Chapter 320 Heading to the Nine Netherworld Python

As expected, Old Man Shennong settled down in Pill City.

Shen Wen originally wanted to persuade the old man to stay at the Pill Tower; after all, Xuan Danzi was there, and the two old friends could chat frequently.

But Old Man Shennong waved his hand, saying the Pill Tower had too many eyes and ears, and he didn't like it.

The courtyard next to the Shen Residence was quieter; he could just call out whenever he needed something.

"I won't delay you with your messy affairs." Leaning on his cane, Old Man Shennong stood at the courtyard gate, his gaze sweeping over Shen Wen. "But once every month, I will test you."

"If there's no progress in your Alchemy, you'll return with me to the Shennong Mountain Range and stay there peacefully for eight or ten years."

Shen Wen smiled and bowed, saying, "Your Disciple obeys."

Old Man Shennong snorted and turned to enter the courtyard.

The wooden door closed with a "creak," cutting off the view between inside and out.

Standing outside the door, Shen Wen heard the clinking of jade bottles coming from the courtyard. He shook his head and turned back toward the Shen Residence.

In the Flower Hall, Cao Ying was talking with Xiao Yi Xian.

Seeing him enter, Cao Ying looked up. "Is Senior Shennong settled in?"

Shen Wen nodded, sat down beside her, and took a sip from his teacup.

Xiao Yi Xian looked at him and asked softly, "When are we going to the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python?"

Shen Wen set down his teacup, leaned back against the chair, and looked out the window.

"Tomorrow."

He paused, his tone tinged with emotion. "That girl Qing Lin has been gone for so long; I wonder how she's doing. She said before that she had finished most of her scouting, but I got busy on my end and ended up delaying her."

Cao Ying smiled. "That girl is very clever. With Demon Crow and the others protecting her, nothing will go wrong."

Shen Wen nodded and didn't say anything more.

The sky outside gradually darkened. A maid came in to light the lamps and then left silently.

After sitting for a while, Shen Wen stood up and walked toward the backyard.

He stood for a moment before the door of the Quiet Room where Cai Lin was in seclusion.

The door of the Quiet Room was tightly shut, and a faint, ethereal nine-colored light seeped through the cracks.

Shen Wen sensed it for a moment and nodded.

Cai Lin's aura was steady and profound; it seemed she wasn't far from ending her seclusion.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, Old Man Shennong's voice suddenly came from behind him.

"That girl is coming out soon."

Shen Wen turned back to see Old Man Shennong standing at the end of the corridor at some point, leaning on his cane, his eyes fixed on the closed door.

"The transformation of the Nine-Colored Sky Swallowing Python takes time. Her speed is already considered fast."

Old Man Shennong paused and looked at Shen Wen. "Go ahead and handle your business. With me here, nothing will go wrong."

Shen Wen felt reassured and cupped his hands toward Old Man Shennong. "Thank you, Revered Master."

Old Man Shennong waved his hand and turned to leave, his thin figure quickly disappearing into the night.

Early the next morning.

Shen Wen left Pill City alone.

He didn't disturb anyone; he only stood at Xiao Yi Xian's door for a moment before tearing through space and stepping inside.

Underworld Serpent Mountain Range.

The tribal lands of the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python were hidden deep within this rolling mountain range.

When Shen Wen stepped out of the spatial rift, it was high noon. Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, spreading a pattern of dappled light and shadow on the ground.

Just as he regained his footing, a green figure rushed out from the dense forest and dove straight into his arms.

"Brother Shen Wen!"

The voice was soft and sweet, carrying a hint of surprise, a bit of grievance, and an indescribable longing.

Shen Wen looked down at the small head buried in his chest and reached out with a smile to rub it.

Qing Lin looked up, her emerald eyes sparkling, though the rims were slightly red.

"Brother Shen Wen, why did you only just arrive?"

She pouted, her tone full of complaint. "I've been waiting for so long; I thought you had forgotten about me."

Shen Wen pinched her cheek. "How could I?"

