Chapter 1824: Preparing to Return to the Royal City

After circling a few mountain peaks, they soon saw a vast expanse of sacred beasts hovering before a cave not far away, arranged with extraordinary neatness, like an army.

“Isn’t this place sparse in spiritual energy? Why are these sacred beasts so unified in spirit and vitality, and their combat power much stronger than any I’ve seen before?”

Chen Yonghuang was startled again.

Back when he drove these sacred beasts away, he had led an army to fight them. Though they were not weak then, they were far inferior to now.

He had thought that being exiled here, it would be good if they didn’t weaken, never imagining they would become so powerful.

As he was reeling in shock, he saw the space outside the cave twist, and two figures appeared abruptly.

The first was wreathed in flames, with golden fur revealing black patterns, showing a tendency to turn black.

His cultivation, accompanied by flames, gave the impression of boiling time and space.

“His strength…”

Clenching his fist, Chen Yonghuang’s expression turned grave.

The one before him was precisely the Fire Xu Ancient Saint he had been seeking. He knew very well how strong the latter’s cultivation had been when he injured him years ago. He had thought the man would never advance again, but never dreamed he would reach such a level!

Compared to his own prime, it was not far off!

Having come to this remote place, not only had his clan’s strength not diminished, but his own power had grown even stronger…

What was going on?

Earlier, he had thought that with their group, they might reason with him, appeal to his emotions, and perhaps win him over to their side. But seeing his strength, he suddenly felt all hope was lost.

“Is that the Mo Ling Ancient Saint? How has he improved so much? I saw him three years ago, and he wasn’t this formidable!”

A nearby Ancient Saint’s voice lowered.

Only then did Chen Yonghuang notice the Ancient Saint beside Fire Xu Ancient Saint. At a glance, his brows involuntarily twitched.

He had also met Mo Ling Ancient Saint. Advancing in the witch soul was even harder, yet now… his cultivation had also reached an astonishing level…

Was heaven truly intent on destroying me?

“Thank you, Master, for the grace of rebirth! We are willing to follow you through fire and water, no matter the cost!”

The Fire Xu Ancient Saint in the air had not detected Chen Yonghuang and the others hiding behind the mountain peak. Instead, he bowed with clasped hands toward the cave.

After pledging allegiance, he had not left in haste but had used the underground lava to heal his injuries.

Using his master’s methods, not only had his wounds healed quickly, but his cultivation seemed on the verge of further progress. This filled him with indescribable excitement and deepened his gratitude toward his young master.

“No need to be polite!”

A faint voice sounded, and a figure slowly flew out of the cave.

Seeing this figure, Chen Yonghuang trembled violently.

“It’s the young master…”

He had thought it was Chen Linghuang, and he had planned to seize the chance to launch a sneak attack and die together with him. But when he clearly saw the face that appeared, Chen Yonghuang was stunned.

It was precisely the young master who had gone to the royal city to seek dragon blood!

Hadn’t he gone to Chen Linghuang’s palace?

Why was he here…

Could it be that the master the other had spoken of was him?

Had he already tamed Fire Xu Ancient Saint?

The foremost sovereign of the Alien Spirit race, always unmatched in wisdom, now seemed to have crashed, his mind unable to turn.

“Since you’re here, come on over!”

As he was still in shock, laughter rang out, and Zhang Xuan looked over.

Fire Xu Ancient Saint and the others hadn’t noticed, but Zhang Xuan had sensed the magnetic force. With a turn of his Eye of Insight, he had already spotted Chen Yonghuang and the others.

Whoosh!

Realizing they had been detected, they no longer concealed themselves and flew straight over.

“Yonghuang…”

Seeing his old adversary, Fire Xu Ancient Saint narrowed his eyes, rage burning, ready to explode at any moment.

“Don’t fight!”

Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

“Yes!” Since his master had commanded, Fire Xu Ancient Saint dared not disobey, but anger still churned within him. He was wondering why his master had stopped him when he saw the foremost sovereign of the Alien Spirit race approach, bow with clasped hands, and say, “Young master!”

“Young master…”

Eyes wide, Fire Xu Ancient Saint hastily looked at Mo Ling Ancient Saint, who also seemed baffled, as if unable to believe it.

Addressing him as young master meant he was a servant… Though the status was slightly higher than a slave, it was not far off!

The esteemed Chen Yonghuang, the foremost of the Alien Spirit race, willingly acting as a servant… How could this feel so wrong?

“Master, is he your servant?”

He could no longer hold back.

Zhang Xuan nodded and introduced with a smile: “Chen Yonghuang calls me young master, so he counts as a servant. Yonghuang, I have just taken Fire Xu Ancient Saint as a beast pet. From now on, let any conflicts be settled.”

Hearing him admit it, Chen Yonghuang, though still incredulous, couldn’t help nodding. He looked at the nearby Fire Xu Ancient Saint, his expression complex: “We meet again…”

They were both the most dazzling powerhouses of the Alien Spirit race. Their duel was known to all, hailed as the strongest battle in thousands of years…

And now, the two parties in that battle—one had become a servant, the other a beast pet…

Both had sworn absolute loyalty to this young man named Zhang Xuan.

It was a thought that stirred sighs.

“Hmm…” Fire Xu Ancient Saint nodded.

He had thought his master’s promise to lead the clan back was empty talk, but seeing that even Chen Yonghuang was a servant, he finally understood… it was true.

“Yonghuang, I have promised Fire Xu Ancient Saint to help you reclaim what is yours. And you must pledge that sacred beasts and Alien Spirit people will coexist, and not treat them as aliens!”

Zhang Xuan looked at him.

“I shall obey the young master’s command!”

Chen Yonghuang quickly nodded.

Now, even if he wanted to object, he had no standing.

No wonder he had won the favor of the Spirit God—this young master was truly too powerful!

Even Fire Xu Ancient Saint, whom he himself dreaded, had been tamed in the blink of an eye, so docile… He really didn’t know how it was done.

“Alright, now that we have the strength to duel with the Spirit Sovereign and Star Sovereign, it’s time to go to the royal city!”

Knowing that it would take who knows how long for the man and the beast to fully resolve their conflict, Zhang Xuan did not urge them but spoke instead.

Now, they had four at the third level of Ancient Saint: Chen Yonghuang, Bo Xun Ancient Saint, Mo Ling Ancient Saint, and Fire Xu Ancient Saint. Adding the Dragon Bone Divine Spear and the Cruel One, they already numbered six.

There were also four at the second level of Ancient Saint.

Counting the refined soulless golden men, they now had over a dozen at the Ancient Saint level, stronger than Chen Linghuang’s side.

Even if the latter added the Star Sovereign, there was nothing to fear.

Under these circumstances, it was time to return to the royal city, announce that Chen Yonghuang was not dead, reveal the truth, and fight openly!

“Yes!”

All nodded with solemn expressions.

“My children, wait here for now. Once I have resolved matters in the royal city, I will take you back to where you once lived…”

Knowing the importance of this mission, Fire Xu Ancient Saint gave orders.

So many sacred beasts certainly could not be brought along—it would provoke a war with the Alien Spirit race, and worse, lead to total annihilation.

For now, the best plan was to have them guard this place while the group returned. As long as they killed the chief culprits, the Spirit Sovereign and Star Sovereign, and retook the regime, the rest would be simple.