Chapter 388: Chapter 388

Shadow City, Heavenly Killing Pavilion.

A seductively shaped woman with colorful hair that looked rather avant-garde stepped out from the second floor.

"TEE HEE HEE," Cai Shanfeng said to He Shan, who was following Chen Jiuge and the others. "It seems you’ve completed your task."

Ming Huayu appeared at the Heavenly Killing Pavilion with some urgency. "Shanfeng, enough small talk. Hurry up, I’m in a rush."

Cai Shanfeng covered her mouth and giggled twice before speaking, "Alright, in consideration of Huayu, I won’t take a cut of your reward this time. Your team of villains is now officially recognized as one-star killers. Keep the Token safe."

Stroking the Meteorite Iron Token in his hand, Chen Jiuge spoke calmly, "Hmm."

Ming Huayu looked at Chen Jiuge as if she wanted to say something, but thought the place was inappropriate and held back.

"Let’s go to my Palace," Chen Jiuge said. "But before that, I need to make sure the Lotus Clan is properly settled."

「By the Inner City moat.」

Chen Jiuge pointed to the large Moat, occasionally dotted with leaping frogs, and said to He Shan behind him, "This will be your home from now on."

The Moat was vast, with many low-level Spirit Plants growing in it and the occasional mature aquatic Spirit Fruit. However, these were quickly discovered and devoured by a group of large frogs.

"This place? It seems quite nice!" He Shan’s face showed a hint of joy. The previous living conditions of the Lotus Clan were not good, with all the clan members crammed into a small lake. If it weren’t for the Lotus people’s love for tranquility—basking in the sun while lying still as if they were lotus flowers—their previous habitat would have long since been a battlefield.

Da Bai looked down upon them. "Not just nice; it’s heaven compared to that tiny place you had."

"SPLASH!" A large crab surfaced, looking at Chen Jiuge with surprise. "City Lord, what brings you here?"

"Ah, Crab Lang, how’s life here?" Chen Jiuge casually inquired.

Crab Lang excitedly waved its large pincers. "City Lord, it’s fantastic here. There is so much food; the children don’t even want to eat frogs anymore."

"City Lord, recently, there’s been an increase in frogs. They often eat the Spirit Fruits on the river and some small Spiritual Fish. Is this a big problem?"

Chen Jiuge waved his hand. "That’s a minor issue. Let me introduce you to your new neighbor, He Shan from the Lotus Clan. They too will be living in the Moat, so please get along well."

Crab Lang glanced sideways at He Shan, an expression hard to read on its crab-face, "Welcome, welcome."

It wasn’t long before the Lotus Ancestor arrived at the Moat with their offspring. They chose a spot where the sunlight was most abundant to lie down. Long vines reached out and plucked a Spirit Fruit from afar, popping it into a large mouth to chew, an air of nostalgia on the old face. "In all my years, this is the first time I’m eating a Spirit Fruit. What a tragedy of life."

He Shan, watching his jovial clanspeople, had to admit that this place was indeed much better than the previous, prison-like habitat.

Crab Lang submerged nearby, the black orbs of its eyes revealing a touch of conflict. "Neighbors, huh? How should I greet them? They look so cute. Will I scare them?"

The Lotus Clan, blissfully unaware of Crab Lang’s turmoil, indulged in the joys of their new life.

Chen Jiuge took out a Jade Scroll and said, "Infinite Legacy."

This was acquired at the Infinite Place, presumably left behind by the one who failed to transmit the technique. When Chen Jiuge left, the Jade Scroll had mysteriously appeared on him.

Chen Jiuge hadn’t considered misappropriating it. For one, he already knew the Infinite cultivation technique. Secondly, this Jade Scroll was likely given out of respect for the Netherworld King; it wasn’t his to begin with.

Ming Huayu took the Jade Scroll, ready to find a Cultivation Chamber. Chen Jiuge quickly interjected, "Give me the recording."

Ming Huayu rolled her eyes. "You actually didn’t record such an important event yourself?"

She tossed over an Imprint Stone and asked swiftly, "Where’s the Cultivation Chamber?"

"The whole row at the very back is available."

After watching the recording from beginning to end, it indeed revealed Qu Changlin advising the Netherworld King to take over the Myriad Beasts Sect before it could become fully established.

It also leaked a lot of detailed information about the Myriad Beasts Sect and even some snippets on a few Immortal Ancestors.

