The Abbot sensed something racing up from the depths of the Dry Well. Its aura carried a lingering murderous intent that sent a chill down his spine. Holding his breath, he stared fixedly at the pitch-black mouth of the well and was about to draw his sword...
A familiar figure shot out in the blink of an eye and plunged straight into the enormous serpentine body coiled around the well.
He let out a long breath and released his sword hilt. Thankfully, it was the Great Black Snake's primordial spirit returning to its body.
The Black Snake raised his eyelids. His transparent nictitating membranes retracted, revealing a pair of deep, dark vertical pupils.
He lifted his head and slowly surveyed his surroundings.
Seven Daoists from the Azure Cloud Monastery stood with lanterns in one hand and swords in the other, their feet planted at the positions of the stars. Their formation subtly mirrored the Big Dipper.
Though he had never seen the actual Big Dipper with his own eyes, he had seen diagrams of it in yellowed books and could just barely recognize it.
Lantern light shone on the blades, scattered cold glimmers like stars fallen into the Mortal Realm.
He gently flicked his tongue toward the Abbot.
"Thank you."
Without waiting for the Abbot's response, he turned and rose into the air, swimming silently into the thick darkness of night. In an instant, he vanished without a trace. Xiao Yu, circling high above, beat her wings and followed him away.
Lantern in his left hand and sword in his right, the Abbot looked at the pitch-black Dry Well, then turned toward the place where the Black Snake had vanished into the blue-green night sky. Only the night wind remained, rustling through the wild grass.
"In that much of a