The Cunning Treasure Hunter-Chapter 126: A Black Serpent in the Depths

There was a black serpent.

Most of its body lay concealed beneath the still surface of the water.

Vera quickly realized that this place was within her inner self.

Beside her, the Black dragon remained by her side. Within this space, she was free, unaffected by her physical condition.

The black serpent’s eyes were as they had always been—pitch black, like a starless night. In the center of those eyes, a crimson pupil gleamed like a flicker of light.

Vera silently gazed at the fate she was born with and murmured quietly,

"...It’s all over."

And it was exactly as she said.

She had completely exhausted her Innate True energy—not a single thread remained. She had poured out everything she had.

Her life was now dangling by a thin thread.

[You’re quite pessimistic, aren’t you?]

A voice that resonated directly within her mind and soul echoed. Though it could only be described as a "voice," it wasn’t something she heard with her ears.

Vera nodded slowly at the words of the massive serpent. His voice was far more compassionate than before.

"It’s not pessimism. No matter how much of an absolute expert Grand Elder Thorn is, there’s no way he could restore depleted Innate True energy."

If that were possible, rumors would have already spread far and wide.

To restore Innate True energy?

Every martial artist in the world would risk everything to obtain such a technique.

Innate True energy was the life force capable of breaking through one’s limits momentarily. Once depleted, at best, one would become crippled; at worst, they would die painfully.

If it were possible to replenish it...

No matter the pain involved, martial artists across the entire continent would undoubtedly seek out the secret method.

Innate True energy would be downgraded from a precious life force to just another secret technique that could be replenished at any time.

[Indeed. That would be the case under normal circumstances.]

The serpent’s voice was gentle.

The overwhelming and oppressive presence from their first encounter was gone.

All that remained was a massive serpent gazing at her quietly.

Had he changed?

Or was it she who had changed?

Vera slowly extended her hand and stroked the Black dragon.

Then she looked up into the serpent’s crimson pupils, which shone like red stars.

"...Are you still the same?"

[Do you understand?]

"No, I don’t understand. But somehow, right now..."

She felt strange.

She had clearly exhausted all her internal energy, even her Innate True energy.

So why hadn’t this place collapsed?

This was the Inner Mental Realm of a martial artist—a landscape painted by their own mind.

It wasn’t a physical place like the core, but it was still a manifestation of inner strength.

If this mental world still existed clearly and vividly...

"...I have a question."

[Ask.]

"Why am I still alive?"

The black serpent let out a hissing sound.

A low, rumbling vibration.

Vera instinctively realized it was laughter.

But she still didn’t know why he was laughing.

"...Why are you laughing?"

[Indeed, you did exhaust all your life force.]

The black serpent lowered its body.

Then it began to coil around Vera and the Black dragon.

It was like a python tightening around its prey before devouring it.

The Black dragon instinctively sensed danger and growled anxiously.

But this time, Vera stopped it.

She firmly pressed her small hand between its horns and spoke in a low, soothing voice.

"Shh. He doesn’t mean any harm."

It was pure instinct.

If he had wanted to harm her, he would have done so long ago.

Even causing chaos here would have shattered her mental world.

Or he could have killed her the moment she entered this space... She wouldn’t have stood a chance.

But he hadn’t done any of that—despite having the power to do so.

[You’re sharp. Quick-witted too.]

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

[It is a compliment.]

The black serpent completely coiled around Vera before raising its head again.

Thanks to that, its entire body, which had been hidden beneath the water, was now fully revealed.

Scales glimmering with iridescent hues coated its jet-black form, and its sharp, glossy tail glinted menacingly.

[I will answer your question. Do you remember my name?]

Vera recalled that harrowing moment.

Her shoulders tensed involuntarily.

Just thinking of that name sent a cold, eerie chill down her spine.

Her mind fractured, and her trembling hands wouldn’t stop shaking...

[Ah, you remember it. Don’t recall it.]

"...Ah."

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Vera collapsed to the ground, desperately trying to bury that name deep within her mind.

Forgetting it entirely was impossible.

The moment she heard it, it had been engraved into her consciousness—impossible to escape, even without uttering it aloud.

She rested her forehead against the Black dragon’s neck, panting heavily.

What she didn’t know was this:

Ordinary people couldn’t even hear that name, and those who did would instantly go mad, unable to retain any memory of it.

[I am that kind of being. And you are the one I have chosen.]

A possession that even death could not claim.

