“Gulp!”
In the cafeteria, Wanshou Demon King drained the bowl of soup, then leaned back its head with a blissful expression: “So fragrant!”
This guy had already become a member of the Eternal Sect.
Don’t say it lacked backbone. The reason it chose to compromise was because Purple Scale Demon King had once shown it kindness. To repay that kindness, it was willing to set aside its demon king dignity.
“Little Toad.”
Ah Zi passed over a napkin, saying: “From today on, you’re a member of Spirit Beast Hall. If you perform well, I can apply to the Sect Master to promote you to Vice Hall Master.”
Comparable to mid-level Truth-Seeking Realm, it was fully qualified.
“Big Brother Zi.”
Wanshou Demon King wiped its mouth while asking: “What exactly have you experienced all these years? Why is your realm aura still not as high as mine?”
Purple Scale Demon King’s entire face immediately darkened, saying: “Starting tomorrow, you’re responsible for cleaning Spirit Beast Peak and the latrines.”
“Huh?”
Wanshou Demon King was dumbfounded.
Speaking is an art. If you can’t speak, don’t speak!
…
That night.
Purple Scale Demon King sat alone on a boulder on the mountain peak.
His figure was very lonely, his gaze very dejected, like a defeated rooster.
As an extremely rare Dao-Transforming Kun, his future should have been bright. Unfortunately, because he sought thrills by stealing dragon eggs, he was forced to descend to the lower realm to live in hiding. Until thousands of years later when he returned, even the little demon spirit he’d shown kindness to was much stronger than himself.
Once a big brother.
Now a little brother.
Seas change to mulberry fields, things remain but people change.
Jun Changxiao walked over, sat beside him, set down a jar of Drunken Life, Dreaming Death, looking at the brilliant night sky, saying: “Such beautiful scenery needs wine to add to the enjoyment.”
“…”
Big brother!
I’m feeling terrible—what enjoyment!
“Ah Zi.”
Jun Changxiao passed over the wine, smiling: “I didn’t expect you were once a big brother in the Upper Realm.”
“Swish!”
Purple Scale Demon King grabbed the wine jar, tilted his head back and took a big gulp, his heart full of bitterness: “That was just past glory.”
“Be confident.”
Jun Changxiao patted his shoulder, encouraging: “A little toad spirit could become a towering demon king. You, a Purple Firmament Dao-Transforming Kun, surely won’t fall behind.”
Purple Scale Demon King understood this principle.
However, understanding was one thing. Seeing Wanshou Demon King’s cultivation higher than his own, his heart was bound to feel uncomfortable.
“Sect Master!”
Purple Scale Demon King clenched his fists, saying in a pleading tone: “I want to become stronger. Can you help me?”
As a demon beast with high longevity, just breathing and circulating energy every day brought constant improvement. Life was far happier than humans. But after being struck by the toad spirit, that heart desiring strength immediately ignited!
“This seat can provide you with help, but…” Jun Changxiao paused, saying: “The process of becoming stronger is very painful. You need to face it yourself.”
Purple Scale Demon King’s gaze was resolute: “As long as I can become stronger, I fear neither mountains of blades nor seas of flames!”
“Mountains of blades and seas of flames, is it.”
Jun Changxiao murmured, saying: “Come with me.”
…
The back mountain.
A completely new vortex entrance gradually coalesced.
“A new secret realm?”
Ah Zi’s face showed a trace of disappointment.
He knew the secret realms the Sect Master had installed in the back mountain were incredible, but because he was a beast clan, even entering for training wouldn’t yield much benefit.
“This is the Mountain of Blades and Sea of Flames.”
Jun Changxiao said: “A secret realm suitable for demon beast cultivation.”
The originally dejected Purple Scale Demon King immediately became excited.
“However…” Jun Changxiao added: “You must endure eighty-one days of tempering inside to achieve sublimation.”
When was this secret realm purchased?
It wasn’t purchased—it was one of the rewards from when Gu Zhaoxi previously sacrificed herself to help him complete an Epic Quest.
Although there was no description, it truly existed.
A year had passed. Why hadn’t Dog Leftover taken it out until now?
Because this kind of secret realm was only suitable for demon beasts, and the instruction manual specifically marked it in big red characters—Extremely Dangerous, Enter with Caution.
At the time, Jun Changxiao had complained that something humans couldn’t enter had no use. Later, being busy with sect affairs, he gradually forgot about it. If Ah Zi hadn’t mentioned mountains of blades and seas of flames, he still wouldn’t have remembered.
“I suspect the author just made this up on the spot!” the system complained.
“Eighty-one days?”
Purple Scale Demon King perked up, saying: “I’ll enter for tempering right now!”
Jun Changxiao reminded: “This Mountain of Blades and Sea of Flames is different from other secret realms. Once you fail the challenge, the outcome is death.”
“Gulp!”
Purple Scale Demon King’s raised foot froze in midair, his facial expression becoming colorful.
