I'm determined to become an immortal!

Tiandu Mountain,

Deep in the Black Vine Ridge.

Inside the mountain, the silence was terrifying.

The air was thick with the stench of blood, mixed with the earthy smell, making one want to vomit.

The massive body of the Star-Backed Black Tortoise lay on the cold stone platform, barely daring to breathe, seemingly waiting quietly for something.

To its left lay a colossal creature, over ten zhang long, lying on the ground. It was a dark green serpent with scales that gleamed with a cold, eerie light. It was none other than the chief demon of Tiandu Mountain—the Black Jade Blood Serpent.

This demon has lingered in the poisonous swamp for many years, boasting of having the bloodline of a dragon, and is usually extremely ferocious.

But at this moment, its huge head drooped limply, a thin, long wound running through its neck at the seven-inch mark, and it was completely lifeless.

To the right of the old tortoise is a magnificent golden-haired lion, the mountain lord who guards Tiandang Peak.

This lion demon always claimed to be the second most powerful figure in Tiandu Mountain, possessing extraordinary innate talents and abilities.

But now, the lion demon is decapitated, its head rolled more than three zhang away, the cut on its neck smooth as a mirror, and golden demon blood soaking a large area of ​​the stone platform.

Ever since the appearance of the precious light in Black Vine Ridge, the Black Jade Blood Python and the Golden-haired Giant Lion have joined forces to occupy the core of this mountain, pushing the Thousand-Legged Centipede out.

The centipede then tried to win over the star-backed tortoise to fight against it and also wanted to get a share of the spoils from Black Vine Ridge.

Now it's all good. No need for everyone to fight over it anymore. All souls have returned to the Yellow Springs, and this secret realm belongs to Ye Shao Chen.

The only difference was that the centipede was the most useless, and was killed by Ye Shao Chen with a single sword strike;

The golden-haired giant lion managed to withstand two blows before being beheaded on the third.

The Black Jade Blood Serpent lived up to its status as the leader of the great demons, withstanding five sword strikes before Ye Shao Chen pierced its seven-inch mark with a single sword, extinguishing its life force.

Watching the two great demons who once reigned supreme in the mountains, with all demons bowing before their eyes, being chopped to pieces by flying swords right before their eyes.

While feeling a pang of regret, the Star-Backed Black Tortoise was also secretly glad that it had acted quickly and offered its gift sincerely.

Otherwise, it would probably be at the bottom of the Longevity Pool along with the centipede, becoming a dead soul under Ye Shao Chen's sword.

"However, with these three demons gone, the Poisonous Swamp, Tiandang Peak, and Wanchong Ridge have all become unclaimed lands, leaving only me, the old tortoise, as the only great demon in the central part of Tiandu Mountain."

In the future, won't I be able to dominate the central part of Tiandu Mountain?

The old tortoise lay prostrate on the stone platform, lost in thought, when it suddenly felt the hundred-foot-wide stone platform tremble slightly.

hum...

With each tremor, streaks of emerald light appeared out of thin air in the center of the stone platform, rippling like waves.

follow closely,

A figure emerged from within; it was Ye Shaozhen.

Ye Shao Chen stood with his hands behind his back, a smile playing on his lips, clearly looking like he had gained a lot.

The Star-Backed Black Tortoise was also adept at reading people's expressions, and quickly said:

"Congratulations on your great success in the secret realm."

Ye Shao Chen smiled and shook his head upon hearing this, saying:

"I wouldn't say we've made any major gains, but we've certainly secured a birthday gift for our master."

As he spoke, Ye Shao Chen turned and carefully examined the Star-Backed Black Tortoise for a moment, then said:

"You old turtle didn't do anything bad or run away after I entered the secret realm, and you didn't even touch the corpses of those two great demons. You are indeed calm and honest."

Ye Shaozhen's initiative in praising him startled the old tortoise, who quickly replied:

"I dare not accept such praise from you."

"No need to be modest. For me, Ye Shao Chen, good is good and bad is bad."

I chased after the thieves all the way here, and in doing so, I damaged your underwater palace. Not only did you, old turtle, not hold it against me, but you also led me to this secret realm, allowing me to gain something.

I should certainly praise you.

Ye Shao Chen seemed to be praising her, but his arrogant and condescending attitude made the Star-Backed Black Tortoise somewhat uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, given the enormous gap in strength, the Star-Backed Black Tortoise dared not reveal even a fraction of its power, focusing its attention solely on the word "thief."

Thief?

Could you be referring to Sheng-ge?

So, it turns out I was implicated by Sheng-ge'er, which is why I encountered this sword cultivator nemesis?

The old tortoise's mind raced.

Ye Shao Chen casually mentioned that he had never allowed a cultivator to enter the Water Mansion before.

Upon hearing this, the old tortoise dared not conceal anything and quickly recounted his relationship with the He family, his grudges with He Sheng, and the previous visit by He Sheng.

"Hearing what you say, He Sheng truly deserves to be called a notorious scourge of the region, and is an extremely treacherous person!"

