Poison God's Heritage

"I didn't expect all of that to happen to you inside the stomach of a snake…" Dao Shen said

"So where did the Primordial Serpent God's corpse go?" Yuyu asked.

"I hid it somewhere safe," I replied, "It's too precious to just leave around, and can be used to get a lot of resources. But right now, we don't have the time to do that, how much longer before we arrive?" I asked.

"Should be in a few hours," Master Rain said, "I'm still surprised you beckoned the Divine Tribulation, that's not something usually seen here," Master Rain said.

"I guess this proves that the Primordial Serpent God is in fact not form the Vast Expanse," I said.

"How come?" asked Liang Yu.

"The blood, and the Qi it had in it, it was different, it wasn't something that can be made or achieved here since we don't have the 'ingredients'. So I guessed that the primordial Serpent God either came here with its own volition, or was trapped by someone else…"

"It could also be a warden for the people here, you never know," Master Rain said.

"We'll have to see about that, once we get to the Heavenly Academy, we should gain more information on what's happening in the Vast Expanse, the Fire Lord's movement is too strange," I said.

"Indeed," Liang Yu said, "He's strong enough to contend with any of the forces, but to take on the entire Vast Expanse, unless he has a trick up his sleeves, it's a really tall order, even for him," she said.

"While we were coming here, I received news from my retainer," Master Rain said.

'Oh, that's the guy who always followed Master Rain'

"What did the news say?" I asked.

"The Water Domain allied itself with the Fire Domain, and so did the Black Tower and the Galactic Societies…"

"…"

"What's on your mind?" Yuyu asked.

"I have some score to settle with the Black Tower, in case you forgot…" I said.

Of course, she can't forget, they were the reason for her death. Greedy pigs that only think of profit and retreat at the first sign of danger.

Yuyu's eyes soured and she said, "I also remember, how can I forget…"

"Stop planning genocides now and let's wait until we arrive to the Heavenly Academy, I'm sure we'll understand much more about the situation," Master Rain said.

A few hours later, the Thunder Bull Carriage arrived at the Heavenly Academy.

Everyone was expecting a chaotic situation where everyone was confused and worried about the eminent war. However, what they saw was totally the opposite, students moved around carrying their scrolls and books, more worried about being late to class than about the turmoil happening outside.

I couldn't help but laugh at the situation, where the entire Vast Expanse was turned upside down, the Heavenly Academy was still the same.

The backing they have behind them is beyond incredible, even if the factions of the Fire Lord and the Water Lord were to refuse support in the upcoming battle, they didn't even care enough. Nor did they care when the Black Tower or the Galactic Societies went to the Fire Lord's side, after all, many a disciple came from all over the Vast Expanse, even from the Fire Domain. And with the ability of the teachers of the Heavenly Academy, an upcoming war isn't something that will warrant worry or a sense of crisis.

A couple black robed elders came to greet Master Rain's arrival.

Starting with a greeting at first, and asked him, "How was your journey?"

The elder wearing black robes frowned for a second when he noticed the new addition. Good ol me.

"Wait, you're alive?" he questioned.

"That's not a good way to greet someone," I replied.

"Ah pardon me Shen Bao, I honestly didn't think anyone would survive being eaten by the Primordial Serpent God…"

"Oh, then how will you believe that I killed it?" I grinned then the carriage moved forward. Leaving the man's jaw open unable to even come up with a retort.

Soon we were at the top of the heavenly Academy's tower, Master Rain led the group until we entered the main hall of reception where all the elders gather for meetings.

Apparently they were still in a meeting as we entered.

Master Rain went and sat down in an empty chair and nodded to me to sit right next to him. To which I followed.

"Who's this brat sitting among the elders?!"

One of the Black Robed elders spoke.

Master Rain gave him the eye, and the Grand Elder at the head of the table coughed.

"I welcome your return Shen Bao, how was the belly of the beast?" he asked.

"Stinky," I replied, "But it's dead now," I said.

"Oh…" the grand elder, for the first-time revealed change to his expression it was shock mixed in with a melancholic sadness.

"I guess the new generation is different, Du Shen would have been proud," the Grand Elder said.

"Who's this kid?" asked the same elder from before who couldn't read the room.

"If you paid more attention to worldly affairs you'd know," the grand elder said and didn't even entertain the thought of explaining more.

"So, about the war," I said.

The same elder, ignored twice, and now enraged, "How dare you interfere and speak in an audience of elders!"

Now this is getting a bit annoying.

"Know your place," I spoke and released some of my cultivation.

It was clearly not at the level of Emperor, since the only two here were Master Rain and the Grand Elder. But it was far from enough to cause everyone in the room to feel a suffocating feeling of terror and fear, death and devastation beyond any scope of hope.

And they weren't even the focus of it, as for the elder who I spoke to, his face paled and his throat felt as if it was burning on fire as froth began forming on his mouth.

"Shen Bao, that's enough…" Master Rain said.

I immediately released my pressure and asked again, "What about the war?"

"We're waiting to see what's happening," the Grand Elder said.

"I'd like to request an expedition," I said.

"Oh, you want to take the initiative?" the Grand Elder asked.

"Yes, since I'm implicated in this war," I said.

"How so?" the Grand Elder asked.

"Show them," I said to Yuyu who pulled her hand up, and manifested the pentagonal jewl.

"Ah… now I understand, I thought that he just went crazy, but it was for this reason…"

"What is that?" one of the elders asked.

"That… is one of the five keys, and the only one that's been missing for thousands of years, I suppose it was inside the Primordial Serpent God," the Grand Elder said.

And by dropping that bombshell everyone understood what the Grand Elder meant when he said the Belly Of the Beast…

"Yes, it was bound to a cultivator inside the Primordial Serpent God, and since he couldn't leave, the Key stuck with him, until I was swallowed that is…"

"Hmm… I believe the Serpent to be dead now?" the Grand Elder asked.

"Yep,"

"Tell me, child, what sort of commission are you looking for?" the Grand Elder asked.

"I'd like to go and pay the Black Tower a visit," I said.

"Isn't that a bit too early? Your cultivation base is indeed powerful, but can you contend against an Emperor Level?" he asked.

"I can vouch for his strength, enough that I can say, even you, Old Black if you were to fight him seriously, you'll probably lose a limb or two…" Master Rain said.

"Hmm… then you're free to do as you wish, however, we're a neutral force," the Grand Elder said.

"Don't worry, this is personal, and I won't bring the Heavenly Academy's name with me, nor am I asking for reinforcements," I said.

"No child, what I meant is the Heavenly Academy always has your back, just find us a good reason to help you, and I promise you, the Black Tower won't last a day." The Elder said.

"I appreciate the help," I said "But for now I need to test my own strength, in case I'm troubled I'll ask for assistance," I said.

"Good, you're free to do as you please child, as for the rest of you," he said as he looked at the group behind me, "Besides the Devourer, you are too weak… Elder Tian," said the Grand Elder.

An old woman nodded and stood up, "Girls, come with me," and led the two away.

"I'm not planning on taking them with me," I said.

"Nor was I suggesting it, however, after you're done with your personal mission, I'll be sending a group of cultivators for the Galactic Societies, we need to… fix them if you understand."

I nodded.

"Now for this year's program, I suggest we add Warfare to the curriculum, who here agrees?"

The elder switched topics as if they were nothing and everyone seemed to be on the same wavelength.

We were just talking about committing mass genocide and it seems that murder and learning are actually just topics of discussion for these old fogies. Apparently when you live long enough you just become desensitized to a lot of things in life…