Chapter 117: There is a Python

Li Shiguang looked at Lin Yi with surprise; after all, Villa No. 8 had long since become the most sought-after property in everyone’s eyes. Moreover, many prominent figures had recently visited the area. Though the specifics were unclear, it was almost certain they were there for the owner of Villa No. 8.

At this moment, Yao Shijie spoke up: "Old Li, don't let Lin Yi’s youth fool you; his strength is likely higher than ours."

"Oh?" Li Shiguang narrowed his eyes. He thought to himself, *Speak for yourself, why drag me into it? I’m at the fourth level of the Innate realm now; I could beat you like a chick.* "Truly, the younger generation is to be feared!" Li Shiguang said with a smile.

Lin Yi remained indifferent to their flattery, having grown accustomed to such remarks long ago.

Yao Shijie asked, "Lin Yi, did you come here for something specific?"

"Yes." Lin Yi didn't hide his intentions. He pulled out a few chess pieces and asked, "Whose are these? I would like to offer to buy them."

Yao Shijie’s eyes lit up. He had been fretting over how to gain entry into Villa No. 8 to soak up the spiritual energy. This was the perfect opportunity. He quickly nudged Li Shiguang with his elbow and whispered, "Old Li, I think we should talk to Lin Yi; perhaps we can enter the villa to cultivate."

Li Shiguang was also tempted. The spiritual energy around Villa No. 8 had condensed into mist, a testament to its density. It was no exaggeration to say that even a pig could reach the rank of Grandmaster cultivating in such an environment. While the Innate realm signified a master, a Grandmaster was truly a dragon among men, walking the earth with limitless prestige.

Though tempted, Li Shiguang wasn't a fool. Since Lin Yi was willing to buy these pieces, it proved they were likely something valuable. "Ahem, Lin Yi, could you tell me what is so special about these chess pieces?" he asked curiously.

Lin Yi smiled faintly and did not answer directly. Superior-grade spirit stones were strictly controlled cultivation resources; if he gave them the answer, they would likely refuse to trade.

Li Shiguang wasn't offended. He chuckled and said, "Fine, don't tell me then. Lin Yi, I don't lack money. Just let us two old fellows cultivate in your villa for a year."

He was aiming high, leaving room for negotiation, while also hoping to use this chance to gauge the true value of the pieces. Lin Yi understood his intent and said, "At most, you can cultivate for one day."

Li Shiguang was immediately displeased. "That’s too short!"

Lin Yi said calmly, "One day is enough for you to improve by three levels." He was speaking the truth, as the spirit-gathering array he had set up used over ten thousand spirit stones. Even a single low-grade spirit stone was enough for an average Grandmaster to cultivate for a month.

Upon hearing this, the two old men’s eyes lit up instantly. "Lin Yi, are you serious? We can improve three levels in one day?" Yao Shijie asked hurriedly. At their age, little could excite them besides family and power.

"Yes," Lin Yi nodded, adding, "If you don't improve by three levels, I will allow you to cultivate inside for a month."

Yao Shijie and Li Shiguang exchanged glances and said in unison, "Deal."

Lin Yi’s lips curled upward as he naturally collected the chess pieces made of superior-grade spirit stones. He then produced two jade tablets and said, "These are temporary command plates for the illusion array. Remember, you can only cultivate in the outer perimeter of the villa. If you step one inch further, you will be automatically ejected."

"How miraculous." Both were startled and silently took the plates.

"Alright, I won't disturb your chess game any longer." With that, Lin Yi strode away from Longhu Bay.

***

Yao Shijie and Li Shiguang no longer had the heart to play chess; their minds were already at Villa No. 8. Yao Shijie said impatiently, "Old Li, let's go, let's go. I can’t wait anymore." Li Shiguang rubbed his hands, clearly just as eager.

The two old men reached Villa No. 8 and, using the temporary command plates, passed through the illusion array with ease. The moment they entered, a surge of rich spiritual energy flooded their bodies, causing a sensation of bloating—they were absorbing too much, too quickly.

"So bloated," Yao Shijie said, his face flushed.

"Same here," Li Shiguang sighed helplessly. Though both were in the Innate realm, their age hindered their ability to absorb energy compared to a youth. Yao Shijie quickly sat cross-legged, experiencing pain and pleasure simultaneously. It was no wonder Lin Yi was so confident; with such dense energy, if they were younger, they might have broken through five levels.

In just half an hour, the bottleneck that had plagued Yao Shijie for three years was broken—it was effortless, a natural progression. Before he could celebrate, he noticed the aura around Li Shiguang surging again.

"My god, is Old Li on some kind of drug? He just reached the fourth level of the Innate realm yesterday, and now he’s breaking through again?" Yao Shijie’s joy vanished; if this continued, he would forever be suppressed by his neighbor.

Lin Doudou had been in a good mood lately; a few hours ago, she had finally reached the rank of Grandmaster. In the classification of cultivators, she was a minor expert in the Foundation Establishment stage, capable of using simple spells. She had come out specifically to test the weakened versions of the spells Lin Yi had taught her.

However, as soon as she stepped out, she found two old men sitting at the entrance. "What’s going on?" Doudou wondered. She wasn't a novice in cultivation anymore and knew about the illusion array Lin Yi had set up. Without his approval, no one could enter. This meant these two old men had likely been let in by Lin Yi.

Being a polite girl, she didn't disturb them and instead called Xiao Hei down. "Xiao Hei, be a good boy and watch over these two elders." She patted the giant snake's head. Xiao Hei nuzzled her hand affectionately and nodded, clearly conveying: *Don't worry, little mistress, I'm here.*

Doudou smiled and skipped to the backyard. She waved her small hand, and a blue thunder orb the size of a fist condensed in her palm. "Thousand Thunders!" she whispered, throwing the orb. With a boom, the ground exploded, leaving a crater a meter wide. She had restrained her power; otherwise, that orb could have leveled a small house.

"The power is good, but the consumption is quite high," she muttered. That single orb had drained one percent of her true energy. If she went all out, it would be ten percent. Her foundation was ten times stronger than other Grandmasters; anyone else would likely have been drained dry after two such attacks.

Just as she finished her test, two terrified roars echoed from the villa entrance. Doudou rushed over.

***

Yao Shijie and Li Shiguang were trembling in fear. Anyone would scream upon opening their eyes to see a twenty-meter-long black python. Xiao Hei tilted its massive head, staring at them with copper-bell eyes, a hint of mockery in its gaze—as if laughing at how cowardly they were.

"Old Li, I’ve lived a life of piety and prayer, yet here I am, about to be eaten by a giant python," Yao Shijie said with a bitter smile.

Li Shiguang pointed at Xiao Hei’s head. "Old Yao, look, is this snake turning into a spirit? It has two small horns on its head and a pair of tiny fleshy claws on its belly."

"It really does." Yao Shijie looked closely, then said frantically, "Is this the time to be observing that? If we're dead, who cares if it's a spirit or not!"

"Xiao Hei." A crisp voice rang out. The two men saw a pure, sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girl approaching. At the sound of her voice, the terrifying giant python slithered rapidly toward her. To their utter disbelief, the monster that had just seemed so terrifying turned into a little lamb the moment it reached her side.

"Xiao Hei, don't scare people like that," Doudou said. Xiao Hei shook its head, looking wronged—it hadn't done anything; the two men were just too timid.

"Alright, I know you're the best." Doudou patted Xiao Hei’s head and walked up to Yao Shijie. "Grandpas, Xiao Hei is Lin Yi’s pet. It’s very well-behaved."

Yao Shijie and Li Shiguang exchanged looks, speechless. Using such a terrifying python as a pet—this was not someone they could afford to provoke.

***

Lin Yi had just arrived at Yang Yujia’s place when his phone rang. It was Granny Qiu, whom he had met previously. After a moment's thought, he answered.

"Mr. Lin, there is a matter that might require your assistance," Granny Qiu said.

"I don't have time," Lin Yi replied coldly. Although he hadn't intended to help her previously, he had saved her twice already. He wasn't running a charity; if everyone came to him for help, he’d be exhausted.

"Mr. Lin, please don't be so quick to refuse. I know you have a black python that is preparing to transform from a python into a dragon. We have three Heavenly Snake Fruits in the Snake Valley, which can elevate the python's bloodline to its peak," Granny Qiu said.

Lin Yi’s eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected the Snake Valley to possess such a treasure. If Xiao Hei’s bloodline purity was high enough, becoming a dragon was not impossible.

"Tell me what the matter is," Lin Yi said, not agreeing outright.

Granny Qiu was delighted; as long as Lin Yi was willing to talk, there was room for negotiation. "To be honest, this matter involves you, Mr. Lin," she said.

"What do you mean?" Lin Yi frowned.

"It’s like this: those men you killed on the outskirts of the primeval forest were from the Wei family. Now that they know their family head is dead, they are all besieging Snake Valley. Even Wei Jun, ranked ninety-ninth on the Heaven and Earth Ranking, has arrived," she explained.

Lin Yi said expressionlessly, "Fine, I understand. I will be there shortly."

"Thank you, Mr. Lin," Granny Qiu said gratefully.

Lin Yi didn't speak, hanging up the phone. He muttered to himself, "The Wei family, Snake Valley."