Chapter 289: Spirit Molting Snake Emperor
At the same time, the Ironthread Snake swarm that had been hiding near the Marching Ant nest, under an invisible bloodline summoning, followed the narrow tunnels used by ordinary Marching Ants and entered deep into the nest.
When the gathered Ironthread Snakes touched the purple cocoon formed of radiance, their flesh melted like snow under the blazing sun. The cocoon resembled the crimson halo that had once appeared when Zhou Ming emerged in Bewitching Gorge.
Faced with the purple cocoon that could devour both body and soul, the converging Ironthread Snake swarm showed not the slightest hesitation.
From the deepest, most primitive instinct within their bloodline, they sensed that this was the hope of transformation for the Ironthread Snake. Instinct drove them to sacrifice themselves for their race.
As countless Ironthread Snakes turned into streaks of blood mist, the bloodline within the Dark-gold Purple-patterned Python, which had been on the verge of collapse, entered a special state—teetering at the critical point between collapse and survival.
In this extremely unique state, the blood-colored jewels and high-grade Source Crystals placed around the Ritual Altar began providing the energy required for bloodline leap.
At that very moment, will runes linked head to tail appeared before Zhou Ming.
This time, however, they did not immediately descend into the Dark-gold Purple-patterned Python’s body. Instead, they emitted a unique attraction, gathering the immense lingering fragments of souls in the surroundings.
These remnants held no resentment. They were filled only with hope—the most primitive instinct of evolution inherent in life itself.
Zhou Ming would carry the hope entrusted to him by the Ironthread Snake and become the bloodline will of a new Snake Race.
When the will runes entered the Dark-gold Purple-patterned Python’s body, he felt not the slightest rejection. On the contrary, he felt as if he had truly become an Ironthread Snake.
Under this unique connection, the Dark-gold Purple-patterned Python undergoing transformation began to feed back to Zhou Ming. The Ironthread Snake Emperor bloodline within him started to evolve.
The bloodline began to leap. His Spiritual Power, which had long stagnated, was like a seed buried underground that had finally sprouted tender shoots, beginning to undergo new changes.
Sensing the transformation in his Spiritual Power, Zhou Ming immediately entered a meditative state.
Within his Spiritual Sea, a lake as smooth as a mirror slowly revealed itself, reflecting a bright moon rising in the sky above.
As ripples spread across the surface, the moon’s reflection transformed into a heaven-piercing colossal serpent formed of one thousand and eight starlights. On the shimmering scales of starlight, runes continuously emerged.
White bones gave rise to scales, the serpent’s head gazed at the heavens, already bearing the intent to devour the moon.
This was the high-tier meditation method Zhou Ming had created by integrating the Rune Mage meditation technique into the Beast Tamer cultivation system, evolving from the original Heart-Observing Moon-Gazing Diagram meditation method. He still called it the Heart-Observing Moon-Gazing Diagram.
By incorporating the shattered Spiritual Seed into his meditation, Zhou Ming’s connection with his beasts deepened further.
As time passed, Zhou Ming’s Spiritual Power began to feed back to the Ironthread Snake swarm.
In the next instant, the purple cocoon deep within the ant nest shone brilliantly, like a massive purple crystal hidden within the earth.
As time slowly flowed on, Zhou Ming’s consciousness sank into slumber.
One day later, an energy storm suddenly erupted in the Cloud Mist Basin. A jet-black pillar of light tore apart the dense mist.
Under the oppressive and terrifying pressure, the Ferocious Beasts living in the Cloud Mist Basin fled outward from Zhou Ming’s location as the center, eventually forming a considerable Beast Tide within the basin.
The hunters who were hunting Ferocious Beasts and gathering medicinal herbs in the Cloud Mist Basin were unlucky. A large number of ordinary hunters perished in the jaws of the beasts.
This abnormal change was immediately detected by the officials of Qinghui Base. Before they could determine the exact cause, three figures appeared in the sky at the edge of the Cloud Mist Basin.
