Xiao Yan frowned as he stared at the withered figure struggling under the chains. After a long while, he finally spoke, “Who are you? Why are you trapped here?”
The figure, resembling a skeleton, seemed to have exhausted much of its strength from the earlier struggle. Its breathing was labored, and Xiao Yan could feel an extremely cold energy continuously emanating from the four massive chains, sapping the former’s Dou Qi and keeping it in a state of extreme weakness. However, it did not cause any fatal damage, only allowing it to survive in a state of constant suffering.
“The one who imprisoned this guy is truly ruthless. Such cruelty is even more devastating than death,” a hint of surprise flickered across Xiao Yan’s mind. He had not expected to encounter such a peculiar and bizarre event at the bottom of the Netherworld Yellow Springs.
“I am the Patriarch of the Netherworld Black Sky Python Clan, Yao Ming.” In response to Xiao Yan’s question, the skeleton-like figure took a moment to catch his breath before speaking. His voice was extremely hoarse, like sandpaper scraping against glass, making it extremely grating.
“Save me. If you can free me from here, I will grant you anything you desire.”
“Patriarch of the Netherworld Black Sky Python Clan?” Xiao Yan’s brows furrowed, yet he remained unmoved. “As far as I know, the current Patriarch should be a guy named Yao Xiaotian, right?”
At the mention of Yao Xiaotian, Yao Ming’s eyes turned bloodshot instantly, and endless hatred poured forth from them. His frenzied roars echoed continuously at the bottom of the Yellow Springs.
“That bastard, that scoundrel! He used a treacherous scheme to usurp my position and seal me here. Ah! That brute, I have endured centuries of torment from the chilling force of the Yellow Springs. If I ever see the light of day again, I swear I will make him wish he were dead.”
Xiao Yan listened in astonishment. This man had been sealed here for centuries, and such a fate was indeed tragic. The frigid force of the Netherworld Yellow Springs, if it invaded the body, felt like being stabbed by sharp blades, and ordinary people could not bear it. Yet, this man had endured such agony for centuries, which even made Xiao Yan shake his head in disbelief.
“Can you tell me about your connection with Yao Xiaotian?” Xiao Yan asked, spreading his hands.
“I am Yao Xiaotian’s elder brother by birth,” Yao Ming hesitated for a moment before continuing in his hoarse voice. “Originally, I was the most legitimate candidate for the Patriarch’s position, and many elders favored me. Originally, it was impossible for Yao Xiaotian to become Patriarch, and he knew this well. So, on the surface, he showed me utmost respect. But in secret, he plotted maliciously, first poisoning me and weakening my strength, then defeating and sealing me here at the bottom of the Netherworld Yellow Springs.”
“Why didn’t he just kill you? That would have saved a lot of trouble,” Xiao Yan said.
“Because he wanted me to suffer… ha, ha, my so-called brother treats me with such kindness,” Yao Ming laughed hoarsely, his voice filled with sorrow and rage.
Xiao Yan remained silent. Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were willing to give their lives to protect him, so he could not fathom why brothers would hate each other to such a degree.
“Do you want me to save you? You must understand that Yao Xiaotian is now the Patriarch of the Netherworld Black Sky Python Clan and can mobilize many elders. Once you appear, your fate may not be any better,” Xiao Yan said.
“I have the Netherworld Scepter, the symbol of authority of the Netherworld Black Sky Python Clan. Possessing it makes one the true Patriarch. If I can escape and eliminate Yao Xiaotian, I will become the new Patriarch, and the other elders will not dare to challenge me,” Yao Ming hurriedly explained.
“What is your current strength? And what is Yao Xiaotian’s strength?” Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and asked.
“When I was sealed, I was only a mid-stage half-Sage. But the hundreds of years of suffering from the Yellow Springs’ power, though painful, increased my strength to that of a two-star Dou Sage. If I can see the light of day again, my Dou Qi will recover quickly and reach its peak.”
