The Last Slumber Before Hibernation

With a greeting, before Green Snake could respond, he flicked his finger and a shield flew out. The shield grew in the wind, becoming like a small boat, and slipped under the White Tiger. It scooped up the White Tiger and flew upwards.

Green Snake hissed, flicking its tongue. Su He leaped from the water, tore off a large chunk of tiger meat, and fell back into the lake.

A gentleman can be deceived by his appearance. These two looked quite easy to bully.

Startled by the sword light, the two were stunned, then burst into laughter. After laughing, they admired the turtle's courage.

This turtle was clearly on the path of an exotic beast. Exotic beasts also cultivate, and cultivation is like rowing against the current; one must be calculative and audacious like this.

"Senior Brother, no matter how the White Tiger died, Green Snake can't escape responsibility. If Senior Brother Lu comes out, he might come looking for Green Snake for trouble, right?"

Green Snake and this turtle were likely deliberately lured here to destroy evidence.

"No matter!" Fat Senior Brother shook his head. "Snake Valley has long had a restriction set by a senior of the sect. Senior Brother Lu cannot enter." Most disciples don't know this; even he only learned it recently.

The restriction did not block beasts, nor would it affect beasts competing for the Demon Transformation Fruit. However, it would intercept humans to prevent anyone from interfering with the competition for the Demon Transformation Fruit.

Although he didn't understand the meaning of this. Demonic races are of great benefit to the sect, so they should control the Demon Transformation Fruit and let the sect's tamed spirit beasts consume it. At the very least, they should protect all beasts that consumed the Demon Transformation Fruit. Why let wild beasts compete without any obstruction? Even encouraging such competition indirectly?

The two flew away on their swords. Underwater, Su He, the entire turtle, breathed a sigh of relief.

Safe for now. Snake Valley has protection, so it's safe.

Three days ago, his body's reserves had reached their limit, and he couldn't resist sleepiness. Now, after a full belly of tiger meat, his eyelids felt as heavy as if they were weighed down by Myriad Force Talismans.

Go to Snake Valley for a true slumber.

This should be the last slumber before hibernation. This slumber might even connect with hibernation, sleeping until spring next year? After all, it's only a month and a half until hibernation. In previous years, he would have already started preparing for a massive hunt to accumulate energy for the winter.

Su He tore off two pieces of the snatched tiger meat. He really couldn't eat anymore, so he simply shook his head and tossed them to Green Snake.

Shaking his tail, he swam towards Snake Valley.

Snake Valley, safe! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

Damn it, the more I think about it, the angrier I get! Why does Green Snake's Snake Valley have protection, but I have nothing?

Didn't I also eat a Demon Transformation Fruit?

Why the preferential treatment?

Green Snake lazily followed behind Su He, swimming extremely slowly. Most of its body was filled with tiger meat, and it could barely swim. Fortunately, its newly acquired inheritance of stirring up wind and waves had some basic mastery, allowing it to be pushed forward by the water waves.

Snake Valley was very suitable for hibernation. There was no wind inside, and the sandy ground by the small lake was perfect. Su He dug a hole by the lake and buried his entire turtle body in it, leaving only his nostrils exposed for breathing. His body was half wet and half dry, very comfortable.

Green Snake struggled to climb into a cave on the cliff face. It was a snake's nest, and it looked warmer, but the entrance was only as thick as a water tank, so Su He couldn't fit.

Before Su He fell asleep, he heard Green Snake's breathing become long and faint. It also fell asleep.

Now, Green Snake could sleep peacefully beside Su He. This was absolute trust.

The bright moon, the willow trees, the autumn dew condensed. Snake Valley fell into silence, with only the rustling of poisonous snakes.

It was late at night, the prime time for poisonous snakes to hunt.

Azure Origin Sect, Law Enforcement Hall.

The Peak Master of the Law Enforcement Hall stared grimly at the two turtle shells, while those below dared not breathe.

This incident was extremely heinous! The Azure Origin Sect never prohibited competition among its disciples, but such competition should be benign, not allowing scoundrels to cause trouble! Originally, they thought it was just a coincidence, just unruly disciples.

Now it seemed that from Feng Ya Ya's rampage in Beast Taming Valley to Lu Ming being confined, everything was planned. It was all to target Lu Ming's Lifebound Beast!

Or rather, to target Lu Ming, Beast Taming Valley's First True Disciple!

