Chapter 303

“Hiss.”

“Hiss?!”

“Hiss hiss hiss!!”

As the sun on the horizon slowly set, fine and dense hissing sounds began to rustle through the endless rice fields, all moving in unison towards a certain direction.

When the sun had completely disappeared from the horizon and the eerie moonlight bathed the earth, at the center of the rice field stood a small altar that had become a paradise for snakes. Snakes of various thicknesses and patterns coiled around the thin pillars surrounding the altar, their eyes filled with anticipation as they looked up at the black sculpture in the center of the altar.

‘That purple-black Poison Ball Python must be the priest leading this worship session.’

Lifting its snake tail, it pointed toward the only snake capable of coiling on the snake sculpture, then the speckled snake, with six little blue dots on its forehead and a big red dot under its chin, asked the fiery red young snake beside it, ‘Is your divine selection real? Are you sure that if the position of the priest becomes vacant, you can directly and unconditionally take over?’

After hearing Tom Senior’s inquiry, Leon glanced at the glowing slot containing [Scale Gold Divine Selection (Consumption)], then nodded firmly.

‘Alright then.’

Giving him a skeptical look, the speckled snake said,

‘If you’re really confident, it’ll make our actions much more convenient… I’ll do some tinkering and try to eliminate that priest. You take advantage of the chaos to go straight up and coil around the Snake Spirit sculpture. That way, you can send it a danger signal and lure it back.

Regarding positioning, it’s best to be near the tail, or as far away from the head as possible, and just touch it briefly before letting go. Since your divine selection is suspicious, brief contact won’t cause issues, but prolonged exposure might reveal you.’

Nodding.

‘Got it, move forward and get ready!’

After giving these instructions, the speckled snake transformed from Tom Senior slithered backward quietly along the gaps between the rice stalks, while Leon followed his request, squeezing his way through the dense mass of snakes toward the sculpture at the center of the altar.

…

“Hisss~”

Accompanied by an aged hissing sound, the triangular-headed, purple-black Poison Ball Python coiled around the Snake Spirit sculpture slightly raised its head, looking down condescendingly at the snakes below the altar while strangely speaking in human language: “Shed the old scales of life, embrace the endless cycle of rebirth, hunt the covetous beasts, tempt the forbidden fruits…

Brothers and sisters who have come to pay respects to Lord Serpent, I am the servant who serves Lord Serpent, also the ambassador who carries out His commands and shepherds the lambs here on earth. You may call me Poros.”

After introducing himself, the purple-black Poison Ball Python flicked its tongue, using a hoarse and sluggish elder’s voice to slowly narrate to those beneath the altar:

“The guide likely already informed you, this time Lord Serpent will directly descend in physical form.

Thus, not only will you connect spiritually with Lord Serpent, but there’s even a chance to see His holy body with your own eyes and touch His beautiful scales with your hands. You are among the most fortunate of believers!”

“Hisss!”

“Hissss!”

Upon hearing the Poison Ball Python’s words, the snakes entwined below the altar immediately became restless, lifting their heads in excitement, eagerly gazing at the stage, hoping to witness the descent of the Holy Spirit as he described. Some were so excited they left the pillars and surged toward the altar.

“Silence!”

Raising his snake head slightly and hissing at the audience below, subduing the overly excited believers, the purple-black python coiled around the black snake sculpture opened its giant mouth, revealing two rows of fine yet sharp teeth from its oral cavity, displaying a strange smile-like expression.

“Do not be hasty. Wildflowers, no matter how splendid they bloom, cannot be planted in pure gold flowerpots. Only the rare is precious.

This supreme blessing of facing the Holy Spirit, if granted indiscriminately to everyone, would neither highlight Lord Serpent’s grace nor align with my Lord’s creed. Come forth! Show your devotion to my Lord!”

With a speech full of fervor, a tiny black-and-white crown floated above the purple-black giant python’s head… or rather, a three-headed pearl snake with black scales and white spots, raising its head toward the waiting crowd below, flicked its black-and-white forked tongue.

“Offer wealth, grant health.”

The white little snakehead on the left spoke solemnly, slowly opening its mouth toward the crowd below.

“Offer love, grant power.”

The black little snakehead on the right grinned, teasingly widening its mouth.

“Offer soul, gain peace.”

