Chapter 640: Choice

Knock, knock, knock—A knock sounded on the stone door.

Jiang Fan quickly put away the Memory Silver Sand and Nether Poison. He moved the Five Magnetic Element Mountain aside and opened the door. It was the Sea Demon King and Ling Shu.

“Brother Jiang Fan, it’s time to go.”

Ling Shu had personally come to the Demon Emperor's Court to welcome Jiang Fan, which showed her immense regard for him. Liu Li stood with her arms crossed, glaring angrily at Ling Shu. This woman was too good at this. What man could resist her?

“Sea Demon King,” Liu Li began. “Keep a close eye on Jiang Fan on the way. Don't let some fox spirit devour him.”

The Sea Demon King chuckled, covering her mouth. “Understood, Young Miss Liu Li.”

Liu Li then turned to Jiang Fan, huffing as she raised her small fist and aimed it at his chest: “You behave yourself too.”

Jiang Fan was speechless. This little firecracker wasn't likable in the slightest. She was either throwing a tantrum or about to. Now she even resorted to physical actions.

However, Jiang Fan immediately sensed something was off. She hadn't actually punched him; there was something in her fist that she pressed against his chest. He looked down. It was a bottle of deep blue spiritual liquid.

“What’s this?” Jiang Fan looked puzzled.

The Sea Demon King, standing nearby, immediately recognized it and exclaimed in surprise: “Demon Emperor's Essence? Young Miss Liu Li, does the Demon Emperor know you’re giving this away?”

Ling Shu was stunned, her face showing disbelief.

Liu Li huffed softly, “If you don’t tell him, my father won’t know.”

Jiang Fan was surprised. “Demon Emperor's Essence? What is it?”

The Sea Demon King looked conflicted and said: “Last time, Liu Li was nearly killed deep within human territory. The Demon Emperor then extracted a portion of his own essence. This is even rarer than the Demon Emperor’s vital blood. After consuming it, one can survive an attack from a Nascent Soul realm expert.”

Equivalent to a Nascent Soul-level defensive artifact? Even though it can only be used once, it's incredibly astonishing!

Jiang Fan was greatly startled and quickly tried to return it: “Are you crazy? Keep it yourself. How can you give away something so precious?”

Liu Li rolled her eyes at him and said: “You are, after all, my nominal fiancé. Isn’t it proper for me to give you something to protect your life?”

This... Jiang Fan looked at Liu Li, unsure what to say for a moment. This woman, with her bluster, wasn't very likable. But in all fairness, she wasn't bad. Sometimes, she was even quite innocent. Who would easily give away such a unique treasure?

“Thanks. I hope I won’t need to use it.” Jiang Fan accepted it and bowed in gratitude.

Liu Li turned away awkwardly and huffed softly: “Outside, you’d better be careful. My father said the continent hasn't been peaceful lately. That ancient giant has attracted many individuals from the Outer Realm Divine Sects. They might not all be good people. Be careful.”

Jiang Fan grew serious. People from the Outer Realm Divine Sects have arrived? Having encountered Reverend Qinghe and his disciples, Jiang Fan naturally held no blind goodwill towards the so-called Outer Realm Divine Sects. Of the three, one was hypocritical and ruthless, another lecherous and perverse, and the third tyrannical and prone to stealing artifacts. Not one of them had decent character. Therefore, as for the rest of the people from the Outer Realm Divine Sects, Jiang Fan would naturally treat them with caution. It should be said, the further away from them, the better. Ideally, there should be no more interactions.

“Thank you for your concern, I will be careful.” Jiang Fan smiled faintly. This woman was truly prideful. If she cared, she should just show it instead of pretending to be indifferent.

“Who’s concerned about you? Narcissist! I’m not seeing you off!” A hint of embarrassment appeared on her small face. She lightly stomped her foot and scurried back into the secret chamber.

Jiang Fan smiled amusedly. He then ascended with the Sea Demon King and Ling Shu onto a Silver-winged Thunderbird, which soared into the sky. As they left the Demon Emperor's Court, Jiang Fan seemed to sense something and looked back at the sky above the Demon Emperor's Court. An inconspicuous cloud hung silently. It was clear, without needing to be said, that the Demon Emperor was within it. He was watching Jiang Fan.

“Heh.” Jiang Fan thought silently. “Farewell, Demon Emperor.”

As the Silver-winged Thunderbird spread its wings and ascended into the clouds, disappearing into the northern horizon.

Half a day later, having flown a thousand li away, Jiang Fan exhaled a breath, looking up: “The ocean is vast for fish to leap, the sky is high for birds to fly. Finally, I’m out!”

Ling Shu sat beside him. She smiled faintly, “Are you in such a good mood, Brother?”

