Chapter 276: Chapter 60 Protector, Invitation
The new clan land actually resembled an ordinary village, though the quality of construction this time was of a much higher standard.
Firstly, the materials used were extremely hard obsidian, covered in Array Patterns. Once all the buildings in the clan land were completed, these Array Patterns would connect, forming an incredibly powerful Array.
As for the Array’s core and energy source, it would naturally be placed within the Original Land, presided over by the former Holy Lady. It was uncertain whether even a Golden Immortal, let alone an Immortal Daluo Golden Immortal, could break this Array.
The streets and houses, all built from black obsidian, did look somewhat gloomy. However, that changed once the little snake-people were assigned their respective homes; the place immediately turned into a scene of adorable chaos.
Although the little snake-people had only been born a few years prior, their cultivation had basically reached Foundation Establishment, allowing them to live independently without issue. They were just somewhat mischievous, but fortunately, the obsidian was hard enough that they couldn’t damage it.
"At last, I am free," Wudao Tian said, somewhat moved.
"Senior Brother, you still have one on your head," Chen Jiuge said, pointing to the little snake-person sleeping soundly on Wudao Tian’s head.
Wudao Tian said, slightly embarrassed, "This one... this is my goddaughter."
Chen Jiuge was rather puzzled by his Senior Brother. Adopt a little snake-person as a goddaughter? And don’t all these little snake-people look exactly alike? Is he sure this is his goddaughter?
"Two honored guests, the Clan Leader invites you," the snake-woman who had first greeted the two of them swam over smilingly from a distance.
「New Clan Leader’s Residence」
Wan Lina had carefully prepared a delicious insect feast and looked expectantly at the two honored guests. "Please try the feast I have prepared with care."
It was unclear if he had been warned beforehand, but Wan Hao, who usually ate the fastest, surprisingly just sat there quietly, swallowing his saliva.
Faced with these creatures for the first time, Wudao Tian felt his scalp tingle. Can these insects actually be eaten?
Chen Jiuge, however, knew the benefits of these insects. The taste was alright; they just looked a bit off-putting.
CRUNCH.
"HISSS! Junior Brother, you ate it?" Wudao Tian inhaled sharply; he had never realized Junior Brother Chen was so bold!
"Senior Brother, the taste is actually not bad, and it’s beneficial for the body," Chen Jiuge reminded him.
"Alright then."
Wudao Tian, as if facing death, popped a slightly smaller insect into his mouth.
Huh, the taste is actually pretty good! It can even strengthen one’s physique! Wudao Tian was inwardly astonished and then rapidly picked up his eating pace.
Wan Lina watched the scene with an indulgent, aunt-like smile and said to Wan Hao, who could hardly contain himself, "Little Hao Hao, you can eat too."
The vigorous eating motions woke up the little snake-person on Wudao Tian’s head.
"I want to eat, I want to eat!" the little snake-person shouted, grabbing Wudao Tian’s hair.
GULP.
After swallowing an insect, Wudao Tian casually picked a few plumper ones and tossed them onto his head. The little snake-person eagerly grabbed them and began to eat.
After the meal, the three of them patted their stomachs, somewhat inelegantly.
Suddenly, Wan Lina spoke up, "Actually, I have an impolite request."
Wudao Tian and Chen Jiuge exchanged a glance, and Chen Jiuge, who had a relatively closer relationship with her, said, "Clan Leader Wan, please speak."
"I have discussed this with the remaining Elders. We would like both of you to become honorary protectors of our Original Land Snake-man Clan. My son, Wan Hao, is also included," Wan Lina said, a bit bashfully.
This request was honestly rather unexpected for the two of them. Chen Jiuge knew that the Original Land Snake-man Clan had the god-like Holy Lady watching over them, so they were unlikely to encounter any real danger. Even if danger did arise, the Myriad Beasts Sect would certainly not stand idly by.
"Senior Brother, come here for a moment," Chen Jiuge said softly to Wudao Tian, who looked as if he wanted to refuse.
