Chapter 65: The Infernal Organization! An Old Trick Revisited!

Waves crashed and surged—a black snake, its tail severed by a human cultivator, was devouring a heap of human bones to regain its strength. Before long, the pile of bones was consumed, and the stub of its tail began to grow anew.

The black snake raised its head high, its eyes glinting with murderous intent as it stared into the distance. “All I did was bite a child, and they chopped off my tail and tried to kill me... I... I refuse to accept this! Luckily, there were remains of a powerful one among these bones, or else my broken body... I... refuse... I refuse...”

Retracting its gaze, the snake slithered away into hiding.

Through countless seasons of bitter cold and searing heat, the black snake never slackened in its cultivation. When the moon rose, it absorbed the energy scattered by the moonlight. When the sun climbed the sky, it retreated into its cave to train.

At last, the time came for it to achieve true transformation.

One day, it went out to seek recognition. On a road, a little girl noticed its upright posture and found it amusing, laughing with delight.

The black snake feigned a dance, transmitting a thought into her mind. “Do I look like a person?”

The girl, innocent and kind-hearted, answered, “You do look like a person.”

The snake was pleased. Without warning, it bit the little girl’s leg, drinking her fresh blood. As she burst into tears, the snake leaped to her neck and coiled tightly.

Its black scales glimmered under the sun, a breathtaking and sinister beauty. Soon, the little girl was dead—another feast for the snake.

Having fed, the snake changed; it grew massive and powerful, even feeling it could take human form at will if it wished.

The snake was elated—was this the reward for being acknowledged? How wonderful!

After committing many heinous deeds, the black snake became a great python as thick as a water barrel.

Years rolled by, and the python realized that the more people it devoured, the more sinister and ominous its aura became. By day, it once again felt the searing burn of sunlight, growing afraid to linger in its rays.

One day, the python discovered an abandoned temple. Within, statues of fierce-faced Arhats lined the halls. Entering, the python was startled to find its luck had turned—a powerful skeleton was there, emanating energy!

At night, the dense gathering of bones seemed to emit a blinding glow that seared the eyes, and the python dared not draw near. Day after day, it watched for a chance.

As it lingered there, nourished by the bones’ energy, the python discovered something astonishing—even after leaving, sunlight’s burning no longer troubled it!

This became its sanctuary.

Eventually, the powerful skeleton began to crack, its energy faltering. The python seized the moment, snatching a bone. Days and years passed, and it consumed the entire skeleton.

Thunder rumbled across the nine heavens, the skies darkened—a heavenly tribulation approached.

It was the day of transformation, when the flying serpent would become a dragon, a process known as “ascending as a jiao.”

Here, the vision ended abruptly.

This was only a fragment of the River God of Lingtian River’s memories—a sly old fiend if ever there was one. To be honest, the whole thing played out like a film: starting strong but ending abruptly, leaving Lin Yi extremely dissatisfied. The opening was gripping, but the story cut off right at the climax—like a novel abandoned mid-tale!

Still, Lin Yi could see that this old fiend had been twisted since birth, committing countless crimes that called down heaven’s wrath. Yet, luck was on its side. First, it devoured a pile of bones brimming with sinister power; then, it consumed the remains of a Buddhist master.

No wonder the old fiend succeeded in becoming a jiao.

Though the memory didn’t show the moment it became a true dragon, the fact that it was now a River God meant success was certain.

Moreover, the “Godslaying Scriptures” had once revealed that this old fiend had swallowed a dragon’s core. Lin Yi figured the fiend must have acquired the dragon core during its ascension, allowing it to complete its transformation.

Now, staring at the reformed water avatar of the River God, Lin Yi felt an urge to reason with it.

He had just stepped forward when the sly god instantly retreated.

“Lin Yi, what exactly do you want? Don’t think I won’t act against you…” the River God glared at him.

But in the very next moment, the River God restrained itself.

Lin Yi put on an innocent face and said, “Elder River God, I just wanted to test you. It was just a clone, after all. If you got angry, it would mean I could be replaced and that your promised rewards might be false.”

