BTTH: From Genius to Invincible-Chapter 321: The Serpent Saint Mountain Peak

Word Count: 2,744 Words

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Splash!

A soft sound of parting water echoed. Qing Lin slowly rose from the hot spring, her jade-like feet stepping onto the bank. Regrettably, no one was fortunate enough to witness this scene.

Qing Lin was dressed in an azure gown. Its long, trailing fabric could scarcely conceal her exquisitely beautiful figure. Through the thin, light gauze, one could glimpse her enchanting, snake-like waist. Beneath it, her slender and shapely legs were also fully visible. Especially with the azure gauze half-concealing and half-revealing, she appeared all the more captivating.

Her azure upper garment struggled to contain such beauty. It was a sight difficult to describe with mere words.

Especially beneath that thin azure gauze, as Qing Lin walked step by step, she was simply far too enticing.

Just the sight of her graceful and slender back, her alluring figure, and those captivating curves was enough to stir one's heartstrings and leave one utterly spellbound.

The current Qing Lin was no longer the thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl of the past. Having spent five years at the Sky Serpent Mansion, she had shed her youthful immaturity and blossomed into a graceful young lady. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Perhaps it was due to the superior bloodline of the Snake-People Race, but all the snake-people Xiao Yan knew possessed top-tier figures and appearances.

Unlike Medusa and Yue Mei, though Qing Lin possessed a soul-stirring figure, her eyes held a touch of limpid innocence.

Her eyes had not changed at all from five years ago. A single glance revealed pure innocence, easily evoking a protective instinct in others, much like a timid little sister from next door.

Qing Lin waved her hand, her eyes emitting a burst of green light. Subsequently, space distorted, and an immense two-headed snake flew out, plunging headfirst into the hot spring with a loud splash.

If Xiao Yan were here, he would have recognized it at a glance. This two-headed snake was none other than the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent from the underground magma sea of the Green Lotus Core Flame!

Splash, splash, splash!

The Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent thrashed about in the hot spring like a child playing in water. Its two heads playfully nipped at each other, sending water splashing everywhere as it reveled with great delight.

"Shuang'er, you're splashing water all over me!" Qing Lin wiped the water droplets from her face and body. This Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent had been her closest companion for the past five years.

Hiss hiss!

Hearing Qing Lin's call, the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent emerged from the hot spring. Its massive heads rested on the ground, its four eyes gazing at Qing Lin as it flicked its forked tongues with repeated hisses.

A green flower now bloomed on each forehead of the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent, and its eyes had turned jade-green, the same color as Qing Lin's.

This was not a case of Qing Lin controlling its mind; rather, she was helping it to grow and become stronger more rapidly.

The Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent's strength was no longer at the initial Rank 4, equivalent to a low-star Dou Spirit. Aided by the power of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils and the resources from the Sky Serpent Mansion, it had now reached Rank 6, comparable to a human Dou Emperor.

Knock, knock, knock!

A series of knocks sounded on the stone door, followed by an old woman's voice: "Saintess, the banquet is about to begin. The Mansion Lord asks you to get ready and then proceed to the grand hall."

Qing Lin heard the urging voice from outside, and a hint of gloom appeared in her eyes. Yet she still mustered her spirits and replied, "I understand. I'll be there shortly."

Over these five years, she had gradually grown more resilient.

Qing Lin stroked the scales of the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent and sighed, "Ah, Shuang'er, when do you think Young Master Xiao Yan will finally come?"

"Perhaps... we should run away and go back."

Hiss hiss~~~

...

The inns and guesthouses surrounding the Sky Serpent Mansion were bustling with extraordinary activity. Many factions rested here before attending the banquet, while some guests, weary of their stay within the Sky Serpent Mansion, ventured out for a breath of fresh air. After all, for humans, such an environment within the Sky Serpent Mansion was indeed unsuitable.

Xiao Yan paid no heed to such a lively scene, apparently resting with his eyes closed. Zi Yan poked her head out, curiously observing the surroundings. Finally, the carriage slowly arrived at the main gate of the Sky Serpent Mansion.

In truth, the guests arriving at the Sky Serpent Mansion for the banquet were as numerous as carp crossing a river. A group like Xiao Yan's, in a single carriage mixed among the crowd, did not attract any attention at all.

When the carriage reached the base of the Sky Serpent Mansion, Xiao Yan, seated inside, suddenly opened his eyes and gazed toward the Sky Serpent Mansion.

The Sky Serpent Mansion, as far as the eye could see, was a stretch of verdant green, with ancient pines growing on sheer cliffs. Anyone who saw this landscape before them would marvel at the magnificence of the scene.

This landscape was unlike those in other places. Countless green lights floated in the air above the Sky Serpent Mansion. Each wisp carried an immense life force and appeared incredibly vivid.

