Yuan Zun continued, “Your Master once roamed the Mysterious Realm, searching tirelessly for this Earth Spirit Core, but regrettably, I never found it even until things went wrong.”
“From what you say, Master, we’ve really struck it lucky this time. Will this help restore your cultivation?”
Ling Xiao was thrilled inside, though his face showed concern.
On one hand, he needed to improve his own cultivation to face various challenges; on the other, strengthening his backer’s power was definitely not a bad thing.
Once Yuan Zun recovered, the help he could provide would be immense.
“Thanks for your kindness, but to restore my strength, I don’t rely on the Earth Spirit Core. Anyway, I’ve waited this long, so a bit more time doesn’t matter. Once your cultivation grows stronger, you can help me find what I need.”
Yuan Zun had once been desperate to regain his human form and strength, but after so long, he’d become more composed, losing the urgency of the past.
“I’ll take it now!”
Ling Xiao declared.
“That won’t be easy. The Evil Beast Demon King stayed in this cave and could only use Earth Spirit Stones, unable to harness the Earth Spirit Core. If even he couldn’t take it, how could you?”
Yuan Zun gave a wry smile.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way. What he couldn’t do, I might just manage.”
Ling Xiao wasn’t being arrogant; he had the Mountain River Martial Soul, something the Evil Beast Demon King couldn’t compare to.
Yuan Zun shook his head, not stopping Ling Xiao. Young people needed setbacks to learn how tough the world could be, or they’d never take lessons to heart.
But moments later, his eyes widened, even more than when he first saw the Earth Spirit Core.
“Bloody hell, how did you do it?”
The Earth Spirit Core was gone!
He saw with his own eyes Ling Xiao store it in his storage ring!
How was that possible?
“Master, never mind how I did it. Now that we’ve got it, the next step is dealing with the Evil Beast Demon King!”
Ling Xiao didn’t want to explain.
The more he said, the more likely he’d slip up, and covering lies later would be troublesome.
“Fair enough, but what about those people in the prison?”
Yuan Zun asked.
“Naturally, I’ll make them owe me a favour. They seem to be warriors from the Heavenly Dragon Continent. If I ever need help in the future, it’s good to have friends.”
Ling Xiao thought for a moment.
“But some might not appreciate your kindness and could even try to kill you!”
Yuan Zun warned.
“I know that. That’s why I’ll wait until we’ve dealt with the Evil Beast Demon King, then release them with the Moon Maiden. If anyone dares disrespect me, I’ll just take them out. Ungrateful sorts are useless anyway.”
Ling Xiao smiled.
“Looks like I was worrying for nothing. You’re not foolish.”
Yuan Zun yawned, “I’m knackered. The Earth Spirit Core lured me out, but I’m still exhausted. I’ll sleep a bit more. Get moving, and if you need help, just call. I’m mostly recovered.”
“Got it!”
Ling Xiao stored Yuan Zun back in the beast ring, then left the side passage and entered the one where the Evil Beast Demon King was recovering.
But just as he entered, a roar echoed.
Then, the massive cocoon shattered, and a silkworm emerged!
It was two to three metres long, its body like white jade, strikingly beautiful.
Yet also somewhat menacing.
Imagine a silkworm two to three metres long! Worse, its body was as thick as a water barrel, practically a short, fat python.
“Evil Beast Demon King?”
Ling Xiao sensed the aura of the Evil Beast Demon King from this fat silkworm, though much weaker than before.
“Heh, this guy must hate you to death. He stayed here to heal because he could absorb the Earth Spirit Core’s energy. Now that you’ve taken it, he can’t continue recovering.”
Yuan Zun’s voice sounded again.
“No way, then why didn’t he just heal right next to the Earth Spirit Core?”
Ling Xiao asked, puzzled.
“Idiot, you can’t set up formations near the Earth Spirit Core. To heal, he needed to create a small Ten Thousand Beasts Blood Refining Array.”
Yuan Zun replied, “Enough about that. Hurry and finish him off. He’s very weak now!”
“Master, are you messing with me? Even if he’s weak, I can’t take him on. I planned to ambush him while he was healing. Now that he’s awake, we should slip away and let the Moon Maiden deal with him.”
Ling Xiao wasn’t so arrogant. He knew that even with his temporary Half-Step Heavenly Venerable strength, he couldn’t face the Evil Beast Demon King head-on. That was suicide.
The Evil Beast Demon King, fresh from the cocoon, saw Ling Xiao, and old and new grudges erupted, turning its jade-white body crimson with rage.
The silkworm’s expression grew ferocious.
“Run!”
Ling Xiao had one thought. With the Earth Spirit Core in hand, even if he couldn’t kill the Demon King, he’d made a fortune. If he could escape, this was a guaranteed win.
But this time, he was in trouble.
The chubby Evil Beast Demon King was faster than him, instantly blocking the exit, leaving him no way out.
Ling Xiao’s forward charge stopped abruptly.
This Demon King was cunning. If he’d attacked directly, Ling Xiao could’ve used his true essence to escape.
But instead, the Demon King didn’t attack, just blocked the only exit, ready to deal with him thoroughly.
The giant silkworm eyes glared at Ling Xiao, burning with anger and killing intent.
An ant he’d once ignored had repeatedly ruined his plans. He was not happy!
Very not happy!
“Kid, you’re not going anywhere today. This King will make you suffer, so you’ll know the consequences of crossing the Nine Demon Kings of the True Demon Empire!”
The Evil Beast Demon King roared, the howling wind sending Ling Xiao flying back, crashing heavily into the cave wall.
Bloody hell, this guy was too strong. Just a breath was that fierce?
Though uninjured, escaping was now a big problem.
Was the Primordial Golden Dragon form his only option?
There was no other way.
“Kid, need my help?”
Yuan Zun asked.
“Not yet. The line between life and death is where potential is unleashed.”
Ling Xiao shook his head, declining Yuan Zun’s offer.
