Chapter 163: The News About the Soul Devouring Tribe
As the elder woman's incredulous voice echoed through the air, Xiao Yan's gaze held a trace of curiosity.
"Senior, could it be that you know the reason why no one has been able to ascend to the Dou Di level since ancient times?"
The mystery surrounding the disappearance of the ancient Dou Dis was something even the Ancient Eight Clans struggled to unravel. Xiao Yan himself only knew that the primary cause was the depletion of Source Qi.
He had once naively assumed that the Dou Dis of the past continuously ascended to higher planes, eventually draining the Dou Qi Continent of all its Source Qi. Without Source Qi, it was naturally impossible for anyone to ascend to the Dou Di level again.
However, from the elder's expression, Xiao Yan sensed that the truth was far more complex.
"I know a little, but not much," the elder woman said, shaking her head lightly. "You may be exceptionally talented, but you are far from reaching the level where you can understand such matters. To even approach such secrets, you must be at least a Dou Sheng."
"My young master is destined to become a Dou Sheng," Xiao Wu said, curling his lips. "What's the harm in knowing a bit early?"
"Heh, if he knows too much too soon, aren't you afraid he might invite disaster?" The elder chuckled lightly, but her words caused Xiao Yan and the two Half Saints behind him to tense up.
"Senior, are you referring to a strange black mist that causes crimson hair to grow all over the body and drives one to madness?" Xiao Yan asked slowly.
"Oh? You know about it?" A flicker of surprise appeared in the elder's eyes.
"I encountered it in another ruin," Xiao Yan replied, recalling the remnants of the Yin Yang Evil Saint's ruin.
"These matters will become clearer to you as you grow stronger," the elder said solemnly. "When you have reached the strength of a nine star Dou Sheng or even a Dou Di, you may then have the qualifications to lift this veil of mystery."
She then sighed softly, her tone turning distant. "Young one, it would be best for you to leave. I bear you no ill will, but this inheritance is only suitable for descendants of my lineage. Even if I were to give it to you, you wouldn't be able to use it."
"Pursuing a path unsuitable for you will only hinder your progress."
The elder cast a wary glance at Xiao Yan's two protectors, clearly reluctant to provoke them. She feared that a battle would destroy the precious inheritance left behind.
Xiao Yan, however, didn't seem offended. Instead, he looked at her with a faint smile and asked, "Earlier, I heard Yu Mo call you Medusa. May I ask if you are related to the Medusa Queen of the current Snake People Tribe?"
The elder's expression flickered slightly at his question, and a hint of complexity entered her gaze.
"The Snake People Tribe you speak of are my descendants. I am the first Medusa," she replied.
The First Medusa
"The first Medusa? And the Snake People Tribe are the descendants of the Seven Colored Swallowing Python lineage?" Xiao Yan's face twisted in disbelief before understanding dawned.
It made sense now. The origins of the Snake People Tribe and their presence in the Tagger Desert were finally clear.
Seeing Xiao Yan's stunned expression, the elder let out a faint chuckle.
"Young one, how about we strike a deal?"
"Please, speak." Xiao Yan nodded slightly, his interest piqued.
"This reappearance of the Seven Colored Swallowing Python's inheritance will not go unnoticed. It won't be long before this generation's Medusa Queen comes seeking it if she is still in the vicinity."
The elder's eyes softened slightly as she continued. "I do not have much time left. Once she obtains the Demon Saint's inheritance, she will undoubtedly attract countless greedy eyes. I hope you can protect her for a time until she grows strong enough to lead the Snake People Tribe to glory."
Xiao Yan's Response
Xiao Yan's heart stirred at the request, but he hid it behind a playful smile.
"Senior, surely you could have guided the Snake People Tribe to prominence yourself? With your strength, wouldn't the tribe have flourished under your protection?"
The elder's expression grew desolate, and she let out a weary sigh.
"It's not that I didn't want to protect them. I simply couldn't. I am bound to this ancient city."
She gestured toward herself. "Can you not sense what's wrong with my aura?"
"In the fierce battle of the past, my father the Seven Colored Demon Saint was gravely injured. His subordinates fell one by one, and only a few, like Yōu Líng, managed to escape."
"But our enemies didn't all perish either. To preserve the last vestiges of our lineage, my father concealed this entire space before his death. As for me... I fused with his remains to guard this inheritance."
"To ensure the secret of the Seven Colored Swallowing Python lineage wouldn't be discovered, I hid all traces of our bloodline within the Snake People Tribe. That is why they are not as strong as they could be."
A Dire Enemy
Xiao Yan's expression darkened. "What kind of enemy could have forced the Seven Colored Demon Saint, with such a powerful force, into such a desperate state?"
The elder's face turned somber, and her voice carried a bitter edge.
"They were not a single faction but an alliance of multiple races. Among them, the strongest were the Fallen Heavenly Phoenixes and the Soul Devouring Tribe."
At the mention of the second name, Xiao Yan's face paled.
"Soul Devouring Tribe?"
"Yes," the elder said, nodding grimly. "This tribe was notorious on the continent. Many Dou Di bloodlines were swallowed by them. They sought to consume the bloodline of the Seven Colored Swallowing Python as well."
She shook her head, her gaze heavy with sorrow.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression grew colder.
"Senior, the Soul Devouring Tribe was wiped out a millennium ago by the Soul Clan."
His voice was quiet but firm, revealing a chilling certainty.
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