432: Fishing Bait

The Immortal Path is a very peculiar place.

Besides the Path of Seeking the Dao, which resembles the Starry Sky separating the land and can aid cultivation and mend deficiencies, the land on both sides is also vast and boundless, filled with mountains, rivers, and even unique creatures. Most importantly, within these boundless mountains and rivers, there may exist various opportunities not found in the outside world.

And at this moment, beneath the distant cliff, there was a glowing little person, about the size of a palm, darting left and right.

However, this place was sealed by those Demon Clan. Every time the glowing little person tried to escape, startling thunder would erupt from the Void, transforming into intertwined chains of lightning, forcefully blasting the glowing little person apart.

The glowing little person also seemed to fall into anxiety and panic, its attempts to break through becoming increasingly violent.

"Little thing, you've run for so long, I've finally caught you," a young Red Dragon Clan member, with dragon horns on his head and a red dragon scale between his eyebrows, exclaimed in delight.

"Congratulations, Senior apprentice-brother Long, congratulations! With this 'earth spirit essence', your Divine Power will surely reach great completion," the other Demon Clan members stepped forward to congratulate him, their fawning attitude evident.

It wasn't surprising that these Demon Clan members flattered him, as this young Red Dragon Clan member was extraordinarily remarkable in both background and personal strength.

This Red Dragon was named 'Long Fuyu'. Before reaching three thousand years old, he had already entered the Tongtian Realm, and furthermore, he achieved the Tongtian Realm with five Dharma Idols.

What was even more exaggerated was that this guy originally had the chance to cultivate seven or even eight Dharma Idols, touching upon the qualification to enter the Ascension Realm. Unfortunately, this Long Fuyu was arrogant and conceited, and chose to break through to the Tongtian Realm when he only had five Dharma Idols.

But what made this Long Fuyu even stronger was actually because he had an older brother, 'Dragon Turns Clouds', who was ranked sixtieth on the Ten Thousand Clans Prodigy Ranking.

With such an amazing older brother on the Immortal Path, among the Demon Clan, who wouldn't fawn over this Long Fuyu?

There were only a hundred Heavenly Pride in total on the Ten Thousand Clans Prodigy Ranking. Dragon Turns Clouds was ranked sixtieth, meaning that on the entire Immortal Path, Long Fuyu could only not afford to offend fifty-nine people.

And the Immortal Path was too, too vast. It was extremely unlikely, almost impossible, to encounter those fifty-nine people he couldn't afford to offend.

Furthermore, who didn't recognize the existences on the Heaven's Pride Rankings?

Even if he saw those fifty-nine individuals he couldn't afford to offend, he could choose to retreat far away.

It was just a pity for this 'earth spirit essence'!

One must know that 'earth spirit essence' is a heavenly material, a divine material for forging powerful treasures. If the refining technique is good enough, it can even forge immortal artifacts. Some extremely formidable Earth Element Divine Powers, if blessed by this 'earth spirit essence', will have their power increased by one or even several times.

Who wouldn't be envious upon seeing it?

However, once Long Fuyu knew about this thing, it was bound to be his. Who would dare to contend with him?

"You all have contributed to helping me capture the 'earth spirit essence'. From now on, follow me. On the Immortal Path, I will surely guarantee your safety," Long Fuyu laughed loudly, then prepared to shrink the seal and completely capture the earth spirit essence.

But at this moment, a lazy, indifferent voice sounded: "Little mud loach, your tone isn't small. You can't even protect yourself, yet you boast about protecting these weaklings."

As soon as the voice sounded, Long Fuyu and the other Demon Clan members instantly jumped up as if their fur had been ruffled: "Who?"

Appearing silently and undetected, if the newcomer harbored killing intent, at least half of the Demon Clan present would have already perished!

They turned around one after another and looked behind them, only to see a young Human Race wearing a sky-blue long robe, currently observing them with interest.

That scrutinizing, assessing gaze was like a beast at the top of the food chain, considering whether the prey in front of him had enough meat and could fill his belly. It was unrestrained, yet exceptionally dangerous.

"Who is this person?" Long Fuyu's heart pounded violently.