“Is this a Transcendent Class Advancement Ritual?”
“It is indeed. But judging from the aura of the energy fluctuations, it doesn’t seem to belong to the Four Major Profession Systems.”
The speakers were Shi Baichuan, Commander of the Qinghui Base City Defense Army, and Chen Siping, Principal of Qinghui Beast Taming University.
Together with Chu Yujie, the Branch President of the Qinghui Base Hunter Guild, who stood silently beside them, the three represented the strongest forces of Qinghui Base.
“President Chu, you’ve remained silent. Do you know who is advancing to Transcendent Master?” Shi Baichuan asked curiously when he saw Chu Yujie keeping quiet.
“I have a guess, but I’m not certain.”
“However, he should have successfully advanced by now. The two of you will know shortly.”
Seeing that Chu Yujie was unwilling to elaborate, Shi Baichuan and Chen Siping did not press further. They continued standing above the clouds, quietly waiting for the main figure to appear.
Deep within the ant nest, Zhou Ming had already awakened from his slumber. The terrifying power surging continuously within his body filled his face with delight.
Opposite him, the Dark-gold Purple-patterned Python had also undergone tremendous change.
Its entire body had become profound black, its muscular lines streamlined without any bloated appearance.
Though no other abnormal features had emerged, it radiated a terrifying aura that made the surrounding air seem viscous.
Yet before Zhou Ming, the profound-black colossal serpent lowered its massive head.
Zhou Ming did not immediately examine its specific changes. Instead, he began completing the final step of the Class Advancement Ritual.
“I am the Spirit Molting Snake Emperor. From this day forth, the Spirit Molting Snake shall be the superior race of the Ironthread Snake. Henceforth, the Ironthread Snake race may advance into Spirit Molting Snakes.”
With a solemn expression, Zhou Ming used his own bloodline as a medium to issue this proclamation to the entire Ironthread Snake race.
This declaration at the bloodline level was instantly perceived by every Ironthread Snake on Blue Star.
Whether in the wilderness or within human settlements, whether mutated or unmutated, whether powerful or weak—
All serpents possessing Ironthread Snake bloodline raised their heads and let out hissing cries, as if ceremonial music resounded to crown Zhou Ming and acknowledge his position as emperor.
Immediately afterward, Zhou Ming’s bloodline underwent transformation. It was as if the earlier proclamation acted as a catalyst, fully activating the emperor attribute within his bloodline.
Having already shed bone and embraced wind and thunder, how could he remain among the grasslands clutching pearls?
It truly lived up to the name “Spirit Molting.”
Without relying on human-serpent fusion, Zhou Ming directly entered Serpentfolk Form through the Spirit Molting Snake Emperor bloodline.
Half-man, half-serpent—his snake tail entirely profound black, shimmering with iridescent hues, exuding an aura of majesty and dominance.
His upper body bore semi-transparent pale-gold snake scales as a base, with purple scales outlining patterns of a colossal python winding across him. On both sides of his cheeks were fine traces composed of dense blood-colored snake scales.
A crown condensed from the aura of emperor bloodline materialized upon his head.
“It seems I’ll have to examine my specific changes later.”
Having advanced to Transcendent Rank, Zhou Ming’s abilities had undergone qualitative transformation. Even separated by dozens of kilometers, he could still sense the auras emitted by Chu Yujie and the other two.
Of course, this was because they were intentionally releasing their presence to indicate they bore no ill intent.
If they had deliberately concealed their auras, Zhou Ming would not have been able to sense them.
With a wave of his hand, a vortex like a black hole appeared in his palm, and the profound-black colossal serpent was immediately swallowed into his body.
Walking through the air seemed instinctive. As a thought arose in Zhou Ming’s mind, a force field instantly enveloped him.
With a casual motion, he shattered dozens of meters of rock above his head and flew directly toward the location where Chu Yujie and the other two were waiting.