Volume Three: Blossoms in Twin Splendor, A Lone Tree Cannot Stand Chapter Seven: The Serpent Clan

After a long while, ripples began to form on the icy azure pool, and gradually, after a wave of surging water, the old Python Lord emerged, his massive jaws clamped onto a thick iron chain. The chain was attached to an enormous urn, so vast that it would take five or six people to encircle it with their arms. The urn was entirely dark and heavy, adorned with ancient patterns that exuded gravity and solemnity. At its center were two archaic characters—Thousand Mechanisms—which gave the vessel its name.

With a muffled thud, the urn was placed firmly on the ground by the Python Lord. As water splashed and mist swirled around, an elderly man appeared beside the urn, his skin wrinkled like a crane’s, his hair as white as a chicken’s feathers, clad in a dark robe patterned with scale motifs.

Zhuo Hua approached the elder, bowing deeply. “Descendant of Xuanhuang, pays respects to Elder Song. It is my honor to see your visage once more after the wars of antiquity.”

The old man nodded, stroking his beard with a gentle smile. “You young ones are always so likable. Speaking of those ancient battles, I, Song Xiang, have faced countless foes in my lifetime, yet my only defeat was at the hands of you and Lanling, that mad girl. But I concede, I lost fair and square! That technique she used, ‘Heaven and Earth Share Longevity,’ is not something ordinary people dare attempt—it’s a move meant for mutual destruction. Thankfully, we agreed it was a contest of skill, not a fight to the death, or these old bones of mine might have ended up in her hands.”

Zhuo Hua smiled awkwardly. “Elder, you flatter her. Besides, she had only just devised that move, and I doubt she ever truly anticipated its consequences.”

Song Xiang waved his hand dismissively. “Foolish boy, don’t try to comfort your grandpa Song. That night, Lanling told me herself—her plan was to use that technique and then escape into the Celestial Cloud Void. Tell me, isn’t that bullying an old man? I’ve never practiced your Xuanhuang arts, can’t summon heavenly tribulations, nor evade into the void!”

Zhuo Hua replied with a smile, “Elder Song, don’t believe her boasting. She didn’t have the capacity at the time. You know, ‘Heaven and Earth Share Longevity’ was an idea we came up with together—drawing the celestial thunder and earth fire from a hundred miles around to converge in one place. It drains an astonishing amount of energy. If all that energy is spent, how could one open the Celestial Cloud Void? Even if she could, what would she use to withstand the dangers lurking in the void?”

Song Xiang laughed heartily, “That’s something this old man doesn’t understand. Your Xuanhuang arts always speak of energy and essence—too mysterious, too complex. We pythons deal with enemies with a single approach: tear, devour, coil, and fling. Whether they’re birds or beasts, once tangled by a python, they’re not getting away easily. That old Lin Xiaoyun was formidable—soaring and burrowing, spewing clouds and mist. But he never bested me on land. When I grew wings and transcended, he didn’t even dare face me anymore! And those three old sharks—always stirring up wind and lightning. They could bully outsiders, but when they tried to trap me with their Three-Shark Formation, it was futile. I can soar to the heavens and dive into the waters. No matter how fierce the storms or dense the lightning above, I would quietly watch them flail from the seafloor, waiting for my chance to ensnare young Li Xian. The other two sharks were terrified and immediately surrendered. Hahaha! It’s exhilarating to recall! Foolish boy, tell me, am I not peerless?”

Zhuo Hua watched the old Python Lord recount his glorious feats with vigor, unwilling to interrupt. He stood quietly by, hands lowered, listening until the elder finished.

Song Xiang, as he spoke, suddenly noticed Zhuo Hua’s silent attention and asked with curiosity, “Foolish boy, why are you so quiet?”

Zhuo Hua smiled, “I was so absorbed in your illustrious past, I forgot to respond.”

Song Xiang chuckled, “That was all before you arrived. I was too fond of showing off in my youth, always eager for competition. It led the Four Demon Clans to besiege my Python Clan. My poor little ones, barely out of their eggs, were snatched by those damned Eagles, carried into the sky, and dropped to their deaths.” At this, the elder’s aged eyes flared with uncontrollable fury.

Zhuo Hua comforted him, “Elder, please do not be angry. Now, the Python Clan’s offspring thrive, and revival is within reach.” He smiled and stood quietly once more.

Noticing Zhuo Hua’s peculiar demeanor, Song Xiang’s eyes brightened with sudden understanding. “Ah! My old mind finally catches up. You had me retrieve this great urn to use your Xuanhuang secret arts, didn’t you? I know the rules, so I’ll leave you to it. Foolish boy, open the door for your grandpa Song and let me out.”

