Seeing Mo Fan treat the two old fellows with such respect, Lei Yu Zidian’s eyes flickered, and he said lightly, “Toad Demon, the journey here must not have been peaceful, right?”
Hearing this, Mo Fan turned to Lei Yu Zidian, smiling faintly. “Thanks to Senior’s blessings, there were indeed some pesky rats along the way, but I’ve already taken care of them.”
“Oh, by the way, those guys had the cultivation of Demon Generals but were pathetically weak. I don’t even know which faction they belonged to—truly pathetic!”
Lei Yu Zidian’s face darkened instantly, but he held back his temper and sneered, “You’ve inherited the legacy of the White Tiger Saint King, making you comparable to Primordials or Divine Bodies in the same realm. Naturally, those useless fools couldn’t stop you.”
“But I’ve heard two Demon Kings were involved in the ambush, which breaks the rules. Do you know which faction they came from? Shall I tell you?”
As Lei Yu Zidian spoke, the two Demon Ancestors across from him looked slightly uneasy but said nothing, their gazes fixed on Mo Fan, curious to see how he’d respond.
“No need,” Mo Fan said, grinning at Lei Yu Zidian. “Since I’m unharmed, I have no interest in knowing. And if I did want to know, it wouldn’t be from you. Care to guess why?”
Lei Yu Zidian remained silent, his expression cold, but his right hand, resting on the chair’s armrest, clenched into a fist.
“Because they told me they were from Wind Thunder Mountain!”
Mo Fan’s tone suddenly sharpened as he took a step toward Lei Yu Zidian, his smile fading. His eyes locked onto Lei Yu Zidian, and he said sternly, “Senior, you’ve got some nerve!”
“Insolent!” Lei Yu Zidian roared, slamming the armrest. The terrifying pressure of a Demon Ancestor surged forth.
“You’re the insolent one!” Mo Fan shouted back, glaring at Lei Yu Zidian without backing down, a golden flame igniting around him.
Even so, under Lei Yu Zidian’s pressure, his legs trembled slightly.
“Kneel!” Lei Yu Zidian snorted coldly, intensifying the pressure to force Mo Fan down.
“Old fool, I’m the inheritor of the White Tiger Saint King. How dare you bully the weak?” Mo Fan roared, his body struggling under the immense pressure but still standing tall.
The Great Five Elements Crystal activated, connecting his legs to the ground, transforming them into red crystal. The crystal spread upward, forming a red crystal armour that held his body firm.
“Crack… crack…”
Yet the Demon Ancestor’s pressure was too terrifying. Though Lei Yu Zidian hadn’t attacked, it was more than Mo Fan could bear. The crushing force began to compress his body and organs.
Mo Fan clenched his lips, activating his regeneration divine ability to rapidly repair his damaged body, managing to withstand the pressure for the moment.
His eyes never wavered, glaring fiercely at Lei Yu Zidian.
He was gambling—gambling that this old fool wouldn’t dare kill him!
He was also betting that the great demons in the hall, especially the one behind the scarlet gate, wouldn’t let Lei Yu Zidian act recklessly.
Mo Fan had initially wanted to give the old man some face, but since he was pushing too far, Mo Fan decided to tear off the mask entirely!
The banner of the White Tiger Saint King was indeed effective. Though killing intent practically solidified in Lei Yu Zidian’s eyes, he eventually dissipated the pressure and laughed, “Hahaha… what a toad! With the White Tiger Saint King’s legacy, even your words carry the arrogance of swallowing the heavens!”
As the pressure lifted, Mo Fan felt his body lighten, a surge of blood rising to his throat. He forced it back down.
In an instant, the red crystal armour on his body vanished, and the anger on his face faded. He smiled, “Senior flatters me. I’m just a nameless little demon, doing what I must to survive. How could I swallow the heavens? Besides… Senior, you’re no heaven!”
“The White Tiger Saint King’s legacy doesn’t seem all that impressive, but I do see the sharp tongue of those despicable humans in you!” Lei Yu Zidian sneered. “Don’t try to scare me with the White Tiger Saint King. Since you chose to come here, it means he’s likely no longer in this world. Last time, I left in a hurry and forgot to test that Bai Xiaosu, which is why you’re still alive! If Bai Xiaosu were alive, would you even be here?”
Lei Yu Zidian’s words made the great demons in the hall exchange glances, all turning to Mo Fan.
“Senior, you’re quite forgetful. Last time, you didn’t forget to test the White Tiger Saint King—you didn’t dare! I clearly remember one look from him, and you fled in disgrace! Want to know if he’s still alive? It’s simple. Kill me now and see if he appears instantly, or if your Wind Thunder Mountain ends up like the human sects’ Two Mountains, obliterated. So, Senior, care to take the bet? I’m willing to wager my life to see Wind Thunder Mountain fall!”
Mo Fan’s words shifted the great demons’ gazes from predatory to appreciative. In the entire Phoenix Cry Mountain Demon Domain, aside from the Holy Son, who else dared to challenge a Demon Ancestor like this? Yet this toad demon, not even at the King realm, did so with conviction, leaving Lei Yu Zidian trembling with rage but helpless.
In truth, Lei Yu Zidian didn’t dare take the bet. He might not care about Wind Thunder Mountain or even the Lei Yu clan, but he cared about his own life! He knew exactly what kind of existence Bai Xiaosu was—a stubborn fool who’d defy the world for a promise, yet possessed overwhelming strength that left him powerless.
“Senior, I didn’t come here to argue with you. I came to Phoenix Cry Mountain to report for duty!” Mo Fan said, knowing when to stop. He was inwardly terrified, fearing that Lei Yu Zidian might snap and kill him on the spot. Fortunately, Lei Yu Zidian was cautious and rational enough not to act without confirming the truth. As Rabbit Lord put it, he was sufficiently afraid of death!
“Little toad, since you’re the White Tiger Saint King’s inheritor, why come to our Phoenix Cry Mountain to report?” Bai Lu asked curiously.
“Senior, I came for two reasons,” Mo Fan said, bowing to Bai Lu before addressing the great demons. “First, Black Wind Mountain has always been under Phoenix Cry Mountain Demon Domain since ancient times. Though outside its direct jurisdiction, its allegiance remains. So, I had to come as a sign of respect to the seniors and the Fire Phoenix Saint King! Second, I do have another motive. After the Human-Heaven War, the White Tiger Saint King gained new insights and told me he’s about to ascend to the upper realm. He sent me here to find a protector. He has high hopes for me, saying I might become the one to break the deadlock of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. Thus, I must not fall easily! He also said his potential to ascend was thanks to my unintentional guidance, or he’d have been stuck at the Ancestor realm forever. Therefore, I carry great destiny, and whoever protects me may break through the Ancestor realm and ascend to the Immortal Realm due to my fortune!”
Mo Fan spouted nonsense with a straight face, hyping himself up to ensure these old monsters valued his safety. Though exaggerated, he believed only such bold claims would make them take him seriously. Why would Ancestor-level demons believe a mere Demon General otherwise?
Sure enough, his seemingly absurd words made the Ancestor demons’ expressions turn grave, sinking into thought.
“You believe the words of a mere Demon General?” Lei Yu Zidian scoffed. “Destiny is mysterious. Even we haven’t fully grasped it, let alone this toad demon. Don’t let him fool you and make fools of yourselves!”
“Shut up!” the golden-armoured giant, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, making Lei Yu Zidian’s face twist in anger.
“Kid, is what you said true?” the giant, Zhan Ao, asked Mo Fan solemnly.
“No joking about this,” Bai Lu added with a sinister smile. “Little toad, we’re Ancestor demons. If you dare deceive us, not only will you die, but all of Black Wind Mountain will be razed!”
Mo Fan felt a chill but, having gone this far, had to keep up the act or risk being torn apart by these youthful-looking old monsters. He looked at Zhan Ao, knowing he was the most powerful of the three Demon Ancestors and his primary target. “Seniors, I wouldn’t dare deceive you!” Mo Fan said calmly.
“Who knows if you’re just bluffing?” Lei Yu Zidian sneered, turning to Bai Lu and Zhan Ao. “I suggest we soul-search this toad to see if he’s lying!”
Mo Fan’s face paled, cursing the old man’s viciousness inwardly.
“Seniors, if you do that, do you think you’ll still share in my destiny?” Mo Fan sneered, not bothering to argue further. He knew these Demon Ancestors were cunning and that Lei Yu Zidian’s attempt to provoke them wouldn’t easily succeed.
As expected, neither Bai Lu nor Zhan Ao took the bait. Instead, they looked at Mo Fan, frowning. “How can we trust you?”
After some thought, Mo Fan said, “I can tell you exactly what I said to guide the White Tiger Saint King!”
“Really?” Bai Lu and Zhan Ao’s eyes lit up.
“Of course, I wouldn’t dare lie to you!” Mo Fan nodded, then glanced at Lei Yu Zidian, who seemed moved. “But I’ll only tell the three seniors. The Wind Thunder Mountain senior keeps targeting me, so he doesn’t need to hear.”
The “three seniors” were Bai Lu, Zhan Ao, and Sparrow Granny.
“Kid, I’m one of the three Demon Ancestors of Phoenix Cry Mountain. Even the Saint King respects me, and you dare try to kick me out? Delusional…” Lei Yu Zidian sneered, but before he could finish, the three Demon Ancestors interrupted him.
“Brother Zidian, this concerns our breakthrough. Please understand and step outside!” The three turned to Lei Yu Zidian, who turned pale with rage but ultimately snorted, transforming into a bolt of lightning and vanishing from the hall.
“Old fool, I may not kill you, but I’ll disgust you!” Mo Fan thought, inwardly delighted.
“Little toad, now you can speak,” Bai Lu said, pulling Mo Fan’s attention back.
Mo Fan nodded and recounted the words he’d spoken to the White Tiger Saint King by the Black Water River. It wasn’t a secret, and since everyone’s path to the Dao was unique, he wasn’t worried.
As expected, his words sent the three Demon Ancestors into deep thought, pondering the principles behind them.
“What a way to follow one’s nature!” a calm voice suddenly sounded behind Mo Fan, startling him.
He turned but saw no one.
“No need to look. It’s me. Didn’t you come to see this Saint?” The voice echoed again, rousing the three Demon Ancestors, who respectfully addressed the scarlet gate: “Saint King!”
“You needn’t ponder further. He likely isn’t lying. The Dao varies by person. Bai Xiaosu was trapped by emotion, stuck in his own mire, unable to break through. Otherwise, with his talent, he’d have taken that step long ago! This little demon’s words helped him break through to the Saint realm. Your paths are different, so pondering further is futile!” The calm voice of the Fire Phoenix Saint King came from the scarlet gate.
“Little toad, what’s your name?” the Fire Phoenix Saint King asked.
“Reporting to the Saint King, my name is Laibao!” Mo Fan quickly bowed toward the scarlet gate.
“Laibao, Laibao… truly a treasure has come!” the Fire Phoenix Saint King murmured, then said, “Laibao is right. He does carry great destiny, but the role of protector won’t fall to you.”
Bai Lu and Zhan Ao, initially excited by the Saint King’s confirmation, were stunned by her next words. “Saint King, I’ve been stuck at the Ancestor realm for three hundred years!” Bai Lu said gravely.
“Three hundred years? I’ve been stuck for five hundred!” Zhan Ao said. “Please, Saint King, grant us this chance!”
Sparrow Granny opened her mouth but said nothing, looking helpless. Though an Ancestor, she held little real power, merely a special servant to the Fire Phoenix Saint King, and didn’t wish to compete with the other two.
“Enough. I summoned Laibao through Little Sparrow because I have a connection with him, not for you to fight over him! Besides, with me here, how could the role of protector fall to you?” The Fire Phoenix Saint King’s words silenced the two Demon Ancestors, their faces filled with shock.
“Old Ao, did I hear that right? The Fire Phoenix Saint King wants to be this toad’s protector?!” Bai Lu gaped, incredulous.
The Fire Phoenix Saint King, one of the nine Saint Kings of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, as a protector?
Zhan Ao opened his mouth, then gave a wry smile. “Zhan Ao obeys!”
Seeing Zhan Ao yield, Bai Lu slapped his head and sighed, “Bai Lu obeys!”
“Little Sparrow, bring Laibao in!” As the Fire Phoenix Saint King spoke, the scarlet gate opened, and a scorching aura surged out, raising the hall’s temperature sharply!
Yet Mo Fan felt no discomfort; with his Fire Spirit Body, he found it pleasant.
Though unsure why the Fire Phoenix Saint King sought him, Mo Fan had no choice but to go. He didn’t believe he truly had a connection with her. His talk of great destiny was fabricated, yet she confirmed it—a stroke of luck that left him uneasy.
“Trouble… I’ve blown this too big…”
