188: They're all people with connections...

Ripples appeared in space, and a giant portal emerged.

"Hmm?"

Xiao Hei stood up. "A teleportation array? Which Disciple or Elder is returning from their travels? That's quite a commotion."

One after another, Immortal Beasts of various shapes and sizes surged out like a tide!

There were giant tigers with wings on their backs, rock turtles shaped like small mountains, pythons spitting poisonous mist, and strange birds covered in flames... In the blink of an eye, the square in front of the mountain gate was mostly occupied by the dense crowd of Immortal Beasts!

Although they deliberately restrained their aura, the mixed, majestic wildness and pressure still made the air heavy.

The next moment, Lin Chen appeared with Ye Feng, Lu Zhiming, and several other Disciples.

Xiao Hei's dog eyes instantly widened.

"Hiss..."

Xiao Hei gasped, his dog face filled with shock. "Sect... Sect Master?! Did the Sect Master rob some ancient beast garden? Where did he get so many Immortal Beasts?!"

His dog nose twitched frantically, and his Divine Thought instinctively swept over them.

Earth Immortal... Heavenly Immortal... True Immortal?!

There were actually dozens of True Immortal Realm Immortal Beasts!

Although most were in the Early Stage or Middle Stage of the True Immortal Realm, the sheer number was terrifying!

This force could probably sweep through the entire Qinggu Heaven Domain, right?!

His gaze finally fell on the small silver-white wolf at Lin Chen's feet.

At this sight, Xiao Hei's fur almost stood on end!

"This... this aura!"

He felt his Divine Soul trembling slightly. "I can't see through it at all! It's unfathomable! It feels even more obscure and terrifying than Venerable Duobao or Fairy Li Meng!"

"This appearance... could it be a dog too?"

"No, is it a wolf? Or some other exotic species?"

Suddenly, a thought popped into his head—

Where did the Sect Master get such a powerful "doggy"? Could it be... he thinks my cultivation is too low and guarding the gate isn't majestic enough, so he's planning to replace me with another gate-keeping Divine Beast?

This Immortal... is about to lose his job?!

Xiao Hei suddenly felt his life as a dog turned bleak. The way he looked at the small silver-white wolf carried a hint of wariness and... resentment.

Meanwhile, Xiao Bai was also sizing up the black dog.

"So pitch black, how ugly..."

"But... Peak True Immortal? Its cultivation is actually decent!"

"As This Deity has just arrived, should I take in a little brother to get familiar with the environment? This black dog's strength is acceptable, so it's a good choice..."

"No, I need to observe more."

"In case this dog is a hothead or has a foul temper, taking him in would be a hassle instead..."

While Xiao Bai was still hesitating, Xiao Hei had already approached, wagging his tongue pleasingly. "Sect Master, you're back! Xiao Hei pays his respects to the Sect Master!"

Lin Chen nodded and instructed, "Xiao Hei, these are all Immortal Beasts that have just submitted to the Sect!"

"Take them to find a place to settle down. Divide them into areas based on their strength and habits for them to inhabit."

"Make the rules clear to them. They are not allowed to cause trouble within the Sect."

"Yes! Xiao Hei obeys the Sect Master's command!" He immediately puffed out his chest and shouted, "All of you, follow This Immortal! I'll take you to your new territory, so behave yourselves!"

Xiao Hei led the way, walking toward the back mountain.

The massive group of Immortal Beasts, under the restraint of those dozens of True Immortal Realm leaders, followed silently like moving mountains. The scene was magnificent.

Before long, they arrived at a vast area where the surrounding Spiritual Qi was abundant.

Xiao Hei looked down at the dense crowd of Immortal Beasts with various auras below.

"Listen up, everyone! Stand in an orderly fashion for This Immortal!"

"This Immortal is the Wending Sect's Guardian Divine Beast, Lord Black Immortal!"

"From now on, you are under This Immortal's jurisdiction!"

He paused over the beast crowd, especially on several Early Stage True Immortal Beasts with the strongest auras. "This Immortal doesn't care how majestic you were outside or how high your cultivation is. Once you're here, even if you're a dragon, you must coil up; even if you're a tiger, you must crouch!"

