300: Recruiting disciples by taking advantage of one's power

Hao Duo couldn't help but be moved.

He truly felt a desire to cherish talent, and secretly held other expectations for Xiao Zhuo.

This child possessed Heaven-Defying talent and an unyielding Heart-Nature. What was even more rare was that despite his Origins in the Demon Realm, he was willing to sacrifice himself for his comrades, showing great loyalty and righteousness.

Hao Duo, who had roamed for a million years, had only accepted three Personal Disciples.

Two of them had already perished in that bloody battle, their souls extinguished. Only one had transformed into a Corpse Clan member with him, surviving to this day.

At this moment, a thought swirled in his mind: Should he take this young man before him as his Disciple?

A dignified Quasi-Saint taking a Demon General as a Disciple—how could the other party refuse? This was an immense blessing!

However, Hao Duo didn't know that Xiao Zhuo's reason for proposing this wager, to save those Demon Generals he had just met, was only one part of it.

The deeper reason was to protect Ban Xuanji and the others within his zizai world. Ban Xuanji was his first friend since coming to the Demon Realm, and the others were subordinates he had gathered during this period. He didn't want any harm to befall them without reason!

At the same time, he had absolute confidence—with his strength, he was fully capable of withstanding ten moves!

He was betting on the fact that a Peak powerhouse like Hao Duo valued his reputation as much as his life and would never break his word in public.

This was an even greater gamble, a gamble on his own worth!

Only by demonstrating potential that would make the other party take notice could there be room for maneuver!

Now, he had won the gamble!

Hao Duo casually flicked his sleeve, and the deathly black Qi that was furiously corroding Xiao Zhuo's chest instantly vanished without a trace.

With no more obstruction, the shattered internal organs, bones, and flesh within Xiao Zhuo's body rapidly underwent Rebirth and healed at a visible pace.

"Thank you, Senior!" Xiao Zhuo quickly stabilized his breath. Although his power was almost depleted, his life was no longer in danger—Hao Duo's attack had not targeted his Divine Soul, so he recovered extremely quickly.

Xiao Zhuo did not immediately draw upon the power of the myriad Dao to recover, but simply stood quietly, awaiting Hao Duo's decision.

Hao Duo gently raised his hand, and space silently twisted. Xiao Zhuo was instantly moved from several hundred feet away to before the golden bed.

"Kneel! Offer wine!" Hao Duo's voice was cold, carrying an undeniable majesty and a hint of threat.

Xiao Zhuo was stunned by these words!

This scene left the heavily injured Demon Generals in the distance wide-eyed and speechless.

Ye Zhenyu's thoughts raced, and she immediately transmitted a message: "Fellow Daoist Primal Beginning! This Senior wants to take you as his Disciple! According to ancient Demon Realm etiquette, you must infuse your own essence blood into wine and offer it to your Revered Master!"

In the Demon Realm, taking a Revered Master required essence blood as a covenant and offering wine as proof!

Hao Duo actually wanted to take him as a Disciple?

Xiao Zhuo's vigilance hadn't dissipated, but he instantly weighed the pros and cons: becoming this person's Disciple would not only preserve his life but also mean clinging to a golden thigh of a top-tier magnate in the Demon Realm! This was an opportunity not to be missed!

With this thought, Xiao Zhuo no longer hesitated. He knelt on both knees, took out a jade cup and a jar of ten thousand immortals fine brew obtained from Star Realm Island.

The wine poured, filling the jade cup to the brim.

He forced out a drop of golden essence blood, as brilliant as a star, from his fingertip and infused it into the wine. Immediately, the wine glowed with a layer of mysterious golden radiance.

Under Hao Duo's gaze, which gradually softened, Xiao Zhuo held the cup with both hands above his head, his voice clear: "Disciple Xiao Zhuo, I wish to become your Disciple!"

Hao Duo took two steps forward, accepted the jade cup, and tilted his head back, drinking it all. He said indifferently: "This Venerable is Hao Duo! A million years ago, I was known as Great Annihilation Demon Venerable! From today onwards, you are my fourth Personal Disciple! Rise."

Xiao Zhuo, following ancient etiquette, respectfully kowtowed three times before standing up.

The moment he stood, the light and shadow on his face subtly fluctuated, and the disguise of the Heavenly Illusion Sacred Art completely lifted, revealing his original handsome and resolute true appearance!

Ye Zhenyu and the other Demon Generals watched, dumbfounded!

Xiao Zhuo knew well: although the Heavenly Illusion Sacred Art was wondrous, it couldn't even deceive Hao Duo's Dharma Eye regarding his brow-center world, let alone a mere facial disguise, which was a joke. It was better to be honest.

However, Ye Zhenyu and the others were shocked: this "Primal Beginning," no, Xiao Zhuo! had actually been disguising his appearance and aura all this time, and none of them had noticed! Perhaps even Demon King Luó... hadn't seen through it! This person's illusionary art attainments were simply terrifying!

