Chapter 327: Snake Lord

Although the Ten Thousand Snake Mountain Range was named after snakes, it wasn't only snakes that inhabited the area, but rather they were just more abundant. The plump rabbit caught by Xiao Ming was quite sizable and was quickly cleaned and placed on the fire by Qing Lin.

Under the fierce heat of the flames, the colorful and juicy rabbit meat sizzled and crackled, releasing a mouthwatering aroma that wafted into the noses of Xiao Ming and the others, causing them to show a slight smile.

Venerable Tian Huo spoke up, "I've been dead for many years, but I didn't expect the Soft-Boned Enchanting Rabbit to still exist. Although its rank isn't high, its taste is unparalleled. When I was alive, it had already attracted many people to catch it."

"Rabbit-type magical beasts can reproduce six to eight times a year and have amazing reproductive abilities. Even if they are extensively hunted, it is difficult to eradicate them. However, the Soft-Boned Enchanting Rabbit is indeed rare now," Qing Lin said as she flipped the rabbit over the fire.

"You really know a lot about magical beasts, Qing Lin. I'm impressed." Xiao Ming praised her.

"Thank you, Young Master," she replied, her cheeks flushing with pleasure.

Qing Lin had some knowledge of snake-type magical beasts because the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils could control them, and she also knew a lot about other magical beasts.

Qing Lin was the one who discovered the Soft-Boned Enchanting Rabbit. With Xiao Ming's and the others' strength, they probably wouldn't have bothered to start a fire and cook food. The higher their cultivation, the lower their demand for food and meals would be consumed solely to satisfy their appetites.

"Alright, it's ready to eat," Qing Lin said as she looked at the rabbit meat that had turned golden yellow. She took out a small bottle from her storage ring and poured some powder onto the rabbit meat, making the fragrance even more intense.

"What's in that bottle, Miss Qing Lin?" Venerable Tian Huo asked curiously.

A warm smile graced Qing Lin's lips as she replied, "It's a spice mix that Young Master researched. He taught me how to use it."

"Young Master, here you go," Qing Lin said, ripping off a leg and handing it to Xiao Ming, who passed it to Xiao Yi Xian.

Xiao Yi Xian smiled and took a small bite, savoring the flavor.

Qing Lin didn't care and tore off another leg and offered it to Xiao Ming again, but he shook his head.

"Don't worry about me, Qing Lin, you can eat it yourself," he said with a warm smile. "Come, sit with me."

Xiao Ming gently took her slender hand, guiding her to sit on his lap. He then motioned for her to relish the rabbit leg she held in her hand.

In a daze, Qing Lin's cheeks flushed. She nodded shyly and began to nibble on the meat, savoring each tender bite in silence. This was like a sweet dream for her.

A fond smile played on Xiao Ming's lips as he reached out to caress her flowing, emerald-green locks. Although he had initially approached Qing Lin for her talent, after years of knowing her, she had already become very precious to him.

In truth, it was not Xiao Ming's intention for her to continue acting like a maid, but Qing Lin herself refused to stop doing so.

He knew Qing Lin felt more at ease acting this way, so he did not force her to stop; instead, he wanted to demonstrate to her through actions that she was already considered a member of the family.

Xiao Yi Xian only smiled slightly, then rested her head on Xiao Ming's shoulder, savoring the rabbit's leg.

The nearby Venerable Tian Huo observed this warm scene and rubbed his beard, chuckling, "Miss Qing Lin, you really only have eyes for your Young Master. You forgot to make something for this old man."

"Ah, sorry..." Qing Lin realized and apologized nervously. Everything else had faded away as Xiao Ming sat her on his lap.

"Senior Yao, don't tease Qing Lin," Xiao Ming said as he stroked Qing Lin's head with one hand while throwing twigs into the fire with the other. He then divided the remaining rabbit meat between himself and Venerable Tian Huo.

After Venerable Tian Huo received his share, he took a bite and gave a sigh of praise.

As he grew older, he discovered that he enjoyed teasing young people more and more, as it reminded him of the old days, and Qing Lin's love-struck demeanor provided him with ample amusement.

For a while, the atmosphere quieted down.

The place where Xiao Ming and his companions were now located was a small clearing in the dense forest. The light from the campfire could only barely illuminate the edge of the clearing, while the forest itself was dark.

"Hiss, hiss~"

A hundred meters away, a green python and two gray-black giant snakes smelled the scent in the air and couldn't help but salivate, making hissing sounds in their mouths.

