Taiyi Dao Fruit-Chapter 1159 - 380: The Loyal Dragon Whisker Tiger

"Go."

With the target in hand, the Immortal Queen did not engage the opponent further. The movement of the Plain Cloud Realm Flag stirred up clouds and mist, engulfing her companions along with a man and a tiger.

Sword Light then tore through the cloud sea, but the Immortal Queen and her entourage were already gone.

"Plain Cloud Realm Flag..."

Taibai True Monarch raised his sword-like brows slightly, and his sword momentum erupted, clearly displeased that Shen Hou had been snatched away.

Especially the Immortal Queen's "Heavenly Severity," which gave Taibai True Monarch an impulse to test his edge.

But then he thought about Shen Hou ultimately being handed over to some self-proclaimed "Uncle Jiang," and Taibai True Monarch's bit of displeasure faded away.

After all, it's none of his business; if they were rescued, so be it.

If it could cause a headache for Emperor Jiang, then this battle wasn't fought in vain.

...

...

Xuzhou, East Sea County.

On a high cliff by the sea, clouds and mist surged, and several silhouettes emerged from within.

The Immortal Queen gently waved the Plain Cloud Realm Flag, spreading her Divine Thought in all directions. After detecting no human presence nearby, her gaze moved slightly, and the cloud aura dissipated.

With a quick sweep, the area within a radius of four hundred miles was brought into perception, revealing many lifeless bodies. Evidently, this territory hadn't escaped the poison of the Heavenly Monarch; regardless of age, gender, wealth, or status, all had perished in the previous blood sacrifice.

Perhaps, Qing State or areas near Qing State might still have survivors, considering that Xuzhou lies between Qing State and Yangzhou. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

It's possible, though, that no one in the Three States survived, all slain in the blood sacrifice.

If calculated this way, those who died at the hands of the Heavenly Monarch today numbered in the tens of millions, possibly reaching millions.

If indeed millions were sacrificed in blood, what level of strength should the Heavenly Monarch have reached? Even at his Realm, a mere quantity wouldn't cause a qualitative change, but the increase wouldn't be small, yet he still lost to Emperor Jiang.

How formidable, then, should Emperor Jiang's power be?

These thoughts flashed through the Immortal Queen's mind, her expression unchanged, as cold as ever. She turned over her hand, releasing a boundless white aura that fell onto a golden iron statue, promptly dispelling the golden iron color.

Taibai True Monarch's Taibai Golden Qi is indeed formidable; his Golden Transformation Technique likely combines the Daoist Sect's Miracle Techniques from before the End of Dharma era, "Point-Ground-Into-Steel." However, the Kunxu Immortal Palace is no less impressive.

Before Taibai True Monarch, the "Golden Wind Jade Dew Palm" was already renowned in the world for countless years.

Moreover, the Immortal Queen now benefited from teachings by The Queen Mother of the West, advancing rapidly in her Daoist practice, making it not difficult to undo this transformation.

Once the golden iron color disappeared, a face showing surprise emerged; the well-honed acting skills of Shen Hou vividly portrayed the emotions of someone rescued.

"Thank you both for your life-saving grace."

He bowed deeply to the Immortal Queen and the Xuanwu King, expressing his gratitude.

As his head lowered, Shen Hou's expression almost faltered.

Just a little bit more, a little bit more, and he could have become the Deputy Temple Master, promoted to Deputy Family Head, reaching the pinnacle of his life.

It must be known that the Jiang family is now the Royal Family, and the position of Deputy Family Head is virtually one person under, and countless above.

If the Emperor is "Ten Thousand Years," then Shen Hou would be, at least, a "Nine Thousand Years."

In the Great Zhou where eunuchs never held great power, "Nine Thousand Years" was a title never before seen; Shen Hou didn't know what these three words would represent, but he felt they appropriately described the status of a Deputy Family Head.

"No need to thank."

The Immortal Queen said calmly, "I save you because you've helped the Immortal Palace before, and you still have some use. If you must thank, perhaps you should thank your mount; it's quite clever, knowing how to contact the palace, and loyal enough to come seeking the palace."

The Immortal Queen rarely spoke more; her gaze at the Dragon Whisker Tiger included a hint of approval, yet also a trace of coldness.

Compared to this big cat, that dead dog is simply an ungrateful white-eyed wolf, tarnishing the universal values of canine loyalty.

"Indeed, indeed."

Shen Hou turned to look at the Dragon Whisker Tiger, smiling widely. "I truly must thank it, it's not in vain that I've raised it like a son."

Giving the Dragon Whisker Tiger a deeply grateful look, Shen Hou sensibly continued, "The great favor of your rescue, I have no means to repay; if you require anything in the future, I shall not hesitate to face any danger."

"Spare the clichés; just know that the Nine Provinces have no place for you now. If you wish to survive, you must follow someone capable of protecting you."

The Xuanwu King spoke impatiently.

This Dragon Palace Master wore a gloomy expression, clearly not in a pleasant mood.

With no alternative, his side suffered a great defeat, losing Elder Da Kun's life.

"You have two hours to rest."

After speaking, the Xuanwu King leapt into the sea.

Meanwhile, the Immortal Queen rode a white cloud, rising into the air to meditate. The clouds slowly opened, forming a misty Cloud Realm, concealing her figure.

The two seemed unwilling to speak further at this time; they had urgent matters ahead, showing little attention to Shen Hou.

Of course, this was apparent only on the surface; Shen Hou could still sense an elusive presence, clearly remaining within the two's perception.

'Tut.'

Shen Hou couldn't help clicking his tongue inwardly, then, with a smile, wrapped an arm around the Dragon Whisker Tiger's neck and said, "Come, my tiger son, you are henceforth my adopted son; only thus can I express my gratitude for saving my life."

Saying the last few words, Shen Hou clenched his teeth.

With overwhelming "enthusiasm," he brought the Dragon Whisker Tiger to a sheltered spot, utilizing contact to transmit via Divine Thought, "You'd better give me an explanation; otherwise, I'll be heartbroken as I lose a child in old age, a white-haired parent burying a black-haired child."

"My Nine Thousand Years!"

They say tiger venom doesn't eat its cubs; today, Shen Hou wants to test whether he's more venomous than the tiger, using this tiger's life as the wager.

Feeling an iron collar tightening on its neck, the Dragon Whisker Tiger's fur almost stood on end.

"Shen Hou, it's the Emperor's command," the Dragon Whisker Tiger urgently transmitted back. "It's the Emperor who had me find the Immortal Queen to save you."

"I don't believe it," Shen Hou replied.

"It's true."

The Dragon Whisker Tiger strained its head to meet Shen Hou's gaze with both eyes.

A sudden sense of consciousness withdrawal emerged in Shen Hou, and he soon felt like falling into a dream state, half-awake yet half-asleep, his consciousness splitting to land on a snowy mountain.

Cold winds lingered about, unyielding for years, while a distant Daoist Temple evoked a strong sense of familiarity in Shen Hou.

A crimson Big Dog sat a short distance away on the snow, speaking, "Wang! Shen Hou, the master has already foreseen that the true power foundation of the Great Venerable lies overseas; you happened to bear the Dao Fruit of the Water Dividing General, resonating with the East Sea environment. Thus, you're specially instructed to submit to the Great Venerable and head overseas to infiltrate."