After Earth Demon Old Ghost appeared, he immediately turned his gaze toward Shen Shihuang.
However.
The auras of Heaven Eye Pupil Elder and the other two instantly extinguished Earth Demon Old Ghost's smug excitement.
Dou Zun experts!!
"You all actually broke through?"
Earth Demon Old Ghost asked in disbelief.
Gai Shentong looked at Earth Demon Old Ghost with a genial smile. "Earth Demon Old Ghost, could it be that you think breaking through to Nine-Star Dou Zong means you can take us on?"
Earth Demon Old Ghost's eyes flickered. "The three of you, this kid and I have some grievances. Besides, he doesn't have much of a connection to any of you, does he?"
Heaven Eye Pupil Elder heard this.
He asked, "So what are you planning to do?"
Earth Demon Old Ghost gave a sinister smile and looked at Shen Shihuang. "Kid, back in Jade City, you nearly got this old man killed. Don't tell me that has nothing to do with you!"
As he spoke.
Earth Demon Old Ghost sprang into action, clearly intent on killing Shen Shihuang right there.
He had witnessed Shen Shihuang's abilities. Even when Shen Shihuang had been a One-Star Dou Zong, Mo Tianxing hadn't been his match. Now Shen Shihuang was already a Four-Star Dou Zong, and Earth Demon Old Ghost hadn't been very confident against him even at his own former strength of Seven-Star Dou Zong.
But now.
He was a Nine-Star Dou Zong.
His chances had improved greatly.
"Alas!"
Chu Shanwang sighed. Before Shen Shihuang could react, Chu Shanwang appeared in front of him.
Chu Shanwang threw a punch.
Earth Demon Old Ghost spat out a huge mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward.
Bang!!
Earth Demon Old Ghost crashed to the ground and looked at Chu Shanwang, who had struck him.
"Chu Shanwang..."
Earth Demon Old Ghost couldn't understand.
Shen Shihuang barely knew the three of them, so why had Chu Shanwang stepped in to help him?
Chu Shanwang gave Earth Demon Old Ghost a cool glance. "It seems letting you in was a mistake!"
Just as Chu Shanwang was about to strike again.
A massive figure charged toward Earth Demon Old Ghost. It was none other than the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python.
The Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python arrived above Earth Demon Old Ghost, and a black beam of light shot from its mouth, striking him.
Boom!
Like thunderclap from a clear sky, Earth Demon Old Ghost's body exploded with force. Vast energy spilled out of him, and his aura rapidly weakened.
Until he was back to Seven-Star Dou Zong.
Seeing this scene.
Heaven Eye Pupil Elder and the other two were stunned as well. Earth Demon Old Ghost had just broken through, only to be knocked right back to where he started?
Earth Demon Old Ghost felt his strength being dispelled, and his expression changed dramatically.
His entire body turned into a cloud of Blood Mist and vanished.
The Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python returned to Shen Shihuang's side. Unlike before, this time it actually spoke.
"His power came from beneath the abyss. He hasn't fully fused the strength he obtained with his own body. I scattered all the power he gained. This time, he'll only be injured; his strength won't increase at all."
The voice belonged to a man.
But it was strangely soft and feminine.
Shen Shihuang looked at the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python and asked curiously, "I don't think we've met before. So why would you...?"
Black mist billowed from the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python.
Within the swirling haze.
A black-robed man with delicate, feminine features stepped out. On his brow was a miniature Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python mark, its black glow faintly shimmering.
"You've taken human form?"
At the sight of the man, Heaven Eye Pupil Elder and the others edged closer to Shen Shihuang without realizing it. They were even preparing their Dou Techniques.
In response.
The man merely glanced at them. His vertical pupils had been cold, but when he looked at Shen Shihuang, they seemed to warm.
"We haven't met."
"But."
"I once swore an oath: whoever could remove the flame from my body, I would pledge myself to him."
"Now you've removed the flame from my body, and you're also the master of this flame. There's no reason I shouldn't pledge myself to you," the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python said. "This flame has tormented me and held back my growth, but the benefits I've gained from it are just as unimaginable."
"Since you're the master of this flame, I can pledge myself to you and continue enjoying its benefits, without letting it hold back my growth any longer."
"What a good deal. I'm not a fool."
Shen Shihuang looked at the man.
He couldn't find a single reason to argue with him.
The man continued, "Most importantly, if I pledge myself to you, I can help you kill people, and I can also serve as your mount."
"What do you say?"
At the words "serve as your mount."
Heng General crawled out of Shen Shihuang's arms, its large eyes fixed on the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python.
Heaven Eye Pupil Elder and the other two showed no reaction at the sight of Heng General. But the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python's vertical pupils narrowed slightly, and his breathing seemed to grow heavier. Then a smile spread across his face.
"Then it's settled!"
The Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python waved his hand. The square instantly vanished, replaced by a vortex just as large.
Everyone present fell straight into the vortex.
Barren Mountain.
After Shen Shihuang bade farewell to the three seniors, the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python stood quietly behind him.
"You know Heng General?"
Shen Shihuang asked.
The Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python nodded, still smiling. "At first, I only thought you possessed such a wondrous Heavenly Flame. But now, I think there may be even greater benefits in staying by your side."
"Origin Beast."
"Thunder Origin Beast."
"Not just anyone can get one of those, and you're only a Four-Star Dou Zong."
Shen Shihuang: "...!"
Heng General sprang out of Shen Shihuang's arms and instantly grew larger. Shen Shihuang and Zi Yan climbed onto its back, while the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python followed close beside them.
"Let's go find somewhere quiet. I'm going into seclusion."
Now that his Ten Thousand Year Technique had advanced, he still hadn't had the chance to discover all its benefits. Before returning to Jia Nan Academy, he needed to fully understand the Ten Thousand Year Technique.
"By the way, should I call you Earth Fiend from now on?" Shen Shihuang thought of the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python and asked.
Earth Fiend nodded. "Sure."
"Are you a One-Star Dou Zun now?" Shen Shihuang asked again.
Earth Fiend looked at Shen Shihuang and said, "If you're willing to help me with your Heavenly Flame, I can reach Five-Star Dou Zun within a month."
At that.
Shen Shihuang could only sigh. "You've really been building up your strength all this time!"
Who knew just how deep the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python's reserves ran?
Heng General carried Shen Shihuang and the others to a desolate place, where no living creatures could be seen as far as the eye could reach.
"There really are plenty of desolate places in the Black-Corner Region."
They picked a spot at random. Zi Yan, Heng General, and Earth Fiend stood guard not far from Shen Shihuang.
"Ten Thousand Year Technique."
Shen Shihuang knew that after the Ten Thousand Year Technique advanced, a wondrous sensation had lingered in his heart.
"Whoosh!"
As Shen Shihuang circulated the Ten Thousand Year Technique, the Taisui Flame inside his body stirred. The Sea Heart Flame appeared before him as well.
The energy of heaven and earth surged wildly around them.
He didn't know whether it was because of the flames or the technique...