Lifebound beasts and their masters share common fortunes; attacking a Lifebound Beast is equivalent to attacking the master, this is common sense.

"Fufeng, go interrogate Feng Ya Ya and find out why she released the beasts from Beast Taming Valley!"

"Zhao Lie, take the turtle shells to Beast Taming Valley and find Elder An to identify whose hand crafted these Spirit Talismans! The Determinative Rune in this Spirit Talisman carries the aura of a White Tiger. For this Spirit Talisman to activate upon encountering a White Tiger, it must be someone close to Lu Ming. We must apprehend this person!"

He had a few suspects in mind, but law enforcement required evidence. Dealing with despicable individuals must be done openly and crush them with an irrefutable force.

"You two go to Listening Sea Lake and find that turtle. I will use my methods to extract its memories and see who is lurking behind the scenes!"

Fat and Thin Senior Brothers cupped their hands simultaneously: "Yes."

After a moment of hesitation, Fat Daoist added, "Uncle-Master, that turtle has been taken in by Green Snake. If we directly take the turtle back and extract its memories, Green Snake might hold a grudge..."

The Peak Master of the Law Enforcement Hall glanced at him and said calmly, "No need to worry about it. Just capture it directly."

Demonic races are bound to achieve the Demon Transformation Realm, so they should be treated well. However, whether it's thunder or rain, they should also understand the sect's rules. This is also an opportunity to warn Green Snake, planting a seed in its still ignorant mind: sect rules cannot be touched!

The two accepted the order and left. However, less than half an hour later, they returned with embarrassed expressions. "Uncle-Master, that turtle and Green Snake have a very good relationship. It is currently sleeping in Snake Valley, and with the restriction in place, we cannot enter."

The Peak Master of the Law Enforcement Hall furrowed his brows.

Just then, Zhao Lie returned with a strange expression, returning the turtle shells and handing over the investigation report. He opened his mouth as if to speak but stopped.

The Peak Master's brows furrowed even deeper. "If you have something to say, just say it. Why hesitate?"

Zhao Lie cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to the Peak Master, Elder An said that these two Spirit Talismans were crafted by Junior Brother Lu himself."

Heart, liver, spleen, stomach, kidneys...

In his dream, a dissection diagram of a turtle slowly unfolded before Su He's eyes.

Flesh, bones, tendons... everything was clearly visible. His heart pounded, sending a surge of blood throughout his body with each beat.

This is inside me, Su He immediately realized. His intestines were churning. There was nothing in his stomach; he'd been asleep for who knows how long, and the tiger meat he'd eaten was completely digested. However, the accumulated energy was so immense that he didn't feel hungry.

Did this deep sleep awaken my internal vision ability?

Su He examined himself thoroughly. His bones were hard, his internal organs robust, his little brother magnificent. He was very healthy! As he checked inch by inch, he found a misty, primordial space at the center of his heart. Within it, a small turtle slept peacefully.

The turtle was tiny, yet exuded an imposing presence. Its shell was as black as ink and shone with a sheen. Its limbs were scaled, its head bore majestic dragon horns, and its mouth was filled with sharp, interlocking fangs.

A Dragon Turtle? A Baxia? A Mystic Turtle? It's definitely not a Black Tortoise, that's one snake and one turtle.

What is this thing in my heart? Su He was shocked. Before he could examine it further, a wave of drowsiness washed over him, and he fell into a deep sleep once more.

Sun and moon chased each other, the valley silent.

He slept soundly this time, without worrying about his stomach or fearing attacks from wild beasts. It was the best sleep he'd had since reincarnating as a turtle.

After an unknown period, he slowly woke up. The sky was dark; it was nighttime.

But Su He could see clearly.

My eyes evolved during this slumber. The night is like day. The sky was overcast and a light rain was falling. Drip, drip, it was a bit bleak.

The dirt covering him had long since fallen away. He had grown again, and the hole he'd dug was now too small.

Comparing himself to the familiar surroundings, Su He estimated that his shell alone was at least the size of a double bed. Including his head and limbs, he was a colossal creature.

The Green Giant Crocodile from before? I could take on three of them now! Su He looked around. The willows in Snake Valley were withered, and fallen leaves carpeted the ground. He must have slept for at least a month; it was already late autumn.

A Verdant Giant Python lay lazily at the entrance of the cave. Seeing Su He look over, it said languidly, "You're awake!"

Its voice was mature, yet carried a hint of seductiveness.

It's speaking human language.