All things considered, the situation was developing favorably. The Cyan Dragon’s mission wasn’t to defeat the White Demon King, but simply to stall for time—enough for the three Super level Creatures to successfully combine.

Then, the combined super-entity and the Cyan Dragon would join forces to deal with the White Demon King together.

Tu Xiao’an’s crisis would be resolved, allowing him to molt in peace.

High above, the Cyan Dragon commanded roaring thunder to crash down relentlessly, a heart-pounding sight for any observer.

As expected of the legendary Cyan Dragon. It controlled thunder, meting out Celestial Punishment. Countless Demons were inexplicably thrilled, as if they had all instantly joined the Cyan Dragon’s side.

Conversely, very few Demons supported the White Demon King, instantly revealing his lack of popularity.

What had been a showdown between a Pseudo Demon King and a Demon King had, in the blink of an eye, evolved into a battle between a Demon King and the Divine Beast Azure Dragon.

The spectacular show continued, one scene after another, with a ceaseless string of climaxes.

Just then, beneath the massive, ancient tree, a blood-soaked figure crawled over inch by inch. The effort was immense; it looked as if it might perish at any moment.

"Bull, so you’re still alive. Your master is quite relieved."

Tu Xiao’an watched as the blood-drenched Bull Demon King crawled to the base of the tree. He was a truly miserable sight.

"Master, rest assured," the Bull Demon King said, coughing up blood. His large, bell-like eyes shone with unwavering loyalty. "Even if I’m on my last breath, as long as there’s still life in me, I will never let anyone harm a single hair on your head."

Tu Xiao’an, who was in the middle of molting, trembled at his words. He was almost moved.

’I’m a snake. What hair do I have?’

"Bull, you’ve worked hard. You did very well. Your master is very moved," Tu Xiao’an said, naturally offering some words of comfort.

The Bull Demon King then pressed his blood-streaked bovine face close to the shimmering ball of light at the tree’s base, swaying it left and right as if afraid Tu Xiao’an wouldn’t get a good look at his pitiful condition.

"Focus on healing. Your part in this is over," Tu Xiao’an chuckled. ’It’s a shame I don’t have hands, or I’d reach out and pat his bullish head.’

Suddenly, tears started streaming from the Bull Demon King’s eyes.

Tu Xiao’an froze. ’Looks like the White Demon King really did a number on him,’ he thought. ’Making someone at the Pseudo Demon King Level cry... that’s just cruel.’

’He hadn’t personally experienced the quills the White Demon King shot out, but they must have been agonizingly painful.’

"Bull, don’t cry. Your master will definitely avenge you."

"It’s not that, Master. I’m crying over my terrible fate." The Bull Demon King suddenly sounded as wronged as a pouting bride. Lifting his bovine eyes toward the majestic, awe-inspiring Cyan Dragon in the sky, his expression was a cocktail of envy, jealousy, and hate.

"That damn Hu Snake did absolutely nothing and became the high and mighty Divine Beast Azure Dragon! But me? The Bull Demon King? When I submitted, I had to hand over three hundred million, plus two villas! And whenever trouble brews, I’m always the first one to charge in."

"My contributions have been immense and my labor, tireless. And now, facing this White Demon King and his overwhelming Demon Qi, it’s me holding the line like a Guardian Divine Ox, refusing to retreat a single step, willing to die before I yield."

"I was beaten half to death, and what do I get in return? Nothing but a few casual words of comfort from my master."

"Not even a single tangible reward."

Wronged. He felt so incredibly wronged. His grievance was great enough to rival that of Dou E.

Tu Xiao’an understood. He understood instantly. ’This bull wants a handout. He’s just angling to become a Divine Beast too, isn’t he? Just say it. Does he have to be so disgustingly indirect?’

’And he’s even crying about it. You’re a mighty Pseudo Demon King. Have you no self-respect? No sense of shame?’

Tu Xiao’an flashed a playful smile. "Bull, you shouldn’t forget your family’s fine tradition."

The Bull Demon King stared blankly. "..."

’To hell with working hard and not complaining!’

