After I stopped trying, a rich woman trained me into a demon emperor.

Dragon corpse.

The moment Zhou Ran uttered the words "Ye Futian," his mind remained calm.

His mind raced, analyzing all the information.

Xiao Rou's Gu technique, Song Zhentian's cobbled-together body, and that artificial golden pill.

How could these things be related to "dragons," something that only exists in ancient legends?

Stop with the tricks.

Zhou Ran responded in his mind, his voice calm and even.

"I have sealed that golden core. You are not qualified to try and take it."

"you!"

Ye Futian was so enraged by this contemptuous remark that his remaining soul trembled violently.

"You ignorant brat!"

I'm telling the truth!

The golden elixir in your hand did not originate from the human race!

"What is that?"

"Jiao".

Night Bears the Sky utters a single word.

蛟？

In Zhou Ran's mind, a jigsaw puzzle of a conspiracy spanning thousands of miles and four thousand years came together with this one word.

The plan is to catch a live dragon in the eye of the Yangtze River.

The Black Dragon Society has set up the "Nine Dragons Formation to Suppress the Sea" along the river, with even greater ambitions.

The clone of Song Zhentian requires the Golden Core to activate.

The source of this golden elixir was actually a dead dragon.

The conclusion is self-evident.

The Black Dragon Society holds the remains of a real dragon.

Zhou Ran's thoughts were frozen solid.

"Legend has it that Yu the Great tamed the floods and slew countless dragons."

"A dragon corpse has survived to this day, and has been used to cultivate a puppet at the Golden Core level..."

There's only one possibility left.

"Using evil magic to raise corpses, and then using the corpse's energy to raise soldiers."

This was Zhou Ran's idea.

Furthermore, he thought about something even deeper.

Jiaodan is the only medicinal ingredient for Li Zhiyao to reshape his Yin spirit.

The living dragon is the stake for the continuation of the Pai sect's lineage.

Cutting off the Xia Kingdom's water supply is the Black Dragon Society's ultimate goal.

Now, there's another dragon corpse.

What is its relationship with the living dragon in the Yangtze River?

"What if that living dragon knew that the remains of its kin were being desecrated by mortals?"

Ye Futian let out a cold snort, as if mocking his feigned ignorance.

"The dragon is the most arrogant, and its bloodline is paramount."

What will happen?

fury.

Water is released.

"Therefore, the Nine Dragons Formation set up by the Black Dragon Society was not intended to lure and capture."

Zhou Ran took out the golden pill that was sealed layer by layer from the ring.

"If they just throw the dragon's corpse into the Yangtze River, the living dragon will go mad and rush out to its death."

Ye Futian snorted coldly.

"This game is much bigger than you think."

To be able to mobilize a bargaining chip of the dragon corpse level, that so-called "Master" must be at least at the Great Perfection of the Golden Core Realm.

Why don't you just give yourself to me...?

Zhou Ran put away the golden elixir and silently recited the Tathagata mantra.

That old bastard, he's still got his hands dirty.

He went to the balcony and sent an order to Chen Ya.

Additional mission.

The Black Dragon Society's "Susa" submarine's supply routes over the past six months have been thoroughly investigated.

I need to see results in 48 hours.

After sending the message, he turned and went back into the house.

The door to the master bedroom opened.

Xiao Hongli stood barefoot at the door, wrapped in a silk blanket, her hair disheveled, her cheeks still bearing the pallor and flush of last night's storm.

That exorcism was also a violent baptism for her body.

"You're back."

She felt a little hoarse, but her eyes were very clear.

"Um."

"last night……"

She bit her lip, her eyes flickering.

"I only remember being pinned to the bed by you, and then I lost consciousness."

"I've gotten rid of the bugs for you."

Zhou Ran's answer was concise and to the point.

"……that's all?"

"Otherwise what?"

Xiao Hongli stared at him intently for a full five seconds, but finally seemed to give in, turning her head away, a barely perceptible blush spreading across her ears.

