336: The Birth of Zhulong

Meng Jiang rolled her eyes, quickly let go, and smoothed her slightly messy sleeves. "I can't afford it. I'm afraid Her Majesty will drag me into a group broadcast."

Her gaze swept over the two people huddled together on the couch; Shang Wan Ning was clutching the stiff Ling Qi, the corners of her lips still curled in a look of amusement.

She also let her lips curve into a smile. "However, Your Majesty's couch is indeed big and spacious enough."

The implication was clear: it was more than enough to squeeze in three people.

[Please spare me, please use your imagination, I'm being honest now. (／_＼)]

Two days later, a bout of clouds and rain had long since subsided.

On the phoenix couch, Shang Wan Ning rested her head on Sister Meng's lap and held the Secretary-General in her arms, squinting her eyes contentedly like a cat that had finally found a comfortable nest.

[Hehe! There's progress. This time my waist isn't sore, my legs aren't weak, and my fingers aren't cramping.]

[As expected, the stronger the power, the better the stamina.]

...The warmth of the phoenix couch had not yet dissipated when ripples first rose deep within the Source Realm. The rock layers that had slept for thousands of years cracked with fine lines, and subterranean fire surged up through the gaps, licking at the divine bones.

The ice crystals on the eyelashes of those immortals and gods wrapped in chaotic energy melted. A drop of water carrying stardust fell to the ground, startling circles of ripples.

The immortals and gods of the Source Realm were about to wake up.

The first to open his eyes was the supreme of the Demon race, Zhulong.

The pressure of a ninth-rank Great Demon tore through the rock layers. He floated in the pitch-black cave, his golden vertical pupils reflecting a cold indifference that had remained unchanged for ten thousand years.

His divine sense swept through the Demon domain, pausing slightly when it touched the Netherworld; the residual foul aura there was so faint it was as if it had never existed.

"Useless."

His voice echoed in the cave, carrying a hint of disgust at their failure to live up to expectations. With a flick of his finger, a wisp of original Dragon Qi transformed into an avatar, condensing into a human form on the spot.

This avatar appeared to be about forty years old, dressed in a faded white plain Taoist robe with slightly frayed cuffs.

His face was lean, his nose bridge high, and the corners of his eyes drooped slightly, maintaining a gentle and harmless appearance.

Only in his eyes would the occasional flash of golden light reveal a sharpness that did not belong to a mortal.

The most subtle detail was the faint curve at the corner of his lower lip, which seemed to hide a hint of careless mockery, making it impossible to see through him.

[When a god sets foot in the new world, he must change his skin.]

[Being too eye-catching makes one an easy target; this is just right, like a mediocre Taoist traveling the world, vanishing into a crowd without a splash.]

"Original body, please stay. This humble Taoist takes his leave."

"Go."

The avatar stepped out of the Source Realm's barrier, ripples appearing in the void beneath his feet. When he landed again, he was standing on a street in City C.

"Beep— Beep beep—"

A piercing honk exploded. A metal box whistled past Zhulong's Taoist robe, spraying exhaust fumes all over his face.

Zhulong frowned, watching the four-wheeled metal thing turn nimbly and disappear into the concrete jungle, his eyes still a bit dazed.

Around him, "metal boxes" came and went, and people in colorful clothes stared down at small squares in their hands, walking in a hurry.

[So this is the world the humans have tossed together; they've certainly played around with these clever tricks and gadgets.]

Zhulong stood on the street corner, completely out of place with his surroundings.

Before long, a man in a black trench coat with a peach wood sword at his waist walked over. His steps were light, and he was surrounded by weak spiritual power; he was a first-rank Transcendent who had just started.

Zhulong stepped sideways to block him. "Fellow seeker, this humble Taoist has just arrived and wishes to ask about this place..."

Before he could finish, his hand had already touched the other's temple.

Just as the Transcendent was about to struggle, his eyes suddenly went dull.

Divine sense delved into the brain's memories as fast as lightning, filtering for useful information: Spiritual Energy Revival, the appearance of the Underworld, Yin Street, turmoil in the Demon domain... Half a minute later, he withdrew his hand.

The Transcendent jolted, his expression returning to clarity. He looked around blankly, muttering, "Strange, what was I going to do just now?" He turned and left hurriedly, completely forgetting he had ever met such a Taoist.

Zhulong watched the Transcendent's back and rubbed his fingertips. "Underworld! Shang Wan Ning, Meng Jiang, Olexia..."

He softly recited this string of names, amusement flashing in his golden eyes. "This seat would like to see just what kind of figures have taken over that Netherworld."

Following the route in his memory, Zhulong avoided the crowds. His figure flickered through the alleys, and in a few leaps, he reached the entrance to Yin Street.

The bluestone road was damp, and the shops on both sides were hung with red lanterns, a stark contrast to the steel forest from before.

A general store selling joss paper, a teahouse wafting the fragrance of wangchuan water, a stall with a wooden sign saying 'Ghost Contracts Written Here'... Zhulong walked all the way through, his divine sense sweeping over those ghost messengers and Wandering Souls like he was looking at flowers and plants in his own backyard.

Reaching the middle of Yin Street, he stopped.

In front of him was a Succubus Bar, with a black-and-gold sign hanging over the door: 'Succubus Colors'.

Two hostesses in crop tops stood at the door, the tips of their tails swaying behind them, leaving a bit of pink mist as they brushed against their ankles.

[Tsk, this place is certainly straightforward.]

Zhulong raised an eyebrow, his right hand under his Taoist robe unconsciously tapping his thigh. He had lived for too long; what kind of romantic establishments hadn't he seen? However, opening a bar in Yin Street was much more interesting than those serious shops.

He stepped inside.

The light in the bar was dim, and a sickly sweet fragrance drifted through the Yin energy, mixed with the smell of alcohol.

In the center of the dance floor, several figures twisted to decadent music, their tails tracing ambiguous arcs under the lights.

A bar girl in a red slip dress immediately came forward, a professional smile plastered on her face, her gaze circling Zhulong's Taoist robe.

A flash of surprise crossed her eyes. This Taoist looked like he had walked out of a painting; would he actually come to a place like this?

"Taoist, please come inside." The bar girl led Zhulong toward a booth. "We have three types of packages here: Basic, Deluxe, and Member. Which one would you like to order?"

"Deluxe."

Zhulong sat down in the booth, leaning casually against the backrest. His Taoist sleeves slid down, revealing half of his wrist.

The bar girl was even more surprised.

The Deluxe package included drinking accompaniment from a succubus lady; she had thought this Taoist would only order a pot of plain tea. "Alright! Just a moment, it'll be right out."

As she turned away, she couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Sure enough, you can't judge a book by its cover. He looks like an immortal, but he plays quite openly."

A few minutes later, Succubus Number Nine walked over.

This succubus was extremely sultry. Her upper body was a black tube top, outlining full curves, her waist so thin it looked like it would snap at a touch, and her lower body was in tight leather pants wrapping her long legs.

The most striking thing was the tail behind her; the end wasn't pointed but was a pink little peach heart. It swayed gently with her steps, exuding a seductive childishness.

She walked to the booth, and when she leaned over, the tube top slid down a bit, revealing delicate collarbones. Her voice was sweet and soft: "Taoist~ I'm the one accompanying you tonight. Just call This servant Tao Tao."

Zhulong looked up, his gaze circling the other's face.

The succubus was born with an androgynous beauty, the corners of her eyes upturned, her lips bright red, and a small dimple on the left side of her mouth when she smiled, forming a wonderful contrast with her spicy figure.

Especially that tail; as the heart-shaped tip swept across the carpet, it left a faint pink mist.

[Interesting.]