"Truly worthy of the name Sky Serpent Mansion; it possesses an even better treasured land than the Misty Cloud Sect."

Jia Xing Tian could not help but shake his head and sigh in admiration. The more powerful the faction, the richer the natural energy its mountain territory contained. The best-treasured land in the Jia Ma Empire was naturally Misty Cloud Mountain, the seat of the Misty Cloud Sect.

Xiao Yan's formidable Spiritual Strength subtly swept across the entire Sky Serpent Mansion. His eyes then narrowed slightly as, following the terrain, he gazed toward the giant statue that seemed to prop up the sky.

Only when Xiao Yan and his companions drew closer to the Sky Serpent Mansion and looked again at its enormous, emerald-green statue did they truly perceive its immensity.

It was, in essence, a colossal emerald-green peak thrusting straight into the clouds. Looking up, one simply could not see its summit.

After gazing at the enormous statue for a good while, Xiao Yan retracted his gaze and murmured, "This Sky Serpent Mansion... is somewhat interesting."

Xiao Yan discovered that the massive statue of the Sky Serpent Mansion was actually connected to the geomantic veins of this mountain range.

Creak.

The carriage came to a halt. The driver at the front said, "Sirs, we have reached the Sky Serpent Mansion. The carriage can go no further than this."

Xiao Yan nodded, and the group alighted from the carriage, taking a deep breath. The Sky Serpent Mansion was indeed a spiritually endowed land for serpents. The air was rich with life force, which was extremely important for magical beasts as it could strengthen their physiques.

"Mm! This is a great place!" Zi Yan exclaimed, taking a deep breath and spreading her arms to feel the essence of this land. For a magical beast like her, such a place was truly ideal, perfectly suited for magical beast habitation.

"You three, may I ask where you are from? Do you have an invitation?" a Rank 5 Demon Serpent of the Sky Serpent Mansion inquired in human language as Xiao Yan and his two companions approached the tree-formed gate.

At the mountain entrance, many Serpent Kings of the Sky Serpent Mansion were tasked with receiving guests from all directions and, of course, preventing any ill-intentioned individuals from sneaking in.

As the Sky Serpent Mansion's Serpent King made his inquiries, he could not help but size up Xiao Yan.

Although Jia Xing Tian possessed the most profound cultivation among them, what intrigued the Sky Serpent Mansion's Serpent King most was Xiao Yan, dressed in the robes of a 5th-tier alchemist.

Zi Yan was a magical beast, so her youthful appearance was understandable. Xiao Yan, however, was unmistakably human, and they could tell at a glance that his age was definitely not over thirty, perhaps not even over twenty-five. To be a 5th-tier alchemist at such an age was truly remarkable.

And indeed, many people nearby were discreetly observing Xiao Yan, all discussing which faction could have nurtured such a genius alchemist.

Jia Xing Tian presented the invitation and said, "We are from the Yan Alliance."

"Yan Alliance?"

The Serpent King was taken aback. He had never heard of it!

However, upon confirming that the invitation was indeed genuine, he said politely, "Welcome, welcome. On behalf of the Sky Serpent Mansion, I welcome your arrival. This way, please."

A Rank 5 magical beast only performing reception duties further highlighted the strength of the Sky Serpent Mansion.

While leading the way, the Sky Serpent Mansion's Serpent King said eagerly, "We are truly honored that you have come to celebrate our Sky Serpent Mansion's new Saintess's banquet." After some courteous pleasantries, the Serpent King continued, "I wonder, would you prefer to go directly to the banquet hall to await the commencement, or would you like to tour the Sky Serpent Mansion?"

Zi Yan heard they still had to wait and instantly displayed a hint of annoyance. Waving her hand, she said, "We still have to wait? How troublesome. What fun places do you have around here?"

"In that case, would you all like to visit our Sky Serpent Mansion's renowned Serpent Saint Mountain Peak?" The guiding Serpent King from the Sky Serpent Mansion pointed to a towering peak in the distance and said to Zi Yan, "Many who come to the Sky Serpent Mansion make it a point to visit the Serpent Saint Mountain Peak. This peak is not only famous within our Sky Serpent Mansion but is also a well-known treasured land throughout the entire North-Western Region."

"Serpent Saint Mountain Peak?" At this, Xiao Yan slowly looked over, observing the peak the Serpent King indicated, which resembled a coiled serpent spiraling upwards.

"Mm. Legend has it that the Serpent Saint Mountain Peak is where the Demon Saint of our Sky Serpent Mansion attained enlightenment. In the past, the Jade-Green Snake Demon Saint cultivated here. There are even rumors that this place holds a Secret Technique left by the Demon Saint, awaiting a fated individual to obtain it. However, after all this time, no one has succeeded." The Serpent King looked at Xiao Yan's group and fluently introduced this place of pride for the Sky Serpent Mansion, "Perhaps you might gain some insight on the Serpent Saint Mountain Peak, create an unparalleled Qi Method, or even receive the blessings left behind by the Demon Saint."