Zhou Ran's gaze passed over her and landed at the end of the corridor.

The Su sisters had woken up sometime earlier and were huddled in a corner, clutching their swords, staring intently at this side with their four rabbit-like eyes.

Su Qingling's small mouth was slightly open, her expression clearly saying—

"Boss, did you give Sister Xiao a vaccination last night...?"

"Shut up."

Su Qingwu reacted quickly, covering her sister's mouth with a slap.

Zhou Ran pressed his temples, feeling a long-lost sense of irritability.

Then reveal everything.

Xiao Hongli sat cross-legged on the sofa, rapidly processing the information Zhou Ran had thrown out.

The Heart Demon Gu, the Black Witch Village's schemes, Song Zhentian's clone, and that woman named Xiao Rou.

Her expression shifted from shock to annoyance, eventually settling into a complex calm.

"So, the woman who used the curse on me is now your woman?"

"My dog."

Zhou Ran corrected.

"You used me as bait to lure her out."

"Yes."

Xiao Hongli gripped the water glass in her hand, her knuckles taut.

She stared straight at Zhou Ran for a few seconds, as if she had exhausted all her strength, or perhaps she had accepted reality.

"……knew."

She turned her gaze away, lowered her eyes, took a sip of water, and didn't look at him again.

Zhou Ran wasted no more time and began to announce his decision.

"Xiao Hongli, return to the capital today to settle the Song family's assets."

Before I eradicate the Pai Cult, my personal guard will be doubled, and I will not be allowed to act alone.

"Su Qingwu, Su Qingling."

The two sisters straightened up instantly.

"From now on, I will personally train you."

Within two days, the "Tide Technique" must be mastered to the third level.

This is your qualification to step onto the Yangtze River battlefield.

"If you can't do that, then stay in the gym forever and hand towels to the members."

"able!"

A flame ignited in Su Qingling's eyes.

Su Qingwu didn't speak, but clenched her fist and nodded heavily.

"Jiaodan is Li Zhiyao's life."

"At the same time, this is also the only chance for your Tidal Sacred Body to undergo a complete transformation in this lifetime."

He slowly turned his head, his purple-gold pupils sweeping over every woman present.

"Therefore, I'm determined to get this pill."

"Whoever blocks the way, dies."

Once the words were spoken, the room fell silent.

......

Southern Xinjiang, three thousand miles away.

Deep within the miasma of the primeval forest, on the white bone altar of the Black Witch Village.

Xiao Rou stepped barefoot across the cold stone slabs and knelt before the Elder's bone chair.

Behind her, the twelve witches stood withered and silent, heads bowed.

"Where is the nourishment for the Heavenly Demon's divided spirit?"

The elder's cloudy old eyes were fixed on Xiao Rou's face.

"Didn't get it."

"So what did you bring back?"

Xiao Rou took out the jade slip covered in mud from her bosom and presented it high with both hands.

"A chance to transform Black Witch Village."

The Grand Elder took the jade slip and repeatedly rubbed it with his fingers, which were like withered tree bark.

His expression shifted from doubt to greed, and finally to a long silence.

"A dragon swims in the Yangtze River..."

"He wanted to strike from behind; that was his plan."

Xiao Rou touched her lower abdomen, trying hard to feel the trace of demonic energy, her acting was very realistic.

Zhou Ran, look at me!

I'm qualified to be your dog!

The elder stared at her for a very long time.

"very good!"

Xiao Rou lowered her head, a slight smile curving her lips.

"It's all thanks to the Grand Elder's excellent arrangements."

She didn't say anything.

The life-and-death talisman imprinted deep within his consciousness would pierce him like a red-hot steel needle every three breaths.

That's not torture.

It's a reminder.

Remind him that she is still alive.

Remind him that he still remembers his dog.

……

The river rose three feet in a single day.

Fishermen along the river had already hauled in their nets and docked. On the pier, old men smoked their pipes, gazed at the river, and muttered to themselves.

This celestial phenomenon.

It's called, "The dragon raises its head."