Chapter 697: Great Demon 60

The Cold Dragon pouted. "After we got to the Nine Heavens, the clan elders kept us on a tight leash, forbidding us from going out whenever we pleased. There are Immortal Monarchs here who want contracted beasts, and we just barely escaped our past suffering. We have no desire to be casually bound by a contract."

Tan You raised an eyebrow. "I wonder if that master-servant contract array even works here in the Nine Heavens."

"We’ve never tried," the Peacock said. "If it actually worked, it would cause a huge uproar. The Nine Heavens would be in for a new wave of chaos. Speaking of which, Ahzhao, you want to stir up some trouble?"

Tan You rolled her eyes. "Just like back in the Cultivation World? It’s like you’re afraid I don’t get into enough trouble as it is."

The Peacock egged her on. "We’re on our own and not that powerful. Just think, if we set up another Demon Market here in the Nine Heavens, the Demon Market in the lower realm would have our backing. What do you say?"

Tan You fell into a thoughtful silence but ultimately abandoned the plan for now. "The demon beasts have their own clans, each with its own Clan Leader. It’s not our place to step up and take charge."

The Cold Dragon offered a different perspective. "Did we not have clans in the lower realm? Who stepped up to help us back then?"

Tan You considered this. He had a point, but the timing really wasn’t right. "We haven’t fully spread our wings yet. Besides, if we’re going to do this, we can’t drag our elders into it. We have to be able to handle the fallout ourselves."

It was true that every member of her Golden Ring Snake clan could fight a hundred enemies, but if they truly provoked the wrath of the entire Immortal Realm, Tan You knew she couldn’t handle the consequences.

The Peacock pouted but knew Tan You was right, so he had to drop the idea. He also understood her concerns. They were all still relatively weak and could only focus on improving themselves. ’If we want to stir up trouble,’ he thought, ’we’ll have to wait until we’re stronger.’

Jin Yao and the other Golden Ring Snakes of the previous generation watched the young ones excitedly plotting to stir up trouble, and they exchanged a look. No wonder they were so fond of Tan You. Compared to spoiled brats who only knew how to cause problems, a youngster like Tan You, who could actually clean up her own messes, was far more likable.

***

On the Immortal-Demon Battlefield, after yet another battle, Tan You hung limply from Bai Ze’s neck, her tail drooping like a dead snake’s.

Bai Ze had also reverted to his true form and was now carrying Tan You slowly back to their territory. Dozens of members of the Demon Clan ran and flew alongside him. A quick glance revealed they were nearly all familiar faces.

The Peacock couldn’t resist poking the tip of Tan You’s tail. "Tired? I’ve never seen you this exhausted."

Tan You had no energy to move and simply ignored the Peacock’s prodding.

"I just finished tempering my third Jade Bone," she said, her face grim. ’It’s not like I want to be this weak. Tempering a Jade Bone is excruciating. You have to shatter a bone in your body, inch by inch, let it slowly reform, and then shatter it again, repeating the process until the bone is completely transformed into a Jade Bone.’

"You’ve already started on your third Jade Bone?" The Peacock’s eyes widened slightly. "Ahzhao, you’re pushing yourself way too hard. We’ve only managed to temper three Jade Bones ourselves, and we’ve been cultivating for many years longer than you."

Tan You replied weakly, "I can’t afford to stop. At the grand tournament between the clans, who knows how many people will be after my life. Besides, our Golden Ring Snake clan may be small in number..."

"...but whenever a new member appears, it puts the outside world on high alert. I have no intention of getting myself killed before I’m ready."

Bai Ze shifted his neck, and his thick mane completely enveloped Tan You. "If you’re tired, Ahzhao, just get some proper rest. I’ll be participating in the grand tournament too. Anyone who wants to harm you will have to get past me first."

Tan You coiled herself more securely around Bai Ze’s neck. "You’re a true friend. If you’re ever in danger, I’d risk my life to save you, too. We have a bond forged in life and death."

A faint smile touched Bai Ze’s lips. "Of course. We’re kindred spirits, friends who have sworn to live and die together. We’ll naturally face any hardship as one."

Old Niu chimed in, "I’ll participate too. If Ahzhao weren’t here in the Nine Heavens, there wouldn’t be much point for us to be here either."

’Speaking of which, I’ll have to go back someday,’ a thought flickered through Tan You’s mind. ’If I leave, how heartbroken will all these members of the Demon Clan be?’

’Maybe I should go back after the grand tournament ends? It’s not that far off, and I’ve already been in this Cultivation World for over ten thousand years.’

Mortals used to pursue immortality, but after actually arriving in this world, Tan You realized that while so-called eternal life was achievable, it came with a price. When you had an eternity, you had to learn how to kill time.

Otherwise, the endless expanse of time could easily drive a person mad. Because she had friends and poured most of her energy into cultivation, Tan You felt that, for now, her sanity was still intact.

This was the first time she had ever stayed in one world for so long. By now, time had truly become just a number to her.

Seeing Tan You fall silent, Bai Ze asked softly, "What are you thinking about?"

Tan You didn’t hide her thoughts. "I was just thinking that all good things must come to an end. I’ll have to go back eventually. When that time comes, I don’t want any of you to be sad or heartbroken. I’ll always remember you."

Bai Ze paused for a moment. "When are you planning to go back?"

Tan You considered it. "After the grand tournament, I think. I’ve spent so many years with all of you, day in and day out. Now that I’m talking about leaving, I suddenly find I’m reluctant to go."

Bai Ze just sighed. "You are from another world, after all. Alas."

Tan You smiled. "Can’t bear for me to leave? In truth, as long as we keep each other in our hearts, I won’t feel lonely, even if we’re worlds apart."

The Peacock and the other Great Demons fell silent. After a long while, the Peacock forced a smile. "Let’s not talk about such sad things. While you’re still here, let’s be happy. We shouldn’t waste our precious time together on sorrow."

"I like that attitude," Tan You said. "I’m so happy to have met all of you. When Jin Huan returns in the future, if you get along with her, please look after her a little."

"But if her personality is really impossible, you don’t have to do it just for my sake."

Bai Ze couldn’t help but laugh. "You worry so much for someone so young. Don’t fret. If we really don’t get along, we’ll just see less of her. Besides, she’s a Golden Ring Snake. The clan will naturally look after her."

Tan You just nodded. "Then let’s drop the subject. The grand tournament is still a thousand years away, anyway. We still have plenty of time."

To think that a mortal who once had a lifespan of less than a century could now speak of a thousand years without so much as blinking.

"Oh, right. We’ve all been on the Immortal-Demon Battlefield lately. I heard a Buddhist cultivator just arrived at the front lines. They say he’s pretty ferocious." The Cold Dragon, not wanting to dwell on the somber topic, decided to change the subject to some gossip.

"A Buddhist cultivator?" Tan You’s brow twitched. "I’ve never heard of a Buddhist cultivator coming to the Immortal-Demon Battlefield before. Who is it? It couldn’t be Jing Yue, could it?"

Bai Ze was guessing as well. "Ten to one, it is. Our grudge with Jing Yue runs deep. After all, if we hadn’t stuck our noses in, Jing Yue’s Emotional Tribulation probably would have been overcome without anyone being the wiser."