The Ancient Giant Crocodile’s face was filled with disdain.
’What a joke!’
’Making me serve some piece of trash as my master? I’d rather just bash my head in and die.’
Demon Beasts have their pride, too.
If other Demon Beasts found out it had become a Demon Pet for some piece of trash, they’d laugh it to death.
’No way, no way!’
’Absolutely not!’
Su Mo narrowed his eyes and said, "Are you implying my word means nothing?"
"No, no, no!"
The Ancient Giant Crocodile quickly explained, "They are all too weak. They aren’t qualified to be my master. I want to be *your* Demon Pet, senior."
’If I have to be a Demon Pet, I need a powerful master. At least that way, I’ll still have some dignity.’
Su Mo waved his hand. "Sorry, you’re too trashy. I’m not interested."
Although the Ancient Giant Crocodile was ancient, it wasn’t a Divine Beast. Its essence blood couldn’t be used to refine the Nine Dragon Venerable Pill.
If they were in Qingyang City, he might have taken the Ancient Giant Crocodile to guard his home, but out here in these vast mountains, it was of little use.
The hemp-robed old man and his group, however, wore strange expressions.
Su Mo was looking with disgust at a powerful Demon Beast they had failed to subdue even after exhausting all their efforts.
’The comparison is just infuriating.’
The Ancient Giant Crocodile felt even more wronged.
’I thought by kneeling and begging for mercy, I could get a powerful master. Who knew I’d end up with some piece of trash? I might as well have been beaten to death.’
The Ancient Giant Crocodile looked at the hemp-robed old man with contempt. "Old timer, this king can be your Demon Pet, but you’ll have to serve this king with good food and drink. Otherwise, this king would rather die than not tear you to shreds on the spot."
"Yes, yes, of course!"
The hemp-robed old man readily agreed. "Don’t worry. I will only call on you for help during a fight. The rest of the time, I won’t disturb you."
The Ancient Giant Crocodile said with satisfaction, "That’s more like it. Come on, let’s sign the contract."
The hemp-robed old man’s face was flushed with excitement.
’If I bring the Ancient Giant Crocodile back to the Sect, the whole Sect will be shocked speechless.’
With this contribution, he could be promoted to Supreme Elder.
The rest of his group would also receive substantial benefits.
The contract was signed!
Su Mo said flatly, "Alright, I promised to help you subdue a Demon Beast, and now it has been subdued. From this day forward, we owe each other nothing."
With that, Su Mo turned and left.
"Fellow Daoist, may I ask your esteemed surname?"
"My surname is Su!"
Watching Su Mo’s receding figure, the hemp-robed old man said with regret, "What a pity we couldn’t learn Fellow Daoist Su’s true identity. Otherwise..."
A disciple suggested, "Elder Su seemed to be coming from the direction of the Desolate Empire. We could investigate and find out."
"Absolutely not!"
The hemp-robed old man stopped him. "The more powerful a person is, the more they detest being investigated. Don’t risk a great loss for a small gain and offend Fellow Daoist Su... no, Elder Su."
In the Martial Arts World, the strong were revered.
Regardless of their age, as long as someone’s strength far surpassed your own, you had to address them respectfully as "Elder."
The Ancient Giant Crocodile sneered, "Heh, don’t be so delusional. Elder Su doesn’t even think I’m worthy. With your trashy strength, what makes you think you’re qualified to associate with him?"
Hearing this, the hemp-robed old man’s face turned beet red.
The Ancient Giant Crocodile said lazily, "Stop staring. He’s already gone. Aren’t you supposed to be taking me back to your Sect? Let’s go."
The hemp-robed old man and his group departed.
***
Su Mo suddenly stopped, his face darkening. "Damn it to hell! I was so busy subduing the Ancient Giant Crocodile that I forgot to ask for directions."
It was definitely too late to go back.
The hemp-robed old man was surely long gone, and even if Su Mo wanted to chase after them, he didn’t know which way they went.
’Crap!’
SCREECH!
Just as Su Mo was fretting, a piercing cry suddenly came from the distance.
