Chapter 714: Who the Nether Evil Dragon Hates Most
Xiang Gu and Hu Qing did not lose their composure.
After taking a few deep breaths, they explained their purpose in full without hiding anything.
When he had finished, Xiang Gu spoke seriously, "…The Nether Evil Dragon was once the Great Desolate Venerate's spirit beast. These four beast overlords know its weaknesses best. It was they who joined forces to suppress him back then."
"I wish to invite the four of you to come forth and resist the Nether Evil Dragon together."
"I wonder… would Supreme Shen Mo agree?"
The Hanging Heaven Banyan Tree and the others all turned toward Shen Mo.
Twenty years ago, Shen Mo had only been a Nirvana realm cultivator.
Even if he had been their nominal master then, they would not have truly listened.
But now, Shen Mo had become a Supreme.
Now he had the qualification to truly command them.
Naturally, they awaited his decision.
"Of course I agree."
Shen Mo smiled.
He knew very well what was about to happen.
The Nether Evil Dragon had always held hatred for his old suppression.
Once freed, he both gathered strength and moved in secret.
Eventually, he reached beyond the Mangcang Mountains.
With the aid of the Youbu demon clan, he corrupted the Hanging Heaven Banyan Tree, forced away the Scarlet-Blood Winged Tiger, and killed the Black Death Sky Serpent and the Azure Sky Divine Ox.
Xiang Gu and Hu Qing, demon Supremes themselves, had also perished beneath his claws.
And the missing True Dragon Holy Land returned in terrifying form—its dragons corrupted by the dark faction's Dao artifact into demon dragons and evil dragons.
The Four Sacred Dragon Palaces, ignorant of the truth, thought the holy land had been attacked by demons and welcomed all its dragons in for healing.
The result was disastrous. The Four Sacred Dragon Palaces suffered crippling losses.
Countless Dragon Supremes fell.
The Youbu and Kuangbu demon clans used their corpses in blood sacrifices, successfully sealing Central State.
Millions of Central State cultivators fought for a hundred years, yet could not break free.
At last, Central State fell.
The Five Sacred Demon Kingdoms grew in power.
After this battle, the balance between the clans and the demons tipped.
The demons began their full counteroffensive.
Meanwhile, the Saints exploring the void turbulence, searching for a way to destroy the demons completely, had yet to return.
"You agree?"
Xiang Gu and Hu Qing exchanged a glance, surprised.
Such a quick acceptance left them bewildered.
"I haven't finished."
Shen Mo chuckled. "I agree to their joining the fight."
"But I did not agree to send them to the Western Sea."
Xiang Gu and Hu Qing frowned. "What do you mean?"
Shen Mo asked in return, "Whom does the Nether Evil Dragon hate the most?"
Hu Qing froze, then instinctively answered, "The Great Desolate Venerate."
"It is said the Nether Evil Dragon believed the Great Desolate Venerate saw him only as a spirit beast, not as a partner. Thus he bore hatred, which became the seed of his corruption by the demons."
Shen Mo nodded. "Besides the Great Desolate Venerate, who else does he hate?"
Hu Qing suddenly realized, turning toward the four beast overlords. "He hates them."
Shen Mo nodded. "Correct."
"In my view, the Nether Evil Dragon will not stay obediently in the Western Sea, nor will he linger elsewhere."
"He will gather strength while secretly coming east, to the Mangcang Mountains."
"He will use every method possible to kill his old foes."
"Therefore, Brother Tree and the others need not leave the Mangcang Mountains. Better to wait here and catch him."
At these words, Xiang Gu and Hu Qing suddenly understood.
Yes!
Shen Mo's reasoning made perfect sense.
There was no need to cross the void to the Western Sea.
They only had to wait here.
"However, we must create the appearance of going to the Western Sea."
Shen Mo continued, "Brother Ox, Brother Serpent—go show yourselves there. Search a little for show, then return."
The Azure Sky Divine Ox and Black Death Sky Serpent both nodded immediately.
If Shen Mo were still only a Nirvana realm cultivator, the Black Death Sky Serpent might have hesitated.
But now that Shen Mo was a Supreme, of course he was willing to obey.
"Good! Many thanks, Supreme Shen Mo."
Xiang Gu looked at Shen Mo and spoke solemnly.
Hu Qing suddenly said, "Supreme Shen Mo, may I ask that the young lady of my Skyfox clan remain in the Mangcang Mountains?"
"She has had little contact with the outside world. I hope she may learn more from the senior beast overlords here."
Hu Xinyue froze, a little surprised by her ancestor's words.
But soon she understood what he meant.
He likely thought Shen Mo was young and worth drawing close to, so he deliberately left her behind.
Shen Mo glanced at Hu Qing, his smile carrying a trace of meaning.
At last, he nodded slightly. "No matter. She may stay in the Mangcang Mountains."
Hu Qing smiled. "Might I ask Supreme Shen Mo to look after her a little?"
Shen Mo shook his head. "I have many matters. I cannot guarantee it."
Hu Qing nodded with a smile. "No matter. Xinyue is a genius of the Skyfox clan. As long as she does not meet a Supreme, she can protect herself."
Afterward, Xiang Gu and Hu Qing departed together with the Azure Sky Divine Ox and Black Death Sky Serpent.
Hu Xinyue glanced at Shen Mo with some awkwardness.
Her lips moved, but what she finally said were the words, "Supreme Shen Mo."
Shen Mo smiled faintly. "You still owe me a Bahuang Doupo Talisman."
Hu Xinyue's face lit up with a smile.
For Shen Mo to say this meant he still remembered the past.
That alone removed any barrier between them.
To Hu Xinyue, an old friend suddenly becoming a lofty senior was difficult to accept.
Hu Xinyue bowed gracefully. "Senior Shen, I will go explore other places."
Shen Mo nodded. "Very well. Sister Sparrow, take her around the Mangcang Mountains. She may find an opportunity."
The Canopy Cloud Sparrow then spread its wings, carrying Hu Xinyue and the little sparrow away.
The Hanging Heaven Banyan Tree gazed at Hu Xinyue's departing figure.
In a low voice, it asked, "Master, you know this little fox?"
Shen Mo nodded. "We had some acquaintance in the South Sea Archipelago."
The Hanging Heaven Banyan Tree said gravely, "The little fox… seems to be carrying something."
"From my experience, it is very likely a void beast."
"And not an ordinary void beast like a void mite or void ray. It is most likely a unique void beast."
Afraid Shen Mo did not know what that meant, he quickly explained.
"A unique void beast—there is only one in the world."
"Only after it dies may a new individual be born."
Shen Mo smiled and nodded. "I know."
"You believe Hu Xinyue carries such a void beast?"
The Hanging Heaven Banyan Tree nodded firmly. "Not believe—certain!"
"I have come into contact with such a beast before. Its aura is unmistakable!"
"Zesheng. It must be Zesheng."
Strange light flickered in his eyes. "Why not…"
Shen Mo's faint smile remained.
The banyan tree still could not change its beastly nature.
His words clearly hinted at taking Hu Xinyue's void beast.
But Shen Mo knew that the void beast Zesheng had already signed a contract with Hu Xinyue.
Even if taken, it could not be used by another.
Besides, his own body was incredibly resilient. He had no need of Zesheng's restorative power.
"There's no need."
Shen Mo shook his head.
The banyan tree paused, then nodded. "Yes, I understand."
"Master, what do you plan to do next?"
Shen Mo pointed westward. "I am going to the Holy Land of Reincarnation."
"What they promised me then—it is time to claim it."
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