This person's existence was not on the Ten Thousand Clans Prodigy Ranking. Yet, with his Tongtian Realm cultivation, looking at the person in front of him was like gazing into a solid Abyssal, pitch-black, deep, and bottomless.

And generally, existences he couldn't see through were at least peerless Heavenly Pride who had already entered the top eighty of the Heaven's Pride Rankings.

However, the top eighty were not necessarily invincible.

Because he had an older brother, Dragon Turns Clouds, an existence ranked sixtieth on the Heaven's Pride Rankings.

"Human Race, you have the qualification to ascend to the Ten Thousand Clans Prodigy Ranking. I advise you not to bring trouble upon yourself," Long Fuyu said, putting on a brave front while feeling inwardly apprehensive.

A quick-witted Demon Clan member nearby instantly chimed in: "Human Race, are your dog eyes blind? Do you know that this person in front of you is the Red Dragon Clan's Heavenly Pride, Long Fuyu?"

The Human Race wearing the sky-blue long robe was naturally none other than Zhuang Hao, who had volunteered to come.

He said with interest, "Long Fuyu, and then?"

'And then?'

The Demon Clan members exchanged bewildered glances, 'What is this? Did we run into a clueless rookie who knows nothing?!'

He didn't even know about Dragon Turns Clouds, who was ranked on the Heaven's Pride Rankings!

"Long Fuyu's older brother is named Dragon Turns Clouds, ranked sixtieth on the Heaven's Pride Rankings. What do you say?" The more the Demon Clan member spoke, the higher his head lifted. By the end, he had already become arrogant, as if he was certain of defeating Zhuang Hao.

But then Zhuang Hao suddenly laughed.

The sixtieth on the Heaven's Pride Rankings? To be honest, Zhuang Hao didn't even have the time to look at the sixtieth Heavenly Pride.

What kind of nobody dares to call himself a Heavenly Pride!

It made him inexplicably burst into laughter.

Hmm?

Wait!

Isn't this ready-made bait!

He quickly suppressed his smile, his expression changing. In an instant, it became a little more solemn: "So it's the younger brother of Dragon Turns Clouds, the sixtieth on the Heaven's Pride Rankings!"

Then he suddenly snorted coldly: "Hmph, just because you say Dragon Turns Clouds is your older brother doesn't mean he really is?

"If I said that Zhao Yujing, the ninth on the Heaven's Pride Rankings, is my Senior apprentice-brother, would you believe it?"

Hearing this, Long Fuyu's tense heartstring instantly relaxed.

Fortunately, this person didn't attack.

Although he was still vigilant, he was clearly apprehensive.

As for saying that Zhao Yujing, the ninth on the Heaven's Pride Rankings, was his Senior apprentice-brother?

How ridiculous! What an incredibly grand figure was Zhao Yujing?

It's no exaggeration to say that on the Immortal Path, Zhao Yujing is a True Dragon standing on the clouds, capable of looking down on all living beings. What Heavenly Pride, in front of this person, wouldn't need to lower their head?

How could he possibly be the Senior apprentice-brother of this unknown Human Race kid?

If that were truly the case, he would even dare to say that Ancient Chaoyang of the Ancient Clan, the top ranker on the Ten Thousand Clans Prodigy Ranking, was his sworn older brother!

Moreover, hasn't that Zhao Yujing not been to the Immortal Path for a while now?

The person in front of him was clearly unfamiliar with the Immortal Path, unable to even understand how to borrow influence.

Hmm, maybe his brain isn't very sharp either. He's likely a fool who only knows how to cultivate diligently and is ignorant of worldly affairs.

However, this was also just right. Since he doubted that Dragon Turns Clouds was his older brother, he might as well summon his older brother, Dragon Turns Clouds, and kill this Human Race with the potential to ascend the Heaven's Pride Rankings in one fell swoop, eliminating future troubles.

"You jest, sir. Zhao Yujing is a figure above the Nine Heavens and clouds. How could he have a direct Junior Brother? Since you don't believe me, I'll find proof. How about that?" Long Fuyu pretended to hesitate, then proposed.

"What proof?" Zhuang Hao asked cautiously.

Long Fuyu said: "Some time ago, my older brother shed a dragon scale. You only need to look at it to know my older brother's aura. It's just that I don't have this dragon scale on me. I'll have someone fetch it. What do you think?"

