The Blackwater Swamp was a forbidden territory of the Nine head Clan. The area was a wetland and the swamp gas around was so toxic that it could make any cultivators below the Honorable Realm suffer greatly.
At this moment, two individuals were trekking along this area.
One at the front and the other at the back.
The individual leading the way was the empyrean walker from the Craggy Ocean Tower, Li Ze, and behind him was the Crown Prince of the Royal Azure Dynasty, Gu Changge.
The duo ventured deep into the forested wetland.
Within it laid a terrifying beast with multiple heads growing out of its body which was measured more than several hundred meters in size⦠It was the Nine-Headed Snakelet!
Although the Nine-Headed Snakelet looked like it had been dead for a while now as it laid on the ground, its gruesome aura was still lingering on its body. Due to this, no living beings dared to step into the entire swamp.
In fact, the Blackwater Swamp was created from the leakages of this beingâs aura.
âAn ancient beast indeed. It still possesses such a terrifying aura even though it has been dead for so many years.â Li Zeâs eyes were beaming with excitement.
By taming this beast, they were sure to gain all the advantages they needed to ascend into the Emperor Realm in this Era of Great Battle.
Even the legendary Chu Kuangren would not be his opponent!
The more Li Ze thought about it, the more impatient he became.
âThis trip to the Nine Head Clan is well worth it.â
Buzzâ¦
At that moment, the Nine-Headed Snakelet Pearl began to jerk violently as if it had sensed the presence of the corpse before it. The Nine-Headed Snakeletâs soul fragments in the pearl began to let out a howl that resembled an infantâs shrieks.
The Nine-Headed Snakeletâs corpse had also begun to move a little.
Its soul and body were calling out to one another.
Gu Changge was in awe. âNo wonder the Nine Head Clan was so determined in getting this pearl throughout all these years. Theyâve had the corpse of the Nine-Headed Snakelet in their territory all along!â
âBut where did the Nine-Headed Snakelet come from?â
âItâs because the founding Emperor of the Royal Azure Dynasty led his army to surround the Nine-Headed Snakelet dozens of millennia ago. He used a spell to extract his soul fragments and refine it into this pearl!â
âIn the end, the Nine-Headed Snakelet used the last bit of its soul fragment power to break through their formation. It fled to the Blackwater Prefecture and collapsed into a river, where it tainted the water with its blood.â
âAt that time, there was a settlement down the river stream. So when the residents drank from the river, the blood of the Nine-Headed Snakelet coursed through their veins. Eventually, they found the great corpse of the Nine-Headed Snakelet and hauled it back to their settlement to worship. This is how the Nine Head Clan came about, and thatâs also why the Nine Head Clan will always remain the arch-enemy of the Royal Azure Dynasty.â
âApart from their constant battle for resources, this is another reason.â n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Li Ze narrated the clanâs history before hurling the Nine-Headed Snakelet Pearl out. The pearl proceeded to fuse with the corpse as Li Zeâs eyes burned with passion. âToday, the God of the Nine Head Clan, the Nine-Headed Snakelet, shall finally be reborn!â
As the pearl fused into its body, the Nine-Headed Snakeletâs scales began to shake. Then, its body straightened up majestically and it let out a howling wail that unleashed a destructive aura, marking the rebirth of the ancient beast!
âSo strong!â
Under the Nine-Headed Snakeletâs aura, Gu Changge could not help but tremble in fear.
After taking a sniff, the Nine-Headed Snakelet opened its nine pairs of blood-red eyes which glowed like nine pairs of lanterns as it fixated themselves upon Gu Changge and Li Ze.
âLittle ones, the auras that you radiate are so strange. One of you belongs to my bloodline, and the other⦠belongs to the bloodline of my enemy!â
A frightening amount of ferocious qi surged out, crushing Gu Changge into the ground.
