Once upon a time there was a greedy snake.

Chapter 26 Open your eyes and see the world

Du Yi in the mountains waited for seven days and nights.

According to the magician, the ranch where the saber-toothed tigers were kept was located on the outskirts of the mountain, but seven days had passed and Du Yi had not seen a trace of the magician.

"Perhaps he didn't want to complete this deal."

Du Yi couldn't help but sigh.

Come to think of it, there's nothing of note in the mountains. Even if he wanted to trade with this mage, he could only offer some berries and honey—although Du Yi thought the honey was of pretty good quality, it still wasn't enough to get enough saber-toothed tiger meat to fill his stomach.

"Besides, this mage seems to have a lot on his mind... Perhaps he's busy with something else?"

The mage was busy with other things, so naturally he had to go about his own business as well.

The first thing he naturally did was to continue learning foreign languages. Although he was already able to make some basic communication, he still needed to practice speaking more in order to have more fluent conversations. And that was the second thing he was doing right now: asking what the outside world was like and how long he had been asleep.

"So many generations have passed?"

After a period of communication, Du Yi gradually gained a better understanding of the world around him.

According to the savage who survived, the savage he met was the nineteenth generation among them, and now, these savages have evolved to the thirty-sixth generation. Not only is their population growing more and more, but they also have a much better understanding of the surrounding area.

"The east side is all water, with huge waves... So the east side is the ocean? If I want to eat fish in the future, I can just keep going east... But can I swim?"

"The south is all miasma jungle, full of swamps and lots of insects... It doesn't sound like a good place, but don't crocodiles usually come from places like this? I remember crocodiles are not small and their meat is quite good, so this should be on the must-eat list."

"The west hasn't been explored because I'm here... Oh well, I'll go west myself later and see if there's anything to say about it."

"To the north lies a frozen wasteland, inhabited by ferocious giants, and even gods... What do you mean by gods?"

After watching the savage gesture for a long time, Du Yi finally understood that he was describing a giant beast whose size was no less than his own.

"Oh?"

Du Yi immediately became interested.

Because he always had the mammoth as a reference point, Du Yi had always had a relatively clear understanding of his own size—he had actually wondered if there were any giant beasts of similar size to himself.

Although he currently has no natural enemies, that's only because of his enormous size. If there were any giant beasts as big as him, he might not be able to gain much of an advantage.

"However, if it can grow to the same size as me... does that also mean it can produce a lot of flesh?"

Du Yi suddenly felt like going to the north to take a look.

However, it's definitely not suitable right now. If someone is about the same size as him, it means their combat power won't be much different. Fighting against an opponent of the same level in the form of a snake would actually be a disadvantage.

After all, snakes only have two ways of attacking: one is to stretch out their heads and bite, and the other is to wrap their bodies around and strangle. Although Du Yi was quite dissatisfied with these two ways of attacking, which led him to develop the method of "throwing stones", this method of attacking was still a bit crude.

"We still need to prepare some other things, things that are more suitable for throwing... or maybe shed our skin first and make our bodies bigger."

In just a moment, Du Yi had already formulated a battle strategy.

But it's clear that neither of these ideas can be resolved in a short time.

"So, I need to go and take care of my own things too."

After listening to the wild man's description of the surrounding environment, Du Yi ended their conversation.

Just like how they treated the Radiant Ones back then.

"You should go and take care of your own things too."

Du Yi said this. His Ignis language was already quite fluent, and the savage in front of him could clearly understand his meaning—but it was precisely because he could clearly understand the words of the serpent god that the young Ignis man became even more bewildered.

Yes, the communication with the serpent god has ended, even faster than he had anticipated.

After the exchange ended, they should each go about their own business.

but.

Busy with their own things.

What else does he have to do?

Returning to Ignis City? That's out of the question. If he could go back, he wouldn't be in the Holy Mountain in the first place. As for exposing the crimes of those royalty… since that damned mage had already said something, it's pointless for him to say it now.

Moreover, the serpent god didn't really care much about the affairs among these Ignis people.

He can feel it.

As for returning to the frozen north to avenge his comrades... if he had that opportunity, of course it would be good. But with his current strength, facing those giants would be tantamount to suicide.

Even without the giants lifting a finger, the Ignis mages, upon discovering him, would execute him as a deserter.

And this also means that the most suitable place for him right now...

"Still in the mountains."

The young Ignis gave a helpless, bitter smile.

Then, he bowed down to the serpent god before him.

“Great serpent god, I have nowhere else to go.”

"Now I have nothing left, and I only hope that you will have mercy on me and allow me to stay and live in the holy mountain."

……

After a moment of silence, the thunderous sound rang out once again.

"First of all, don't worship me like a god, that would hinder our communication... Also, the mountains are a large place, and I have never said that people are not allowed to live in the mountains."

At this point, the thunderous voice paused.

"But have you really thought this through? You've seen the situation in the mountains; there's nothing there that can be used as prey... If you really want to live in the mountains, you'll only be able to eat berries from now on, since things like honey are a bit hard to find."

"Having berries to eat is enough."

The young Ignis bowed once more.

"I just wish there was a place where I could spend the rest of my life."

"Alright."

After thinking for a moment, Du Yi agreed to the savage's request.

As long as this wild man can endure the harsh life in the mountains, that's fine. As for himself, having another neighbor to talk to is a good thing for him.

After all, he felt a bit lonely having to eat all the delicious food he made by himself. Occasionally, he would want to share the joy of cooking.

What Du Yi didn't expect was that, not long after, he had more and more neighbors.

(End of this chapter)