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

"Fellow Daoist Gu Yang, it's still early. Why are you lingering here? The demonic beasts at the next location must have been waiting for quite some time, right?"

The sound, upon reaching Gu Yang's ears, was like a death knell, startling him so much that his face turned deathly pale. He scrambled to his feet and stared in terror at the source of the sound.

Lin Zhu had appeared there at some unknown time, dressed in pristine white, a stark contrast to his disheveled appearance.

Lin Zhu wore his usual smile, which seemed gentle but was actually unquestionable.

Lin Zhu, who arrived late, had just "inspected" and "harvested" the fruits of Gu Yang's hard work that day.

However, he was not satisfied with this harvest. Because Gu Yang's condition had declined significantly, both his efficiency in attracting monsters and his precise control over "capturing without killing" were far inferior to before, resulting in a lower quantity and quality of monsters captured compared to those from Moonflower Valley and Thunder Valley.

What does this mean? It means that we are missing out on more and better monster materials that we should have obtained!

In Lin Zhu's "business logic," this missing part is equivalent to Gu Yang "losing" his materials!

He even secretly wondered if he should try to get Gu Yang to compensate for this "loss".
"Fellow Daoist...I..."

Gu Yang opened his mouth, wanting to explain his condition, but was interrupted by Lin Zhu.

"No need to say more!"

Lin Zhu's smile faded, replaced by a serious, businesslike expression, and he urged her again.

"Time is a resource, efficiency is life! Get up! We've been wasting too much time! If we waste any more precious time and the task can't be completed, can you afford the loss? Remember, this work is ultimately for yourself, so you can demonstrate your value to your master!"

Gu Yang lowered his head, completely unable to look directly into Lin Zhu's eyes, which seemed to see through everything.

He felt that the white-robed immortal lord in front of him, who seemed to be an immortal and dignified being, was actually the reincarnation of Rahu, a demon among demons, and was a thousand times more terrifying than him, a genuine demon!
He silently sat back down on the cold stone, even subconsciously hugging his knees and burying his face in them, his heart full of grievances almost overflowing.

He regretted it! He regretted listening to Lin Zhu's "advice" and leaving the relatively stable South China Sea to venture out into this "society".

He had only been out for less than two days, and the once arrogant and domineering man was now in a terrible state, physically and mentally exhausted, and his IQ seemed to have dropped.

He felt that the "society" outside was too complicated and he just wanted to go back to his "hometown"!
Lin Zhu looked at Gu Yang, who looked like a wronged wife, raised her eyebrows slightly, and pretended to step forward to "comfort" her in a "gentle" tone.

"Fellow Daoist Gu Yang, why be so discouraged? Life... on the path of demonic cultivation, how can one give up because of a temporary setback? You must cheer up! Look, there are still plenty of job opportunities waiting for you ahead. As long as you work hard, you will definitely make more contributions for your master! At that time, your master will certainly not treat you unfairly!"

It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned "job opportunities." As soon as he said those four words, it was as if Gu Yang's most sensitive nerve had been touched. He suddenly raised his head and could no longer hold back his grief and grievances. He burst into tears like a child.

"Waaaaah... Why?! Why is there always a next time?! Another job?! You... why are you all so inhuman?! I just want to go home! I want to go home!! Waaaaah..."

The cries echoed through the desolate valley, filled with the bitterness and tears of the migrant worker.

Looking at Gu Yang, who was hugging his knees, curled up under the withered vines and old tree, crying like a three-hundred-pound child, and unconsciously making "Aba aba" sounds, Lin Zhu was at a loss for what to do.

The scene of his first meeting with Gu Yang in the South China Sea involuntarily flashed through his mind—how aloof and arrogant this demonic wolf was back then, with its disdainful gaze and words full of strategic confidence, resembling the demeanor of a dark emperor and the right-hand man of the future demon lord.

But look at him now... squatting by the rock, his body tattered and bloodstained, his eyes vacant, crying pitifully, and even appearing somewhat mentally unstable...

The contrast was so stark that even Lin Zhu's conscience, tempered by countless trials and tribulations and comparable to the Chaos Divine Iron, couldn't help but feel a faint, almost negligible... pity.
He even began to wonder if he had really gone too far. Had he unknowingly developed the infamous "capitalist syndrome" and made exploitation a habit?

