“The Dragon-Beast Clan, a race formed by a coalition of evil dragons and monsters resisting the slaughter by immortals, even crossbred to produce half-dragon, half-beast creatures whose power is incredibly terrifying. Speaking of it, the Dragon-Beast Clan is indeed a source of pride among demon immortals!” Lian’er took a deep breath, seemingly envious of the Dragon-Beast Clan. “It’s just a pity they won’t take someone like me, a demon immortal.”
Shui Miao was slightly surprised. This chaotic, mixed-up race was actually enviable to Lian’er?
Unconsciously, Shui Miao realized he had lowered himself to the level of a demon immortal, as if suffering a great loss.
“Lian’er, I’m curious. If the Dragon-Beast Clan is so powerful, why don’t the heavenly soldiers and generals of the Ninth Heaven go and eliminate them? How can they survive in the immortal world when they defy the natural order?” Shui Miao was eager to learn more about the immortal realm; it would be even better if he could find loopholes in its rules.
Lian’er smiled calmly. “The heavenly soldiers and generals won’t act lightly. As long as demon immortals don’t infringe upon the interests of the Celestial Bureau and pay regular tributes, those celestial officials will turn a blind eye. As for survival, it’s not easy. Initially, those Dragon-Beasts were scattered and fled at the sight of immortals because their dragon and beast blood could be used to forge weapons. Some greedy immortals came to slaughter them. But one day, a lightning-wielding dragon god resisted, killing and devouring an immortal, obtaining that immortal’s memories, and then he became powerful. He united many Dragon-Beasts, and whenever an immortal came to cause trouble, they mercilessly devoured them, turning the tables by plundering the immortals’ treasures, growing stronger and stronger.”
“If they kill innocents so recklessly, won’t the Celestial Court send troops to suppress them?”
Shui Miao’s heart stirred.
Lian’er shook her head. “The immortals who were killed were just greedy, ordinary immortals without backing or status—who would send troops for them? Who would pay for the suppression? Besides, the Thunder Dragon God secretly sends money to those above. Who would be foolish enough to cut off their own source of income?” Lian’er’s eyebrows moved, shifting the topic. “But precisely because of this, the Thunder Dragon God rose to prominence. Now he’s a Celestial Sovereign-level expert. I heard the Celestial Court intends to pacify them and assign them to guard areas beyond the Ten-Thousand Immortal Mountains.”
The brilliance created by the Dragon-Beast Clan left Lian’er envious.
Shui Miao finally roughly understood the situation in the immortal realm. It turned out the immortal realm was just like the mortal world, full of corruption and backroom dealings. If that were the case, things would be easier!
Shui Miao’s mind turned, and he asked again, “Lian’er, you’re familiar with the Immortal Realm. Now that I possess the skill of crafting artifacts, I find myself short on materials. With sufficient resources, I could forge极品 (top-grade) and even supreme-grade immortal artifacts. Then, we can establish a powerful sect. When the immortal-god war arrives, we’ll march into the Ten-Thousand Immortal Mountains and expand our influence. What is a Celestial Sovereign? Once I forge a treasure capable of reversing time, we can cultivate as many Celestial Sovereigns as we desire.”
“Big Brother! Are these really your true feelings?”
Lian’er was shocked; Shui Miao’s words had undoubtedly shown her a glimmer of hope for rising above others.
“Of course they are. But we must be cautious and make no missteps. Right now, we can only challenge some weaker outlaw factions. Once we grow stronger, I’ll go and subdue the Thunder Dragon God.” Shui Miao’s aspirations soared, his mind sharp and active. He felt this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Great! Big Brother, I’m willing to follow you to my death! I’d rather die for honor than continue to live in shame in this immortal realm any longer.” Lian’er had had enough. After suppressing herself for thousands of years in the immortal realm, still merely a performer—how could anyone endure this?
“Honor!”
“Lian’er, do you mean the beast demons value honor greatly?”
“Big Brother, honor is the lifeblood of beast demons. They are not afraid of death, but they cannot live without honor.”
“I understand!”