Qing Lin snorted and buried her face in his chest again, muttering, "You must have been busy with other things again."

"When Sister Ying sent a message, she said you've been busy with Alchemy, taking a Revered Master, and even went to the Burning Flame Valley. You've been run off your feet."

Shen Wen smiled but didn't respond.

Qing Lin nuzzled against him, then suddenly looked up at him. "Brother Shen Wen, guess what my cultivation level is now?"

Shen Wen looked down at her, sensed carefully for a moment, and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Five-Star Dou Zong?"

Qing Lin smiled triumphantly. "More than that."

She took a step back and spun around in front of Shen Wen, her emerald eyes shimmering with light, faintly revealing a Soul-captivating power.

"The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils have evolved."

A flash of surprise crossed Shen Wen's eyes.

Qing Lin continued, "After I arrived, I used Demon Crow and the others as cover to secretly devour several Dou Zong-level Elders."

"Their Soul power fed back into me, and with the boost from the Heavenly Demon Body and the Great Charm Technique, my cultivation has grown rapidly."

She paused and added, "Furthermore, I can now control Intermediate Dou Zuns."

Looking at her, Shen Wen felt gratified.

This girl has indeed grown up.

He reached out and rubbed her head again.

Qing Lin narrowed her eyes, letting him rub her head, her face full of enjoyment.

After a moment, she felt the need to get to business and pulled Shen Wen's hand toward the depths of the forest.

"Brother Shen Wen, I'll take you to see Demon Crow and the others. I've found a lead on the place you're looking for."

As she spoke, Qing Lin took out a beast-skin map from her storage ring and spread it out before Shen Wen.

The map was densely marked with cinnabar. In the deepest part, there was a red circle with four small characters written beside it: Nine Serene Yellow Springs.

"Demon Crow and the others searched for a long time before confirming this location." Qing Lin pointed at the red circle.

"The Nine Serene Yellow Springs is the Holy Land of the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python. When clan members break through to Dou Zong or Dou Zun, they use the yin-cold power there."

"But since Yao Xiaotian took power, he has forbidden clan members from going deep into the bottom of the Yellow Springs, only allowing them to Cultivate on the outskirts."

She paused and looked up at Shen Wen, light swirling in her emerald eyes. "Demon Crow said he once sensed it from a distance; there is indeed an extremely faint Soul fluctuation in the depths."

"Although it's suppressed by a Seal, that aura... is undoubtedly Yao Ming's."

Shen Wen looked down at the map, his gaze lingering on the red circle for a moment.

Nine Serene Yellow Springs.

He knew that place; in the original timeline, Xiao Yan found Yao Ming here, rescued him, and took control of the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python.

He only knew about the Yellow Springs, but its specific location was known only to core clan members.

He didn't consider himself a Child of Destiny who could just find a Yellow Springs Blood Crystal and enter the Holy Land of the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python at will to find the former Clan Chief.

So he had sent Qing Lin ahead to investigate.

Shen Wen looked up at Qing Lin. "Where are Demon Crow and the others?"

"Watching from the shadows," Qing Lin said. "Although Yao Xiaotian forbids clan members from going deep, there are Elders guarding the outskirts of the Yellow Springs year-round."

"Demon Crow and the other two take turns watching. If there's any anomaly, they will send word immediately."

Shen Wen nodded, his gaze falling on the map again.

After a moment, he put away the map and reached out to rub Qing Lin's head.

"You've done well."

Qing Lin narrowed her eyes and nuzzled his palm, her face filled with a gratified smile.

Shen Wen withdrew his hand and looked toward the depths of the mountain range, where a faint yin-cold aura was spreading. Even from hundreds of miles away, he could feel the bone-chilling cold.

"Let's resolve the matters here as quickly as possible," he said calmly. "The Nine Serene Earth Nether Python should be the easiest tribe to control."

Qing Lin nodded and took his hand. The two turned into streaks of light and swept toward the depths of the mountain range.