Feng Ci instantly felt his scalp turn numb and goosebumps appear all over his body.

The darkness made everything feel even more distinctive. 

In the beginning, that ice-cold and smooth snake tail was actually very careful and cautious. It only circled tentatively around his calf. Seeing no resistance from Feng Ci, it started to become more curious and bold. Avoiding the complicated hem of the disciple’s robe, it started to explore deeper inside.

How could Feng Ci allow it to mess around? Bending down, he captured that slippery snake tail.

“Trying to ambush me, hm?” Feng Ci chuckled coldly and lifted the snake tail up directly.

Finally, he was able to see clearly that the body of this snake was also in a half-transparent Divine Conscious state. 

No wonder it could touch him.

This was the first time, after a separation of 3000 years, that Feng Ci was seeing the original form of his family’s Xiao Hei.

When the little black snake was young, he was looked down by others for being ugly. However, Feng Ci himself liked it very much. Its entire body was an extremely rich and glossy black; its shape was slender and long. Wrapped around Feng Ci’s wrist, it looked like a shiny and lustrous black jade bracelet.

However, the current little snake, no, it’s no longer possible to call him a little snake now.

This snake was very long. The snake tail extended from some unknown dark corner, so long that Feng Ci couldn’t even see the head. The thickest part of the snake’s body was the size of a grown man’s arm. The luster on the scales has become slightly darker and dull overtime, giving rise to a splendid yet complicated pattern.

Feng Ci held onto that half-transparent tail and played with it for a moment before furrowing his brow.

Sure enough, the baby period of all living beings is their cutest moment.

If he didn’t meet the slender and pretty, little black snake 3000 years ago, and instead had encountered this big guy, who knows if he would have actually rescued it. 

Feng Ci sighed, practically hearing the sound of his tinted glasses breaking quietly into pieces.

Why did baby have to grow up? Such heartache.

After being grabbed by Feng Ci, the snake tail became much more well-behaved. It quietly laid in Feng Ci’s palm, only the pointy tip of the tail still tapped Feng Ci on the wrist occasionally.

Bringing a slightly ice-cold sensation. 

Feng Ci felt his heart soften by this almost flattering behavior. He placed his other hand over the snake tail and stroked it gently.

The fully grown black snake looked tough and powerful; however, it felt extremely soft to touch. The cool body was covered in a layer of thin scales. Every scale was sparkly and clear. Feng Ci couldn’t resist rubbing some more with his fingertips.

The snake tail shook under his touch, so sensitive it trembled unceasingly.

Feng Ci’s anger dissipated completely. 

He released his hand. The snake tail gently slipped out of his palm and silently vanished into the darkness.

A moment later, the sound of a crawling animal came from the darkness again. Feng Ci crouched down and looked directly into a pair of snake pupils.

The black snake’s head was slender and round. It’s still possible to vaguely see the cuteness of its youth. Snakes didn’t have eyelids, therefore Feng Ci was finally able to see its eyes.

It was no longer that clear, bright gold color of the past. Instead, they were an extremely light gray, as if the pupils of its eyes were covered by a layer of white gauze. 

This pair of eyes was indeed blind.

Feng Ci’s expression darkened.

He reached his hand over. The black snake raised its head and nuzzled under his palm gently, its bright-red snake tongue flicking over Feng Ci’s wrist again and again, making him feel slightly ticklish.

“Stop, stop playing around.” The touch of the snake tongue was no different than being touched on the most sensitive nerve, itching him to the bones. Feng Ci couldn’t stand this itch. With a tremble of his hand, Feng Ci scolded: “Keep moving randomly and I’ll beat you up.” 

The black snake flinched briefly and immediately stopped moving.

So extremely well-behaved.

Feng Ci tilted his head slightly. A bit of spirit energy poured out of his palm and entered the black snake’s forehead to explore its Divine Conscious.

The Divine Conscious was extremely fragile and very sensitive. Feng Ci half knelt on the ground, his palm gently brushing over the black snake’s body. He didn’t even dare to use too much strength. 

Like a warm current, the spirit energy slowly flowed into the black snake’s body and probed deeper, little by little.

The Sea of Awareness was completely tranquil, as if it had sunk into a deep, heavy sleep, unable to hear even the slightest sound.

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Anyways, what exactly was going on here?

Pei QianYue was fine just a few days ago.

Feng Ci was still helping his family’s Xiao Hei examine his Divine Consciousness. The latter, however, didn’t appreciate his hard work at all. 

The snake slowly raised its head and through the thin layer of clothing, it slithered up Feng Ci’s leg and climbed over his thigh, pelvis, and waist to finally stop at one side of his neck.

By the time Feng Ci withdrew his spirit energy, the entire snake was already wrapped around him completely.

