Chu Tianxiong wore a look of regret.
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow was at least as strong as the Ancient Giant Crocodile they had subdued before, perhaps even a little stronger.
What a shame it had been tamed by someone else.
Just then, Pingyangzi, who was standing beside them, ventured a guess. "Do you think it’s possible that Elder Su tamed the Cyan Cloud Sparrow?"
’Elder Su...’
At his words, Chu Tianxiong and Daoist Xuanqing lit up as if they’d had a shot of adrenaline, instantly thrilled.
"That’s possible!"
Chu Tianxiong said excitedly, "Before Elder Su came to our Beast Taming Sect, the Cyan Cloud Sparrow was still roaming the nearby mountain forests. After he arrived, the Cyan Cloud Sparrow vanished. The timing fits perfectly."
"I hope it was Elder Su!"
Daoist Xuanqing said, full of anticipation, "With Elder Su’s strength, he can definitely get justice for us and let us hold our heads high again."
Everyone turned to look in the direction the Cyan Cloud Sparrow was coming from, their faces filled with anticipation.
’Please don’t let us be disappointed.’
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow said respectfully, "Lord, the Beast Taming Sect is just ahead. My descent might be a bit bumpy, so please be careful."
It wasn’t worried about the others.
But if Su Mo lost his footing and fell from its back, it would be a grievous offense.
"Alright, let’s descend,"
Su Mo said coolly.
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow landed steadily in the back mountains of the Beast Taming Sect. Su Mo led all the members of the Xiao Family off its back.
"Oh? Are those Celestial Horses?" the Cyan Cloud Sparrow asked excitedly. "Lord, can I eat those Celestial Horses?"
Celestial Horses are exceptionally fast.
’By absorbing a Celestial Horse’s speed bloodline, my own speed would be greatly enhanced.’
Thus, the moment it saw the Celestial Horses, the Cyan Cloud Sparrow began to salivate.
Su Mo said, "Don’t cause trouble. I don’t like complications."
"Fine."
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow sighed in disappointment. "Lord, I’m going to find that old crocodile to hang out. Just give me a call when you’re ready to leave."
Su Mo nodded.
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow flew to the front mountains of the Beast Taming Sect. It found the Ancient Giant Crocodile lying listlessly on the ground, looking completely dejected. The sparrow grinned and said, "Old Croc, Master Qing is here to see you!"
The Ancient Giant Crocodile looked at the Cyan Cloud Sparrow in surprise. "Huh? What are you doing here? Don’t tell me you were tamed by that old bastard Chu Tianxiong?"
"Hmph. As if Chu Tianxiong is worthy!"
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow said proudly, "I’ll have you know, I came with Lord Su. And you should address him as Elder Su."
"What? Elder Su brought you here?"
The Ancient Giant Crocodile shot up in shock and asked in disbelief, "Don’t tell me... Elder Su has taken you as his Demon Pet?"
"Naturally!"
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow’s eyes darted around as it lied through its teeth. "Not only did Elder Su take me as his mount and Demon Pet, but he also appointed me the Sect Guardian Beast of their family."
"Fuck, how come I don’t have that kind of luck!"
The Ancient Giant Crocodile was so furious it couldn’t help but curse.
It had wanted to follow Su Mo, too, but Su Mo had rejected it, calling it trash. It never thought the Cyan Cloud Sparrow would get so lucky.
’That Cyan Cloud Sparrow’s luck is just too good.’
The Ancient Giant Crocodile sighed. "Alas... The heavens are blind!"
"Hey, Old Croc, don’t be discouraged. I’ll put in a good word for you with the Master one of these days. I’ll have him ask the Beast Taming Sect for you and take you as a Demon Pet too!"
the Cyan Cloud Sparrow coaxed.
The Ancient Giant Crocodile was overjoyed. "You really mean it?"
"Of course!"
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow winked. "I work my tail off for the Master. Even if I haven’t made any great contributions, he respects my hard work. He’ll give me that much face. But first, you have to call me Big Brother."
"Big Brother, please accept this little brother’s bow."
The Ancient Giant Crocodile immediately knelt.
