Chapter 509 - 508 Greedy Wolf, Hunting Time

Endowed with the Original Fortune, the presence of the Venerable level of Zhong Jian could not be suppressed and kept rising.

In the blink of an eye.

The health bar, which was initially displayed as 18216 over his head, was increased to 18999.

As shown by Essence Source, it soared directly from 3114396 to a tremendous 4289964.

The visible increase in numerical values was seen by Li Jing, clearly indicating to him that Shadow Demon Zhong Jian has benefited greatly from the Original Fortune, and stirring up his interest.

This Shadow Demon...

Gets fattened in the blink of an eye.

It might be better to slaughter...

Of course.

Li Jing only thought about it.

From the moment he "wanted" Zhong Jian to come over, he never thought of slaughtering this Shadow Demon.

Admittedly.

Killing the previous Zhong Jian would have been enough for him to increase four to five levels on the spot, and now he can even increase one to two more levels.

But people...

Need to learn how to calculate their chances!

What is behind Zhong Jian?

A group of powerful Shadow Demons who have formed a group, and possibly even other Alien Species!

Sparing Zhong Jian’s life can yield many information about the Alien Species in his "big collective" and even their current location.

This is definitely more beneficial than killing him!

Returning to the matter at hand.

Getting Zhong Jian to speak honestly would be difficult.

Both kindness and strictness are necessary.

As long as the rewards are appropriate, there would be no issue for discussion.

After the health bar and Essence Source values shot up, Zhong Jian’s Venerable level presence continues to rise, but it seems that he has reached a threshold, so the health bar and Essence Source values did not continue to increase.

After a good while.

Zhong Jian’s Venerable level aura stopped rising, and then slowly retreated inward.

After calming his own aura, Zhong Jian looked up and clenched his fists, speaking with a slightly trembling voice.

"Thank you, my lord, for giving me such a great opportunity. Although my cultivation level is not good enough to make use of the Original Fortune to break through to the peak of the Venerable level, the path ahead is already somewhat clear. Given three thousand years, I can step into the peak of the Venerable level."

"..."

Li Jing.

Seeing that Zhong Jian seemed to have encountered some kind of restriction, he, who could see the health bar and Essence Source values, knew at a glance.

However, what Zhong Jian said at this moment was somewhat disappointing to him.

This little brother.

He must be received.

Originally, he thought he could harvest the Latter Venerable or even peak levels, and then have a breakthrough into higher levels as his helper, but he didn’t expect that Zhong Jian had benefited so much, but was stuck at the Middle Venerable level and even needed three thousand years to break into the Latter stage.

This...

Speaking truthfully, it’s a bit wasteful!

If it were Blue Phoenix who received the Original Fortune, it might have the potential to challenge the realm above Venerable.

Seeing a man not speaking, just frowning and looking at him, a hint of cold sweat ran down Zhong Jian’s forehead unknowingly.

Although he didn’t know what was going on, he had a strange sense of impending crisis in his heart, and this sense of crisis became more and more intense with someone’s gaze, making him have the impulse to turn and run.

Struggling to suppress the impulse in his heart, Zhong Jian carefully stated.

"My lord...my lord, I should have a lot of questions that need to be answered. Why don’t we sit down and talk slowly?"

Seeing such a self-aware person, Li Jing sighed softly.

"There’s no need for the trouble, just let down your psychic defenses, let me read your memory."

"Yes."

Zhong Jian didn’t hesitate, he decisively complied and let down his psychic defenses.

Having tasted the big sweetness, and it’s actually a big chunk of sweetness, he was completely devoted to this man without the need for any mental branding or restrictions.

Without going into other matters.

Just the gift of the Original Fortune, allowing him to glimpse the possibility of stepping into the peak of Venerable, this was enough for him to understand that following Li Jing, his future and prospects would be bright.

Former master?

Go to hell!

As long as he was given enough time.

When they meet again in the future, he might not be afraid of the other party.

His former master was just at the peak of Latter Venerable, and had not achieved the status of an Emperor, at most just stronger than the peak of Latter Venerable.

In comparison.

The master before him was a person with an independent world.

Although he was currently only at Tenth Realm, he already had the capital to claim the title of Emperor.

What’s more.

Unless he encounters an Emperor, he, who possesses the Little Universe, might lose, but he will never have to, no one can do anything about it.

As Zhong Jian let down his psychic defenses, Li Jing didn’t bother with politeness and pointed out with a finger.

Subsequently, Li Jing’s expression became strange.

Zhong Jian was only at the Early Venerable level.

Expecting him to fully understand the group behind him would be unscientific.

After all, the other party had big plans.

With big plans naturally came a large force.

An Early Venerable wouldn’t necessarily have a high position within the group.

In this regard, Li Jing was mentally prepared in advance.

