Taking Qing Lin to Catch Snakes, the Importance of Subordinates

Several days later.

Tang Chen left the bottom of the swamp alone, while Xiao Yi Xian chose to remain behind by herself.

This was not only because she needed to fully absorb the Heavenly Flame, but also because the environment here was simply perfect for her cultivation. Cultivating here was far faster than in the outside world.

Tang Chen left Xiao Yi Xian the Space Jade Slip and several life-saving trump cards. With his current cultivation, no matter what happened here, he could arrive in an instant.

However, there was no real need to worry. Once Xiao Yi Xian completely refined the Nether Poison Flame, her strength would basically make her invincible across the Northwest Continent.

After leaving Ten Thousand Poison Cliff, Tang Chen tore through space and returned directly to the Jia Ma Imperial Capital.

During this time, Qing Lin had completely mastered the use of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils and switched to a new cultivation technique uniquely suited to her. Her cultivation speed had grown ever more astounding, and she had now broken through to a one-star Dou Ling.

"Young Master, where is Sister Xiao Yi Xian?" Seeing that Tang Chen had returned alone, Qing Lin asked in confusion.

"She went off to cultivate. By the next time Qing Lin sees her, she'll be incredibly strong." Tang Chen smiled as he rubbed Qing Lin's little head and spoke softly.

"Then Qing Lin wants to become strong too." Qing Lin lifted her little face, her tone serious and resolute.

"Don't worry. With Young Master here, Qing Lin will become stronger and stronger too." Tang Chen felt deeply gratified at the sight of her expression.

"Come on, Qing Lin. Young Master will take you to become stronger." Smiling, Tang Chen took Qing Lin's small hand.

"Mm!" At the mention of becoming stronger, Qing Lin's little face immediately overflowed with anticipation and joy.

Tang Chen took Qing Lin with him, and the two left the Jia Ma Imperial Capital together.

Qing Lin still controlled far too few snake-type magical beasts, nowhere near enough to fully unleash the terrifying power of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.

Thus, Tang Chen decided that during this period, he would first help her capture all kinds of high-level snake-type magical beasts, starting with the Monster Mountain Range.

The information provided by the Heavenly Snake Mansion not only recorded the cultivation methods for the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, but also marked the locations where various high-level snake-type magical beasts could be found.

Tang Chen only needed to follow the markings in the information and subdue them one by one. With him at her side, there would basically be no accidents.

According to the records, there was a sixth-tier snake-type magical beast in the Monster Mountain Range called the Mamba Black Snake Emperor.

With an approximate location, Tang Chen found it with great ease. He directly unleashed his soul perception to its fullest, sweeping every magical beast in the area like a radar.

Before long, a snake-type magical beast covered entirely in dark black scales, with a pair of pure black vertical pupils, a body a hundred zhang long, and strength exactly at the sixth tier appeared within his perception.

"You're the one." The corners of Tang Chen's lips rose slightly. With Qing Lin in tow, he flashed forward and instantly arrived above the Mamba Black Snake Emperor's head.

The Mamba Black Snake Emperor was the ruler of this land. Few foolish creatures dared to provoke it in ordinary times, and at the moment, it was resting in a forest.

Tang Chen did not take this mere sixth-tier magical beast seriously. He reached through the air and grabbed, and terrifying spatial power instantly bound it in place. Then, with a pull of his hand, the Mamba Black Snake Emperor's enormous body flew uncontrollably toward Tang Chen.

"Who is it? Who dares disturb this emperor's rest!" Startled awake by the commotion, the Mamba Black Snake Emperor opened its dark vertical pupils and angrily swept its gaze around, trying to see which fool had come looking for trouble.

Yet it discovered in horror that its body could not move at all and was flying uncontrollably in a certain direction.

It turned its head and immediately saw Tang Chen standing in the void, along with Qing Lin beside him. Its vertical pupils abruptly shrank. "A human expert!"

