Battle Through The Heavens : I Am The Thunder Emperor

Chapter 319: The Nine-Winged Golden Serpent, Investigation

With the departure of Mu Gu Elder and Han Feng, the great battle between Yuan Manor and the Black Alliance finally came to an end. Without a leader, the Black Alliance, faced with a joint attack from Yuan Manor and Jia Nan Academy, collapsed entirely. Even the Heavenly Serpent Mansion was completely routed.

The members of the Black Alliance were either killed in battle or fled. Even though the Black Devil Army did not continue their assault, the remnants of the Black Alliance were forced to retreat in a panic, unable to resist Yuan Manor's powerful army.

As for the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, Mo Yu spared them, considering the past relationship with Lü Man. However, Mo Yu's mercy came with a condition: Bai Han had to promise that the Heavenly Serpent Mansion would never trouble Qing Lin again. Surrounded by Yuan Manor's forces and faced with Mo Yu's powerful allies, Bai Han had no choice but to agree.

After the intense battle on the Northern Plain of Mo Bei, peace gradually returned to the Black-Corner Region. However, the Black Alliance, once the most powerful alliance in the region, began to disintegrate due to internal disputes over power and interests.

The members of the Black Alliance were all relatively strong forces in the Black-Corner Region, but they were evenly matched, and none could dominate the others. In the past, Han Feng's prestige and alchemy skills kept them united. But with Han Feng's disappearance, the alliance became leaderless, and everyone fought for the top position. These disputes, along with several internal battles, led to further deterioration, making the alliance's dissolution inevitable.

Although Elder Ying Shan and the Gold and Silver Elders had the strength to take charge, after the events on the Northern Plain and the appearance of the mysterious powerhouses, they lost the courage to challenge Yuan Manor. The day after Han Feng was taken by Mu Gu Elder, Ying Shan and the two elders disappeared, leaving behind a chaotic Black Alliance.

With its strongest members gone, the Black Alliance quickly crumbled. Within just three days, the once-mighty alliance dissolved, marking the fall of the largest power in the Black-Corner Region.

With the fall of the Black Alliance, Mo Yu ordered Yuan Manor to swiftly take over the Black Alliance's territories, rapidly expanding Yuan Manor's influence. This time, Yuan Manor had won a complete victory in its confrontation with the Black Alliance.

Due to the unexpected appearance of two Dou Venerate-level experts from the Central Plains, the details of the battle on the Northern Plain were kept secret. Both Yuan Manor and the Black Alliance refrained from discussing it, leaving outsiders to believe that Yuan Manor had simply defeated the Black Alliance, and Han Feng's disappearance further fueled this belief.

Now, with the Black Alliance dissolved, and aside from Jia Nan Academy, Yuan Manor had effectively become the most powerful faction in the Black-Corner Region.

Of course, Mo Yu was not particularly concerned with Yuan Manor's expansion at the moment. After the battle, he returned to Yuan Manor's Mo City to recover from his injuries.

Immediately upon returning, Mo Yu went into seclusion to heal. Although it was Uncle Snake who had taken control of his body during the battle with Han Feng, Mo Yu himself had sustained significant injuries. The guests from the Thunder Clan were provided with the best accommodations, and Mang Ting, the silver-armored leader of the Black Devil Army, didn't seem to mind Mo Yu's need for recovery. As long as Mo Yu remained within their sight, they made no effort to restrict his movements.

Seeing that Mang Ting had no objections, Mo Yu pondered for a moment before entering seclusion.

Mo Yu spent seven full days in seclusion, healing his internal injuries. Although Uncle Snake's strength allowed Mo Yu to fight on par with Han Feng, the battle had still caused significant internal damage. The power of Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame lingered within Mo Yu's body, and it took considerable effort to dispel it completely. Without addressing it, the residual flame could have caused long-term harm.

Thanks to the multiple temperings of his Thunderforce Body, Mo Yu's constitution was much stronger than that of ordinary people. If it had been anyone else, they would have taken at least half a month, or even longer, to recover fully from such injuries. In some cases, they might have even suffered permanent damage.

