Chapter 150: Qi Family Elder
One day later, the blood-red light inside the rock cave had already disappeared, and the blood cocoon that once occupied the entire cave had shrunk to two meters in height. The blood pool at the cave entrance had completely dried up.
Outside the rock cave, cold winds howled as heavy snow drifted through the air.
The Ironthread Snake group guarding the mountain valley had already turned into icicle-like forms, deeply buried beneath the thick layers of snow.
If they had possessed self-awareness, no one knew whether they would regret such a choice. Perhaps their guarding had no meaning at all.
Of course, that was only perhaps.
Just as the heavy snow sealed the land in ice, someone once again trespassed into the valley. This time, there was no intention of hiding at all.
Snow vehicles moved across the snowy ground, their engines emitting low, rumbling roars.
“Is this the valley you were talking about? Ironthread Snakes? Blood-colored light?”
A fat man with a bloated figure and rat-like eyes was questioning Uncle Hu and the others.
This man was Zhao Dezhu, the leader of the Ironfang Gang, an Apprentice Beast Tamer whose beast was an Ironfang Hound.
Looking at the vast white valley before him, Zhao Dezhu’s face filled with anger as he immediately summoned his Ironfang Hound.
The reason he was so furious was that a distinguished guest had come along this time.
It was fine if Uncle Hu had toyed with him, but if the distinguished guest became displeased, his standing within Qinghui Base would no longer be secure.
“Enough.”
A voice filled with authority sounded out as an elderly man stepped out of the snow vehicle.
Although his frame was thin and frail, he wore only simple casual clothing, and there was not the slightest trace of cloudiness in his eyes.
“My lord.”
Upon seeing the old man appear, Zhao Dezhu immediately bent forward and bowed like a lapdog.
The old man was Qi Shouwu, the Fourth Elder of the Qi Family of Qinghui Base. Due to limited talent, even with the Qi Family’s resources, his strength was only that of an entry-level Professional Beast Tamer.
For him, advancing any further was as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
This time, after hearing rumors of a precious spiritual item appearing, he had come along in hopes of using it to take another step forward and thereby extend his already limited lifespan.
Facing the crowd’s greetings, Qi Shouwu paid no attention, his eyes sweeping across the snow-white valley before him.
In the next moment, he lightly stamped his foot, and a wave of red flames erupted.
Within dozens of meters, the thick snow instantly melted into clear water, and dense steam enveloped the surroundings, obscuring vision entirely.
However, with a casual wave of Qi Shouwu’s hand, a wave of heat immediately dispersed the steam.
On the ground, Ironthread Snake corpses frozen like ice pops densely covered the area, and a sinister, eerie aura began to spread.
Seeing such a strange sight, the accompanying guards immediately chambered their bullets.
“My lord, it really does seem like there’s a treasure here.”
Seeing the Ironthread Snakes that Uncle Hu and the others had described, Zhao Dezhu instantly changed his expression and hurriedly moved closer to Qi Shouwu, ready to await orders.
As a man, Zhao Dezhu might not have been qualified, but as a dog, he was certainly outstanding.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this that the Qi Family valued him, using him as their black glove to handle dirty work.
“Send two people to take a look at that rock cave.”
They said the older one became, the more afraid of death one grew, and perhaps that described Qi Shouwu perfectly.
Even with the strength of an entry-level Professional Beast Tamer, he was unwilling to take any risk at all.
“Yes.”
Zhao Dezhu immediately turned around and issued the order.
“You, and you. Go investigate the rock cave on that cliff.”
“Yes, boss.”
Although the two Ironfang Gang guards were somewhat unwilling, they could only comply with their leader’s command.
As they approached the rock cave, the Ironthread Snakes beneath their feet, which looked like stakes driven into the ground, were casually stepped on and snapped apart.
This seemingly insignificant action, as more and more Ironthread Snakes were crushed, caused the blood cocoon inside the cave—previously devoid of all signs of life—to suddenly emit the sound of a heartbeat.
“Thump, thump, thump……”
The sound steadily grew louder, eventually resembling a great drum being struck, as a suffocating pressure began to permeate the valley.
The two guards preparing to investigate found themselves unable to advance or retreat. Ahead lay danger that filled them with fear, while behind them stood their boss and the Qi Family elder.
“Come back.”
A voice like heavenly music rang out, issuing Qi Shouwu’s command.
Although he did not care about the lives of these people, he would not let them die needlessly. After all, the Qi Family still needed them to work, and he could not let his subordinates grow cold-hearted.
“Thank you, Elder Qi.”
Just as the two guards rejoiced at having their lives spared, cracks appeared on the surface of the blood cocoon inside the rock cave.
Amidst the cracking sounds of “ka, ka,” Zhou Ming reappeared, his entire body naked.
At this moment, his physique had become even more perfect, his skin smooth and suffused with a healthy rosy glow.
His once-rugged facial features now carried a trace of softness, an alluring and noble aura enveloping his entire body.
Meanwhile, his short, broken hair had transformed into long, jet-black locks—thick, smooth, and lustrous like the finest black silk.
“So this is the power of a Professional Beast Tamer?”
Feeling the surging, boundless power continuously pouring forth within his body, Zhou Ming could not help but feel intoxicated by it.
However, there were other matters at hand. He immediately took out a pair of tactical long pants and put them on, then walked toward the cave entrance.
At this moment, Qi Shouwu stood atop his beast and had already arrived beneath the cave entrance.
Qi Shouwu’s chosen profession was Phantasmal Tamer, and his beast was a Lava Fire Crocodile, five meters long and capable of controlling both fire and earth energy particles.
Although his limited talent made it difficult to break through to higher levels, his strength was by no means weak.
“I didn’t expect someone to actually advance to a Professional Beast Tamer in the middle of nowhere. If I’m not mistaken, you didn’t use one of the mainstream class advancements, did you?”
When Qi Shouwu saw the bare-chested Zhou Ming emerge from the cave, a look of realization appeared on his face.
“Since you already know, why are you blocking my cave entrance?”
Facing Qi Shouwu, who had seen through his background, Zhou Ming showed no sign of surprise.
Given the other party’s strength and age, if he lacked even this level of discernment, it would only mean he had lived those decades in vain.
“Hand over your class advancement materials, and this old man won’t mind sparing your life.”
Although there was no precious treasure, Qi Shouwu felt no disappointment. Instead, he felt a hint of fortune.
A brand-new class advancement system—its knowledge and research value alone were beyond monetary measure. If it could help him advance further, this harvest far exceeded his expectations.
Moreover, rare class advancement systems often involved resources that others did not value. Even without subsequent advancements to Transcendent Master or Legendary Saint, it would still be immeasurable wealth for the Qi Family.
Because it could allow clan members with insufficient talent to walk this path.
“With just a few empty words, you want my class advancement? Looks like you’ve lived all these years for nothing.”
“In that case, I’ll send you on your way early.”
Having finally advanced to a Professional Beast Tamer, if he still hesitated, he might as well go home, get married, and retire.
The bloodline power within his body erupted, and a suffocating, ferocious aura instantly appeared.
A phantom shadow manifested behind Zhou Ming.
A human upper body with a serpent’s tail below the waist—beneath the waist was a tightly coiled snake tail covered in dense purple scales, as though carved from amethyst, while above the waist was Zhou Ming’s unclothed form.
Upon his head rested a dark-gold crown, the concrete manifestation of the Snake Swarm Will.