Qing Ling plastered on a fawning smile and said, "Elder Zhan Mu, you speak wisely. This little serpent has come as before. I still require your arduous efforts."
Zhan Mu flicked out a massive forked tongue. As its enormous jaws opened and closed, a gust of wind surged, sweeping up fallen green leaves. Its breath was indeed formidable.
"You may, but you must offer a sacrifice first."
Qing Ling frowned. "Elder Zhan Mu, in the past, we always divined first and then sacrificed. Why the reversal this time?"
"The past is past; the past had its own ways. The present is new; the present must have its own new ways," the mysterious diviner replied enigmatically.
Qing Ling's respect lessened somewhat. He spoke directly, "Please, Elder Diviner, speak plainly."
"In simple terms, what's past is past, and what's present is present. Before, you were merely Earth-ranked. Even as a congenital deity, you hadn't manifested your divinity. Now, you are a Heaven-ranked great serpent, and your divinity has been revealed. Divining now would consume far more mental energy than it would for a Golden Immortal Venerable. Naturally, I must receive a sacrifice first to gain the strength for better divination," Elder Zhan Mu explained with uncharacteristic patience.
While Qing Ling conceded there was some logic to its words, the beast's attitude made him suspicious. It had never been this accommodating with explanations before. Moreover, all previous divinations had followed the order of divination then sacrifice.
This time...
After much deliberation, Qing Ling said, "Elder Zhan Mu, this little serpent is young and inexperienced. You won't deceive me, will you?"
The giant python snorted with disdain in its serpentine eyes. "Has this beast lived so long by deceit and thievery? Rest assured, this beast is absolutely... that... that thing you mentioned, 'Tong Sou Wu Qi'!"
Qing Ling couldn't help but smile. "It's 'Tong Sou Wu Qi'!"
"Right, 'Tong Sou Wu Qi'! Worry not, this divination this time will be far more taxing than usual!" the giant python said, looking expectantly at Qing Ling.
With no other choice, Qing Ling stepped forward. He extended his slender right hand, and five drops of crimson blood appeared. They swirled and coalesced into a single blood bead, which then dripped onto the trunk of the colossal, heaven-supporting tree where the giant python was coiled.
Instantly, the entire tree turned a vibrant green. Ten thousand leaves became three parts more verdant, and the ancient tree pulsed with potent vitality.
The congenital deity blood of the God of Spring was no ordinary substance. Though Qing Ling's cultivation was low and prevented him from fully displaying a deity's might, he possessed all the innate wonders of a divine being.
The great python coiled on the tree seemed to receive nourishment from it. Its serpentine body quivered, and its eyes closed as it let out a contented sigh.
"Mmm...
The blood of a congenital deity is truly extraordinary.
Mmm...
The vital energy after breaking through to the Heaven rank has indeed increased greatly!
Mmm...
Mmm?!"
The giant python opened its eyes, which were slightly hazy with pleasure. "What, that's all? You are now Heaven-ranked, and the exertion of mental energy is far greater than before. This is hardly enough! Give me more!"
Qing Ling silently retreated two steps and sighed. "It's all gone! Any more would harm my vital energy. Elder Zhan Mu, please divine first. If it's insufficient, I'll offer more after the divination."
"No, give enough first, then divine!"
"Why don't you divine first, and I'll give more afterward."
"How can I have the strength to divine accurately without enough?"
"How can I be at ease if you don't divine first?"
"You're truly not giving any more?"
"Truly not giving any more!"
Seeing Qing Ling's resolute expression, the giant python retracted its unsatisfied demeanor and replaced it with contentment. "Good. Five drops are enough for this beast this time. I won't take advantage of you, little serpent."
Qing Ling couldn't help but smile. "Thank you for your understanding, Elder Zhan Mu. Please begin your divination."
"Divination? These five drops are only enough to divine for an Earth-ranked you," the giant python said lazily, coiling back onto the great tree, its tone unhurried and content.
Qing Ling froze, then realized he had been tricked. Suppressing his irritation, he said, "Elder Zhan Mu, you have already received the sacrifice. If you do not divine, you will be punished by the Dao prohibition."
"Relax, little serpent, this beast is not one to break its word."
"But you..."
A glint of amusement flashed in the giant python's eyes. "The matter you sought to divine was precisely what Hua Geng, that old girl, personally came to sacrifice and divine about not long ago. Therefore, I don't need to divine again. I can simply tell you the results of the previous divination."
Qing Ling was stunned. Had this giant python played both sides for its own gain?
At this moment, Qing Ling couldn't help but see a mischievous grin on the giant python's face. Nevertheless, he had no choice but to ask, "Then please, Elder, inform me."
Zhan Mu chuckled. "It seems you are indeed rather stingy with your life. Hua Geng is also very protective of you. It appears the Xi Shan Serpent Tribe is truly in decline, entrusting the future of their entire clan to a little serpent that has just entered the Heaven rank."
In the Primordial Era, there were no teachings from Dao Ancestors, no civilized laws from Saints, only wilderness. Thus, for powerful beings, there were no grand titles like 'Elder' or 'Immortal Venerable.'
Since the Primordial Era, all races revered beings in their beast form and measured strength by size. Consequently, the powerful were often addressed as 'Great Beasts.' The weak were referred to as 'little beasts' or by their species name.
Qing Ling remained silent. When it came to his own future and that of Xi Shan, he spoke little.
Zhan Mu glanced at him and continued slowly, "Hua Geng's request for divination was far more generous than yours. She divined for a hundred thousand years. During this period, your Qi is drawn to the East Sea, possibly due to the intervention of that Azure Dragon. Therefore, you are also protected by dragon fortune. If there are no major anomalies, you will be safe and worry-free for a hundred thousand years."
Hearing this, Qing Ling felt a wave of relief. He had come to the giant tree for divination periodically, seeking to understand his approximate safety for the coming period, aiming for survival and planning his cultivation direction.
Perhaps other lower-level cultivators and beings did not place much importance on such matters, but Qing Ling, deeply aware of the mysteries of fate, destiny, and calamities, paid great heed to them.
Elder Zhan Mu, relying on the innate talents of primordial exotic beasts, observed Qi, assessed the situation, and deduced the principles of calamities, Qi, and destiny to predict fortune and misfortune.
Seeing the slightly dissatisfied look on Qing Ling's face, Elder Zhan Mu added, "Never mind. Seeing your expression, this beast will also give you an additional divination result.
Hua Geng divined for you, but she also divined for the Xi Shan Serpent Tribe. That divination consumed a great deal of my mental energy to obtain the result.
The tribal chief instructed me not to reveal it. However, I believe you will eventually learn of this matter. And since you are Hua Geng's most cherished offspring, it's fine to tell you, but don't say I told you.
Qing Ling paused at this, then respectfully replied, "Please, Elder, inform me."
"The divination for Xi Shan revealed a convergence of demons outside the tribal lands. Although dragon Qi suppresses it, preventing major disasters, minor calamities will be constant. For the Xi Shan lineage, which has declined to this extent, it will be quite taxing.
Little serpent, you should also be mindful. After all, if something happens to you, I won't be able to enjoy such a delicious sacrifice!"