Wen Jue didn’t act immediately; instead, he took a closer look. Was this Shisi’s demon beast?

An Infant-stage demon wolf, comparable to a Human cultivator at the Spirit Transformation Spirit stage. In this world, that would certainly be considered top-tier strength. Shisi was indeed doing quite well for himself.

Little did he know that those two appraising glances of his nearly scared the living daylights out of Duyan. What’s wrong? Why is he looking at me? Did he discover me?

Duyan could even hear his own heart pounding. No, that shouldn’t be possible.

Although this Nascent Soul-stage demon wolf wasn’t his own body, a strand of his spiritual sense had been dwelling within this body for thousands of years. Even Lu Yi shouldn’t be able to tell that there was anything wrong with him.

Sure enough, Lu Yi took just two glances before raising his hand, making a move to attack. Duyan turned pale with shock.

Wait a minute—even if he can’t tell who it is, this frail Spirit Transformation-stage body of his won’t be able to withstand Lu Yi’s attack!!

“Demon Wolf, attack!” Shisi urged from behind, “Aren’t you here to steal the divine artifact? Go on, beat him to death, and the artifact is yours.” Duyan was on the verge of tears.

Can’t he just not steal it?

Wen Jue, however, picked up on something in Shisi’s words. Immediately, he swept his sleeve, and a violent gale erupted.

Tornadoes formed from spiritual energy surged in from all directions, the wind cutting like knives, the spectacle immense.

With his back against the wall, Duyan let out a mighty roar. His form swelled to several times its original size as he lunged toward Wen Jue! Just two more moves—then he’d play dead! With his inner core in his master’s possession, he couldn’t die!

But this lunge missed its mark entirely.

“You insolent fool.” Wen Jue’s voice rang out from behind Duyan. The demon wolf spun around abruptly.

But there was no sign of Wen Jue.

Duyin’s heart sank—it couldn’t even catch a glimpse of its enemy. A Nascent Soul cultivator facing off against a Tribulation Stage cultivator. There was never any question of victory or defeat. At this very moment, it was nothing more than an ant trying to shake a tree!!

A tornado engulfed the entire battlefield, obscuring the aerial combat from those below. The Demon Beast Tamers of the Dark Hall—no, the Thousand Machinations Hall—were anxious and worried—

“Hall Master, we’re here to help you!” 

“Yes, we’re here to help you!”

“Shut up! None of you move!” The voice of Shisi echoed down from above, though he remained unseen. Hearing that he still sounded alert, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing that the Demon Beast Tamer disciples hadn’t moved, the disciples of the Shanning Realm remained still as well. The Sect Master, however, felt a growing sense of confusion.

“They are friends, not enemies.” Qin Zhou suddenly appeared at his side. The Sect Master froze for a moment. “Are you saying…”

“Mm-hmm.” It was exactly as he had suspected.

“But… why are they Demon Beast Tamers?” the Sect Master asked with difficulty. “Demon Beast Tamers kill indiscriminately, targeting spirit beasts and the beast tamers of major sects. Their crimes deserve execution.”

“Demon Beast Tamers kills Beast Tamers, and Beast Tamers would not let them live either,” Qin Zhou said calmly. 

“But…”

“Everyone believes they are the ones upholding justice. I care nothing for the entanglements between you, nor do I advocate for justice on your behalf,” Qin Zhou said. “I only protect my own people.”

It was true that Qin Zhou had created the Spirit Mountain Realm, but beyond that, he was nothing more. He was not the Heavenly Dao, nor was he a god who upheld justice. He was a mortal, and he had his own priorities when it came to others.

Those words were spoken casually. Yet the Sect Master understood their weight.

If the Beast Tamers of Shanning Realm truly intended to keep this group of Demon Beast Tamers, then Senior Qin Zhou might very well stand against them.

“I understand what you mean, Senior Qin Zhou,” the Sect Master said in a solemn tone. “As long as these Demon Beast Tamers do not cause trouble in the Shanning Realm, I can turn a blind eye.”

