340: Chapter 340 Discussing Subordinates

"Senior..."

Shentu Youer couldn't help but speak; her tone had lost its previous arrogance and gained a bit more caution.

"Thank you, Senior, for saving me just now. Youer is infinitely grateful."

Ye Jing continued to steer the Jade Boat without stopping, only giving a faint response: "It was just a small matter. However, this old man didn't save you, little girl, for nothing."

Upon hearing this, Shentu Youer's heart, which had just settled down, raced again. She hurriedly asked with a stutter, "What other requests does Senior have? As long as it is within my power!"

Seeing her so cautious, Ye Jing did not speak plainly.

After leading Shentu Youer out of the cave, he saw several hideous Yao Beasts surrounding the insect swarm, roaring and testing them.

As soon as Ye Jing appeared, a fierce light flared in the Yao Beasts' eyes, but they were firmly suppressed by the combined pressure of the Golden Corrosion Insect Queen and the Poisonous Variant Bee Queen, not daring to step forward.

"Withdraw."

With a low shout from Ye Jing, the Golden Corrosion Insect Queen and the Poisonous Variant Bee Queen immediately flapped their wings, and the insect swarm receded like a tide, all falling back into his Storage Pouch.

Hei Feng's figure blurred, turning into a black shadow to guard his side.

Shentu Youer was shaken by the sight.

To control multiple Second-Order Demonic Beasts so skillfully and with such ease—such beast-taming methods were something she had never heard of or seen before.

"Senior's beast-taming techniques are truly rare in the world..."

She couldn't help but blurt out.

Ye Jing led her away from the place; seeing that Ye Jing could control so many Second-Order Demonic Beasts, those Yao Beasts did not dare to pursue.

Thus, Ye Jing escaped from the Yao Beast swarms very easily this time. Once the Extreme Yin Cave was far behind them, Ye Jing finally spoke.

"It is said that your Southern Border Demon Palace and the Buddha Realm are at odds?"

Hearing this, Shentu Youer hurriedly asked, "What does Senior mean by this?"

"You only need to answer yes or no!" Ye Jing said coldly.

Shentu Youer was startled and quickly replied, "Answering Senior, we do have many conflicts with those bal... monks. The Buddha Realm's Great Leiyin Temple has always viewed my Southern Border Demon Palace as heretical, saying that we Cultivate chaotic and evil methods."

"They frequently send Cultivators from the Demon Subduing Courtyard to surround and suppress our Demon Palace Disciples who are out gaining experience. Not long ago, an Elder was even heavily injured by a combined force of Buddha Realm Cultivators while scouting the border; he is still in seclusion in the Demon Palace recovering."

Hearing this, Ye Jing fell silent for a moment, thinking that his Ye Family was currently under pressure from the Buddha Realm. If they could have a backer, it might make the Buddha Realm restrain itself a little.

However, this Southern Border Demon Palace was exceptionally strange and consisted of Demon Cultivators; Ye Jing felt for a moment that it would be better to be more cautious.

So he questioned, "Has the Great Leiyin Temple and your Demon Palace ever engaged in open warfare?"

Shentu Youer said, "There hasn't been open warfare, as the five major powers of the Canggu Realm restrain each other, and no one dares to easily break the balance. However, the killings in the shadows have never ceased."

"The monks will secretly burn our Demon Palace strongholds, and we will also covertly destroy their Buddhist halls and intercept their pilgrim caravans. Especially in the border regions, almost every day there are Cultivators losing their lives."

"Senior, are you asking this because you intend to deal with those monks?"

After Shentu Youer finished speaking, a flicker of curiosity and inquiry flashed in her eyes.

Ye Jing fell silent for a moment, then said, "It is quite helpless to say. This old man's Family is unfortunately oppressed by the Cultivators of the Buddha Realm. I loathe them deeply and have the intention of breaking free from the Buddha Realm's control."

Upon hearing this, Shentu Youer's eyes immediately lit up. "Does Senior wish to join our Southern Border Demon Palace?!"

Her voice was full of pleasant surprise. Ye Jing's beast-taming techniques had been witnessed by all; if such a talent could be brought into the Demon Palace, the higher-ups would surely praise her.

