12 - Meeting Elder

I am dead

I am so dead

Why, you ask? Well, now I am face to face with a massive snake. So massive that I would be eaten in a bite. 

Why didn't I run? He caught me before I could even turn. He used his massive presence to lock me in place while he slithered toward me. He then looked at me with his slitted green eyes with interest and dragged me to his home. Of course, he ordered Roaster to follow him after seeing Fluffy in my hand.

"Do you not like my home?" His hissing voice spoke in my mind.

I looked up to the snake and shrunk my head, "It is nice." "Grw garw."

[ Beast Translation done by your TES ] 

I am going insane. This guy can even talk in my head. How strong is he to speak in my head? Why did he even bring me here? I wouldn't even satisfy his hunger!

[ Scanning complete! ]

[ Rank 4: Earth Verdant Serpent ]

[ You are dead if you breathe wrong ]

[ Quest: Meet you on your next cycle ]

[~(=^‥^)ノ]

You bastard! o(TヘTo)

[ What do you want me to do? ]

[ He is a nascent soul beast ]

[ Who had gained wisdom and power by unlocking his bloodline ]

[ He can kill you in a snap ]

Are you saying he is 'Him'?! 

[ He is 'Him' ]

[ To you ]

"Why are you distracted?" The Verdant serpent hissed.

"Nothing, sir. Just enjoying the view." (┬┬﹏┬┬)

"Hmm," The serpent nodded in agreement. 

His house was quite good compared to place he stayed before. It was worth the effort of beating his competitors to gain control of this mountain. The cave they were in was dug into the mountain base and was lighted by glowing rocks from the ceiling.

"What are you doing here?" The serpent asked.

Why? Are you going to eat me after you learn where I come from so you can eat my siblings? Sucks to be you, I am all alone.

"I live alone on this mountain, sir," I answered.

"The mountain? Here?"

"Yes, sir. I live in a hole at the top."

"Hm," The serpent looked at Lijen scrutinizingly.

Lijen shrunk back, tucking his wings to himself. He was still holding Fluffy in his hand. Roaster had already resigned to his fate. He was ready to die with the stupid dragon. The guy couldn't have chosen a worst day to roam.

But the serpent was gazing at Lijen's unformed core and the Qi that was being pulled towards him. Other beasts of a level lower than his wouldn't notice that minor change in the Qi, but his already strong senses as a beast and a rank 4 beast made him see things others couldn't.

Lijen, not cultivating actively, was pulling the Qi in a 100-mile radius, albeit slowly that no beast would notice. But the mountain was rich in Qi, and the changes were visible to those that were sensitive.

And the Serpent moved, thinking that it was his enemies who had returned. As a rank 4 beast also attract Qi due to their cores gravity.

But Lijen, who was flying in the sky, quickly caught his eyes. Not only due to his Qi attraction but also due to his bloodline. Lijen was a dragon, and the serpent could feel the dominance that came from it. Add to the fact, he was still young, too young even.

"You live alone?" The serpent asked.

If a hatchling was here, his mother wouldn't be long away. A dragon would protect its hatchling with its life, and she would decimate the whole forest if angered. The serpent didn't want that.

On the other hand...

I knew it! You do want my siblings, but I don't have any. Haha!

"I live alone."

You can suck on that!

"Hiss? Where is your mother?" The serpent questioned.

"I don't know," I shrugged. "I punched my way out of the egg and didn't see anyone."

The serpent looked at Lijen. He could tell the little dragon was not lying. But why would a dragon abandon its child? Yes, they are prideful and arrogant. Yes, they do treat those below them like trash. Yes, they are a bunch of narcissistic bastards. 

But they don't abandon their children. Well, not those he knew of.

"You have never seen your mother?" Serpent asked again for confirmation.

"Nope."

"When did you break out of your egg?" 

"Maybe a day or two?" Lijen didn't exactly know.

[36 days]

Ah?!

[ You were asleep for 32 days ]

[ You are a freaking slow cultivator ]

"What is it, child?" The serpent asked, lowering his head.

"Hm..mm..It's been about a month, Sir," Lijen answered, swallowing his fears.

"Really?"

"Yes, Sir."

The serpent didn't know what to decide now. He couldn't also believe the little dragon's words since he could have been born early, and his mother had left to gather things for his birth and hadn't returned yet.

He didn't want to take a risk.

He didn't want to eat Lijen in case his mother arrived and blasted him. After all, If he ate Lijen and refined his blood, he might have a chance to become a dragon himself. But if his mother tracked him, which she will through the blood connection, his death wouldn't be nice, and that's an understatement.

So he decided to play safe.

"Then what are you doing with the bird?" The serpent asked, shifting the subject.

"Oh, this," Lijen lifted the chicken, "This is Fluffy. I got her while I went to hunt."

"What about him?" The serpent pointed at Roaster, who was standing still like a statue in fear.

