Chen Xiao nodded gratefully at the Grand Elder before taking a step forward.
For Eastern Dragon Island at present, the combat power of a two-star Dou Sheng, coupled with the support of the entire Nine Nether Earth Python Race, wasn't exactly a necessity.
However, for Chen Xiao, it would prove extremely useful.
The Grand Elder's actions clearly indicated he was letting Chen Xiao have this benefit.
Chen Xiao looked at Yao Ming and said, "I can save you, but you need to realize that Yao Xiaotian is currently the Clan Leader of the Nine Nether Earth Python Race and can definitely mobilize many elders. Once you show yourself, your situation likely won't be much better."
Seeing Chen Xiao step forward, Yao Ming guessed that Grand Elder Green Mountains was letting Chen Xiao make the decision. Though he felt some confusion, it wasn't important.
As long as he could escape his predicament, it didn't matter who saved him, nor whom he pledged allegiance to.
What's more, he could see that Chen Xiao, despite his youth, already possessed the cultivation of a seven-star Dou Zun. Coupled with his ambiguous relationship with the Ancient Dragon clan, pledging loyalty to him wouldn't be shameful.
With this thought, Yao Ming hurriedly declared, "I have the Nine Nether Underworld Staff in my possession. This is the token of the Clan Leader of the Nine Nether Earth Python Race. Only the person holding the Underworld Staff is the true Clan Leader. As long as I can break free and deal with Yao Xiaotian, I will be the new Clan Leader, and the other elders won't dare to lay a hand on me! I swear, if you save me, all my previous promises will remain valid forever!"
"It's that simple?"
"This matter is indeed not difficult. Speaking of which, I should thank my good brother! When I was sealed, I was only a mid-stage Half-Saint. But over these past few hundred years, the Yellow Spring Power has continuously tempered my body. Although it caused me immense suffering, my strength has also improved as a result. I am now a two-star Dou Sheng. As long as I can see the light of day again, the Dou Qi within me will quickly recover and reach its peak state!"
"As for Yao Xiaotian, when I reached Half-Saint, he had only just reached the peak of Dou Zun. Given his talent, after so many years, he would at most be at the level of a one-star Dou Sheng."
"However, he has a confidant, who is our Nine Nether Earth Python Race's Grand Elder. This person probably also has the strength of a peak one-star Dou Sheng now. It was this old fellow who helped Yao Xiaotian gravely injure me and seal me back then."
"My biggest obstacles are these two people. As long as they are eliminated, the Nine Nether Earth Python Race will surely return to my hands! At that time, young friend, you will be my savior. Although I, Yao Ming, am not exactly a good person, my words always carry weight. If I gain control of the Nine Nether Earth Python Race in the future, I will do my utmost to fulfill any request you have."
Yao Ming stared eagerly at Chen Xiao, with no intention of playing any tricks.
As long as he could get his revenge, he was willing to pay any price!
With the strength of a two-star Dou Sheng against two one-star Dou Saints, and knowing each other's capabilities intimately, he was very confident!
Grand Elder Green Mountains beside him also nodded slightly. In his opinion, Yao Ming had the advantage in strength. As long as he was given some time, consolidating the Nine Nether Earth Python Race would not be a difficult task.
"Alright, I can save you. However, I don't trust verbal promises. You must willingly release your soul so I can leave a soul mark!" Chen Xiao no longer hesitated, directly stating his demand and making his decision.
The Dou Qi Continent was not a world where the Heavenly Dao existed; so-called oaths were utterly useless.
To prevent the other party from breaking their promise, one had to rely on their own means, and a soul mark could greatly restrain Yao Ming!
Once the soul mark was left, if Yao Ming harbored any ill intentions, Chen Xiao could detonate it with a single thought. Even if it couldn't completely obliterate a Dou Sheng expert like Yao Ming, it could instantly inflict irreparable damage on him, preventing him from ever advancing his strength again.
Upon hearing this, Yao Ming's expression changed slightly. This was akin to handing his life over to someone else!
After all, if he were truly to suffer severe damage, wouldn't it be easy for Chen Xiao to kill him?
But when he thought of the torment he had endured these past few hundred years, and when he thought of that scumbag Yao Xiaotian occupying the position that rightfully belonged to him for so many years, enjoying everything that should have been his, Yao Ming found it difficult to remain calm.
He gritted his teeth, his eyes flickering. He looked at Chen Xiao, Cai Lin, and Grand Elder Green Mountains. Then, he suddenly gritted his teeth and roared, "Good, I'll do as you say! I can't wait to tear that scumbag into a thousand pieces!"