"Create an unparalleled Qi Method? My current Qi Method is already sufficient," Xiao Yan shook his head. He then glanced at Zi Yan beside him and added, "However, since we are here and the banquet has not yet begun, let's go up and take a look."

Not needing this Serpent King to lead the way, Xiao Yan and his companions immediately unfolded their Dou Qi wings and flew toward the Serpent Saint Mountain Peak.

When Xiao Yan and his companions reached the summit of the Serpent Saint Mountain Peak, they saw a massive stone tablet standing there, etched with numerous strange and intricate patterns.

These intricate, crisscrossing patterns were not the result of artificial carving but were naturally formed. It seemed this stone tablet bore a long history, shaped by the wind and rain over countless ages.

On this huge stone tablet, there was also a black hole, resembling one bored into the rock by insects.

Before this very stone tablet, covered in intricate patterns, sat many figures—or more accurately, many serpents. Most belonged to the younger generation of disciples who had joined the Sky Serpent Mansion.

From their auras, it was not difficult to discern that these diverse magical beasts were all formidable disciples of the Sky Serpent Mansion. Furthermore, even judging by magical beast aging standards, they were all very young.

Many magical beasts were gazing intently up at the stone tablet; some were coiled beneath nearby trees, meditating with closed eyes, while others hovered high in the air, attempting to discern the profound secrets it held.

This was also the first time Xiao Yan had witnessed magical beasts cultivating collectively. Of course, to say these magical beasts were cultivating was less accurate than saying they were trying to solve a riddle; all of them were intent on deciphering the meandering patterns on this stone tablet.

Even some of the younger generation of humans, who had accompanied their elders to the Great Meeting of Factions, were staring intently at the stone tablet, studying it carefully. Some sat in meditation with closed eyes, attempting to sense the aura fluctuations it emitted.

These young elites from various factions were all trying to comprehend the profound mysteries of this stone tablet, hoping for some kind of harvest.

Xiao Yan, not one to stand on ceremony, sent his Spiritual Strength coursing into the stone tablet like a fine needle—only to find that a strange force blocked his spiritual perception.

"Hmm, it seems there really is something inside." Although he could not be entirely certain, a force was obstructing his Spiritual Strength perception. Unless the Jade-Green Snake Demon Saint had truly been so bored as to place a mere stone inside and then deliberately shield it with energy.

Xiao Yan looked toward Zi Yan. A purple light flashed in her eyes, then she too frowned and shook her head. She also could not see what lay within, mainly because her strength was still a little too weak.

In recent times, an unknown number of people had come to the Serpent Saint Mountain Peak to comprehend its secrets, yet there had been no word of anyone making any gains.

Waves of visitors came and went from the Serpent Saint Mountain Peak. Even though everyone knew that a visit here was likely a fruitless endeavor, they still refused to give up; not making the attempt felt like having come to the Sky Serpent Mansion for nothing.

"Forget it, forget it! There's absolutely nothing on this stone wall." Just as Xiao Yan's group arrived at the Serpent Saint Mountain Peak, they heard a young human cultivator remark resentfully as he prepared to leave, having given up.

"There must be something inside!" insisted someone with notable talent. "I clearly sensed some fluctuations from within; there's definitely something in there."

"So what if there is? Who doesn't know there's something inside?" The human cultivator who was giving up snorted coldly. "Over the centuries, how many geniuses and experts have come here? I heard even the Pavilion Master of the Yellow Spring Pavilion visited, but it was to no avail. Anyway, I reckon I have no chance. I'm off, I'm off."

More than just one or two cultivators gave up; even as some departed, new groups would still continue to arrive in droves.

Seeing the human cultivators depart, the disciples of the Sky Serpent Mansion revealed disdainful expressions. They were not here to obtain whatever was inside; rather, the life force here was more vigorous, and cultivating in this place and absorbing the natural energy accelerated their growth.

Magical beasts did not rely solely on consuming heavenly materials to grow; they also possessed their own unique cultivation methods. This was even more true for a large magical beast faction like the Sky Serpent Mansion.

At this moment, Xiao Yan walked up to the stone wall, lowered his head to carefully examine the black hole on it, and remarked somewhat casually, "Since there's something inside, why not just reach in and take it? Isn't there a hole right here?"

As soon as his words fell, the expressions of many serpents present instantly darkened. They all believed Xiao Yan was mocking their serpent race for lacking hands. Moreover, if something could be taken simply by reaching in, who knew how many centuries ago it might have already been claimed?

Of course, there was no lack of a few among them from the serpent race who had reached the Dou King realm and had used Demon Transformation Pills; they naturally possessed hands. And even if they needed to retrieve something, they could also use their tails.

"Hmph, an ignorant lout who doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth."