Serpent Ancestor

Chapter 782: Key choice

In an instant, Qing Shuang transformed into a half-human, half-tree form. Her lower body became a towering tree, rooted deep into the ground, while her upper body retained her original appearance. However, her face was pale, blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, and her eyes were filled with resentment. Her entire body was surrounded by a green glow, making it difficult for any attack to reach her.It wasn't until this moment that the thunderous storm of attacks from the crowd slightly subsided.

"Hmph, what a pity! Even with so many of us joining forces, we couldn't kill you instantly. You really have quite a few tricks up your sleeve!" Qing Xuan snorted coldly, lamenting the missed opportunity.

Xu Hei had figured it out. In that brief moment, aside from Han Te, Qing Xuan, Wang Dashan, Night Sky, and even the Flame Demon Ancestor had simultaneously launched an attack on Qing Shuang. Who would have thought that this group had premeditatedly planned to ambush Qing Shuang!

However, the Flame Demon Ancestor was the last to act, and it was unclear whether he had been in on the plan from the start or if he had just decided to join in at the last moment.

Xu Hei had also realized that he could have chosen to act earlier, but he hadn't.

"Qing Xuan, what do you mean by this? Are you trying to keep all these treasures for yourself?" Qing Shuang gritted her teeth and asked.

Facing such an accusation, Qing Xuan merely raised a slight sneer. "Heh, my dear Qing Shuang, at this point, are you still pretending to be clueless? Do you really think our Thorn Clan's Grand Elder is so easily fooled?"

Qing Xuan's face was full of mockery as he sneered, "Every move you make has been watched by the Grand Elder. Breaking into the cave dwelling of an ascended cultivator? Heh, your purpose here was for that Golden Lotus box just now, wasn't it? Am I right?"

Upon hearing this, Qing Shuang's expression froze instantly.

"You... what do you mean?" Qing Shuang stammered.

"Hmph, still pretending? In that case, I'll reveal your intentions to everyone."

Qing Xuan stared at Qing Shuang and said, word by word, "The first box you chose was the Golden Lotus box left by Lotus True Monarch back in the day!"

"In ancient times, this item fell into the hands of the fifth clan leader of our Wood Spirit Clan. With the clan leader's strength, there was no problem wielding the Golden Lotus box. But later, the clan leader disappeared, and after your secret investigation, you discovered that the clan leader had secretly followed that human cultivator and vanished into the Immortal Burial Valley."

By this point, Qing Shuang's face had become increasingly grim.

Xu Hei, on the other hand, was shocked to his core. What had he just heard? Lotus True Monarch? Was it the Lotus True Monarch from the Void Realm of the outer battlefield? However, there were many people with the same name in the world, and countless with the same title. Xu Hei couldn't fathom how Lotus True Monarch was connected to the people of the Dark Star.

Qing Xuan continued, "Inside this Golden Lotus box, there is not only the inheritance of Lotus True Monarch but also the clan leader's seal. With this seal, one can become the new clan leader of the Wood Spirit Clan, a position even surpassing the three Grand Elders!"

"Our Wood Spirit Clan hasn't had a clan leader for three hundred thousand years. Do you think the Grand Elder behind me would just sit back and watch you become the clan leader?"

"My naive Qing Shuang, don't you find your attempt to steal the chicken quite laughable?"

Qing Xuan's eyes were filled with ridicule, seemingly mocking her for overestimating herself.

Meanwhile, Wang Dashan, Night Sky, and the Flame Demon Ancestor had already formed a surrounding formation, encircling Qing Shuang, who had transformed into a half-human, half-tree form. Once her Jianmu Overlord Body disappeared, it would be her end.

With so many experts of the same level attacking her, and having been severely injured by a sneak attack, she had no way out.

As for Han Te, he was slapped into a mountain crevice by Wang Dashan and hadn't emerged since. What a useless fool.

This meticulously planned assassination had been discussed by Qing Xuan only with Wang Dashan and Night Sky, with preparations starting ten years in advance. He didn't trust the other three alien races, so he hadn't informed them.

The Flame Demon Ancestor's voluntary participation was purely accidental, but since he was sensible, Qing Xuan didn't mind having an extra helper.

At this moment, Xu Hei stood in a corner, already considering retreat. He knew this was not something he could get involved in. He had no interest in the internal strife of the Wood Spirit Clan and had no real connection with Qing Shuang, who had even schemed against him once, creating some animosity.

He had come here only to explore the secrets of the ascended cultivator's cave dwelling and to gain some benefits along the way. He didn't want to take the huge risk of confronting this group, nor did he want to join forces with them against Qing Shuang like the Flame Demon Ancestor.

As for Han Te, he certainly wouldn't die, but being punched into the rock likely meant he hadn't been paid enough.

Xu Hei could only sigh inwardly, cupping his hands to the crowd, "Take your time fighting, I'll take my leave."

Xu Hei's footsteps quietly moved toward the cave entrance, planning to exit first. The restriction at the entrance of the deep valley, with Old Tree's formation skills, could be undone with some time.

Once he returned, he would leave the Wood Spirit Clan and find a place to go into seclusion.

Qing Xuan glanced at Xu Hei and said, "Fellow Daoist Xu, once we deal with this woman, we can continue exploring this place. Since you're an outsider cultivator, having you with us gives us more assurance. I don't know what benefits Qing Shuang promised you, but I can offer double."

"Thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist Qing Xuan, but I have urgent matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave!"

Xu Hei cupped his hands again and was about to leave the cave.

"Heh, Xu Hei, do you really think you can leave unscathed?"

Suddenly, Qing Shuang's cold laughter echoed.

Xu Hei squinted his eyes, saying nothing, but his steps halted.

"Do you know why the two of us arrived first, while they took so long to appear? Don't you find it strange?" Qing Shuang laughed.

Xu Hei still said nothing, but he had a vague suspicion, and his gaze turned cold.

"Heh, I think they've already sealed the exit of this place, adding several layers of restriction on top of the miasma barrier. Even if you have a method to break the restriction, with so many seals, getting out would be extremely difficult and time-consuming."

"Once I'm dead, do you think they'll let you go?"

Qing Shuang's words, accompanied by a bitter smile, sent a chill down Xu Hei's spine, sinking his heart to the bottom.

So that's how it was!

He should have guessed that this group wouldn't really disappear for so long just to lure away those zombies, suffering such heavy losses.

It seemed that Wang Dashan's severed arm and their disheveled appearances were likely staged or self-inflicted!

The truth was, they had gone to the entrance to set up numerous restrictions, intending to trap everyone inside.

Qing Xuan remained unfazed, calmly saying, "Fellow Daoist Xu, you don't need to listen to her nonsense. If we join forces and eliminate this woman, we can continue with our plan and explore further. I'll even give you extra compensation. Why not?"

"If you wish to leave, I would regret it, but I won't stop you."

"As for setting restrictions at the entrance, that's purely fictitious."