Eternal Life: Hundredfold Rewards-Chapter 46 - 45: Black Jade Spirit Snake Nest and Battle Assignment

Chapter 46: Chapter 45: Black Jade Spirit Snake Nest and Battle Assignment

Ever since that incident two years ago, after hearing the second master mention it, Qi Chuan hadn’t shown much outward reaction, but he faintly kept it in mind.

Now, hearing what Murong Fan stated, the treasure location recorded in the treasure map was also within the Black Snake Abyss, which stirred something within him.

"Within the Black Snake Abyss, there’s a Tier One Middle Grade Black Jade Spirit Snake. If one were to slay one, obtain the Black Jade Spirit Snake Gall, extract its bile, and find someone to refine the Black Jade Discontinuity Pill, wouldn’t that solve the minor issue within the second master’s meridians?"

"If the minor meridian issue is resolved, is there a possibility for the second master to advance from the Qi Refining Third Layer to the Qi Refining Middle Stage?"

Privately, Qi Chuan felt that the possibility wasn’t very high.

Because the second master indeed suffered some injuries in his early years, causing minor issues in his meridians, but at the same time, the Lower Ninth Grade Spirit Root was also a factor. Solving the meridian issue alone didn’t address the spirit root problem and age issue. There was a slight possibility of advancing to the middle stage, but it wasn’t very likely.

However, solving the second master’s minor meridian issue would at least make his days a bit easier and prevent occasional subtle pains.

"Moreover, the treasure location is also in this place, which can be considered killing two birds with one stone."

Qi Chuan pondered quietly in his heart, and had already slightly made a decision.

"...Brother Qi, what do you think? Would you like to join the exploration?"

Across from him, Murong Fan shared some more information about the treasure map and then turned his gaze toward Qi Chuan, waiting for his response without saying anything further.

If the latter didn’t agree, he wouldn’t have much choice but to find someone else.

However, even if he was to find someone else, Murong Fan could only look for other Qi Refining Fourth Layer disciples within the inner sect.

Because if his partner’s cultivation was too high, he wouldn’t trust them easily.

And if they were at the Qi Refining Third Layer, even if at the peak, he felt their strength might not suffice and they might become a liability during cooperation.

Moreover, the Murong family and the Qi family had some cooperation with each other. With this foundational relationship, working with Qi Chuan was slightly better than with others, allowing for some minor mutual trust.

"Are there others participating?" Qi Chuan asked.

"Just the two of us, with more people, things might become more complicated and possibly more dangerous," Murong Fan shook his head and said.

Qi Chuan nodded, realizing Murong Fan felt the same way.

"In that case, I agree. I hope our collaboration this time is as enjoyable as the previous two," Qi Chuan smiled slightly, extending his hand.

Upon hearing the affirmative response, Murong Fan also smiled and extended his hand, "A pleasant cooperation, and as for the distribution of the gains, let’s keep it the same as before?"

Qi Chuan nodded. The way they had always distributed profits was fair, at fifty-fifty, as long as there were no special circumstances and their efforts weren’t too disproportionate.

Both were quite satisfied with this distribution method for now.

Their palms shook in agreement.

Afterwards, Murong Fan took out a piece of yellowed, rust-stained parchment, on which a map could faintly be seen, marked with some indistinguishable symbols.

At first glance, Qi Chuan couldn’t understand it, but with Murong Fan’s explanation, he gradually learned of the real treasure location.

Murong Fan wasn’t worried that Qi Chuan would go back on his word after seeing the treasure map, and then secretly explore the Black Snake Abyss by himself.

Because doing that, Qi Chuan would completely offend him.

Both were inner sect disciples and prodigies of cultivation clans, with similar strength and backgrounds. Qi Chuan perhaps couldn’t withstand the reprisal.

"So, let’s each make preparations, and depart in three days," Murong Fan suggested after letting Qi Chuan view and explaining the treasure map, and then putting it away.

"Alright," Qi Chuan had no objections.

After making the agreement, Qi Chuan turned and left Murong Fan’s Tier One Middle Grade Cave Mansion, swiftly returning to his own Tier One Upper Grade Cave Mansion.

Upon returning, he spent some time making preparations and then proceeded to consolidate his mana.

[You operate the Evergreen Technique, absorb the Spiritual Qi, refine the medicinal power, converting it into your own mana, triggering sevenfold critical strike, achieving seven times the gain. Your total mana had been slightly enhanced.]

Within his body, a small portion of the Gathering Essence Pill’s medicinal power still remained. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Operating the Evergreen Technique and triggering the Golden Finger, Qi Chuan quickly absorbed the remaining potion of the Gathering Essence Pill’s medicinal power.

Following the slight enhancement of his mana in his dantian, his Qi Refining Fifth Layer mana was thoroughly consolidated.

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

On this day, Qi Chuan emerged from his Tier One Upper Grade Cave Mansion, behind him, the entrance door of the mansion thundered shut, and the array above the mansion activated.

Upon emerging, he saw Murong Fan, who had already prepared in the distance. Upon seeing Qi Chuan, Murong Fan cupped his hands and said, "Brother Qi! Are you ready?"

Qi Chuan smiled slightly, nodded, and said, "Let’s go."