“Now, though you’re angry, you’re not trying to kill me—clearly, I’m important. That settles it. I’m confident now. I’ll help you with this matter.”

Lin Yi’s eager expression left the River God unsure whether to believe him.

Grinding its teeth, the River God replied, “You’re absolutely irreplaceable. I told you, we’ve investigated you. We’re the Hell Organization! Our information is flawless! There are plenty of people in the Demon Prison, so why choose you? Because you’re the newest recruit, you have more free time, and your unique status lets you leave the Demon Prison freely—no one questions your background after an investigation! Otherwise, would these benefits ever fall to you?”

The River God had revealed not only the existence of the Hell Organization but also everything that had happened to Lin Yi today.

This unsettled Lin Yi—not because the name “Hell Organization” sounded terrifying, but because he felt utterly exposed, as though stripped bare before them.

All his secrets were at the old fiend’s fingertips. This could mean only one thing: Hell Organization was omnipresent!

The River God’s network, too, was inescapable.

If the River God truly marshaled all its power to destroy him, how likely was his survival?

Taking on Hell Organization was an unbelievably daunting task.

Not just difficult—a task of astronomical proportions!

Gritting his teeth, Lin Yi thought, “Well, since I’m irreplaceable, shouldn’t I get some of the benefits in advance? At the very least, money and a companion or two. How can I venture to the second level of the Demon Prison without strength? You know I’m still on the first level. Only when I’m stronger can I move up. Besides, what’s money to a River God or the Hell Organization? Just give me a hundred million now.”

The old fiend’s mind buzzed with irritation. This guy was tough to handle—far too greedy. But greed made people easier to control.

Smirking inwardly, the River God thought, “Give him some benefits now—then, when the time comes, kill him and take everything back. Not only that—devouring him will make me even stronger, and the treasure he carries will be mine. All right, I’ll agree for now!”

Clenching its imaginary teeth, the River God narrowed its eyes and nodded.

“Fine, I’ll give you a hundred million as a deposit. Plus, you already have the City God Temple’s key token. You should be satisfied. Give me your bank account.”

With that, a hundred million was transferred just like that.

Earlier, when the River God had narrowed its eyes, Lin Yi knew it was plotting again—probably thinking of killing him later and reclaiming everything.

But it was forgetting one thing: Lin Yi possessed the “Godslaying Scriptures,” an unrivaled cheat, and his strength far exceeded its expectations!

“Very well, here’s my bank account…”

Lin Yi recited the numbers. He did have some concerns—what if the Hell Organization used the transfer to frame him as one of their own? But then he thought, so what? If they wanted to slander him, let them try—he was as clean as they came!

He mused, “I’ve offended the Xu family, the Taoist Zhang Ruofeng of Mount Longhu, and just now, Jin Huishan and Zhang Qiang of the Star Sect. If there’s an investigation, it’ll lead to them. But I’m already at odds with them all, so what’s there to fear? I have powerful backers now!”

With that, Lin Yi grinned. Now, all his dealings were in the hundreds of millions—an exhilarating, if slightly unnerving, thought.

“All right, that’s settled. Remember—tomorrow night at eight, meet me by the Clear River!”

With those words, the River God’s water avatar began to dissipate.

“Very well—see you tomorrow,” Lin Yi replied.

Then he turned away—and prepared to repeat his old trick.

With an exaggerated stumble, Lin Yi pretended to slip, groaning and wailing for a while. Then, spinning back, he struck out—pure, blazing energy surged forth.

“You—!” the River God exclaimed.

It was utterly powerless. In the face of Lin Yi’s onslaught, this water avatar was nothing.

A torrent of energy blazed forth, evaporating the water mist in an instant. Lin Yi shone like a miniature sun—radiant, destructive.

Giant holes appeared in the water avatar, hissing and searing as if burned by fire. In the blink of an eye, the old fiend’s head was half-gone, with only a single eye remaining, and half a mouth still able to move.

“You… you… Lin Yi… you’re seeking death… seeking death…”

The dying water avatar bellowed in fury.