Chapter 28: The Ancestors' Awakening
The air within the Coiled Serpent Sect grew cold and oppressive as the grand bell tolled once more. Kayode stood in the center of the chaos, his spear dripping with the Qi of defeated elders. Disciples whispered among themselves, their terror mounting.
From the Grand Pavilion, the sect master emerged, his presence heavy with authority. His emerald robes shimmered with serpentine runes, and his staff crackled with venomous Qi. He surveyed the destruction with a cold, calculating gaze.
"You dare bring this havoc to my sect, boy," the sect master said, his voice low but filled with menace. "You should've died when you first crossed our path."
Kayode smirked, his spear spinning lazily in his hand. "You talk a lot for someone who can't even handle one Nascent Soul cultivator."
The sect master's eyes narrowed. "You think you're untouchable because of your bloodline and tricks? Let me show you the true power of the Coiled Serpent Sect."
With a wave of his staff, the ground trembled, and ancient formations lit up across the sect. From the Grand Pavilion, a massive jade serpent rose into the sky, its eyes glowing with malevolence. The sect's protective array activated, casting a shimmering barrier around the entire compound.
Simultaneously, the sect master clasped his hands together, chanting in a guttural, ancient language. The ground split open, and three ethereal figures emerged, their forms shrouded in ghostly light.
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The Soul Formation Ancestors
The disciples and elders dropped to their knees, their faces pale with reverence and fear. The three figures solidified, revealing elderly men and women clad in flowing robes adorned with serpentine motifs. Their auras radiated overwhelming power—each of them in the Soul Formation realm, a major stage above the sect master.
One of the ancestors, a woman with long, silver hair and piercing green eyes, spoke first. "Sect master, why have you disturbed our slumber?"
The sect master bowed deeply. "Honored ancestors, an intruder seeks to destroy the sect. He's powerful, with a strange bloodline and dangerous techniques. I alone cannot defeat him."
The silver-haired ancestor turned her gaze to Kayode, her expression one of disdain. "This child is the cause of such chaos? Disappointing."
Another ancestor, a gaunt man with sunken eyes, snorted. "Let us deal with him swiftly and return to our rest."
The third, a burly figure with a thick beard, grinned wickedly. "It's been too long since we've tasted blood."
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Oba's Confidence
As the ancestors moved to encircle Kayode, the oppressive weight of their Qi pressed down on him like a mountain. For a brief moment, his legs wavered under the pressure.
Then, Oba stretched lazily from his perch on a shattered pillar, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Soul Formation? How quaint."
The ancestors froze, their gazes snapping to the black dragon cat. One of them sneered. "A mere beast dares to speak in our presence?"
Oba yawned, his sharp fangs glinting. "Beast? You really don't know who you're dealing with."
The silver-haired ancestor frowned, her gaze narrowing. "There's something strange about that creature… his presence feels ancient."
Oba leapt from the pillar, landing gracefully beside Kayode. His voice was calm, almost bored. "Kayode, are you really going to let these fossils intimidate you? Or should I handle this?"
Kayode, still catching his breath under the pressure of the sect's protection array, growled, "Give me a moment."
Oba flicked his tail. "Take your time. They're not worth my claws."
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The Battle Begins
The ancestors exchanged glances, their initial confidence giving way to unease. The burly one grunted, "Enough talk. Let's crush them both!"
The three surged forward, their combined might shaking the air. The jade serpent in the sky hissed, launching streams of venomous Qi to reinforce their attacks.
Kayode planted his spear into the ground, channeling his Qi. His nascent soul, still unfamiliar to him, flared within his core, releasing a surge of power. The phantom of the Nigerian warrior appeared behind him, its spear clashing with the incoming attacks.
The ground cracked and splintered beneath the impact, but Kayode held his ground. "You want a fight? Then let's see if your centuries of cultivation can match my will!"
Oba, unfazed by the chaos, sat back on his haunches, licking his paw. "I told you, Kayode. If you need me, just say the word. Otherwise, enjoy your little scuffle."
The ancestors' expressions darkened as they realized this battle wouldn't be as simple as they'd thought.
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To Be Continued…