Chapter 186: Shadow Warfare (Part 1)

Clip clop! Clip clop!

The Azure Dragon beneath Tang Jinbiao inexplicably felt a sudden wave of panic flutter in its heart, its body trembling slightly. Yet, before it could even register why it was trembling…

Tang Jinbiao, lost in thought for a moment, finally spoke again. His expression was unreadable as he said faintly, “Ah Huang, what were you saying earlier?”

“Huh? What’s with this kid? Just moments ago he seemed utterly indecisive, and now it’s like he’s a different person? Has he thought of some strategy?

No, this kid is clever, but too inexperienced—his mentality is extremely immature. Although he now appears decisive in battle and killing, this false ‘maturity’ is an extreme shift and cannot withstand true pressure!

I’ll play along with him for now. The moment this brat dares to undo the Seal on me, this old master will possess a thousand, no, ten thousand methods to torment him! He’s young and new to the world, at that arrogant age. Trying to reason with reality, telling him the harsh truth, will fall on deaf ears. Instead, feeding him some sweet lies might work much better!”

In those brief moments, Tang Jinbiao seemed completely transformed. Although the Azure Dragon felt uneasy, it had once been one of the renowned Demon Emperors of the Demon Realm. Facing a greenhorn like Tang Jinbiao, it naturally had plenty of schemes ready.

“Master, ah! Look at me, sealed by the esteemed Senior Huang Biaozi, only holding an Early-stage Golden Core Cultivation Level. If you want me to chase that escaping Mid Core Formation Stage cultivator… it’s simply unrealistic! Moreover, the terrain in the Hundred Thousand Mountains is incredibly complex. While I earnestly wish to serve you, Master, like the saying goes, ‘even the craftiest housewife can’t cook without rice’! The gap in Cultivation Level is just too vast—I’m helpless!

But Master, worry not! Even if you release my Seal, I would only regain the Great Perfection of Core Formation Cultivation Level. You could easily control me through prohibitions! Fear not any betrayal! Besides, my loyalty to you is absolute, Master. Rebellion? Such a thought never crossed my mind, Master! Truly, not even in the faintest way!”

Having devised its strategy, the Azure Dragon spoke with a pleading expression on its dog face, though Tang Jinbiao couldn’t see it.

The Azure Dragon’s words had but one aim: to get Tang Jinbiao to undo its Seal. It deliberately emphasized the complex terrain of the Hundred Thousand Mountains and the gap between its sealed state and Captain Wang’s Cultivation Level—hinting that without the Seal removed, it couldn’t catch up, absolving itself of blame. It simultaneously downplayed the risks, reassuring Tang Jinbiao he could control it even after releasing the Seal.

In truth, its speech was riddled with holes. Its intentions were as blatant as the proverbial “Sima Zhao’s ambition”—obvious to any passerby. While the Hundred Thousand Mountains’ terrain was complex, if Tang Jinbiao truly pursued Captain Wang, barring impassable obstacles, catching up quickly wouldn’t be an issue. The real problem was that Tang Jinbiao didn’t truly want to.

Secondly, while the Azure Dragon’s Cultivation Level was sealed, its realm and battle prowess remained. Fighting for its life, it could likely handle not just a mediocre Mid Core Formation Stage cultivator like Captain Wang, but potentially even a Mid Nascent Soul Stage cultivator. Finally, the Azure Dragon’s rebellious intent was already clear as day.

Thus, the Azure Dragon’s seemingly reasonable speech was pure nonsense.

Believing its words impeccable and requiring no additions, the Azure Dragon felt quite confident Tang Jinbiao would agree to its proposal. It inwardly praised its own cleverness.

“Hmm, is that so?”

Tang Jinbiao said nothing substantial, merely nodding faintly and murmuring casually.

