Chương 579: Radiance Ten Heavens (光明十天) (8)

"... Is everyone gathered?"

Deep beneath the surface of a planet untouched by light.

Three figures stand together in the darkness.

A woman clad in black jeogori and skirt.

A boy dressed in black martial attire.

A man draped in a black robe.

They are, respectively, the Immortal Treasures of the Crystal Glass Being, Seo Eun-hyun.

Twin Constructing Chains, Yeo Hwi.

Unruly Chain, Ham Jin.

Obsidian Chain, Yu Hwi.

Chijik...

As Yu Hwi snaps his fingers, one of the minerals he had created bursts into flames, illuminating the surroundings.

The mineral, which emanates a faint ghostly energy, causes ghostly shadows to ripple whenever its flickering light wavers.

The shadows growl as if alive, opening their mouths as if to devour those who have summoned them.

But the moment their gazes meet those of the three beings, the ghosts recoil in terror, trembling as they suppress their presence.

"Hm, cute little things. Did you call that mineral ghost fire stone?"

"Yes, senior. It's an ore formed by compressing ghostly creatures. When pressure is applied, it ignites, and the ghostly creatures that escape from the ghost fire stone can be commanded to sing or serve. Of course... it can also be used to set up a barrier so that no one can eavesdrop like this."

Woooooo— At Yu Hwi's glance, the quivering ghosts spread out, shrouding the surrounding space in darkness and forming a barrier beyond the shadows.

The inner and outer spaces are completely cut off.

"Not bad. Send me some later. Better yet, if you bring them to my quarters yourself, I'd be very pleased."

Yeo Hwi sends Yu Hwi a subtle look, but Yu Hwi awkwardly averts his gaze and turns to Ham Jin.

"Ham Jin. That aside... calling us here like this must mean... you've confirmed it."

At Yu Hwi's words, the boy in black martial attire, Ham Jin, nods grimly.

"... Yes. The confirmation... is complete. Teacher..."

The words that follow darken not only Yu Hwi's expression but also Yeo Hwi's.

"... has completely succumbed to madness."

It has already been four million years since they first began serving Seo Eun-hyun in this spacetime of emptiness.

During that time, Seo Eun-hyun has created four fixed stars, forming four stellar systems where he has given birth to living beings, transmitted the system of Immortal Cultivation, and made it so cultivators were born.

Though Seo Eun-hyun is incapable of communicating with them properly, his three Immortal Treasures who are directly connected to him have carried out his orders, overseeing and guiding the cultivators.

As a result, the four stellar systems have now produced their first Integration stage cultivators.

However.

"Teacher's madness first became evident three million years ago, when he created the first fixed star."

At some point, Seo Eun-hyun's mind began to become unstable.

Despite Yu Hwi, Ham Jin, and Yeo Hwi offering mantras on his behalf, he paid them no heed, utterly engrossed in the act of creating fixed stars and continuously revealing his madness.

"His condition has only worsened since. Yet, we still held onto hope. He was mad to some extent, but we had hope that one day he would regain his mind and once again become our pillar of support... That was what we believed. But I finished confirming it today."

With a darkened expression, Ham Jin speaks the truth he uncovered before gathering here.

"Teacher... no longer wishes to leave this place. The radiant figure he once was is gone. The one who worried for his comrades outside has disappeared, leaving behind only a being obsessed with the creation of fixed stars... He has become nothing more than a mechanical construct."

He grits his teeth.

"There are no signs of his madness improving. And on top of that... you both know it as well."

"... Yes. He has scattered... Filling the Heavens Governing View across his entire stellar system."

Yu Hwi's face darkens as he exhales a heavy sigh.

Ham Jin nods and speaks.

"It is practically an absolute restriction in which no one can advance to the Star Shattering stage and above. The thought of quickly raising someone to True Immortality and having them take over in order to escape has long been completely abandoned. And we, too... due to the overwhelming will of Filling the Heavens Governing View, have effectively had our advancement to True Immortality completely blocked..."

"How did he fall so far? Once, he was our steadfast pillar, a fearsome presence yet the master we could trust."

Ham Jin and Yu Hwi let out heavy sighs of concern, while Yeo Hwi scoffs and crosses her arms.

