Chapter 6740 The Stubborn Tiger Venerate Line
The bronze battleship tore through space.
Long Chen stood at the prow, his robes fluttering as spatial turbulence rolled past. Beside him stood Niu Shantang, while tens of thousands of elite disciples from the Spirit Mark Barbarian Ox race filled the deck behind them.
They were nervous and excited. After all, it was their first time leaving their territory and stepping into the outside world.
“Isn’t this too slow?” Long Chen asked, frowning.
“Senior, we have left the domain of our race. Since we are in the Blood Falcon race’s territory and are borrowing their space to travel, we can’t go too fast. It’s to express our respect for them, as well as the fact that we do not have any bad intentions,” replied Niu Shantang.
Long Chen wanted to tell them to go faster, and he would deal with the consequences. But in that case, the Spirit Mark Barbarian Ox race would end up in trouble because of him.
Though he didn’t consider them good people, their poverty and weakness explained much of their behavior. In a brutal world, this was likely the only way of survival.
Thus, as long as they led him to the Tiger Venerate line’s territory, he had no intention of harming them.
“Has your race leader abandoned all of you?” asked Long Chen suddenly.
Niu Shantang stiffened. “Senior... why would you ask that?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Long Chen replied casually. “You didn’t bring a single one of your strongest disciples. Five hundred elites with exceptional bloodlines were deliberately left behind. If this group never returns, your race will simply pour all resources into those five hundred, ensuring your foundation doesn’t collapse. You really thought I wouldn’t notice you placing your eggs in two baskets?”
Niu Shantang started to sweat. He hadn’t expected Long Chen to notice these things.
The race leader had even injured their two strongest disciples as an excuse to keep them behind. Even though several other powerful disciples had joined this expedition, Long Chen still saw through everything.
Niu Shantang didn’t know how to respond.
Thus, Long Chen broke the silence.
“You have a poor relationship with the Tiger Venerate line, is that correct?”
“Yes...” Niu Shantang finally admitted, abandoning all resistance. This man was far too terrifying. Lying would only hasten his death.
“Don’t worry. I don’t really care what kind of history you have with the Tiger Venerate line. As long as you don’t play any tricks and let us meet, your mission will be complete. I won’t make things hard on you,” promised Long Chen.
Niu Shantang let out a quiet breath of relief.
He wasn’t strong, but his instincts were sharp. Somehow, he had a feeling that Long Chen’s words could be trusted.
More importantly, Long Chen had left the pills behind. That alone proved that he was absolutely confident and wasn’t worried in the slightest.
“Senior Long Chen, I surrender. I won’t attempt any more tricks on you,” sighed Niu Shantang.
It was the sensible choice. Since he wouldn’t be able to trick Long Chen anyway, he should just be sincere. That could at least leave a good impression.
“What is the current state of the Tiger Venerate line?” asked Long Chen.
After a long sigh, Niu Shantang explained, “Not good. They have long since declined. You should be aware that the outsider devils are growing stronger and stronger. Smart factions are avoiding them as best as they can. But the Tiger Venerate line has launched several large-scale campaigns against them, and they suffer massive losses every time.
“In particular, eight thousand years ago, eight of the outsider devil tribes joined forces and dealt a devastating blow to them.
“With the devils targeting them, they should have withdrawn to recover. But they refused to retreat even a single step. They continue to guard their territory to the last.
“At first, our demon races did everything we could to support them. But after every battle, the losses were staggering.
“We repeatedly urged the Tiger Venerate line to retreat temporarily, to recover before fighting again. However, they were all stubborn and refused to retreat. They even declared they would never abandon their land, even if it meant extinction.
“In the end, we couldn’t keep up with their ferocity as too many of our experts had died. We gradually pulled back from reinforcing them.
“When the eight devil tribes joined forces and attacked, no one came to the Tiger Venerate line’s aid. While they took hideous losses, they managed to endure.
“Afterward... rumors spread. People say the reason they refuse to retreat is that the Tiger Venerate left behind a treasure in their homeland. That treasure was what ultimately drove the outsider devils away and allowed the Tiger Venerate line to survive.”
“What is that treasure?” asked Long Chen.
Niu Shantang laughed awkwardly. “No one knows. I doubt even our race leader does. But it’s said to be priceless—something connected to the karmic luck of the entire demon race. Whoever obtains it will soar. They might even rise to the point of... replacing the Tiger Venerate line.”
His voice dropped to a whisper at the end.
“So this Qi Current Grand Ceremony is meant to gather everyone’s strength and pressure the Tiger Venerate line?” Long Chen asked.
Niu Shantang nodded. “That’s my conclusion. But the ox demon race itself is divided. We are loyal to the Fullmoon race, which is conservative and maintains a good relationship with the Tiger Venerate line. They oppose any action that will harm the Tiger Venerate line.
“On the contrary, the other two ox supreme races believe the Tiger Venerate line has declined beyond saving. For someone to replace them is only natural. Whoever obtains the treasure becomes the chosen race. In other words... it’s time for a new emperor.”
Long Chen nodded. There was nothing wrong with that. If the Heavenly Daos had truly abandoned the Tiger Venerate line, other demon races could of course vie for their position.
Niu Shantang explained, “This Qi Current Grand Ceremony is actually a chance for the three sides to lay their cards on the table and decide if they are going to take action or not. If an agreement is reached, the entire ox demon race will turn on the Tiger Venerate line. Otherwise, there is a big chance that an internal war will happen amongst us. That’s why this moment is so dangerous.”
Niu Shantang shook his head bitterly.
In truth, there was one thing he didn’t say: the odds of them being wiped out were very high. The race leader had made him come not just because of Long Chen, but also because of his ability to make quick decisions.
If the Fullmoon race really refused to turn on the Tiger Venerate line, then the Golden Horn and Rock Crystal races would likely turn on the Fullmoon race.
Just as the two of them were speaking, rumbling sounds rang out in front of them.
Powerful auras surged, blocking their path.