Zhongshan Shenzhu Chi

Deep in the dense forest, evergreen trees stretch their branches and leaves freely, climbing upwards layer by layer to compete for the limited sunlight.

An ancient tree lost in this competition, and the newer, larger tree weighed down its branches and leaves, and its trunk was entangled by layers of spiderweb-like vines.

The leaves fall, turn yellow, and quietly wither away.

The bloodhound, roaming the dense forest like a ghost, stopped in front of this ancient tree and slowly raised its front paws.

A long, scarlet claw protrudes from the middle of its forepaws, gently tapping the tree trunk.

The echo was deep and resonant, causing the moss growing on the tree bark to fall in a rustling sound.

The bloodhound listened intently, its gaze deep and unfathomable, as if searching for an impossible opportunity.

The roots of the ancient tree have rotted. Even if I cut the vines and tear away the darkness that shrouds the tree, its body will not be able to grow again.

The bloodhound lowered its front paws, its eyes drooping, as if it had exhausted its last bit of strength, and lay down beside the dying ancient tree.

It has a slender body and its entire body is covered in scarlet fur that clings to its body like compacted turf.

Although it is a canine, it is more like a wolf than a wolf, with long, narrow, slanted eyes that are sharp and fierce, carrying an untamable wildness.

Despite being a canine, it is more arrogant than a tiger, disdaining to be related to hyenas or wild dogs, nor willing to associate with wolves. Since it can remember, it has always acted alone.

In the entire Zhongshan Mountain, only the Golden Ape King with a Long Back can confide in it.

Bloodhound and Golden Ape, two ferocious beasts, share a common object of contempt.

They both believed in the Black Serpent God and despised the Black Serpent... Now they should be called the Red Serpent.

The only offspring of the serpent god, how noble must his status be?

Even if it does nothing for thirty years, simply by lying down, the serpent god will pave the way for it until it ascends to godhood.

The bloodhound rose, raised its front paws, and crisscrossed with crimson light, instantly severing all the vines that were binding the ancient tree, which shattered and fell with a rustling sound.

"If I were to consume the medium through which Zhongshan was born, I would be forced to live in the shadow of that cowardly red serpent from now on."

"The offerings of the people...that is the foundation of the serpent god, which I cannot take away. For me now, Zhongshan no longer holds the right 'key'."

Bloodhound looked up at the heavy darkness that obscured the ancient tree, and let out a low, hoarse growl, releasing the resentment that had been suppressed in its heart for a long time.

The long, curved abdomen heaved violently, and the bloodhound coughed twice, spitting out a pure white jade bead.

This was a communication tool given to it by the cultivators of the Crimson Immortal Sect.

Simply crush them after leaving Zhongshan, walk around a densely populated area to leave their hair, and you don't even need to kill them.

The Crimson Immortal Sect will then offer sacrifices from 30,000 people outside Yongning Continent who are completely unaware of the Serpent God's existence, as well as a Human Dao Golden Core that was destroyed by lightning and only has a trace of Daoist energy remaining.

Although it's unclear why humans would make such a deal with them... their offer is undeniably generous, and now it's likely that no creature in Zhongshan wouldn't be tempted.

The Golden Core of Humanity is comparable only to that of a Demon King, who is above the Great Demon level.

After the severe drought in Yongning, Zhongshan has been nurturing itself for hundreds of years, and so far only seven or eight fierce demons have been born that have the potential to break free of their shackles and become great monsters.

The Demon King... perhaps only existed in the era when the Snake God roamed the world.

The bloodhound raised its front paw, and the unusually long, eerily red claw in the middle gently touched the jade bead. Its body stood silently like an ancient tree.

a long time.

A loud cry suddenly rang out in the sky, startling the bloodhound awake.

It turned its head sharply, but its vision was fragmented by the layers of branches and leaves in the sky, and it could not find the eagle that had suddenly cried out. Did it find it? Or was it just a cry?

But in any case, it can stay anywhere for a long time.

