Chapter 454: Infiltration

Chapter 454: Infiltration

Xiao Ze, accompanied by Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and others, hurried to the Beast Realm. Familiar with the path due to their previous visit, they navigated their way easily. Last time in the Beast Realm, their conflict with the serpent demons was nearly earth-shattering, enhancing their understanding of the realm. This time, they headed straight for the headquarters of the Nine Nether Earth Ming Python clan.

The Ming Serpent Earth Vein is the headquarters of the Nine Nether Earth Ming Python clan, revered as a sacred land by many serpent tribes. However, its location is not on the surface of the Beast Realm but deep within the complex underground world. Aware that the territory of the Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python was deep within the Nine Nether Underworld, Xiao Ze didn't linger on the surface and led the group directly to the Ming Serpent Earth Vein.

Upon reaching a tightly guarded underground passage, the defense might stop ordinary powerhouses, but it was futile against a group that included a Dou Saint. Xiao Ze waved his hand, covering everyone with an illusionary force, and they walked right through the passage. The guards of the serpent tribes stationed in the passage saw nothing unusual.

Navigating through the passage with a map obtained from the Pill Tower, they moved swiftly. Although the Nine Nether Earth Ming Pythons resided in the underground world, they weren't completely isolated. Occasionally, they sought human alchemists for their needs. As one of the central lands with many alchemists, the Pill Tower was sometimes invited to the headquarters of the Nine Nether Earth Ming Pythons to concoct pills, hence the Pill Tower had intelligence on the headquarters.

"Xiao Ze, your illusionary power seems to be growing stronger," they chatted leisurely in the passage under Xiao Ze's qi concealment, with no sound leaking out.

"It's decent. After all, the Sea of Illusions Pearl is a rare heavenly treasure. The vast oceanic power and illusionary power it possesses enhance as my strength does," Xiao Ze whispered, checking the map before taking another turn into a different passage.

After about an hour of traveling through the underground passage, they fully entered the underground world. "This underground world is truly fascinating. After crossing the dark passage, we've entered a new world," Qing Lin remarked, amazed by the environment.

Previously, during their upheaval in the Beast Realm, they had only dealt with the serpents residing on the surface and had not ventured deep underground. The underworld was a complex and intricate maze.

As the underground world lacks sunlight, new light sources had emerged: various plants and ores imbued with fighting spirit. These luminescent plants and ores scattered across the underground world prevented it from being dim and unlit.

They continued towards the headquarters of the Nine Nether Earth Ming Python. Even with their speed, it took almost half a day to reach the Ming Serpent Earth Vein, facing a series of connected mountain ranges that surprised everyone.

"The Nine Nether Earth Ming Python is indeed one of the three great beast clans, filled with formidable members, including several Half-Saint level powerhouses," Xiao Ze remarked thoughtfully. Beasts, though possibly less intelligent innately leading to higher mortalities, don't face such issues within their clans.

Beast clans protect their own fiercely, bound by blood and extremely protective. The most famous among them is another top beast clan, the Celestial Phoenix. They strictly prohibit any outsider from obtaining the essence blood of the Celestial Phoenix clan, pursuing to the ends of the earth anyone who does.

With such formidable deterrence, those who hunt beast clans have become less common. Even those who covet the benefits of beast blood think twice before acting.

However, if they decide to act against a beast clan, they proceed decisively—killing and eradicating traces thoroughly to avoid retribution. Given the protective nature of beast clans, this could lead to escalating conflicts from small to big, from big to a group of elders.

Moreover, the long lifespans of beast clans allow them to amass a large number of strong members. The Nine Nether Earth Ming Python clan, with its top-tier bloodline and longevity, has accumulated more powerhouses than the Pill Tower in the past. It is only now, with the rise of Xiao Ze as a nine-grade alchemist, attracting countless powerhouses, that the Pill Tower has surpassed the Nine Nether Earth Ming Python in terms of strength.

"This underground world indeed holds wonders. Seeing such a vast serpent tribe here reminds me of the tales from the ancient books about my tribe," Medusa shared, her expression reflective. "It seems we originally migrated to the Tagore Desert from the Central State many years ago."

Despite her nostalgia, Medusa felt no kinship with these serpents, maintaining her stance as queen of the Tagore Desert's serpent tribe. When action was needed, she was resolute.

"Let's proceed to the sacred site of the Nine Nether Earth Ming Python—Nine Nether Underworld. Even if we don't find information about the Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python's territory, it's naturally suited for serpent demon cultivation."

Under Xiao Ze's concealment, none of the Nine Nether Earth Ming Python powerhouses detected their group. To be cautious, Xiao Ze added an extra layer of spatial power for cover, yet still, none of the clan's powerhouses saw through the illusions.

As they ventured deeper, sensing more powerful auras, Xiao Ze even felt the presence of genuine Dou Saint energies—one at mid-stage one-star and another at late-stage one-star, likely the current chieftain Yaotian and the great elder of the Nine Nether Earth Ming Python.

Opting not to head towards the central area, they crossed the headquarters and moved towards the deepest parts of the underground world. There, a vast dark chasm stretched hundreds of yards wide, continuing into the horizon.

Arriving near the chasm, they were met with chilling, bone-penetrating winds blowing up from the depths, rendering the surrounding area barren. Ordinary powerhouses facing such frigid winds would find not just their bodies but even their fighting spirit frozen solid.

Friends, if you want to read chapters in advance, subscribe to my patreon.

You can also buy the book if you are only interested in reading the novel.