"Hmph, I knew from the very start that he wasn't in his right mind. That guy was a monster from the beginning. He was never normal. It's not that the guy who had once gone crazy regained his sanity while still in that state; rather, he went crazy once again in a different way, making him appear somewhat sane as a result."

"What nonsense!"

"Even so, show some respect when speaking of Master, Senior Yeo Hwi."

"Do not misunderstand. I followed the Crystal Glass Being because I was firmly convinced he was the second coming of Vast Cold. I do not hold loyalty to him unlike you two. In fact, I am older than the Crystal Glass Being, and if we count only cultivation years, I am a senior to him by far. If I had foreseen with my own insight that the madness the Crystal Glass Being carries would escalate to this extent, I wouldn't have followed him."

Ham Jin glares at Yeo Hwi, gritting his teeth before letting out a deep sigh.

"... Right now, I'd like nothing more than to hang you upside down and beat you senseless... but as this is not the time, I will hold back. Regardless of whether Senior Yeo Hwi truly believes in and follows Teacher, we must bring him back to his senses. You will cooperate with us in this, won't you?"

"Of course. That goes without saying. I have no intention of rotting away in this bizarre spacetime for eternity. I finally managed to step outside the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain! And yet, to think I can't even go around different Heavenly Domains, kidnapping beautiful men and women to enjoy. Instead, I'm stuck here, confined in this cramped place? Absolutely not!"

Yeo Hwi lets out a sigh, looking as if she might die from frustration. Ham Jin massages his temples as if a headache is forming before speaking again.

"I have no interest in Senior's lustful pursuits. In any case, now that we've confirmed Teacher has fully succumbed to madness, do you have any useful advice as a senior?"

"Impudent brat. I was going to tell you even if you didn't ask. Even though I look like this, I was personally chosen by the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords and granted entry to the Source River. I know most information worth knowing."

She nods confidently and conjures an illusion in the void.

It is a three-dimensional model of the stellar systems they currently reside in.

There are a total of four existing stellar systems, with a fifth one steadily being prepared to be created.

"For convenience, I'll refer to the stellar systems the Crystal Glass Being has created as the [Crystal Glass Realm]. This model perfectly replicates the vast majority of the attraction force, qi, soul, and fate within the Crystal Glass Realm, so pay close attention."

Woo-wooooong!

As Yeo Hwi gestures, the three-dimensional model begins to change.

In an instant, it shifts into something strange, shrouded in a cloud of dust.

"If what you saw before was the Crystal Glass Realm on the Plane of Qi, this is the Crystal Glass Realm on the Plane of Soul. The brightest light in the center of this dust cloud is the Crystal Glass Being. Right now, the Crystal Glass Realm is entirely under the Crystal Glass Being's will, and that will has become attraction force, preventing any of us from leaving the Crystal Glass Realm."

"... It's Teacher's madness."

Ham Jin lets out a murmur.

The current Seo Eun-hyun is consumed by madness, scattering Filling the Heavens Governing View across the entire Crystal Glass Realm.

No one can reach the Integration stage or higher.

And no one can escape beyond the Crystal Realm—beyond the distant spacetime of emptiness.

By adding his attraction force into Filling the Heavens Governing View, Seo Eun-hyun has created a powerful barrier that effectively seals the entire Crystal Glass Realm.

"He mutters about how no one understands him... yet at the same time, he doesn't want anyone to leave him. This contradiction in Teacher's heart and his madness have amplified to its peak, becoming this barrier."

"That's right. And that's not all. Look."

Yeo Hwi points somewhere with her finger.

On the three-dimensional model representing the Plane of Soul, four other clumps of light ripple besides Seo Eun-hyun.

"Those four lights. They are the four fixed stars the Crystall Glass Being created so far. Do you see them?"

Ham Jin furrows his brows.

He can see them clearly.

Each of the four stars exhibits a distinct flow, all of which connects to the light that is Seo Eun-hyun at the center, influencing him in some way.

"The fixed stars... are influencing Teacher...?"

"That's right. Now then... shall we move on to the next stage?"

Woo-wooong!

Yeo Hwi moves her hand, and the Plane of Fate of the Crystal Glass Realm appears in the three-dimensional model.

In the space overflowing with light, several symbols exist.

[Candle flame that is the merging of Glass True Fire and Aurora].

