Chapter 442 - 309: Shadow King, Demon Tree

Chapter 442: Chapter 309: Shadow King, Demon Tree

The thirty-eighth rune was three times as potent as the thirty-sixth...

Thus, the extra twenty-three runes actually represented a many-fold increase in Spiritual Power.

"Thank you, Master!"

The Shadow Tiger didn’t say a word, just gave a light wave of his hand.

It was as if something had shattered.

The scene before them rippled like the surface of water.

Tang Wen blinked, and the Shadow Tiger had turned back into a black tiger, while Feng San Niang and the others were slowly waking up.

"What was that just now?"

"Just a Dream Realm Illusion."

"Master, I want to learn that technique!" Tang Wen’s eyes burned with desire.

"We’ll talk about it after you reach Fifth Grade." The Shadow Tiger looked around and asked, "Where’s that girl, Hu Yun?"

Only then did Tang Wen remember that Hu Yun, his "convenient girlfriend" who had practically fallen into his lap, was currently facing danger alone.

He quickly explained her situation.

"Shadow King? Why have you come?"

Hu Niannian lifted a paw to rub her eyes, speaking in disbelief.

The other White Tiger was also visibly excited.

’The King of the White Tiger Race?’

Feng San Niang was instantly wide awake.

Tang Wen pulled her over to make introductions. "Third Lady, this is my master, the Shadow King! A Fourth-Grade Powerhouse. Master, this is my woman."

Feng San Niang was so stunned by his mention of "Fourth Grade" that she was at a complete loss.

She was completely unaware that his master was a freshly acquired one.

But she was, after all, a leading figure in the Commerce Association. She immediately bowed in salute. "This humble one greets you, Senior Shadow King!"

Her form of address was extremely well-measured.

Not just anyone could get familiar with a Fourth-Grade Powerhouse.

The Shadow King shot a glare at his opportunistic disciple who was seizing every chance to cling to him, then looked at the demure-looking Feng San Niang and said, "Rise. The Spiritual Meditation Method I gave this brat, you can learn it too."

"Thank you, Master!"

Feng San Niang was overjoyed. Instead of rising, she knelt down and called out, "Master."

’It goes without saying,’ she thought, ’a Meditation Technique from a Fourth-Grade King of the White Tiger Tribe is definitely better than mine!’

The Shadow King said, "...You two are a good match."

After speaking, he turned his head, no longer paying attention to his opportunistic disciple, and nodded to the two White Tigers.

"I came because the Saintess requested my aid. She said a Curiosity that can mass-produce Fifth Grade combatants has been discovered here."

Hu Niannian quickly explained everything, as obedient as a child reporting her work to a grown-up.

The Shadow King added, "I also came to assess this disciple of mine. He’s not bad. From now on, the ’Honored Guest’ part of his ’Honored Guest Elder’ title can be dropped!"

"Thank you, Master!" Tang Wen shouted, while inwardly pondering, ’Should I publicize the fact that I’m the disciple of a Fourth-Grade powerhouse and a White Tiger Elder?’

A flicker of disdain crossed the Shadow King’s eyes as he turned his gaze to the Thunder Rock Crocodile Turtle and Stone Dragon, who were half-hiding behind them. "You two, once this matter is concluded, are you willing to follow me to the Ten Thousand Mountains for cultivation?"

"We are, we are! We’re willing!"

"Good. I’m going to find Hu Yun. I’ll take you with me after this is over!"

With that, the Shadow King’s black body dissolved back into a shadow and vanished before their eyes in a blink.

As a Fourth-Grade of the White Tiger Tribe, he could sense the location of any White Tiger within a certain range.

Tang Wen’s emotions had been on a roller coaster. Once his new master was long gone, he plopped down onto the blanket.

"The Shadow King is a phantom even within our tribe. How did a guy like you manage to become his disciple?!"

Hu Niannian’s face was full of envy.

The other White Tiger, along with the Crocodile Turtle and Stone Dragon, looked at Tang Wen with eyes full of reverence.

The White Tiger was better off, having often seen Fourth-Grade members of its tribe.

The two wild Exotic Beasts’ feelings could only be described as turbulent. Tang Wen hadn’t lied to them!

He could actually summon a Fourth-Grade Divine Power Realm expert with ease!

Tang Wen understood their gazes and gave the two beasts a slight smile.

In their eyes, this made him seem even more profound and inscrutable.

They secretly resolved to follow all of Tang Wen’s orders before they left!

The two simple-minded beasts had no idea that Tang Wen had no intention of letting them leave.

’Such useful thugs—one can attack and defend, the other can burrow and is good at escaping.’

’Wouldn’t I be safer with them by my side?’

’I’ll talk to Master later and see if I can keep them.’

Tang Wen had been on edge earlier, battling wits with the shadow and undergoing the test. He hadn’t rested well.

Feng San Niang and the other Exotic Beasts, however, had gotten some sleep.

Seeing Tang Wen about to lie down again, Third Lady thoughtfully offered her firm, shapely long legs as a pillow.

