Chapter 1628: The Grand Wine Festival Returns

“The Azure Dragon Demon Venerable?”

A faint smile touched the lips of the refined and handsome Demon Venerable. “It would be great if she were still alive in this era. As a junior, I’ve always been unconvinced why the Dragon race can firmly hold the position as the head of all demons!” His words implied that he was not the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable, nor was he of the Dragon race.

Seeing this, the four Central Lands Sages all revealed expressions of pleasant surprise. “Nine Nether Demon Venerable!”“When did you return to the Central Lands?” Sage Tianluo was overjoyed, his face etched with deference. “Weren’t you traveling outside the realms?”

The Nine Nether Demon Venerable waved a hand dismissively in front of his nose. “How long has it been since you bathed? Anyone who didn’t know would think you were undergoing the Heavenly Decay Tribulation of the Divine Transformation stage.”

Sage Wanyun and Sage Cixin both showed reverence and stepped forward to bow. “Greetings, Nine Nether Demon Venerable.” However, the Nine Nether Demon Venerable completely ignored them. He merely gave a symbolic nod to the red-faced Sage, appearing somewhat arrogant and not particularly sociable with the human Sages.

Jiang Fan was secretly astonished. If he remembered correctly, the Nine Nether Demon Venerable was also one of the four Sage-level existences who had become Sages within the last millennium, and the only Demon race Sage. He hadn’t expected him to be able to repel the Two Calamities Impure Sage; his strength was obvious!

“This junior thanks the Nine Nether Demon Venerable for saving me,” Jiang Fan said, cupping his hands in thanks.

The Nine Nether Demon Venerable turned to look at Jiang Fan, seeming to perceive the five-colored glow within his body. “You’re that young man who doesn’t show respect to Sages?”Jiang Fan replied, “That would be this junior.”

The Nine Nether Demon Venerable nodded slightly, then with a casual grab, all the shattered grass vines floating in the air gathered into his palm. “Take these.” Jiang Fan took them with cupped hands, puzzled. These grass vines were what the Two Calamities Impure Sage had used to entangle the Quasi-Sage Artifact sword. What use could they be?

The Nine Nether Demon Venerable said indifferently, “These are Immortal-Binding Vines from the Heavenly Realm; only Sages can destroy them. Woven into a rope, they can bind enemies.” Jiang Fan’s face lit up with joy. So these unassuming grass vines were actually so formidable. Does that mean even powerhouses undergoing the Five Heavenly Decays can be bound by them?

The Jianshan Yipin Building Master, standing nearby, lightly nudged Jiang Fan’s arm and transmitted a message: “The Nine Nether Demon Venerable has never been particularly amiable towards our human race. Giving you something shows he thinks highly of you.”

Jiang Fan understood immediately and quickly said, “Thank you for bestowing this treasure, senior. If you ever have need of me in the future, please do not hesitate to command.”

The Nine Nether Demon Venerable said indifferently, “No need. You’ve been good to my Demon race. If you have trouble in the future, go to Spirit Snake Mountain. If they can’t resolve it, I’ll step in.” Did that mean he would protect Jiang Fan from now on? Jiang Fan was overjoyed!

At this moment, he noticed the Ice Fire Demon Lord giving him a knowing smile, and he immediately understood. It must have been the Ice Fire Demon Lord who spoke many good words on his behalf to the Nine Nether Demon Venerable, such as healing him and taking care of the Demon race members on the continent. This was how he had earned the Nine Nether Demon Venerable’s favor. He returned a grateful look.

“The demonic beast on your chest is…” At this point, the Nine Nether Demon Venerable noticed the little one on his chest. After a brief flash of surprise in his eyes, he couldn’t help but chuckle: “You should really be glad that the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable’s whereabouts are unknown. Otherwise, I’d be worried you wouldn’t survive three seconds.”

Jiang Fan had already realized the identity of the little one. It was originally the descendant of a true spirit, meaning it was the offspring of a Demon race Sage. Furthermore, it also had green scales all over its body, a pair of small dragon horns on its head, and even dragon whiskers. Its identity was practically revealed. It was indeed the descendant of the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable from back then. If he had tied her son to his chest to face the enemy, it would be a miracle if the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable didn’t cleave Jiang Fan apart.

“Cough, cough, I thought its talent for shattering objects with its chest would come in handy,” Jiang Fan explained. “Since the Nine Nether Demon Venerable said so, I’ll let it down.”

