Zhuge Suapan’s actions might seem abrupt, but they were actually wise.
His soul was now weak, no different from ordinary ghosts.
To survive, he needed a master. This was the strategist’s survival rule.
With King Huangquan destroyed, if he returned with his current abilities, he would soon be eliminated by a ghost general or forced to serve as a strategist. For a wise strategist, finding a trustworthy master was especially important. Now, following Shui Miao was clearly the wise choice.
Without even mentioning other reasons, just the Nine Tripod Cauldron and Shui Miao’s strength alone were sufficient.
Moreover, under current circumstances, only Shui Miao could unify the Huangquan Sect.
But for Zhuge Suapan, the most important aspect was that Shui Miao was loyal, righteous, and clear about gratitude and vendettas.
Shui Miao was slightly taken aback, then quickly helped Zhuge Suapan up. “Senior Zhuge, how could I possibly have the capability to be your master! If you don’t mind, let’s just be friends. If you truly believe I’m worthy, we could even be brothers.” Compared to before, Shui Miao had become much more flexible in his thinking. His reasoning was simple: just because Zhuge Suapan had stood by him in a moment of crisis, this friend was worth making.
“You, you actually think so highly of me!!”
Zhuge Suapan found it hard to believe. He had seen much in the underworld—powerful beings always looked down on the weak, never regarding them as equals. It was almost unthinkable for a strong individual to genuinely befriend a weaker one without ulterior motives. Now Shui Miao spoke so sincerely, which was truly astonishing.
Shui Miao smiled slightly and grasped Zhuge Suapan’s hand. “Then it’s settled. From now on, you’re my older brother. Brother, please accept this bow from your younger brother!” Having inherited King Huangquan’s memories, Shui Miao knew Zhuge Suapan was extremely intelligent and resourceful. With his future assistance, many matters would be easily resolved, including his own lingering doubts.
Therefore, this bow to an older brother was well worth it.
Zhuge Suapan hurriedly helped Shui Miao up, repeatedly saying he wasn’t worthy.
Seeing this, Old Cai and the others smiled happily, as they could clearly see the tremendous benefits of accepting Shui Miao’s leadership.
“By the way, I have an idea…”
A sudden thought struck Shui Miao, and he summoned White Phoenix from the Holy Yuan Ring. In front of everyone, he said, “We’re all so compatible in spirit. I propose we all swear an oath of brotherhood and sisterhood. From now on, we’ll be sincere with each other, support each other, and together carve out our own domain in this world. How does that sound?”
“Great! I have no objection…”
Old Cai was the first to agree, glancing at White Phoenix.
“Sure, after all, I’m already Shui Miao’s older sister.” White Phoenix smiled slightly and looked at Zhuge Suapan. “Hey, why do you look so reluctant?”
“Uh…” Zhuge Suapan quickly waved his hands. “It’s not that I’m reluctant, it’s just that I feel too weak…”
“I don’t think you’re weak at all.” Shui Miao shook his head and smiled. “What about you, Old Qin?”
“Huh? Me too? You’re including me!?”
Old Qin had thought Shui Miao wouldn’t invite him. Upon realizing Shui Miao valued him, he immediately broke into a wide grin.
Shui Miao shook his head and smiled again. He thought of Fox Demon Seventh Sister, Little Potato, Golden Toad Master, and Black Snake Demon. “Right, I have several other friends. Let’s gather them all later for the oath ceremony. For now, let’s first head to the Huangquan Sect to retrieve King Huangquan’s treasures, refine some pills, and help everyone boost their cultivation.”
“Great!”
“Sounds good!”
Everyone spontaneously agreed. Naturally, everyone was happy to accept the benefits and enhance their powers.
Thus, Shui Miao returned to the Huangquan Sect with everyone.
To everyone’s surprise, Sima Zongheng was also alive and had returned.
Sima Zongheng had been waiting with the ghost generals for King Huangquan’s return, but instead encountered Shui Miao and Zhuge Suapan.
“Haha, Senior Sima Zongheng, we meet again.”
Shui Miao and the others suddenly appeared in the central hall, startling many ghost generals who immediately surrounded them.
“Looks like heaven is still fair!” Zhuge Suapan glanced at Sima Zongheng, then turned toward the ghost generals and shouted, “Brothers, I must remind you all, the impostor Ye Xian who pretended to be the King has been eliminated. King Huangquan, treacherous and deceitful, has also been destroyed by our new King, my younger brother Shui Miao. As the saying goes, the wise adapt to circumstances. If you all wish to remain here for cultivation, kneel and pay homage to your new King!”
This declaration stirred a storm. Upon hearing this, the ghost generals’ expressions changed dramatically, and they began whispering among themselves.
Sima Zongheng’s eyes flickered, and he coldly shouted, “Don’t listen to him! The King has already perfected the Thunder Soul Body and must have ascended to the Immortal Realm. There’s no way he could have been killed by this unknown nobody. Zhuge Suapan previously betrayed the King, and now he colludes with outsiders to seize the throne. Don’t be deceived! Let’s unite and kill them!”
“Kill me?”
Shui Miao stepped toward Sima Zongheng. “Sima Zongheng, I originally admired your talent and wanted you to continue managing the Huangquan Sect. I never expected you to remain stubbornly evil, dragging all these innocent ghost generals to their deaths. What are you thinking? Do you really believe we’re just bluffing and trying to take over the Huangquan Sect with words?”
As he spoke, Shui Miao simultaneously conjured a powerful ball of lightning and hurled it toward two ghost generals who were about to attack with their swords. The mighty Supreme Divine Lightning instantly reduced the two ghost generals to nothingness.
“…”
This scene shocked many ghost generals, who now dared not act rashly.
Needless to say, the two ghost generals just destroyed by Shui Miao were top-tier warriors of the Huangquan Sect.
Sima Zongheng was also stunned. “What was that just now?”
“Supreme Divine Lightning.”
Shui Miao smirked slightly. “Would you like to personally experience its power?”
“…”
Sima Zongheng was speechless, unsure how to respond.
Seeing that Shui Miao seemed reluctant to kill Sima Zongheng, Zhuge Suapan frowned and stepped forward. “Brother Sima, think long-term. My younger brother Shui Miao is loyal and righteous, clear about gratitude and vendettas, and holds you in high regard. Why insist on this foolish path and end up completely destroyed? I believe that once you spend some time with Shui Miao, you’ll understand what true camaraderie means.”
“True camaraderie!?”
Sima Zongheng looked at Zhuge Suapan in disbelief. “Zhuge Suapan, we’ve been rivals for over a century, and this is the first time I’ve heard you speak like this. You actually trust someone so completely. This truly surprises me. Unfortunately, he won’t spare me. I nearly killed him before!”
“Haha!”
Shui Miao laughed heartily. “They say a fight brings understanding. If I were a petty, vengeful person, the one dead just now wouldn’t have been that ghost general, but you, Sima Zongheng. Now, on behalf of countless ghost soldiers and generals of the Huangquan Sect, I sincerely beg you—please stay and help manage the Huangquan Sect!”
“Brother Sima, don’t be foolish anymore!”
Zhuge Suapan urged passionately. “My younger brother Shui Miao doesn’t even care for this place. He’s doing this solely to help the Huangquan Sect recover!”
Sima Zongheng paused, lowered his head in thought, then suddenly exhaled and said, “Enough talk. Your servant pays homage to the King!”
“Boom!”
Sima Zongheng knelt before Shui Miao.
Seeing this, many ghost generals also knelt down in succession…
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