C48 Azure Snake Patriarch

"You can't kill me," Yu Kun stated calmly. "Have you ever considered that your offspring exists somewhere between a mutated beast and a demonic beast? No ordinary person could possess the power to kill him!"

The Azure Snake Patriarch let out a cold laugh. "With your High Rank Qi Refining Stage abilities, you're more than capable of killing my descendant."

"But at the time, I was merely at the Low Rank Qi Refining Stage," Yu Kun countered.

The Azure Snake Patriarch paused, a flicker of realization crossing his face. "That explains why the aura you left was so frail to my senses! So it was because your cultivation level wasn't as advanced as I thought?"

A sense of understanding dawned on the Azure Snake Patriarch. "You do have something unique about you. Nevertheless, I can still end your life."

Yu Kun, seemingly provoked, bellowed, "If you dare to kill me, divine retribution will surely follow!"

The Azure Snake Patriarch's smile wavered, then halted altogether as a thought struck him. "Some families among humans do possess such capabilities! Should their kin meet an untimely death, the bloodline's protective prohibitions are triggered, dealing a heavy blow to the assailant!"

Realizing his slip of the tongue, Yu Kun fell silent.

Yet the Azure Snake Patriarch's smile returned, more sinister than before. "Youngsters just can't handle pressure. You've now revealed your true identity! You may be from a noble family, but I have ways to kill you. Remember, if you perish in a fair duel or are slain by someone of equal standing, your bloodline's prohibitions won't activate!"

Yu Kun's face twisted with fear.

The Azure Snake Patriarch's pleasure grew upon seeing Yu Kun's distress. "You likely didn't foresee this, but our Demon Clan possesses a technique that can temporarily lower our cultivation level, allowing us to evade detection by stronger foes. This method can even aid us in breaking through barriers to enter many secret realms. Alas, your Human Clan has remained oblivious to this secret."

Approaching Yu Kun, the Azure Snake Patriarch struck him repeatedly, each palm strike precise and forceful.

Yu Kun let out a furious roar. "You've sealed all the meridians in my body, and even my Qi Sea!"

"Well done!" the Azure Snake Patriarch exclaimed, "Now, no matter what tricks you have up your sleeve, you can't mobilize your Astral Energy! And all I need to do is lower my own cultivation level, then I can easily take you out! You should really be thanking yourself for that slip of the tongue. Otherwise, you might have outsmarted me!"

With a wild laugh, the Azure Snake Patriarch fell silent.

He then coiled himself into a tight ball, his forked tongue flickering in and out, apparently practicing some bizarre technique. Eventually, he coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood, signaling the start of his cultivation level's decline.

Yu Kun's face darkened with what seemed like intense anger. But inwardly, he was bursting with glee.

"I never imagined the Demon Clan possessed such a secret method! I assumed he'd enlist another from his clan to finish me off. But since he's chosen to do it himself, he can't blame anyone but himself!"

Feeling smug, Yu Kun covertly engaged the Leviathan-roc Space and began to consume the Spirit Stones inside.

For anyone else, having their Qi Sea and meridians sealed would spell certain death. But Yu Kun was different. His Qi Sea was unusable anyway, so being sealed made no difference to him.

For others, a sealed Qi Sea meant no access to Astral Energy. And if their meridians were also sealed, they couldn't harness even a trace of Astral Energy.

Yu Kun, however, drew his Astral Energy from the system. Now, he just needed to absorb the Spirit Stones to transform them into Astral Energy, which would allow him to reopen his meridians. Then, he'd be ready to deliver a lethal strike!

This realization brought a wave of relief to Yu Kun.

"Thank goodness the Azure Snake Patriarch is so arrogant, convinced he's seen through me. He even let slip the secret of that cultivation-dispersing technique. My plan was to use the Vajra Subduing Dragon to wound him, grab what I could, and flee. I never expected him to weaken himself..."

Yu Kun's heart raced with excitement, but his face remained a mask of worry and frustration.

Yu Kun swiftly consumed enough Spirit Stones to restore his strength. Yet, this time he held back, choosing not to strike.

The Azure Snake Patriarch's power hadn't waned to the level Yu Kun was waiting for. Yu Kun was acutely aware that any attack now would only wound the Patriarch, not kill him.

"All I can do is wait! But I've been out for so long, if I head back now, I might miss the trials for Inner Sect discipleship! Still, securing the treasures here would make it worthwhile, even if I don't make it as an Inner Sect disciple," Yu Kun mused to himself. He slowly closed his eyes, settling into a silent vigil.

As seconds turned to minutes, and minutes to days, five days slipped away.

Suddenly, the Azure Snake Patriarch rose to his feet. His aura had significantly diminished, now comparable to that of a mutated beast. His current strength was indistinguishable from a human at the Qi Refining Stage.

"You!" Yu Kun's eyes snapped open, his voice tinged with astonishment. "You truly possess such power!"

With a menacing laugh, the Azure Snake Patriarch advanced towards Yu Kun.

"There's no escape for you!"

Between clenched teeth, Yu Kun bargained, "Spare me, and I'll reveal every secret of my clan to you."

"Your human clan's secrets hold no appeal for me!" the Patriarch retorted, his gaze icy as he towered over Yu Kun.

He spoke deliberately, "There's only one thing I care about now. I will kill you to avenge my offspring! By slaying you and completing the sacrifice, their lingering resentment will empower me, pushing my realm to new heights!"

The intent behind the Azure Snake Patriarch's words was crystal clear.

Desperation painted Yu Kun's face as he pleaded, "Don't kill me. I will pledge myself to you, serve you as my master for life!"

"I have no use for a despicable human servant," the Patriarch dismissed coldly, then struck without a moment's delay.

This time, the Azure Snake Patriarch's attack was devoid of the usual sky-filling Demonic Qi, yet it was more lethal than ever. He had transformed his Demonic Qi into a dagger, poised to strike.

As the Azure Snake Patriarch made his move, Yu Kun struck as well.

The Azure Snake Patriarch was taken aback to witness Yu Kun suddenly erupt with ferocious Astral Energy. In that instant, the Azure Snake Patriarch realized the truth.

"You deceived me! You sly human!"