After the gray snakehead in the middle finished speaking, it opened its mouth coldly, revealing a mouthful of inward-growing fine sharp teeth.

“Come!”

Once the three-headed snake crown above its head finished stating the rules and opened their mouths, the purple-black Poison Ball Python grinned and said, “Three ways to show loyalty to my Lord, you can choose any one to offer your tribute, heading in their respective directions and offering your sacrifice. My Lord will reward each of you accordingly.

After everyone has completed their sacrifices, the person with the highest value of offerings in each path will gain the opportunity to ascend the platform and personally meet Lord Serpent’s divine body, receiving His blessings!”

…

Is this… a variant auction? The top three people from the three transactions with the highest “transaction amounts” will meet the Snake Spirit?

Looking at the surrounding snakes rushing forward one after another, holding coins in their mouths and respectfully tossing them onto the altar, to avoid standing out too much, Leon could only mimic the other snakes and positioned himself in front of the white Wealth Snake Head.

“Ding!”

Accompanied by a somewhat muffled ringing sound, a fierce wind sweeping through the soul suddenly appeared, carrying a black iron coin into Leon’s mouth. The meaning represented by this coin also flashed into Leon’s mind.

8 Gold Wheels, 5 Silver Wheels, 7 Copper Wheels.

This was all the property left after paying the rent for Happiness Apartments, William and Melanie’s tuition fees, buying supplements for Anna to recuperate her health, and purchasing a pile of supplies in the Mirror World—this was all the wealth he had remaining and could offer as a tribute to the Wealth Snake Head.

Glancing at the shiny golden and silver coins thrown by the other snakes choosing the Wealth Snake Head, and then at the dull iron coin in his mouth, Leon silently swallowed it back and started searching for other coins suitable for offering.

Might as well change it…

It’s not that I’m reluctant to spend money; mainly because others are giving so much, if I give such a small amount, it would make me stand out more easily… Hmm, it’s not that I’m reluctant to spend money, absolutely not!

Carefully collecting all his assets, Leon twisted his bright red snake body, changed his target, and as the soul-penetrating wind blew again, several new coins appeared in his mouth.

Unlike the previous dark iron coins, this time the two coins revealed brilliant silver light, even faint traces of gold, and the largest one was dazzling like the noonday sun.

William, Melanie, and Anna…

Realizing the significance of these three coins, Leon hesitated not a moment, tilted his head back, and swallowed the coins directly, then left the direction of the second Love Snake Head and tried to swim toward the third Soul Snake Head.

However, as if a breeze blowing against a mountain, standing before the third snake head, Leon’s soul remained firm like a welded iron mountain, unaffected no matter how the wind blew, and no coins appeared in his mouth.

Hm? Sensing the delay feedback from the three-headed snake crown, the Poison Ball Python coiled around the black giant snake sculpture slightly twisted its body, looking toward a red little snake darting back and forth among the three directions.

Unable to extract soul fragments… having neither reliance nor expectation for the greatness of my Lord, and not believing in any deity at all? After casting an unsatisfied glance, seeing the red little snake retreating hastily upon noticing his gaze, the green eyes of the Poison Ball Python blinked slightly but said nothing.

No content within 69 book bars seen!

After all, whether it be Lord Serpent or my God, neither forces followers to offer faith. As long as one possesses sufficient wealth and is willing to trade, they are allowed entry into the secret shrine. Although this little red snake disrespects the gods, it does not count as an offense according to the doctrines of the Scale Gold Religion, thus I have no reason to punish it.

Just that, even those steadfast unbelievers, once entering the congregation hosted by me and witnessing the majesty of the True God, even if they still refuse to offer faith, they will inevitably harbor some reverence.

But in this little red snake’s soul, there seemed to be no trace of reverence. The three-headed snake crown circled his soul several times but couldn’t condense even the cheapest tin foil. Such ignorant and shallow souls were somewhat annoying.

…

Caught attention? Sensing the gaze of the “Priest Snake” on the altar, Leon couldn’t help but tighten his heart instinctively, retreating slightly deeper into the snake cluster.

Tom Senior said he’d eliminate the priest, but then went quiet, and his whereabouts were unknown. To avoid disrupting the planned operation, it was best to remain hidden and avoid drawing attention.

