Honghuang: My understanding is beyond belief. I am the first immortal of Jiejiao.

Withdrawing his mind from the system space, Lin Zhu finally had time to carefully observe the scene before him. He had been so focused on collecting demonic beasts and paying attention to system notifications that he hadn't noticed the drastic change in Moonflower Valley.

The Moonlit Stream, which was originally filled with spiritual energy and shimmering water, now looked as if it had been soaked in a sea of ​​blood, with everything in sight being scarlet.

The stream had turned into blood, the rocks were stained dark red, and the air was filled with a nauseating stench of blood. Limbs and remains were scattered everywhere, resembling a scene from a hellish hell.

And standing in the center of this hellish place was Gu Yang.

At this moment, Gu Yang no longer had the cold, arrogant, and cunning demeanor he had before.

He was covered in blood, his white hair clumped together by the thick blood, and his once bright phoenix eyes were now bloodshot from overexertion and killing.

He was panting heavily, his chest heaving violently, and the veins on his forehead bulging, which, combined with his ferocious wolf-headed, human-bodied face, made him even more terrifying.

His aura fluctuated, clearly indicating that he had also suffered some serious injuries in the fierce battle with countless powerful demonic beasts just now.

However, in stark contrast to his disheveled appearance was the almost fanatical excitement and satisfaction burning in his eyes.

"It was worth it! It was all worth it!"

Gu Yang roared inwardly, feeling the nearly half of his demonic energy depleted and the faint pain in his injuries. Instead of feeling frustrated, he was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

He could almost see the approving and even gratified look in his master's eyes when he saw so many fresh and powerful ancient bloodline monsters.

For his master's great cause of being born, he alone gave his all, shedding blood and sweat, what did it matter?

"That kid Lin Zhu... although he's a bit cunning, he really helped a lot this time. Those 'living demonic beasts' in his Buddha Kingdom are the best proof of my loyalty to my master!"

He adjusted his breathing, trying to appear less tired, and turned to Lin Zhu, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement and eagerness, as he asked.

"Brother, you've worked hard! How are my precious demonic beasts doing in your palm-sized Buddha Kingdom?"

His bloodshot eyes were fixed on Lin Zhu, filled with the radiance of a laborer's anticipation of reaping the rewards of his labor.

Lin Zhu's heart skipped a beat when she saw that look, and a strong sense of guilt and unease welled up inside her.

He could almost see Gu Yang's hysterical, furious, and possibly even deranged state after learning that the "live monsters" he had painstakingly captured and treasured had all been refined into pills... the first half-step quasi-saint in the Three Realms to be driven mad by anger.
He can't afford to take that kind of blame!
"Absolutely, absolutely not, he must not find out!"

Lin Zhu's heart was filled with alarm bells, but a sincere smile instantly appeared on her face as she quickly replied.

"Good! Excellent! Don't worry, brother, these treasures you risked your life to capture are living very peacefully in my palm-sized Buddha Kingdom! They are all full of energy and lively, just waiting to be offered to their master! I have nourished them with supreme Buddhist teachings, and I guarantee that they are in even better condition than when you first captured them!"

He said this without batting an eye, as if it were the truth.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yang had no doubts, and the last trace of suspicion he had harbored because of Lin Zhu's previous "cunning" vanished.

He seemed to see his master's approving gaze, and couldn't help but burst into wild laughter, which shook the surrounding blood-red rocks.

"Hahahaha! Good! Well done, Lin Zhu! Don't worry, when my Lord is born, he will definitely not treat you unfairly! You deserve a share of the credit!"

He laughed for a while, then felt his muscles and bones groaning with pain, and his magic energy circulation became sluggish. He then took advantage of this excitement to make a suggestion.

"Brother, we've had a very fruitful trip. Why don't we rest for a while, recover our magical power, and then head to the next place..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Zhu's heart skipped a beat.

Rest? Are you kidding me!
Let you rest, what if you suddenly feel like "seeing" the monsters in the Buddha's Palm?
Wouldn't that expose the whole thing? We have to strike while the iron is hot, so you don't have time to think about it carefully, let alone have a chance to check!
"rest?"

Lin Zhu immediately interrupted Gu Yang, the "sincere" smile on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a cold and serious expression, her eyes sharp as knives, piercing Gu Yang.

"Fellow Daoist Gu Yang, what did you just say? I didn't hear you clearly."