"Not sure if the recording is true or not. Anyway, I might as well send it over along with the news of cooperating with the Netherworld King. Senior Sister had mentioned she wanted to come back to my side as well," Chen Jiuge said, shaking his head.

He didn’t know this Qu Changlin well. However, as the top Core Disciple, Qu’s strength and status within the Myriad Beasts Sect were high, and he must have received substantial resources. To think he would betray the sect was truly unexpected.

The mission to visit the Myriad Beasts Sect was handed over to Chen Tingting. Although she had always acted on Chen Jiuge’s behalf, Chen Tingting was inherently a Disciple from the Hundred Herbs Peak of the Myriad Beasts Sect, so she was somewhat suitable for the task. His own identity was quite sensitive at the moment. Besides, having just returned from a trip, his laziness flared up, and he didn’t want to go out again.

A silver vortex spun rapidly in Chen Jiuge’s hand, and the surrounding environment instantly froze. Time was halted!

The plump Ba Snakes remained immobile. But after a few breaths, everything returned to normal.

"THUD." Chen Jiuge, drained, slumped to the ground, pale-faced. "These are just Ba Snakes at the peak of Nascent Soul Cultivation, and in just a few breaths, they’ve drained me completely. The consumption of Infinite is too great."

"HISS, HISS, HISS." A tiny Ba Snake affectionately coiled around Chen Jiuge’s arm, making soft noises.

As Chen Jiuge looked at its plump belly, a thought crossed his mind.

After resting for a bit and regaining some strength, Chen Jiuge quickly headed to the large lake in the center of Eden Garden.

"Jiao Yue, Jiao Yue!"

"SPLASH!" A group of ghastly Merfolk emerged, lining up neatly on two sides. The blue-clad Jiao Yue sat on a throne that rose from the surface of the water.

Her pale, delicate hands cradled her exquisite face as she nonchalantly asked, "What do you want with me?"

Since Jiao Yue last visited Eden Garden and her Sea God Bloodline began to awaken, she’d been living there with the Merfolk. However, Jiao Yue and the Merfolk rarely made appearances, so Li Qiwen and Su Mei were unaware that the Merfolk lived in the lake.

"You should find somewhere else to live."

"No way, I quite like it here," Jiao Yue immediately refused. There was plenty to eat and drink, and no danger; only a fool would want to live somewhere else.

"That’s not for you to decide," Chen Jiuge said ominously.

Jiao Yue, wearing a disgruntled expression, slapped Crab Lang’s head and complained, "Damn Chen Jiuge, how dare he put me in this stinky ditch—I am a noble Sea God!"

"Lord Sea God, stop hitting me, or I’ll pass out," Crab Lang said, his head spinning.

After releasing Crab Lang, Jiao Yue dissatisfiedly asked, "Besides you bunch of big crabs, there’s also some Lotus Clan?"

Crab Lang dizzily pointed in a direction.

Jiao Yue led her fierce Merfolk followers and, seemingly pulling it out of thin air, brandished a blue Trident, saying, "Follow me, minions."

"A GREAT SPLASHING SOUND!" The water parted, and the Lotus Clan, who had been leisurely sunbathing, were subjected to Jiao Yue’s overwhelming attack.

He Shan, to curry favor with Jiao Yue, betrayed the Lotus Ancestor by giving away the Ancestor’s small remaining stock of dried fruits, which were kept on the Ancestor’s head. Fınd the newest release on novel{f}ire.net

"CRUNCH." "These actually taste quite good. From now on, send all that this big lotus produces to me," Jiao Yue’s eyes lit up as she spoke.

"Alright," He Shan said, smoothly patting his own lotus pod head in agreement.

"Right, keep an eye on these Ba Snakes for me, and make sure they stay out of trouble, okay?" Jiao Yue said, recalling Chen Jiuge’s earlier instructions.

Chen Jiuge had moved the Ba Snakes, Divine Beasts, from Eden Garden to the Moat. After all, if such Divine Beasts were kept and raised in Eden Garden indefinitely, they would risk becoming coddled and useless.

Just like the Fire Flood Dragons in the ecosystem. Even if their Mana was not weaker than that of other True Immortals, in an actual battle, they would surely be soundly defeated. They had too little experience, were utterly inexperienced, and currently only suitable as mounts.

A few days later, Chen Tingting returned. Accompanying her were not only Wen Ruo and Li He but also Wen Ruoshui, and even Wudao Tian had joined them.