The bloodhound picked up the jade bead, swallowed it back into its stomach, lowered its body, and moved silently and swiftly away, mimicking the movement of a python.

The Xuan Snake God coexisted with Zhongshan due to the Xuan Stone Calamity. In the mountain, nothing could be hidden from Him.

He must know about the connection between the Crimson Immortal Sect and himself.

—Show yourself quickly, stop me.

Your offspring, that red serpent.

No matter the strength, spirit, wisdom, or any other aspect, it cannot replace you in guarding Zhongshan.

The bloodhound crouched at the bottom of the dense forest, branches and leaves brushing against its constantly arching and falling shoulders and back. Thoughts fermented in the shadows, overflowing with a unique flavor.

The further we went, the closer we got to the border of Zhongshan.

*

*

*

It was midday, just past noon.

Mountains and waters, caves and grottoes, on the banks of the Luo River.

The little black crow flew down and landed on a huge rock on the shore, standing straight.

It had been observing the white fox from the shadows and had now almost mastered how to get along with "Candle".

Do things, and put them into practice.

Even though, like the Golden Monkey King, his relationship with Orochi was not harmonious, and he even openly provoked Orochi on several occasions.

Even a candle would go to the rescue without holding a grudge.

The little black crow called softly to the calm surface of the Luo River.

"Splash—" The sound of rushing water arose, and a huge creature raised its head from the water.

The terrifying heat made the space seem to ripple, and the water droplets remaining on the crimson scales evaporated in the blink of an eye.

As the giant snake approached, a wave of heat that even ordinary creatures, including the white fox, could not withstand swept over them.

But the little black crow didn't feel uncomfortable at all; in fact, it felt like a gentle breeze and was very comfortable.

"Lord Candle, I've found traces of the Bloodhound. Although I don't know its exact location, I'm certain it's still in Zhongshan."

"Still in Zhongshan?" The giant snake's eyes gleamed.

Since we're still in the mountains, there shouldn't be any problems.

"Can you pinpoint... its approximate location?" the giant snake then asked.

"It should be fine," the little black crow nodded. "As long as I want to find it, how should I describe it...?"

"After consuming the medium, whenever I try to find something, a vague voice always rings in my ears. I can't hear it clearly, but I can understand what the voice is trying to express..."

"I followed the sound and flew through the sky, and quickly found where the bloodhound was. But the forest was too dense, and I couldn't see the ground, so I called out... but I didn't hear it reply."

"That's fine." The giant snake nodded. "Tell me, where did you find the bloodhound?"

"In the dense forest near the new village on the edge of Zhongshan Mountain," the little black crow replied.

"I understand." Huai Nian lowered her eyes.

On the banks of the Luo River, suddenly the wind stopped and the sound ceased, and the water became still.

The little black crow was completely unaware; its two golden eyes shone brightly as it stared intently at the large snake.

Huai Nian originally planned to dive underwater and wait until the moon rose at night before taking action. Just as he was about to turn around, he caught a glimpse of the little black crow's expectant gaze.

His enormous figure suddenly stopped.

He's still just a child.

The giant snake murmured, raised the tip of its tail from the water, and slowly approached.

Seeing that it showed no signs of discomfort, the bird lowered its tail tip and gently touched the top of the crow's head.

"Well done, keep it up!"

"Mmm-hmm." The little black crow nodded repeatedly and flew away contentedly.

"This is quite an extraordinary existence..."

Huai Nian watched the black crow fly away, then placed the tip of his tail on the bluish-white stone where it had landed.

In no time, a reddish tinge appeared on the stone.

"Black crow, black crow."

"Bloodhound, Bloodhound..."

The giant serpent pondered for a moment, then turned and slowly sank into the Luo River.

Like a red-hot iron suddenly plunged into water, the surface of the water instantly bursts into a cloud of hot water mist, which rises straight up.

Suddenly a gust of wind rose, bringing in dark gray rain clouds while simultaneously dispersing the fog.