Gu Yang was taken aback by Lin Zhu's sudden change of expression and subconsciously repeated.

"I said, why don't we take a break first..."

"presumptuous!"

Lin Zhu suddenly let out a sharp shout, his voice like thunder, echoing through the blood-red mountain stream, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

He stepped forward, and although he did not exude a powerful aura, his stern gaze made the weary Gu Yang feel an invisible pressure.

"Gu Yang! Do you know what you are doing now? You are serving your supreme master! You are contributing to the great cause that will soon shake the three realms!"

Lin Zhu spoke with righteous indignation, pointing to the surrounding carnage, his tone filled with heartache and rebuke.

"Look! Look at what's in front of you!"

The blood of these monsters had not yet dried, and their wails still seemed to echo in our ears!

What a great achievement this is!
This is the loyalty and strength you offer to your master!

He changed his tone, becoming even more stern, like a whip lashing at Gu Yang's heart.

"And what about you? You've only just achieved a tiny bit of success, slaying a few demonic beasts and getting a few minor injuries, and you're already thinking of slacking off? Thinking of resting? Do you live up to the trust your master placed in you? Do you live up to the noble Phoenix-Eyed Water Wolf bloodline within you? Do you live up to the glorious mission we bear on our shoulders right now?!"

Gu Yang was stunned by the barrage of questions. He opened his mouth, wanting to explain that he was not slacking off, but that he had indeed expended a lot of energy and needed to recover.

But looking at Lin Zhu's "disappointed and righteous" expression, he couldn't bring himself to say anything. Instead, he felt a sense of "Did I really do something wrong?"

The feeling was absurd. Lin Zhu didn't give him a chance to think at all, and continued to speak in a condescending tone, like the most demanding supervisor, with a cold laugh.

"Before me, before your master's grand ambitions, you dare utter the word 'rest'? Where is your fighting spirit? Where is your passion? Are you satisfied with the mere harvest of Moonflower Valley? Next stop, Thunder Valley!"
There are even more powerful demonic beasts there, with purer bloodlines. Those are the real achievements that will make you stand tall in front of your master!

If we don't seize this moment now, when will we?!

He paused, looked at Gu Yang who was covered in sweat and panting, and asked in a cold tone, his words like icicles in the dead of winter, piercing Gu Yang's heart.

"Is this all you've got? Under your master's command, you can't even endure this little hardship, this little fatigue? Is your so-called loyalty and dedication so cheap, so easily tested?!"

Gu Yang was completely speechless. Looking at Lin Zhu's "righteous and awe-inspiring" and "single-minded" demeanor, and then thinking about how he had actually thought of taking a break, a strong sense of shame welled up in his heart.

Yes, what does it matter if I shed a little blood and sweat for my master? What does it matter if I'm a little tired? Fellow Daoist Lin Zhu is "urging" me on like this, surely for my own good, for my master's great cause! How can I be so unambitious?
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his physical exhaustion and pain, straightened his back, and rekindled his fighting spirit in his eyes, gritting his teeth as he spoke.

"Fellow Daoist is right! It was I who was negligent! This is just a minor injury, nothing to worry about! For my master, I would gladly die! Let's set off for Thunder Valley now!"

Lin Zhu saw that although Gu Yang was somewhat ashamed after being reprimanded, he still seemed to have some thoughts of taking a break. Obviously, the criticism was not deep enough and failed to touch his soul!

His face immediately darkened, and his tone became even more heartbroken, as if he had witnessed some heinous crime that would be condemned by both gods and men.

"Gu Yang! You...you have disappointed me greatly!"

Lin Zhu pointed at Gu Yang, her finger trembling slightly with anger.

"You keep saying you're serving your master, but do you really have your master in your heart?"

Just think! At this very moment, our great, sublime, yet tragically fated Master is in that dark, sunless cave, crying out for food! He eagerly awaits our return with the strength and provisions to deliver Him!

He took a deep breath, and his voice suddenly rose to a high pitch, like a resounding bell, making Gu Yang's eardrums buzz.

"And what are you doing here? You're thinking of resting! Thinking of indulging in this moment of comfort and enjoyment! You have no regard for the loneliness and longing that your master is enduring right now! Ask yourself, how is your behavior any different from that of an ungrateful wretch who disregards the Lord's grace?!"

