Chapter 40: Build High Walls, Stockpile Grain

Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Build High Walls, Stockpile Grain

The Divine Dragon Sect?

’That has to be the other source of Demon Qi!’

’As expected, Demon Qi is just too distinct. It’s impossible to hide, even if one tries.’

Li Ye sighed to himself.

’Since it’s the Divine Dragon Sect, the Demon Qi most likely possessed an animal like a python or a lizard. Only creatures like that would try to pass themselves off as dragons after becoming demons.’

’Demonic artifacts need a wielder to unleash their power, which makes them relatively easy to deal with.’

’But a true demon, one that has gained sentience, will possess many Divine Abilities of its own without needing Derived Skills, and they grow incredibly fast.’

’On Earth, when demons brought chaos to the world, it took the coordinated efforts of many Demon Hunters to capture one.’

’For a fledgling Time Traveler like him to think he could take down a demon that’s had two or three years to grow, all by himself? It was pure fantasy.’

"Lord Li, what is it? Is the Divine Dragon Sect in the Western Regions related to your lost Immortal Artifact?" Murong Kaixin asked cautiously.

"It’s not an Immortal Artifact," Li Ye said, shaking his head.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Murong Kaixin’s face.

"It was a small dragon I caught in the Profound Nether Sea. I was originally planning to keep it for food, but I unexpectedly ran into Federation police. While escaping, I strayed into spacetime turbulence, my ship broke apart, and it got away. I didn’t expect that thing to arrive on this Primitive Planet before I did," Li Ye said nonchalantly.

"You caught a dragon... for food?" Murong Kaixin asked, stunned.

"Is that so strange? Dragon Liver and Phoenix Gallbladder are incredibly restorative. Catching them for food is perfectly normal. It’s like for you people, a single bite of Dragon Flesh would probably grant you a hundred years of Skill Level instantly. Smear Dragon Blood on your body, and you’d become immune to all poisons." Li Ye sighed. "Unfortunately, I’ve lost all my Skill Level now, so dealing with it will be a bit troublesome. Otherwise, if I cooked it, I could at least recover one percent of my Skill Level."

He stood up and paced back and forth a few steps, frowning. "I still need to figure out a way to deal with it. I’ve had enough of this damned planet; I need to get out of here quickly. But before I slay the dragon, I have to get my Soul Devourer back. That would increase my chances of success..."

Despite saying that, Li Ye had already made up his mind. He would not, under any circumstances, provoke that Divine Dragon, which was likely possessed by Demon Qi.

He had already offended the Great Chu Country, and a battle with Xiangli was inevitable.

As for that dragon, it was best to leave it alone if he could.

Demons were far more difficult to handle than demonic artifacts...

Murong Kaixin’s head was buzzing.

He didn’t remember anything else, only that a bite of Dragon Flesh was incredibly restorative.

A single bite of Dragon Flesh could increase one’s Skill Level by a hundred years. If he could eat something like the dragon’s gallbladder or heart, it would probably be enough to bring the dead back to life and let him achieve Ascension on the spot.

Before, he wouldn’t have believed in such things.

But everything he had witnessed today had completely overturned his understanding of the world. Now, he believed everything Li Ye said without a doubt.

"Lord Li, please spare my life." Murong Kaixin looked at Li Ye and begged humbly, "I’m a Grandmaster, after all. When the time comes to slay the dragon, perhaps I can be of assistance."

"I don’t trust you," Li Ye said, looking at Murong Kaixin and shaking his head. "I destroyed your Descendants’ Bag and broke all your limbs. You want to help me? I’d be more worried about you backstabbing me while I’m fighting the dragon! Besides, you’re too stupid."

"Lord Li, you clearly said just now that if I provided a clue, you would let me live," Murong Kaixin said urgently.

"I did promise to give you a chance to live, but I never said when," Li Ye said with a smile.

"You..." Murong Kaixin was about to curse Li Ye for going back on his word, but remembering his own situation, his tone immediately softened. "Lord Li, I know I was wrong. I was foolish to have offended an immortal’s might before. Now that I know your identity as an Immortal Master, how would I dare to do so again?"

