C15 The People from the Snake Island

Zhao Xiaoqi watched the approaching figure and noted that the bearers of the palanquin were no novices in cultivation, moving with remarkable speed. Moments ago, they had been a thousand miles away, yet in the blink of an eye, they had drawn near.

As they closed the distance, Zhao Xiaoqi observed that the palanquin was carried by a group of maids, each as beautiful as a celestial being, with elegant figures and smiles gracing their faces. They stood poised and lovely, a sight for sore eyes.

But the figure leading the procession disrupted this harmony of beauty. An old crone, her features worn and unsightly, her eyes cast with a gloomy shadow, embodied the classic visage of a villain.

Zhao Xiaoqi couldn't help but think to himself how contrived it all seemed.

While he was lost in his musings, the group drew closer still, finally halting near the courtyard. It was then that Zhao Xiaoqi realized they were not merely passing by—they were here to seek out the old man.

The old crone and her entourage paid no heed to the ruins left by the battle. Once the palanquin came to a rest, the crone bowed to the old man and greeted him with deference, "Green Bamboo Elder, I trust you are well?"

Upon hearing her address him, Zhao Xiaoqi learned the old man's name and chuckled inwardly, musing, 'Green Bamboo Elder, huh? And here I am, jesting at the world. I wonder if there's a Holy Nun in this tale?'

His amusement was short-lived as the Green Bamboo Elder engaged in conversation with the visitors.

"All is well. Celestial Snake Granny, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" The Green Bamboo Elder adjusted his sleeves, showing no signs of the recent turmoil.

The Celestial Snake Granny, unperturbed, replied with reverence, "Our Saintess seeks your famed spirit wine, Green Bamboo Elder. Would that be possible?"

The old man was known far and wide as the Green Bamboo Elder, his true name long forgotten by most.

The reason for such respect toward this elder was tied to his renowned talents. Among the upper echelons of the East Continent, it was common knowledge that atop the Eight Forks Mountain, by the shores of Black Water Lake, lived the Green Bamboo Elder, a master of two great arts: fishing and brewing wine.

The art of wine brewing was in high demand, particularly the spirit wine crafted by the Green Bamboo Elder. Coveted by cultivators for its remarkable benefits, it was a rarity that commanded a fortune. Many had attempted to replicate his technique, yet none had succeeded. The Green Bamboo Elder's formidable cultivation skills left him with few rivals, and even if others possessed his brewing secrets, they couldn't replicate the wine's potent effects. Ultimately, they had no choice but to beseech the Elder to produce more.

Celestial Snake Granny and her entourage had come specifically to request this precious spirit wine for the benefit of their warriors. "Saintess?" The Green Bamboo Elder's attention shifted to the sedan chair upon hearing Celestial Mountain Granny's words. Surrounded by maids, the chair remained still. The Saintess was presumably inside, yet she had not emerged for quite some time, which caused the Elder's expression to darken with a hint of displeasure. He felt a growing disrespect from those around him.

Zhao Xiaoqi watched the scene unfold with keen interest, musing over the lack of originality among these otherworldly beings. "Saintess" seemed to be a title everyone favored, but why did no one opt for something different, like "Holy Maiden"? He pondered this with a tinge of regret, his curiosity piqued by the stillness of the palanquin. Having previously encountered a Saintess in the Grand One Holy Land, he was curious to see how this one compared.

Despite his irritation at the Saintess's apparent impoliteness, the Green Bamboo Elder kept his composure, considering her esteemed status. This party had traveled from Snake Island, a place teeming with formidable demons and a heritage as fearsome as his own abode, the Eight Trigrams Mountain. The Saintess of Snake Island was undoubtedly a figure of great prestige.

Leading the group was an elderly woman, the Saintess's attendant, who wielded considerable power and acted in the Saintess's stead. Known for her fearsome strength and ruthless tactics, she was the infamous Celestial Snake Granny. While the Green Bamboo Elder managed to conceal his annoyance, the astute Celestial Snake Granny was well aware of the undercurrents at play.

