Chapter 118: Chapter 117: The 3rd Thunder Seed

The Black Bear King stared in disbelief, and the Yellow Dog King was equally incredulous. "You killed the Bian Ancestor, too?"

Taoist Yan Song seized the opportunity to add, "He wanted to sacrifice three thousand people for a Realm Breakthrough, but we cut him down at Crescent Bay in Wuhe County. The Black Bear King’s second son planned to massacre a village at the foot of Cuiluo Mountain, and we eliminated him as well."

"The White Wolf King is dead, and the Black Bear King is next to fall." Taoist Yan Song enveloped the Yellow Dog King in a blast of Taiyi Wind and Fire while his longsword struck out repeatedly. "Truthfully, you also carry some Evil Qi, but it’s not as dense as theirs. That’s why we’re giving you a chance to mend your ways."

The Yellow Dog King had several hundred years of Dao Practice, yet he only had a faint layer of Evil Qi about him. Compared to the Black Bear King, he could almost be considered a good demon.

’The Buddhist Sect was known for its broad acceptance, but the Taoist Family also had a tradition of subjugating demons to serve as sect Guardians. Daluo Palace was short on disciples at the moment, so the return on killing the Yellow Dog King was low. Taking him in as a guard dog, on the other hand, was the perfect solution.’

’Hmm? What was the Yellow Dog King’s true form again?’

The Yellow Dog King saw the Black Bear King get blocked by the Bian Ancestor’s turtle shell and then pinned down by Taoist Yi Hong. The Black Bear King’s power was weakened by the Array, and to top it off, the man outside the array was striking him with Thunderbolt Attacks. His Demon Power was plummeting at a rate visible to the naked eye.

At the same time, the Black Bear King glanced over at the Yellow Dog King and shot him a look.

The Yellow Dog King understood at once. He pulled an Elixir from his robes, tossed it into his mouth, and a bloody stench instantly filled the air. Wisps of red smoke began to seep from his body, shrouding him completely.

Amidst the red smoke, the Yellow Dog King’s aura surged dramatically, as if he’d swallowed a Ten-Complete Great Replenishing Pill. The daggers in his hands became a whirlwind, instantly tearing through the surrounding Taiyi Wind and Fire.

"TING! TING! TING!"

After a series of sharp clashes, the Yellow Dog King forced Taoist Yan Song back by ten feet, then shot off toward the Black Bear King.

Taoist Yan Song’s eyebrow twitched. ’A Blood Spirit Pearl?’

He had seen a Blood Spirit Pearl before. During the battle at the Deserted Village, Xu Kongting, on the verge of losing, had tried to use one to turn the tables. But Gu Zhao had snatched it away mid-fight and tossed it into a modern storage cabinet to collect dust.

He only knew that Blood Spirit Pearls were refined using human blood and contained an energy of both blood and Evil Qi, which could help Corpse Ghosts solidify their physical forms. He never imagined they could also help a Demon boost its Demon Power.

Seeing the Yellow Dog King become a blur as he broke through the Taiyi Wind and Fire to appear at the Black Bear King’s side, Taoist Yan Song dared not hesitate and gave chase.

At the same time, however, he was a little puzzled. The Yellow Dog King’s Demon Power had just surged, yet he had only forced him back. He hadn’t used his full strength or pressed his advantage.

When the Black Bear King saw the Yellow Dog King approach, a savage grin spread across his face. He left Taoist Yi Hong for the Yellow Dog King to handle while he himself pulled a Blood Spirit Pearl from his chest, about to pop it into his mouth.

Taoist Yi Hong’s eyes narrowed, and his Yanyue Saber slashed at the Yellow Dog King. At the same time, he roared to Taoist Yan Song, "Stop him!"

From outside the Array, Gu Zhao also cast a Fire Shield Technique, aiming not for the Black Bear King, but for the Blood Spirit Pearl in his hand.

Taoist Yan Song darted forward, his sword stabbing toward the Black Bear King’s hands.

Even if the Black Bear King managed to swallow the Blood Spirit Pearl, they were still confident they could take him down. But that didn’t mean they were just going to stand by and watch the boss power up.

But just as Taoist Yan Song’s sword and Gu Zhao’s fiery spell were about to reach him, a pair of daggers suddenly flashed out, flicking the Blood Spirit Pearl from the Black Bear King’s grasp. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The Black Bear King’s pupils contracted. The afterimage of the daggers still lingered in his eyes as he stared at the Yellow Dog King in disbelief. "What are you doing?"