Surrounding it are the symbols of the countless planets and star veins.

Lastly, there are the symbols of [snakes] tightly coiling around the star veins.

[Blue snake biting its tail].

[Blue-white snake biting its tail].

[Red-vermillion snake biting its tail].

[Soft-vermillion snake biting its tail].

A total of four [snakes] are radiating light.

"Life is ultimately symbolized by Radiance Hall. As the rulers of the world, they oversee the first stage of True Immortality, Vestige Liberation Immortal. The symbol of Radiance Hall is the [Black Snake Biting Its Tail]. And the rulers of Radiance Hall, the Radiance Eight Immortals, each oversee one of the fixed stars that correspond to the realm formula of Vestige Liberation Immortal, the Radiance Ten Heavens. All except for the fifth and sixth fixed stars. In any case...

they are the most powerful force among all factions in the True Immortal Realm, exerting immense influence over all True Immortals passing through Vestige Liberation Immortal."

"That means..."

"Yes. Right now, the Crystal Glass Being is being eroded by the authority of Radiance Hall. The Radiance Supreme Deity must be exerting Their strength..."

"...!"

"There's a high probability it's an attempt to suppress the Crystal Glass Being, who was once called the return of Vast Cold, by directly eroding him and amplifying his madness."

At the mention of a Governing Immortal's presence, Ham Jin and Yu Hwi cough up mouthfuls of blood-red spiritual energy, clenching their teeth.

"Then... are you saying that in order to save Teacher, we must fight the Owner of Radiance Hall, the God of Light?"

"That's about right."

At Yeo Hwi's words, Ham Jin and Yu Hwi exhale heavy sighs, their expressions darkening.

Yeo Hwi watches them and smirks.

"But don't worry too much. The Radiance Supreme Deity is hardly an idle being. Do you really think They'd remain stuck to the Crystal Glass Being? Besides, this place is within the authority domain of a Heavenly Venerable! The Radiance Supreme Deity's power surely won't reach easily here. So there's still a chance."

"... What must we do?"

"There's only one way. If the Crystal Glass Being's madness stems from the formula of the Radiance Ten Heavens... then there's really only one option."

At Yeo Hwi's next words, Ham Jin and Yu Hwi's eyes widen.

"We have to smash all of the Crystal Glass Being's fixed stars into cosmic dust. Once freed from the light of the Radiance Ten Heavens, unless the Radiance Supreme Deity is literally parasitizing his body, his mind will definitely return!"

"..."

Hearing Yeo Hwi's words, the two let out a groan.

"Do you... really think that makes sense, Senior Yeo Hwi?"

"Master is the one who was called the return of Vast Cold. And yet, how are we supposed to destroy the fixed stars that Master cherishes like his own children?

"Fools. Are you going to tuck your tails and give up without even trying?"

Something about Yeo Hwi's confident tone makes Ham Jin and Yu Hwi's eyes gleam.

"Do you have a plan?"

"Rather than a plan, we just have to be willing to do whatever it takes. Compared to True Immortals, we may lack strength and time, but if we are willing to spend centuries, we can still create a prophecy. Through this, we will mass-produce Star Shattering stage cultivators. Then, we will use them as suicide bombs to go against the Crystal Glass Being. Right now, in his current state of madness, the Crystal Glass Being will only unleash his wrath upon the suicide bombs and their bloodline.

If we manipulate fate carefully from behind the scenes, he will never know we betrayed him."

Ham Jin and Yu Hwi shake their heads in shock at Yeo Hwi's scheme.

"That's... unacceptable. It's too much of the cruel devilish path!"

"No matter the situation, such a ruthless plan is intolerable!"

"Ha! Well, look at that, we have some ridiculously kind young masters here. Do you plan to stay here for a thousand years? Ten thousand? A hundred million? Right now, you two are blocked from advancing to Entering Nirvana by Filling the Heavens Governing View. Are you saying you will spend eternity locked away in this spacetime alongside Seo Eun-hyun, who has gone mad? If you two can't do it, then I will do it myself."

She rises from her seat, shouting at Ham Jin and Yu Hwi.

At that moment, Ham Jin stands and tightly grabs Yeo Hwi's wrist.

"... I told you it is not happening. Even if it takes millions of years, I cannot allow that plan."