It was a massive cyan bird.
With its wings spread, the massive cyan bird was a full fifty meters wide. It dominated the sky, blotting out the sun and casting Su Mo in shadow.
Su Mo was pleasantly surprised. "A Cyan Cloud Sparrow! If I could ride this beast, wouldn’t I be able to fly?"
Like the Ancient Giant Crocodile, this Cyan Cloud Sparrow was also a Tier Four Demon Beast.
Judging by its aura alone, the Cyan Cloud Sparrow was even a bit stronger than the Ancient Giant Crocodile.
’Should I just punch it into submission?’
Su Mo shook his head.
’I need to ride this Cyan Cloud Sparrow to get to the Beast Taming Sect. I can’t injure it and affect its ability to fly.’
Soon, Su Mo came up with a plan. He shouted toward the sky, "Hey, Little Queque, I’ve got some meat for you to eat down here!"
"Insolent!"
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow was furious.
It was the Tier Four Demon King of this mountain range, its strength even slightly greater than that of the Ancient Giant Crocodile from Luoshui Creek.
Most humans who saw it fled from a great distance.
But this human right in front of it was actually teasing it, even calling it Little Queque. He was treating it like a pet!
This was intolerable, especially for a bird of its stature.
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow roared, "Meat for this king, you say? Fine! This king will make a meal out of you!"
Before its voice had even faded, the Cyan Cloud Sparrow dove fiercely toward Su Mo.
Seeing this, Su Mo’s face lit up with excitement.
’The plan worked!’
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow frowned. ’Hm? What’s with this human? This king is about to eat him, and he looks happy about it. Could he be an idiot?’
’Well, an idiot is an idiot. As long as he doesn’t taste bad!’
’This is the price for provoking this king.’
"Die!"
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow let out a ferocious cry. However, just as it swooped down to the ground, Su Mo suddenly vanished, causing it to get a mouthful of dirt.
’Where’d he go?’
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow spat out the dirt and searched everywhere for Su Mo, but found no trace of him.
"Little Queque..."
Just as the Cyan Cloud Sparrow was feeling bewildered, Su Mo’s voice suddenly sounded right next to its ear.
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow cried out in alarm, "You... How did you get on my back?!"
Su Mo said, "I just jumped up."
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow roared, "Human, get down from there right now! Otherwise, this king will eat you first, and then eat your entire family!"
Su Mo asked, "What did you just say?"
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow raged, "This king said..."
Just then, a heaven-shattering aura erupted from its back, pressing down hard on the Cyan Cloud Sparrow.
CRASH!
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow was smashed directly into the ground. It struggled violently several times but couldn’t move an inch.
This time, the Cyan Cloud Sparrow was truly terrified.
’Is this person a monster?’
’He’s so young, yet he possesses such terrifying strength. He suppressed me with his power alone.’
It was a Tier Four Demon King, after all.
Realizing it had provoked someone it couldn’t afford to offend, the Cyan Cloud Sparrow didn’t dare act rashly. It said in a panic, "You... Let’s talk this out! Please don’t crush me."
"Hmph. I gave you a chance to be reasonable, but you refused."
Su Mo snorted coldly.
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow pleaded, "Please don’t be angry, sir. Little Queque was blind and failed to recognize your power. Little Queque apologizes. I beg you to spare Little Queque’s life."
Su Mo said indifferently, "Hmph. Not only did you refuse to be reasonable, you’re a spineless coward too."
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow looked aggrieved.
’I just happened to come out on patrol today to inspect my territory. Who knew I’d run into such a tough nut?’
’Next time I go out, I’m definitely checking the almanac.’
Su Mo asked, "Do you know where the Beast Taming Sect is?"
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow quickly replied, "Yes, yes, I know! The Beast Taming Sect isn’t far from here. I can fly you there."
「On the way.」
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow asked tentatively, "Sir, what are you going to the Beast Taming Sect for?"
Su Mo said, "To find Divine Beast Essence Blood!"