After being chosen by the Ice Queen

The demonic energy dissipating in the air caused a slight tremor within Gu Yan's body, in the afterimage of the Yamata no Orochi suppressed by the divine power of the Kusanagi fragments.

With a thought, Gu Yan's demonic power was rapidly absorbed by the afterimage. In his mind, the information panel regarding the Yamata no Orochi's inheritance finally appeared clearly:

[Legacy: The Afterimage of Yamata no Orochi (Incomplete)]

Current Awakening Level: 0%

[Status: The core mark of resentment is being continuously purified by the divinity of the 'Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi: Remnant Star' (purification progress: 0.3%), and is in a state of extreme weakness and slumber.]

[Note: A trace amount of mottled demonic energy (earth element/dog beast) has been absorbed, with extremely low compatibility with the inherited power and low conversion efficiency. Awakening level increase: 0% → 0.01%.]

[Inherited Traits (Not Activated): Infinite Regeneration, Calamity Manipulation, Toxin Corrosion (Requires Awakening Level to reach the corresponding stage to unlock).]

[Next stage: Reaching 9% Awakening level will activate the basic form and skills.]

0.01%... Better than nothing. Gu Yan shook his head inwardly. It seemed that to quickly improve this inheritance, he needed to find a more suitable snake or dragon-type demon or participate in a major calamity. This dog demon's demonic power was more like scraps.

In the future, when encountering demonic power, prioritize supplying it to Huiming for absorption, unless encountering something particularly compatible with Orochi's inheritance, or Huiming's absorption is saturated, then consider giving it to Orochi.

The battle ended in the blink of an eye.

Gu Yan lowered his head and stroked the blade of the sword. The gray-white longsword in his hand seemed even more extraordinary after absorbing the eerie canine tooth.

There was a deathly silence over the caravan.

All the guards stared at Gu Yan in disbelief.

The flowing energy of the Candlelight, the strange phenomenon of it absorbing demonic power, seemed to these local martial artists exactly like the legendary great demon who had "achieved enlightenment and transformed into human form." Especially since his entire body seemed to be shrouded in a chilling aura that made their hearts tremble.

Everyone gripped their weapons tightly, involuntarily retreating, and no one even dared to check on the casualties of their comrades.

The curtain of the luxurious carriage was slightly lifted, revealing a pair of clear but worried eyes looking out.

The caravan leader, a middle-aged fat man, was originally ashen-faced with fright, but when his gaze swept over Su Wanqing behind Gu Yan, who had just barely gotten up from the bushes and was brushing the dust and mud off her body, he was struck as if by lightning and shuddered violently!

"Holy...Holy Goddess?!" he exclaimed in shock.

This shout instantly drew everyone's attention to the disheveled Su Wanqing.

Su Wanqing was stunned, staring blankly at the team leader who was trembling with excitement.

Gu Yan frowned and turned to look at Su Wanqing. Holy Maiden? What's going on?

Realizing his slip of the tongue, the tour leader scrambled out of the caravan's guards' protective circle and knelt down a short distance in front of Gu Yan and Su Wanqing, kowtowing repeatedly.

"I was blind and ignorant! I offended the immortal and... and this fairy! Please forgive me! Please forgive me!" He kowtowed while stealing glances at Su Wanqing.

Seeing their leader act this way, the other guards were puzzled, but they also put down their weapons, knelt down, and trembled with fear.

Gu Yan and Su Wanqing looked at each other in bewilderment.

"You...you've mistaken me for someone else, haven't you?" Su Wanqing asked timidly.

"I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare!" The leader bowed even lower, but explained hastily, "Your Excellency, I... I had the honor of catching a glimpse of the Holy Maiden's holy countenance from afar in the capital ten years ago... Although Your Excellency is now... uh, travel-worn, that pure, flawless, compassionate, and peaceful aura, especially the charm in your eyes... I would never mistake her! It's just... it's just that the Holy Maiden perished ten years ago at the 'Demon-Suppressing Pass' amidst the siege of ten thousand demons while protecting all living beings... This... this..."

He was incoherent, completely unable to comprehend why the deceased saintess would appear here in such a disheveled state, accompanied by a man who appeared to be a great demon in human form.

Gu Yan, who was standing to the side, understood. Su Wanqing's appearance was strikingly similar to that of a high-ranking and deceased "saint" in this world.

He withdrew his brilliance, the aura of candlelight slowly subsiding, trying to appear as calm as possible: "Please get up. We are not some immortals or saints. We were just... passing through this place when we were attacked by demonic beasts and had no choice but to intervene."

The leader and guards stood up with some skepticism. The leader composed himself and cautiously asked, "May I ask where you two come from and where you are headed? If needed, my caravan is on its way to Qingyan Town. If it's on our route, could I please offer you a ride? It would be a way of repaying your kindness in slaying the dog demon and saving our caravan from danger."

He spoke extremely politely, even somewhat humbly, clearly because neither Gu Yan's displayed strength nor Su Wanqing's saintly appearance dared to make him show the slightest disrespect.

Gu Yan pondered for a moment. They were newcomers and knew nothing about this world, so having a local guide as a temporary base was indeed a good idea. Moreover, judging from the size of the caravan and the leader's attitude, they seemed to have no ill intentions.

He glanced at the bewildered Su Wanqing and nodded to the team leader: "Alright. We'll have to trouble you then. We do need to find a place to rest."

The team leader was overjoyed and immediately ordered his men to clean up the mess, treat the wounded, and clear the road. He even specially set aside a carriage loaded with lighter goods for Gu Yan and Su Wanqing to rest in, his attitude extremely respectful.

The carriage jolted forward. Inside, Su Wanqing finally couldn't hold back any longer and whispered to Gu Yan, "Why...why do they call me a saint? How...how could I possibly be a saint?"

Gu Yan peered through the crack in the carriage window at the rapidly receding mountains and the respectfully accompanying caravan guards, and whispered, "You look like someone they knew, someone who is dead but very important. It might be a coincidence, or perhaps... it's not that simple."

This series of events seemed too coincidental for Gu Yan. He had a vague suspicion in his mind, but he didn't say it aloud.

Su Wanqing became even more frightened: "Then...is there any danger?"

"No. They only have awe for you," Gu Yan reassured him. "Let's go to town with them first and learn about the situation in this world."

He closed his eyes, feeling the faint sense of satisfaction emanating from the darkness within his body, and the pitiful 0.01% progress of the Orochi inheritance, and began to organize his thoughts.

The Dragon-Tiger Dynasty, with its decrees, rampant demons, and swordsmen slaying monsters… Right now, the priority is to maximize one's strength. As for the power of the Eight-Headed Serpent, it should only be used as a last resort. Otherwise, it might bring trouble.