Settling the Score

Mu Chen immediately began hatching a little scheme.

Rumor had it that Lu Ya was the son of Di Jun of the Demon Race, and the youngest of the Three-Legged Golden Crows.

Only after he had been fortunate enough to escape the Great Witch-Demon Catastrophe had he slowly awakened within his eggshell.

During the future Investiture of the Gods, Zhao Gongming would be killed by Lu Ya.

More importantly...

Mu Chen remembered that after the Great Witch-Demon Catastrophe...

Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi had fallen, and Kunpeng had become the leader of the Demon Race.

But as the Demon Race's Demon Master, Kunpeng had not proclaimed himself emperor. Instead, he had seen through the Sages' intentions and devoted himself to remaining hidden.

And the very first thing he had done was recruit Lu Ya under his wing, secretly amassing the Demon Race's strength.

This was deeply strange.

Back then, Mu Chen had offended Kunpeng in order to save Hong Yun.

Yet the latter seemed to have vanished after that encounter, which forced Mu Chen to be cautious.

Mu Chen needed to watch out when dealing with someone so sinister, cunning, and powerful in cultivation.

For all he knew, Kunpeng could be watching him from the shadows at that very moment, ready to launch a sneak attack at any time.

At this thought, Mu Chen immediately said with a beaming smile,

"Xiao Shi, can't beat that Lu Ya, can you?"

The Long-Armed Ape scratched his head in embarrassment.

"That fellow has all sorts of divine abilities and bizarre tricks, is skilled at using Sun True Fire, and has far too many magical treasures. He's truly troublesome to fight."

"My True God Lightning Control Method and innate divine ability can't hit him at all."

Mu Chen waved a hand, utterly unconcerned.

"As the Golden Crows' most treasured crown prince, Lu Ya naturally has many precious inheritances. But I'm no worse. Let me first pass on a few divine abilities and magical treasures to you."

With that, he pointed into the air.

The divine abilities Fiery Golden Eyes and Body-Protecting Fire God Art were transmitted into Xiao Shi's mind.

Then he gently waved his hand again.

An indestructible pillar slowly floated over from the distant sea of clouds, then transformed into a black staff that fit the hand perfectly.

Optimus Prime!

This was a powerful weapon the system had given him back then.

Mu Chen thought some more.

It still seemed a little uncertain.

So he also passed over the Thirty-Six Heavenly Dipper Arts and a drop of the Origin of Water.

After doing all this...

Mu Chen said earnestly,

"Xiao Shi, this amounts to more than half of everything I own. Do me proud, and don't lose again. Give that Lu Ya a proper thrashing for me."

Xiao Shi looked at these divine abilities, each more formidable than the last.

He was utterly stunned.

He had never expected his master to trust him so much.

He was so moved that he nearly burst into tears.

"Thank you, master. I'll definitely defeat that Daoist Lu Ya. I won't disgrace you."

Mu Chen shook his head.

"You don't need to call me master anymore. From today onward, you're my disciple. Remember, you're the only disciple I've ever taken."

"Once you defeat Lu Ya, remember to find out where Demon Master Kunpeng is now."

At first, the Long-Armed Ape was filled with delighted surprise.

Then he scratched his head again and asked blankly,

"Master, isn't Brother Wang your eldest disciple?"

Mu Chen's expression froze.

Then he chuckled and said,

"Aha, I almost forgot until you mentioned it. Then you can be my second disciple!"

The Long-Armed Ape was overjoyed.

"I won't disappoint you, honored master!"

With that, he hurriedly rode a red cloud away.

He planned to find somewhere to cultivate those divine abilities to full mastery, then seek out Lu Ya to settle the score.

After the Long-Armed Ape left...

Mu Chen began preparing to enter seclusion for a while.

He still needed to thoroughly absorb the Jie Sect's teachings that Cult Leader Tongtian had imparted, then stabilize his cultivation realm.

After that, he would make the most of his time and go listen to Yuanshi and Laozi expound the Dao.

After all, the system had only given him a deadline of fifty thousand years.

Yet barely a hundred years had passed...

When, from beyond the sea of clouds...

Prime Minister Turtle's cautious voice drifted in.

"Master, are you there?"