"Everything goes by the Sect's rules. If anyone dares to cause trouble, don't blame This Immortal's claws for being merciless!"

There was a slight commotion among the beasts below, but it quickly subsided.

These Immortal Beasts possessed high intelligence and could feel the pure Peak True Immortal pressure from Xiao Hei. Coupled with the previous instructions from the Howling Moon Heavenly Wolf and Lin Chen's unfathomable aura, they naturally didn't dare to act out.

The beast race naturally admires the strong, so they weren't particularly dissatisfied with Xiao Hei.

Xiao Hei was very satisfied.

"Very good! You all are quite decent. This Lord Black Immortal has high hopes for you!"

"Come, come, first call me Lord Black Immortal for This Immortal to hear!"

There was a brief silence in the beast crowd, and then, led by several True Immortal leaders, they roared in unison—

"Lord Black Immortal!"

"Lord Black Immortal!"

"Lord Black Immortal!"

The waves of sound grew louder and louder, echoing in the valley.

Xiao Hei nodded with satisfaction, his tail wagging unconsciously, as he began to methodically arrange the areas and precautions for these new "residents."

Once everything was settled, Xiao Hei returned to the main hall to report.

"Sect Master, all the Immortal Beasts have been settled. They are temporarily residing in the Myriad Beast Valley on the back mountain, and the rules have been explained to them."

Xiao Hei reported respectfully, but from the corner of his eye, he saw the small silver-white wolf affectionately nuzzling the Sect Master's robe, and the Sect Master even casually rubbed its head.

Xiao Hei's heart skipped a beat.

This white-furred wolf is so close to the Sect Master?

Seeing how that group of Immortal Beasts obeyed its every command, it must be the leader of the pack!

It's definitely a well-connected individual!

No, I have to take note of this!

I must build a good relationship with someone so close to the Sect Master!

It'll make things easier in the Sect later on!

"Hmm, well done."

Lin Chen's voice interrupted Xiao Hei's thoughts.

Xiao Hei quickly composed himself. "It is Xiao Hei's honor to share the Sect Master's burdens!"

"Xiao Hei, how long have you been in the Sect?"

Lin Chen asked seemingly at random.

"Reporting to the Sect Master! It has been five years since Xiao Hei began following the Sect Master!"

Although Xiao Hei didn't know why the Sect Master suddenly asked, he answered honestly, "When I have time, I go to the great dao spacetime pagoda to Cultivate. I've already cultivated for hundreds of years inside the pagoda!"

"Five years... you're considered a veteran of the Sect now."

Lin Chen nodded and said in a gentle tone, "How do you feel in the Sect? Are you satisfied with this job of guarding the mountain gate?"

Xiao Hei was excited. The Sect Master was showing concern for an old employee!

He tried hard to suppress the urge to wag his tail wildly and said solemnly, "Reporting to the Sect Master! Xiao Hei feels everything is great! The Sect has treated me with immense kindness. If not for the Sect Master's promotion and the Sect's cultivation, Xiao Hei would definitely not be where he is today!

"Guarding the mountain gate and protecting the Sect is Xiao Hei's duty, and even more so, a supreme honor!"

"Hmm, keep up the good work. This Sect Master will not mistreat you." Lin Chen smiled and waved his hand. "You may go now. Take good care of those Immortal Beasts and get to know Xiao Bai better."

He pointed to Xiao Bai at his feet.

"Yes! Xiao Hei takes his leave!"

Xiao Hei bowed respectfully and left the main hall.

Watching Xiao Hei leave, Xiao Bai was also calculating in his mind.

"great dao spacetime pagoda?"

"It sounds like a spacetime supreme treasure!"

"The Sect's foundation is indeed deep; they even have a spacetime supreme treasure!"

"Although this black dog has only been here for five years, judging by the Master's attitude when questioning him, he is clearly highly regarded. He's definitely the most well-connected of them all!"

"I must build a good relationship with him!"

"It'll make things easier in the Sect later on!"

Lin Chen ignored the little schemes of the two fellows. He still had one pink gold summoning card unused, and now was the right time.

"System, use the pink gold summoning card!"