Yao Ming could actually understand Chen Xiao's caution. After all, this was their first meeting, and there was no way they could truly connect.
"Good!"
Seeing Yao Ming agree, Chen Xiao nodded with satisfaction.
In fact, from his perspective, he had to let Yao Ming out no matter what, even if Yao Ming refused to be restrained by him.
Because Yao Xiaotian was someone even less worth associating with, and in the original timeline, he had ended up on the opposite side of Eastern Dragon Island.
With Yao Ming released, the Nine Nether Earth Python Race would inevitably descend into internal strife, which would only bring benefits and no harm to Chen Xiao and Eastern Dragon Island.
There was also the most important point: he had brought Cai Lin here to receive her inheritance this time, and Cai Lin would be in secluded cultivation here for a long time to come. Chen Xiao absolutely did not want an irrelevant man watching nearby!
"Hoo..."
With the matter settled, Yao Ming took a deep breath. A light flashed between his brows, and an invisible soul power spread out, eventually condensing into a giant black snake before him.
Seeing Yao Ming voluntarily summon his soul, Chen Xiao smiled faintly. With a thought, a wisp of soul power floated out and quickly drilled into the forehead of the giant black snake.
The moment the soul mark entered the snake's forehead, its body trembled violently. Then, the snake form dissipated and burrowed into Yao Ming's brow.
As that wisp of soul was absorbed into Yao Ming's brow, Chen Xiao could also sense the fluctuations of the other party's soul.
Now, with just a thought, that soul mark would instantly explode. Even if the other party were a Dou Sheng expert, they would definitely suffer heavy damage, making their life worse than death!
"Alright, the Yellow Spring Blood Crystals in this Nine Nether Yellow Spring should all be in your hands, right?"
Yao Ming nodded and said, "Yellow Spring Blood Crystals are extremely rare even in the Nine Nether Yellow Spring. It usually takes nearly a thousand years for a palm-sized piece to condense. Quite a lot had accumulated here, and some condensed over these past few hundred years, but they were all devoured by me."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yao Ming suddenly opened his mouth, and three streams of bloody light shot out, hovering before Chen Xiao and the other two.
When the light stabilized, they saw three fist-sized blood-colored crystal chunks!
Within those crystal chunks, it seemed as if countless blood was flowing, their appearance extremely bizarre. A terrifying, icy power could be felt from them!
This was the Yellow Spring Blood Crystal!
An object of extreme Yin and extreme cold!
After a brief examination, Cai Lin and Grand Elder Green Mountains had no intention of taking this 'imported goods.' With a slight wave of their hands from a distance, they pushed the blood crystals towards Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao frowned slightly, suppressing a few discomforts, and put the three Yellow Spring Blood Crystals into his storage ring.
He turned to look at Yao Ming and said, "I can see that it's not these four chains that are trapping you, but the four mountain bodies at the end of the chains, right? The chilling energy constantly emanating from within will drain the Dou Qi in your body, keeping you in a state of extreme weakness. Am I correct?"
Thanks to the inheritance of the Array Heaven Sacred Hand, Chen Xiao could see through the mechanism at a glance.
After all, four chains alone couldn't bind a Dou Sheng expert. Even if the chains were ten times thicker, it still wouldn't be enough.
Yao Ming was stunned for a moment. After reacting, he quickly nodded. "Your insight is remarkable! Those are not ordinary mountain bodies, but four Yellow Spring Yin Stones. They are the key to my imprisonment. Where the chains and the Yin Stones connect, there's a delicate mechanism. If you can shatter them, these chains, though made of special materials, will no longer be able to hold me."
"It's just that these Yellow Spring Yin Stones have been tempered by chilling energy for countless years, making them as hard as iron. Even if I were to recover my strength, it would be difficult to do so. I'll have to trouble you to find a way."
Chen Xiao nodded, and with a flash, he arrived at the end of one of the chains.
Indeed, the chain was deeply embedded into a pitch-black 'mountain body.' This 'mountain body' wasn't large, only about a hundred feet tall. It didn't look naturally formed; the traces of artificial carving were obvious.
Standing before this Yellow Spring Yin Stone, even with Chen Xiao's unusual attributes and extraordinary Dou Qi, he could still feel a biting chill. It was imaginable how terrifying the chilling energy within was.
"The mechanism inside..."
Without wasting time, Chen Xiao released his Soul Perception to investigate. Before long, he had an idea.
He brought his fingers together, and a strand of extremely compressed Bone Spirit Cold Flame extended out like a fine needle. It gently inserted itself into the connection point between the iron chain and the mountain body.