As soon as he raised his head, the ice-cold snake tongue licked him on the lips.

Feng Ci: “……” 

Inhaling deeply, Feng Ci consoled himself that his little snake’s awareness was in a coma right now; This was no different than an animal that has never developed supernatural intelligence; All actions and behaviors were purely instinctive. He shouldn’t be bothered by it.

Afterwards, he pulled out the snake tail that had already poked itself into his shirt collar and said expressionlessly: “Keep moving around randomly and I’ll chop you up.”

The black snake flinched briefly and then tilted its head, as if it couldn’t understand what Feng Ci was saying.

Feng Ci lowered his head and looked at the black snake in the eyes. For some unknown reason, he actually saw innocence inside the other’s grayish-white pupils. 

Such injustice you’ve experienced, really.

Pei QianYue’s awareness was in a coma, but for some reason, he had released his Divine Consciousness. This could mean something major or nothing at all.

Nevertheless, it’s best to return the Divine Consciousness where it belonged.

The little black snake clung to Feng Ci, unwilling to let go. Feng Ci couldn’t do anything about it. He had no choice but to yield and stand up, carrying the not-exactly light-weighted black snake.  Good thing, searching for the physical body with the Divine Consciousness in hand was an extremely easy matter. After a slight examination, Feng Ci started walking towards the inner hall. 

A few moments ago, Feng Ci had searched this big hall inside and out without discovering any hints of Pei QianYue’s whereabouts.

Now that he had guidance from the Divine Consciousness, he stopped next to the bed in the inner hall.

With a mere thought, Feng Ci transformed into a wisp of green smoke. He passed directly through the white wall behind bed and headed inside.

Behind this white wall was actually a secret room. 

After traveling through a dark and narrow passage, Feng Ci saw the entire view of this secret room.

This room was very big. The walls, floors, and domed ceiling were all built with top quality jades. Inside the jades was a jasper-green spirit energy that circulated and illuminated the entire room with a faint glow.

Feng Ci could tell, these weren’t ordinary jades.

These stones seemed to hold the ability to shield the presence of spirit energy. The inside of this room was completely isolated from the outer world. Regardless of the other person’s strength, it’s impossible to detect anything. 

If he didn’t bring Pei QianYue’s Divine Consciousness with him this time, Feng Ci wouldn’t have found this place even if he turned LinXian Terrace upside down.

Feng Ci walked inside carrying the little black snake.

The room was very empty. Only a large bed carved from jade was placed at the center. The four sides of the large bed were covered by bed curtains made from mackerel yarn. They hung from the domed ceiling above, shimmering faintly like flowing lights.

Pei QianYue laid on the bed, face deathly white and eyes covered by a black ribbon. His expression was tranquil, as if he were sleeping. 

Feng Ci stood next to the bed and pointed at Pei QianYue’s physical body: “Go back.”

The little black snake buried its head into the crook of his neck and nuzzled softly.

Silently objecting.

Feng Ci: “……” 

What’s wrong with this person?

He was just about to force the little black snake’s Divine Consciousness back into its physical body when he glanced around and, from the corner of his eyes, he caught sight of the incense burner at the head of the bed.

Feng Ci walked over, picked up a bit of ashes from the incense burner, and placed it in front of his nose for a whiff.

“Don’t touch that.” A man with a gentle and refined voice suddenly spoke up behind him. 

Feng Ci turned around and saw a familiar figure.

It was the youth who had guided him to the entrance plaza during the Immortal Alliance entrance selection.

The youth’s name was Xiao Que. He was an inner LangFeng disciple.

The little black snake, who was originally wrapped around Feng Ci pliantly, abruptly stiffened. It raised its head and released threatening hisses towards that direction. 

A hint of fear appeared on Xiao Que’s face as he unconsciously took a step back.

Feng Ci patted the little black snake on the head to make it calm down before finally asking Xiao Que: “Why are you here?”

Xiao Que also seemed very surprised by Feng Ci’s appearance. What made him even more surprised was that his City Master had not bitten this uninvited guest to death. In addition, he was even wrapped around the other tightly, and calmed down immediately after being comforted.

Terrifyingly obedient. 

However, Xiao Que didn’t ask anything and only answered: “I came to bring medicine for the City Master.”

Feng Ci pointed at the incense burner at the head of the bed: “The calming powder inside here was placed by you?”

Xiao Que: “Yes.”

Examining Xiao Que for a moment, Feng Ci’s gaze ultimately landed on the other’s waist. He narrowed his eyes: “The thing hanging on your waist…… is that realgar?” 

Even a snake demon like Pei QianYue, who has cultivated and obtained Dao, couldn’t escape the fear of realgar powder. Not to mention, Xiao Que had used some unknown method to turn the realgar into a fragrance pouch, which must have enhanced its effectiveness several times.