Chen Jiuge was surprised, asking, "Eldest Senior Brother, Steward Wen? How come you both are here?"

He could understand Junior Sister Li He and Senior Sister Wen Ruo coming, but why had these two arrived? The Myriad Beasts Sect was currently short-handed. Wen Ruoshui had just broken through to Heavenly Immortal and was also a Spiritual Plant Master; she shouldn’t have come. As for Eldest Senior Brother, his presence was even more unexpected.

"What, you think I’m cramping your style with you two lovebirds?" Wen Ruoshui rolled her eyes in dissatisfaction.

"That’s not what I mean," Chen Jiuge apologized.

"Steward Wen, I have something to discuss with Junior Brother Chen. Please take Junior Sister Wen Ruo and Junior Sister Li He outside for a moment," Wudao Tian interjected.

Wen Ruoshui seemed to know some inside information and left with the two of them after just a scoff.

Several Soundproofing Arrays were laid out. Wudao Tian said, "Junior Brother, Master and the Ancestors have reviewed the information you sent earlier."

"The Sect has agreed to cooperate with the Netherworld King Clan and has contacted them. You no longer need to be involved. The matter is too high-level for me to understand fully what’s going on."

"Secondly, the betrayal by Qu Changlin has been confirmed by the Netherworld King. However, one of his daughters fancies the Prince Consort, so for now, we’re told to let it be. After all, he’s just a small fry, not affecting the grand scheme."

"So Qu Changlin’s betrayal is real?" Chen Jiuge still found it hard to believe.

He was a live-in son-in-law of the Netherworld King Clan; his status couldn’t be very high. Even if he had any standing, it was reliant on the power of that Netherworld King Clan’s Princess. The Myriad Beasts Sect was his backer, like his maternal family’s strength. Why would he want the Netherworld King Clan to annex the Myriad Beasts Sect? What good would that do him?!

"Yes, it’s real. Alright, Junior Brother, let’s not talk about these two matters anymore," Wudao Tian said, shaking his head.

Seeing Chen Jiuge fall silent, Wudao Tian consoled him, "Everyone has their own ambitions, and each cultivator’s path is inherently selfish. Qu Changlin merely wanted the Myriad Beasts Sect’s resources to aid his own advancement."

"After all, that Netherworld King’s daughter has the Netherworld King Body, absorbing Qu Changlin’s Cultivation every time they unite. Without his exceptional talent and the Princess’s generosity, maintaining his True Immortal Cultivation might not even be possible."

Chen Jiuge said, stunned, "Isn’t that basically a Furnace?"

"Not exactly. It seems Qu Changlin’s innate physique isn’t quite on par, at least not enough to balance with the Netherworld King Body, which is causing this situation. His desire for the Netherworld King Clan to take over the Myriad Beasts Sect is likely in pursuit of improving his own constitution," Wudao Tian explained.

"Alright, let’s drop that topic. I’ve come to your place this time, Junior Brother, to relax a bit. I’ve been absolutely exhausted lately."

Chen Jiuge smiled slightly. "That’s a small matter."

「Inside Eden Garden.」

Wudao Tian had not come alone. Mo Yang, as soon as he arrived, went looking for Mo Yu, a truly fanatical and protective brother.

Coal Ball, unseen for ages, also appeared. This muscular, fierce dog’s eyes welled with tears upon noticing Black Eye’s family; it was unknown how much it had suffered under Eldest Senior Brother.

However, upon seeing Hei Mu, its expression darkened, and a chill went through it—its parents had secretly gotten another pup behind its back! And this new pup looked so handsome!

Yu Heng, driving a carriage pulled by Nine Fire Flood Dragons, flew overhead, emitting a weary howl, "Ancestors, can you go slower? And could you please not heat up my carriage?"

"Junior Brother, those Nine Flood Dragons pulling the carriage look quite majestic. Get me one too," said Wudao Tian enviously.

The Myriad Beasts Sect desperately needed manpower. They wouldn’t spare even a mouse, let alone Flood Dragons. If Wudao Tian wanted Nine Flood Dragons to pull his carriage, Jun Linseng would most likely be the first to strike him foolish.

"That’s a small matter. Eldest Senior Brother, just pick some from the ecosystem later. But you might want to ask Ao Li first, since he’s practically watched those Fire Flood Dragons grow up," Chen Jiuge advised.

"Then I’ll thank Junior Brother in advance."