Returning to the Clan

Tian She had a premonition: as long as she could follow Shi Kang, she would surely be able to change her fate!

Hearing Tian She's answer, Shi Kang's lips curled into an approving smile. "Heh heh, very good!"

Tian She truly was clever, and her attitude was properly humble.

In the dog-eat-dog world of the Dou Qi Continent, being smart and knowing how to assess the situation often let one go farther.

Shi Kang appreciated people like that. He felt that dealing with clever people always made things twice as easy with half the effort.

Shi Kang continued, "In that case, bring those Cultivation Techniques and Combat Skills with you and come with us."

"Yes!" Tian She's face lit up with joy, and she immediately went to make preparations.

Tian She did not even mention her own request to Shi Kang.

In her view, as long as she handled things well, Shi Kang's reward would certainly not be lacking.

If she brought it up herself, she might instead displease him.

Even if Shi Kang truly gave her nothing, she could still obtain what she wanted from Qing Lin.

It was merely a matter of time.

Tian She first ushered Shi Kang and the others into the Grand Hall, instructing Qing Xia to treat them well and not neglect them.

Lowering her voice, Qing Xia's eyes brimmed with confusion and incomprehension as she quietly asked Tian She, "Old Ancestor, even if we truly need to send someone to teach them, sending the First Elder would be enough. Why do you have to go personally?"

She truly could not understand her Old Ancestor's actions.

A trace of resolve and excitement flashed through Tian She's eyes as she said with absolute certainty, "I saw an opportunity for a breakthrough in them!"

This might be a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. If she missed it, she might never have another chance in this life to break through to the Two-star Dou Venerate realm.

After saying this, Tian She did not dare delay in the slightest. She hurried toward the Library Pavilion, afraid of making Shi Kang and the others wait too long.

She knew very well that a great figure like Shi Kang had precious time. If she dawdled and displeased him, this hard-won opportunity might vanish in an instant.

With that, Heavenly Snake Manor immediately became busy. Under Tian She's orders, all research materials regarding the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, as well as all Cultivation Techniques and Combat Skills, were gathered.

Before long, Tian She returned with everything collected.

"Young Clan Leader, this old woman has finished preparing everything," Tian She said respectfully with a slight bow.

"Mm." Shi Kang nodded slightly.

Thus, another person joined the traveling party.

With Tian She's addition, the originally small group became considerably larger.

Now that he had brought Tian She along, Shi Kang had truly finished everything he needed to do.

So, at Shi Kang's command, Shi Fei and Shi Long led them onward at full speed.

Even when Zi Yan sensed some Medicinal Herbs along the way, Shi Kang no longer went to snatch them.

They were nothing valuable, so it did not matter if they left them behind.

Zi Yan was so heartbroken that her little face scrunched into a ball.

In her eyes, with Shi Kang around, those things were practically free for the taking. Yet Shi Kang actually did not want them!

She tugged at Shi Kang's sleeve. "Shi Kang, let's go get them. What a waste!"

Seeing Zi Yan's adorable yet distressed expression, Shi Kang could not help laughing aloud. "Hahaha, you'll understand once we reach the Central Continent. These things are everywhere there. Traveling is more important."

Shi Kang casually gave her another bottle of pills.

After that, Zi Yan behaved herself.

Snake People Clan.

Shi Kang and the others' disappearance was finally discovered by the Snake People.

At the same time, the Snake People Clan's four Elders found the Longevity Pills Shi Kang had left behind.

The Second Elder slammed the table hard, producing a thunderous bang, and shouted, "I knew something was wrong when he kept the Queen by his side! Sure enough, he had ill intentions! Now he has taken the Queen away. What are we supposed to do?

"First Elder: The urgent priority is to seal off the news. We absolutely cannot let the experts of the surrounding empires learn that the Queen has disappeared! Those empires have always watched our Snake People Clan like tigers eyeing prey. If they learn that the Queen is absent, they will certainly seize the chance to attack us. Then our Snake People Clan will be in danger."

At that moment, the Third Elder frowned slightly. A trace of doubt flashed through his eyes as he cautiously asked, "First Elder, do you think the Longevity Pills he left behind are trustworthy?"

The Elders suspected that there was something wrong with Shi Kang's pills, so they did not yet dare take them.

"If the Queen does not appear for a long time, the surrounding empires will definitely grow suspicious. If they uncover even the slightest clue, our Snake People Clan will be in danger!" the First Elder said gravely.

The reason the Snake People Clan had not been destroyed by the surrounding empires was Medusa and a few old fellows like them.

Yet Medusa had now been taken away, leaving behind only the four of them, old fellows whose lifespans were nearly exhausted. The First Elder knew that if they did not make preparations, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Once the surrounding empires learned that the Queen was missing, they would surely unite and launch a fierce attack against the Snake People Clan. When that happened, the Snake People Clan would face utter destruction, and countless Snake People would be massacred.

Thinking of this, the First Elder gritted his teeth and said firmly, "For now, I can only try it first! As the First Elder, I have a responsibility to bear this risk for the Snake People Clan. If these pills work, our Snake People Clan may still have a sliver of hope..."

Shi Kang was simply too strange. The First Elder could not guess what he was thinking, so he had already prepared for the worst.

Upon hearing this, the Second Elder hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed the First Elder's arm. "First Elder, you must not. Let me do it instead. You are the backbone of the Snake People Clan. If anything happens to you, our Snake People Clan truly will have no hope left. I am the weakest, so even if there is something wrong with these pills, it does not matter."

"A powerhouse like him probably would not be bored enough to come deceive us..."

Shi Kang, who was on his way back to the clan, had no idea that the pills he had left behind would actually be suspected.

If he had known, he would certainly have done something to let them know that if he wanted to harm the Snake People Clan, there was no need to go through so much trouble.

After two days of travel, they finally returned to the Stone Realm.

Several Dou Zun guards stood watch at the entrance to the small world.

Upon seeing Shi Kang and the others return, they hurriedly greeted them respectfully and let them pass.

Stepping into the Stone Realm felt like entering an entirely new world.

The Dou Qi was unimaginably dense.

Dou Zuns were everywhere, and Half-Saints walked the streets.

Yet upon seeing Shi Kang, without exception, they all stopped what they were doing and came forward to greet him.

This was nothing more than Shi Kang's everyday life, but it utterly stunned those following him.

Tian She thought, A small world that only Dou Sheng Experts can create! It seems I did not make the wrong gamble!

Even Zi Yan, who had always been carefree, became restrained after entering the Stone Realm. She clung closely behind Shi Kang, cautiously looking around.

"Shi Kang, is this your clan? They all seem so strong!"

Her appearance was a stark contrast to her usual lively and energetic self, making people want to laugh.

"Actually, your clan is very strong too..."

Zi Yan: ??

"I'll take you back there after some time, and you'll understand."

Zi Yan's knowledge was still too limited. Even if Shi Kang told her now, she might not understand.

So Shi Kang said no more and instructed the servants to arrange accommodations for Qing Lin, Zi Yan, and the others.

After arranging everything, Shi Kang took Shi Fei and Shi Long with him to find his Father.

Having returned from his journey of training, Shi Kang still needed to report the details of it to his Father.

And while he was at it, he wanted his Father to see whether the thing he had obtained from the Gate of Death could be refined.

His Father was knowledgeable and experienced. Perhaps he would know.