"Xiao Zhuo!" Hao Duo's mood was quite good after accepting this new Disciple, and his tone carried a hint of concern, "You are new to the sect. As your Revered Master, I will not force you to immediately turn against your former comrades. Go find an Immortal Cave and recuperate properly!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhuo subconsciously glanced at Ye Zhenyu and the others.

How could such a small action escape Hao Duo's notice? His expression was indifferent as he added: "This Venerable keeps his word. The lives of these people are now yours to command!" Then, his cold gaze swept over the Demon Generals: "You all, hand over your soul blood! Swear loyalty to my Disciple, and you may live!"

As soon as these words were uttered, several Demon Generals who had been determined to die rather than surrender, their expressions resolute, hesitated.

Although Xiao Zhuo's identity was a disguise, they had personally witnessed his actions in the Demon Army earlier.

If they were to directly surrender to this Corpse Clan Saint Venerable, they would feel great resistance, but swearing loyalty to Xiao Zhuo significantly reduced their reluctance.

For a moment, the Demon Generals exchanged glances and whispered amongst themselves.

Just as a hint of impatience flashed in Hao Duo's eyes, Ye Zhenyu was the first to step forward, unhesitatingly pointing at her brow-center!

A drop of dark red, ink-like soul blood, containing her vital Divine Soul, instantly flew out, drifting directly towards Xiao Zhuo!

Demon Realm soul blood, once controlled by another, meant that one's life and death depended on the other's whim; it was a complete token of submission!

With Ye Zhenyu taking the lead, the other Demon Generals no longer hesitated and followed suit.

Dozens of drops of dark red soul blood gathered like starlight.

Xiao Zhuo's thoughts stirred slightly, and a faint world illusion flickered across his brow-center, instantly incorporating all these soul bloods into the zizai world formed by his Sea of Consciousness, and casually integrating them into the world's Origin.

In an instant, an invisible connection was established between Xiao Zhuo and everyone—no matter how far apart they were, Xiao Zhuo's will could directly imprint itself deep within their Divine Souls!

Seeing everyone offer their blood pact, Hao Duo finally showed a satisfied expression and casually waved his hand at Xiao Zhuo: "Go! Your Senior Sister, Yue Li, is waiting outside the door."

"Thank you, Revered Master!" Xiao Zhuo bowed and withdrew, turning to walk towards the giant bronze gate.

Hao Duo retreated to the golden bed, his gaze following Xiao Zhuo's departing back. In his crimson eyes, an indescribable... nostalgia actually flickered.

Xiao Zhuo, completely unaware that he had stirred the emotions of Great Annihilation Demon Venerable, had just stepped out of the giant bronze gate when he saw the blue-robed figure standing silently outside.

Before he could speak, the blue-robed person had already pulled back her hood.

Beneath the silver-white hair, a face pale and bloodless, yet exquisitely almost demonic, was revealed.

She looked at Xiao Zhuo, her lips twitching into a slightly stiff but sincere smile: "I am Yue Li. Revered Master sent word that you are the new Junior Brother. Just call me Senior Sister. Come with me."

"Thank you, Senior Sister Yue Li!" Xiao Zhuo cupped his fists in salute.

Yue Li led the way, with Xiao Zhuo following, and dozens of newly subdued Eternal Demon Generals close behind.

The group flew along the bottom of the Rift Valley for only a few dozen breaths before the rock wall ahead suddenly opened up—innumerable Immortal Caves were embedded within it, arranged in an orderly fashion.

A sweep of Divine Sense revealed that many Immortal Caves were enveloped in strong or weak Restriction glows, clearly already occupied.

"Junior Brother," Yue Li stopped, her voice still hoarse but tinged with concern, "This is where our Corpse Clan high-ranking members reside. You can choose a section of the rock wall to open your own Immortal Cave. Below is a top-grade demonic vein, with pure and vast Devilish Qi, enough for your Cultivation needs."

Her reverence for Hao Duo was deeply ingrained, and she naturally extended her affection to this new Personal Disciple of her Revered Master.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister!" Xiao Zhuo smiled and nodded, then looked at the people behind him, "May I ask if my companions can also open Immortal Caves here temporarily?"

Yue Li glanced indifferently at the group of Demon Generals and said to Xiao Zhuo: "Since Revered Master has entrusted them to you, how to arrange them is naturally your decision."

"Understood, Senior Sister."

Having brought Xiao Zhuo here, Yue Li said no more. Her figure flickered, and she merged into the Void Realm like a ghost, disappearing.

Xiao Zhuo no longer delayed. He led everyone to a secluded rock wall and, with a wave of his hand, Devilish Qi surged as he began to open his own Immortal Cave.

At the same time, outside the Place of Cessation of Grief.

A colossal spatial rift, stretching across the sky like a crack in the heavens, hung high above.

Above the rift, where the violent gales of the Gale Layer howled, six majestic figures, their auras like an abyss or prison, confronted each other in the air!

Their mere overflowing pressure stirred up countless terrifying energy whirlwinds that tore through the Void Realm at this boundary between the Realm Sea and the Immortal-Demon Realm!