Chapter 335

Chapter 335: Time Upgrade

Faced with Yaoruoxian’s unexpected offer of a massage, Zhang Yang declined without hesitation. He wasn’t the type to enjoy such indulgences; his focus was entirely on his path forward.

Yaoruoxian’s righteous expression twisted in frustration, she was ready to explode.

Zhang Yang’s antics left both the moon-returning dragon and Tiger Howl Wind momentarily confused, but they soon found him amusing. He didn’t carry the air of a solemn Lord of the Sacred Forest. He came across more like a playful, sunny-hearted youth.

Tiger Howl Wind’s eyes brightened as he said, “Everyone, I’ve got a bunch of brothers in these mountains who’ve long heard about you. I’d like to make friends. I’ll go call them, we’ll drink until we drop!”

He dashed off enthusiastically to summon his comrades.

Zhang Yang realized then that Tiger Howl Wind wasn’t alone.

Since they all hailed from the Falling Star Mountain Range, they couldn’t be ordinary cultivators. Otherwise, how could the Cold Moon Dynasty, the Crimson Flame Dynasty, and the Sunlit Sacred Land all seek them out?

His curiosity grew.

The moon-returning dragon’s eyes sparkled. He understood that Tiger Howl Wind’s brothers were all geniuses in their own right, many with extraordinary talents or unique heritages. If Tiger Howl Wind was hard to win over, perhaps his brothers would be more approachable.

These were no ordinary individuals. They were prodigies.

Demon Sword Yi stood watching. Dissatisfied with being treated like an enforcer, he whispered to Yaoruoxian in a voice loud enough for others to hear, “Xian’er, Zhang Yang is too cunning. We need to be careful, or we’ll end up being sold without knowing it. Look—he clearly sees that Tiger Howl Wind wants to join, but he refuses to acknowledge it. Instead, he lets him flaunt himself like a peacock, while the moon-returning dragon clings to the illusion that he still has a chance. That’s so underhanded. And yet, he treats Tiger Howl Wind like a friend.”

The moon-returning dragon’s expression grew awkward. Liu Yuewu, Gu Jianyun, and the others frowned. Demon Sword Yi’s words were cutting.

Zhang Yang shrugged. “That’s a narrow-minded take.”

Demon Sword Yi shot back provocatively, “If I’m wrong, I’ll gouge out my eyes and give them to you. But if I’m right, you let my sister and me go.”

He was, in essence, negotiating a way out of being an enforcer, a servant in all but name.

Zhang Yang replied lightly, “I don’t want your eyes. Just serve as my enforcer for one year.”

“Deal!”

Demon Sword Yi’s eyes lit up with joy. “Everyone heard that! He, the Lord of the Sacred Forest in the Vast Forest, has given his word!”

Zhang Yang chuckled.

Sensing a rare opportunity, Demon Sword Yi pressed eagerly, “Now tell me, what’s your real plan? Don’t pretend you weren’t deliberately pushing Tiger Howl Wind to show off in front of you!”

Zhang Yang only smiled, refusing to answer.

Demon Sword Yi grew even more determined. “Come on! If you won’t say it, that means you admit it!”

Just as he was about to continue pressing, the moon-returning dragon stood, bowed deeply, and said, “Thank you, Brother Zhang, for your kindness.”

Zhang Yang quickly stepped forward to support him, laughing. “Brother Yue, come on, enough with the formalities. If you keep this up, how are we supposed to be friends?”

The moon-returning dragon clasped his fists, his gratitude genuine.

Demon Sword Yi stood dumbfounded. What just happened? Wasn’t Zhang Yang being manipulative? Why was the moon-returning dragon thanking him?

Zhang Yang didn’t explain.

The moon-returning dragon smiled and said, “Brother Zhang sees me as a true friend. He understands how much the Cold Moon Dynasty needs fresh talent. That’s why he didn’t turn me away, he considered my needs.”

“Hey! You’re a crown prince of a mighty dynasty, can’t you stop overestimating others?” Demon Sword Yi cried out in frustration.

The moon-returning dragon only smiled. “It’s the truth.”

Demon Sword Yi looked like he was losing his mind.

Zhang Yang raised a single finger. “One year.”

Demon Sword Yi nearly collapsed from disbelief. How had one day turned into a whole year?

What frustrated him even more was that Zhang Yang hadn’t even explained anything before turning him into an enforcer for a year.

He wanted to cry.

He slapped himself in frustration, realizing how impulsively he had provoked Zhang Yang without thinking it through.

In truth, he could no longer bear the identity of an enforcer. It gnawed at him, pushing him to the brink of madness.

Yaoruoxian said, “I’m going out for a walk.”

Demon Sword Yi’s mouth twitched. Was she showing disdain for him as her older brother?

Zhang Yang was speechless. This slave gives no respect to his master. Did he even agree to her leaving? Turning to Demon Sword Yi, he said, “Do you know any saintesses from the sacred places? Bring a few over to serve me, pour tea, knead my shoulders.”

Demon Sword Yi’s expression twitched even harder. How could he possibly fetch saintesses? That was beyond outrageous!

