Chapter 335: Chapter 318: The Celestial Tribulation Arrives

In what used to be the territory of the Crane Race, a vast forest stretching over eight hundred miles has now completely taken over.

Towering giant trees rise into the sky, some reaching hundreds of meters high, as if this were an ancient and primordial forest.

But in reality, this place has become a Forbidden Land in the Southern Wilderness.

Because this is King Xiong Wu’s cultivation ground.

When Wang Wu, transformed into a demon wind, arrived, he immediately saw Kong Zhen and Yan Feihen each leading a Demon Race legion, loyally guarding the forest’s perimeter.

So, they didn’t discern any flaws in Xiong Shiliu’s impersonation of King Xiong Wu?

That’s quite good.

Wang Wu swept across the forest like a gentle breeze.

Inside the forest, life was abundant, with countless flowers and Little Demons, almost indistinguishable from a normal forest.

Yet, this was merely the outer layer of a Companion Demon Vine, like a snake’s skin, ready to be discarded at any moment.

It could also be devoured at any time, converted into energy resources.

However, it seems this companion has not devoured much over the years, as the daily fall of Spirit Essence provided more than enough.

It is on the verge of a breakthrough, about to reach First Grade.

Yet, Wang Wu sensed the Companion Demon Vine’s fear and anxiety within the forest.

Upon reaching the heart of the forest, a vast clearing appeared, with a small lake at its center—not a typical lake, but one formed from Spiritual Qi, a small lake of Spirit Essence.

Xiong Shiliu was in the Spirit Essence small lake at that moment.

He was cultivating at a rapid pace, already reaching Second Grade, and his Bloodline Evolution Level had surpassed the 50% mark, indicating that at this point, Xiong Shiliu’s growth potential exceeded that of the Bear Demon Emperor.

The reason his Bloodline Evolution Level could break through again was that he managed to cultivate a Ruyi Demon Pill.

What a surprise and delight!

Now, this has the makings of a Demon Emperor!

Wang Wu stood outside the Spirit Essence small lake, like a wisp of air, curious about how the Companion Demon Vine and Xiong Shiliu had synergized over the past six years.

He waited there for a full three days.

During this time, he watched as the Companion Demon Vine deposited all the descending Spirit Essence into the Spirit Essence small lake, keeping none for itself.

What a fellow, truly selfless!

You are clearly ready to advance to First Grade anytime!

Xiong Shiliu in the Spirit Essence small lake opened his eyes, surrounded by layers of golden divine light shimmering around him.

He was cultivating the Five Elements Golden Body, seemingly beginning with Basic Defense and extending into the Mountain-Encompassing Golden Body using Copper Head Iron Bone Divine Techniques.

The progress was not slow.

And Wang Wu hadn’t even started cultivating yet.

At this moment, a rugged, sloppy man walked out of the forest!

Wang Wu, upon seeing him, nearly gouged out his own eyes. Damn it, this Companion Demon Vine had transformed into his previous form.

Simply unbelievable!

The fellow approached the edge of the Spirit Essence small lake, raised his left hand, and silver-grey wooden spike tendrils emerged from the back of his hand, instantly covering Xiong Shiliu’s entire body, mimicking actions and mannerisms so vividly!

“Not bad, you resemble my master by thirty percent now, but are you sure you won’t condense and cultivate another two demon pills? My master had five demon pills.”

The Companion Demon Vine spoke lazily, like a personal doctor.

“It’s impossible; my Ancient Blood potential is nearly exhausted here. How could I cultivate another two demon pills? Attempting to do so forcefully would only be a cocoon binding one’s own hands, an insult to oneself. With that time and energy, it would be better to fully cultivate the Five Elements Golden Body.” Xiong Shiliu replied calmly, and that tone, that demeanor, damn, why did it seem so familiar.

Wang Wu was dumbfounded, so vividly lifelike.

These two are true geniuses.

“In fifty years, will you be able to advance to First Grade?” the Companion Demon Vine asked eagerly.

“No, unless I set aside the Five Elements Golden Body, but there is really no need to pursue advancement. Without completing the Five Elements Golden Body, advancing to First Grade would not be strong enough.” Xiong Shiliu seemed slightly regretful.

Both seemed preoccupied, silent for a while before Xiong Shiliu asked again, “You haven’t sensed Xiong Wu’s presence yet?”

“No, these six years felt like an eternity, my heart… utterly torn and broken…”

“Enough, you just want to escape, you want to break free, but you don’t dare, coward!” Xiong Shiliu cut off with a cold laugh, seeing through everything with one glance.

“Forget it, you don’t understand, we are friends, promised never to betray each other for a lifetime.”

“Hmph!”

Xiong Shiliu snorted coldly, saying no more.

But the Companion Demon Vine began to sneer, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking, you’re the one who truly wants to escape, rest assured, as long as I’m here, you’ll obediently act as my master’s stand-in, any mistake, I will never let you off!”

Xiong Shiliu still sneered, too disdainful to clarify anything, but what he truly thought deep down, no one knew.