Jiang Fan turned to look at her and said, “Thank you, truly. If she hadn’t requested him to accompany her to the northern lands, how could he have left the Demon Emperor’s Court so easily?”

Ling Shu clasped her hands before her knees, her beautiful hair, adorned with a butterfly hairpin, fluttering in the breeze. She looked down at the chains on Jiang Fan's hands. A hint of regret welled in her eyes: “I should have asked the Demon Emperor to unlock your chains, Brother.”

Jiang Fan smiled, “No need, I can unlock it myself.”

A flicker of doubt appeared in Ling Shu’s clear eyes. Then, under her increasingly widened gaze, Jiang Fan pulled a key from his hair and inserted it into the chain’s lock hole.

Click—

The chains... unlocked with a sound!

Ling Shu blinked. Wait. How was the key in Jiang Fan’s hand? So, this so-called Dragon Binding Lock... had it locked nothing at all? And! How could Jiang Fan dare to unlock it in front of the Sea Demon King? Even if he wanted to unlock it, he should have done it secretly! Otherwise, the Sea Demon King would subdue him on the spot!

The next moment, her mind went completely blank.

“Sea Demon, my departure, will it cause you trouble?” Jiang Fan stretched his wrists and ankles. He asked, turning his head.

Sea Demon lowered her head, shaking it slightly. “It’s fine, Master. Please go. Don’t worry about Sea Demon.”

What? Ling Shu was stunned. What had she just heard? One of the five great Demon Kings actually called Jiang Fan… Master? She felt her brain wasn't processing it. It simply wasn't enough! Jiang Fan, a human, was actually Sea Demon’s Master! Who could have imagined it? Who on earth could have imagined it?

Jiang Fan rummaged in his embrace and pulled out a small booklet he had written last night. He flicked it with a finger, tossing it to Sea Demon. “Take this.”

Sea Demon took it in surprise, opened it, and was startled: “The Divine Elephant of the ‘Sanskrit Sacred True Spirit Art’? Master, why are you giving this to me?”

Jiang Fan said calmly, “Take it back and use it to report to the Demon Emperor. If the Demon Emperor is in a good mood, it might barely save you and your clansmen.”

Sea Demon said guiltily, “Master, what are you saying?”

Jiang Fan looked at her and said: “You’ve been silent the whole way, you must be conflicted, right? If my guess is correct, the Demon Emperor must have instructed you yesterday to either bring me back or bring back my head, right?”

Sea Demon’s eyes trembled in surprise. After a moment, she gave a self-deprecating smile. “I thought I could hide it from Master.”

Jiang Fan smiled faintly, “Does the Demon Emperor’s petty mind need guessing? I suppose he’s still thinking about my ‘Sanskrit Sacred True Spirit Art’ and my qualification for the Soul Transformation Ruins, isn’t he?”

Sea Demon gave a wry smile. “Nothing escapes Master’s knowledge.”

Jiang Fan looked at Sea Demon and sighed softly: “I can’t guarantee that this incomplete ‘Sanskrit Sacred True Spirit Art’ will definitely save your life and your clansmen. After all, you watched me leave, which is equivalent to betraying him. The Demon Emperor is extremely suspicious and will hardly tolerate betrayal. Why don’t you return to the human realm with me?”

Sea Demon said bitterly, “What about my clansmen?”

Jiang Fan said nothing more. If Sea Demon left, her clansmen would be even more implicated.

“Master, please go! Don’t worry about Sea Demon.”

Jiang Fan hesitated. It was easy for him to leave, but it would inevitably bring disaster upon Sea Demon and her clan!

“Master! Sea Demon doesn’t blame you! You spared my life initially and then bestowed upon me spiritual flesh and a gifted bloodline; that’s an immense kindness. It’s only right that Sea Demon repays you with her life!” As Sea Demon spoke, she looked sharply at Ling Shu: “Master, you can leave without worry. I will clear any lingering worries for you, ensuring that no one reports to the Demon Emperor within ten days!”

Ling Shu’s small heart pounded wildly. Having stumbled upon such a huge secret of Jiang Fan’s, Sea Demon wouldn’t feel at ease leaving her alive.

A trace of reluctance appeared in Jiang Fan’s eyes. He said, “There’s no need to kill her. I’ll take her back to the human realm.” After all, Ling Shu was innocent. The only ones he owed were Sea Demon and her clansmen, whom he had never met.

He gazed deeply at Sea Demon. Just as he was about to say something, suddenly, a warm and gentle voice unexpectedly rang out.

“Esteemed travelers.”

“May I ask, which way is the Demon Emperor’s Court?”

Jiang Fan's scalp tingled! Someone had approached so closely, and he hadn’t noticed at all? It was one thing for him not to notice. But even Sea Demon, a top-tier demon beast, hadn't detected anything?