And indeed, it was so.

Zhong Jian had a very famous name in the group behind him.

Namely, Greedy Wolf.

They existed in a form similar to a special portal.

Inside the Greedy Wolf group.

Zhong Jian was only a "Venerable King" of the third rank.

Above him were all "Imperial Honors", who were at the latter stage of the Venerable Realm, plus seven "Honors Alone" at the peak of the Venerable Realm.

Honorable King, Imperial Honor, Emperor Honor.

This is the hierarchy created by Zhong Jian’s behind-the-scenes group.

This situation honestly left Li Jing somewhat at a loss for words.

All are Venerables, yet they’ve graded themselves into three levels based on their strength and status.

The highest level is bluntly named ’Emperor Honors’.

Isn’t this a title that only an Emperor deserves?

Peak Venerables calling themselves Emperor Honors, where did they get such confidence?

It’s worth mentioning that.

Among the seven "Honors Alone" who hold absolute dominance in the Greedy group, at least two are humans.

Zhong Jian is affiliated with the Shadow Honors Alone and doesn’t know much about the other six Honors Alone.

He only knows that such people exist, but he doesn’t know their specific identities.

The so-called Shadow Honors Alone.

He is just a Shadow Demon at the peak of the Venerable Realm.

Zhong Jian’s memory does not contain his specific name.

But there is clear information in his memory that the Shadow Honors Alone is a Shadow Demon exiled by the Northern Immortal Domain, he had to come to the Eastern Immortal Domain only after failing to survive in the Northern Immortal Domain.

Zhong Jian and his fellow shadow demons were exiled together following him.

This can be used as useable information.

Knowing that he is an exiled Shadow Demon, the Eastern Emperor Donghua should be able to ask Emperor Beiming about it.

At that time, it will likely become clear who the Shadow Honors Alone is.

The other information in Zhong Jian’s memory is insignificant.

This frustrated Li Jing.

Zhong Jian didn’t even know why the Seven Greedy Honors Alone gathered together.

He only knew that each of the Seven Greedy Honors Alone has considerable individual power, and each has clearly defined roles carrying out various secret activities throughout the Eastern Immortal Region.

The main task of Shadow Honors Alone is to instruct the Shadow Demons under his command to infiltrate the major cities and forces of the Eastern Immortal Region.

Zhong Jian didn’t know to what extent the Eastern Immortal Domain had been infiltrated now.

The limited information in Zhong Jian’s memory made Li Jing extremely unsatisfied.

What excited him though was.

Zhong Jian knows everything about the Cangming region.

As a matter of fact.

As an Honorable King, he is the "in charge" of half of the Shadow Demons active in the Cangming Territory.

Half of the Shadow Demons follow his instructions.

The Star God Temple is their den.

The other half of the Shadow Demons active in the Cangming Region are under the jurisdiction of another Shadow Demon Honorable King, and their nest is within the Temple of Heavy Sun, ranked 8th among the Nine Great Immortal Gates of Cangming Region.

After finishing his scrutiny of Zhong Jian’s memory, Li Jing pointed to the Qingyuan Fairy Palace.

"That’s the Qingyuan Fairy Palace, there’s an Enlightenment Stone imprinted with a special inheritance, you can go and have a look at it in your free time, it might be beneficial for you to do so."

Upon hearing these words, Zhong Jian was taken aback.

The Enlightenment Stone.

This is an extremely rare treasure.

It could even be said to be more precious than the Life Tree.

After all, it is a rare item that can directly deepen understanding.

While obtaining the full growth of the Life Tree is extremely difficult, the Immortal Medicine is only a little special among the rare Heavenly Treasures.

Li Jing had such a thing and suggested that he could study it whenever he wanted, this excited Zhong Jian to no end.

This master is the real deal.

Just as he was about to speak, Li Jing spoke in a calm tone.

"Stay humble in the Little Universe, don’t feel superior because of your higher cultivation level. If you hurt someone or something, don’t blame me for being ruthless."

"..."

Zhong Jian.

People, he could understand.

Those who could enter the Little Universe were undoubtedly Li Jing’s entourage.

They were not to be offended, let alone attacked.

But...

Why are items included too?

Was a shadow demon like him, at the mid-stage of the Venerable Realm, so ’worthless’?

Would he die if he broke something!?

Although he was thinking like this in his head, Zhong Jian of course didn’t dare to voice it out.

"Master, rest assured, Zhong Jian will not act recklessly here, I will be a good Shadow Demon."

Li Jing’s mouth twitched at his words.

A good Shadow Demon, really?

Shadow Demons were "made" in the Northern Immortal Domain.

What is the Northern Immortal Domain like?

Everywhere there were aggressive, inhuman and inanimate existences.

Even many of them, when coming into contact with living things, would flick a switch and couldn’t resist wanting to go on a killing spree...