"Ugh……"

Lin Zhu sighed inwardly.

"We're all in this together. In the end, this silly wolf is just young and inexperienced. He can't outmaneuver an old fox like me."

He had a rare moment of "conscience" and decided to show the tolerance of a "senior," just to give the young man room to grow, and also to... accumulate some "good karma" for himself.
So, his expression softened, and his tone became more "gentle" than ever before. He stepped forward, gently patted Gu Yang's shoulder, and spoke in an almost "kind" tone.

“Fellow Daoist Gu Yang, it seems you are indeed exhausted, both physically and mentally. In that case… why don’t you go home and rest first? I will walk the rest of the way myself.”

He had thought that upon hearing this "pardon," Gu Yang would feel as if he had been granted a great pardon, be moved to tears of gratitude, and even kowtow in thanks, before fleeing this "devil" without looking back and rushing towards his free home.

However, things took a completely unexpected turn!
Gu Yang, who was still immersed in his aggrieved state and muttering "Aba aba," instantly interpreted the word "go home," especially combined with Lin Zhu's "gentle" tone, as "You're going to fire me?!"

Then, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, he sprang up from the ground!

He turned around abruptly, his eyes, bloodshot from exhaustion and the effects of medication, now filled with an almost insane power as he stared intently at Lin Zhu. His previously listless demeanor surged again due to extreme emotional fluctuations, carrying a hysterical quality as he roared at Lin Zhu with a question.

"Going home?! Lin Zhu! What do you mean?! You're kicking me out?! You're firing me?!!"

Gu Yang's voice was distorted with excitement, and he waved his scarred arms as if he were a madman.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! I'm telling you, don't even think about it!"

This job... no, this opportunity to serve my master, belongs to me, Gu Yang! No one can take it away from me!

"I'll get that Immortal-Slaying Sword for you! I'm determined to get it for you! Even the Heavenly King himself can't stop me! I said it!"

At this moment, Gu Yang was no longer the pitiful and wronged person he had been before. He was like a mad dog that had been driven to the end of its rope, on the verge of collapse, but was still clinging to its last bit of obsession and refusing to let go!

He had only one incredibly clear and unwavering thought in his mind—to help Lin Zhu obtain the Immortal Execution Sword!
In his beliefs, which had been repeatedly brainwashed and influenced by drugs, this had become a crucial step in using both kindness and severity to completely bind Lin Zhu, this "talent," and to prove his own value to his master!
As for the others... for example, why did you help Lin Zhu get it? What happened after you got it?
Due to the powerful aftereffects of the [Good and Evil Five Poisons Powder], his brain was no longer capable of such complex thinking. Any slight thought would only result in a mind full of chaos and "Aba aba," leaving only this one obsession, as if engraved into his soul, burning fiercely!

He couldn't care less about anything else; all he wanted to do was get this done!
He suddenly reached out and grabbed Lin Zhu's arm, his eyes filled with obsession and fanaticism, urging her on.

"Let's go! We need to hurry! We must set off immediately to retrieve the Immortal Execution Sword! We can't delay any longer!"

Lin Zhu was taken aback by his sudden and violent reaction, and a look of "heartache" appeared on his face at the right moment. He grabbed Gu Yang's arm and tried to "comfort" him. "Gu Yang! Calm down! Stop!"

That Fire-Rainbow Mountain is unlike any other place; it's teeming with incredibly powerful demonic beasts and fraught with danger! Going there in your current state is far too dangerous!"

"Danger?"

Gu Yang stared stubbornly at Lin Zhu. Due to the effects of the drugs, he could barely control his expression, which looked somewhat ferocious. He gritted his teeth and said, word by word.

"I...must...go! I must go! For my master...and for...you!"

He spoke the last two words somewhat vaguely, but the determination in his eyes was crystal clear.

Having said that, he gave Lin Zhu no chance to "dissuade" him further. He abruptly broke free from Lin Zhu's grasp, and the remaining demonic energy within his body burned fiercely, transforming into a mournful yet resolute crimson rainbow that soared into the gloomy sky, heading recklessly towards the final destination marked on the Queen Mother's Scroll—

They flew madly toward the direction of Fire Ling Mountain!
Lin Zhu stood still, not immediately giving chase. He simply gazed at Gu Yang's back, which appeared somewhat distorted due to his excessive speed and seemed to carry a tragic air, and sighed deeply.