“Hmph, this Azure Dragon harbors treacherous ambitions. Over this past month, it acted meek and submissive on the surface, yet several near-disasters occurred—surely it was involved. Leaving the rest aside, Captain Wang was definitely lured here by this Azure Dragon to bait me. I initially just wanted to teach it a lesson, but now I find myself in a situation with no room to back down—truly like riding a ‘tiger’.

If I don’t release the Seal on this Azure Dragon now, it genuinely might lose the trail. If I truly lose Captain Wang, finding him again in the future would be incredibly difficult. I can’t even predict what Cultivation Level he might reach the next time we meet. Therefore, I absolutely cannot give up the pursuit now. But releasing the Azure Dragon’s Seal is not an option—the timing isn’t right yet; the risk isn’t worth it!

But if I don’t release it, how can I ensure he catches up? Alternatively, if I do release it, how can I prevent his backlash? Right! Stay calm! I’ll use the Scrutiny character technique from the Six-Syllable Mantra! This is the perfect time to squeeze some truth out of it!”

Though his expression remained impassive, Tang Jinbiao’s mind worked frantically to analyze the situation before him and find a solution.

Thump!

Seeing Tang Jinbiao’s nonchalant demeanor, the Azure Dragon beneath him felt a thump in its chest. “Trouble! I almost forgot how deceitful this brat is, and that Old Charlatan Huang Biaozi seems to have taken him as a disciple! I must be constantly vigilant now, careful not to fall into his trap!

But don’t panic. This kid’s life experience is plain to see. However mature and cold he pretends to be, what’s really on his mind… this kid’s bone age isn’t great, just around twenty. For ordinary cultivators, this age would mean complete immersion in cultivation. Yet he isn’t an ordinary cultivator.

Throughout this time, I’ve seen him ‘cultivate’, but each time it was just a perfunctory act; he shows no real dedication to the Dao! Wait, that doesn’t make sense. Isn’t cultivation the core for cultivators? Yet this kid achieved this level at such a young age. If he isn’t diligent, that’s a contradiction. Could I be missing something?”

Tang Jinbiao, of course, couldn’t know the Azure Dragon’s inner turmoil. However, seeking to test the so-called Six-Syllable Mantra imparted by Huang Biaozi, he decided this was the moment to probe deeper. Ruminating briefly and finding his approach sound, he asked, “Ah Huang, do you remember where we first met?”

Over the past days, Tang Jinbiao had naturally long since learned that the Big Yellow Dog beneath him was precisely the one who had once called itself the Azure Dragon Demon King, the Azure Dragon.

While Tang Jinbiao had guesses about the Azure Dragon’s grudge, he wasn’t completely certain. In his view, the figures the Azure Dragon most hated were surely Huang Biaozi and Tang Ni. As for him, Tang Jinbiao couldn’t be sure.

His question aimed to uncover whether the Azure Dragon genuinely hated him, or if that hatred stemmed solely from his connection to Huang Biaozi and Tang Ni. If the former, Tang Jinbiao wouldn’t hesitate; if the latter, he still held onto his initial hope: to truly make the Azure Dragon his spirit beast.

“What? Has he figured it out?”

Hearing the question, a slight shock jolted through the Azure Dragon’s mind. “Bad news! This kid must be remembering that time I tried to swindle him. Although I didn’t succeed, the deception was real! What now? Got it! I’ll just confess my ‘crime’ upfront, say I lost my head in the euphoria of release and committed that act of repaying kindness with enmity. The bond between us now runs deep. He has a use for me, so he surely won’t eliminate me outright. As long as my attitude of repentance is good, I should be safe. Yes, definitely safe!”

With lightning speed, the Azure Dragon formulated its countermeasure. Its face plastered with an ingratiating expression, it begged, “Master, this small one admits fault! This small one confesses! This small one has reformed! Back then, after suffering five thousand years imprisoned, the sudden removal of my seal brought such excitement that I committed an injustice against my Master! Thankfully, the immortal Huang Biaozi appeared in time, sparing us a bitter outcome! Since we are currently in pursuit, it is inconvenient for my Master to mete out punishment now. Please punish this small one afterward—I beg of you! This small one will accept it without question!”