After a while, the Companion Demon Vine finally spoke: “Are you planning to enter the next phase of seclusion? I suggest you enhance the Danger Perception and Passive Concealment bloodline talents. Though there hasn’t been any activity from Dragon and Snake City, we must be on guard. The Divine Martial Demon Emperor and the Lark Demon Emperor want to meet you… If there’s a slip-up because of this, and it ruins my master’s plan, I’ll kill you!”

Xiong Shiliu continued to snort coldly, truly maintaining a non-violently uncooperative stance.

Wang Wu saw this and thought it was about time.

He still needed to show up and intimidate these two cowardly ambitious ones.

The next moment, he directly manifested himself, and in that instant, he clearly saw Xiong Shiliu’s face turn white with fright.

Meanwhile, the Wang Wu formed by the Companion Demon Vine turned directly into a pile of tree roots, so scared it almost lost its soul.

“You—— I—— never thought of betrayal.”

Several seconds later, Xiong Shiliu’s face turned blue, then white, finally returning to normal, and these words were squeezed out almost from between his teeth.

Wang Wu, however, wore a smile, “I wasn’t intentionally eavesdropping on your conversation, but I was delayed by some surprises these past years. Still, you did well; I’m quite pleased.”

Saying this, Wang Wu took out the Small Tripod and casually tossed it back, where immediately a dense patch of branches caught it steadily and then started injecting Spirit Liquid frantically—it must be filled to the brim, taxes must be paid, no skimping.

Haha, just kidding, filling the tripod will suffice.

“Don’t feel any mental burden, nor pressure. Focus on your cultivation, seclusion if needed. From now on, you are King Xiong Wu; King Xiong Wu is you. I won’t scrutinize your actions, but I also won’t provide protection against the risks you face. You understand what I mean.”

“Whether the Divine Martial Demon Emperor sees through you is irrelevant. The important thing is, if Lu Wuchen wants to kill you, you’ll have to rely on yourself.”

“Also, I’ve informed Yuan Bupu about this, you can speak to him if there’s any pressure. You are cousins, after all; united you stand strong.”

“Moreover, from now on, chances are, I won’t show up anymore. You must find your way to ascend to First Grade, unite the Southern Wilderness Demon Race, and establish your own power. Don’t think everything is done for me; treat all these as your mission, your destiny.”

“And don’t think of fleeing. If you dare to run, I dare to kill you. Apart from that, do whatever you want!”

“Don’t forget the oath you made in your youth—if you can’t become the West Wilderness Demon Emperor, becoming the Southern Wilderness Demon Emperor would also not betray your younger self.”

With that said, Wang Wu retrieved the Spirit Liquid-filled Small Tripod and said to the hidden Companion Demon Vine: “You don’t have to be so humble. We are friends, and I’ve already returned your freedom. As long as you don’t commit many evils and don’t thwart the grand plans of my Southern Wilderness Demon Race, then in this fiefdom, within eight hundred miles, it’ll always belong to you.”

“I won’t ask you to do anything more; we aren’t master and servant, but friends forever. You can advance if you wish, even become an Ancient Tree, and perhaps one day, a Grandpa Tree!”

“Besides, my only request is that whenever I return, fill my Small Tripod. Anything else you want?”

“May I request a name from the master? I dare not call myself Grandpa Tree.”

“Then, let’s call you Tree Xiao Er. You can open a tavern at the edge of the forest, and when I have the time, perhaps I’ll come by for a drink.”

Before Wang Wu finished speaking, he had already dissipated like a breeze.

This scene dumbfounded Xiong Shiliu, and the psychological shadow left was probably greater than that caused by the Five Poisons.

How could he possibly follow that?

There’s no way to follow! He, a Second-Grade Great Demon Ancient Giant Bear, couldn’t even discern what divine technique Wang Wu used just now. Completely beyond imagination!

After a long time, he slumped on the ground, utterly without any fighting spirit.

And this time, surprisingly, the Companion Demon Vine didn’t urge him, because regarding psychological shadow or enduring blows, its burden was tenfold!

Because it really wanted to escape and had always been planning, the feeling of freedom is so good! Who doesn’t want freedom?

But after this scare, it would never attempt to flee again in this lifetime; it was thoroughly dissuaded.

It became meaningless.

And Wang Wu didn’t stay to continue testing them; he wasn’t that wicked.

Besides, he was genuinely satisfied with the Companion Demon Vine and Xiong Shiliu.

They were both innately suited to play roles as his stand-in.

Now, he could leave the Southern Wilderness—next stop: Desolate Western Wilderness Evil Wind Desert.

No more delays.

In truth, since leaving the Secret Realm Cave, he’d had a somewhat uncomfortable feeling for days.

Initially subtle, but as time passed, especially waiting those three days for Xiong Shiliu without moving, it became particularly distinct. When he crossed five hundred miles from the forest, it started diminishing again.

Very mysterious!

At first, Wang Wu thought the Danger Perception Talent was issuing an early warning.

But now he knew, it was because his Basic Attributes were too high. Although his life span had decreased by 3100 years, other aspects remained lofty.

Therefore, the Celestial Tribulation was approaching.

Unless he stayed hidden in places like a Secret Realm Cave, he had one choice left: to head to the Evil Wind Desert to build up Evil Wind Resilience and reduce his Basic Attributes.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep