"That damn bastard!"

"Who are you calling a bastard?"

"Hmm?"

Hearing this voice, Xiao Qing was startled and looked around frantically.

But she couldn't see anyone.

"Who's there? Stop playing tricks!" Xiao Qing demanded.

The voice spoke again.

"Tell me your story. The snakefolk chasing you don't seem like ordinary tribesmen."

"You sure ask a lot of questions."

As she spoke, Xiao Qing carefully tried to pinpoint the speaker's location.

"You saved me this time. While words can't express my gratitude, may I know your name?"

"No need for names. As payment for saving you, I have some questions. I hope you'll answer truthfully."

"Ask away, except about private matters. And can you return my treasure?"

"If I'm not mistaken, this is the Dust-Burial Reincarnation Mirror, a sacred relic guarded by the Snakefolk Tribe for generations. Legend says this mirror was forged from the shed skin of an ancient Snake God, containing the eternal cyclical power of the desert."

The Dust-Burial Reincarnation Mirror had an ouroboros pattern on its surface, symbolizing the cycle of time and rebirth of life. Its frame was crafted from snake scales and meteorite iron, embodying the harmony of yin and yang.

Xiao Qing's heart skipped a beat.

The fact that the Snakefolk Tribe guarded the Dust-Burial Reincarnation Mirror was top secret. Even among the tribe's higher-ups, few knew about it. How could this outsider know so much?

Nine out of ten world treasures were recorded in Mount Shushan's archives. Li Xuanxiao could remember the names, preferences, and personalities of Mount Shushan's thousands of disciples—even their partners and relatives. Naturally, he was extremely familiar with the world's treasures.

"Did you steal the Snakefolk Tribe's Dust-Burial Reincarnation Mirror?" Li Xuanxiao asked.

"Y-you're talking nonsense!" Xiao Qing panicked.

Li Xuanxiao continued, "Judging by your attire, you should be a guard from the Snakefolk's Golden Family, the lineage responsible for guarding the Dust-Burial Reincarnation Mirror through generations."

Xiao Qing's expression changed dramatically. She never expected this person to know the Snakefolk Tribe's secrets so thoroughly.

"Just who are you?"

"Why did you bring out only a fragment of the Dust-Burial Reincarnation Mirror? I think we should have a proper talk."

"Give me back the fragment!" Xiao Qing said stubbornly.

A crisp snap sounded, and Xiao Qing collapsed to the ground without realizing what happened. A hand emerged from beneath the desert sand, grabbed her ankle, and dragged her underground before swiftly heading toward Yellow Sand City.

......

Snakefolk Tribe.

At the center of the oasis lay a vast lake with emerald-green waters as smooth as a mirror. Before the lake knelt nine towering Snakefolk chieftains.

Suddenly, ripples appeared on the lake's surface. As they spread, a colossal figure slowly emerged from the water. The figure stood dozens of zhang tall, its body covered in black scales that glowed faintly. Its massive, ferocious head had eyes like burning flames, radiating endless pressure.

Unlike other snakefolk who maintained human upper bodies and serpentine lower halves, this Snake God of the tribe revealed its true form without concealment.

"Find that traitor for me!" it commanded.

"Yes!"

"Spread the word—if she doesn't return the fragment, I'll execute her entire family!"

Nearby, Xiao Qing's bound family members trembled in fear, crying out:

"Chieftain, we're innocent!"

"This matter has nothing to do with us!"

"......"

After a moment of silence, one chieftain spoke cautiously:

"Great Snake God, this... this might be..."

"Might be what?" A dignified voice rang out.

The chieftain carefully chose his words: "Great Snake God, this lowly maid is named Xiao Qing. From what I know, her parents died many years ago—killed by her own uncle from the same clan. Later, that uncle adopted Xiao Qing. She's always wanted to avenge her parents but lacked the strength. So she... she stole a fragment of the divine mirror, knowing your wrath would exterminate her entire lineage, including her uncle and all her enemies. This way, she achieves her revenge."

Snake God: "......"

"We're innocent! Our Golden Family has served you faithfully for generations!!" Xiao Qing's uncle pleaded desperately. Even her usually arrogant cousin who took pleasure in bullying Xiao Qing now trembled like a leaf.

"Outrageous!!"

That such an absurd reason caused the loss of the divine mirror fragment! The Snake God roared in fury, surging forward to devour Xiao Qing's entire family in one gulp.

After calming slightly, the Snake God declared:

"Spread word that I've already accomplished what Xiao Qing wanted—I've killed her enemies. If she returns the fragment, I'll let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, when I catch her, she'll wish for death!"

"Yes!"

The nine chieftains inwardly groaned. No fool would believe such promises. Let bygones be bygones? Impossible!

One chieftain ventured: "Great Snake God, recently some tribes reported attacks by Yellow Sand City people against our kin. This matter..."

"Can't you distinguish priorities?"

"Y-yes..."

"......"

Several black-robed figures knelt in a sandy cave. Their leader carefully watched the figure who controlled their fates.

"After killing so many snakefolk, they haven't even made a sound," Li Xuanxiao mused while casually toying with an object. "Tsk."

"The Snakefolk Tribe's decline is undeniable," the lead black-robed figure explained. "The Yellow Sand City Lord is the top disciple of Zhongzhou's foremost Diviner, backed by the Extreme Demonic Hall. Naturally, the snakefolk dare not provoke them."

Li Xuanxiao glanced at her. The black-robed figure immediately prostrated lower. With a wave, Li Xuanxiao dismissed everyone.

As the leader stood to leave, Li Xuanxiao called out:

"You—what was your name again?"

The black-robed figure paused. "This lowly one is... Nan Gongwan."

Nan Gongwan—young mistress of the Nan Gong family. Her luck had been terrible. While traveling for training, she was first ambushed by bandits. At her most desperate moment, a silver-haired gentleman descended from the skies to rescue her. She thought she'd met her destined one.

Who knew he'd immediately kicked her into a ditch, then implanted a gu worm to force her into servitude—threatening to detonate it if she disobeyed. Nan Gongwan had tried escaping, but unbearable pain struck whenever she went beyond a certain distance from Li Xuanxiao—doubtless the gu worm's doing.

Indeed, all those romantic fantasies were just her imagination. The cultivation world was brutally cruel. Nan Gongwan couldn't help recalling her family elders' warnings before this journey.