Starting as a Snake: Defying Heaven with Invincibility

"I don't know either, but there's a rumor outside that the Fire Cloud Sect possesses a temporal treasure that can replay events from a specific area within a day," the young man said.

Xiao Long frowned.

Replaying events from a day? Even with his knowledge, he couldn't guess what kind of treasure this was. Could it be a treasure containing the Laws of Time?

If that were true, and the news spread, every major power on the continent would come looking for it. The Temporal Ancestral Dragon's blood he detonated contained the Laws of Time, which brought about his calamity.

This matter was no small issue, and he must find out the truth if he had the chance.

"What is the strength of the strongest person in the Fire Cloud Sect?" Xiao Long continued to ask.

"The Fire Cloud Sect is a one-star sect. The sect leader is definitely an Innate Expert, but whether he's the strongest in the Fire Cloud Sect, I don't know," the person replied.

Xiao Long had a rough idea.

Innate Expert was a common term for those who had reached the Innate Three Stages. Only by stepping into the Innate Three Stages could one shed the title of a weakling and be called an expert.

The Innate Three Stages are divided into Innate Martial Master, Innate Martial Lord, and Innate Martial King, each with early, middle, and late sub-stages. Typically, the sect leader of a one-star sect is the weakest, an Innate Martial Master, equivalent to a level 21 to 23 monster.

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Although Xiao Long was disdainful, he couldn't contend with them with his current strength, being only level 4.

[System Alert: A level 10 hostile monster is approaching from the west, danger level: medium!]

Xiao Long immediately executed the Breath Concealment Technique to its fullest, reducing his presence to the minimum.

A level 10 monster was equivalent to a human at the tenth level of the Body Refining Realm, six levels higher than him, and even the Midas Touch couldn't kill it.

"Look! It's Jiang Li, the genius disciple of the Fire Cloud Sect!"

"The one known as the 'First Detective of Fire Cloud' Jiang Li?"

"That's right! Not only is he extraordinarily talented, but he's also solved many mysterious cases, truly a master of both intelligence and martial arts!"

"This time, he's come to Qingyang Town for the case of Xue Wuqing's daughter's murder. After all, the reward for capturing the culprit is very generous."

Through the view under the table, Xiao Long saw a robust young man in a fiery red robe ascend the stairs and sit at an empty table. This man had a large sword at his waist, walked with a dragon's stride and a tiger's pace, exuding authority. He was indeed the Fire Cloud Sect disciple, Jiang Li, whom people were discussing.

"Waiter, bring two jugs of wine and three plates of appetizers."

"Right away!" The waiter brought two jugs of wine, apologizing, "Dear guest, I'm very sorry, but there was an accident in the kitchen, and the dishes might take a while."

"Oh? The renowned Qingfeng Tavern can't even serve dishes?" Jiang Li said displeased.

"Alas! I don't know what happened, but it seems some demon beast stole the kitchen's ingredients. These two jugs of wine are on the house," the waiter said with a smile.

"Hmm." Jiang Li nodded, raising an eyebrow as his sharp gaze swept across the hall, seemingly sensing something unusual.

Xiao Long held his breath, maximizing the Breath Concealment Technique, even temporarily stopping his heartbeat.@@novelbin@@

This person was only at the tenth level of the Body Refining Realm, yet he gave Xiao Long an extremely dangerous feeling.

The Burning Heaven Dragon Palace always warned against underestimating intelligent enemies, even if they were weaker. Especially if they were stronger!

This man, known as a detective, must have his extraordinary qualities.

"Senior, do you have any other questions?" At this moment, the young man Xiao Long had questioned earlier spoke up, eager for the spirit stones Xiao Long promised, and asked with cupped fists.

Jiang Li frowned, looking at the person, his sharp gaze piercing through.

"Who were you talking to?"

The passerby shivered, not daring to lie, and honestly said, "A senior used Inner Qi to transmit sound and asked me some questions."

Xiao Long's face turned black instantly. How did he end up with such a foolish accomplice?

"What did he ask you?" Jiang Li asked coldly.

"He asked why the culprit was said to be a snake and also about the strength of the strongest person in the Fire Cloud Sect."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li's eyes lit up. He had thought this case was the most challenging mystery he had encountered, but unexpectedly, he had already gathered clues about the culprit upon arriving in Qingyang Town. It was truly effortless.

"How did you respond?" Jiang Li continued to ask.

Facing Jiang Li, the person dared not hide anything, repeating his previous answers word for word, knowing that even a slight change in expression or emotion could be detected by Jiang Li.

Who didn't know of Detective Jiang's reputation? Lying in front of him was akin to seeking one's own death.

Jiang Li fell into contemplation, and after a while, his eyes suddenly sharpened. He cupped his fists towards the sky with a respectful attitude.

"Senior, my Fire Cloud Sect has no enmity with you. Why resort to such deadly measures? Please reveal yourself and give an explanation!"

Everyone in the tavern widened their eyes, their breathing quickened. Could it be that the culprit was in this tavern?

No one knew what Jiang Li was thinking, not even Xiao Long understood how Jiang Li could deduce his presence here from just a few words.

One breath, two breaths...

After a long time, there was still no response.

Jiang Li frowned and continued, "Since the senior is unwilling to show himself, then forgive me!"

With that, Jiang Li slammed the table, shattering it into pieces. A strong wave of Spiritual Qi swept out, sending all the tables, chairs, and benches on the second floor flying, with dishes and plates breaking all over the floor.

The counter where Xiao Long was hiding also flew into the air, crashing into a pile of broken wood.

Jiang Li's gaze shifted, locking onto Xiao Long.

"Sure enough, you're here!"

Swoosh!

Jiang Li stepped forward, his large sword already drawn.

"Damn it! How did I run into someone like this!"

Xiao Long had never feared powerful enemies in his life. Even the sect leader of the Fire Cloud Sect, no matter how strong, couldn't catch him. What he feared were those with sharp minds who could pose a real threat!

Xiao Long used the Fish-Dragon Shifting, zigzagging in a flash, and in the blink of an eye, he was behind Jiang Li.

Clang!

The large sword struck the ground, creating a thirty-meter-long crack.

Missing his target, Jiang Li wasn't surprised. He immediately turned and struck with a palm towards Xiao Long. Xiao Long dodged with all his might, but the difference in strength was too great. He was still hit by the sweeping wave, his body flying and crashing into the wall, embedding into it.

The force of a tenth-level Body Refining Realm was not something an ordinary person could withstand. Even though Xiao Long had practiced the Azure Dragon Tome, the level difference was six whole stages. After being hit, large patches of scales fell off, blood splattered, and his bones were nearly shattered.

The people in the tavern watched in shock. In their understanding, demon beasts never had intelligence, only roaming the forests, attacking weaker humans, and even fighting among themselves.

But now, everything happening before them overturned their understanding.

A snake, hiding in the tavern, eavesdropping on their conversations?

"Senior, are you controlling this spirit snake? I hope your true self will come forward and speak."

Facing the injured Black Spine Snake, Jiang Li didn't deliver a finishing blow but instead cupped his fists towards the sky.

After a moment, there was still no response.

Xiao Long took the opportunity to operate the Azure Dragon Tome, fully healing his injuries.

"Since the senior is unwilling to show himself, I'll capture your spirit snake, skin it, and remove its bones. I believe this snake is very important to you."

Jiang Li walked up to Xiao Long, reaching out to grab him. In his view, this fourth-level Black Spine Snake was already heavily injured and couldn't resist.

Proofreader & Editor: Howard Wong