Otherwise, she wouldn't be acting on behalf of the Saintess. Sensing the need for a change of subject, she deftly asked, "Green Bamboo Elder, what's happened here?"

"It's nothing, merely a minor nuisance."

The Green Bamboo Elder was prideful and reluctant to admit that he'd been cornered by someone younger.

Zhao Xiaoqi couldn't help but find humor in the old man's vanity and his stubborn refusal to speak the truth, and it showed plainly on his face.

Noticing Zhao Xiaoqi's amusement, the Green Bamboo Elder bristled with anger. "What's so funny?"

"I'm not laughing at anything in particular. You rule over heaven and earth, but do you also rule over whether I can laugh?"

"You..." The Green Bamboo Elder was so incensed he was at a loss for words.

"Young man, that's no way to speak to the Green Bamboo Elder," interjected the Celestial Snake Granny, stepping forward with a dark scowl.

"Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong. I'm not in the mood to kill today," Zhao Xiaoqi responded nonchalantly, clearly unimpressed by the Celestial Snake Granny. Though he wasn't averse to killing, he knew it could become a hassle if it happened too often.

"What insolence! You're quite full of yourself!" The Celestial Snake Granny was livid, her words nearly tripping over her anger.

In her travels, everyone she met treated her with utmost respect.

And now, here was a junior, speaking to her with such audacity. It was utterly outrageous.

"Green Bamboo Elder, are you really going to let this youngster run wild on your turf?" Though boiling with rage, Celestial Snake Granny was aware that this wasn't her domain and managed to hold back, turning to the Green Bamboo Elder with a questioning gaze.

"Enough. If you want to catch up with the old man, do it elsewhere. Don't get in the way of me killing this snake and brewing up some snake soup." Zhao Xiaoqi had run out of patience before the Green Bamboo Elder could even respond, ready to slay the Eight Limbed Terror Serpent and be on his way.

"Killing the snake? Green Bamboo Elder, what's this all about?"

Upon hearing Zhao Xiaoqi's intent, Celestial Snake Granny's anger gave way to confusion, and she looked to the Green Bamboo Elder for an explanation.

As far as she knew, there was only one snake here, the very Eight Limbed Terror Serpent raised by the Green Bamboo Elder himself.

Green Bamboo Elder's face turned pitch black with anger. He hadn't anticipated that someone, after witnessing the demeanor of those from Snake Island toward him, would dare to target his cherished pet. And upon hearing Celestial Snake Granny's question, he couldn't help but feel humiliated.

"Kid, don't bite the hand that feeds you. Walk away now, and I might just let you live," he warned.

"Why don't you give it a try?" Zhao Xiaoqi replied to Green Bamboo Elder with unwavering calm. Without giving another thought to those around him, he focused his energy, ready to strike at the Terror Serpent.

Celestial Snake Granny could tell from Green Bamboo Elder's sour expression that Zhao Xiaoqi was serious about his intent to slay the Terror Serpent, and she sensed her chance had come.

It was common knowledge that Green Bamboo Elder treasured his Terror Serpent, which was notorious for its arrogance and the myriad of problems it caused. Yet, Green Bamboo Elder had always indulged it. Now, incredibly, someone was about to slay the Terror Serpent right before his eyes.

If she could stand up for Green Bamboo Elder and discipline this brash youth, thereby saving the Terror Serpent, she was certain Green Bamboo Elder would reward her with the coveted spirit wine. With a smug smile playing on her lips, Celestial Snake Granny summoned her elemental power and charged at Zhao Xiaoqi.

"Ah, yet another one with a death wish," Zhao Xiaoqi remarked as he effortlessly parried Celestial Snake Granny's advance, all the while lamenting his predicament.

Despite his reluctant tone, Zhao Xiaoqi's actions were decisive and lethal, each strike revealing his intent to kill as he aimed for her vulnerabilities.