Li Ze remained in his spot. He simply looked at the Nine-Headed Snakelet and said, âCongratulations on your resurrection, Nine-Headed Snakelet!â
âSo youâre the one who brought my soul fragment back to my body. Very well, seeing that you share my bloodline, I shall grant you a favor. Speak your desire.â
The Nine-Headed Snakeletâs voice was neither male nor female. However, it was so sharp that it could pierce through anyoneâs eardrums.
Li Ze did not hesitate and said, âThatâs great. I want you to be my mount. Together, we shall conquer the world!â
Appalled by such a request, the Nine-Headed Snakelet let out a furious screech, releasing even more ferocious qi to his surroundings.
âYou should know your place, little one!â
The Nine-Headed Snakelet possessed the purest of bloodlines, so it thought it was ridiculous for an average clansman to ride him as their mount. After all, he was an ancient legendary beast!
âHmph, guess you should be the one to know your place.â
Li Ye pulled his focus together as he cast a technique. Immediately, the Nine-Headed Snakelet could feel an intense pain growing in its skulls, sending it and its nine heads rolling on the ground in pain.
The Blackwater Swamp shook under its force.
âYou b*stard!â
âAhh, it hurts!â
Li Ze was still in his position as he uttered calmly, âThe Nine Head Clan worships you like a God. But unfortunately, Iâm not like them. Iâm an empyrean walker from the Craggy Ocean Tower. Iâm destined to rule the world!â
âNine-Headed Snakelet, the only option left for you is to bow before me!â
Seeing how proudly Li Ze stood and how superior he sounded, the Nine-Headed Snakelet became more furious than ever. It roared, âWhat did you do to me?!â
âThe Craggy Ocean Curse, one of the secret beast-taming techniques of the Craggy Ocean Tower. By planting my curse into your soul fragment, I can crush your soul with the force of the mountain and ocean with just a mere thought. Itâll be excruciating and unbearable. Did you really think that Iâll return your soul unconditionally?â
Li Ze said.
Then, he withdrew the power of the Craggy Ocean Curse.
The Nine-Headed Snakelet gradually recovered from its pain. He looked at Li Ze fearfully and said, âIâve never heard of the Craggy Ocean Tower. Are you from one of those unknown lands, empyrean walker?!â
âNine-Headed Snakelet, the times have changed. The Great Dharma Emergence has caused the Era of Great Battles to begin. Soon, many forces from the unknown lands shall emerge and various sky-prides will appear. Iâm offering you one last chance. You shall bow before me, and together, we shall sail this world. When Iâve ascended into the Emperor Realm, you shall become stronger too!â
The Nine-Headed Snakelet seemed indecisive at first. However, worried about the Craggy Ocean Towerâs power, it could only helplessly nod in agreement.
âA wise choice!â Li Ze said.
âHowever, my body hasnât been used for a long time. It might not have rotten, but my energies have long been drained. I need a huge amount of meat to replenish my energies. And since this b*stard belongs to my enemyâs bloodline, I wish to devour him!â
The Nine-Headed Snakelet looked at Gu Changge and snarked coldly.
âBrother Li, save me!â
âAs you wish!â
Gu Changge looked at Li Ze in terror.
Not only did Li Ze break his promise to bring Gu Changge into the Craggy Ocean Tower, but he was now sending the latter directly into the beastâs mouth too.
Gu Changge made a desperate attempt to flee but was attacked from behind by a mixture of fire and water elements that spurted from the beastâs mouth. His organs and bones were instantly ruptured.
All it took was one attack and Gu Changge was heavily injured by the Nine-Headed Snakelet!
Then, the Nine-Headed Snakelet opened one of its mouths and swallowed Gu Changge directly into its tummy while he was screaming in terror.
âOh, I didnât know this was a Daoist Physique. It has replenished a decent amount of my energies. Now, I can sense that many of my bloodlines are just over there. If I could devour them all, my recovery would be faster.â The Nine-Headed Snakelet looked across the distance at the Nine Head Clanâs settlement and smacked its lips.
Li Ze initially frowned at such a suggestion, but it was not long before he agreed. âSure. After all, I donât have much attachment to this clan. If it makes your recovery quicker, I guess their deaths are not in vain.â