Heavenly Snake Venerate

Shi Kang disliked beating around the bush, so he said bluntly, "Send the person who has studied the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils most deeply to Central Continent with me to teach her!"

Upon hearing this, Qing Xia silently thought, Just as expected. Only the great powers of Central Continent could afford to use such powerful experts as guards.

Yet Shi Kang's words left Qing Xia hesitant.

She had indeed wanted to keep Qing Lin behind for training. In her view, that was undoubtedly the safest move.

Even if she could not use this opportunity to cling to Shi Kang's towering tree, having Qing Lin as a safeguard would still be excellent.

She understood very clearly that Qing Lin, who possessed the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, had limitless potential. She could not say whether Qing Lin would reach the legendary Dou Sheng realm, but becoming a Dou Zun would certainly be effortless.

Once Qing Lin matured, their Heavenly Snake Manor could ride that momentum and venture into Central Continent...

For the future of Heavenly Snake Manor, Qing Xia decided to make one more attempt.

After carefully choosing her words, she slowly said, "You may not know this, but Heavenly Snake Manor knows the locations of many powerful snake-type Monster Beasts and can provide her with snake-type Monster Beasts for training. Moreover, if she stays here, I can personally teach her. That way, she will surely develop even better..."

Qing Xia listed the many benefits of keeping Qing Lin at Heavenly Snake Manor as though reciting treasured possessions, from snake-type Monster Beast resources to Cultivation Methods and Dou Techniques suited to the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, hoping to change Shi Kang's mind.

After hearing her out, Shi Kang's lips curved slightly into a faint smile. He said unhurriedly, "That is no problem. Just have your people bring those Dou Techniques and Cultivation Methods along. As for snake-type Monster Beasts..."

He paused, confidence and pride flashing through his gaze before he continued, "The Nine Nether Nether Python Clan has a vast population. There will be more than enough for Qing Lin to practice on."

Shi Kang's words were astonishing. He openly declared that he wanted to capture Nine Nether Nether Pythons.

Qing Xia's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets, her face full of disbelief.

Heavenly Snake Manor's Old Ancestor had once made a name for herself in Central Continent, suffered greatly there, and only retreated to the Northwest Continent after being unable to remain.

Furthermore, Qing Xia had also intended to venture into Central Continent, so Heavenly Snake Manor knew a thing or two about the information there.

She could not help wondering whether this young man was boasting. That was one of the three great Monster Beast clans, the Nine Nether Nether Python Clan! Its strength was unimaginably formidable, and it might even possess a Dou Sheng Expert!

A Dou Sheng was an existence standing at the peak of the Dou Qi Continent, capable of destroying heaven and earth with a mere gesture.

Yet Shi Kang looked utterly calm, not at all like he was boasting, and Qing Xia's heart was thrown into turmoil.

If Shi Kang was not bluffing, just how powerful was his background?

At that moment, Shi Long felt that it was time for him to be useful.

His aura suddenly surged, like an invisible mountain pressing heavily down upon Qing Xia.

"Our Young Clan Leader chose you because he thinks highly of you. Do not fail to appreciate his kindness!"

That immense pressure made Qing Xia feel as though she were in the depths of the sea. She struggled to breathe, cold sweat streaming down her body, and her gaze instantly became clear.

Seeing this, Shi Kang raised a hand and had Shi Long step back.

"Of course, I will not have you work for nothing. When the time comes, I will naturally give you a generous reward. Manor Lord, you should consider it carefully." His tone remained calm, but he heavily emphasized the words "consider it carefully," carrying a faint hint of threat.

It would naturally be best if the matter could be settled peacefully. But if Heavenly Snake Manor failed to appreciate his kindness, Shi Kang had plenty of methods.

Did they really think Shi Kang was a good person?

At that moment, an aged voice suddenly rang out. "It is Heavenly Snake Manor's honor to be of service to you..."

Immediately afterward, a thin, elderly woman appeared before everyone.

Her body was stooped, yet her steps were steady and powerful.

Shi Kang looked at her meaningfully, a teasing smile curling across his lips. "Heh, I thought you intended to keep hiding?"

The moment they had arrived at Heavenly Snake Manor, Shi Long had already told him that a One-star Dou Venerate was hidden here.

The only reason he had not sent Shi Long to drag her out was Qing Lin.

He did not want unnecessary conflict to affect Qing Lin's affairs.

"Please forgive me. This old woman has been cultivating in seclusion within a secret chamber, which is why I did not come out to welcome you immediately." The old woman bowed in apology, appearing exceedingly humble.

This scene stunned the people of Heavenly Snake Manor. Their Old Ancestor was a genuine Dou Zun, an existence capable of terrifying others at the mere mention of her name! In their hearts, their Old Ancestor had always been like a god. When had they ever seen her act so humbly?

Ignoring the reactions of the Heavenly Snake Manor members, the old woman continued, "I am Tian She, the founder of Heavenly Snake Manor. No one understands the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils more thoroughly than I do. I am willing to personally follow you and teach her."

Despite being a Dou Zun, Tian She had lowered her stance greatly.

Why had Tian She voluntarily offered to personally teach Qing Lin?

Receiving the gratitude of one who possessed the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils was only one reason.

More importantly, she saw an opportunity in Shi Kang.

In her earlier years, Heavenly Snake Venerate had ventured through Central Continent, offended someone, and suffered grave injuries while being pursued. Even now, she had not fully recovered.

With her lifespan nearing its end, matters had only worsened. She had used all manner of pills that could extend one's lifespan, but none had produced any effect.

Heavenly Snake Manor could not obtain high-grade pills, while low-grade pills were useless.

With no other choice, in order to live, Heavenly Snake Venerate could only risk attempting to break through to Two-star Dou Venerate, hoping to advance further.

Yet heaven did not grant her wish. The barrier between One-star and Two-star Dou Venerate was like an impassable chasm before her, and Tian She could not cross it no matter what she did.

Unless something unexpected happened, in another dozen or so years, she would die of old age here, unable to break through to Two-star Dou Venerate and extend her lifespan.

That was her fate.

Until today, when Shi Kang and the others arrived and gave Tian She hope.

Not only did he possess two such powerful guards, but he also openly showed no regard for the Nine Nether Nether Python Clan.

Shi Kang's background was surely astonishingly powerful. Perhaps he was the opportunity she needed to break free from her predicament and change her fate.

Her opportunity to break through to Two-star Dou Venerate!

As long as she handled matters well, even a casual reward from him would be enough to let her advance further.

It was precisely because she understood this that Tian She kept her stance so low.

Face and pride meant nothing to her! Two people stronger than her were serving as guards—what the hell was a mere One-star Dou Venerate like her worth?

Before absolute strength, all vanity and pride seemed utterly insignificant.

"Oh? As a Dou Zun, do you not think teaching a little girl is somewhat beneath your talents?" Shi Kang asked with a smile.

Tian She's next action left the people of Heavenly Snake Manor utterly dumbfounded.

Before answering Shi Kang's question, Tian She actually knelt directly on the ground to pledge her loyalty. "It is this old woman's honor to serve the Young Clan Leader."

She no longer called him "Your Excellency," instead directly following Shi Long in calling him Young Clan Leader. Her movements were decisive and clean, without the slightest hesitation.