For a moment, Ham Jin and Yeo Hwi lock eyes.

The tension is so thick it feels like a fight could break out at any moment.

Just then, Yu Hwi notices something strange flickering inside the ghost fire stone he created.

"Hm?"

Within the ghost fire stone, condensed from ghostly creatures who were killed with grievances— A faint illusion of a mountain piled with corpses and a sea filled with blood flickers.

It is the scenery of Corpse Mountain Blood Sea.

And the moment Yu Hwi perceives it— Woo-wooong!

Beneath the place they stand, centered around the ghost fire stone, a strange energy of Taiji seems to swirl before a dark-red shadow emerges with the stench of blood.

"...!"

"What!? Despite the barrier..."

"Who are you!?"

The three Immortal Treasures shout towards the dark-red shadow, and the figure smirks.

[Immortal Treasures harboring treacherous hearts. Does your master know of this?]

"...! You, who are..."

Just as Ham Jin is about to shout in anger— Yeo Hwi hurriedly steps in front of Ham Jin and bows to the dark-red shadow.

"... So it is the esteemed figure I encountered back then. Four million years ago, in the Source River, the being who received the patronage of the Mountain God... It seems you have risen to True Immortality. My sincere congratulations on your ascension."

Yeo Hwi's eyes shine brighter than ever.

She remembers this dark-red figure.

Oh Hye-seo!

Four million years ago, when she entered the Source River to rescue Seo Eun-hyun, she had seen this entity.

Even back then, she was a peculiar existence who, despite only being at the Entering Nirvana stage, received the protection of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity.

Now, four million years later, to be able to intrude into the spacetime of the Owner of Void, there is no doubt they have reached a high realm.

Holding onto a glimmer of hope, Yeo Hwi speaks.

"Perhaps... would you be able to get me out of here? If, if you take me out, I will immediately betray the Crystal Glass Being and pledge my loyalty! If you wish, I will even offer my body. Ehehehe..."

Ham Jin shoots her a look of pure contempt, while Yu Hwi's face twists in displeasure.

But Oh Hye-seo merely chuckles.

[Well... I'd say it's better if you don't leave. Right now, you are in an incredibly safe space. If you knew what kind of great war is raging across the entire Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds, I don't think you would want to step outside?]

"...!"

At those words, Yeo Hwi flinches in surprise and asks.

"Wh-What on earth is happening outside...?"

