Chapter 420: Just Call Me Little Gold

Just as Yunhe left an imprint in the Gold‑Eating Armored Beast's Demon Sense sea of consciousness, he 'saw' a trace, sensing a clue, never expecting it to be anything other than what he understood.

After the Gold‑Eating Armored Beast's brief explanation, Yunhe finally understood what had happened.

As it turned out, the Late Jie Dan Stage cultivator of the Fan Clan who held the Beast‑Control Talisman did not die in a woman's belly, but was schemed against and killed.

The one who designed his downfall, or rather the demon beast, was the Flame‑Stepping Red Jackal and the Swallow‑Wind Beast mentioned by the Gold‑Eating Armored Beast.

Even the massacre of the entire Fan Clan back then was carried out by these two demon beasts, though the Gold‑Eating Armored Beast ended up taking the blame.

In fact, this Gold‑Eating Armored Beast grew up among human cultivators from a young age, and under the Fan Clan's careful cultivation, after countless generations of Fan Clan cultivators, it managed to break through to the Fourth Level and survive the Heavenly Tribulation of Metamorphosis.

Although after breaking through to the Fourth Level and fully awakening its spiritual intelligence, it indeed felt dissatisfied with existing as a spirit beast, especially being ordered around by a cultivator weaker than itself, which made it quite unwilling.

However, the Gold‑Eating Armored Beast never considered devouring its master; at least, given its cultivation and ability at the time, it had not even thought about it.

This is also why it differs from many demon beasts—it does not especially reject humans, and after realizing it could not defeat Yunhe, it decisively chose to submit and willingly serve.

If it had truly slaughtered the entire Fan Clan that controlled it, and harbored extreme hatred toward human cultivators, it would never submit, even in death.

"I originally didn't take this to heart, but who would have thought that a few years later they would actually destroy the Beast‑Control Talisman, leaving me completely unable to react."

It glanced at Yunhe nervously, seeing no change in his expression, then secretly breathed a sigh of relief and continued:

"After I gained freedom, I originally had no plans, but the Flame‑Stepping Red Jackal invited me to share a 'feast,' which I later learned was nothing less than the entire Fan Clan."

Yunhe furrowed his brows.

Therefore, most cultivators prefer to tame spirit beasts when they are weak, sometimes even starting from the egg.

Precisely because of its upbringing, its way of thinking often resembles that of a human cultivator.

He could sense the Gold‑Eating Armored Beast's regret rising from its heart, regretting that it had not been able to partake in that 'feast' back then.

After all, it is also because it does not especially reject human cultivators.

The Gold‑Eating Armored Beast scratched its head, seeming not to fully understand, and simply spoke honestly:

"I don't know either. I only remember that before the Beast‑Control Talisman was destroyed, the Flame‑Stepping Red Jackal sneaked into the Fan Clan's territory, found me, and asked if I wanted freedom."

First there were the disturbances of the Abyss and Sea Clans, and now a faction called the Demon Alliance has appeared.

Situations like that of the Gold‑Eating Armored Beast are ultimately rare.

After leaving a spiritual imprint in the Gold‑Eating Armored Beast's Demon Sense sea of consciousness, it was clear that everything it said was true.

"Demon Alliance?"

Judging by the name and their actions, it seems to be a force composed of powerful demon beasts, and they are especially hostile toward humans, particularly those who tame demon beasts.

This let Yunhe understand why the Gold‑Eating Armored Beast, after fighting him a few times, chose to seek peace.

"Over a hundred years ago."

He also understood why it was willing to submit.

"What is their purpose in doing this?" Yunhe asked after hearing it.

As he spoke, a hint of embarrassment appeared on its face, and it muttered softly:

"I've been a spirit beast for so long; when someone suddenly asked if I wanted freedom, I of course blurted out 'yes' without thinking."

If the bullfrog slain by Yunhe in Thousand Poison Mountain had been as perceptive, it wouldn't have died.

"Then… then they invited me to join their organization, supposedly called the Demon Alliance, but I refused, sensing they had ulterior motives."

"And then?" Yunhe said lightly.

Yunhe's heart suddenly stirred.

If we estimate by time, it seems not far off from when the Abyss and Sea Clans first began their troubles.

Thinking of this, Yunhe's heart sank continuously.

If the current ethnic turmoil were combined with the demon beasts, things would truly become troublesome.

The Abyss and Sea Clans, at least one resides in the Black Abyss and the other in the Endless Sea, giving them clear defenses and directions to guard against.

But demon beasts are everywhere throughout the Eastern Border cultivation world.

"How much do you know about the Demon Alliance?" Yunhe asked.

The Gold‑Eating Armored Beast shook its head: "Back then I didn't agree, so they didn't tell me much, only saying I would surely join them voluntarily in the future."

They are powerful.

They are sufficiently vigilant and secretive.

Extremely hostile toward humans.

These factors combined force Yunhe to take them seriously.

Yet even taking them seriously, he can find few clues now.

He let out a faint breath.

"Forget it." He flicked his sleeve, "I'll let you rest here for a while."

"Of course no problem, master; what's mine is yours."

The Gold‑Eating Armored Beast dragged its weary body, leading Yunhe toward the Fan Clan's Grand Formation.

Not long ago, the human and demon beast were evenly matched; now they have become master and servant.

Upon entering the Fan Clan's territory, Yunhe found that although the land was ruined, a portion remained remarkably intact.

This also shows that the Gold‑Eating Armored Beast does not especially reject humans, and its grudge against the Fan Clan is not that deep.

