Chapter 116: An Appointment

"In the end, we finished him off."

Li Mu whispered as he descended from the heights. Having been violently struck by the wooden dragon while wearing his golden armor, Li Mu had barely managed to survive the impact. Before falling, he had discarded many items to cushion his descent, which saved him from fatal injuries, yet the damage he sustained was still severe. Furthermore, with not a shred of true energy left in his body, he could only lie flat on the ground, gasping for air.

Li Ge was in a similar state, sprawled on the ground on his hands and knees, unable to move. Li Hong knelt on the ground, as if in prayer.

"No matter what, it is finally over. Hm, why is there poison gas?" Thinking this, Li Mu drifted into a hazy sleep.

When he awoke, he had already left the Lian Mountains. The toxic mist there had not dissipated; the entire mountain was shrouded in that poisonous hue. Before him, a large bonfire was crackling. By the fire, Li Ge and Li Hong were using sticks to roast a wolf with great enthusiasm.

"It smells delicious."

Li Mu slowly sat up, summoned a few pills to consume, and gazed at the wolf meat roasting over the fire with a hint of longing. It was not just because he was hungry; the wolf truly emitted a savory aroma, seasoned with ingredients different from what he had used before.

"Take it."

Seeing the look on Li Mu's face, Li Ge smiled happily and casually tossed over two dark rings.

Li Mu stared at them. "The wooden dragon's rings?"

Li Ge replied, "I already offered the wooden dragon's unsightly corpse to the Evil God. These are items taken from his body, so take them as a gift."

"Oh, a sacrifice?" Li Mu was stunned. He hadn't witnessed the ritual, but he figured it couldn't be anything pleasant.

Li Ge's expression was solemn. "He didn't just insult the image of the Evil God; he angered the Evil God himself. That was the fate the wooden dragon had to face. I hope you don't mind—this has nothing to do with humans or any other race. This is what we, the descendants of the Ancient Rhinoceros Demons, are bound to do."

Li Mu nodded. "That is your business; I will say nothing of it. But there must be good things inside these storage rings—won't you take them?"

"We will not."

Li Ge shook his head with a smile. "Aside from the image of the Evil God, we demons only trust in the strength of our bodies and the magic weapons we forge ourselves. We have no use for other items."

"I see. Then they must belong to me." Li Mu chuckled, slid the storage rings onto his finger, bowed, and accepted them.

During the previous battle, he was not the only one fighting, yet they had given him all the spoils, which made him feel a bit embarrassed.

"Master Li, come and eat our demon food. It is considered high-quality in all the heavens."

Li Ge immediately reached out, took a piece of wolf meat, and handed it to Li Hong. Li Hong held it with both hands and offered it to Li Mu with great respect. Li Mu took it directly and ate with delight. The aroma drifted out; the meat was tender and flavorful, and the taste was truly authentic.

"How is it?" Li Ge looked at Li Mu with anticipation.

Li Mu, focused on eating, waved his hand a few times. "Mmm, it is truly delicious."

"Of course! We added salt from the Evil Clan and Shuzi powder. It is only because the person was defeated by a master like you that we are able to eat this." Li Hong took a bite of the meat, his dark face filled with intoxication.

In the Demon Realm, Shuzi powder was a precious ingredient—not like the fourth-grade goods of the cultivation world—used only by the nobility of the Evil Clan.

After a while, the wolf, several meters long, was entirely consumed. Although the meat was finished, Li Mu and the others lingered, continuing to chat happily.

"Master Li, we are happy to be friends with someone like you."

Li Ge's face was warm. He crossed his arms over his chest and bowed with sincerity. "Should there be any call in the future, we will surely meet again."

Boom!

Li Hong, who had been toying with the fire, suddenly had his hand tremble, causing the flames to surge.

Li Mu was slightly shocked, not just by the vow, but by the etiquette—this was one of the most respectful gestures among the Evil Clan's nobility. Having been with Li Ge for over a dozen years, he had never seen the usually arrogant Li Ge behave this way. Now, however, he was showing it to Li Mu, and he understood Li Ge's intent.

This gesture meant that Li Ge had come to regard Li Mu as the person he respected most.

Although Li Mu did not know all the nuances, he understood the weight of these words and quickly stood up to return the bow. Without hiding anything, he said, "You and I shall certainly be friends."

Earlier, while he was in a stupor and lacked any strength to resist, Li Ge and his companion—members of the Evil Clan—had not launched a sneak attack, nor had they left with the spoils of war. This behavior was the greatest proof of trust, and for that reason, they were worthy of friendship.

The two looked at each other, hearts filled with mutual trust, with a feeling that they had met too late.

"Where does the master intend to go?"

Li Mu thought for a moment and looked at the nearby Lian Mountains. "I want to stay here for a while."

The Lian Mountains were rich in spiritual energy and contained many buildings, much like a small sect; it would be a waste not to occupy it.

Li Ge nodded. "That sounds good."

"Li Ge, what about you?" Li Mu asked.

Li Ge stared at the fire for a long time. "I want to go to the Demon Realm. Being trapped here for several years has given me much time to think, and now is the time to go."

"Oh?"

Li Hong hurriedly called out, "Master, have you forgotten? The Clam Demons, Lizard Demons, and other Evil Clans are hunting us there. To return after just these few years... is that not a bit rash?"

Li Ge waved his hand with a calm expression. "The me of now is not the me of the past. Rest assured, I will find a way to revitalize our clan. The things they should have been destroyed for, the things they have taken—they will all be made to spit back out."

"But that..."

"Li Hong, say no more. My mind is made up." His tone was decisive and firm. From his resolute eyes, one could see a determination that could not be shaken.

Li Mu remained silent. He did not fully understand, nor did he know what kind of crisis the two would face upon their return.

But looking at them, Li Mu said slowly, "If you ever need me, no matter if it is in the Demon Realm, it can be done."

In the Demon Realm, there was not a trace of spiritual energy, and cultivators could not practice there. However, if there was a source of high-quality spirit crystals, it would be no different from the mortal world. Besides, as he saw it, the Great Wolf Plain should be stable now. By occupying the Lian Mountains and setting up some restrictive arrays, he could allow his younger sister and the others to cultivate in peace, and he himself could set off on his travels without worry.

Traveling was undoubtedly the best way to increase one's power, whether in the Demon Realm or the lands of the human race.

Li Ge smiled, his eyes solemn. "There is no need for the master to go; we can handle it ourselves. One day, we will surely meet again."

Li Mu nodded and said no more. "Very well. Then I wish you both the best."

"That is good."

Li Ge stood up, struck his chest a few times, and said heroically, "If Master Li ever goes to the Demon Realm in the future, you must visit the Thunder Mountain Realm. We will certainly be delighted."

Li Mu quickly stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Then it is a promise."

"Hehe! He-ha! Wonderful! It has been years since I have been this happy. Li Hong, go hunt another wolf; we shall eat again!"

"Understood, Master!"

"I shall eat no more. I have already consumed several days' worth of food."