The poor, illustrious White Demon King. He had ruled the Azure Bamboo Forest for thousands of years, a true hegemon with countless vassal races under his command. Now, in a single day, he was dead, and his Lifebound Golden Core had manifested.
Yet not a single Demon Spirit wailed for him. They only knew how to fight over the spoils.
Such is the evil in the hearts of men. Once these demons, who had cultivated to become spirits, developed emotions and desires, they too learned to prioritize their own gain above all else.
However, in the bloody slaughter that ensued, everyone became an enemy. No one managed to get their hands on the White Demon King’s Lifebound Golden Core. Instead, many new Demon Spirit Golden Cores appeared, floating in the sky.
These belonged to those who had tried to snatch the prize, only to be killed like live targets.
The Demon Spirit Golden Cores hovered in the air, like brilliant stars rising in the night sky.
After an unknown amount of time, the demons, in their mad scramble, suddenly realized that the White Demon King’s Lifebound Golden Core had mysteriously vanished into thin air. At the same time, they noticed that the captivatingly beautiful Immortal Spirit Peacock had also disappeared without a trace, having fled with the Snake Race’s newly ascended Snake King.
"Oh no!"
One by one, they had a sudden awakening: the new Snake King of the Snake Race had made off with the White Demon King’s Lifebound Golden Core.
Stunned. All the demons were stunned, frozen in place.
"After him! Even though that snake beat the White Demon King, he’s seriously injured himself! We can’t let him get away with the Lifebound Golden Core! If we wait for him to get back to the Snake Race, it’ll be too late!"
The three Deep Mountain Demon Kings who had been brawling also stopped. The Yellow Demon King and Gray Demon King focused their attention, glanced in one direction, and shot off in pursuit, leaving the Fox Immortal King behind.
But the Fox Immortal King didn’t give chase. She shook her head with regret. "Forget it. That Golden Core was his to begin with. I won’t go and cause more trouble. Consider it repayment for the favor he did for Demon King Liu."
Instead, she turned her gaze to the immobilized Taotie clone, her eyes filled with disgust. With a wave of her jade hand, the Taotie clone was instantly crushed to dust.
Ever since a certain War Relics site had opened, releasing over a hundred Taotie clones, this was the first one to be killed.
With the death of the Taotie clone, in a place like an abyss, a terrifying, seemingly trapped Exotic Beast glowed with an eerie light and cackled, "It seems life in the outside world is too comfortable. This Emperor released over a hundred clones, and only now has one been killed."
"At this rate, it won’t be long before I break out of this prison. My children, eat quickly! The more you eat, the sooner this Emperor can emerge!"
........
In the clear, azure sky, a nine-colored streak of light flew at extreme speed. The Immortal Spirit Peacock’s speed was among the best in the entire Hundred Bird Race. The only one who could possibly catch her was likely the Dapeng Divine Bird.
But the Dapeng Divine Bird had been so thoroughly terrorized by Tu Xiao’an that it probably wouldn’t dare to give chase.
Tu Xiao’an, in his form as an exquisite little snake, lay comfortably in Su Rushi’s soft, warm, and fragrant embrace. He sneered inwardly, ’A pack of ungrateful curs. Trying to steal my spoils of war? Dream on.’
Although he was seriously injured and had reverted to his original form, he had used a projection of his Consciousness Power to silently absorb the White Demon King’s hovering Lifebound Golden Core into his system, then ordered the Azure Owl to flee immediately.
This was no place to linger. He had to leave the Yaoling Mountain Range at once, not even returning to the Snake Race.
"DING... Congratulations, Host, for killing a Level 38 Deep Mountain Demon King, a feat far above your Level. Reward: Level +1."
Suddenly, the System’s voice rang out. Tu Xiao’an’s eyes lit up. ’It’s finally here.’
For a great feat like killing the White Demon King, it was impossible for the System to give no reward.
An increase of one Level. Good. Excellent.
At Tu Xiao’an’s current Level, a direct increase of one full Level might not seem like much, but it was actually a terrifyingly huge reward.
With this Level-up, he, Tu Xiao’an, would be a true Demon King. His power would skyrocket once more.