Many secret realms and facilities were also dangerous, like the Life-Death Secret Realm and the Training Tower, but challenge failure only meant being weakened for a period—they wouldn’t kill you.
Precisely because there was a risk of death, Jun Changxiao had selectively forgotten.
In all dimensions, the value of demon beasts was nothing more than helping humans train and providing crystal cores. But demon beasts in the Eternal Sect were like family—he couldn’t bear to let them suffer harm.
“Clearly forgot, but still has to trumpet his virtue.”
The system said: “Such a dog!”
“Afraid?”
Purple Scale Demon King shook his head, saying: “For a demon king, this is humiliation.”
“Step!”
He strode forward, resolute and decisive!
“Purple Hall Master…”
Li Qingyang, Xiao Zuiji, and the others showed admiring light in their eyes.
Already accustomed to disciples appearing and disappearing out of nowhere, the system didn’t have an emotional breakdown and roar complaints this time.
“Battle song!” Jun Changxiao shouted.
“Clap!”
Ye Xingchen pressed the play button. A pleasant melody transmitted from the modified sound system, leisurely singing: “I haven’t been a big brother in many years, I don’t love the cold bed’s edge, don’t force me to miss you, don’t force me to shed tears…”
“Salute!”
“Swish! Swish! Swish!”
Although Li Qingyang, Xiao Zuiji, and the others wore pajamas, it didn’t prevent them from making the most formal military salute.
A year ago.
When Gu Zhaoxi carried bombs flying toward the firmament, this scene had appeared.
“Step!”
Purple Scale Demon King took one foot into the vortex, then turned his head, smiling at everyone: “Wait for me to return…”
“Cut the nonsense, hurry up and get in!”
“Thud!”
Jun Changxiao personally kicked Ah Zi into the Mountain of Blades and Sea of Flames.
…
On Ah Zi’s first seventh day away, everyone missed him greatly.
On Ah Zi’s second seventh day away, everyone came to Spirit Beast Hall to pay respects.
On Ah Zi’s third seventh day away, everyone gradually forgot, laughing and chatting as usual while cultivating.
“Girl!”
In the cafeteria, after Wanshou Demon King licked clean the rice grains from its bowl, it grinned, saying: “Another bowl!”
“…”
Liu Sinan rolled his eyes at it.
“What are you looking at!”
Wanshou Demon King pointed at the more than ten plates stacked beside it, roaring: “I didn’t eat as much as you!”
Speaking of Elder Liu, it must be mentioned in passing that the reason he called for backup was because he desperately missed Liu Wanshi’s cooking. Being lost in the Extreme South with difficulty returning, he could only have the Sect Master come pick him up.
“Brother!”
Learning the truth, Jun Changxiao collapsed, saying: “Can we be more serious about such an important matter as calling for help!”
…
On Ah Zi’s fourth seventh day away, Dunan was cleaning the steps outside the mountain gate when he suddenly discovered dust and sand particles faintly jumping. He looked down in astonishment.
“Step!”
“Step!”
A martial artist walked up the steps step by step.
Because his head was lowered, only his Mediterranean hairstyle was visible, his face couldn’t be seen clearly.
“Buzz!”
“Buzz!”
With each step that person took, the surrounding dust and sand gradually floated into the air.
An expert!
A great expert!
Dunan placed the broom before him, rather politely placing his palms together: “Benefactor, are you here to visit the Eternal Sect?”
“Visiting a friend.”
The martial artist’s voice was deep.
“My apologies.”
Dunan said: “The gate isn’t open yet. Please wait a moment.”
The martial artist stopped, gradually raising his head, revealing a face as if carved by blades, the corners of his mouth lifting in a faint smile: “I’m an impatient person. I don’t have time to wait.”
“Whoosh!”
He flicked his middle finger, and a stream of light flew out.
No open gate? Fine, I’ll open it myself.
“Swish!”
Dunan shifted his stance, placing his body in the path of the stream of light, palms together: “Amitabha, benefactor must not act rashly!”
“Whoosh, whoosh!”
Dust and fallen leaves at his feet flew wildly, his school uniform moving without wind, golden light gathering behind him, quickly forming a 卍 character barrier.
“Oh?”
The martial artist’s gaze showed surprise.
A seemingly ordinary sweeping monk was actually an expert!
“Interesting.”
The martial artist abandoned attacking the mountain gate, manipulating the stream of light to blast toward him, wanting to see exactly what capabilities he had.
“Buddha’s Illumination!”
Dunan planted his stance firmly, his gaze stern.
“Boom!”
“Bang!”
The 卍 character barrier instantly shattered, transforming into sky-filling golden light.
“Thud, thud, thud!”
Dunan retreated several steps, stopping before the gate, raising his thumb: “Formidable!”
“Plop!”
Having finished speaking, he directly collapsed on the ground, passing out.
The middle-aged martial artist: “…”