The two of them used to fight to the death, neither willing to submit to the other.
But now, the Ancient Giant Crocodile was kneeling before the Cyan Cloud Sparrow.
’This big oaf is so gullible!’
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow muttered to itself before saying with a smug look, "Younger Brother Croc, no need for such formalities. Your big brother will now teach you the proper ways to serve the Master."
"Please enlighten me, Big Brother!"
the Ancient Giant Crocodile asked humbly.
A few nearby Demon Beasts watched this scene, completely baffled. "What’s gotten into Old Croc? He’s acting like a fool, completely taken in by that little sparrow."
「Meanwhile...」
Ouyang Cheng sized up Su Mo and his group for a moment before sneering, "Shit. I thought some important bigwigs were arriving, but it’s just a bunch of trash."
Among the Eighteen Kingdoms, any faction qualified to enter Qu Luo’s Tomb had to have at least one expert at the Late Stage Grand Martial Artist realm, if not Grandmaster Perfection or even the Great Perfection Realm.
Yet, among Su Mo’s group, the strongest were merely a few Martial Artists, while the rest were only at the Late Stage Warrior realm.
And these few Martial Artists were all old men in their twilight years.
How fucking pathetic!
It wasn’t just Ouyang Cheng who looked down on them; even the young prodigies from the Eighteen Kingdoms disdained Su Mo’s group, turning away after a single glance.
The Desolate Old Monster was speechless. "I thought Sect Leader Chu would bring some powerful experts. Turns out it’s just a group of low-tier martial artists. I got my hopes up for nothing."
However, Chu Tianxiong walked up to Su Mo, trembling with excitement, and bowed respectfully. "Welcome, Elder Su!"
"Welcome, Elder Su!"
Pingyangzi, Daoist Xuanqing, and the others also stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Su Mo.
The Desolate Old Monster was dumbfounded.
Chu Tianxiong was actually bowing to a mere Martial Disciple, a boy who wasn’t even old enough to grow a full beard, and he was doing it with such humility.
’Are my old eyes playing tricks on me? Did I see that wrong?’
The Desolate Old Monster rubbed his eyes, but the sight remained the same: Chu Tianxiong was still standing respectfully before Su Mo, bowed at a forty-five-degree angle.
"You may rise,"
Su Mo said coolly.
Only then did Chu Tianxiong and the others dare to straighten up.
Su Mo turned to the Xiao Family members and made the introductions. "This is Sect Leader Chu Tianxiong. Beside him are his friends, Pingyangzi and Daoist Xuanqing, as well as Du Feng and Roger."
Hm?
Xiao Zhan and the others were utterly shocked.
’These are all legendary figures in the Eighteen Kingdoms, and Su Mo knows every single one of them.’
’What’s more, they are incredibly respectful toward him.’
’It’s unbelievable.’
Not daring to be disrespectful, Xiao Zhan stepped forward. "Xiao Zhan of Qingyang City. It is an honor to meet Sect Leader Chu, Pingyangzi, Daoist Xuanqing, Patriarch Du, and National Preceptor Luo Jie."
"You’re too kind."
Chu Tianxiong and the others hastily returned the greeting.
’The Xiao Family from Qingyang City?’
’Aren’t they a family from our Desolate Empire?’
’Chu Tianxiong is really getting more and more outrageous, lowering himself to associate with such a minor family. No wonder Ouyang Cheng dares to come here and bully them.’
"And your relationship to Elder Su is...?"
Chu Tianxiong asked, looking at Xiao Zhan.
Su Mo explained, "This is my father-in-law. And this is my wife, Xiao Qingxue. The others are all members of our Xiao Family."
"So you are Elder Su’s family! Forgive my lack of courtesy."
Chu Tianxiong hurriedly cupped his fist in salute to Xiao Zhan and the others.
Daoist Xuanqing looked around in confusion. "Hey, where did the Desolate Old Monster disappear to? Someone get him over here to pay his respects to Elder Su. Elder Su is from his Desolate Empire, after all."
"I’m right here."
The Desolate Old Monster walked up to Su Mo, clasping his hands behind his back. "There’s no need for greetings. I have no interest in associating with such a minor family."