Shui Miao’s thoughts turned, and he immediately urged, “Little Sister, let’s hurry on our way.”
“Okay!”
Lian’er’s heart stirred, and she immediately took out several Runes of Swift Movement, enhancing their speed.
※※※
Beyond the Ten-Thousand Immortal Mountains, the immortal qi was significantly thinner, while yin and malevolent qi increased.
Due to the thinning immortal qi, the environment here felt more like the mortal world.
Around the Ten-Thousand Immortal Mountains, the surrounding peaks had long been plundered by outlaw factions, leaving behind only barren hills.
At the fifth watch of the night, within one of the mountains deep in the Ten-Thousand Immortal Mountains, a group of wandering immortals were digging for crystal veins in the dead of night.
This mountain was a major peak within the Ten-Thousand Immortal Mountains.
These outlaw factions, for survival, had no choice but to risk mining the veins.
Shui Miao and Lian’er landed at the cave entrance. Two guards immediately brandished their weapons, stepping forward to block them.
“Move along, this is our territory. Go elsewhere!”
“Two of you, we belong to the Sky-Soaring Wolf Gang. Be smart and leave quickly.”
The two wandering immortals were not very strong, yet they spoke arrogantly.
“You dare boast with just two low-grade immortal artifacts?”
Shui Miao sneered coldly, immediately summoning his gauntlet without hiding its aura. “Look well, this is a supreme-grade immortal artifact, the Fire Dragon Crusher. If you value your lives, quickly gather everyone and join our Tianji Sect.”
Shui Miao had hastily named the gauntlet and invented a sect on the spot.
“Ah! It’s a supreme-grade immortal artifact!”
“Quickly, go find the boss…”
The two wandering immortals darted into the cave.
Hearing this, Lian’er quickly asked, “Big Brother, why are we recruiting these weak wandering immortals when we only need the crystals?”
“Aren’t they pitiful too?”
Without saying more, Shui Miao flew into the cave.
Inside the cave, a large space had been excavated through mining. When Shui Miao and Lian’er entered, they saw over three hundred wandering immortals gathered together. One leader among them was at the Golden Immortal level. Upon seeing Shui Miao and Lian’er and sensing Shui Miao’s aura, the Golden Immortal hurried forward and asked, “Esteemed Master, are you really going to recruit us?”
“Of course. Are you willing?”
Shui Miao didn’t waste words, circulating his immortal energy and staring at the Golden Immortal.
The Golden Immortal couldn’t sense Shui Miao’s cultivation level but felt an immense pressure—the same pressure he experienced when facing an Immortal Elder. He immediately knelt on one knee before Shui Miao. “We are willing! We are wandering immortals rejected by all sects. We formed this gang out of necessity to survive. Now that an esteemed master is willing to accept us, we naturally agree wholeheartedly!”
Seeing their leader submit, the group of wandering immortals all knelt down.
Shui Miao nodded and used his immortal energy to help them up. “Good. From now on, you are all members of the Tianji Sect. What’s your name, leader?”
“Reporting to the sect leader, my name is Pan Hu.” The Golden Immortal quickly clasped his fists in salute.
“Pan Hu, continue mining crystals. I’ll go recruit more wandering immortals. If anyone doesn’t wish to follow me, you may leave during this time.” With that, Shui Miao turned and left the cave.
“Joining the Tianji Sect is your fortune.”
Lian’er dropped that line and followed him out.
Pan Hu watched Shui Miao and Lian’er leave, then turned around. Everyone looked at each other, suddenly bursting into excited cheers. Joining the Tianji Sect meant having a leader wielding a supreme-grade immortal artifact. Their fates would change, and they could finally hold their heads high.
“Lian’er, we won’t bother with these small factions for now. Let’s find a bigger one to subdue. Then the smaller factions will come to join us automatically.” Shui Miao was in a hurry and didn’t want to waste time slowly.
Lian’er’s heart stirred. “Then let’s go to the Tianyi Sect. They have more than eight thousand immortals, though their leader is at the Immortal Elder level.”
“Just an Immortal Elder? Haha…”
Shui Miao smiled, lightly waving his hand. “Lead the way.”
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