118: Chapter 118 This treasure is destined for me, the gourd unleashes its power.

[The battle paused briefly, and the battlefield finally grew quiet.]

[Chu Sheng leaned against a giant rock, panting heavily. The Black Tortoise lay at his feet, several deep claw marks added to its shell.]

[The Yao Beasts inside the demon refining pot were also exhausted, huddling in the corners and trembling.]

[In the distance, two figures stood suspended in the air.]

[Xia Nihuang, Peak of the Sea Opening Realm.]

[The Commandery Governor Xia Nihuang and the Commandery Governor of Beiming Prefecture met again after many years.]

[Chu Sheng narrowed his eyes and pricked up his ears to eavesdrop.]

["I hope you have been well. I didn't expect that the little brat who followed Old Xia back then would now be able to hold her own. Your father died at the hands of the Demon Race ninety years ago; I imagine you won't let the Demon Race off easily."]

[Peak of the Sea Opening Realm spoke, his voice as thick and resonant as a bell.]

[Xia Nihuang smiled slightly.]

["Uncle Jiang overpraises me. Nihuang is merely doing her duty."]

[Peak of the Sea Opening Realm nodded, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield.]

["You fought well in this battle. Especially that beast-tamer subordinate of yours..."]

[He paused, "He's somewhat interesting."]

[Xia Nihuang's smile remained unchanged.]

["Nie Zhang is indeed a talent."]

[Peak of the Sea Opening Realm said nothing more, only casting a deep look in the direction where Chu Sheng was.]

[That single glance made a chill run down Chu Sheng's spine.]

[Just then, a cold gaze fell upon Chu Sheng.]

[Jiang Yuenü.]

[She had walked up to Chu Sheng at some point, her gaze sharp as lightning.]

["Why is there Devilish Qi on you? Are you a demonic Cultivator?"]

[Chu Sheng's heart pounded wildly, but his expression remained calm.]

["Young Miss Jiang must be joking. I just killed a few members of the Demon Race, so it's inevitable to be tainted by their aura."]

[Jiang Yuenü stared at him for a long time.]

[Cold sweat seeped from Chu Sheng's forehead, yet he forced himself to meet her gaze.]

[Thanks to that Succubus just now, the residual Devilish Qi on his body served as the perfect excuse.]

["Stay calm, stay calm, she can't tell..."]

[After a long while, Jiang Yuenü looked away.]

["It had better be so."]

[She turned and left, her back as cold and proud as frost.]

[Chu Sheng let out a long breath, nearly collapsing to the ground.]

["Old Grandfather," he transmitted his voice, "that scared me to death."]

["You're lucky, kid. If it were anyone else, they'd be dead by now."]

[Xia Nihuang walked over and stood beside Chu Sheng.]

["Did she suspect you?"]

[Chu Sheng nodded.]

[Xia Nihuang was silent for a moment.]

["You are one of my people; I trust you."]

[Trust?]

[This trust came with a price.]

["Thank you, Commandery Governor."]

[He lowered his head and bowed.]

[Xia Nihuang said nothing more and turned to leave.]

Chu Sheng watched this scene and sighed.

"Xia Nihuang, this woman, though cold, is indeed protective of her own, but she doesn't go soft on her enemies either."

He took a sip of tea.

"That Jiang Yuenü has such sharp eyes. I'll have to steer clear of her in the future."

He looked at the screen.

"Next, it's time for the hard battle."

[The next day, the main forces of both sides collided head-on.]

[The Demon Race army surged forward like a black tide, while the human Cultivators formed battle arrays to meet the enemy.]

[Chu Sheng stood behind the Yao Beast army, the demon refining pot operating frantically, subduing stray members of the Demon Race while replenishing the Yao Beasts' spiritual energy.]

["Refreshing!"]

[He grew more excited as the fight went on.]

[In the sky, Xia Nihuang was engaged in a great battle with Heisha.]

[Heisha, a Demon General at the Late Stage of the Spirit Spring Realm, held a black long saber. Wherever the blade passed, the air froze into ice.]

[The Demon Race is also divided into ranks: Qi Induction for Demon Soldiers, Condensing True Essence for Demon Warriors, Spirit Sea for Demon Generals, and Dao Palace for Devil Kings.]

[Each Realm is further divided into high-tier, middle-tier, and lower-tier.]

[Xia Nihuang held the five fires seven birds fan, its seven-colored flames turning into a towering sea of fire as she clashed head-on with Heisha.]

[The two fought from the heavens to the earth, and from the earth back to the heavens.]

["Human, you are quite good!"]

[Heisha roared.]

[Xia Nihuang sneered.]

["You aren't bad either."]

[The two collided again, and violent spiritual energy exploded. Within a hundred-foot radius, no one dared to approach.]

[Just as the battle reached a stalemate, a figure descended from the sky.]

[Xiaoyaozi.]

[A Loose Cultivator big shot at the Middle Stage of the Spirit Spring Realm, he brought a group of Loose Cultivators to 'pick up the scraps.']

["Fellow Daoists, this humble Daoist has come to lend you a hand!"]

[He held a Horsetail Whisk; with a single wave, dozens of Demon Warriors were turned to ashes.]

[The Loose Cultivators followed him into the fray, busy picking up equipment, corpses, and stragglers, enjoying themselves immensely.]