Compared to other species in the North Continent, Shadow Demons are considered to be more "kind", but their nature is not good.

After all, there are no creatures of good nature in the entire Northern Immortal Domain.

With a secret shake of his head, Li Jing rose.

"I will find you when I need you, the rest is up to you."

With that, he waved his hand and "invited" Zhong Jian out of Canglong Mountain, where the Seven-Star Formation was located, and then left the Little Universe with a thought.

...

The Immortal Music Palace.

The place of Tong Rou’s palace.

Li Lingyin sat on the windowsill holding a gourd of wine, lost in thought.

Having been the Domain Lord for nearly a thousand years, she has always been leisurely, rarely busy, and everything in the domain has always been smooth.

She had never felt this powerless since becoming the Domain Lord.

There was a major crisis in her territory, but all she could do now was sit here.

With a sigh, Li Lingyin reached for the wine gourd and indulged herself in drinking.

After several sips of fine wine, her gloomy mood was swept away.

Melancholy sentiments were not for Li Lingyin.

At most, she allowed herself a brief period of seclusion.

As a certified drunkard, this was her coping mechanism.

How did the saying go?

Drowning sorrows in wine would only intensify them.

If she didn’t maintain a pleasant mood, even the finest wine would not taste the same.

After a hearty binge, Li Lingyin smacked her lips with satisfaction and put down the wine gourd.

As she was considering whether to go for a walk, a spatial rift quietly tore open in the room and Li Jing stepped out.

Catching sight of him, Li Lingyin raised an eyebrow.

"You’re back already? Have you already beaten that Shadow Demon into submission?" she asked.

"Strictly speaking, I wouldn’t say beaten into submission, but he’s mine now," Li Jing responded with a smirk.

???

Li Lingyin.

His offhand comment "he’s mine now" left her momentarily speechless.

For a split second, she thought she might be hearing things.

Does this mean...

Li Jing had successfully managed to turn this Venerable Realm Shadow Demon to his side in such a short period of time?

Preposterous!

Utterly preposterous!

As she saw it,

Li Jing’s entry into the Little Universe should have resulted in a struggle against the Shadow Demon, resistance, and ultimately yielding under his might. That was the process she had anticipated.

But clearly, this was not the case.

As Li Jing nonchalantly came over to sit down, Li Lingyin habitually passed him the wine gourd she had been drinking from before she asked him,

"So, he’s told you everything he needed to expose?"

"No."

Li Jing shook his head as he took the gourd.

Li Lingyin frowned at his response.

He had already won this individual over, hadn’t he?

They hadn’t talked?

Just as she was about to voice her confusion, Li Jing took a sip of wine and grinned.

"I had him lower his guard and read his memories."

"..."

Li Lingyin.

For some reason, she felt the urge to punch him.

Annoyed, she snatched the wine gourd back from him and took another round of gulps.

After drinking to contentment, she spoke up.

"What did you learn from the Shadow Demon’s memory?"

"Not much useful information, but it should be enough to report back to Eastern Emperor Donghua."

Li Jing replied, revealing what he had learned about Greedy Wolf.

Upon hearing the revelations, Li Lingyin fell silent.

Seven Venerables at the peak of the Latter Venerable Realm.

Inclusive of alien species like the Shadow Demon and at least two human forces, as well as various Sovereign Kings and Sovereign Emperors.

This limited information was enough for her to understand that Greedy Wolf’s clandestine power far surpassed that of the Nine Great Immortal Gates, such as the Immortal Music Palace, and not just by a little bit.

Such a powerful force operating in the Eastern Immortal Domain would undoubtedly have a significant impact.

However, up until now, no one had ever heard of such an organized entity.

There have always been those in the Eastern Immortal Domain who are restless individuals or organizations.

Yet no one has hidden their influence as well as Greedy Wolf, the Eastern Immortal Domain can’t even compare and it rarely happened throughout history.

She rubbed her temples and asked,

"Did the Shadow Demon have any information about our Cangming Realm in his memory?"

"Yes, quite detailed."

Li Jing replied, reaching out his hand.

"Give me the Domain Lord Token, I’ll handle it. There’s no need for you to worry."

?

Li Lingyin was taken aback.

She didn’t care about any other place, but this was different.

And frankly,

She didn’t even worry about what Greedy Wolf, with such a massive covert force, could be up to.

It wasn’t her place to interfere.

Why bother?

But the Cangming Realm was different.

This, after all, was her territory.

Even if she knew she couldn’t manage everything, she should at least show some concern.

Li Jing had obtained detailed information about the situation in the Cangming Realm, which pleased her.

Understanding the situation and having the help of Donghua Immortal Palace’s spies, handling things shouldn’t be too hard.

