Lu Chen pondered for a moment, then suddenly recalled something.
That little snake had been artificially modified.
The blood-red patterns on the eggshell were restrictions. Whoever had carved those restrictions must have had some connection to the little snake. If he could find the person who had carved them, perhaps he could find the little snake's whereabouts.
And the person who had carved the restrictions was very likely from the Ten Thousand Gu Sect.
After all, the Ten Thousand Gu Sect was most skilled in forbidden blood-sacrifice arts like this.
Lu Chen's gaze shifted slightly.
It seemed his trip to the Southern Frontier could no longer be delayed.
He turned and swept back toward the camp.
When he returned, Xu Polu was anxiously waiting with the other generals. Seeing him come back drenched in blood, everyone drew in a sharp breath.
"Duke! You're injured?" Xu Polu hurried forward.
Lu Chen waved a hand. "It's nothing. The giant python is dead, and the fog will disperse soon. But one little snake escaped. We have to find it."
Xu Polu froze. "A little snake?"
Lu Chen did not explain. He merely said, "Pass down the order. All scouts are to heighten their vigilance and report any anomaly immediately. Also, send men to search around Blackstone Market and see whether there are any traces of snake activity."
Though Xu Polu was full of questions, he immediately sent men to carry out the orders.
Lu Chen entered the central command tent, sat down cross-legged, and began regulating his breathing.
This battle had drained him greatly. That final all-out burst in particular had nearly emptied his true essence. The remnant soul mark on his right shoulder, however, was unusually quiet and had not taken the opportunity to stir up trouble.
He took out a medicinal