Afterwards, the two of them activated the Floating Technique, their bodies rising into the air and flying toward the direction of the Wind Moon Sect’s mountain gate.

...

Sixty miles to the northwest of the Wind Moon Sect, lies the Black Snake City.

Two youthful figures appeared outside the city gate, paid the entrance fee, and then entered the city.

They were Qi Chuan and Murong Fan. At this moment, to avoid attracting attention, neither wore the Wind Moon Sect inner sect attire, appearing just like ordinary mortals.

Strolling down the spacious street, surrounded by people coming and going, it was quite noisy. Looking at some of the buildings and shops along the street, there was an atmosphere of the bustling marketplace, mixed with a rough and wild flavor.

"Among these people, some cultivators are hidden, but... not many."

Qi Chuan’s gaze swept over the street; he could vaguely sense a few faint mana fluctuations among the crowd.

However, the vast majority were cultivators at the early stages of Qi Refining, at the second and third layers, or even quite a few at the first layer.

"This Black Snake City, due to its proximity to the Black Snake Abyss, attracts many loose cultivators who come here with the purpose of entering the Black Snake Abyss to hunt Black Jade Spirit Snake demon beasts. However, they mostly operate only in the outskirts and dare not venture deeper."

Beside him, Murong Fan explained, "Therefore, this Black Snake City has become a place where mortals and cultivators live together. The sect sends people here to keep watch throughout the year."

Upon hearing this, Qi Chuan nodded.

The Wind Moon Sect dominates the sect domain, with many cities and villages where mortals are innumerable. In some large cities, and special cities like Black Snake City where immortals and mortals coexist, people are stationed to ensure a more secure and stable atmosphere.

The two of them made a brief rest in Black Snake City, then traversed the city, exiting from another gate, and from afar, saw a massive black fissure.

This massive black fissure, like a scar on the earth, twisted and turned, stretching to the horizon.

Inside, the light was dim, with an all-encompassing darkness feel to it. Faint cries of demon beasts could be heard, sending chills down one’s spine.

This was the Black Snake Abyss.

Qi Chuan and Murong Fan glanced at the Black Snake Abyss, not showing any fear in their eyes, and walked towards it. Soon, they reached the entrance of the Black Snake Abyss and stepped inside.

As they initially entered the Black Snake Abyss, the view darkened, and some towering stone walls around them blocked the light.

In the outer region of the Black Snake Abyss, even Black Jade Spirit Snakes were rarely seen, although some loose cultivators were spotted. These individuals, upon seeing Qi Chuan and Murong Fan, would keep their distance with vigilant eyes.

They did not know the identities of Qi Chuan and his companion.

In fact, among unfamiliar loose cultivators in the Black Snake Abyss, coming across one another often led to a mutual avoidance to prevent potential danger.

To Qi Chuan, this Black Snake Abyss somewhat resembled a dark forest.

Regarding these loose cultivators, Qi Chuan and his companion paid no attention and simply advanced into the depths of the Black Snake Abyss. Soon, the frequency of encountering loose cultivators decreased until none were seen at all.

Meanwhile, the presence of Black Jade Spirit Snakes increased. They were all Tier One Lower Grade, sometimes hiding in holes along the stone walls, launching surprise attacks as Qi Chuan and his companion passed by, only to be easily slain by them.

Both were above the fourth layer of Qi Refining, so dealing with Tier One Lower Grade demon beasts was naturally effortless.

As their bodies gradually carried the scent of Black Jade Spirit Snake blood, these Tier One Lower Grade Black Jade Spirit Snakes, after smelling it, would retreat into their holes, not daring to venture out.

As a result, attacks on the two of them significantly decreased.

With time, the two of them finally reached the deeper parts of the Black Snake Abyss, where Tier One Middle Grade Black Jade Spirit Snakes roamed, even causing them to proceed cautiously.

As they cautiously delved further, arriving at a fork in the path, Murong Fan paused, lowered his body, leaned against a mountain wall, glanced forward, and signaled Qi Chuan with his eyes.

Qi Chuan looked forward and saw several more forks ahead, with a cave among black boulders at the end of the fork on the far left. Before the cave, at the midpoint of the fork on the left side, there was a large pit dug into the side of the rocky wall.

In the pit, the stench was overpowering. Rubble and pebbles were scattered around the edges, and in the middle, two gigantic black snakes over a foot thick intertwined, their black scales gleaming coldly, tongues flicking in and out with a hissing sound.

It was actually a Black Jade Spirit Snake nest!

Moreover, this nest contained two Black Jade Spirit Snakes, both likely Tier One Middle Grade demon beasts, a male and female pair?

But... why hadn’t they laid snake eggs, and only just gathered together?

Qi Chuan contemplated, such thoughts running through his mind.

"These two Tier One Middle Grade Black Jade Spirit Snakes, one male and one female, generally the female is stronger. Would you be okay if I took on the female snake, Brother Qi?"

Beside him, Murong Fan, after observing the two Black Jade Spirit Snakes and pondering, turned to look at Qi Chuan with a proposal.

"You want to take on the female snake?"

Hearing this, Qi Chuan looked at Murong Fan with slight surprise, then nodded and said, "Alright, let’s do it that way!"