But all Li Jing did was say, "I’ll solve this, you don’t have to worry." How could she not be puzzled?

"Give me ten days. I’ll clear out all the Shadow Demons operating in the Cangming Realm. If everything goes smoothly, it might not even take that long."

Li Jing smiles, saying.

"For convenience, I need the Domain Lord Token."

As someone met his words, Li Lingyin looked weird.

Ten days.

Even with specific information, and spies from Donghua Immortal Palace at work, it’d still be challenging to clear the entire Cangming Realm in such a short period. Moreover, they had to be careful not to startle the enemy.

If Li Jing claimed this, he must be quite confident.

Therefore...

After a moment of hesitation, Li Lingyin took out her Domain Lord Token without passing it over, asking.

"The Donghua Immortal Palace has already intervened, why are you so enthusiastic?"

"To ease your burden."

Li Jing replied, saying.

"Aren’t we friends? I can’t just sit by and watch the realm you’re responsible for fall into chaos."

That was obviously an evasive answer, which made Li Lingyin roll her eyes.

"In our Cangming Region, there should be more than one Venerable Realm Shadow Demon?"

"There’s another one, in the Gong of the Heavy Sun."

Li Jing responded, saying.

"Don’t worry, after taming Zhong Jian, dealing with another Venerable Shadow Demon would not be a problem for me."

As she learned that the Gong of the Heavy Sun, which was also one of the Nine Great Immortal Gates, had been tainted by the Shadow Demon, Li Lingyin’s face darkened. She silently handed over the Domain Lord Token to him.

Even the Venerable-level was taken into consideration, Li Jing was obviously clear about what he was doing.

Although she had no idea what made him confident to handle another Venerable Shadow Demon with just a Venerable’s underling.

But leaving the matter to him was not a bad idea.

She had witnessed Li Jing’s extraordinary strength.

Perhaps, he could bring her a surprise...

Li Jing received the Domain Lord Token and stowed it away with a grin.

"Send a message to Donghua Immortal Palace later on, I’ll finish the job quickly and come back to find you."

After saying that, he waved his hand and turned the Smoke Eye into its original mask form, tore open the space and stepped in.

Just like that, Li Jing left, which left Li Lingyin stunned.

Deeming him not to be a reckless person, she sat down without concern, closed her eyes, and her Primordial Spirit left the body and headed to Donghua Immortal Palace.

...

Meanwhile.

Li Jing tore open the space and returned to the outskirts of Phoenix Sun County.

There were also forces around Phoenix Sun County that had been secretly infiltrated by the Shadow Demon.

To clean up, he had to start from here.

After all, it was necessary to prioritize securing Chen Tang City first.

He waved his hand and took out the Flying Sword Blue Edge. He rose into the sky and made his way straight to the War Spirit League, a fifth-grade force near Phoenix Sun County.

It took some time to find the place.

After making a lap, Li Jing left directly.

The moment the War Spirit League noticed someone flying across the sky with a Half-step Taoist Artifact, even before they could get nervous, he had already left, leaving everyone in the War Spirit League perplexed.

In broad daylight.

Suddenly, someone flew over with a Half-step Taoist Artifact and broke into the War Spirit League.

Everyone thought some trouble was coming, but he just made a lap?

What was going on?

...

The same thing happened intermittently over the next week to doorways and cities across the Cangming Region that had been infiltrated by the Shadow Demon.

It gave the Cangming Region a sense of an impending storm, leaving all the forces and cities on edge.

The problem was, no one knew what Li Jing was up to.

In fact, no one even saw him...

The speed of Flying Sword Blue Edge was so fast it reached an extreme.

Li Jing just came and went, how could that not make everyone anxious?

But Li Jing didn’t care about that.

He just went everywhere.

By the eighth day, he successfully "hit" all the spots and arrived at a suburb near the Gong of the Heavy Sun that he had saved for last.

Landing, he stood and summoned Zhong Jian.

Over these days.

Zhong Jian had been soaking in Qingyuan Fairy Palace.

How good was the Enlightenment Stone?

Those who hadn’t seen it wouldn’t know, while those who had would wish to live there.

Suddenly dragged out, Zhong Jian paused for a moment, then quickly bowed.

"Master, what do you need me for?"

"Next, I’m going to start hunting Shadow Demons within the scope of the Cangming Region."

Li Jing spoke.

???

Zhong Jian.

Hunting the Shadow Demons of the entire Cangming Region!?

Li Jing alone?

While he was still confused, Li Jing said.

"The one in the Gong of the Heavy Sun is of Venerable Realm, which will be challenging for me to deal with. I need your assistance. Remember to restrain and wound it, do not kill it directly."

Before Zhong Jian could respond, Li Jing raised his hand and formed a seal.

The next second.

The sky and earth changed color.

???

Zhong Jian.