"Proving my sincerity," the Yellow Dog King said faintly after flicking the Blood Spirit Pearl away. He retreated, his hands hanging at his sides. "Just like you made me do, all those years ago."

The Black Bear King watched as Taoist Yan Song caught the Blood Spirit Pearl, and he was overcome with rage. "With that Blood Spirit Pearl, I could have broken out of the Array! You’re courting death! You backstabbing traitor, do you really think they’ll spare your life?"

The Yellow Dog King took another step back and glanced at Taoist Yan Song.

Taoist Yan Song burst out laughing. With a flick of his sleeve, his face changed, instantly transforming into a black theatrical mask. A tornado of Taiyi Wind and Fire materialized from nothing, engulfing the Black Bear King. "From now on, the Yellow Dog King is one of Daluo Palace’s own!"

...

A moment later, the Black Bear King, charred black by the Thunder Fire, finally collapsed with a thunderous crash.

A massive amount of Evil Qi was divided among Gu Zhao and the two Taoists, confirming that the Black Bear King had been well and truly slain, body and soul.

The bloody stench around the Yellow Dog King slowly dissipated, and his aura plummeted. This was clearly a side effect of consuming the Blood Spirit Pearl, which explained why the demons hadn’t used one from the very beginning.

Gu Zhao waved his hand, dismissing the Array. The Yellow Dog King tossed his daggers aside and surrendered, ready to be bound.

Bai Ke hopped down from the Silk Embroideress’s shoulder and looked at the Yellow Dog King curiously. "Is he a good demon?"

But Taoist Yan Song and Taoist Yi Hong weren’t looking at the Yellow Dog King. Instead, their gazes fell on Gu Zhao.

Gu Zhao nodded. "I’ve got it."

A new Thunder Seed had formed, and it had even filled the progress bar for the next one by more than half.

"Just how much evil did this Black Bear King commit?" Gu Zhao grimaced.

Taoist Yi Hong leaned on his long saber, glanced at the Blood Spirit Pearl in Taoist Yan Song’s hand, and shook his head. "I’ve heard that the area for dozens of miles around Three Extremes Mountain is completely devoid of human life."

Taoist Yan Song tossed the Blood Spirit Pearl lightly in his hand before throwing it to Gu Zhao. "He really deserved to die."

"He is already dead." Gu Zhao caught the Blood Spirit Pearl, then finally turned to the Yellow Dog King. "Thank you for your assistance, Third King."

The Yellow Dog King shook his head repeatedly. "I am unworthy of such a title, sir. Even if he had swallowed the Blood Spirit Pearl, he might not have been able to break the Array."

"But it would have been a nuisance," Taoist Yan Song said, walking over to the Yellow Dog King. He asked again, "You’re clearly not cut from the same cloth as them. Why did you become one of the kings of Three Extremes Mountain?"

The Yellow Dog King’s expression shifted, but he remained silent, merely looking at Taoist Yan Song. "You promised not to kill me."

"I will absolutely not kill you," Taoist Yan Song promised again. "What’s more, if you are willing, you can stay at Daluo Palace."

The Yellow Dog King thought for a moment before asking tentatively, "You dare let me stay?"

"Why wouldn’t we dare?" Gu Zhao stepped forward, looking the Yellow Dog King up and down. "As long as you’re willing to mend your ways, there is a place for you in Daluo Palace."

’A demon steeped in Evil Qi naturally had to be eliminated. But one like the Yellow Dog King, whose words hinted at a difficult past and who had already proven his sincerity, didn’t necessarily need to be killed too.’

’They were new to this place and still figuring things out. Gu Zhao also wanted to see if the Yellow Dog King truly mended his ways by Doing Good Deeds and Accumulating Virtue, whether that could cleanse the Evil Qi from his Divine Soul.’

’He would make a good test subject.’

The Yellow Dog King couldn’t shake the feeling that there was some hidden agenda in Gu Zhao’s eyes, and that he was its target.

The Yellow Dog King thought for a moment, then asked again, "You killed the Bian Ancestor. My first and second sworn brothers also died at your hands. The recent upheaval in the Golden Wind Divine Sect... is that related to you as well?"

Gu Zhao and the two Taoists said nothing, only watching him with enigmatic, intrigued smiles.

The Yellow Dog King couldn’t help but swallow hard before dropping to his knees. "This humble demon wishes to join Daluo Palace. I beg you Mages to take me in."