"What’s going on, Junior Brother? This isn’t a trivial matter. Given our status, we can’t make such commitments lightly," Wudao Tian said. He was very clear on such matters of principle.
"Senior Brother, I—" Chen Jiuge suddenly realized that he seemed incapable of speaking about anything related to the Holy Lady.
"Junior Brother, are you alright?" Wudao Tian asked, somewhat confused.
"Senior Brother, do you trust me?" Chen Jiuge decided to try a different approach.
"Of course, I trust you," Wudao Tian said without hesitation.
"Senior Brother, from what I understand, this Original Land Snake-man Clan has an incredibly deep connection with our Myriad Beasts Sect. Should any danger arise, our Sect would definitely not stand idly by. Furthermore, becoming their honorary protector has far more advantages than disadvantages," Chen Jiuge said earnestly.
Hearing this, Wudao Tian waved his hand. "No need to say more. They’re just a clan from a minor world. Since you, Junior Brother, see potential in them, then I’m not one to hesitate. What’s more, I’ve even taken a goddaughter here. Let’s agree to it."
"Senior Brother," Chen Jiuge was somewhat moved, not expecting his Senior Brother to trust him so much.
After the two agreed, the follow-up was simple: they just needed to proceed with the ceremony according to protocol. However, this ceremony was slightly different.
With the joint recommendation of Clan Leader Wan Lina and several Elders of the Snake-man Clan, Wudao Tian, Wan Hao, and Chen Jiuge formally became protectors of the Original Land Snake-man Clan. Normally, this would be followed by the applause and admiration of the common snake-people.
But at that time, the Original Land Snake-man Clan had no adult common snake-people, only a group of mischievous young ones.
Thus, led by Wudao Tian’s goddaughter, a swarm of little snake-people completely overwhelmed the main hall.
Chen Jiuge, having finally squeezed his head out from a pile of little snake-people, looked at those beside him and said with a wry smile, "This must be the most enthusiastic ceremony I’ve ever experienced. To think I actually got buried by little snake-people!"
Wudao Tian, looking pained, lifted his goddaughter by the scruff of her neck. "Are you trying to crush your godfather to death?"
The little snake-person said coquettishly, "Godfather, hugs!"
"Alright, alright, hugs it is." Wudao Tian chuckled and hugged her.
Watching Wudao Tian’s instant change of expression, Chen Jiuge was somewhat speechless. Where had his once domineering Senior Brother gone?
All good things must come to an end. These past few years with the Original Land Snake-man Clan had been very pleasant for both Wudao Tian and Chen Jiuge.
This kind of simple, noisy joy was something Chen Jiuge had rarely felt after becoming an immortal. His contracted Spiritual Beasts had all matured and now led their own lives. Unless it was necessary, Chen Jiuge rarely disturbed them.
"Clan Leader Wan, Junior Brother Wan Hao, we’re leaving. We’ll meet again!" Chen Jiuge waved vigorously from the Flying Boat.
"Clan Leader! BOO HOO HOO!" Wudao Tian’s goddaughter was also crying inconsolably. As for names, snake-people typically received them upon coming of age. They generally didn’t have names before then, as reaching adulthood was merely a matter of sixty years.
Watching the buildings shrink into tiny specks in the distance, Wudao Tian sighed. "Suddenly, I’m a bit reluctant to leave."
"Is Senior Brother planning to take a few more goddaughters back with you?" Chen Jiuge said with a chuckle.
"No, she and I are bound by fate." Wudao Tian said lovingly, looking at the little snake-person who had fallen asleep clinging to his arm.
Without any unexpected encounters, the two quickly arrived at the Myriad Beasts Sect. As for why they didn’t use the Transmission Array, it seemed it needed to be rebuilt following the establishment of the new clan land, so they could only rely on the Flying Boat.
As they parted ways after disembarking from the Flying Boat, Wudao Tian suddenly said, "Junior Brother, wait for me in Eden Garden for a few days. I have something to discuss with you."