Ye Jing, however, slowly shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of coldness. "This old man has lived to this age and has a whole Family to care for. How could I easily submit to any sect?"

These words were like a basin of cold water poured over Shentu Youer's heart. The joy on her face faded, and she became cautious once more.

"It was my presumption; please do not take offense, Senior. It's just that Senior said your Family is oppressed by the Buddha Realm and asked about the grievances between my Demon Palace and the Buddha Realm, so I truly do not understand Senior's intention."

Ye Jing said calmly, "My intention is very simple: the enemy of my enemy is a potential ally. The Buddha Realm oppresses this old man's Family and views your Demon Palace as heretical. Since we have a common opponent, why can't we lend each other strength?"

Hearing this, Shentu Youer nodded repeatedly.

"Senior is right! If we can join forces with Senior, we will surely be able to give those bald monks a good lesson!"

"Only... Senior, what is the strength of your Family? If it's just Senior alone, it might be difficult to contend with the Buddha Realm. Why not consider my Demon Palace? There are as many experts as clouds in the Demon Palace, and it can surely protect Senior's Family."

Ye Jing sneered inwardly; this girl was quite impatient, wanting to probe his background first.

He would not easily reveal the Ye Family's true strength. He said indifferently, "Although this old man's Family isn't a top-tier power, it has some Foundation and can protect itself. However, to break free from the Buddha Realm's oppression, we still need external help."

"On the other hand, I have long heard the name of your Southern Border Demon Palace but know very little about it. Today, I would like to ask you, how many in the Demon Palace can contend with the High Monks of the Great Leiyin Temple?"

When Shentu Youer heard Ye Jing's question, although her Heart-Nature was relatively simple, she also knew that some secrets of the Demon Palace could not be easily leaked.

But she guaranteed, "Senior, please do not worry. The Buddha Realm has been at a stalemate with us for so long, which surely means they do not dare to offend us."

"And don't look at us as Demon Cultivators; our rule is relatively kind. We are not like those bald donkeys of the Buddha Realm who treat the Mortals under them like pigs and dogs to be used at will! We even properly settle low-level Cultivators and absolutely do not engage in exploitation or enslavement!"

Ye Jing listened and thought to himself: Sounds nice, but who knows what the reality is.

He said, "How about this, young friend? Leave a token of some kind. When this old man has time, I will send a message to your Elders to discuss cooperation or joining on our own. How does that sound?"

Hearing this, Shentu Youer saw that the old man still had some defenses against their Southern Border Demon Palace, so she quickly said, "Senior, since that is the case, this Junior will comply. However..."

At this point, Shentu Youer took out a black Command Token and said to Ye Jing, "Senior, regardless of anything else, you saved my life today, and this Junior will keep it in mind."

"If your Family has any trouble in the future, you can use this Command Token to seek help at the Southern Border Demon Palace. My master is a Nascent Soul Cultivator; he will surely help upon seeing this token!"

Ye Jing's gaze fell upon the black Command Token. He saw that it was about the size of a palm, with twisted Demonic Runes carved on the edges. It faintly emitted the pressure of a Nascent Soul Cultivator, making it clearly no ordinary token.

His eyebrows twitched slightly as he thought to himself, "This girl is quite sincere, actually willing to take out a token of such weight. It seems she truly has full sincerity in recruiting me, and it also shows that her status within the Demon Palace is not low."

Ye Jing did not immediately take it, but only gave the Command Token a faint glance before looking back at Shentu Youer.

"Since your master is a Nascent Soul Cultivator, this Command Token must be of no small importance. Giving it to me so easily, aren't you afraid of being held accountable?"

Seeing that the old man had little interest in the Command Token in her hand and was instead concerned about her, Shentu Youer couldn't help but feel a bit of warmth.

She said, "Senior saved my life; this kindness ought to be repaid. If Master knows of this, he will only praise me and certainly won't hold me accountable."

At this, a look of cunning appeared on Shentu Youer's face. "Furthermore, with this Command Token, if Senior changes your mind in the future and wishes to join my Southern Border Demon Palace, you can use it to directly meet my master, saving a lot of trouble."