Zhuang Hao hesitated for a moment, then cautiously said: "You stay here, and have someone else bring it."

Long Fuyu was overjoyed. Good, as long as he had the chance to send a message, he could summon his older brother, Dragon Turns Clouds.

He nodded repeatedly, then took out a communication jade slip and spoke with his divine sense: [Older brother, there is a Human Race here whose name I haven't heard, but he has the potential to enter the top eighty of the Heaven's Pride Rankings. I have used a plan to stall him. Come quickly and kill him.]

Almost in just one breath, the communication jade slip responded: [Recently, that Human Race Dongxu Immortal Mansion Holy Son entered the Immortal Path and has not yet ascended the Heaven's Pride Rankings. You absolutely must not cause trouble.]

Long Fuyu secretly laughed. How could he not know that Lu Chen?

He had seen Lu Chen's image, okay!

Moreover, if Lu Chen had shown up, this group of Demon Clan would likely have already gone to meet their great-grandmother by now. How could they still be alive to send a message!

[If not the Human Race Lu Chen, all can be killed.]

The response from the communication jade slip greatly reassured Long Fuyu.

Although Dragon Turns Clouds' words revealed extreme confidence, and even a bit of arrogance, Long Fuyu knew that his older brother indeed had the qualification to say such a boastful statement as 'all can be killed.'

The sixtieth on the Ten Thousand Clans Prodigy Ranking, the weight of that ranking, needed no further explanation.

"Please wait a moment, sir. My people will arrive soon," Long Fuyu looked at Zhuang Hao 'cautiously'.

But he saw Zhuang Hao 'frowning in thought', wondering what he was thinking about.

'Is this Human Race guy truly foolish, or is he trying to use me to lure my older brother Dragon Turns Clouds here?' Long Fuyu had a moment of doubt, but it was quickly dismissed.

Because, in the face of absolute strength, all schemes and tricks are futile.

No matter how many schemes you have, I will break them with sheer force.

He believed in the strength of his older brother, Dragon Turns Clouds.

Zhuang Hao remained silent, only lowering his head in 'thought'.

Long Fuyu and the Demon Clan beside him knew well that the longer they waited, the more at ease they became.

After a quarter of an hour, Long Fuyu even stopped looking at the contemplative Zhuang Hao and laughed as he looked at the earth spirit essence still darting left and right, saying: "I know you have sentience and don't want to be captured by me, but you are already a turtle in a jar. Any more struggle is futile. Just obediently help me cultivate my Divine Power!"

He laughed loudly and made his move.

But at this moment, that lazy and indifferent voice sounded again from Zhuang Hao's mouth: "earth spirit essence, my Senior apprentice-brother wants it. If you move again, my Senior apprentice-brother might become unhappy."

Why did he seem to be in thought just now?

Because Lu Chen, who was watching the show from afar, was instructing him to take down the earth spirit essence as well.

'earth spirit essence, although not a living creature, is an extremely precious divine material, and it has developed sentience. Isn't it an excellent Dao Soldier seed?'

Divine materials like this are far better than the physical bodies of ordinary Demon Clan and often possess extraordinary qualities.

Moreover, this was the first time Lu Chen had encountered a divine material that could be used as a Dao Soldier seed.

"Your Senior apprentice-brother?" Long Fuyu turned around suspiciously, looking around, but didn't even see a ghost of a shadow.

Why was this Human Race guy becoming stranger and stranger?

His heart tightened, feeling inexplicably uneasy.

But soon, this uneasiness vanished instantly with the appearance of an aura that he was so familiar with he couldn't be more so.

Thus, Long Fuyu sneered: "Foolish Human Race kid, today, let alone your Senior apprentice-brother, even if your ancestor came, he couldn't stop me."

Zhuang Hao changed his previous hesitation and caution, slowly turning his neck, and then pointed behind him: "I think your confidence comes from another little mud loach, am I right?"

Before his voice fell.

"Boom!"

The sky seemed to collapse. Terrifying divine light erupted from Zhuang Hao's palm. That was his Dharma Idol, his dharma aspect spirit, condensed into one hand by him, tearing through the Void and grabbing out a young Demon Clan who bore a five-tenths resemblance to Long Fuyu.

