Zhang Shicheng held Zhang Chen in high regard, considering Zhang Chen’s skills were truly extraordinary. Given time for Zhang Chen to develop further, or with Shicheng’s assistance on the path of cultivation, Zhang Chen would undoubtedly become a significant ally, even lending a hand in a future confrontation with the court.
He was eager to bring Zhang Chen into his fold.
However, faced with Zhang Shicheng’s recruitment, Zhang Chen merely chuckled lightly and continued his exploration of the Crystal Palace. Although the first floor of the Crystal Palace was large, it appeared empty because everything that held any value had been removed by Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, leaving nothing of interest behind.
It was said Prince Pingbian’s Mansion was thorough in its plundering, leaving not even a hint of creation or fortune behind, stripping away everything in sight.
The three floors of the Crystal Palace became progressively smaller, and within the span of a single incense stick’s burning time, Zhang Chen had already completed his investigation.
Ultimately disappointed, realizing the Crystal Palace was unsuitable for concealment, he decided the only option was to hide outside. He said to Zhang Shicheng, "You should leave now."
Even though there was ample time left before the Soul Hook’s stipulated duration—three days and only a couple of hours had passed—Zhang Chen had already achieved his objective and saw no point in holding Zhang Shicheng’s soul any longer.
The most critical concern was that if those two old fellows finished dismembering and escaped, Zhang Shicheng would focus solely on him. Where could he escape then?
If he couldn’t escape, catching up with Zhang Chen would seal his fate.
Hearing this, Zhang Shicheng took a deep breath and stared at Zhang Chen for a long moment before saying, "I am impressed! I hope that when we meet next, I will witness your skills once again."
With those words, Zhang Shicheng departed without delay, his Yang God turning into a stream of light in the distance. Soon after, an earth-shattering sound of battle could be heard, accompanied by dragon roars and furious growls. Zhang Chen quickly fled the Crystal Palace, with his heartbeat halting and his body curling up, becoming encased in ice.
The Beast Taming skill activated, and a Great Snake slithered over, swallowing the ice-bound Zhang Chen whole.
The ice encapsulating Zhang Chen was oval-shaped, perfect for snakes to swallow. The massive snake, as thick as a truck, effortlessly swallowed Zhang Chen, then swam freely in the lake waters of the cavern.
The safest hiding spot is not in a single location but rather in a place that can move continually.
Though Zhang Chen was encased in ice, he wasn’t completely oblivious to the outside world. The fierce shockwaves from the battle stirred up undercurrents, causing snakes to scatter in a panic, with the Great Snake among them amid the mass escape.
Then, as the battle intensified, Dragon Blood flowed into the lake, causing the snakes in the water to go into a frenzy, madly swimming toward the source of the blood flow (the Dragon Blood stemming from True Dragon Fate, as Zhang Shicheng’s body was no longer alive, True Dragon Fate and Water Fortune continuously transformed the blood, functioning akin to hematopoiesis).
Any creature seeking enlightenment requires Fate, and at that moment, the Pseudo Dragon’s blood was Fate for all serpents.
With this blood, their bodies could transform, gaining intelligence, and venturing into the mysterious forbidden domain, becoming significant demons with influence.
Though there were Demon Races outside the border, they were better termed the Beast Race, lacking any special abilities, merely savages and beasts mingled together. Only those gaining Fate could transform into true masters of Extraordinary Power as Great Demons.
What is a demon?
Whatever defies logic is a demon!
The Great Snake hosting Zhang Chen also became frenzied, churning up waves, recklessly charging toward the Crystal Palace where the Dragon Blood flowed.
Zhang Chen didn’t restrain the snake’s actions; it was only natural for the snake to follow its instincts. All snakes were heading toward the Dragon Blood, and it would be suspicious to stop the python from doing otherwise.
Feeling the ripples within the river, Zhang Chen’s eyes showed a hint of prudence amid the surging undercurrents.
The entire lake seemed to boil, with the undercurrents surging intensely, making it arduous for even the Great Snake to maneuver through.
Yet for the snake, it was merely challenging, not enough to deter its thirst for the Dragon Blood.
Finally, in a particular moment, Zhang Chen sensed the snake entering the Crystal Palace, but before it could devour the Dragon Blood, a thunderous sound erupted—a ground-shaking, mountain-crushing crash—as Elder Wu of the Yellow Heaven Dao’s cry echoed in the hidden space, "Old fool, if you deny us a way out, then let none of us live!"
Then came another loud crash, with the snake being thrown about, crashing repeatedly against the walls, as if flung far away.
Through the water vapor in the air, Zhang Chen’s mind envisioned an almost radar-like simulation of the external scene.
The Crystal Palace had collapsed!
It was as though it had been bombarded; the Crystal Palace was torn apart, with countless pillars tumbling down.
Along with the collapse of the Crystal Palace, a crack of unknowable depth opened in the earth, and the lake water began to flood in, sweeping the snake into the rift.
"You plundered my eyes! Stole my dragon whiskers! Seized my Flood Dragon Pearl! Return my eyes! Return my dragon whiskers! Return my Flood Dragon Pearl!" Zhang Shicheng’s voice roared like a dragon’s bellow in the underground, echoing continuously as the ever-fierce torrent grew more formidable, leaving the snake utterly incapable of controlling its body, swept away amidst the rushing water within the rift’s depths.