Qin Zhou gave a soft “hm.”

These words were spoken openly in front of the Elders and disciples of the Shanning Realm present. No one raised an objection. Nor did anyone dare to.

In this unjust world, brute force is the ultimate means of suppression. They were no match for Qin Zhou and Wen Jue—that was a fact. Those who recognize the times are the true heroes.

They had been talking for only a short while when suddenly a figure plummeted from the sky, like a meteor streaking across the heavens. After a thunderous crash, a massive crater appeared on the ground, billowing with smoke and dust.

The crowd held its breath as it looked on. It was the Nascent Soul-stage Demon Wolf that had been howling moments ago. After a long moment, it still hadn’t crawled out of the pit.

Dead?

The crowd was puzzled.

As the dust settled, the tornado dissipated.

Wen Jue and Shisi were still standing in the air, unscathed. The only one injured was Duyan.

“It passed out. What a useless little demon wolf.” Shisi shook his head, chanted an incantation, and summoned Duyan back. “Are we still fighting?” Wen Jue narrowed his eyes.

Shisi chuckled, “No more fighting, no more fighting.”

“But why are you so hot-headed?” Shisi asked, puzzled. “If I didn’t have the demon wolf’s inner core, those few strikes of yours would’ve killed it.”

Wen Jue: “Oh, someone interrupted my fun. Naturally, I’m not happy.”

Shisi shrank his neck. If someone had interrupted his fun, why was he staring at him?

“Shisi,” Qin Zhou called out.

Upon seeing Qin Zhou, Shisi immediately shouted happily, “Village Chief!!”

With a swift spin, Shisi flew down and landed beside Qin Zhou, his eyes sparkling. “I finally found you!” his appearance had changed; he looked a little unfamiliar.

“Yeah, you finally showed up. You’re not completely clueless after all,” Wen Jue said sarcastically from behind.

“I knew you all missed me!” Shisi snorted. “Have you found Third Brother and Zhanyu yet?”

“We’ve found everyone. You’re the slowest.” Shisi looked surprised. “How is that possible?” 

“Senior Shisi!”

Shen Yun hurried over, waving vigorously at him.

Shisi looked up and examined the mountain gate closely. It clearly read “Shanning Realm”—not the Red Cloud Sea.

“Senior Shisi, it’s me, Shen Yun. Have you forgotten me?” Shen Yun said excitedly. If there was one senior in the Zhutian Realm he was closest to, it was undoubtedly Shisi.

Shisi: “I haven’t forgotten you, but what are you doing here?”

“I came here with Senior Qin Zhou and the others!” Shen Yun scratched his head and said happily.

Shisi wrinkled his nose. “Am I really the last one here?”

Shen Yun smiled. “You were a bit late.”

The familiar tone between the two left the disciples of the Shanning Realm utterly stunned. How could the Ruler of the Red Cloud Sea also know this Demon Beast Tamer?

Even the Shanning Realm’s Realm Master’s eyes lost a hint of wariness.

The Red Cloud Sea was a beastmaster sect with a longer history than the Shanning Realm and had always stood in opposition to the Demon Beast Tamer faction. Yet judging by the Red Cloud Sea Lord’s, he actually seemed to be on good terms with this leading Demon Beast Tamer.

There must be some hidden circumstances he was unaware of.

“Since they are friends and not enemies, we should welcome them as guests,” the Sect Master said suddenly. “Everyone, please go inside and talk.”   

“The Sect Master is truly magnanimous,” Shen Yun nodded.

The disciples all stepped aside to make a path.

The gates of Shanning Realm were right before their eyes, yet the group of Demon Beast Tamers fell silent.

Could it really be that one day, they—these Demon Beast Tamers—would actually be able to step through the gates of Shanning Realm?

Shisi: “What are you all standing there for? Let’s go. I’d say the view here is far better than that pitch-black, lightless hall of ours.” Shisi sighed.

