Chapter 453: Chapter 449: Shedding the Mortal Body
The valley had clearly become a forbidden land. Under waves of terrifying, powerful auras, even a Rank Three Demon Spirit would have to think twice before entering.
Countless creatures couldn’t understand what was happening. It looked as if they were guarding some peerless treasure that was about to emerge.
But after the devastating, frenzied bombardment of the deadly Celestial Tribulation, the valley had become a barren wasteland where likely not a single plant remained. What kind of treasure could possibly be there?
But soon, their questions were answered.
Beneath the massive, ancient tree, a light began to shine with increasing intensity, spreading outward. From within the glow emanated an incomparably cold aura, characteristic of the Snake Race. It was a chill like the dead of winter, piercing one’s bones and freezing the very soul.
Within the light, a Purple Gold Snake Shadow flickered, as if a Nine Heavens Divine Dragon were about to soar into the sky and traverse the heavens.
The moment the Purple Gold Snake Shadow appeared, it struck the observing Spirit Monsters and Demons as incredibly familiar. They were instantly reminded of the sight of the towering Giant Snake battling the Celestial Tribulation.
’What? That Snake Spirit is still alive?’
The countless hidden Spirit Monsters and Demons were thunderstruck, finding it hard to believe. Their minds were in a daze.
The Snake Spirit had survived the deadly Celestial Tribulation. It had lived through such world-ending attacks.
’Heavens, this is incredible! It defies all logic!’
This was truly a history-making moment. A miracle had occurred during the deadly Celestial Tribulation—something even more amazing than being resurrected from the dead.
In the valley, the Snake Race aura within the light grew increasingly intense. The shadow of the snake slowly enlarged, then took on a solid form.
"The Snake Spirit succeeded in Crossing the Tribulation to find its Dao! It’s clearly shedding its skin to evolve right now!"
The Cultivated Creatures of the Yaoling Mountain Range were very familiar with this scene. When a Spirit Monster successfully achieved its Rank Three Dao and entered the Demon Spirit level, it would receive a chance for a complete metamorphosis, elevating its bloodline and causing its power to skyrocket.
At once, creatures in many areas began to discuss in secret: "Now that this Snake Spirit has achieved its Dao, it’s probably going to transform into a Dragon."
"Members of the Snake Race who successfully find their Dao usually transform into Dragons."
"Hmph, as if transforming into a Dragon is that simple. Plenty of the Snake Race have achieved their Dao, but have you ever seen a real Dragon? They all just evolve into some chimerical beast."
"Still, this Snake Spirit is no joke. Now that it has achieved its Dao, look at the caliber of the Demons who came out to guard it."
"One Rank Three Demon Spirit, three extraordinary Super-level Creatures, and an awakened Tree Spirit. Isn’t that lineup a little over the top?"
"Especially those three Super-level Creatures. They haven’t reached Rank 3, but their auras are comparable to it. Their bloodlines are just terrifying."
In the Cultivation Realm, it is said that Super-level Creatures are favored by the heavens. With their noble bloodlines and immense power, reaching Rank 3 is practically a certainty for them.
Of course, that is assuming they don’t encounter a deadly Celestial Tribulation.
The two Monkey Kings of Monkey Mountain wore strange expressions. Their gazes were fixed on the distance as they stared, dumbfounded, at the Purple Gold Snake Shadow shrouded in light beneath the massive ancient tree.
’What an unkillable cockroach. Its Life Force is astonishingly tenacious. To have clung to life and survived the destruction of that Celestial Tribulation... you can’t help but be impressed.’
"Big Brother, it looks like our chance for revenge has come!" The Crimson Sun Giant Ape was actually delighted to see the Purple Gold Snake Shadow. "That Snake Spirit is shedding its skin right now, making it a sitting duck. Even with those Demons guarding it, they’re nothing to us." Their Monkey Mountain had been left in such a sorry state, with countless monkeys and their descendants dead at the snake’s hands. This was a debt of blood that had to be repaid.