"A sin..."

He rubbed his temples, realizing that the effects of the [Good and Evil Five Poisons Powder] seemed to be a little more severe than he had anticipated.

This was a perfectly normal, half-step quasi-saint demon wolf. Although it wasn't particularly bright to begin with, it at least looked like a normal villain. Now, however, it has been tormented into this paranoid and insane state by the combined effects of "blessings" and drugs.

"But it's alright," Lin Zhu thought to herself, trying to comfort herself.

"The side effects of this medicine are said to only last a few days and will pass quickly. Once he recovers, he probably won't remember so many details, right?"

Touched by Gu Yang's tragic situation, Lin Zhu's conscience, which only occasionally flickered, seemed to light up again, and he made a decision in secret.

"In the future, I should try to do less of these kinds of things that destroy humanity... no, I mean destroy the demonic nature."

That's inhumane.

Of course, he himself wasn't sure how long this decision would last.

He even habitually made a self-deprecating remark to himself.

"Next time, I'll definitely pay more attention to the methods and approaches."

……

The blood-red rainbow that Gu Yang transformed into disregarded his severe injuries and only 70-80% of his strength remaining. With an almost suicidal speed, it forcibly tore through the malevolent air of Beiju Luzhou and finally arrived at its destination—Fire Ling Mountain.

The sight before them was enough to deter any sane being.

The entire mountain range was a dark red color, as if it were formed by magma that had not yet completely cooled and solidified. The surface of the mountain was covered with huge cracks, from which hot air currents and dark red flames spewed out from time to time. The air was filled with a strong smell of sulfur and destruction.

Even the clouds in the sky seemed to be ignited by the high temperature emanating from this land, presenting a strange scene of fiery clouds, illuminating the world in a dim red.

The feeling of danger was palpable, permeating every inch of the air.

If it were the usual cautious and cunning Gu Yang, he would definitely have scouted the place first and devised a strategy before taking any risks.

But at this moment, he was dominated by drugs and obsession, and his former shrewdness and caution had long been forgotten.

He hovered around the outer edge of Fireling Mountain, looking at the mountain range that resembled a sleeping behemoth of fire. Instead of fear, his eyes burned with a morbid excitement and determination.

"The Immortal-Slaying Sword... is inside!"

He muttered to himself, then a sinister smile appeared on his face.

Without even testing the waters, he directly channeled the little remaining magic power in his body, condensing it into a huge and solid dark claw, and with a sharp whistling sound, he slammed it fiercely into the tallest volcano below, which was constantly spewing out scorching magma!

"Boom——!!!"

The demonic claw smashed into the crater, triggering a violent explosion. Countless burning boulders were blasted into the sky, and the entire Fireling Mountain seemed to tremble slightly under the impact!

"Roar--!!!"

“Ouch——!!!”

Almost the instant the attack landed, two roars filled with extreme anger and savagery exploded from the depths of the volcano like thunderclaps, responding to Gu Yang's unbridled provocation!

The violent fire-attribute spiritual energy instantly boiled and erupted from the volcano like a tsunami!

Gu Yang sensed the two powerful beings rapidly approaching, exuding a destructive aura. Instead of retreating, he sneered and dismissed all the chaotic "abba aba" and irrelevant thoughts that kept popping up in his mind due to the effects of the drugs.

"Come on! Fight!"

He let out a low growl and chose the most direct approach, which was also the only way he could think clearly at the moment—fight!
Under Gu Yang's obsessive and insane gaze, scorching magma shot into the sky like a fountain from the huge crater, and two enormous figures, enveloped in flames that could incinerate everything, suddenly burst out!

Those were two ferocious fire dragons, each over ten meters long, their bodies composed entirely of incredibly condensed flames that resembled liquid glass!

Their scales were clearly visible, burning with platinum flames, their horns were sharp and menacing, and their cold, vertical pupils pulsed with furious flames.

The energy fluctuations emanating from its body had clearly reached the level of a perfect Great Luo Golden Immortal! Moreover, with the advantage of the terrain of Fire Ling Mountain, its power was even more astonishing!
Two colossal fiery dragons coiled in the air, their dragon might intertwining, locking Gu Yang firmly in place. The intense heat caused the surrounding space to distort. (End of Chapter)