When this huge accusation was slapped on Gu Yang's head, he was completely stunned, his face filled with astonishment and disbelief.

He... he just felt that the battle had taken a toll on him and he was still injured, so he wanted to rest for a while. How did that get involved with "ingratitude" and "disregarding the Lord's grace"?

That accusation is way too serious!
"Fellow Daoist Lin... Lin Zhu, what makes you say that?"

Gu Yang stammered as he tried to salvage his image, which had suddenly crumbled in the other person's eyes.

"I... I just wanted to rest a little, recover some of my magic energy, and heal my injuries so that I could go to Thunder Valley in better condition. It was not out of laziness or a desire for enjoyment!"
This...this can't be serious..."

“Not really?!”

Lin Zhu felt as if he had heard the most ridiculous joke in the world. He shook his head in anguish, his gaze towards Gu Yang filled with disappointment and pity.

“Gu Yang, Gu Yang, don’t you understand yet? This slightest bit of laxity in your heart is the biggest stumbling block on your path forward!”
It is precisely because there are so many people like you, always thinking "take a break" or "it's not that serious," that our great master has been unable to be born and reign over this vast Three Realms!

He stepped forward, almost pointing his finger at Gu Yang's nose, and began a new round of "ideological education."

"Do you know that the opportunity to fight for your master is an unparalleled blessing that so many people... so many demonic cultivators would never be able to obtain?"

This is the result of the good deeds you accumulated in your past life—no, it's the result of countless reincarnations—that earned you this overtime work… uh, a destiny of striving!
Your working hours are limited, your life is short, but the power your master needs is limitless!

Instead of seizing every minute to serve your master, you're wasting time here. How can you face your master?

Do you deserve the blood of a phoenix-eyed wolf? Do you deserve the hope that fills my eyes for you?!

Lin Zhu spat as he spoke, bombarding Gu Yang with a barrage of words about "blessings," "struggle," "conscience," and "opportunity" like a storm.

Gu Yang was a little dizzy from his shouting, and his firm belief that he was just reasonably asking for rest began to show slight cracks.

He couldn't help but recall how he had waited day after day, year after year, by that demonic cave in the South China Sea, seemingly making no substantial or effective contribution to his master other than accumulating demonic energy...

Now that Lin Zhu has finally provided this "opportunity" to capture a large number of live monsters to help his master's birth, he wants to rest because of a little fatigue and injury... This seems a bit... inappropriate?
Lin Zhu keenly noticed the wavering in Gu Yang's eyes and immediately pressed her advantage, continuing to apply pressure.

His face showed a sorrowful expression of "pity for their misfortune and anger at their lack of resistance," and he spoke in a heavy tone.

"For every quarter of an hour you delay, the time for the master to dominate the Three Realms will decrease by quarter of an hour! Think about it, this is not just your time, it is time that concerns the future of the entire Three Realms!"
Because of your rest at this moment, the entire world... no, the entire Three Realms, yearning to be ruled by the Master... ah no, to usher in a new order, the total time they have been delayed is more than ten thousand years!

Have you considered this? Can you afford it?!

This astonishing method of calculating "time cost" directly shocked Gu Yang.

His mind was a bit confused. He vaguely felt that something was wrong with Lin Zhu's algorithm, but at first glance, it seemed... it seemed to make some sense? Yes, the sooner the master was born, the sooner he could unify the Three Realms, and wouldn't all the beings in the Three Realms be able to escape the "sea of ​​suffering" sooner?
Every moment he delays is hindering this great process!
An even more terrifying thought suddenly entered Gu Yang's mind.

The last time Lin Zhu came to the South China Sea, it seems that due to some reason, it was about five hundred years before I could reconnect with him... five hundred years!

According to Fellow Daoist Lin Zhu's calculation, haven't I... haven't I delayed my master's dominance for several eons?! My God! I deserve to die a thousand deaths!
Seeing that Gu Yang's face had lost all color and his eyes were filled with fear and self-blame, Lin Zhu knew that the time was almost right.

He stared at Gu Yang with anger at his lack of ambition, posing a soul-searching question.

"Now, do you realize your crimes? Do you still think you have the right, the face to utter the word 'rest' right now?!"

Gu Yang trembled, his mind instantly shattering all thoughts of meditation and recovery. In their place came endless shame, regret, and a rekindled fighting spirit. (End of Chapter)