"You said earlier that you can fuse and refine metal—what does that mean?" Yunhe, standing on the Gold‑Eating Armored Beast's head and heading toward the central area, suddenly asked.

Upon hearing this, the Gold‑Eating Armored Beast replied, "Master, it is my innate ability: I can swallow ores and metals, refine them inside my body, and the final refined product depends on the quality of the materials consumed."

This made Yunhe's eyes light up slightly.

Wouldn't feeding it large amounts of rare ores yield even stronger materials?

Seeming to guess Yunhe's thought, the Gold‑Eating Armored Beast gave an embarrassed laugh: "The stronger the material swallowed, the longer the refinement takes, and one cannot swallow indiscriminately; if the materials clash, the final product may be far inferior to before."

In its own view, this innate ability, aside from strengthening its golden armor, is rather useless compared to those innate abilities with tremendous combat power.

However, in Yunhe's view, this ability is not bad.

I just don't know how long the refinement takes; if it's a few years, that's fine, but if it's a century, it's really rather useless.

The person and the beast quickly arrived deep within the Fan family's territory.

"Master, this is where I previously cultivated; the spiritual vein density is definitely good."

The Gold-armored Beast brought Yunhe to a cultivation chamber.

Fortunately, it does not constantly maintain its true form like other beasts, so it has not made this place especially messy; rather, it has kept it quite clean and tidy, which Yunhe finds satisfactory.

"First, recover your condition."

Yunhe said.

Given the Gold-armored Beast's current state, extracting its essence blood would definitely harm its foundation; but if it were in peak condition, supplemented with a large amount of elixirs, the side effects could still be minimized.

Moreover, what Yunhe needs is not only its essence blood; its gold armor is also an excellent material for forging Demon-supporting Armor.

Yunhe took out several bottles of elixir.

"Thank you, Master." The Gold-armored Beast forced out a smile.

It still doesn't know that besides drawing blood, Yunhe also intends to give it a "skinning" package.

At the same time, Yunhe released the Cold Chant Flood Dragon and the two poison flood dragons, Xuan Ya and Xuan Lin.

Upon seeing the Fourth Level Gold-armored Beast, they immediately showed wary and apprehensive expressions.

Although they understood what was happening outside while in their spirit beast bags, upon truly seeing the Gold-armored Beast and sensing its aura, they still could not help but display a solemn expression.

"Three flood dragons?" Upon seeing the Cold Chant Flood Dragon and the others, the Gold-armored Beast, aside from a slight surprise, showed little reaction.

"As expected of Master, you have even subdued three flood dragons." The Gold-armored Beast flattered.

It must be said, having grown up in the human cultivator world, it has learned human ways quite convincingly.

"Master?"

The Cold Chant Flood Dragon and the others then looked toward Yunhe.

Yunhe smiled, gently stroked the Cold Chant Flood Dragon's head, felt its cold intent, and said:

"After all, it is a Fourth Level demon beast."

Upon hearing this, the Cold Chant Flood Dragon had not yet spoken when the Gold-armored Beast hastily patted its chest, promising: "Master, rest assured, I will definitely take good care of them."

Yunhe slightly nodded and said to the Cold Chant Flood Dragon: "Take good care of them."

"Ah?"

The Gold-armored Beast stared in surprise.

The Cold Chant Flood Dragon crisply replied: "Oh, I understand, Master."

Yunhe admits he is not a "good" master, because he dislikes the new and tires of the old.

No matter how strong the Gold-armored Beast's strength, in his heart its status remains below that of the Cold Chant Flood Dragon and the others.

After all.

How impressive is it to have flood dragons pulling?

Having an anteater pull a carriage would be rather embarrassing, wouldn't it?

He is, after all, the well‑known and renowned "Old Devil Yun".

Although he is currently out and about, he basically does not need to use his real identity.

After briefly finishing some matters, Yunhe slipped into the cultivation chamber.

This "sword trial" made him realize his many shortcomings in swordsmanship and sword formations, and the "sharp intent" he had grasped also needs to be further solidified.

After entering the cultivation chamber, only the Cold Chant Flood Dragon, the two poison flood dragons, and the Gold-armored Beast remained.

The four demon beasts stared at each other for a long time, and finally the Cold Chant Flood Dragon spoke first:

"Let me first introduce our master."

The Gold-armored Beast pressed its lips together and remained silent.

Because it has been staying in this Fan family territory all along, it knows little about outside events, and is especially curious about this "master".

"Master, whose nickname is 'Old Devil Yun', once managed to wound the mid Nascent Soul stage Ji Huan Lao Zu and the late Nascent Soul great cultivator Wu Xiang Jian Jun while fighting the Thousand-wing Blood Mosquito from the late Fourth Level, and even entered the Cangmo Mountain Secret Realm together with four mid Nascent Soul cultivators, accomplishing what they could not."

As he listened, the Gold-armored Beast's mouth slowly opened wide, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

So its master is this formidable?

"Well, that's roughly what the master has experienced in recent years, along with the reputation he's earned; you must not disgrace his name when you go out." The Cold Chant Flood Dragon said with an arrogant air.

The Gold-armored Beast hurriedly nodded.

"Then us, I am Han Shuang, these are Xuan Ya and Xuan Lin, you are called... Gold-armored Senior?"

"No, call me Gold Armor. Just call me Little Gold is fine."

Had I known Yunhe was this formidable, I wouldn't even stand a chance in a fight.

Why suffer this bodily pain for nothing?

(End of Chapter)