Even though there's a grudge between you, you pretend to be humble and appease, but in reality, you're trying to shift the blame elsewhere.

After speaking, Ye Shao Chen stared intently at the Star-Backed Black Tortoise and said:

"How could He Sheng treat you like this, and you don't resent him at all?"

The Star-Backed Black Tortoise sighed softly, shook its head, then nodded before saying:

"It would be a lie to say I don't resent him, but I was originally the spirit pet of the He family's ancestor, and I have been supported by the He family for more than a hundred years. If I wish He Sheng were dead because of my resentment towards him, I would feel somewhat guilty."

After all, the He family is now at the height of its power. If He Sheng dies, there will be an immediate catastrophe, and the entire He family will probably be wiped out.

Therefore, I, Old Turtle, only hope that He Sheng, having been taught a lesson by the upper cultivator this time, can repent and reform, restrain his evil deeds, and cultivate diligently in the future so that the He family can continue to exist.

Are you pleading for He Sheng?

Ye Shaochen's voice turned cold.

The Star-Backed Black Tortoise felt a chill run down its spine, but could only grit its teeth and say:

"Old Turtle dares not, everything is left to the superior to decide."

only..."

The star-backed black tortoise hesitated somewhat.

"explain!"

"Shangxiu, I don't know what grudge you have against the He family, but if it's not a life-or-death feud, I hope you can let the He family off this time."

The Star-Backed Black Tortoise dared not mention He Sheng again, as it felt the focus of the attack was on He Sheng. However, it had already made it clear that He Sheng was the key to the He family's continued existence.

"There's no real grudge between us. In fact, I didn't even know He Sheng before. I was just entrusted by someone to kill a big thief for Yinsha River."

The Star-Backed Black Tortoise was stunned upon hearing this, realizing that the He family and He Sheng had also suffered an undeserved calamity.

No, perhaps it was not an undeserved disaster.

The He family has been too arrogant in the Silver Sand River these past few years, which is why someone secretly hired this sword cultivator to take action. It seems the cultivation world really needs to keep a low profile.

The Star-Backed Black Tortoise, being quick-witted, soon understood.

However, it didn't speak again, only looking at Ye Shao Chen, as if waiting for him to make a decision.

Ye Shaochen understood and smiled:

"You old turtle are worldly-wise and intelligent, unlike ordinary monsters who are cold-blooded and stupid."

I admire your honest and kind nature, as well as your loyalty and righteousness.

I only ask you one question: are you willing to follow me in my spiritual practice from now on?

The old tortoise was speechless. Why does everyone want to be their master?

Moreover, in his eyes, Ye Shao Chen was not much of a match.

He Sheng was still somewhat pretentious, but Ye Shao Chen's attitude was truly unbearable. He made a dignified second-tier demon a slave and a favorite, and even had the attitude of "I'm giving you face, so you'd better accept it!"

But would the old tortoise dare to refuse?

It will think that Ye Shaozhen is genuinely seeking its opinion?

The old tortoise, who had gained some insight into human nature, immediately trembled, looking extremely excited, and said:

"To be able to cultivate alongside you, Master, in the future would truly be an immense blessing for this old tortoise!"

"good!

You old tortoise are really straightforward, I won't beat around the bush with you.

Since He Sheng was able to survive my sword strike and escape from my grasp, it means his fate is not yet sealed.

The fact that you intervened on his behalf shows that it's not time for things to end between us yet.

Therefore, I will not pursue this matter any further, neither with He Sheng nor with the He family.

Ye Shao Chen adopted the demeanor of a judge, as if he had bestowed some great favor upon someone.

The black tortoise with the star-shaped back felt a mix of emotions, but it repeatedly expressed its gratitude.

Ye Shaochen then added:

"It's good that you, old turtle, are loyal and righteous, but now that you've acknowledged me as your master, you should be devoted to me from now on."

Upon hearing this, the Star-Backed Black Tortoise was about to pledge its loyalty, but Ye Shao Chen waved his hand and said:

"You'll understand my personality once we spend more time together."

Although I am not old, I know that many things are judged by actions, not just by words.

Speaking of our relationship, I want you to be close to me, but I also need to consider your feelings and not put you in a difficult position.

Therefore, when I return to the mountain this time, I will ask my master to bestow upon me a complete fourth-grade cultivation technique to send to the He family. I think that if the He family obtains such a legacy, they may become a Core Formation family in the future.

"This item should be enough to atone for your past karmic debts with the He family, right?"

Upon hearing this, the Star-Backed Black Tortoise was startled. Although it was a demon beast, it knew that human cultivators valued inheritance. It did not understand fourth-grade cultivation techniques, but it was very clear about the importance of a Core Formation family.

It didn't say anything more, but got up and crawled to Ye Shao Chen's feet, then lay down on its back, as if inviting Ye Shao Chen to sit on its back.

Ye Shao Chen understood immediately, soared up, let out a few hearty laughs, and rode the old tortoise out of the mountain.