Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Blazing Serpent

“The Xu Li herb is an ancient medicinal plant known for its ability to purify impurities from other herbs and refine the body's vital energy. While not exceedingly precious, it is extremely rare. In ancient times, the Xu Li herb was widespread, but as the natural environment changed, it gradually became extinct, and now it is virtually wiped out,” Che Wuyou said, hesitating slightly before continuing.

“What? Extinct? Then why did you even mention it to Qiu’er?” Li Muqiu’s gaze darkened as he stared at Che Wuyou. He despised anyone who joked about such matters. Over the years, he had witnessed his daughter’s disappointed eyes countless times, each time breaking his heart. He knew well the emotional turmoil she endured. He vowed that if Che Wuyou couldn’t give him a satisfactory answer, he would make the young man regret uttering such words.

Li Muqiu didn’t question him harshly, but Che Wuyou still felt a heavy weight settle in his heart. Especially under Li Muqiu’s penetrating gaze, as if he could see through everything, Che Wuyou felt suffocated. This old man was not easily fooled; he could ramble and chatter with Li Yiqiu, but facing Li Muqiu was like walking on thin ice near a deep abyss.

“Al-although it’s hard to find elsewhere, I know of one place where it definitely grows,” Che Wuyou exhaled deeply.

“Where?” Li Muqiu and his daughter asked in unison.

“The territory where the Flame Serpent prowls. The Flame Serpent is a fourth-level demon snake, famous for its treasure-seeking abilities. It is not only incredibly fast but also extraordinarily venomous. Legend has it that even top masters in the Immortal Realm would not survive more than three days if bitten by one. The Flame Serpent is clever and cunning, with intelligence comparable to humans, making it extremely difficult to capture. Yet, it has one glaring weakness: the Xu Li herb.”

Everyone listened with great curiosity. Although they had never heard of the Xu Li herb, the Flame Serpent was renowned. But why was the Xu Li herb considered the serpent’s greatest vulnerability? When Che Wuyou fell silent, the crowd all asked in unison, “Why?” Even Li Yiqiu’s eyes sparkled as she stared at Che Wuyou, unsure if he was telling the truth. How could he know something that no one else did?

“While the Xu Li herb is harmless to humans, it is extremely poisonous to the Flame Serpent,” Che Wuyou explained.

“So what? The Flame Serpent is very cunning. If the herb is harmful, it would naturally avoid it, keeping its distance. Why is the Xu Li herb its greatest weakness?” Li Yiqiu was puzzled. “Does the Flame Serpent not know the herb is dangerous to it?”

“It’s not that the Flame Serpent is unaware. It knows the herb is deadly; contact with it means certain death with no chance of survival. Yet, each Flame Serpent guards a single Xu Li herb throughout its life until the herb matures. If the herb takes ten years to bloom, the serpent will guard it for ten years without leaving. If it takes twenty years, the serpent will remain devoted for twenty years.”

“Why? How could the Flame Serpent be so foolish? It knows the herb’s danger but still guards it relentlessly. I don’t believe you’re telling the truth,” Li Yiqiu exclaimed, unable to accept such a bizarre tale. She glanced at Hei Cang for a moment before asking, “Then what happens after it guards the herb to maturity?”

“Once the Xu Li herb matures, the Flame Serpent consumes the small flowers it produces and then succumbs to the poison,” said someone who had just emerged from the back mountain of Qingchi—a man with white hair and long eyebrows, rosy complexion, holding a Buddhist whisk. Even standing among the crowd, he radiated an otherworldly aura.

“Ah!” Li Yiqiu gasped, and the others, hearing this man’s words, showed expressions of surprise as well. Thankfully, it wasn’t Che Wuyou who said this; although astonished, no one questioned the truthfulness of his statement. Clearly, this elder was a respected figure even within the Qingchi Sword Sect.

“Elder Qing Dan, you know of this Xu Li herb?” Seeing the group bowing to him, Li Muqiu waved his hand and asked hurriedly. His greatest concern now was the Xu Li herb. If the legend was true, Che Wuyou’s claim might indeed be achievable. As the chief elder of the Qingchi Sword Sect’s Alchemy Hall, Qing Dan was prudent and knowledgeable—certainly the right person to ask about the herb.

“I came across it by chance in ancient texts. According to the records, apart from some wild growth, most Xu Li herbs are cultivated by the Flame Serpent itself,” Qing Dan replied with a slight bow to Li Muqiu, smiling as he looked at Che Wuyou. “I did not expect such insight from a young friend. It’s rare indeed. But do you know why the Flame Serpent is so attached to the Xu Li herb—why it not only plants it but also guards it steadfastly, even knowing it will die?”

“Like a moth drawn to a flame. Though the moth knows the fire will harm it, it still flies toward it, time and time again. It’s been that way for thousands of years,” Che Wuyou said hesitantly. His knowledge of the Flame Serpent and Xu Li herb came from Miao Shilin, but the reason for the serpent’s ‘undying devotion’ was never explained. The moth-to-flame analogy was his own thought—whether it was accurate was open to interpretation.

“A moth to a flame?” The crowd exchanged strange looks but, upon reflection, found it fitting. Despite the Flame Serpent’s high intelligence, it had committed the same folly, which elicited silent sighs from all present.

Though the story of the Xu Li herb was confirmed, Li Muqiu frowned deeply. The Flame Serpent, though famous, had become extremely elusive. Thousands of years ago, its name frequently appeared in various classic texts, but as the world changed, sightings became rare.

“Why so troubled, Sect Leader?” Elder Qing Dan asked, noticing Li Muqiu’s furrowed brow. “Is it because of the Xu Li herb?”

“Yes. From what I know, many highly intelligent beasts have fled to the Western Wilderness, and in recent years, sightings of the Flame Serpent have been scarce. I suspect they have all taken refuge there. But the Western Wilderness is forbidden to humans, guarded by legendary demon kings. No matter how powerful a human cultivator is, if they dare to set foot there, death is certain. If both the Flame Serpent and Xu Li herb are in the Western Wilderness, how are we to obtain them?” Li Muqiu said with concern.