[I have no reason to tell you. But I'll at least let you know this—Radiance Hall and the entirety of Mount Sumeru have been waging a colossal war for hundreds of thousands of years. The Heavenly Venerable of the Void and the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable have suffered devastating damage from the Radiance Eight Immortals and have gone into seclusion. That's why I was able to interfere in the space of a Heavenly Venerable for a brief moment... [Kukuk... Radiance Hall is truly amazing. Only the Source River, that is no different from mere scrap, is siding with Radiance Hall, yet with just them, they are overwhelming all of Mount Sumeru.] Upon learning that the Source River is on the side of Radiance Hall, Yeo Hwi trembles as if wanting to rush out immediately. Yu Hwi, who has learned the Ghost Path Method, frowns in suspicion." From what I know, the God of Death isn't so lacking compared to the God of Light. Are you saying that even the Underworld is being pushed back that badly?" [The Underworld is... kukukuk. Currently, all the Reapers have left for the Outer Sea in search of something. Did they say Penglai Island? I heard they are searching for something like that, but I'm not sure. Only the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld remains, maintaining the Underworld while watching the situation.]"Then... does that mean the Underworld has not joined the war? Excluding the faction of Time, have all the forces of Mount Sumeru betrayed Radiance Hall?" [Like I said, I have no reason to give you any information. I merely explained the situation a little... Anyway, in this chaotic turmoil, do you truly intend to leave this safe shelter?] At Oh Hye-seo's words, Yeo Hwi and Yu Hwi let out a faint sigh, seemingly deep in thought. However, Ham Jin asks Oh Hye-seo without hesitation." Can you get us and our master out of here?" [As I said... since the Heavenly Venerable of the Void suffered devastating damage, if I offer part of my Corpse Mountain Blood Sea as a sacrifice, I can manage someone like you. But... what realm has Seo Eun-hyun currently reached?] At Oh Hye-seo's question, Ham Jin contemplates deeply for a while before answering." Vestige Liberation Immortal. Master has currently progressed through four-tenths of the realm formula for Vestige Liberation Immortal that is the Radiance Ten Heavens." [Radiance Ten Heavens? Vestige Liberation Immortal? Four-tenths? Ha, hahahahahaha!] Oh Hye-seo's shadow clutches its stomach and bursts into laughter as if it finds this unbearably amusing. [This is so funny I might go insane! Has being trapped in this space degenerated his talent? Where has that terrifying monster gone, leaving behind only this worthless failure? Good... this is very good! Fine. I'll get your master out too. But there is a condition...] Oh Hye-seo's shadow smirks as she makes an offer to the Immortals Treasures. [Create a descent formation to descend my will into this space. Using resentment and suffering as a medium would be ideal. This mineral would be best. If you do so, I will descend a portion of my will into this place and gradually help you escape through prophecy. I will help Seo Eun-hyun escape too. However, there is a condition.]"What condition?" [Seo Eun-hyun is currently... cultivating the Radiance Ten Heavens, correct? From the moment one starts cultivating the Radiance Ten Heavens, the fixed stars created by the True Immortal become one body with them. Because of this, pulling insignificant beings like you out is easy, but Seo Eun-hyun's own original mass, combined with the mass of those fixed stars, makes extracting him exponentially more difficult.] At her words, Yu Hwi and Yeo Hwi flinch. [Destroy the fixed stars Seo Eun-hyun created. I will help you. Whether it takes tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or millions of years—it doesn't matter. Just erase... the fixed stars. If you do so, I will take you out.]"That's..."" Hey, Ham Jin. This offer..." Yu Hwi and Yeo Hwi look at Ham Jin. Perhaps they feel that despite everything, betraying Seo Eun-hyun according to Oh Hye-seo's suggestion feels a bit too much. But what comes out of Ham Jin's mouth is something unexpected." I understand. We will do as you say."" ""Ham Jin...?"" Then, please provide the descent formation technique and the necessary information to descend the distinguished one's will. We will proceed with the plan based on those." [Ahaha... good. If the plan succeeds, I will finally see the face I have longed to see. Seo Eun-hyun...] Revealing an intense killing intent towards Seo Eun-hyun, Oh Hye-seo transmits the information to Ham Jin and disappears. Chijijik... Yu Hwi's ghost fire stone that Oh Hye-seo used to transmit her will crumbles into dust. However, Yeo Hwi and Yu Hwi turn to Ham Jin and ask." This is quite a surprise. I never thought you would betray the Crystal Glass Being?"" Why did you make that decision, Ham Jin? Aren't you someone who can at least be called Master's disciple? The heart that Oh Hye-seo person has is definitely not a good heart. And this presence... She is at least a Great Net Immortal. Why did you accept the offer not knowing what someone at the level of a Great Net Immortal might do to our Vestige Liberation Immortal Master!" At Yu Hwi's sharp rebuke, Ham Jin smiles." Did you not notice, Yu Hwi?"" What?"" That being... is afraid of Teacher."" What?"" Even if their realm has surpassed Teacher's, Teacher is strong. Teacher's true body is in the weight class of a Great Net Immortal. His authority may differ slightly, but in an actual fight against a Great Net Immortal, Teacher would still have a considerable chance of winning. Furthermore... I felt a deep-seated hatred towards Teacher, and just as deeply rooted, a sense of fear. At some point, they must have suffered