Chapter 333

Chapter 333: Where Is My Face?

Zhang Yang had never taken his identity as the Lord of the Sacred Forest too seriously.

He had always remained true to his original intentions.

Quickly, he helped the moon-returning dragon up and smiled. “Brother Yue, there’s no need for this. We’ve shared life and death together, we are friends.”

The vast world placed far too much importance on status, a consequence of its deeply entrenched class hierarchy.

The Lord of the Sacred Forest was a figure of immense status, someone who could command sacred lands, one of the rare, supreme figures within the vast world.

How many sacred lands existed in the entire vast world? Anyone from such a place ranked among the top hundred most powerful individuals of their era.

“If you insist on treating me differently because of my title as Lord of the Sacred Forest, then I’ll take my leave right now,” Zhang Yang said firmly.

The moon-returning dragon looked at him and, seeing his sincerity, responded, “If Brother Zhang truly feels that way, then I, Yue Guo Long, will take advantage of it.”

Zhang Yang laughed heartily. “There’s no advantage to be had. Just see me as an ordinary martial artist, and I’ll do the same. Sacred lands, dynasties, let’s set them aside. Let’s focus on our personal friendship.”

“Good!”

The moon-returning dragon agreed wholeheartedly.

After all, Zhang Yang was still quite young, even younger than him, and his cultivation realm wasn’t higher, either.

Still, accepting Zhang Yang’s humility was one thing; the way he looked at him remained filled with awe and disbelief.

Nearby, Tiger Howl Wind was utterly stunned.

This was the Lord of the Sacred Forest?

The master of a sacred land? A sacred land master at the Ascending to Heaven realm?

Even after witnessing Zhang Yang’s unmatched punch that obliterated the Supreme Emperor’s remnant soul, Tiger Howl Wind still found it hard to accept it completely overturned the conventions of the vast world.

The master of a sacred land should at least be at the Great Boundless Perfection Stage, usually a Saint!

Liu Yuewu and Gu Jianyun of the Cold Moon Dynasty were no less astonished, exchanging looks filled with admiration and surprise.

Tiger Howl Wind, Liu Yuewu, and Gu Jianyun all offered their formal respects.

Zhang Yang could only respond with a sigh. Their reverence left him speechless.

After a few more formalities, everyone took their seats once again.

They spoke on many topics. Under Zhang Yang’s careful guidance, the conversation turned toward the Supreme Emperor and the Taixu Dynasty.

No one was more familiar with the Taixu Dynasty than the Cold Moon Dynasty.

They had been targeted and suppressed by the Taixu Dynasty for centuries and now faced the threat of total annihilation. Naturally, they understood their mortal enemy all too well.

Tiger Howl Wind also knew a great deal. He had once offended a major figure from the Taixu Dynasty, Princess Jin Liuli, the sister of the current emperor.

Tiger Howl Wind didn’t elaborate on the details. He only mentioned that Jin Liuli had tried to seduce him, using her beauty to extract his martial arts secrets. This had infuriated him.

It was common knowledge that every martial artist had their own secrets. For example, Zhang Yang would never reveal that his rise began with the crimson lightning.

Naturally, Tiger Howl Wind had his own secrets as well. Despite lacking a prestigious background, he was a martial genius at the Battle God level in the Western Desert on par with talents like Demon Sword Yi, and naturally drew attention regarding his origins.

As it turned out, after Tiger Howl Wind retaliated, he had discovered that Princess Jin Liuli was, in fact, the leader of the most mysterious and sinister force in the Western Desert: the Hunters’ Guild.

The Hunters’ Guild operated under the Taixu Dynasty’s influence.

Infamous throughout the Western Desert, the Hunters’ Guild was known for hunting down martial geniuses from various regions and extracting their martial arts secrets to fuel its own growth.

Jin Liuli now served as the new-generation leader of this dark organization.

The previous leader had retired alongside the former emperor of the Taixu Dynasty, retreating deep into the imperial palace to focus entirely on cultivation.

“This new emperor truly had an impressive lineup of talented siblings,” Zhang Yang said in amazement.

Jin Zhihong, the leader of the Butian Pavilion, had awakened the true essence of the Holy Body, Holy Eyes, and his ancestral bloodline. After a period of seclusion, he was bound to rise to prominence, making him the top talent in the Western Desert.

Jin Liuli becoming the leader of the Hunters’ Guild only further confirmed this.

In addition, the Taixu Dynasty also had the Creation Pavilion, which specialized in researching the integration of Beast Souls into the human body. Its leader was Jin Zhihu another of the emperor’s brothers.

