Chapter 96: The Black Serpent

Between heaven and earth, various continents lay intertwined. Apart from sects, merchant guilds, and clans, there were also countless solitary cultivators. These solitary practitioners were individuals who sought to avoid entanglements in the mortal world. They showed no interest in external affairs, yet they were petty and narrow-minded. Each was deeply skilled in cultivation, yet their hearts were small. They habitually claimed a mountain range or an island as their domain, drawing boundaries, and any intruder would be met with hostility, often escalating to fierce battles at the slightest provocation.

These solitary cultivators followed no rules or moral constraints; they acted on whim. Regardless of whether an organization was righteous or heretical, if it benefited them, they would not hesitate to kill and plunder before fleeing without remorse.

At sea, one had to beware not only natural storms and various demonic beasts but also these solitary cultivators.

“This Illusionary Rainbow Ark arrives just in time! I was worried that if the island we planned to rest on had been occupied, it would have invited unnecessary trouble. Not only would those solitary cultivators target us, but there was a high chance of losing our lives!” Jue said thoughtfully, then breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Feng gazed out at the vast ocean with a mix of emotions. “Those solitary cultivators do find places to settle. Here, apart from watching out for natural disasters and demonic beasts, there’s none of the disputes and entanglements typical among families and sects. Compared to us, they live with far more freedom.”

Jue waved his hand, diverting the conversation. “We are now on a deserted beach. If you go a bit further, you should find a shallow coral reef. Look around there to see if any coral has taken root. Those are excellent materials for making elixirs.”

Jue had many stories about solitary cultivators, but seeing Jiang Feng subconsciously admire their freedom, he swallowed those tales back, refraining from speaking.

This world was, after all, one where the strong preyed on the weak. Freedom was but an illusion.

Solitary cultivators themselves were constantly embroiled in disputes; they often fought to the death over claiming the same sea territory. Jue did not want Jiang Feng to get caught in such conflicts, which was why he was so interested in the Illusionary Rainbow Ark.

Jiang Feng leisurely flew over to a shallow sea area. The water was crystal clear, about tens of meters deep, with white sand and colorful fish swimming about. Vividly colored venomous sea snakes and even some enormous sharks lurked there. It was beautiful but perilous.

For cultivators at the Demonic Warrior level, harvesting coral here would be very dangerous, but for someone at the Xu-Wei Realm, it posed little threat. Jiang Feng pointed his hand, and a wave of dark energy pushed the seawater aside, like the “Water Dividing Beads” described in ancient texts. He then descended straight down into a patch of red coral, searching carefully. Suddenly, he scooped up a coral nearly half his height. It glowed with a blood-red luster, exuding a rich, vibrant essence.

“This is a blood-colored coral over three hundred years old. For ordinary people, making it into a pendant can prolong life and cleanse impurities from the body. For us cultivators of dark energy, it’s excellent for refining elixirs. Grinding this coral into powder and purifying it with flame produces a highly beneficial medicine,” Jue explained admiringly.

However, Jiang Feng seemed to have exhausted his luck. After searching for a long time, he couldn’t find another coral like that and sighed deeply.

“Jue, I think we should head to the deep sea. Here, even if we kill hundreds of sharks, we won’t find truly rare materials. The creatures in the deep sea are stronger, and the materials we find there will be of higher quality!” Jiang Feng suggested, excitement ignited within him by the blood coral, stirring a powerful urge to plunge into the depths.

Jue pondered briefly before nodding. “At our speed, it will be a long journey to the ocean’s center. But we can gradually push forward. The deeper the sea, the stronger the demonic beasts. We must stay vigilant and not risk our lives for treasures.”

Jiang Feng nodded, his eyes sparkling as the Wood Emperor’s energy surged forth, forming his armor. He flew toward the sea.

After more than an hour of flight, looking back, the land had disappeared entirely. The horizon merged seamlessly with the sky, an endless expanse of water with no islands in sight.

No sky above, no earth beneath, no foothold anywhere—a place that would unsettle anyone.