And the three little snake heads on the “Priest Snake,” one wants money, one wants love, one wants life. Carefully considering, it seems only the Wealth Snake Head’s demands are something he can barely accept.

There’s no choice, looks like this time I’ll have to part with my wealth! After making up his mind, Leon didn’t hesitate despite the pain, quickly changing positions and swimming toward the white Wealth Snake Head.

However, during the time he switched among the three snake heads and returned to the first one, most of the “believer snakes” had already completed their offerings, looking expectantly at the sculpture in the center of the altar, making this single horizontally moving little red snake particularly noticeable.

Seeing that little red snake showing no respect for deities, actually tossing a pitiful iron coin toward the Wealth Snake Head, the already displeased “Priest Snake” finally lost patience.

Descending from the Snake Spirit sculpture, using its purple-black tongue to pick up the inferior iron coin, the Snake Spirit Priest, transformed into a Poison Ball Python, stared at the little red snake with a detached tone:

“Generosity is a virtue. Lord Serpent is not a stingy deity. After you generously offer your wealth, He will generously give you even more.”

Curling the iron coin worth 8 Gold, 5 Silver, 7 Copper, which already contained all of Leon’s assets, back into its mouth, it crunched it into pieces with a “crack.” Watching the “fear”-stricken little red snake trembling violently before it, the huge purple-black python slightly lifted its head, coldly saying from above:

“In the doctrines of our Scale Gold Religion, we don’t advocate forcing others into transactions, but using items of such inferior value as offerings is an insult to Lord Serpent.

Irreverent fool, I hope you think carefully and make a more rational judgment, offering Lord Serpent something of greater value, such as your cherished…”

“Pfft!”

A large patch of gleaming liquid metal exploded between the two… snakes. The tree-trunk-thick purple-black giant python was riddled with holes by the needle-thin liquid metal, even the three-headed snake crown on its head wasn’t spared, being cleanly split in half by the suddenly solidified curse-silver blade! You damn… if you don’t want the money, return it to me! Why did you crush it?!

Seeing the speckled snake appear in the center of the altar, realizing Tom Senior was prepared, Leon, having lost all his assets, angrily struck out, controlling the curse-silver formed from Pione Senior’s butt, instantly tearing apart this hateful Poison Ball Python!

“You’re not a believer!”

Resurrecting from the center of the altar with stored lifespan, sensing something amiss, the “Priest Snake” let out a fierce shout, the simultaneously restored three-headed snake crown emitting a cold hiss, an intangible soul storm suddenly surging.

“Help!”

“No! I’m not!”

“Priest大人!”

The soul-penetrating storm swept past, the snake believers between Leon and the “Priest Snake” fell like wheat under a sickle.

After shedding the snake bodies bestowed by the secret shrine, the original human souls of the snake believers were directly scraped out of their flesh, enduring tortures akin to being cut into thousands of pieces in the fierce storm, emitting piercing screams from their souls.

But just as the soul storm emitted by the snake crown was about to hit Leon and tear his soul out of his body, a rooster-like crow sounded from above the altar, causing the terrifying storm engulfing hundreds of souls to instantly dissipate!

What… what is this?!

Seeing the snake eagle that suddenly appeared in the rooster’s cry, clamping the white snake head of the snake crown, the Poison Ball Python transformed into the Priest couldn’t help but be greatly alarmed.

But before it could react, a gray-brown honey badger skillfully climbed onto its head, accurately biting the black snake head, while a pointy-nosed slender yellow weasel stealthily climbed up from behind, grabbing the remaining gray snake head and fiercely pulling! “Crack!”

Under the hunting of these three mysterious natural enemies, the divine three-headed snake crown on the Priest’s head didn’t even have time to make a sound before being torn apart, neatly devoured by the three predators, leaving not a trace behind.

“Damn it!”

Realizing what happened, the Priest snake roared in anger, forcibly shedding the snake body bestowed by the secret shrine, growing human arms, and grabbing toward the slowest snake eagle, trying to retrieve the swallowed snake crown.

But the snake eagle with a wingspan of over a meter instantly scattered and disappeared, leaving only a few broken gray feathers, while a chicken beak over thirty meters wide pierced through the false clouds atop the secret shrine, pecking down at the monstrous python with human arms!

(End of Chapter)