"Can’t you tell me now?" Chen Jiuge asked, puzzled.
"The time isn’t right. Besides, my Master found out about my goddaughter and wants to see me immediately," Wudao Tian said somewhat helplessly.
"Alright."
「Eden Garden」
As soon as Chen Jiuge returned, he saw Moluo Shaye standing like a door guardian. Why is it that every time I come back, you’re the first one I see?!
His frustrated tone clearly annoyed Moluo Shaye. "My task is to maintain order! Why do you think you see me as soon as you return?"
"You’re maintaining order? Wait, you’re a True Immortal now?" Chen Jiuge looked with surprise at Moluo Shaye, whose aura was significantly more powerful.
"That’s right! If the Heavenly Realm weren’t so unsuitable for Demon Clan cultivation, this princess would have become a True Immortal long ago!" Moluo Shaye said, puffing out her flat chest proudly.
Everything in Eden Garden was fine, except that Li Qiwen had failed his Immortal Ascension Tribulation. Fortunately, his preparations had been ample, and he barely managed to become a Loose Immortal. However, his future path would be difficult.
Sigh, his aptitude is truly too poor. Even with sufficient resources, his Dao Heart isn’t strong enough. Becoming a Loose Immortal under such circumstances was already quite an achievement. After this incident, Chen Jiuge began to truly understand the importance of the Dao Heart.
Soon after, Wen Ruo, having received the news, arrived at the courtyard with Li He.
"Junior Brother, I’m taking Junior Sister to travel for a while," Wen Ruo said, gently stroking the head of Li He, who had grown into a young woman.
Looking at Li He, who was still as quiet and reserved as ever, Chen Jiuge was puzzled. "I recall your last trip was about a thousand years ago, wasn’t it?"
"That’s true. But Junior Sister’s cultivation has progressed too quickly; she has now passed the Earth Fire Tribulation. With my protection, she can accumulate more experience in the outside world. This will give her a better chance of overcoming the Heart Demon Tribulation later."
"Why not suppress her cultivation and face all three tribulations at once?" Chen Jiuge asked, puzzled. Many disciples in various Sects did just that.
"Junior Brother, it’s different. Junior Sister walks a path similar to mine, and that method isn’t suitable for her," Wen Ruo shook his head and explained.
"Junior Brother, we’ll be leaving now. See you next time."
Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Chen Jiuge felt somewhat depressed; he had only just returned.
「A couple of days later」
His Senior Brother, Wudao Tian, arrived with Die Luowu. As for his goddaughter, the Sect Master had taken her.
It was said that Jun Linseng had always been dissatisfied that Jun Sandao was a boy. His Senior Brother’s goddaughter could be considered a perfectly timed acquisition.
"Junior Brother, have you ever heard of Nether Sea racing?" Wudao Tian said with a wide smile.
"Nether Sea? Racing?" Chen Jiuge looked at his Senior Brother, speechless. He understood each word, but why do they seem unrecognizable when put together?
"Junior Brother, this is a massive competition jointly held by all the racing enthusiasts in the Heavenly Realm!" Wudao Tian’s eyes shone brightly. "The first-place winner receives the title of Heavenly Realm’s King of Racers!"
"Heavenly Realm’s King of Racers?" Chen Jiuge echoed, his expression pained.
This is the Cultivation World! What use is a title like ’King of Racers’? Could I scare someone to death just by mentioning it?
"Junior Brother, there’s much you don’t understand. Let me explain it to you slowly." Wudao Tian’s expression became nostalgic.
"This Nether Sea racing is different from other competitions. It’s a grand spectacle, comparable to the once-every-three-thousand-years soccer tournament! Even Immortal Daluo Golden Immortals participate. It can be said to be the most magnificent competition there is."
"Moreover, this competition isn’t affiliated with any Sect; it’s purely a matter of personal interest."
"And perhaps, you might even attract the attention of those Great Powers."