After a while, he finally felt he had touched a remarkably hard, circular object. With a sudden increase in force from his fingers, the flame needle fiercely pierced into the hard sphere.
Crack!
The moment the flame needle entered the sphere, Chen Xiao felt a peculiar fluctuation emanating from the Yellow Spring Yin Stone.
Immediately, the massive iron chain connected to this Yellow Spring Yin Stone snapped completely!
"That easy?"
Yao Ming, who had been somewhat worried, suddenly looked up at Chen Xiao, his face filled with disbelief.
The Grand Elder of Green Mountains also seemed to gain interest. He strode to the Yellow Spring Yin Stone connected to another chain. After a brief observation, he clenched his fist, and surging Dou Qi erupted. He fiercely smashed his fist onto the mountain body.
"Boom!"
A large wave of energy roared outwards from where the Grand Elder's fist landed, but the pitch-black 'mountain body' merely trembled slightly.
This punch, which even a one-star Dou Sheng would not dare to underestimate, left not even a dent on the Yellow Spring Yin Stone!
"Brute force is indeed not the way. Unless I go all out, it will be difficult to destroy it," the Grand Elder of Green Mountains muttered, shaking his head gently. He then walked to the side, leaving the task to Chen Xiao.
Seeing this, Cai Lin couldn't help but smile.
She had no intention of trying. If even the Grand Elder couldn't do it, there was no need for her to embarrass herself.
On the other side, having freed one chain, Chen Xiao now had the experience. He immediately used the same method, quickly freeing the remaining three chains for Yao Ming.
Meanwhile, in a magnificent palace within the Nether Snake Earth Vein.
Personal clothing was scattered on the ground. At this moment, the Clan Leader of the Nine Nether Earth Python Race, Yao Xiaotian, was thrusting into a beautiful maidservant.
Yao Xiaotian was quite handsome, but his brow carried an undeniable coldness. Even as he was immersed in unspeakable pleasure, the occasional glint in his eyes as they opened and closed was like a venomous snake capable of instantly taking a life, sending a chill down one's spine.
Suddenly, Yao Xiaotian's movements froze. A flash of shock appeared in his eyes, quickly replaced by violent killing intent.
Bang!
He struck down with his palm, turning the still unconsciously writhing maidservant beneath him into a mist of blood. He then sat on the throne with a sinister expression.
"All of you, get out!"
Yao Xiaotian waved his hand irritably at the trembling maidservants in the hall.
After the maidservants retreated as if granted amnesty, Yao Xiaotian put on his robes and immediately sent a message to the Grand Elder of his clan.
Not long after, an old man with a bright red viper wrapped around his shoulder strode into the hall. Smelling the scent of blood in the air, he couldn't help but frown and ask, "Clan Leader, what has happened?"
"The seal suppressing Yao Ming has suddenly broken," Yao Xiaotian said with a cold face, his voice laced with a chilling intent.
"What? How is that possible!"
Upon hearing this, the old man's expression changed drastically, mixed with a hint of panic.
No one knew better than he what kind of chaos Yao Ming's escape would cause.
A life-and-death battle was absolutely unavoidable!
"There must be a problem beneath the Nine Nether Yellow Spring. Although Yao Ming has broken free, his strength is certainly not at its peak. You must go immediately and re-suppress him. I will make arrangements for the clan matters and then come to support you. We absolutely cannot let those old fellows who support Yao Ming notice any movement!" Yao Xiaotian said with a grim expression, quickly making arrangements.
The old man opened his mouth, wanting to say that he alone might not be able to suppress Yao Ming. However, he and Yao Xiaotian were already in the same boat. He also knew this was the best course of action, so he could only grit his teeth and agree.
"Don't worry, he will never get a chance to turn the tables!" the old man said sinisterly, a flicker of killing intent in his eyes. His figure instantly disappeared from his spot.
...
The bottom of the Nine Nether Yellow Spring.
Crack!
As the seal of the last iron chain was broken, Chen Xiao waved his sleeve, and a gentle force supported Yao Ming, who had nearly fallen.
"You've just broken free, and your Dou Qi is almost depleted. Now, any Dou Zong expert could take your life."
"Hahaha, I never expected that I, Yao Ming, would live to see this day! May I know your esteemed name?"
Yao Ming's body was extremely weak, but at this moment, he was unusually excited. He looked at Chen Xiao and asked loudly with a laugh.
"Purple Firmament Pavilion, Chen Xiao."
"So it's Pavilion Master Chen! I will never forget this life-saving grace. My previous promise remains forever valid!"