“Senior Shisi, the scenery at the Red Cloud Sea is even better than this. Let’s go check it out next time,” Shen Yun said with a smile.

“I was planning to go there. But then I saw the signpost the village chief gave me. I didn’t dare delay, so I rushed over here. I’ll definitely visit your place next time.”

“Alright!”

Wen Jue glanced at Qin Zhou. “Qin Zhou.”

 “Hmm?”

“I have a question. We can recognize that’s Shisi, but how did Shen Yun recognize him?” Wen Jue watched the two figures in the distance, feeling quite puzzled.

It was Shen Yun who had run into the courtyard to announce that Shisi had arrived. But Shisi clearly wasn’t his own body—even his appearance had changed.

“Shen Yun is a simple yet perceptive man,” Qin Zhou said.

“Is that all?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Wen Jue couldn’t figure it out, so he decided not to think about it anymore.

“What about you?”

“What?”

“Earlier, wasn’t there something you didn’t finish telling me?” Wen Jue asked softly. Just as Qin Zhou was about to speak, Shisi’s voice came from ahead—

“Boss! Village Chief! You guys are so slow!”

Wen Jue’s expectant gaze froze.

“I really want to beat the crap out of that kid,” Wen Jue growled through clenched teeth. Qin Zhou reached out and grabbed his hand.

Wen Jue’s stride, which had been about to surge forward, suddenly slowed. His feet felt as if they were stepping on clouds.

“What’s wrong?” Wen Jue asked uneasily. Qin Zhou’s eyes darkened slightly. “Nothing.”

He said this, but he didn’t let go of Wen Jue’s hand. Wen Jue curved his lips slightly. “Oh.”

It seemed he wasn’t the only one displeased by this interruption.

In front of Shanning Realm stood a flight of tall steps leading straight into the mountains, flanked on both sides by dense jungle. The group walked upward slowly, scattered across the path.

“Let me handle your marriage arrangements, okay?”

Hearing this sudden remark, Qin Zhou’s gaze involuntarily fell upon Wen Jue. That familiar face looked decidedly uncomfortable. Given Wen Jue’s temperament, it must have taken a great deal of effort for him to say those words.

Qin Zhou’s expression softened. “Alright.”

How should he put this?

No one is happy to have their proposal interrupted.

But Wen Jue seemed to pick up on his slight displeasure almost immediately. Then, in his own way, he managed to cheer him up again.

From a distance, Shisi saw the two of them walking far behind the crowd. Sensing something, he stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“What’s wrong, Senior Shisi?” Shen Yun asked.

“It seems that while I’ve been away, Lu Yi and the Village Chief have grown even closer,” said Shisi.

Shen Yun was puzzled. “Haven’t they always been this close?” Shisi remained silent.

In the past, when he looked at Lu Yi and the Village Chief, Lu Yi was like an older brother, but the Village Chief was like a father. No matter how much trouble the eldest son caused, the Village Chief would just spoil him and smile. But now, looking at them…

Why did he get the feeling that the two of them looked so well-suited when they stood together?

“Shen Yun.”

“What is it, Senior Shisi?”

Shisi muttered, “Do you have a Dao companion?” 

Shen Yun: !

“I—I don’t have one.” Shen Yun covered his face. “It’s embarrassing to admit, but even though I’m over four thousand years old this year, I haven’t yet had any thoughts of marrying anyone…”

“You’re only four thousand years old?”

“Over four thousand!”

Shisi shook his head, then puffed out his chest. “I’m over nine thousand years old this year. In another two hundred years, I’ll be ten thousand.” 

Shen Yun was surprised. “Senior Shisi, you still look very young.”

“Naturally.” Besides, he had already taken the Soul-Revitalizing Pill; all the damage to his soul had healed, and he would live even longer in the future.

Shisi sighed and patted Shen Yun on the shoulder. “Actually, living this long is kind of boring. It’d be a bit more fun to have a cultivation partner. You should find one when you have the chance.”