In a quiet chamber in Yuan Manor, the soft glow of moonstones embedded in the walls illuminated the space, casting a warm light over Mo Yu, who sat cross-legged on a bed, his eyes closed as he healed.

His breathing was calm and steady, and with each inhale and exhale, there was a subtle fluctuation in the space around him. With every breath, a stream of pure energy from the surrounding environment flowed into his body. Mo Yu's body, like a bottomless pit, continuously absorbed this energy without showing any signs of overflowing.

Time passed quietly as Mo Yu meditated and healed. Eventually, the pallor on his face was replaced by a healthy glow, and the spatial fluctuations around him began to fade.

After a moment, his eyelashes trembled, and he slowly opened his eyes. A flash of silver lightning briefly flickered in his dark pupils before vanishing.

"Finally..." Mo Yu exhaled a deep breath, expelling a faint blue mist— the last remnants of the Sea Heart Flame within him had finally been purged.

"My injuries are healed. It seems I've been in seclusion for quite some time," Mo Yu muttered to himself as he felt his body fully recover. But his expression soon darkened as he remembered Uncle Snake's condition.

Mo Yu's face grew somber, his normally handsome features clouded with sorrow. He knew that Uncle Snake had suffered greatly in the battle against Mu Gu Elder. The bloodline power Uncle Snake had burned to fight had left him severely weakened, almost beyond recovery.

Reaching out with his left hand, Mo Yu touched the Beast Ring on his finger, and a transparent soul body appeared in the chamber.

Looking at the slumbering, weakened figure of Uncle Snake, Mo Yu's silver eyes filled with guilt. He knew that Uncle Snake had sacrificed so much for him.

"If it weren't for my conflict with Han Feng, the Soul Hall wouldn't have sent such a powerful elder to such a remote place as the Black-Corner Region."

Ever since Mo Yu had met Uncle Snake, he had always felt a sense of security with him by his side. No matter what happened, Mo Yu knew that as long as Uncle Snake was there, he would never truly die. But now, with Uncle Snake so severely injured, Mo Yu felt a painful emptiness, like the loss of a close family member.

This time, Uncle Snake's slumber was different from before. In the past, Uncle Snake would sleep to recover his bloodline power, and he could easily wake up after using certain natural treasures. However, this time was different—Uncle Snake had exhausted his bloodline entirely, and his very foundation was damaged. No amount of natural treasures could restore what he had lost.

"Why the sad face, kid?" A weak voice suddenly sounded, and Uncle Snake slowly awoke, smiling faintly as he looked at the silver-eyed youth.

"Uncle Snake! You're awake!" Mo Yu was startled, then overjoyed. But his happiness quickly faded as he noticed how frail Uncle Snake looked, like a candle flickering in the wind.

"I have good news and bad news," Uncle Snake said with a weak smile.

"I know the bad news— it's your current condition..." Mo Yu's expression grew even sadder. "But what's the good news?"

"You've guessed it. My current state is the bad news. My bloodline power is almost completely drained, and my foundation is shaky. I nearly perished in that fight with the Soul Hall Dou Venerate," Uncle Snake said with a bitter smile.

Mo Yu's face changed drastically, and the guilt in his silver eyes deepened.

"But at least things didn't turn out as badly as they could have," Uncle Snake continued. "I didn't expect you to attract the attention of the Thunder Clan. If the Soul Hall had captured me, my fate would have been far worse. I suppose that counts as the good news."

"I'm not sure why the Thunder Clan came looking for me either," Mo Yu said, frowning as he thought about the mysterious guests staying in his mansion.

"Don't worry. The Thunder Clan, like the Spirit Clan that once hunted me, is one of the Eight Great Clans, with the bloodline of the Dou Emperor. Their pride wouldn't allow them to seek you out unless they had a very good reason. I suspect it has something to do with the secret you carry," Uncle Snake said thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing.

Mo Yu nodded. Uncle Snake's speculation aligned with his own thoughts.

Looking at the weakened Uncle Snake, still thinking about his well-being despite his condition, Mo Yu's heart ached. Clenching his fists, he murmured, "I'm sorry, Uncle Snake..."

