Chapter 3: Serpent Cave
In the depths of Serpent Mountain, there lay a dark crevice so deep and ominous that even the wind dared not enter. Moss covered the surroundings, and snake carvings adorned the cave walls—but these were no ordinary pieces of art. They seemed alive. The eyes of the carvings glistened from the moist stone, subtly shifting as if they recognized someone.
When Tianyao stood before the cave, it felt as if the shadows of the past had settled on his shoulders. His heart beat faster than usual. His eyes were involuntarily drawn to the symbols on the walls; each one resonated with a memory, echoing within his mind. The gold-red scaled baby serpent on his shoulder suddenly hissed and turned toward the cave.
At that moment, Tianyao halted. He took a deep breath. The faint metallic scent mixed with the dampness of the stones reached his nose—but there was something else in that moisture. Something ancient, something alive.
Guided by the serpent, he knelt and gazed at the stones laid before the cave. Symbols were etched into them in an ancient tongue—but even though he didn't know the language, he began to understand them instinctively. The words flowed into his mind as emotions: fear, longing, loyalty… and a call.
!ding Ancient Zone Discovered: Serpent Cave
This cave is one of the original awakening sites of the Supreme Serpent Family's ancestors.
Spiritual Resonance: 81%
Serpent Spirits are stronger here.
Danger Level: None
Tianyao stood up and stepped inside. The cave was dark, but his eyes had already adjusted. With every step, the snake figures on the walls shimmered slightly, whispering sounds echoing like a ritual song. Among those whispers, he thought he heard his name—but not his current one. It was the name of his soul, called from an ancient time.
As he moved deeper into the heart of the cave, he came across an old altar. The altar was encircled with stone, and in the center stood a coiled serpent statue. The statue's eyes held the same glimmer of sentient awareness as the carvings at the entrance.
The baby serpent suddenly leapt from Tianyao's arm and coiled atop the altar. Its eyes glowed—and the cave was suddenly bathed in green-violet light.
!ding Serpent Totem Fragment Found.
"First Awakening Ritual" can be initiated.
Requirements:
Spiritual Serpent Bond ✔️
Supreme Serpent Blood ✔️
Ancient Serpent Seed ✔️
Would you like to proceed?
[YES] [NO]
Tianyao took a deep breath. This choice could alter his destiny. But he did not hesitate.
"Yes," he whispered.
Suddenly, a black mist rose from the altar, wrapping around Tianyao. This mist heralded a spiritual trial. A voice echoed in his mind:
"The echo of your blood is here. The memory of your lineage awaits you... Seal your strength with blood, carve your name into the totem!"
Tianyao bit his palm, letting a few drops of blood fall onto the center of the altar. The cave shook at that moment. Snake shapes along the walls began to writhe. Some slithered from the very stone, circling the altar. Each one greeted Tianyao, acknowledging him as an heir.
[Totem Awakening Initiated]
🐍 Serpent Totem Fragment Acquired
This fragment is the first foundation of the future family totem.
Spiritual Harmony: 85%
New Ability Unlocked: Serpent Shadow
– Prevents detection by low-level beings. (Duration: 1 minute)
Energy Requirement: 10 Qi
When Tianyao raised his head, he noticed a passage had opened behind the altar. An ancient symbol glowed beneath an old serpent carving. The aura flowing from that passage seeped into his bones. This was no ordinary part of the cave. This was a gate to the buried souls of the first serpents.
But first, he needed to rest. A warmth lingered in his chest from his ancestors. He was now part of this system not only spiritually, but also by blood.
Tianyao sat upon the cave floor. The energy around him seemed to have thickened. The serpents had fallen silent, coiling around the altar as if forming a protective circle.
He closed his eyes.
But at that moment, a system voice echoed once more in his mind.
!ding New Ability Acquired: Serpent Shadow
🐍 Serpent Shadow – Upgradeable
Type: Active Ability
Level: 1 (Upgradeable)
Energy Requirement: 10 Qi
Cooldown: 5 minutes
Description:
A spiritual manifestation of the serpent's natural ability to vanish. The user blends with their surroundings like a snake, becoming invisible to both visual and spiritual perception.
Effect Duration: 60 seconds
Completely undetectable to low-level beings (Qi Gathering stage and below).
70% harder to detect by mid-level beings (up to Core Formation stage).
Only 10% effect on high-level beings (causes temporary blurriness).
🌀 Potential Evolutions:
– Serpent Shadow: Second Skin (Attack from within the shadow)
– Serpent Shadow: Silent Seed (Leave a mark within the shadow)
– Serpent Shadow: Poison Mist (Release poison from within the shadow)
🔧 Upgrade Requirements (Updated):
To Upgrade to Level 2:
Successfully evade detection 10 times (e.g., from minor beasts, patrols, etc.)
1 Minor Shadow Essence (Can be found in the depths of Serpent Cave or from a system quest)
10 Qi investment (from user's own Qi)
🎯 Level 2 Bonuses:
– Effect Duration: +15 seconds (total 75 seconds)
– Detection evasion rate by mid-level beings: 75%
– Cooldown reduced to 4 minutes
When Tianyao opened his eyes, he noticed a swirling aura of purple-black around his body. It felt as if the shadow of a serpent had merged with him, breathing with him. As he extended his hand, the shadows slid across his skin like silk. With a single thought, he merged into the shadow and completely vanished from where he stood.
The cave fell into silence. He was now invisible.
Using Serpent Shadow required him to control even his breathing. This was not merely a skill—it was an instinct. A legacy from the ancestors of the Supreme Serpent Family, who once were prey but became the ultimate predators.
Tianyao silently emerged from the shadow. He exhaled. His eyes turned to the passage behind the altar.
That place… was calling to him.
"This is only the beginning..." he whispered.
And in response, the hiss of serpents echoed from the ancient gateway behind him.