Setting that aside for a moment, the Bull Demon King’s injuries were indeed extremely serious. Tu Xiao’an had considered absorbing him into his system to let him rest.

But who would have known the bull would take an Iron Rod and start prodding the massive tree beside them, provoking a screech from the Tree Spirit. "What do you think you’re doing? If you want to die, go die over there!"

"Quick! Drop a couple of fruits so I can recover my strength and heal my wounds!"

The Tree Spirit yelled, "I seriously can’t even crap one out right now!"

It had just dropped five Vermilion Spirit Fruits for the Peacock not long ago. Any more, and it would be drained of its Essence and wither away.

Tu Xiao’an tossed out a large number of Snakeberries. Though they were only First rank Spirit Fruits and had limited effect, it was better than nothing.

Meanwhile, Tu Xiao’an’s molting process was cracking along at a turtle’s pace. ’Dammit,’ he thought, ’waiting for this to finish is killing me. It’s urgent!’

「The scene shifted back to the front of the valley.」

At the slightest provocation, the Cyan Dragon had unleashed a Celestial Punishment of dozens of thunderbolts. The White Demon King stood in the middle of a minefield of lightning, weathering the Divine Beast Azure Dragon’s fury.

After the dozens of bolts of lightning passed, the impeccably dressed White Demon King reappeared before everyone’s eyes. Despite being struck by so much thunder, he was completely unscathed. A contemptuous smile spread wider across his wickedly handsome face. "The great Divine Beast Azure Dragon... is this the extent of your power?"

His voice wasn’t loud, but every creature for hundreds of kilometers around heard his words with perfect clarity.

In the shadows, hearts pounded in terror. ’A Demon King is a Demon King, after all. Perversely strong,’ they thought. ’Can it be that even the Cyan Dragon is no match for him?’

A long, draconic cry...

A dragon’s cry pierced the heavens. The coiled Cyan Dragon above began to stir, as if churning rivers and overturning seas. The very fabric of space was thrown into chaos as arcs of lightning surged forth, forming a massive thunderfield. World-shattering peals of thunder echoed out, accompanied by an incessant, deafening CRACKLE.

WHOOSH...

The sky flashed. A brilliant white bolt of lightning erupted from the thunderfield, streaking across the heavens like a sharp sword and slashing down furiously toward the White Demon King.

The White Demon King’s pupils constricted. As the lightning bolt came down, he simply waved his hand, swatting it away with casual arrogance. The bolt slammed into the ground nearby, instantly blasting a deep crater.

"Hmph... It seems that before I kill the snake, I’ll have to slay a dragon first." The White Demon King’s Demon Qi surged to the heavens. He fixed his gaze on the majestic Cyan Dragon above and smiled, but the deep black of his eyes was incomparably cold.

’So what if it’s a Cyan Dragon? Its strength seems mediocre at best.’

"A mere hedgehog, yet you dare offend this Divine Dragon?"

The deep, majestic voice boomed between heaven and earth.

CRACK... CRACK... CRACK!

Above the valley, bolts of lightning shot down like a volley of light-speed projectiles, their crackle heard long before their forms could be seen, all homing in on the White Demon King.

The White Demon King remained completely unperturbed. His Demon Qi boiled around him, and layers of brutal power swirled violently. Incredibly, every bolt of lightning that struck him simply vanished without a trace.

"Haha... Bring it on! This king doesn’t even fear the Celestial Tribulation; why would I be afraid of your pathetic little bolts of thunder?"

’It doesn’t even hurt.’

A Dragon’s Might cannot be challenged. The Cyan Dragon acted decisively. With a mighty swing of its tail, the vast thunderfield it had formed descended, blanketing the valley below. The entire sky erupted in a maelstrom of thunder and lightning.

"Why would I be afraid?"

The White Demon King didn’t even bother to dodge, watching the thunderfield descend with an air of absolute dominance.

’Idiot. It seems this Celestial Master’s mission is complete.’

The Cyan Dragon didn’t seem to care whether its descending thunderfield would actually harm the White Demon King. Instead, it turned its attention to another patch of sky.