Chapter 408: Suo Huan: Willing to Die for Senior!
Chapter 408: Suo Huan: Willing to Serve Senior Unto Death!
"Boom!"
The swirling storm clouds dispersed as the colossal dragon's body, now mostly refined away, plummeted from the sky—only its mountainous head remained, crashing heavily onto the sea's surface.
Half the dragon's head had already been reduced to ashes by the fire miasma, its exposed bones charred black. The fact that this supposedly indestructible dragon body could be reduced to such a state proved that its divine essence had long been completely drained, stripping it of its supernatural qualities and robbing it of the transcendent dignity a True Dragon should possess.
Above the dragon's head—
A handsome young man in fluttering Daoist robes stood with hands clasped behind his back. The halo of divine ability behind him hung like a bright moon, making him appear increasingly solemn and unfathomable.
'Tian Qiu is dead...'
For a moment, countless Foundation Establishment True Persons who witnessed this scene held their breaths. Even those at the peak of Foundation Establishment furrowed their brows.
'What a sinister divine ability.'
'At the final moment, Tian Qiu's Fate's Breath clearly fluctuated... This person is also skilled in karma—he severed Tian Qiu's lifeforce with karma techniques.'
'Could he truly be a True Person from our Saint Sect?'
North of the river, amidst endless seas of clouds, Hong Ju frowned deeply as he recalled the scene of Tian Qiu's death. Gradually, doubts arose in his heart.
Meanwhile, Suo Huan below had yet to recover from his shock.
Tian Qiu was dead! A descendant of the True Dragon Bloodline, second son of the Dragon Lord, indisputably the foremost cultivator beneath the True Lords overseas—had inexplicably perished here!
Admittedly, as an overseas monstrous cultivator, Tian Qiu's strength was slightly inferior to those at the peak of Foundation Establishment inland, but the gap wasn't vast. Not to mention his status—as someone the True Dragon Clan had placed high hopes on, intending to elevate him to prominence—who would dare provoke him under normal circumstances?
Yet now, he was dead!
And the Dragon Lord wasn't dead—he had merely withdrawn from the world temporarily. If he returned and learned the full story, would he not go berserk?
The mere thought made Suo Huan dizzy.
'No, I must flee immediately!'
This was no place to linger! Though we're both outsiders, I have no connection whatsoever with that man in the sky—I can't let others misunderstand!
With this thought, Suo Huan immediately prepared to slip away quietly.
He had assumed that since the man above was at the peak of Foundation Establishment, he would be aloof and unlikely to notice his discreet departure.
Yet in the next moment—
"Fellow Daoist, why the hurry?"
A single call froze Suo Huan's escape light mid-air. The next instant, he turned around, forcing a humble, ingratiating smile:
"Junior Suo Huan pays respects to Senior!"
Lü Yang quickly reached out to steady Suo Huan, then patted his shoulder amiably. "No need for formalities, Fellow Daoist. We're kindred spirits!"
Hearing this, Suo Huan inwardly lamented: 'I'm doomed!'
Under the watchful eyes of so many, with both of them being outsiders, this was truly like mud stuck to his trousers—even if it wasn't feces, it might as well be.
With no other choice, Suo Huan clasped his hands resignedly. "What instructions does Senior have for me?"
Lü Yang grinned. "I noticed your aura differs greatly from that monstrous creature earlier—it resembles mine instead. Could you also hail from beyond this realm?"
Suo Huan gave an awkward chuckle. "Senior's insight is peerless."
"Excellent, excellent."
Lü Yang studied Suo Huan for a moment before smiling. "This world isn't very welcoming to outsiders like us. You must be careful."
"Many thanks for Senior's concern."
Suo Huan glanced at Lü Yang, seemingly recalling his own glorious past. He sighed inwardly before lowering his voice. "That True Dragon Senior killed... has formidable backing. He has an elder—a True Lord of this realm. Does Senior know of True Lords? They are supreme cultivators who wield Fruit Positions..."
"Oh? Truly?"
Lü Yang cooperatively feigned curiosity. "Fruit Positions... Could they be akin to Supreme Monarchs? To think such mighty beings exist in this realm."
"Which is why Senior should not linger."
Suo Huan shook his head, briefly explaining why the True Lords of this world had withdrawn from society before concluding, "If you leave now, Senior might still have a sliver of hope."
"I see."
Lü Yang's expression turned grave, but soon regained confidence. "Even so, if we join forces, facing the entire world as enemies isn't necessarily hopeless!"
Suo Huan blinked in bewilderment.
Wait, we're not close, are we? Why should I care if you're enemies with the world?
But in the next moment, realization struck: Damn it, this guy wants to drag me down with him? Outsiders scheming against fellow outsiders?
'What a beast!'
With this thought, Suo Huan's expression shifted subtly as he instinctively tried to distance himself. Yet Lü Yang seized his hand before he could react:
"Fellow Daoist, seeing your current state, it's clear you haven't fared well in this wretched place either... And now, with so many witnesses to our conversation, I could simply leave—but do you think that Dragon Lord, upon his return and failing to find me, might take his fury out on you instead?"
"This..."
Suo Huan froze mid-movement, forced to confront reality—indeed, he didn't need to be dragged into the water; he was already drowning!
'This man speaks truth.'
'Tian Qiu left the Dragon Palace because of me. The Dragon Lord will surely blame me afterward... From the moment Tian Qiu died, my fate was sealed!'
His expression darkened further.
Then he turned back to Lü Yang and said solemnly, "Senior, what exactly do you intend? Or... do you have a True Lord backing you?"
"Not at all." Lü Yang shook his head.
Suo Huan gritted his teeth. "Without a True Lord's support... how will Senior resist the Dragon Lord once he returns?"
"Simple—I'll just become a True Lord myself."
Lü Yang smiled faintly. "Fellow Daoist Suo Huan, we're kindred spirits. If you assist me, who's to say you won't have a chance to defy heaven and seize the path to enlightenment?"
'Empty promises.'
Suo Huan knew Lü Yang was feeding him grandiose lies. Yet what frustrated him most was... Lü Yang was the only one offering even that.
What choice did he have left?
Suo Huan was no fool. He had hesitated, agonized, and feared—but now, pushed to this brink, he regained his former decisiveness.
The next moment, he spoke gravely: "Senior, I know of a hidden passage leading straight to the Dragon Palace. With Tian Qiu's unexpected death, chaos must reign there—many monstrous cultivators will surely eye its treasures. If we infiltrate amidst the turmoil, we can plunder it thoroughly!"
If death was inevitable either way, why not gamble?
At least by raiding the Dragon Palace, he'd gain some benefits—better than dying empty-handed. Since things had already reached this extreme, why not push further?
Lü Yang burst into laughter. "I knew I judged you correctly!"
Then he produced the Myriad Spirits Banner:
"Come, Fellow Daoist. Once you enter this [Register of the Gods], we'll be comrades—and I guarantee you'll immediately attain peak Foundation Establishment cultivation!"
Suo Huan hesitated, eyeing the banner warily.
"Senior... why does your [Register of the Gods] look a bit off?"
It was still emitting black mist.
Without answering, Lü Yang summoned Ancestor Nether Whisper and, right before Suo Huan's eyes, used the Incense Qi Divine Path to elevate him to peak Foundation Establishment.
Suo Huan: "..."
"Willing to serve Senior unto death!"