"Everyone, do you still recognize me?"
Just as the powerful members of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe were about to make their move, Yao Ming lifted his head, and his aura spread out in that instant.
Seeing Yao Ming's face, which bore a striking resemblance to Yao Xiaotian's, all the members of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe present froze in shock.
After a long moment, some of the elders finally cried out in disbelief, "Tribe Leader Yao Ming? How is this possible? Didn't you fall into madness during your training and perish years ago?"
"Tribe Leader Yao Ming?"
"He is the elder brother of Yao Xiaotian and the previous tribe leader!"
"But back then, Tribe Leader Xiaotian said he died due to a mishap in his training and has been missing for centuries. How can he be here now?"
Hearing the many whispers echoing in the sky, Yao Xiaotian's face grew increasingly pale.
At this moment, heavily injured by Zi Yan, he was in no condition to argue, for any attempt to defend himself would likely result in Yao Ming killing him on the spot.
In the sky, the elder with the scarlet-red venomous snake coiled around his shoulder sternly shouted, "Everyone, quiet down! Don't be deceived by this person. He and his companions may be impostors trying to cause unrest within our clan!"
"Elders, activate the Snake Plate Great Formation and slay them, then rescue Tribe Leader XiaoTian!"
Hearing this, the other snake-people elders hesitated, unsure of what to do.
"Elder Xian, Elder Ming, Elder Liu, you were the closest to me back then- can you not recognize me now?"
As Yao Ming laughed, the three elders with white hair carefully examined him, their faces slowly showing signs of excitement.
"It really is Tribe Leader Yao Ming! We are very familiar with his aura."
"You three, do not disturb the tribe's order! The current leader is Yao Xiaotian. Are you trying to betray the clan?"
The elder with the scarlet-red snake on his shoulder coldly glared at the three snake-people elders.
"Heh, First Elder, back then, you and Yao Xiaotian poisoned me, joined forces against me, and trapped me at the bottom of the Nine Serene Springs for centuries. If it weren't for this young friend here, I might never have seen the light of day again. Now, are you trying to silence me?"
Yao Ming stood up, fully unleashing the power of his two star Dou Saint level. He then spat out a black scepter from his mouth.
The scepter was entirely pitch black, with two venomous snakes entwined at the top, and between them was a black orb the size of a fist.
"Elders, do you recognize this item?"
"The Nine Serene Profound Scepter? That's the long-lost Nine Serene Profound Scepter!"
"That is the tribe leader's symbol of authority!"
Seeing the black scepter, the faces of all the elders in the sky changed, and a frenzy of emotions stirred within them.
"Take down the traitors!"
Yao Ming began commanding the elders. With the Nine Serene Profound Scepter in hand, most of the elders stood by his side. The loyalists of Yao Xiaotian, seeing their leader severely injured and at Yao Ming's mercy, did not dare to resist.
"Damn it! You imposter, let me expose your true identity..."
The First Elder, unwilling to give up, sought to kill Yao Ming, believing that once Yao Ming was dead, no one would stand up for him.
"Hmph, you think you can kill me? You overestimate yourself!" Yao Ming sneered.
Though he had endured suffering at the bottom of the Yellow Springs, his strength had only grown. Now, as a two star Dou Saint, he was far stronger than the First Elder.
Gu Fei remained silently observing. This was an internal matter of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe, and external interference might cause resentment.
Fortunately, no one had witnessed Zi Yan's earlier attack, and they all assumed it was Yao Ming who had severely injured Yao Xiaotian.
Soon, Yao Ming and the First Elder were locked in a fierce battle, with the sounds of their clash echoing through the area.
"Everyone, that man is a fraud! Hurry, take him down!" Yao Xiaotian coldly watched the battle, knowing that Yao Ming would never spare him. His only chance of survival was to kill Yao Ming.
But the First Elder was no match for Yao Ming and was quickly injured. If the First Elder fell, he would have no chance left.
"Courting death!"
Hearing this, Yao Ming's gaze turned icy. He abandoned the First Elder and rushed straight toward Yao Xiaotian. This time, his hand was as sharp as a blade, and he unhesitatingly thrust it into Yao Xiaotian's skull.
In that instant, blood and brain matter splattered everywhere.
"Boom!"
Yao Ming's hand pierced through Yao Xiaotian's head. With an expressionless face, he slowly withdrew his hand, revealing a fist-sized black orb in his palm.
The orb was incredibly smooth, with black mist swirling inside, forming a shrieking face that was unmistakably Yao Xiaotian's.
Seeing this, the First Elder, already gravely injured by Yao Ming, fled immediately.
"Seal the Serpent Vein! We must capture that traitor!"
Yao Ming did not rush after him but instead swiftly assumed control of the clan and stabilized the situation.
...
"Thank you, Gu Fei, my friend. Without you, I would still be suffering at the bottom of the Serene Springs..."
After handling some matters, Yao Ming came over to express his gratitude to Gu Fei.
"Hehe, it's also due to your own efforts. If you hadn't advanced in your cultivation, how could you have regained your position as tribe leader today?"
Gu Fei smiled, speaking approvingly.
Yao Ming's character and talent were quite satisfactory. With proper nurturing, he could be very useful in the future.
"By the way, I came to the Nine Serene Springs in search of Spring Blood Crystals. You've been there for years, so you should have some of it, right?"
Gu Fei directly stated his purpose.
"The Spring Blood Crystal? It takes nearly a thousand years for a single piece to form. Over the centuries, I've consumed quite a few!"
Without hesitation, Yao Ming opened his mouth, and a blood-red light shot out, eventually floating in front of Gu Fei.
The object was a fist-sized blood-red crystal.
The crystal appeared as though countless streams of blood flowed within, making it look particularly eerie.
"So this is the Spring Blood Crystal!"
Gu Fei muttered softly as he gazed at the strange crystal.
As he took the blood-red crystal into his hand, a terrifyingly cold force immediately spread from his palm.
This object, containing immense cold energy, would greatly assist in absorbing heavenly flames in the future.
"There's one more thing. I've heard that your Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe possesses a stone stele left by the Demon Saint Huang Quan. Could I take a look at it?"
After accepting the Spring Blood Crystal, Gu Fei mentioned his second reason for coming.
"The Yellow Springs Stone Stele?"
Yao Ming frowned upon hearing this.
The stone stele was the greatest secret of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe, and its contents were of paramount importance to the tribe.
"Yes, we do possess it!"
"Gu Fei, my friend, please follow me!"
After a moment's hesitation, Yao Ming glanced at Zi Yan, who was standing beside Gu Fei, and then nodded in agreement.
He understood that since Gu Fei had the power to release him from the Yellow Springs, he also had the power to send him back into the abyss!
(TL/n: First batch release of the day. Thanks for the support and don't forget to leave a review if you're liking it so far. See you soon.)