Instinctively, Jiang Feng touched the Seven Treasures Immortal Gourd in his bosom. Inside it was the Illusionary Rainbow Ark, his lifeline here.

Suddenly, the weather darkened. Thick clouds gathered, signaling an imminent violent storm. The atmosphere over the sea grew oppressive and gloomy.

“We’re in trouble. A heavy storm is coming. We must find a place to rest quickly, or your body will suffer under the relentless rain and wind, draining your dark energy. Being so close to the sky might also attract heavenly lightning, which would be fatal!” Jue urged, telling Jiang Feng to summon the Illusionary Rainbow Ark.

The sky was filled with heavy, dark clouds. Jiang Feng knew if he didn’t land soon, lightning might strike. He quickly summoned the Illusionary Rainbow Ark from the gourd.

In an instant, a brilliant cloud radiance burst forth, far more dazzling than the Golden Smoke of Fulfillment. The cloud hovered above the sea, forming a small, ornate boat, resplendent in colors and fragrant with a lingering scent.

Seeing this, Jiang Feng recalled the wealthy young nobles he had seen in his childhood, who after finishing their studies would go to such painted boats in Jiuyan Town to compose poetry and enjoy themselves amid the revelry of lights, wine, and beauties. He had never been to such places due to his father’s expectations and his own strict standards, but he often dreamed that one day, after cultivating dark energy, he would enjoy such pleasures.

Now, he had not only achieved that goal but had traveled far beyond it. Yet, he no longer felt that impulsiveness. The mundane world was but fleeting clouds—a truth he grasped deeply the moment he stepped into the realm of demonic warriors.

Standing firmly on the Illusionary Rainbow Ark, he felt no sway. The hull was carved with countless strange runes, seemingly capable of drawing dark energy from the sea to replenish his own.

“This truly is a treasure! The cloud radiance is as hard as iron yet light as wood. It can absorb the dark energy from the sea—truly an indispensable artifact for travel,” Jiang Feng mused aloud, chuckling slightly.

But in the next moment, the ocean seemed to rebel against him. A towering wave struck, lifting the once-stable Illusionary Rainbow Ark violently. The waves surged several meters high, tossing the boat about. Fortunately, the ark emitted light and dark energy that repelled the waves, preventing it from capsizing despite the rough tossing.

Jiang Feng felt like a fish trapped in a tank.

“No, this sea breeze smells foul. There must be a huge ferocious beast beneath!” Though now only a wisp of spiritual form with his cultivation vanished, Jue’s perception was boundless. He sniffed the air and immediately detected something amiss.

Jiang Feng was jolted awake.

He stared intently at the restless sea surface, a sudden surge of anxiety welling up. Here, alone with only the Illusionary Rainbow Ark as shelter, he felt the weight of solitude and danger. Yet, he knew he must remain calm; after all, within his sea of consciousness, both Jue and Gui Yue were still less powerful than himself.

The waves climbed higher and higher, until in the crest of the last wave, a terrifying creature’s face emerged.

It was a black serpent!

“No way—the Red-Eyed Blackwater Snake!” Jue exclaimed in shock. In his memory, this creature only appeared in the ocean’s deepest reaches. Its presence in this reincarnation sea, especially in such relatively shallow waters, was suspicious.

But there was no time for more thought. Jiang Feng was already too stunned to speak.

“Don’t be afraid. The Red-Eyed Blackwater Snake is the king of serpents, the finest python, but it’s still below the rank of a flood dragon. If we’re careful, we can escape alive,” Jue reassured him. Yet, after speaking, he saw Jiang Feng’s face grow even paler.

“What do you mean ‘escape’? This boy is truly frightened this time!” Jue lamented, then was startled by a powerful sound overhead. He instinctively looked up, facing the enormous and absurdly terrifying beast.

The Red-Eyed Blackwater Snake was a primordial creature born from the dawn of heaven and earth—a serpent ancestor, the pinnacle among pythons. With the right fortune, consuming rare treasures or elixirs, it could evolve into a Red-Eyed Flood Dragon. Then it would reconstruct its body and bloodline, shedding its serpent skin to become covered in dragon scales, growing larger and more fearsome.