Chapter 472 381: Returning with the Serpent

Li Yuanjiao carried the half-dead Hook Snake, flying away from the southern shore of Salty Lake at Xuan Yue Sect, and summoned the Mysterious Pattern Bottle, from which mist spread in all directions. The Hook Snake still squeaked and whimpered, its mouth full of pleas for mercy.

The Hook Snake's body was huge, and the Mysterious Pattern Bottle couldn't conceal it; it was rather conspicuous. Li Yuanjiao, carrying the Hook Snake, had just reached the shore and had no choice but to frown and land.

'An abandoned mountain or wild temple would be far too noticeable... Not to mention, this monster is absurdly heavy. Not only would using mana consume much energy, but parading it around is truly unwise.'

He quickly changed direction, flying north for a short while, intending to travel all the way upstream from within Salty Lake, follow the Great River through the safest territory controlled by Xiuyue Sect, and then return to the northern shore of Wangyue Lake via Xu Country.

'In Uncle Xuanling's travel notes, there is mention of the mighty, rolling waters of the Great River, which are extremely beneficial for cultivators practicing the Vast Sea technique. This is a good chance to see it for myself.'

Li Yuanjiao's Jing Dragon King technique transformed him into a lake jiao-serpent; once he dived into the lake and used the water's force to lift himself, the Hook Snake's weight lessened considerably in his grasp.

First, he summoned a few crab monsters and inquired about the distribution of monster forces at the bottom of the lake, confirming which direction each of the great kings resided, and only then planned his route. He dragged the Hook Snake forward slowly, pondering Kong Tingyun's earlier words:

'If I want to seek allies… Xuan Yue Sect is a fine helper as well. As for Changxi Perfected Person, who knows how strong he truly is—he seems to have some backing; it was an opportunity not to be missed.'

'It's just a shame that our family has no cultivator truly worth showing. Otherwise, if this were handled, things would go much more smoothly, and we'd even have an external aid—enough to keep an eye on Shanyue.'

Li Yuanjiao mused silently:

'I wonder if this idea was Changxi Perfected Person's as well… Which side's player is he, truly?'

He pondered to himself, ignoring the continuous muttering of the monster in his hand. The Hook Snake, seeing Li Yuanjiao's caution, grew listless and gave up begging. After a long silence, it sighed:

"Everyone says it's dangerous on land, but I didn't believe it. Coveting spiritual objects landed me in snake soup!"

Li Yuanjiao glanced at it and asked:

"What grade of Immortal Foundation are you?"

The Hook Snake replied:

"Those at the Demon Palace say it's Zhao Hanyu; I don't know what the higher-ups call it. I cultivated as a feathered serpent; the Upper Immortal cultivates Flood Dragon. I'm afraid I'm not suitable to be eaten by you… If you insist, I can fetch a jiao-serpent for you, Upper Immortal…"

Li Yuanjiao listened idly while moving along the riverbed, speaking unhurriedly:

"Taoist Fellow, you're overthinking. My family isn't a demon cave or a Dragon Palace; we have no methods to bind spirit natures. Neither are we a Buddhist monastery versed in refining demon nature. Why should I trust you? If I released you right now, you'd just flee instantly."

The Hook Snake understood well and curled up, despondent.

Li Yuanjiao, however, took this to heart, thinking:

'Although it may have looked like it only took two or three moves to subdue this Hook Snake, in reality, seventy to eighty percent was done with external power—Green Ruler Sword and Mysterious Pattern Bottle are both Foundation Establishment magical artifacts, not to mention Kong Tingyun's golden mountain and Treasure Bead, which can't be far behind. Add that Great Formation, and only then were we able to suppress the Hook Snake.'

He looked at the Hook Snake's split, smooth tail, its hook chopped off by Kong Tingyun. It was rather unsightly:

'I wonder if the White Banyan Fox senior is still under that tree… No rush to sacrifice this snake monster yet; best to go and ask first.'

As Li Yuanjiao journeyed on, he saw that the river became alternately dark and bright, and more than once, he bumped into monster palaces—terraces made of shells and sand of various sizes, white solution caves, a scene of bustling prosperity.

There were even two Foundation Establishment Demon Generals patrolling their territories, who happened to encounter Li Yuanjiao dragging the Hook Snake along. Both were so terrified that they dared not meet his gaze and hurried away.

Yet Li Yuanjiao did not see the so-called rolling waves of the Great River that Li Xuanling spoke of, nor did he gain any insights for cultivation. The river course was wide—very wide and long—there should have been plenty of treasures.

Upon reaching the territory of Xiuyue Sect, Li Yuanjiao broke the surface with the Hook Snake in tow. Before him stood a white-robed cultivator, sword on his back, who seemed to be divining something. Even when interrupted by Li Yuanjiao, he showed no visible change of expression and spoke out:

"I am Nian Yi of Xiuyue Sect. Greetings, Senior. Congratulations on capturing a Demon General."

Though the young man was only a Qi Cultivator, Li Yuanjiao dared not be remiss and replied quietly:

"Passing through your honored sect, I beg your pardon, Taoist Fellow."

Nian Yi nodded, continuing to trace a sliver of spiritual energy between heaven and earth with his fingers. His eyes half-open, half-shut, he resumed his calculations.

Li Yuanjiao headed south all the way, soon seeing that within Xu Country, there was a scene of peace—nothing at all like the chaos of years ago. There was no sign of Devil Cultivators, and the cultivators flying overhead did so openly, defenseless and unworried.

The Loose Cultivators he encountered along the way were also courteous, congratulating him on capturing a powerful monster.

"No wonder the Xiuyue Immortal Sect is so different."

Li Yuanjiao crossed the land and returned over Wangyue Lake. Several Li Family Qi Cultivators quickly greeted him. With Li Xuanxuan at the fore, their faces relaxed with relief as he said with great ease:

"Yuanjiao has returned safely!"

This journey was quite fruitful. Li Yuanjiao let out a hearty laugh, dropped the Hook Snake on the shore, strengthened a few banishments, and immediately, a group of Li Family cultivators rushed up—sealing it, arranging formations, measuring and sealing the monster's shackles and locks.

They returned to the mountains. Li Yuanjiao laid out all the spoils acquired on the trip, and Li Qinghong and the others were instantly overjoyed.

The Mysterious Pattern Bottle and Xuanyang Separation Fire were both treasures. Even better, they'd captured a Foundation Establishment serpent monster. Li Qinghong picked up the Foundation Establishment magical artifact—the Mysterious Pattern Bottle—and could hardly put it down, barely regretting:

'A pity my elder brother named it first. Dignified Foundation Establishment artifact, yet it's called something like a Fetal Breathing spirit-gathering bottle. Well, just have to use it as such…'

The few of them passed the two treasures around, examining them several times. A white-haired elder then entered. He looked over ninety, as frail as could be, and bowed low to the group.