In the blink of an eye, half a day passed. Tang Wen was awakened by waves of a fragrant aroma. The pillow under his head had been replaced with a soft one from who-knows-where.

Looking to the side, he saw Feng San Niang sitting cross-legged next to him. Before her was a square table, and on it, a red clay stove burned with walnut charcoal, roasting chicken wings and lamb, and warming wine.

"Wen Lang, you’re awake." Feng San Niang reached out to help him sit up.

In a daze, Tang Wen felt as if he weren’t in a perilous underground cave, but in his bedroom in Ganshan City, surrounded by maids.

"What’s this?"

"Roasted meat and ten-year-aged wine."

’Was that what I was asking?’

’Don’t you think it’s a little out of place for all this to be here?’

A fire burned inside the stone cave, making it quite warm. A stream gurgled nearby, creating a tranquil environment.

The great beauty before him was dressed in tight black attire, her curves on full display.

Tang Wen fell silent. ’Come to think of it, it’s not out of place at all.’

’But, we’re here for a deadly trial!’

He glanced around and noticed something was off. "Where are the other three?"

Only Hu Niannian and Feng San Niang were in the cave.

The other tiger, the turtle, and the Stone Dragon were nowhere to be seen.

Hu Niannian was dozing by the fire.

Feng San Niang said softly, "I saw they were getting bored, so I sent them out to kill some Exotic Beasts."

Tang Wen was taken aback, then nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. Third Lady, you’ve got the big picture in mind!"

’As expected of a woman from the Commerce Association.’

’She can’t stand seeing experts around her being idle and is always ready to find work for them.’

It was the first time Feng San Niang had heard her lover praise her. Her eyes curved into a smile as she pulled Tang Wen to sit properly, then snuggled into his embrace.

With a beauty in his arms, Tang Wen wished he could send Hu Niannian out to hunt monsters too.

"Here, it’s just been warmed."

Feng San Niang picked up a White Jade wine cup.

The yellow wine glowed with an amber light, and Tang Wen caught the sweet and sour scent of plums.

But as the cup reached his lips, he tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling on Third Lady’s rosy lips.

Feng San Niang understood in an instant. A flirtatious look filled her eyes. She put the cup to her own rosy lips, drank it all, and then leaned in slightly.

Tang Wen’s eyes filled with appreciation as he wrapped his arm around her willow-like waist.

Their lips met, soft and fragrant.

They spent a long while drinking from the small pot of wine, but it was still mostly full.

Lady Feng, a Peak Sixth Grade expert, had barely drunk a few drops, yet her eyes held a hint of intoxication, and a blush appeared on her cheeks.

She glanced at Hu Niannian out of the corner of her eye.

She was starting to regret leaving her here.

Tang Wen’s hand rested on her silk sash. He hesitated for a long time but ultimately didn’t untie it.

The two were whispering intimately when the area above them suddenly trembled slightly.

They looked up, surprised to see Hu Yun returning with the White Tiger, Crocodile Turtle, and Stone Dragon.

They quickly got to their feet.

"Sister Yun, did it go smoothly? Where’s Master?"

Hu Yun didn’t speak. She walked over, picked up the wine pot from the stove, and drained it in several large gulps.

After wiping her lips, she finally spoke. "I almost didn’t make it back!"

Feng San Niang picked up the jug to refill her cup, then took out a cushion for her to sit on.

Hu Yun spoke as she drank, recounting the whole affair from beginning to end.

When the Shadow King arrived, she and the White Tiger were in a bitter fight.

Their opponent was incredibly cunning, hiding in a blood mist and launching sneak attacks on her and the White Tiger from all directions.

Its intention was to wear them down and kill them.

But because of that, they were able to hold on until the Shadow King arrived.

Tang Wen couldn’t help but shake his head. "You’re too stubborn. You knew the general direction; wouldn’t it have been better to go back and bring a large force to storm the place?"

Hu Yun laughed. "There were at least several dozen Fifth Grade experts in there. How many people would have been enough?"

Tang Wen shook his head. "If Fifth Grade isn’t enough, then get a Fourth Grade!"

His "insufficient firepower" phobia from his past life had carried over to this one.

He liked to crush his opponents with overwhelming firepower.

’When fighting a Fifth Grade, bring a Fourth Grade. When fighting a Sixth Grade, bring a Fourth Grade too... Who needs an even match? Stomping on weaklings is the true essence of Martial Arts!’

Hu Yun continued, "It was strange, though. When the Shadow King rushed over and dispersed the blood mist, I discovered that my attackers were all decrepit old men."

"How old?"

"Not just old. They were skin and bones, with ancient faces. It was as if they had used some bizarre method to forcibly extend their lives to this day!"

Hm?

Tang Wen and Feng San Niang exchanged a look.

Hu Yun said, "Unfortunately, the Shadow King was worried about my safety and didn’t conceal his aura when he charged in. He let the tree escape."

"The... tree... ran away?"

Hu Yun’s expression was grave. "The Shadow King went after it. According to his judgment, it was a Fourth-Grade Demon Tree!"

?!

’A tree can reach Fourth Grade?’