The Ape King’s expression was stern, but he shook his head and said proudly, "Even if we are to settle our score with that Snake Spirit, now is not the time. I, the great Ape King, will not stoop to such a dishonorable act as attacking a foe in a moment of weakness. This king would rather see just how much this snake changes and improves after shedding its skin."
Confidence. This was true confidence. The Ape King was, after all, known throughout the Yaoling Mountain Range as being unrivaled below the Demon Kings. How could he fear a mere Snake Spirit that had just achieved its Dao?
No, it seemed it could no longer be called a Snake Spirit. It was now a Snake Demon.
’Besides,’ he thought, ’this Snake survived a deadly Celestial Tribulation. Its luck is extraordinary; it’s clearly destined for greater things. With a creature like this, you either kill it decisively, or you don’t try at all. If you fail to kill it, it will surely become a terrible disaster in the future.’
The Ape King constantly weighed the pros and cons in his mind. Those who become the king of a race are never simpletons; their intelligence is always high.
But regardless, the Ape King would absolutely not act now. Taking advantage of another’s weakness was not something a Monkey King of his generation would do.
Besides, the brutal and terrifying auras in the valley were very real. It was clear they were prepared to defend the molting Snake Demon to the death.
The Ape King was honorable enough not to attack a weakened foe, but others were not so principled.
Atop a mountain peak, the White Demon King’s Demon Qi billowed into the sky. His brow was furrowed as he said coolly, "It is a good thing this king lingered. Otherwise, I might have actually been fooled by this snake."
"To survive even a deadly Celestial Tribulation... that just means that in this king’s hands, your death is absolutely certain." As the White Demon King finished speaking, he glanced at the two Demon Spirits behind him.
How could the two Demon Spirits fail to understand? They smiled cruelly. "Your Majesty, you can rest. We will be back in a moment. Killing a molting snake will be as easy as crushing an ant."
The other Demon Spirit added, "But the Bull Demon King is down there too. It seems he’s helping guard the snake. That makes things a little tricky."
They clearly recognized the Bull Demon King. As for the other Spirit Monsters with powerful auras, they paid them no mind. To them, anything below Rank 3 was an ant.
The White Demon King’s gaze pierced the distance, landing on the Bull Demon King with his brutal aura and Iron Rod. "Didn’t that bull go to human society to eat, drink, and wait to die? To think he’d return to the Yaoling Mountain Range and not even pay respects to this king. It seems he holds me in no regard. If he dares to stand in your way, you two need not hold back."
"We understand."
The two Rank Three Demon Spirits abruptly vanished from the mountaintop.
The White Demon King was a noble figure of high status and immense power. He disdained to personally act against a snake that was still molting. In other words, the snake was not yet worthy of his hand.
Sending two Rank Three Demon Spirits was more than enough.
...
In the valley, beneath the massive ancient tree, a snake shimmering with purple and gold light was molting within its cocoon of light. The Snake Scales all over its body fell away one by one, and with each one that dropped, its Snake Race aura grew stronger.
That was right—Tu Xiao’an had survived. He had withstood the ultimate blow from the deadly Celestial Tribulation. As the saying goes, those who survive a great disaster are destined for good fortune.
He had succeeded in Crossing the Tribulation and achieving his Dao. This was his moment to leap over the dragon gate.
As long as Tu Xiao’an’s molting was successful, he would become a true Rank 3 Snake King. From that point on, he would be a transcendent being, and the sky would be the limit.
He would make every creature under the heavens submit to him, the Snake King who had found his Dao. He would make all of creation bow before him.
This was his third time molting, but this occasion was by far the most critical. It was his Rank 3 evolution, where he would shed his mortal form and ascend to a new realm of existence in a single step.
The purple-and-gold scales cracked and peeled away. Tu Xiao’an was completely immersed in the process, feeling the gradual changes transforming his body.
