Star-Devouring

The Netherblood Sect.

Deep within the dungeon.

Hongwu leaned against the bars.

Outside stood a one-eyed Demon Sect guard, idly tossing a low-grade blood crystal in his hand.

"My lord," Hongwu said, lowering his voice, "guarding us condemned men day after day must be dull work for you."

The one-eyed guard shot him a sidelong glance and snorted. "What, you old bag of bones? Tired of living? Want to enter the pill furnace early?"

"Of course not."

Hongwu gave a couple of dry chuckles.

He carefully drew out a dark yellow pearl.

It was a treasure he had obtained back in the Nine Provinces.

He had kept it hidden between his teeth all this time. Even that Demon Sect witch had failed to find it.

"My lord, this little thing isn't worth much, but it should fetch a few pots of fine wine at the market." Hongwu offered him the pearl.

The guard's eye lit up. He snatched the pearl and hefted it in his hand.

"At least you know what's good for you, old bastard." The guard grinned.

"My lord." Hongwu rubbed his hands together. "I just want to see some news from home before I die. Could you lend me your Void Terminal for a quick look? Just a few minutes!"

The guard frowned.

But he glanced at the beast core in his hand, then at Hongwu's miserable, half-dead figure.

"Fine. Three minutes!" He snorted, unfastened his Void Terminal, and tossed it over. "Try anything funny, and I'll skin you alive right now!"

"I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare!"

Hongwu nodded repeatedly, then turned and hurried into a corner.

Yu Qian was already waiting there. They exchanged a glance, each seeing the urgency in the other's eyes.

"Hurry." Yu Qian's voice trembled.

With shaking fingers, Hongwu opened the