At this moment, Long Fuyu's eyes widened, but his pupils contracted violently. He stood frozen in place.

The Demon Clan members following him were so terrified that their souls nearly fled, and they were covered in sweat!

What did they see?

They saw Zhuang Hao casually grab and seize Dragon Turns Clouds, who had arrived while concealing his form, as easily as pinching a little chick.

Heaven knows, that was absolutely not a little chick, but a Red Dragon of astonishing talent and monstrous strength!

It was Dragon Turns Clouds, ranked sixtieth on the Heaven's Pride Rankings, the strongest and most outstanding Heavenly Pride of the Red Dragon Clan in this generation.

But now, this Heavenly Pride was casually held in Zhuang Hao's palm.

"Damn it, who exactly are you?" Dragon Turns Clouds struggled violently in Zhuang Hao's palm, but was always unable to break free.

He was inexplicably terrified, and his heart was surging with tumultuous waves!

This was the Human Race Heavenly Pride that his younger brother said needed to be suppressed?

Damn it, Long Fuyu deserved to die a thousand times.

If he wanted to die, he should just go die by himself. Why did he have to summon him across the thousands of mountains and waters of the Immortal Path just to offer up a dragon head?

"Little mud loach, don't inquire about things you shouldn't know." Zhuang Hao casually crushed Dragon Turns Clouds to death in his palm, then looked smilingly at Long Fuyu and the other Demon Clan members who were terrified beyond belief.

"Thank you for helping me call your older brother, but I'm sorry, you still have to die, because my Senior apprentice-brother has taken a liking to you!"

'No, who exactly is your Senior apprentice-brother?!' Long Fuyu and the other Demon Clan members had already completely collapsed in uncontrollable fear.

But unfortunately, Zhuang Hao did not respond. He simply reached out and crushed the Demon Clan, including Long Fuyu, to death with one hand.

Also at this moment, Lu Chen, with a dark expression, broke through the Void and solemnly spoke: "Senior Brother Zhuang! Although I am very happy that you helped me collect the Monster Corpse, I am not satisfied with the way you spoke."

Zhuang Hao chuckled: "Why bother arguing with a few dead demons, Holy Son, here are the Monster Corpse you wanted."

He excitedly brought Dragon Turns Clouds, Long Fuyu, and the other Demon Clan to Lu Chen's hands, and then consciously grabbed the 'earth spirit essence' that was still trying to escape, offering it with both hands.

Lu Chen very generously forgave Zhuang Hao.

Although this kid was occasionally sharp-tongued, he was truly convenient to use!

He didn't even need his Dao Soldier to act, this kid had already handled everything and delivered the Monster Corpse right in front of him. Look, how efficient!

...

In front of the Ten Thousand Clans Prodigy Ranking.

Among the many Myriad Clans beings who had been paying attention to the changes on the ranking, a sharp-eyed being suddenly spoke: "Look quickly, there's a change."

The many beings looked over one after another and indeed saw that 'Red Dragon Clan, Long Fuyu', who was originally listed sixtieth on the Heaven's Pride Rankings, was disappearing, replaced by 'Human Race, Zhuang Hao'!

"Human Race Zhuang Hao, a name that has never appeared before!"

"What a Human Race, Zhuang Hao! He has never entered the Immortal Path before, yet upon entering the Immortal Path, he killed his way into the sixtieth spot. Remarkable, truly remarkable!"

"Long Fuyu wasn't just pushed down from sixtieth, but completely disappeared from the Heaven's Pride Rankings. If there are no surprises, he was completely annihilated by this Zhuang Hao. Amazing!"

"When did an unfamiliar Human Race enter the Immortal Path?"

A being suddenly realized: "It's that young man who entered the Immortal Path together with the Human Race Lu Chen!"

"So it was him!"

"No wonder he could make such astonishing moves. How could someone who can follow behind that peerless Heavenly Pride Lu Chen be ordinary?"

"Someone merely following Lu Chen has such strength. I dare not imagine how terrifying it would be if that Human Race Lu Chen personally took action!"

"If there are no surprises, if he makes a move, he will definitely ascend into the top twenty of the Ten Thousand Clans Prodigy Ranking!"

"That high?"

"Perhaps not high enough!"