"My lord, you and I bear no grudge against each other. Why are you doing this?" Brought before Tang Chen, the Mamba Black Snake Emperor asked in a respectful tone.

It knew it was no match for him. Though it put on a humble appearance, it was secretly gathering Mamba venom, intending to spit it out and seize the chance to escape.

"You think I don't know about that little trick of yours?" Tang Chen had long seen through its intentions, and a contemptuous curve formed on his lips.

Without waiting for it to speak again, Tang Chen directly controlled the Mamba Black Snake Emperor's body and smashed it fiercely into the ground again and again. He only stopped after battering it until it no longer had the strength to spit venom.

"Qing Lin, your turn." Tang Chen spoke to Qing Lin beside him.

"Okay." Qing Lin nodded her little head. Facing this enormous creature, there was not the slightest trace of fear on her face.

The three little flowers in her eyes suddenly lit up, and green radiance instantly enveloped the Mamba Black Snake Emperor.

In only a few breaths, a mark appeared on the head of this sixth-tier magical beast, signifying that it had been successfully subdued.

"Qing Lin, what is the strongest magical beast you can control right now?" Seeing Qing Lin control it so easily, Tang Chen asked curiously.

"Qing Lin isn't sure either, but controlling sixth-tier ones like this is easy." Qing Lin scratched her head and replied with a smile.

"Alright, I understand." Tang Chen nodded and took Qing Lin onward to the next location.

The two were like the King of Hell calling names from a register, checking them off one by one. Before long, Tang Chen had captured every high-level snake-type magical beast in the Monster Mountain Range.

After this, Tang Chen truly understood the importance of subordinates.

Without subordinates, he had to personally handle everything, which was truly a waste of time. With subordinates, it was different. Tasks such as catching snakes could be handed over to them, freeing him up for more important matters.

At present, the choice that best met his requirements was the Heavenly Snake Mansion.

Once he decided, he acted.

Tang Chen did not waste any time. He immediately brought Qing Lin with him, tore open space, and headed for the Heavenly Snake Mansion.

Heavenly Snake Mansion.

After Tang Chen left, the place had returned to its former tranquility.

After giving her instructions, the old woman also prepared to return and continue her secluded cultivation.

Limited by both her talent and the injuries she had suffered in her early years, she had been trapped at the two-star Dou Zun realm for many years. If she could not break through, her lifespan would likely soon come to an end.

"How unwilling I am... My great vengeance remains unavenged. Must I simply die of old age here?" Recalling the past and feeling her current declining body, the old woman's wrinkled face was filled with despair.

"Hmm? Why has he come again?" Sensing that familiar aura, the old woman's expression turned even uglier.

Her figure flashed, and she instantly appeared outside the Heavenly Snake Mansion. Looking at Tang Chen before her, her eyes were full of helplessness. "All information regarding the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils has already been handed over to you. We have not concealed anything whatsoever."

"That isn't what I came for this time." Tang Chen waved a hand, his tone indifferent.

"Oh? Then what else does my lord require?" The old woman sensed something was wrong. Secretly on guard, she asked cautiously.

"I want your Heavenly Snake Mansion." Tang Chen's expression did not change as he spoke each word clearly.

The instant those words were spoken, the entire Heavenly Snake Mansion fell into dead silence.

Then a savage expression appeared on the old woman's face. Dou Qi surged around her as she shouted furiously, "Your Excellency is being far too overbearing!"

She had yielded again and again, only for Tang Chen to pressure her time after time. Even a clay figure had some temper, and even a good person had some anger.

Though she knew full well that she was no match for Tang Chen, if she were truly driven into a corner, she would use every method at her disposal. Even if it cost her life, she would make Tang Chen pay dearly—she did not have long to live anyway.

Just as the old woman was about to risk her life against Tang Chen, a single sentence from him instantly extinguished all her fury and showed her a glimmer of hope for survival.