Yao Ming continued, “Yao Xiaotian was only at the peak of Dou Zun when I reached half-Sage. With his talent, after so many years, he is likely a one-star Dou Sage. He also has a trusted aide, the great elder of our clan, who is likely a one-star Dou Sage. This old dog helped Yao Xiaotian severely wound and seal me.”
“Two one-star Dou Sages?” Hearing this, Xiao Yan was slightly surprised. The Netherworld Black Sky Python Clan indeed had a deep foundation. Just counting the ones mentioned, there were already two genuine Dou Sage experts. Adding the weakened Yao Ming, that made three. Such strength truly deserved the title of one of the top three clans in the Beast World.
Surprisingly, Yao Ming did not seem as strong as he sensed, likely due to his physical condition. Demons were, after all, different from humans.
“My main obstacles are these two. If I can eliminate them, I will control the Netherworld Black Sky Python Clan. If you save me, young friend, I will owe you my life. Although I am not a kind or generous person, my word is my bond. If I can control the clan, I will fulfill any request of yours to the best of my ability.”
Yao Ming fixed his gaze on Xiao Yan, his voice earnest.
Xiao Yan clenched his fist in his sleeve, but did not immediately respond. His eyes flickered as he thought of how to disrupt the alliance between the three islands when he received the news of their preparations. But the Netherworld Black Sky Python Clan was no ordinary force; they too had formidable strength. Even if he brought in the strongest allies, it would still be difficult, especially alone. The character of Yao Xiaotian was well-known—ruthless and opportunistic. Given his nature, he would definitely agree to the three islands’ request to join forces against Zi Yan’s East Island. When facing such a united front, even with her rare dragon and phoenix physique, Zi Yan would struggle.
But if Yao Ming truly could take control, it would shatter the plans of the three islands. Losing this support would be a significant blow to them.
“I don’t trust you,” Xiao Yan finally looked up, his words slow and deliberate. He knew too little about Yao Ming, and could not risk setting a tiger free, only to have it bite him later.
Seeing this, Yao Ming opened his mouth but said nothing. He had no way to make Xiao Yan trust him on their first meeting.
“However, I do have a way to save you. I can even help you reclaim your status as Patriarch, but there is a condition,” Xiao Yan said, his eyes locking onto Yao Ming. “You must allow me to place a Soul Mark on your soul. If you betray me, I will detonate the mark, and even as a Dou Sage, you will be gravely wounded, and your strength will never recover.”
Hearing this, Yao Ming’s expression changed. This was like handing his life over to another.
“Only then can I trust you. If you refuse, I will leave. Frankly, I don’t want to get involved,” Xiao Yan said firmly.
Yao Ming gritted his teeth, his eyes flickering. He did not want to be controlled, but the centuries of suffering filled him with fury. Finally, he bit down and growled, “Fine, as you say. My anger can’t wait to tear that wretch apart.”
“Good!” Seeing Yao Ming agree, Xiao Yan was delighted.
Yao Ming took a deep breath, a light flashing from his brow as his soul force materialized into a black serpent. Seeing this, Xiao Yan smiled and, with a thought, a strand of fiery soul force floated out and quickly entered the black serpent’s forehead. As the soul mark entered, the serpent trembled violently and then dissipated, returning to Yao Ming’s brow.
With the soul marks in Yao Ming, Xiao Yan could sense the latter’s soul fluctuations. All he needed to do was think, and the soul mark would explode, shattering Yao Ming’s soul.
“By the way, I came to the Netherworld Yellow Springs to find the Yellow Spring Blood Crystal. Do you know where it is?”
“The Yellow Spring Blood Crystal is very rare even in the Netherworld Yellow Springs. Generally, it takes nearly a thousand years to form a palm-sized piece. Over the centuries, I have consumed everything,” Yao Ming hesitated for a moment before suddenly opening his mouth and a bloody light soared out, floating in front of Xiao Yan. It was a blood-colored crystal about the size of a fist, with flowing currents inside, giving it a strange appearance.
“Is this the Yellow Spring Blood Crystal?” Xiao Yan muttered, eyeing the strange blood crystal.
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