He paused for a moment. "The Celestial Master’s Mansion has several hundred members, including many Innate Masters. I am willing to lead the entire Celestial Master’s Mansion in service to you, Lord Li. I can swear an oath: if I betray Lord Li, may I be struck by five bolts of lightning and die a horrible death!"

"One year," Li Ye said indifferently after a glance at Murong Kaixin. "If you can survive for one year in your current state, I will heal your injuries and take you to slay the dragon."

"One year?" Murong Kaixin was stunned.

"Yes, one year," Li Ye nodded. "You offended the emperor, so your entire clan has probably been wiped out by now. For offending me, a punishment of only one year is already light."

"But with injuries like these, how can I possibly survive for a year?" Murong Kaixin said in despair.

"That’s your problem," Li Ye said, looking at Murong Kaixin with a slight smile. "Of course, during this period, if you perform any meritorious service, I can consider reducing your sentence at my discretion."

"How am I supposed to perform meritorious service from inside this cage?" Murong Kaixin swallowed, finding the whole thing more and more unbelievable.

"If you really want to, there’s always a way," Li Ye said. "You know as well as I do that while your injuries look severe, healing them is as easy as flipping my hand for me. As for what to do specifically, you’ll have to figure that out yourself..."

After saying that, he paid Murong Kaixin no more mind and vanished into Sirius Valley, leaving him alone to gaze up at the starry sky, desolate and helpless as he contemplated his future.

「The next day.」

Deng Wei, Yu Fei, Feng Yang, Zhu Gaojie, and the others spurred their horses onward, galloping straight for the Western Regions.

They had accepted a mission from Li Ye to investigate the so-called Divine Dragon Sect.

Kings do not meet kings.

Different sources of Demon Qi could sense one another.

If Li Ye were to appear near another source of Demon Qi, it would likely trigger a major battle immediately.

But now that Li Ye knew what the other two sources of Demon Qi were, he wouldn’t be able to rest easy until he had them thoroughly investigated.

Although he didn’t want to make an enemy of the Divine Dragon Sect, he had also caused quite a stir himself. If the Divine Dragon Sect came looking for trouble, he had to be prepared.

After getting specific information about the two sources of Demon Qi from Murong Kaixin, Li Ye’s sense of crisis intensified like never before.

But he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of wishful thinking. For instance, the Divine Dragon Sect and Chu Country had coexisted peacefully for over two years. Perhaps the demon that founded the Divine Dragon Sect was a risk-averse individual?

But as soon as that wishful thought emerged, he suppressed it.

Just because two sources of Demon Qi coexisted peacefully didn’t mean they would continue to do so after a third one appeared. What if he was the straw that broke the camel’s back?

It was best to avoid a confrontation if he could, but if he couldn’t, then he would have to fight!

"Build high walls, stockpile provisions. If the enemy doesn’t move, I don’t move." This was the latest policy Li Ye had set for himself.

「On the same day.」

Li Ye led the Fun People Club in holding a fan meet-and-greet in Weining City.

At the event, Shi Xiang, Liu Guangsheng, and others actively answered questions from fans, drew names to give away signed jerseys, and even performed their signature moves on straw-man dummies, drawing waves of applause.

Li Ye also shared his vision for the football club’s future with the people of Weining City, along with various arrangements for the league.

He also promised to launch the "Football Newspaper" in partnership with Weining City, which would report on the players’ training, their away games, and other news.

Football fans would be able to use the Football Newspaper to keep up with match results, purchase football lottery tickets, and so on.

At the same time, he announced the establishment of the Fun People Club’s youth academy, welcoming all young people who aspired to join the club to sign up enthusiastically.

Anyone selected by the club would not only be provided with food and lodging but would also be taught martial arts and football skills. Those who performed exceptionally well would have the chance to join the Fun People Club’s first or second team and become official players.

Taking advantage of the few days of peace he had left, Li Ye did everything he could to expand the influence of football and thereby strengthen his own power base.

Thinking of the high mortality rate for Time Travelers, he had a nagging feeling that he probably wouldn’t be able to avoid either of the two sources of Demon Qi.