Shen Yun scratched his head. “I’ll take Senior Shisi’s advice.” 

But finding a Dao companion was still a matter of fate, wasn’t it?

Suddenly, Shisi sensed something. He looked down to see the Demon Wolf, who had been knocked unconscious, gradually waking up. It had somehow ended up at his feet.

“You’re awake, aren’t you, Demon Wolf?”

The Demon Wolf, however, completely ignored Shisi’s words, his wolfish eyes fixed intently on Qin Zhou, who was chatting and laughing with Wen Jue on the stairs behind them. Shisi assumed he was looking at Lu Yi, so he asked, “You disobedient, rebellious wolf—haven’t you been beaten enough yet?”

Duyan still said nothing. He just kept staring at Qin Zhou.

Found him. This was Lu Yi’s lover. And also… Lu Yi’s inner demon.

Kill him, and he could directly amplify Lu Yi’s inner demon. Once Lu Yi was completely consumed by it, no one in this world would be able to restrain him.

“Thud!”

The demon wolf clutched his head and let out a howl.

“Your eyes look a bit off, little demon wolf,” Shisi said, blowing on his fist. “You aren’t thinking about anything bad, are you?”

Demon Wolf: “N-no, I wasn’t.”

“Senior Shisi, I think I can understand your demon beast speaking now!” Shen Yun exclaimed in surprise. 

Shisi: “…It just spoke in human language. Why wouldn’t you understand?”

Shen Yun: “No wonder it’s Senior Shisi—your magical beast can actually speak human language!”

“You…” The Demon Wolf didn’t finish his sentence; his head went numb, and the look in his eyes as he gazed at Shen Yun suddenly turned strange. How odd—why did he feel an urge to keep this human as a pet the moment he saw him?

Something must be wrong with it.

Otherwise, why would looking at this Shen Yun give it such strange thoughts, while looking at that Qin Zhou down there… actually make it feel a sense of closeness?

“It was looking at you just now,” Wen Jue said suddenly.

Qin Zhou: “Yeah, I saw that.”

Wen Jue wanted to laugh. “That demon beast—does it think it’s hiding really well?”

In truth, with Wen Jue’s keen eyesight, he could also tell that there was a certain dissonance between the Soul-Devourer’s spirit and the demon wolf’s body. This dissonance wasn’t as obvious as a mismatch between goods and their description; rather, the anomaly stemmed from the incompatibility between an overly powerful spirit and a body that was merely at the Nascent Soul stage.

“If it’s a threat, kill it,” Qin Zhou said indifferently.  “What if it isn’t a threat?”

“Then have Shisi keep a close watch on him.” Since the plot had already fallen apart, it wasn’t absolutely necessary to kill Duyan.

Without its original host, the Demon Nightmare is nothing more than a Nascent Soul-stage demon wolf.

Although the lore depicts Duyan as a major villain who has harmed countless figures in the cultivation world, the Spirit Mountain Realm has only been awakened for a mere few decades to a hundred years. They have possessed their own consciousness and transformed into living humans or beasts for only a few decades.

Of course, just as Shen Yun always remembers that he is over four thousand years old, Duyan also possesses memories of the harm he has caused in his mind. However, from Qin Zhou’s perspective, past transgressions should not be pursued; all good and bad deeds should be judged starting from the moment they became living beings.

If Duyan truly reforms, spare him a chance at life; it wouldn’t be out of the question.

“A heartless demon beast, lucky enough to have encountered a benevolent god.” Wen Jue curved his lips into a smile. Qin Zhou could only smile helplessly.

He was merely giving it a chance.

Whether it lives or dies is entirely up to him.

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Hiii!! With other stories about to end, here are our new ones. Check them out:

Global Survival: From a Small Wooden Cabin to a Magic Farm
Island Survival: Life-Type Player Farms and Hoards Goods.
Lord of the Wastelands
Transmigrating to the Beast World to Farm and Raise a Wolf