greatly at his hands." As Ham Jin continues, Yeo Hwi and Yu Hwi's expressions gradually shift to one of understanding." They talk about the mass of the Radiance Ten Heavens, but in truth, they wants to collapse the fixed stars that Teacher created to inflict the maximum shock against him through that reaction. Even though Teacher is in the weight class of a Great Net Immortal, if he were to suddenly lose the innate True Immortals he created all at once, the backlash would significantly weaken him." Which means they have no confidence in facing Teacher in his normal state, but if he were weakened, they think facing Teacher is worth attempting; isn't that right?"" Em...!" Ham Jin continues his explanation." They must be sincere in taking out the weakened Teacher and us. The deeply rooted loathing... that hatred... It was truly the look of someone who has a grudge that must be resolved with Teacher. Perhaps she lost someone precious to Teacher."" That's right. At the time, I was at the Entering Nirvana stage, so I had a rough understanding of the situation. As far as I know, she lost her husband to the Crystal Glass Being."" That makes it even more certain. That existence will definitely get us out, if only for the sake of revenge. Even if it means weakening Teacher. But that Oh Hye-seo person... is making a massive miscalculation." Ham Jin smiles." It's actually the opposite. Teacher is actually at his weakest right now. Because he is steeped in madness and his will has become fragile, this is the moment he is at his weakest. So, on the contrary... if we eliminate the fixed stars of the Radiance Ten Heavens, the very source of his madness..."" He will overcome the madness and become even stronger? Is that what you think?"" That's right." But Yu Hwi asks again as if confused." But no matter what, those fixed stars are no different from the prophecies one utters. Those fixed stars have become one body with Master. Even if his will were to grow a little stronger, can Master really defeat that existence in his weakened state?"" He can, Yu Hwi."" On what basis?"" My Immortal Art... originates from Teacher. That is why I know. Teacher is... someone who can become the strongest purely through his will alone. But conversely, when his will falters and he succumbs to madness, he becomes significantly weaker. That is who Teacher is." At Ham Jin's words, Yeo Hwi crosses her arms and speaks." This is quite... Then, everything is working out well. Like curing poison with poison, huh?"" You could say so. We will use the power of Oh Hye-seo, who is targeting Teacher, to erase the fixed stars that are the origin of his madness. And when we are taken out by Oh Hye-seo during the moment when Teacher is weakened... Teacher will undoubtedly emerge victorious." Ham Jin's eyes are filled with absolute confidence. Seeing such a Ham Jin, Yu Hwi nods." Alright. If you are going to speak that much... I will trust you. Then I will go and bring back more ghost fire stones. Decide where we will place the descent formation that will descend Oh Hye-seo's will."" Alright, thanks." Yu Hwi turns into a shadow and vanishes from the spot, while Ham Jin turns into mist, bows to Yeo Hwi, and disappears as well. Watching their departure from deep underground, she smiles subtly. She gently rubs her wrist, where Ham Jin had tightly grasped her moments ago, as her cheeks blush." That little cutie has grown so much... Very well, Ham Jin. I will keep watching you... and strive to move together with you." Muttering to herself, she, too, vanishes from the spot like the others. Four million years since the Crystal Glass Being Seo Eun-hyun became trapped in the spacetime of emptiness. Seo Eun-hyun's three Immortal Treasures devised a plan of poison counteracting poison, by using Oh Hye-seo, who hates Seo Eun-hyun, to remove Seo Eun-hyun's madness. And following their plan, Oh Hye-seo's will and a portion of her authority gradually begins descending upon the Crystal Glass Realm. On a planet in the remote corner of the Crystal Glass Realm. There, the energy of Corpse Mountain Blood Sea begins to overflow." Gwak Am?" I suddenly think of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity in the darkness and stare blankly into the void. There is no one. It must have been an illusion." Did I lose consciousness again?" Lately, my consciousness has been flickering in and out more often. But it doesn't matter. It's only when I lose consciousness do I feel as if I am embraced by light, enveloped in warm happiness." Where was I?" With blurred eyes, I look at the four fixed stars I have created." Right. I made the fixed stars of Great Forest, Flower Plant, Great Sun, Torch Candle..." Through the wisdom the Immortal Dao whispers to me, I murmur the name of the next fixed star I must create." Next... is the light of Castle Wall, huh." The fifth light. The fixed star of Castle Wall. Woo-wooooong! Resisting the attraction force of the Sumeru World, I endure the pain coursing through my entire body. At the same time, the light that will become the foundation for Castle Wall begins to form in my hand.' It's warm.' Just like all the lights I've created so far, this warm light will welcome me. Gazing at the golden light being born in my hands, I let myself be drawn into the light just as before. But at that very moment—"... Huh?" Inside the golden light, I see something.' That is...' It is a snake. Each time I have created a fixed star, I have always seen the form of a [snake biting its tail]. Seeing the form of a snake appear this time again is only natural, but I feel strange. Because this snake is not biting its tail. As I look at this peculiar snake, which is slightly different from all the others I have seen before, I feel an inexplicable deep sense of longing. This snake is— A [yellow snake].