The Nine Nether Demon Venerable smiled faintly. “Never mind, just keep it tied to your chest. I also want to know how much of the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable’s talent this little fellow inherited. Back then, when the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable unleashed her full talent, she rammed an Eight-Sun Giant Emperor to death.”

Jiang Fan’s eyes widened as he stared at the little one, still in its diaper pants, a look of shock on his face. Its mother was that powerful? Doesn’t that mean the little one’s talent still has great potential?

At this moment, upon learning the Nine Nether Demon Venerable’s identity, the ancient giants’ side was stirred into considerable commotion. This was a Demon Venerable of the Two Calamities realm, with terrifying strength! He could contend with the Grand Wine Offering of Taicang Great State, and that Grand Wine Offering had single-handedly slain three Emperors! Fortunately, he was the only one.

The Two Calamities Impure Sage, holding his Moonlight Longsword, said indifferently, “Even with you, there are still only five Sage-realm cultivators. You’re attempting the impossible. The ten of us can easily sweep you away; there’s no need for the Giant Emperors to act.”

The expressions of the Central Lands’ people darkened once more. Indeed, adding one Nine Nether Demon Venerable could not change anything. Eighteen against five was still a vast disparity.

CRACK!Just then, the sky suddenly tore open, revealing a gigantic rift that stretched across the heavens, connecting to the Heavenly Realm. Several streaks of firelight fell from the rift, landing in front of the Central Lands’ human cultivators.

As the firelight dissipated, eight figures stood upright. They were of all types: male and female, old and young. But each of them carried a golden, gleaming Divine Merit Stele on their backs. They were none other than the Grand Wine Offerings from all states except Tianzhou! They were all, astonishingly, alive!

Aside from unstable auras and cursed injuries on their bodies, they were otherwise unharmed!“Grand Wine Offerings!”“Grand Wine Offering! You’re alive?”The powerhouses from each state looked at their respective Grand Wine Offerings, all immensely excited.

Jiang Fan also spotted the Grand Wine Offering of Taicang Great State and couldn’t help but feel excited as well. The presence of the Grand Wine Offerings was like a calming pill, instantly making everyone feel a profound sense of security.

Sage Wanyun breathed a sigh of relief. “We thought something had happened to you. With you here, this battle now has a glimmer of hope.” Sage Tianluo, Sage Cixin, and the red-faced Sage all breathed a long sigh of relief. They hadn’t expected to rely solely on the four Sages to contend with all the Sages from the Heavenly Realm. The Grand Wine Offerings were the true ballast of their Central Lands!

Jiang Fan approached the Grand Wine Offering of Taicang Great State. Sensing the instability in his aura, he unhesitatingly took out a hundred drops of Law Wine. “Grand Wine Offering, quickly consume this.” The Grand Wine Offering fixed his gaze on it, a hint of surprise in his eyes. “Law Wine? Where did you get…” He stopped speaking mid-sentence, having also guessed its origin. A look of relief and helplessness appeared on his aged face. “As expected of her, always one step ahead in everything.”

He didn’t stand on ceremony, accepting the Law Wine. He consumed one drop himself and distributed the rest to the other seven Grand Wine Offerings. They too were greatly surprised to receive the Law Wine and immediately consumed it. All their injuries from the battle instantly recovered. Even the Drunken Grand Wine Offering, whose injuries were the most severe and whose laws were beginning to scatter, found his laws quickly stabilizing.

This scene astonished the four human Sages of the Central Lands. They all flew down in front of Jiang Fan. The red-faced Sage’s eyes gleamed with fervor. “Young man, why didn’t you say you had such a good thing earlier? Quick, give me a drop too.”

Only then did Jiang Fan realize that the Sages who remained in the Central Lands were mostly those with injuries or certain limitations. The red-faced Sage seemed to be injured. Why would he be stingy? He immediately gave him a drop.

Sage Tianluo’s old eyes lit up. “Young man, what about me? I have injuries too!” Jiang Fan didn’t much like this overbearing, beggar-like Sage, but the other party had indeed given him a lump of mud-pill from his armpit. Considering he still needed to rely on him to fight enemies, he reluctantly gave him a drop too.

As for Sage Wanyun, Jiang Fan gave him a drop before he even spoke. Sage Wanyun laughed. “Although I have no injuries, this is like having an extra life-saving item. I owe you a favor for this.” As for Sage Cixin… Jiang Fan put away the Law Wine, treating him as if he were air.