Zhuo Hua was startled. “Out? Where to? Haven’t you always returned to the Azure Pool?”

“No more! I’ll go out and help you guard these splendid lands! As for the pool, I’ll find a robust young python to keep watch,” Song Xiang replied.

Zhuo Hua stepped forward, advising, “Elder, now is the time for you to enjoy your twilight years. If you dislike staying in the Azure Pool, I’ll find you another fine sanctuary. The duty of protecting the realm should fall to us younger ones.”

Song Xiang shrugged indifferently. “Foolish boy, I’ve lived long enough and grown weary of it. Before you arrived, I held every title—leader, supreme one. After you came, you gave me years of tranquility. Honestly, my life has been complete. That night, you and Lanling risked yourselves to explain that Xuanhuang came here to seek refuge, to transform our void, to coexist—not to slaughter. After seeing your abilities, I decided to cooperate. Moreover, you brought civilization to this once wild void—your literature is truly admirable. Look at it now: our world is populous and flourishing in culture.”

“But…” Zhuo Hua said, somewhat dejected, “now we face invasion from the Dark Fiends, and internal rebellion from the Demon Clan. To be honest, Lanling is deeply involved. I worry… I worry I cannot overcome this alone.”

Hearing that the Dark Fiend invasion and Demon Clan rebellion were linked to Fairy Lanling, Song Xiang fell into thought. Yet after only a brief moment, he turned decisively to Zhuo Hua. “Foolish boy, you’re still so indecisive, unable to make tough choices. No matter who the enemy is—former friends or past lovers—if they stand opposed, we must confront them without hesitation. Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll lead the main Python Clan to quell the Demon Clan’s rebellion, and the external threat from the Dark Fiends will be handled by your Star Lords of the Celestial Palace.” He placed a large hand on Zhuo Hua’s shoulder, declaring boldly, “That’s settled!”

Zhuo Hua drew a deep breath, grateful. “Thank you, Elder Song, for your assistance. I am truly moved. But this journey will be fraught with danger—please reconsider!”

Song Xiang feigned displeasure. “From your tone, are you worried these old bones aren’t up to your palace’s standards? Or do you think my years in the Azure Pool have dulled my cultivation?”

Zhuo Hua hurried to explain, “Elder, you misunderstand! Not at all! Since you’ve decided, I won’t protest further. Here is the Tiger Talisman of the Twelve Guards—a token split in two, yin and yang. When combined, it commands all twelve guards, totalling one hundred and twenty thousand troops. Today, I hand you the Yin Tiger Talisman.” Zhuo Hua extended a talisman, shaped with a head raised and tail curled.

Song Xiang glanced at Zhuo Hua and took the ancient bronze talisman. “How many troops can this half command?”

Zhuo Hua replied, “With a command from the Lord of No Origin, it mobilizes one guard—ten thousand troops.”

Song Xiang nodded. “That’s enough. I hear your palace’s twelve guards are filled with experts; without at least a Spiritual Rank, none can join. Is that true?”

Zhuo Hua said, with a touch of pride, “Indeed, Elder. Every decade, the Celestial Palace selects promising disciples from all clans through rigorous trials. The strongest are admitted to learn the Xuanhuang foundational arts. From Mortal Rank to Spiritual Rank, the best can advance in as little as twenty years. Those who survive the minor tribulation and reach Spiritual Rank can join the Twelve Guards. If any pass the Thunderfire Tribulation and reach Immortal Rank, they become commanders.”

Song Xiang clicked his tongue in admiration. “I envy your palace’s seven immortal clans and their vast reserves. Compared to my Demon Clan…” He waved his hand and spoke loudly, “Enough talk! Foolish boy, open the stone wall so I won’t disturb your ritual.”

Zhuo Hua nodded with a smile, following Elder Song Xiang to the stone wall. He placed his hands in the grooves, recited the incantation, and the wall slowly opened.

Once the stone wall had fully stopped, Zhuo Hua stepped aside, hands lowered, and said respectfully, “Elder, take care.”

Song Xiang replied nonchalantly, “What’s there to take care of in these old bones? If I can stir things up once more, I’ll be delighted. Hahaha!” With a muffled sound, the wall closed again, and the hall returned to silence.

Zhuo Hua quietly approached the Thousand Mechanisms Urn, preparing to cultivate a new arm for Lan Sheng.