“Curses! If that Old Charlatan Huang Biaozi hadn’t interfered back then, this old master would surely have regained seventy to eighty percent of my Cultivation Level by now! But… I clearly imparted the Peerless Devil Art to him! He’s reached Body Refining Third Tier, yet shows no signs of demonic transformation? Has he… not cultivated the Peerless Devil Art?”

Though its outward demeanor was utterly submissive and contrite, the Azure Dragon’s hatred for Huang Biaozi deepened further in its heart. Tang Jinbiao, unaware, found that his casual question had subtly redirected a portion of that resentment towards Huang Biaozi.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Eager to demonstrate its loyalty, the Azure Dragon accelerated slightly as it spoke, its speed now precisely matching Captain Wang’s disappearing form.

Moreover, with the passage of time, the Spiritual Energy within the distant Captain Wang slowly drained away, his speed no longer as swift as before. In contrast, although the Azure Dragon’s Cultivation Level remained sealed, its actual realm meant that even a pursuit lasting months wouldn’t tax it.

“Despicable! So it truly did intend to take my life back then! Since that’s the case, there’s no need for me to be courteous any longer… though now is not yet the time.”

The Azure Dragon had no inkling that Tang Jinbiao instantly understood its so-called “confession” was effectively an unconscious admission—a classic case of protesting too much, proclaiming innocence unnecessarily.

“No doubt about it. This Azure Dragon did propose infusing me with demonic energy and cultivating the demonic art. Thank goodness for my quick wits back then; I escaped its trap. But thinking back… doesn’t that imply the Peerless Devil Art itself was problematic?”

Recalling his first encounter with the Azure Dragon naturally summoned the memory of the Peerless Devil Art.

Tang Jinbiao knew of the art’s fabled power. He’d once considered cultivating it, but the requirement stipulated Body Refining Third Tier. By the time he achieved that, he was constantly occupied and hadn’t focused on it. Besides, the primary reason remained: the cultivation method was excessively brutal—he wasn’t ready for that step yet.

“Oh? Really? Ah Huang, it seems you’ve forgotten something rather important, haven’t you? Shall I remind you?”

Now recalling the Peerless Devil Art, Tang Jinbiao naturally guessed it had hidden perils. A faint, almost mocking smile touched his lips as he probed. “Do you recall the promise you made regarding that art?”

Thump!

The Azure Dragon, having just sped up and thought it might escape this line of questioning, felt its heart lurch again at Tang Jinbiao’s words. “Disaster! He might be onto me!” Immediately, it scrambled an explanation: “Master! This small one confesses the crime! This small one admits guilt! I should not have concealed the truth from my Master! I should not have… tampered with the Peerless Devil Art! The minimum Cultivation Level required to successfully cultivate that art is that of a Nascent Soul Cultivator! At a lower level, the physical body couldn’t withstand the inhuman torment! Moreover… the most vital piece was missing: the key method of enhancing Cultivation Level through… consuming the essence blood of other people!

Merely tempering oneself through practice is insufficient—the torment is far too severe. Sustaining it requires consuming the essence blood and Cultivation Level of others to consolidate one’s own realm! Yet, consuming too much… if the suppression is inadequate or the purification incomplete… eventually, one undergoes demonification, becoming a savage beast driven only by slaughter!

Therefore, constant, extreme focus on body tempering is vital! At every major breakthrough, one must refine the body with Heaven’s Thunder to purge the evil within! Otherwise, death brings no entry into the Samsara! It is said that the Demon Emperor who originated the art, upon achieving minor success, drew heavenly thunder into his own body, forging an Indestructible Thunder Body. It was solely through this that he could withstand the eighty-one Heavenly Tribulations! Master! I was wrong! Truly wrong! Please punish this small one!”