"Roaster, I beat him, and he is at my command to take care of the chickens," Lijen answered.

"You can have one if you want," Lijen offered, trying to escape death by offering chickens.

Roaster gulped while the other chicken hid behind him in fear.

"I don't eat," The serpent turned to him. "At my level, I do not sustain my body with meals."

He could tell the Thunderclaw Rooster was at rank 2 and could defeat the lower part of Rank 2 with ease. But he was defeated by Lijen, while he was still forming his core. This information only solidified that the little dragon wasn't abandoned. Only a pure-blooded dragon would have that kind of strength.

"Then you are not going to eat me?" I asked, feeling hope.

"No, I do not need food to survive."

Ah, Thank God!

I nearly went to Dragon heaven due to pure stress. The giant serpent is a monk; he won't eat worldly meals. I have survived.

"Thank you," 〒▽〒

The relief I felt is immeasurable. I could kiss your earth-shaded scales with a hint of green.

[A rank 4 beast could sustain itself with Qi]

[It had shaken that mortal shackle]

Then why didn't you say it before!

[Just wanted to see you freak out]

[ヾ(⌐■_■)ノ♪ ]

Fuck you!!! ( ﾉ `Д´ )ﾉ┻━┻ 

"What are you thinking, little dragon?" The serpent asked in his hissy voice.

"Well, since you are not going to eat me, can I go home?" 

I asked in hope that he wasn't planning to keep me here as a pet. I don't want to be a pet to this old man snake. Even if I were to be a pet, I need to be the pet of jade beauty. I will sleep peacefully on those fluffy bo-Ahem...hm..hm. 

I am getting distracted.

"So can I go? You can have Roaster as your company."

I decided to push Roaster to his death. I also shrugged the betrayed look Roaster gave me. Can't do shit about it, bro; either you die or you die. I an't dying here.

"Hmm, that's a good idea," The serpent agreed. 'I have been having some pest problems since I moved in. The Thunderclaw should be able to deal with it."

"He will," I turned to Roaster with my brightest smile, "You can, right, Roaster?"

Roaster looked at the little demonic dragon and the BOSS serpent. He knew he couldn't escape their clutches, so he resigned himself to do what would keep him and his family alive. He swore to take revenge on the little dragon while nodding to the serpent.

~Caw~

"He agrees," I turned to the serpent.

"Good," Serpent said and moved his tail, revealing a dimly lit tunnel. 'Some Mole Rats have been bugging me; take care of them.'

At the Boss serpent's order, Roaster could only agree and moved towards the tunnel with some of his combat force. The rooster and his chickens entered the tunnels. The serpent then moved his tail and blocked the tunnel.

"Since you have helped me with the rat problem, would you like anything in return?" The serpent asked.

I looked at the serpent confused. I didn't know what he could give me.

[ His scales ]

"Okay."

"Can I have your scales?" I asked, hoping it wouldn't be something taboo.

"My scales? Hmm, why not?" The serpent then shook his body, detaching some of loose scales from his body. 

About 12 scales fell, varying in size. They all had a brown tone to them with patches of green. They were big enough that I could only carry one at a time. I lifted the one near me and ran my fingers; the scale's texture was not smooth. They were bumpy and uneven like a rock.

"Thank you," I expressed my gratitude, "I will put them to good use."

I was really thankful; these scales were sturdy. I could use them as a shield the next time I fight. They would really be helpful. I wonder if I could get knowledge on how to turn this into flying shields.

[Basic Runic Engraving]

[1000 points]

[Note: Need to be at least on Qi condensation to begin basic]

[Alert!: Abundant amount of primordial energy and material needed]

Oh, I can.

How much do these scales cost me?

[ 10 points ]

Ten for all or one?

[ One ]

Cool, but I can't buy Runic Engraving with the points.

"Is there something?" The serpent asked, seeing that the little dragon was silent.

"Nope, just admiring the scales. Thank you for the gift," I answered.

"Well, I will leave that to you," The serpent answered. 

"Okay then, see ya," I said as I willed the system to store the scales and dashed to the exit. The wind assisted me to move faster.

The serpent looked at Lijen as he ran away. He didn't know how the little dragon had stored the scale, but he was not going to question it. After all, he could do that too with his magic.

While he didn't want to question, this also consolidated that Lijen wasn't abandoned. The little dragon hadn't been abandoned. The kid's bloodline was too pure, that it gave him a slight pressure, and he was already cultivating his core, which looked different from any beast.

Moreover, the little dragon's scales and those moving specks of light. Those gave him the feeling of danger and an unknown power. 

He decided to see where this thing would go.

...

Damn, I nearly died.

I finally relaxed after flying back home. I knew the boss snake could find me here, but I feel safe at him. It was where I began; it will never change. 

But now to the earning.

I got 12 scales and a chicken farm.

It was a productive day today, if you remove the two near-death experiences. 

Okay System, show me what you got.