Chen Xiao smiled upon hearing this, feeling the intense gratitude in Yao Ming's words. Although this gratitude was mixed with his hatred for Yao Xiaotian, at least Yao Ming didn't seem like the ungrateful type.
Of course, it was also related to the Grand Elder standing beside him, Yao Ming's current state, and the soul imprint Chen Xiao had left.
Chen Xiao didn't say any more. With a flick of his finger, a bottle of elixirs flew towards Yao Ming.
"Take these elixirs to recover some Dou Qi first. Since you've escaped, Yao Xiaotian has likely already noticed. You can't stay here any longer. Leave the Nine Nether Yellow Spring first. When you recover your strength, it won't be too late to settle the score with Yao Xiaotian. Grand Elder, please lend him a hand and help him escape first."
The Grand Elder nodded slightly. He understood Chen Xiao's purpose in bringing Cai Lin here.
Helping Yao Ming escape safely was one aspect.
More importantly, it was to draw away those who came to investigate, preventing them from disturbing this place.
Achieving this was not difficult; by taking Yao Ming, they could attract the attention of the entire Nine Nether Earth Python Race.
"Don't worry, leave it to me. If there are any changes here, send me a message anytime, and I'll arrive immediately!"
After leaving these words, the Grand Elder immediately and decisively grabbed Yao Ming, who was rapidly recovering his strength, and left along the path they had come.
In just a few breaths, Chen Xiao and Cai Lin could faintly hear a cold shout from above: "Yao Ming, where do you think you're going!"
"They came quite fast…"
Chen Xiao shook his head and chuckled, not paying too much attention.
Now that Yao Ming had escaped, the entire Nine Nether Earth Python Race would be too preoccupied to bother with this place, and no one would waste time here in the short term.
"Cai Lin, let's begin too."
Cai Lin nodded slightly. Under Chen Xiao's gaze, she took out the Nine-Colored Original Stone. Just as she had done when verifying its color, she ran her finger across her jade-like digit, and a drop of her blood landed on the stone.
Instantly, the Nine-Colored Original Stone erupted with a dazzling, nine-colored light, so intense it was difficult to look at directly.
Chen Xiao couldn't help but squint his eyes slightly. After adapting, he opened them again.
Following that, he saw illusory figures of incredibly massive Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Pythons continuously emerging from the ground!
The smallest of these Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python illusory figures were tens of feet long. Although they were mere phantoms, their scales shimmered with a glaze-like luster under the nine-colored light. As their giant mouths opened, they seemed capable of swallowing heaven and earth.
They did not roar, but they exuded an ancient pressure. They circled high above Cai Lin's head, as if paying homage to their queen!
The Nine-Colored Original Stone, now suspended three feet above Cai Lin's head, radiated an even more intense light. The drop of blood that had fallen onto it was completely absorbed. Subsequently, countless fine patterns appeared on the stone's surface, resembling ancient covenant runes, which then seeped into Cai Lin's body along with the light.
Cai Lin's delicate body trembled slightly, and a peculiar snake-like mark slowly appeared on her brow, subtly echoing the forms of the Heaven Swallowing Python figures above.
In the next moment, the Dou Qi around Cai Lin began to surge violently, and her aura ascended at a visible rate!
Chen Xiao watched quietly from the side, clearly sensing a mysterious connection forming between Cai Lin and the earth veins of the Nine Nether Yellow Spring, as if some dormant bloodline within her was being awakened.
The Heaven Swallowing Python illusory figures circled faster and faster, eventually transforming into streams of seven-colored light, rushing into Cai Lin's body one after another.
With each stream of light that merged into her, Cai Lin's aura grew stronger. Her hair moved without wind, her red dress billowed, and the contours of the Heaven Swallowing Python figures gradually reflected in her eyes, as if countless ancient memories were awakening in her mind.
"Buzz…"
When the last Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python phantom entered Cai Lin's body, the Nine-Colored Original Stone let out a soft hum and then dissolved into specks of light, completely merging into her brow.
Cai Lin wanted to speak, but the energy surging within her almost threatened to burst her open, preventing her from focusing her attention.
"Cai Lin, calmly accept the inheritance. Leave the rest to me!"
Hearing this, Cai Lin finally closed her eyes slowly. The seven-colored Dou Qi swirling around her condensed into a giant snake phantom, enveloping her entirely.
Chen Xiao stood there and watched for half an hour. Only when he was certain that Cai Lin would not encounter any unexpected situations did he finally feel at ease.
Then, he didn't rush to leave. With a flick of his fingers, dense rune seals shot out, scattering in all directions.
He spent a full half-day setting them up. After confirming that everything was foolproof, Chen Xiao finally stopped, still wanting more.
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