon Sect, there were countless cities, villages, and towns, with Mortals beyond number. Larger cities, as well as special cities like Black Snake City where Xiu Xian practitioners and Mortals lived together, all had people stationed there. This made such cities much safer and more stable.

The two rested briefly in Black Snake City, then passed through it and exited through another gate. In the distance, they saw a colossal black fissure.

This enormous black fissure was like a scar upon the earth, twisting and winding across the land until it stretched beyond the limits of sight.

Within it, the light was dim, carrying a pitch-black air. Faint cries of demonic beasts drifted out from inside, making one's skin crawl.

This was Black Snake Abyss.

Qi Chuan and Murong Fan exchanged a glance at Black Snake Abyss. Neither showed fear. Instead, they headed toward it, soon arriving at its entrance and stepping inside.

The moment they entered Black Snake Abyss, their vision dimmed. Towering stone walls all around blocked out the light.

In the outer regions of Black Snake Abyss, Black Jade Spirit Snakes were rarely seen, while Rogue Cultivators could still be spotted. When those people saw Qi Chuan and Murong Fan, they all kept their distance, their gazes wary.

They did not know Qi Chuan and Murong Fan's identities.

In truth, when unfamiliar Rogue Cultivators encountered one another from afar in Black Snake Abyss, they would consciously avoid each other to prevent danger from befalling themselves.

To Qi Chuan, this Black Snake Abyss had something of the air of a dark forest.

Neither of them paid any heed to those Rogue Cultivators. They merely pressed deeper into Black Snake Abyss. Before long, Rogue Cultivators appeared less and less frequently, until they could no longer be seen at all.

However, Black Jade Spirit Snakes became more numerous. They were all First-grade Low-tier Demonic Beasts. Sometimes, they hid in holes within the surrounding stone walls and launched sneak attacks when Qi Chuan and Murong Fan passed by. Those lacking the sense to know better were effortlessly slain by the two.

Both were above Qi Refining Fourth Layer. Dealing with First-grade Low-tier Demonic Beasts was naturally as easy as turning over a hand.

As a faint bloody scent from the Black Jade Spirit Snakes clung to them, the First-grade Low-tier Black Jade Spirit Snakes would smell it and shrink back into their holes, not daring to emerge.

Thus, the attacks the two suffered instead became far fewer.

As time passed, the pair finally arrived in the depths of Black Snake Abyss. Tier 1 Mid-grade Black Jade Spirit Snakes roamed here, forcing even them to proceed with utmost care.

As they cautiously ventured deeper and reached a Forked Path, Murong Fan's body stiffened. He stopped, lowered his posture, and pressed himself against the mountain wall. After glancing ahead, he signaled Qi Chuan with his eyes.

Qi Chuan looked forward and saw several more Forked Paths ahead. At the end of the leftmost path was a cave amid a cluster of black boulders. Before that cave, halfway down the Forked Path on the left, was a large pit sunken into the adjacent stone wall.

The pit reeked to high heaven. Broken rocks and gravel had been swept to the sides, leaving its center hollowed out. Two enormous black snakes, each over ten feet long, lay coiled within, entwined with each other. Their black scales gleamed with cold light as their forked tongues flickered, releasing hissing sounds.

It was actually a Black Jade Spirit Snake Nest!

And there were two Black Jade Spirit Snakes in the nest. They should both be Tier 1 Mid-grade Demonic Beasts—a male and a female?

But... why were there no snake eggs? Had they only just come together?

Qi Chuan's eyes showed contemplation as this thought passed through his mind.

"These two Tier 1 Mid-grade Black Jade Spirit Snakes are a male and a female. The Mother Snake is usually stronger. We can each handle one. I'll take the Mother Snake—what do you think, Brother Qi?"

Beside him, Murong Fan observed the two Black Jade Spirit Snakes, considered for a moment, then turned to Qi Chuan with the suggestion.

"You want to deal with the Mother Snake?"

Qi Chuan looked at Murong Fan with mild surprise, then nodded. "Fine, we'll do it that way!"