At that moment, the solemn sound of bull horns echoed from outside.

Tiger Howl Wind was summoning his brothers.

The sound made Zhang Yang and the moon-returning dragon exchange glances.

Using a communication stone was one thing, but this, this broadcasted the news far and wide, drawing even more attention.

How many would now rush over to invite Tiger Howl Wind to join their faction?

This drastically increased the difficulty for the moon-returning dragon. After a moment of thought, he said, “Brother Zhang, if he truly refuses to join the Cold Moon Dynasty, please extend an invitation on my behalf.”

He absolutely could not allow Tiger Howl Wind to lead a group of prodigies away to join another Saint-level force in the Western Desert. That would be a catastrophe for the Cold Moon Dynasty.

Sure enough, the moment the horn sounded, someone arrived.

It was Lu Hengkong, Son of the Sunlit Sacred Land, who had left earlier.

“I didn’t expect Brother Tiger to have such a group of talented brothers. How enviable. I’d like to befriend them as well.”

His attitude had clearly shifted. Before, he may not have viewed Tiger Howl Wind as essential, but now that he knew there was an entire group of geniuses behind him, he was eager.

Lu Hengkong arrived with his entourage.

Zhang Yang noticed that the group still didn’t include Prince Sparrow, the Horse Prince, or any other princes of the demon race. Were they deliberately avoiding me? Or was there another arrangement in place?

Soon after, more figures arrived.

At the forefront was an exceptionally graceful and imposing woman—long-legged, radiant, and surrounded by a golden glow. She walked with the air of a sovereign.

Her sudden appearance stunned not only the moon-returning dragon and Lu Hengkong, but even Tiger Howl Wind revealed a conflicted expression.

She was the sister of the new emperor of the Taixu Dynasty and the newly appointed leader of the Hunters’ Guild—Princess Jin Liuli. A name spoken with both awe and caution throughout the Western Desert.

She was the one who had once nearly seduced Tiger Howl Wind and stolen his martial arts secrets, forcing him to turn against the Taixu Dynasty and flee back to the Falling Star Mountain Range to hide in Star Tiger Mountain.

And yet here she was approaching voluntarily.

Behind her trailed a team of skilled individuals, each remarkable in their own right, though all overshadowed by her brilliance.

She was striking, beautiful, charismatic, and powerful.

She scanned the crowd with arrogance, not even sparing them a glance.

Whether it was the moon-returning dragon, who viewed her as a threat, or Lu Hengkong, the noble heir of a sacred land, all were ignored. Zhang Yang, a complete stranger to her, wasn’t even acknowledged.

Her gaze rested solely on Tiger Howl Wind, burning with intensity.

She declared boldly, “I’ve come to make you willingly join the Hunters’ Guild.”

Tiger Howl Wind momentarily lost focus. Despite their history, this woman’s presence still stirred him. It was difficult for him to respond to her coldly.

Jin Liuli took a seat, glanced at the others, and said arrogantly, “Don’t get your hopes up. Especially you, moon-returning dragon. You’re about to lose your country, know your place.”

The moon-returning dragon, a cultured and composed prince, was visibly infuriated by Jin Liuli’s scathing words.

Zhang Yang reached out to stop him, shaking his head.

He was deeply curious—curious about what tricks this infamous woman of the Western Desert would pull.

Everyone believed the gathering was now complete. But unexpectedly, Tong Lieyang, who had been slapped and humiliated earlier, returned.

This time, he brought formidable reinforcements.

At his side stood the first marquis of the Crimson Flame Dynasty, Marquis Xia Houzun.

Marquis Xia Houzun radiated authority. His fame was on par with Jin Liuli, Lu Hengkong, and the moon-returning dragon. He was one of the Western Desert’s premier geniuses.

With him behind Tong Lieyang, the prince had regained his arrogance. He pointed at Demon Sword Yi and roared, “You little brat, I told you I’d kill you!”

Demon Sword Yi sneered, refusing to waste words.

Marquis Xia Houzun placed a hand on Tong Lieyang’s shoulder, calming the enraged prince before saying lightly, “We’ll settle the matter of the young prince’s injury, but now’s not the time to disrupt everyone’s fun. Let’s focus on what matters: the Crimson Flame Dynasty sincerely invites Brother Tiger and all his brothers to join us.”

At that moment, all three major dynasties, and a major sacred land had extended olive branches to Tiger Howl Wind, proving just how valuable he truly was.

Only Zhang Yang remained silent, offering no invitation.

This earned him more than a few resentful glances from Tiger Howl Wind.

Among those present stood individuals of exceptional status, strength, and talent. Jin Liuli, her glass-like eyes sweeping the gathering, suddenly smiled and said, “Since Brother Tiger’s comrades haven’t arrived yet, let’s make things more interesting. Let’s place a bet: whoever Tiger Howl Wind chooses to join will be the victor. The stakes, a holy treasure. Who dares to bet against me?”

Zhang Yang smiled, intrigued.

The moon-returning dragon’s expression shifted slightly.

Demon Sword Yi’s mouth twitched repeatedly in frustration.