Fortunately, the intelligence of the fourth-rank Magical Beast was not too low. Even though the scent wafting in the air was tempting, they did not approach.

Although the green python did not act recklessly, it didn't mean that no one noticed it.

As he sat by the campfire, Xiao Ming's eyes flashed with a hint of contemplation, then waved his hand.

At the same time, the rustling of tree branches broke the surrounding silence. With a thunderous crash, a towering tree on the edge of the clearing fell. Three colossal snakes measuring twenty-three meters in length emerged from the gap left by the fallen tree and were dragged into the glow of the campfire.

Venerable Tian Huo and the girls had already finished dealing with the rabbit meat in their hands. They glanced at the enormous snakes controlled by Xiao Ming's soul power in front of them with some confusion. Was Xiao Ming not satisfied with his meal and wanted an extra snack?

However, the experienced Venerable Tian Huo quickly realized what was going on.

"Are those scouts of the Snake Clan?" Venerable Tian Huo had long sensed some concealed auras in the Ten Thousand Snake Mountain Range.

"It should be. Qing Lin, communicate with them," Xiao Ming said as he moved them in front of her.

Qing Lin nodded. A green light flashed in her eyes, and then the area was filled with the hissing sound unique to snakes.

"Young Master, they are indeed scouts from the Snake Clan in this area," After a while, Qing Lin turned her head and said.

"There are countless snake species in the Ten Thousand Snake Mountain Range, and they are all the minions of this clan. To sneak up quietly and approach the tomb of the Ancient Heaven Serpent without being detected by them is really not easy."

Xiao Ming was not surprised that scouts of the snake clan appeared. When he entered the mountain range, he did not make too many efforts to conceal their whereabouts. One reason was that it was difficult to conceal themselves, and the other reason was that it was unnecessary.

The strength of the snake clan in the Ten Thousand Snake Mountain Range was at most on par with the Ice River Valley of the Three Valleys, so he didn't need to be afraid of anything. To be honest, with the power Xiao Ming now possessed, he could already crush many sects in the Central Plains.

In the simulator, he hadn't suffered any losses in the Ten Thousand Snake Mountain Range, so Xiao Ming was just being cautious in case the so-called Snake Lord mentioned in it launched a surprise attack.

Xiao Yi Xian and the others didn't have a deep understanding of the Ten Thousand Snake Mountain Range and the hidden Snake Clan, so they all frowned.

"Xiao Ming, do you think the tomb of the Ancient Heaven Serpent has been discovered by them?"

"It's unlikely. I just noticed on the map that the final destination is in the center of the mountain range, and whether or not it is discovered, there will be conflict. I hope they are wise enough to back down when the time comes. Otherwise, Qing Lin's Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils will be very busy."

The Magical Beasts were fiercely protective of their territory, and as soon as Xiao Ming and his companions entered the Ten Thousand Snake Mountain Range, the snakes began to follow and observe them. This also implied that conflict was unavoidable unless Xiao Ming and his group abandoned the Ten Thousand Snake Mountain Range or the Snake Clan took the initiative to back down.

Xiao Ming didn't want to start a conflict if it wasn't necessary. After all, there was no animosity between them, so why fight?

...

Xia Ran had no idea that the scouts he sent had been captured by Xiao Ming and his companions after only a short time of surveillance.

He rushed day and night and arrived at the central area, which was the core territory of the snake clan, after seven days without any rest.

There was a huge cave made of rocks several dozen meters high. A giant snake coiled at the entrance of the cave, and it let out a surprised sound when it saw the bright red body of Xia Ran.

"Xia Ran, aren't you supposed to be guarding the outskirts of the mountain range? The blood ritual is still a few days away. Why did you come back early?" the snake asked.

"Some human cultivators have entered the mountain range, and I came to report it," Xia Ran replied and then entered the cave directly.

In a moment, Xia Ran's massive body appeared in a canyon. The canyon was densely packed with small snakes, and in the center of these small snakes, an ugly, white-haired old man opened his eyes.

"Xia Ran, I am preparing for the blood ritual. Why did you disturb me?" the old man asked.

"I am here to inform the Third Elder that some human cultivators have entered the mountain range, and their direction is towards the central area. I am afraid it may be the Beast Taming Sect or other forces, so I came back early to report it," Xia Ran explained.

"Human cultivators? Are you sure?" the Third Elder asked.

"I'm pretty sure," Xia Ran replied.

"Let's not worry about it for now. The Snake Lord is in seclusion in the blood pool. We'll talk after the ritual."