A babbling brook, farmland, and a thatched cottage—this secluded place resembled a paradise beyond the mundane world.
The wicker gate of the fence yard opened, and out stepped a white-haired, kind-faced old woman with slightly disheveled hair, carrying a wooden basin full of clothes to the stream. A recently weaned little yellow mutt frolicked around her, running ahead and then darting back.
Suddenly, the little yellow dog began barking fiercely toward the stream.
“Woof! Woof! Woof!”
The old woman paid no attention until she reached the riverbank and saw the enormous figure lying in the shallow water…
With a clatter, the wooden basin fell to the ground. Struck with awe, the old woman knelt and kowtowed as soon as she got a clear look at the figure, muttering under her breath.
“Oh heavens, how could a dragon have fallen here?”
Having never seen the wider world, the old woman instinctively mistook the white serpent for a fallen dragon from the sky. After all, the largest snake she had ever seen was at most the length of an arm. Just as she uttered these words, the still-unconscious white serpent felt a strange energy envelop it. Its weakened soul seemed to revive, as if infused with new vitality. Unbeknownst to it, this was the legendary act of Feng Zheng—Divine Recognition.
For spirits and demons, Feng Zheng is a coveted blessing—a form of acknowledgment and destiny bestowed by humans.
To elaborate, after the rise of human civilization, spirits and demons seeking orthodox cultivation must receive Feng Zheng from humans.
To recognize a creature as a mere monster is not Feng Zheng; true Feng Zheng elevates it beyond monstrosity.
The most potent form is when a human cultivator confers Feng Zheng upon a spirit, using human words to affirm the creature’s future potential. Generally, the higher the cultivator’s power, the greater the effect of the Feng Zheng. Legend has it that if a mighty being bestows Feng Zheng nine times, it is the ultimate blessing. All spirits walking the righteous path yearn for this—except, of course, those following the demonic path.
Even ordinary humans can confer Feng Zheng, though its effects are limited. Still, it greatly aids the creature’s future enlightenment—provided it does not recklessly commit evil deeds.
For example, if you chance upon a cultivating snake, you must not call it a snake. Instead, you must declare it a dragon.
Humanity flourishes, and humans are the spiritual leaders of all beings. Words spoken by humans carry a certain power. If you call it a snake, it is almost a death sentence, dooming it never to ascend as a dragon. The consequences are dire, and the serpent may seek vengeance. But if you call it a dragon, the snake gains a real chance at enlightenment. In this way, you become its benefactor, and it will not harm you—lest it invite karmic retribution.
Of course, blessings are best, but withholding Feng Zheng is not a crime. It merely affects the odds.
The old woman’s unintentional words had granted the white serpent Feng Zheng, becoming its benefactor.
The little yellow dog barked furiously on the shore as the old woman rolled up her pants and waded into the water, struggling to pull the serpent onto land.
The mountain stream was icy, and prolonged immersion had lowered the serpent’s body temperature, sapping its vitality. Dragging it ashore to bask in the sun inadvertently sped up its recovery. Visit novelping dot com for the full chapter.
Seeing the “dragon” still unconscious, the kind-hearted old woman even fetched an incense burner from her home and lit incense before the serpent. Knowing little of such matters, she figured that since offering incense to ancestors brought blessings, the same must hold for a dragon. She even placed a grass mat beneath the dragon’s head.
Yet the white serpent remained comatose.
Its wounds gradually healed, with new flesh and tender pink scales forming. The wolf blood it had consumed proved immensely nourishing, equivalent to a top-grade medicinal herb.
Days later, the serpent awoke.
The moment it raised its head, it saw the incense burner and the old woman kneeling in worship, along with the yapping little dog.
At first glance, the serpent felt an inexplicable connection to the old woman—a sense that it owed her a debt.
It nodded its head three times in gratitude.
Delighted by the dragon’s gesture, the old woman began making wishes—for bountiful harvests, for her long-deceased husband to be reborn into a good life…
The white serpent was speechless…
Spirits and humans walk different paths. The serpent slithered into the forest but did not go far. Vaguely aware of the old woman’s kindness, it resolved to repay her when the time came. An elderly woman living alone surely faced many hardships, and it could offer aid when needed. Better to repay kindness early—the ancient legend of the White Snake from its past life on Earth was a cautionary tale. A mighty serpent capable of summoning storms and tidal waves had repaid a life-saving debt by marrying the man. Terrifying, wasn’t it? If someone saved your life, why not save theirs in return? Why torment oneself so?
And so, the white serpent took up temporary residence in the woods near the old woman’s home.
As its injuries healed, the wolf’s blood it had consumed advanced its cultivation. Hunting other spirits for flesh and blood was not its style—it much preferred devouring clouds and mist atop mountain peaks.
Unexpectedly, this wait lasted half a year.
Sometimes, fate is simply ironic. This secluded paradise, far from the turmoil of cities, was not spared from calamity. The tides of war surged to the remote villages at the edge of the endless mountains. The authorities conscripted men, landlords seized land and raised taxes, and so-called heroes rose in rebellion. The village, already impoverished, had lost all its able-bodied men to conscription, leaving only the elderly, weak, and women behind.
Without men, the village became easy prey for bandits.
One day.
The white serpent, as nearsighted as ever, only realized something was amiss when it climbed the hill behind the village and saw flames and smoke rising from the homes. Many unfamiliar humans roamed the streets, looting and setting fires… You are reading on novelping.com, the official source.
It was obvious—bandits had struck.
Banditry was a thriving profession in ancient times, one anyone could take up, especially during chaotic eras. With luck, bandits might even be recruited by the authorities, transforming into local officials overnight. Of course, that depended on fortune.
After a moment’s thought, the serpent slithered toward the old woman’s home.
The bandits didn’t reached her house yet due to its remote location. As they swaggered up to her gate, they saw the massive white serpent rise on its coils. Before they could even scream and flee, a white blur flashed—the serpent’s jaws clamped onto one unlucky bandit and flung him away!
“Monster—!”
Its tail lashed out, sending two more bandits flying. The serpent reared its head high before striking down, seizing another bandit’s head in its maw. It shook him violently before releasing him—the lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
The serpent rose upright, hissing a warning!
Sssss—!
The remaining bandits fled in terror. An eight-meter-long serpent was simply too horrifying.
Behind it, the old woman suddenly knelt.
The serpent turned its head, puzzled. If it had hands, it would have helped her up. But using its massive jaws to lift her might scare her to death.
“Great divine dragon… I beg you, save our village…”
“We can’t go on like this… (sob).. wu…”
The white-haired old woman knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly. The serpent couldn’t fathom why the world had become so unbearable—no men left in the village, no grain in the pots. Why?
After a brief hesitation, it shook its head.
The bandits were numerous, armed with blades, spears, and bows. Charging in recklessly might get it killed and turned into food. Protecting its benefactor was enough—playing the hero wasn’t wise, especially for a serpent.
It wasn’t in the business of eating humans, let alone being their savior. And so, the serpent coiled at the old woman’s gate, watching the black smoke rise from the village in the distance.