The Virtue-Donkey galloped through the forest, and in the thunderous echo behind, Bai Shuo glanced back, mouth agape.
The wooden pig talisman, which was just the size of a palm, had expanded to half the size of a house, sprouting two small golden wings on its back as it charged toward the Cloudfire Arrows. The clash of light was blinding, forcing Bai Shuo to turn away.
The Virtue-Donkey’s hooves pounded faster, carrying them farther from the forest. Bai Shuo clutched Chong Zhao tightly to keep him from slipping off, too focused to look back.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest, the wooden pig talisman opened its mouth wide, swallowing the Cloudfire Arrows whole. Fu Ling spat blood, staring in shock at the newly manifested spirit beast.
A pig with wings? What in the world was this creature? And it was on the verge of reaching semi-divine status? It made sense now why Fan Yue, a high-ranking demon lord, had been able to grow Hao Yue Hall’s influence in the Far North.
The wooden pig flapped its small wings, landing protectively in front of Fan Yue, its glare fixed on Fu Ling.
Fan Yue cast a glance at the brazen creature before him and then looked toward the direction where Bai Shuo had fled.
The wooden pig’s golden wings crackled with demonic light, but as Fu Ling’s expression darkened and she raised her Cloudfire Bow again, a surge of celestial energy stirred in the clouds above.
“Second Mistress, the Immortals are here,” Wen Zhu whispered urgently to Fu Ling. “Our master’s instructions were clear. Until the Demon King’s throne is decided, Cold Spring Palace mustn’t risk giving the Immortal Realm any leverage.”
Reluctantly, Fu Ling shot a venomous glare at Fan Yue. “Fan Yue, you won’t be this lucky next time! When our Master finishes his retreat, he will flatten Hao Yue Hall!”
“Oh? Then I’ll be waiting in the Far North,” Fan Yue replied indifferently.
“Retreat!” Fu Ling barked. With a flash of demonic light, she and the masked, purple-clad figures vanished.
Once Fu Ling was gone, the previously fierce wooden pig deflated, shrinking back to palm-size and rolling onto the ground, limp.
Fan Yue looked down, raising an eyebrow. “What’s this? Out of tricks?”
The wooden pig’s tongue lolled out. “Hey, brat! I saved you; aren’t you going to thank me? I…damn, what a lousy day! Slept all this time only to wake up and see such an ugly face! Who was that flowery demon shooting the toy arrows?”
“Not important,” Fan Yue replied, already heading toward the forest edge.
The wooden pig, still panting, suddenly jumped up, blocking Fan Yue’s path, and looked up at him with wide eyes. “Wait! Why did I wake up? Your demonic energy shouldn’t have been able to awaken me!”
Fan Yue glanced in the direction where Bai Shuo had disappeared, an eyebrow raised. “That’s what I’d like to know too.” He continued walking. “By the way, you have a new name now.”
The pig blinked. “What?”
“Dragon One Pig.”
The pig was speechless, its wide eyes brimming with utter disbelief.
Who? Dares? Call? Me? Zi? Han? Lord? Pig? The disbelief screamed in every syllable of its silence.
Fan Yue tilted his head slightly. “Aren’t you?”
The pig’s chubby wooden paw drooped, and its large ears sagged in resignation. Yes… until the Master returns, I suppose I’ll remain a pig.
Years ago, Zi Han had stormed into the Starfall Pavilion, only to be whisked away with a sleeve flick from an ancient True God. From that day forward, the once-proud founder of the Dragon Clan had been reduced to a flying wooden pig.
Fan Yue regarded the forlorn creature. “Actually, being a pig has its benefits. Don’t feel too bad.” With a quick flick of his hand, he scooped the wooden pig back into his sleeve. With another wave, Cang Shan’s unconscious body vanished, and in a blink, so did Fan Yue.
Moments later, brilliant celestial lights streamed down, as a blue-robed Immortal Lord descended with a team of radiant guards, his warm and composed features exuding an aura of peace.
Bodies of mortals littered the forest floor, the air thick with the scent of blood. The Immortal Lord’s brow furrowed.
“What strong demonic energy!”
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