Feng Ci gently stroked the black snake and felt the terrified and tense body under his palm. His expression abruptly turned cold.

Xiao Que has not seen Feng Ci since he entered the sect.

Back then, they had a chance meeting during the Immortal Alliance entrance selection. Xiao Que actually had a pretty good impression towards the young man. 

The young man was born looking quick-witted and cute. When he spoke, he treated people very kindly. If Xiao Que had an opportunity to interact with him, they could have been good friends.

But the young man today was completely different.

Holding the black snake in his arms, the young man stood not too far away, looking coldly at Xiao Que. It actually made Xiao Que feel like a chill going up his back.

Vaguely, Xiao Que even thought that the aura of intimidation created by this young man was no less than that of the City Master. 

“I…… Please don’t misunderstand!” For once, the gentle youth felt a bit flustered and explained: “This thing…… was made by the City Master himself.”

Feng Ci frowned: “He made it himself?”

Made it for what? Self-abuse?

But the young man’s expression didn’t look like he was lying. Feng Ci calmed down slightly. The suffocating and intimidating aura surrounding him also dissipated at the same time. 

Feng Ci asked Xiao Que: “If that’s the case, then burning the calming powder was also his own decision?”

Xiao Que nodded: “Yes.”

Feng Ci: “Why?”

Xiao Que didn’t answer. 

Feng Ci understood his Xiao Hei’s temperament all too well at this point and said: “He doesn’t want you to say, right?”

Xiao Que nodded his head softly.

Feng Ci stroked the head of the snake in his arms and said leisurely: “Using medicine to put his physical body to sleep, and returning his awareness to a state of tranquility, while allowing his Divine Consciousness to wander around uncontrollably, causing havoc and destruction… He gave you realgar to prevent you from being injured by him, right?”

Xiao Que nodded again. 

Feng Ci looked downward and started to ponder deeply.

Judging from his previous interactions with Pei QianYue, he didn’t notice any abnormality in the other’s body. Then what exactly was the reason that made him to use medicine to force his physical body into a deep sleep.

Temporarily, Feng Ci couldn’t figure it out.

As Feng Ci pondered, he unconsciously stopped petting. This made the little black snake in his arms become restless. 

Like it was suffering a great mistreatment, the snake climbed up and wrapped its tail around Feng Ci’s waist. It rubbed its head all over Feng Ci's embrace, seeking his touch.

“Stop playing around……” Annoyed by the snake’s silly antics, Feng Ci threatened: “Keep moving around randomly and I’m throwing you out.”

The black snake smacked its tail on the bed unhappily.

Xiao Que, who saw the entire thing: “……” 

Feng Ci was clearly the outsider here, who had intruded unexpectedly. Yet Xiao Que didn’t feel any hostility towards him; on the contrary, his manner was warm and humble.

Feng Ci asked him: “Seeing me here, don’t you find it strange?”

Xiao Que said: “The City Master is willing to let you get close to him. This proves that he trusts you. I won’t ask about things that I shouldn’t know.”

…… Pei QianYue has really trained his disciples to be very obedient. 

Feng Ci continued to ask: “Then his current state… how long will it last?”

“I don’t know.” Xiao Que said: “The City Master is even…… harder to control this time compared to before. I don’t know when he’ll wake up again.”

Feng Ci frowned, a faint guess in his heart: “His current state, did it start 3 days ago?”

Three days ago was when Feng Ci followed Pei QianYue on their outing. 

Xiao Que almost seemed somewhat surprised. Nevertheless, he only shook his head and didn’t say anything else.

Feng Ci knew that even if he asked more questions, he wouldn’t be able to get any answers. Therefore, he stopped troubling the other and said: “You can put the medicine here. I will light it up for him in a bit.”

Pei QianYue was hard on others, but also hard on himself. If Xiao Que got any closer while wearing that fragrance pouch, who knew how terrible the snake would feel.

Xiao Que didn’t move immediately. 

Feng Ci looked up: “What is it?”

“The City Master never allows anyone to approach him when he’s in a coma. You’re the first person… he is permitting willingly.”

Xiao Que’s  words were really too courteous.

How was this Pei QianYue allowing him to approach? This was clearly Pei QianYue clinging to him and not letting him go. 

Feng Ci: “What are you trying to say?”

Xiao Que: “If you’re willing to stay with him during this period on LinXian Terrace, perhaps the City Master might wake up sooner. Not to mention……”

He paused, not finishing the rest of his sentence.

But Feng Ci could clearly read what Xiao Que wanted to say from his eyes. 

—Not to mention, if Feng Ci remained, he would no longer need to risk his life coming over here everyday to replenish medicine for Pei QianYue.

Looks like he really was quite scared.