["This Magic Treasure is fated for me!"]

Chu Sheng watched this scene, his mouth twitching.

"Old Grandfather, are these people here to fight a war or to go treasure hunting?"

Old Grandfather said leisurely.

"Loose Cultivators are just like that. They'll take any advantage they can get and run when there's none."

[On the battlefield, the Demon Race began to retreat.]

[But just as Chu Sheng thought they were about to win, a terrifying aura locked onto him.]

[Lower-tier Demon General, Early Stage of the Spirit Spring Realm!]

[That Demon General was covered in blood, clearly having just fought his way out of another part of the battlefield.]

[He fixed his eyes on Chu Sheng—this human had captured too many of his subordinates, he must die!]

["Human, die!"]

[The black long saber slashed down, the blade light falling like a waterfall!]

[Chu Sheng's pupils shrank; it was too late to dodge.]

[Just then, an aged figure blocked the way in front of him.]

[Old Grandfather!]

[He burned his remnant soul to forcefully block this strike!]

["Boom—!"]

[Violent spiritual energy exploded, and Chu Sheng was sent flying.]

[Old Grandfather's figure became a bit more ethereal, his voice so weak it was almost inaudible.]

["Kid... this time... I've suffered a great loss..."]

[Unexpectedly, this Old Grandfather actually did something; Chu Sheng hurriedly shouted.]

["Old Grandfather!!!"]

[immortal slaying gourd, activated with full power!]

[A golden light slashed out from the mouth of the gourd!]

[With the first strike, he slew a high-tier Demon Warrior!]

[With the second strike, he slew another!]

[With the third strike, he slew yet another!]

[Three high-tier Demon Warriors were instantly turned to ashes!]

[The Demon General's expression changed, and he turned to flee.]

[But Chu Sheng had gone mad.]

[With the fourth strike, he slashed toward the Demon General!]

[The blade light entered his body, and the Demon General screamed as a bloody hole exploded in his chest!]

[Heavily wounded!]

[Although it wasn't a kill, a Demon General of the Early Stage of the Spirit Spring Realm was heavily wounded by him, a mere True Transformation Realm Cultivator!]

[The entire field was shocked!]

["What's the background of that kid?!"]

["Holy crap! He's crazy!"]

[Chu Sheng stood where he was, panting heavily, his face as pale as paper.]

[After four consecutive strikes, his essence blood was nearly drained dry.]

[But that Demon General had escaped.]

[In this battle, both sides suffered heavy casualties.]

[The Demon Race retreated, and the humans were also unable to pursue.]

[Chu Sheng became famous in a single battle.]

[The name "Nie Zhang" spread throughout the battlefield.]

["That beast-tamer slew three high-tier Demon Warriors and heavily wounded a lower-tier Demon General!"]

["The gourd in his hand is a heaven rank magic treasure!"]

["Where did Xia Nihuang find such a fierce man?"]

[Chu Sheng lay in his tent, listening to the discussions outside with a bitter smile.]

["Old Grandfather, I'm famous."]

[Old Grandfather's weak voice sounded.]

["Being famous... is a good thing... and also a bad thing..."]

[Chu Sheng nodded.]

[He knew.]

[Fame meant the attention of more people.]

[The next night, a Secret Envoy arrived.]

[He handed Chu Sheng a letter.]

[The Third Prince's personal letter.]

[Chu Sheng opened it, and his expression darkened.]

[In the letter was a blatant threat:]

["Nie Zhang, I know too many of your secrets. If you don't want to be exposed, cooperate obediently. Otherwise, die."]

[Chu Sheng finished reading and silently put the letter away.]

["Old Grandfather, how much merit do you think I'd get if I sold him out?"]

[Old Grandfather was silent for a moment.]

["That depends on who you sell him to."]

[Triggered key choice: Threatened by the Prince, how will you respond?]

[1. Report the Third Prince. Give the letter to Xia Nihuang and fully side with Fengxian Prefecture. Risk: Completely falling out with the Third Prince. Reward: Gain Xia Nihuang's trust.]

[2. Play along. Pretend to cooperate to extract more intelligence. Risk: Bargaining with a tiger, you might be backlashed. Reward: Gain the initiative.]

[3. Take no action. Pretend nothing happened and wait to see how things develop. Risk: Being a sitting duck, the Third Prince might strike first. Reward: Temporary safety.]

[4. Take the initiative. Secretly investigate the Third Prince's background to find an opportunity for a counter-kill. Risk: Might startle the snake by beating the grass. Reward: Solve the problem once and for all.]

Chu Sheng looked at these four options and fell into deep thought.

"Choose 2. Pretend to cooperate first and see what he really wants to do."

[He looked at the Secret Envoy.]

["Tell the Third Prince, I agree."]

[The Secret Envoy nodded and vanished outside.]

[Chu Sheng watched the direction he left, a cold smile curling on his lips.]

["Playing with me? Let's see who plays whom to death."]

"Holy crap, he's going to be a double agent! How exciting!"

"The Third Prince, that smiling tiger, has finally shown his tail. But threatening Chu Sheng? Heh, he's still a bit green."

[He looked at the screen.]

["Next, let's see how Chu Sheng puts on his show."]