A pillar of light descended from the heavens, enveloping Tu Xiao’an’s weakened body. It startled Su Rushi so much that she almost screamed, but the warm radiance felt incredibly comfortable to her.
"Don’t be afraid. I’m healing,"
Tu Xiao’an’s voice drawled out lazily. He was accepting the power granted by the System. The transition from Level 35 to 36 was a massive breakthrough.
If Tu Xiao’an hadn’t used some twenty-odd Lifebound Golden Cores as a one-time attack, he would have already reached Level 36 without the System’s reward.
But to ensure he could kill the White Demon King, he had no choice but to go all out.
Fortunately, the White Demon King was dead. Having obtained his Lifebound Golden Core and a System reward, Tu Xiao’an had come out ahead on this deal no matter how you looked at it.
"You jerk, a lot of Demon Spirits are chasing us from behind,"
the Azure Owl added haughtily. "But they’ll never catch this Peacock."
"Hmph. A bunch of trash who don’t know their own limits. They think just because I’m seriously injured, they’re qualified to come and rob me?" Tu Xiao’an sneered. If he weren’t wary of the other three Deep Mountain Demon Kings, he would have taken the Lifebound Golden Cores from their bodies as well.
"Ignore them. Fly straight out of the Yaoling Mountain Range."
Hearing this, Su Rushi asked, "Xiaoleng, are you taking me to find my grandfather?"
"That’s right," Tu Xiao’an replied. He was still enveloped in the System’s light, but it didn’t stop him from talking. He mused for a moment, then said, "Once we’re out of the Yaoling Mountain Range, I’ll have my Azure Owl take you back to the Ancient Academy. When you get there, I need you to pass a message to your grandfather for me."
"Xiaoleng, you’re not coming with me? You’re leaving me behind again?" Su Rushi protested immediately.
Tu Xiao’an said with a smile, "I have some important business to take care of. Once I’m done, I’ll come find you."
"Then what’s the message for my grandfather?"
"Just tell your grandfather that I’ve done what I promised him. And he’d better not forget what he promised me."
Su Rushi was taken aback. "What did my grandfather promise you?"
"It’s a secret... Haha...!"
’Thinking back on it now, asking that old man for three thousand Spirit Stones was far, far too little,’ Tu Xiao’an thought. Only after truly understanding the power of a Deep Mountain Demon King did he realize that the old man had basically sent him to his death.
’Before coming to the Yaoling Mountain Range, I was just a Rank Two Snake Spirit. That rotten old man... he’s a real piece of work.’
「One day later」
The Immortal Spirit Peacock flew out of the Yaoling Mountain Range and parted ways with Tu Xiao’an.
The System data updated and materialized.
Host: Tu Xiao’an.
Identity: King of the Snake Clan.
Level: Level 36 (Demon King Level)
Elemental Attributes: Thunder, Flame, Frost, Gold Element, Power of Darkness.
Weapons: Heaven Swaying Sword, Nine Flying Knives.
Battle Companions: Zhang Qinglong (Level 35), Bull Demon King (Level 35), Ape King (Level 35), Baihua Fairy (Level 34), Five-headed Evil Snake (Level 33), Azure Owl (Level 32), Golden Pupils (Level 32), Tree Demon Charlie (Level 31).
......
"Mom, Sis, Xiao’an is coming home. Wait for me."
On a mountain peak, a handsome youth gazed into the distance, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.
The journey to the Yaoling Mountain Range had allowed Tu Xiao’an to be completely reborn. Now, he possessed absolute power—enough to defend his own life and protect his family.
......
PS: The Yaoling Mountain Range arc is over. Qing Bai feels like the writing was a bit long-winded. Next up is the Exotic Beast Hegemony arc. This book is divided into the Little Snake’s Growth arc, the Urban Sojourn arc, the Yaoling Mountain Range Proving Dao arc, and the Exotic Beast Hegemony arc.
This should be the last part. I’ve had a lot going on recently, so I haven’t been writing with my full heart. I’m very sorry. Whether it’s the plot or the update schedule, Qing Bai hasn’t been able to satisfy everyone. I hope I can write this final arc a little better.