Serpent Ancestor
Chapter 598: Changle Sect

The young man in front of him wore a smile, his eyes fixed on the wooden carving on the wooden ox, his gaze sparkling with interest.

Xu Hei hadn't expected that after nearly twenty years, he would encounter an acquaintance in the distant Le Kingdom.

Now, Xiao Chou's cultivation had transformed, reaching the early Elemental Infant stage, making him an unparalleled expert. However, the essence of his demeanor seemed unchanged.

"Excuse me, sir, how much for these wooden carvings?" Xiao Chou asked with a smile.

Xu Hei glanced at him calmly and said, "Sorry, they're not for sale."

"Not for sale..." Xiao Chou was a bit anxious. He said, "Sir, I really like these carvings. As long as you're willing to sell, the price is negotiable."

As he spoke, he was about to take out some money.

"Though I don't sell them, I can give them to someone with a connection." Xu Hei picked up the black-and-white dog and placed it in Xiao Chou's hand. "This Er Gou is for you."

Xiao Chou was overjoyed, taking Er Gou and examining it closely, growing more fond of it with each look, carefully storing it away.

"Thank you, sir!" Xiao Chou cupped his hands, hesitated slightly, and took out a jade talisman, smiling as he said, "In that case, I also have something for you. This talisman is called the Peace Talisman, handmade by me. It’s not of much use, just a small token."

Xu Hei took the Peace Talisman in his hand and smiled, "Quite nice."

"The road is long, until we meet again!"

Xiao Chou cupped his hands to Xu Hei and turned to leave, blending into the crowd.

On the bustling street, people came and went.

No one noticed that two Elemental Infant stage cultivators had conducted a transaction by the roadside, and the items exchanged were nothing more than two ordinary handcrafted items, with no spiritual power fluctuations.

After leaving the city, Xiao Chou took out the Er Gou sculpture, gazed at it for a long time, and let out a long sigh.

"It's not him."

With Xiao Chou's current divine sense, he had discovered Xu Hei two cities away, thinking he was an old acquaintance.

But upon closer observation, he found that the demeanor was completely different from the one in his memory, just an ordinary mortal carpenter.

Appearance can change, but demeanor cannot.

However, this person's craftsmanship was quite exquisite, his carvings lifelike, as if they were alive, especially this dog, which even seemed to bark. He couldn't resist wanting to buy it, and as for the reason...

"Recently, the National Teacher lady doesn't fancy immortal magical treasures but has taken a liking to mortal artworks."

"I'll give it to the National Teacher lady as a gift."

In Xiao Chou's mind, the image of the beautiful National Teacher flashed, stirring a hint of excitement in his smile. Instantly, his figure flickered, flying towards the imperial city of Le Kingdom.

...

Xu Hei leaned against a corner, holding a piece of wood and a small knife, wood shavings falling softly.

Having wandered the mortal world for many years, Xu Hei's demeanor had changed significantly. He was completely immersed in the world of mortals, having learned their joys and sorrows, and communicated with them, no longer as cold as before.

Even Xiao Chou, upon seeing him, didn't recognize him, mistaking him for an ordinary mortal.

"What a pity, the newly carved Er Gou was just given away."

Xu Hei sighed helplessly and could only carve another one.

During this time, children would pass by, curiously watching. Occasionally, passersby would stop, wanting to buy a wooden carving, but Xu Hei politely declined them all.

Time flew by, and before he knew it, dusk was approaching.

At night, lanterns were hung high, the city brightly lit, and the sound of silk and bamboo music echoed from the pavilions, with beautiful women singing and dancing, and men drinking and making merry.

The national ethos of Le Kingdom was to enjoy life in the moment, and even at night, many people stayed up all night.

The reason, apart from the strong national power of Le Kingdom, was also due to the teachings of the Changle Sect.

In the faith of the Changle Sect, life and death are not the end; pleasure is the goal.

Near midnight, Xu Hei was still meticulously carving his Er Gou. When the final pair of dog eyes appeared, the masterpiece was complete.

He placed Er Gou on the back of the wooden ox, and Er Gou immediately started running back and forth. It looked like a wooden carving, but was actually a sophisticated puppet.

"That's it for today," Xu Hei thought to himself.

He dragged the wooden ox and flowing horse, walking towards the city gate on the brightly lit streets.

Red lanterns and green willows, songs and dances flourished.

Walking on the bustling streets, Xu Hei, though without divine sense, could clearly hear the conversations in every house and feel everything happening around him.

A drunkard fell to the ground, murmuring about how tender the young lady was, with a satisfied smile on his face. But soon, the drunkard began to vomit, and before long, his face turned pale, and he stopped breathing.

A black-clothed person swiftly appeared, waving a hand to cast a fireball, burning the drunkard's body to ashes, not even leaving dust.

Nearby passersby saw this, but their expressions remained unchanged, still smiling broadly, as they were already accustomed to it.

Xu Hei reached the city edge and saw the slogan on the city wall.

"Enjoy life before death, only then will you ascend to ultimate bliss after death."

"If you like to suffer, you'll have endless suffering in this life."

At the end, it was signed by Elder Situ Ming of the Changle Sect.

Xu Hei didn't know how such a country could last so long and develop so prosperously, but there must be a reason.

...

Le Kingdom's imperial city, Changle City.

As the name suggests, this place was the headquarters of the Changle Sect and also the capital of Le Kingdom, considered one of the most prosperous places in the Central Divine Continent.

Xiao Chou landed in front of a pavilion, holding the purchased Er Gou sculpture, with a hopeful smile on his face, saying, "National Teacher lady, I found a delicate wooden carving, crafted by a mortal. You should like it."

A woman wearing a fox mask appeared at the window of the pavilion. Although her face was obscured, she exuded a seductive charm, extremely alluring.

With a wave of her hand, the wooden carving fell into her hand.

"Not bad. Who made this?" the woman with the fox mask asked with a smile.

"Uh... just a mortal," Xiao Chou answered truthfully.

"I really like this carving, but one is too few. Could you get me more?" The alluring woman leaned against the window, resting her delicate hand on her cheek, her voice enchanting. "Thank you, Young Master Xiao."

Hearing this voice, Xiao Chou felt a tremor throughout his body, his blood boiling, his bones nearly melting.

"Yes, I'll take care of it right away and ensure the lady is satisfied."

Xiao Chou left the pavilion, retracing his steps, flying back towards where Xu Hei was.

After Xiao Chou left.

Another gentle voice came from within the pavilion.

"Is a mere novice at the Elemental Infant stage worth your teasing?"

The alluring woman smiled at the words and said, "Don't you find him amusing?"

Watching Xiao Chou leave, the alluring woman laughed, "In all my years, I've never seen someone with such a heavy peach blossom calamity. It would be a shame not to make good use of it."

The voice sighed softly, "Ah, poor Xiao Chou."

For the past decade, she had witnessed all of Xiao Chou's encounters, each one more tragic than the last. But without exception, they were all orchestrated by this National Teacher.