Vera finally realized that she could never completely escape from fate and destiny.

The only choice left was to intertwine them with her desires…

One must transform fate into a Life’s Vow.

There was no escape. The only way was to turn it into a life’s purpose.

Those who lived guided only by shallow desires and were dragged along by fate would become nothing but puppets drenched in the bloodlust of this world.

Only those who successfully forged their fate into a Life’s Vow could overturn destiny and rise as true Celestial Blade Star.

[You have awakened me three times.]

The black serpent whispered in a voice that coiled like smoke through Vera’s thoughts.

Several months.

That was how long Vera had endured.

Great Master Thorne looked down at the fragile child nestled weakly in his arms.

Impossible.

"…It’s over, Great Master Thorne. There’s no way to bring her back," Immortal Pharmacist said with a sorrowful shake of his head.

Even he, a master renowned for his alchemical prowess, had no solution.

"Not entirely," Great Master Thorne muttered.

"Are you serious?" Immortal Pharmacist narrowed his eyes. "You’re not in peak condition yourself. This is madness."

"I don’t care. Stand as my guardian."

Great Master Thorne’s commanding tone left no room for negotiation. He directed his request at Jordan.

Despite the absurdity of the request, Jordan did not object.

He had witnessed the brilliance of Vera’s talents firsthand.

"…I’ll stand as your guardian. But what exactly are you planning?"

"Life must be repaid with life."

Jordan’s face paled. "You can’t mean—"

He glanced at Immortal Pharmacist, who gave a grim nod.

Realization struck Jordan like a lightning bolt. They were planning something insane.

"…Surely, you don’t intend to forcefully transfer Innate True energy through body transference? That’s impossible!"

Common sense dictated that such a thing was utterly unfeasible.

If it were possible to steal someone’s life force and transfer it to another, the martial world would have long turned into a desolate wasteland. Continue your journey on novelbuddy

Fortunately, that dark nightmare was beyond reach.

Thus, humanity had been spared the fate of becoming mere energy reservoirs for one another.

But now…

"Jordan," Immortal Pharmacist said solemnly.

"Yes, Master Immortal Pharmacist?"

"Can I trust you to keep what you witness today a secret?"

Jordan felt his breath hitch. His dry lips cracked as he rubbed his face in disbelief.

Was Great Master Thorne truly about to sacrifice himself? To infuse his life essence into that frail little girl’s body?

The idea was beyond reckless.

Vera’s talents were undeniable, but they were still in the budding phase—a mere sprout that had yet to bloom.

On the other hand, Great Master Thorne was a mid-stage Kingdom of Harmony expert, an unparalleled master in the prime of his martial career.

Even putting aside his prestige and cultivation level, was this worth it?

Jordan couldn’t shake off the doubt.

In the face of the looming threat posed by Reverse Heaven Unity, Great Master Thorne was their strongest pillar.

He was the sword that stood between hope and annihilation. Could sacrificing that pillar for a single girl be justified?

"…Master Great Master Thorne," Jordan said with hesitation.

"Speak quickly. We don’t have time."

"This may be disrespectful, but do you truly have to do this?"

Jordan’s voice trembled slightly. As a Kingdom of Harmony expert himself at the early stage, he understood the desperation of their circumstances.

Experts who had reached the Kingdom of Harmony level were rare, even within Reverse Heaven Unity.

They were not only frontline warriors but also the ultimate trump cards—living weapons for the final confrontation.

"What are you implying?"

"You know what I mean, Master. Experts at your level serve a critical role in Reverse Heaven Unity. And with your reputation as the Mount Suncrest Sword Master…"

Great Master Thorne’s influence was immense. Aside from Zephyrion Akrest, the esteemed Sword Sovereign, Great Master Thorne was the next most revered figure among the righteous martial sects.

He was a symbol of hope, someone believed to one day defeat the Sword Sovereign.

Even though experts like Aria and Aiden, along with Great Master Thorne himself, understood that it was impossible…

The countless warriors of Reverse Heaven Unity clung to that dream.

Who could blame them for wanting to believe in a miracle?

"…They must face reality," Great Master Thorne declared.

"You mean that you cannot defeat the Sword Sovereign?" Jordan asked in disbelief. "But this isn’t the way to reveal that truth."

"Then how else should they learn it? Should I fall to the Sword Sovereign, leaving all their hopes shattered?"

Great Master Thorne’s sharp retort cut through Jordan’s objections like a blade.