Mo Yu knew that if it hadn't been for his ambition to unite the Black-Corner Region, Uncle Snake wouldn't have had to burn through his bloodline power, and he wouldn't be in such a dire state now.

"No need to apologize, kid. After all these years, I've long accepted the possibility of death." Uncle Snake laughed, patting Mo Yu on the shoulder.

Watching Uncle Snake's carefree smile, Mo Yu's heart clenched in pain. Suddenly, a thought struck him. "Uncle Snake, is there any way to save you?"

Uncle Snake frowned, his face heavy with thought. After a long pause, he nodded slowly. "There is a way."

Mo Yu's face lit up with hope. "What is it?"

Seeing the determination in Mo Yu's eyes, Uncle Snake smiled gratefully but shook his head. "It's almost impossible. The method I'm thinking of is like climbing to the heavens."

"Tell me, Uncle Snake. I'll do everything I can, no matter how difficult," Mo Yu said firmly, his silver eyes filled with resolve.

Uncle Snake sighed and patted Mo Yu's shoulder again. "The only way to restore my bloodline is to evolve my Seven-Winged Golden Serpent into a Nine-Winged Golden Serpent. Otherwise, not even a Dou Saint could repair the damage to my foundation."

"The Nine-Winged Golden Serpent..." Mo Yu whispered, his silver eyes narrowing in thought.

In the original story, Cai Lin's Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python bloodline could evolve into a Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. It wasn't surprising that Uncle Snake's Seven-Winged Golden Serpent could also evolve. However, such an evolution was exceedingly rare and required unimaginable effort.

"Now that you know the method, do your best, but don't force it." Uncle Snake's body became more transparent, and he waved weakly at Mo Yu, his voice fading. "Take care, kid. I hope we meet again someday..."

"Uncle Snake, take care. I promise, I'll find a way to evolve your bloodline!" Mo Yu knelt on one knee, his voice steady but filled with emotion as he bowed his head.

Uncle Snake smiled one last time, his translucent form gradually disappearing from the chamber.

As Mo Yu knelt in silent farewell to Uncle Snake, in the hall of Yuan Manor, Mang Ting of the Thunder Clan stood tall, facing the elderly Su Qian.

"Officer Mang Ting, might I ask, what is your relationship with our academy's dean, Mang Tian Chi?" Su Qian asked, his eyes narrowing in thought.

"Mang Tian Chi? He is my uncle," Mang Ting replied casually.

"Your uncle... I see." Su Qian nodded, his suspicions confirmed. Glancing toward the direction where Mo Yu was still in seclusion, Su Qian hesitated before asking, "Might I ask why Officer Mang Ting and the Black Devil Army have come to the Black-Corner Region?"

Mang Ting's face darkened slightly. "I've been sent by the Thunder Clan to find someone of great importance to us. We came to the Black-Corner Region after sensing the presence of the Gu Clan's Black Abyss Army."

"The Gu Clan's Black Abyss Army? That must have been Ling Quan, who came here a year ago to take Xiao Xun Er back," Su Qian murmured, recalling the past.

Mang Ting's eyes flashed. "Yes. But as for the person we're looking for... That's confidential Thunder Clan business. It would be best if you didn't inquire further, Elder Su."

Su Qian frowned. The fact that the Thunder Clan was so interested in Mo Yu meant he must be of significant importance to them. Although he didn't know the details, Su Qian could sense the gravity of the situation.

"I understand. Still, might I ask to see Mo Yu's enrollment records from Jia Nan Academy?" Mang Ting asked after a pause, his tone respectful but firm.

"Mo Yu's records?" Su Qian was momentarily taken aback but nodded. He quickly instructed one of his subordinates to retrieve the records.

In less than an hour, a Jia Nan Academy elder delivered the requested documents.

"Jia Ma Empire, Wu Tan City, Xiao Clan... Salt City's Mo Clan?" Mang Ting muttered as he read through the records. His eyes narrowed, and his mind raced. "Mo... Could it be...?"

He quickly summoned several Black Devil Army soldiers. "You, head to the Jia Ma Empire immediately. Investigate everything about Salt City's Mo Clan!"

(End of Chapter)

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