Both the moon-returning dragon and Tiger Howl Wind wore grave expressions.

They both felt the immense pressure of being enemies of the Taixu Dynasty.

The moon-returning dragon sighed. “The Taixu Dynasty is experiencing an era of unprecedented prosperity.”

Tiger Howl Wind added, “Jin Liuli once said this is the peak moment of the Supreme Emperor’s millennium plan. Although the Taixu Dynasty’s current standing in the Western Desert may appear inferior to that of the Ghostly Divine Platform in the Southern Region, the reality is different. Their foundation exceeds imagination, and their ambition isn’t limited to the vast world.”

Hmm?

A thought suddenly struck Zhang Yang.

What level was the Supreme Emperor’s true form?

If it was still only at the Saint level, he had serious doubts.

But if it had ascended beyond the Saint realm into the realm of Immortals—and as a servant of Eternal Night was this millennium plan meant to raise the Taixu Dynasty to the level of immortality?

If so, for what purpose?

Would Eternal Night completely crush the vast heavens in this era?

Zhang Yang felt uneasy, and his interest in the Taixu Dynasty deepened.

Destroying the Taixu Dynasty could mean uncovering the truth behind the Supreme Emperor’s true form, and perhaps even revealing how Eternal Night would descend!

Yet, as the two had said, the dynasty’s millennium plan suggested terrifying depths—it wouldn’t be easy to destroy them.

In the end, he still lacked the strength.

If he were a Saint, everything would be possible.

He had to find all means necessary to enhance his power quickly.

The conversation about the Taixu Dynasty’s overwhelming power brought a heavy sense of pressure to the moon-returning dragon. He wasted no time and extended an olive branch to Tiger Howl Wind directly.

“Brother Hu, I won’t beat around the bush. I came to the Falling Star Mountain Range with the intent of recruiting you into the Cold Moon Dynasty. I promise that if you’re willing to join, you can be appointed as a Duke, the fourth Duke of the Cold Moon Dynasty.”

“Our dukes are normally at the Great Boundless rank and are expected to make major contributions, but we believe you are a worthy exception.”

This clearly reflected an unorthodox approach to talent acquisition.

It also indirectly revealed the Cold Moon Dynasty’s current predicament—they had suffered heavily at the hands of the Taixu Dynasty.

Tiger Howl Wind hesitated.

The moon-returning dragon pressed on. “As long as you join, we will fully support you in your path to becoming a Saint. We’ll help you build your own power, and you’ll have complete autonomy—as long as you cooperate when we act.”

Still, Tiger Howl Wind didn’t give a direct answer. Instead, he stole a glance at Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang merely lowered his head and sipped his tea.

After a long moment of silence and contemplation, Tiger Howl Wind finally replied, “Crown Prince, I cannot decide just yet. I need time to think it over.”

This left the moon-returning dragon somewhat disappointed. In truth, he had already spoken to Tiger Howl Wind several times. He understood the pressure Tiger Howl Wind was under from the Taixu Dynasty. The man clearly sought to align with a strong force—otherwise, his future would be difficult.

Yet, Tiger Howl Wind never gave a definitive answer, which made it seem as though he was waiting for a better offer.

Zhang Yang said nothing, but Demon Sword Yi could no longer hold back.

He never truly regarded himself as a mere subordinate or servant. In the Demon Sword Forbidden Area, his status was equivalent to that of a Son of a Sacred Land. In fact, he held considerable power and influence.

“Brother Hu, are you interested in joining my Demon Sword Forbidden Area?” Demon Sword Yi asked. “We’re one of the four great forbidden areas in the Southern Region, strong enough to rival any Saint-level force in the vast world. With the Sword of Immortal Slaying shaking the heavens and earth, if you’re willing to join, I will personally recommend you to a Saint to be your master. He’ll be a top-tier Saint, one capable of dominating all directions.”

This sudden competition made the moon-returning dragon frown.

Zhang Yang simply smiled playfully and continued sipping his tea in silence.

Tiger Howl Wind, though fully aware of the Demon Sword Forbidden Area’s reputation, glanced at Demon Sword Yi, then at Zhang Yang.

One sat calmly. The other stood eagerly.

One sipped tea. The other waited.

One was the Lord of the Sacred Forest. The other… a follower.

Silence followed.

Under Tiger Howl Wind’s gaze, Demon Sword Yi grew a bit embarrassed.

What about my dignity? Where is my face?