Chapter 803: Lead Party

Ji Yuan found it interesting, and the old ox felt much the same. However, for Shi Jiu and Wang Yourhong, it was far from pleasant. While Ji Yuan, a great immortal, was generally amiable to everyone, and even ordinary demons might not feel his pressure, for these two, the pressure was truly immense.

To Shi Jiu and Wang Yourhong, Ji Yuan was most terrifying when he smiled and said nothing.

Shi Jiu was the first to buckle under the pressure and speak. He had made a vow to Ji Yuan. Although he hadn't fully upheld his oath, he hadn't strictly violated it either—at least not excessively. Anxious, he urgently wanted to explain himself.

"Mr. Ji, I..."

Shi Jiu's peripheral vision caught the old ox and Wang Yourhong. Both were formidable figures within the Revelation Alliance. If they discovered his connection with a high-ranking immortal, the consequences would be severe. However, compared to incurring Ji Yuan's displeasure, it was nothing. Failing to cross this hurdle meant utter annihilation; there would be no future to speak of.

Words were always the least convincing. Shi Jiu gritted his teeth, pulled out a small cloth pouch from his robes, and simultaneously explained to Ji Yuan via telepathic transmission.

"Mr. Ji, Shi Jiu has never forgotten his promise. Moreover, I have used the convenience of my cultivation to make a breakthrough in my investigation. Please take a look."

Ji Yuan looked at the small cloth pouch, reached out, and took it. He could detect a faint, lingering strange odor, but couldn't quite pinpoint its nature. Shi Jiu must have subjected it to multiple treatments.

After taking the pouch, Ji Yuan gently placed the wine cup from his right hand onto the table. As the cup settled, ripples spread from the center of the wine. Although the surroundings still appeared noisy, they were now subtly isolated from ordinary perception.

Ji Yuan then opened the pouch directly in front of the three of them. Shi Jiu's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously glanced at Niu Batian and Wang Yourhong, ensuring they wouldn't escape.

Inside the pouch was a bundle of yellow paper covered in gold dust, seemingly wrapping something. Ji Yuan carefully unrolled it, revealing a shriveled, dried object resembling a loach.

"Is this a Dragon Corpse Worm?"

Shi Jiu, who had been observing the old ox and Wang Yourhong, noticed their distinct subtle changes in expression at that moment. Ji Yuan's attention, naturally, seemed entirely focused on the Dragon Corpse Worm.

"Did you process this?"

"Yes, Mr. Ji, that's right. I'm one of the most knowledgeable people about this item in the Revelation Alliance. The Dragon Corpse Worm definitely wasn't first created by the Revelation Alliance, but the Alliance is certainly involved with it now. I sealed this using a preliminary corpse-refining method, wrapped in gold dust and talisman paper to hide its aura."

As he spoke, Shi Jiu's expression grew much more solemn, and he leaned slightly closer to Ji Yuan before continuing.

"Mr. Ji, I, Shi Jiu, have never for a moment forgotten the trust placed in me by you and my esteemed master. After encountering the Dragon Corpse Worm, I immediately managed to seal one, carefully preserving it, always looking for an opportunity to present it to you. However, I never had the chance until today. Heaven has helped me; you have appeared before me, and I can now offer this item..."

At this point, Shi Jiu offered another wry smile, providing some explanation for his previous actions.

"However, living among numerous demons and monsters, one cannot always appear too distinct. Occasionally, I had to pretend to seek blood offerings as a cover..."

Ji Yuan cast a cold glance at Shi Jiu, whose surge of eagerness immediately withered like an eggplant hit by frost, leaving him feeling restless and uneasy.

"You know a lot about the Dragon Corpse Worm?"

Shi Jiu quickly replied.

"Even among the few in the Revelation Alliance who have reached peak cultivation, I doubt they've had as much exposure to it as I have."

"Oh?"

"Mr. Ji, as you know, I am the only zombie in the Revelation Alliance. It may sound like a ridiculous boast, but almost no zombie, throughout history, has cultivated to my level. Few can compare to my research in the way of corpses. The Dragon Corpse Worm itself is deeply imbued with corpse aura, and the Alliance primarily entrusted its study to me, hoping to harness some of its secrets for other purposes..."

Ji Yuan nodded.

"Go on."

"Yes, Mr. Ji, what you might not know is that while the Dragon Corpse Worm is formidable, it typically only targets aquatic creatures and demons with dragon bloodlines or those who have cultivated dragon bloodlines. Others are generally unharmed as long as they don't attack them. Furthermore, the Dragon Corpse Worm reproduces at an astonishing rate. It contains a venom sac that can generate toxins to transform a dragon's body. After consuming flesh and blood, it often converts that flesh and blood into more worms, and its growth to maturity is, of course, incredibly fast..."

When Shi Jiu suddenly fell silent, Ji Yuan looked at him again.

"Why did you stop?"

Shi Jiu gave a wry smile.

"This time, when we arrived in this city, perhaps because we haven't been here long, many people actually don't know the specific objective. But since I, Shi Jiu, am also here, I suspect that in addition to abducting mortals, there's a strong possibility they intend to test the Dragon Corpse Poison on them."

"The Dragon Corpse Worm can be used on humans now?"

Ji Yuan was slightly startled, narrowing his eyes at Shi Jiu. The latter's heart tightened, and he quickly explained.

"Naturally not. As I mentioned before, the Dragon Corpse Worm holds a unique resentment towards dragons. What I mean is the toxin of the Dragon Corpse Worm, which is refined from the worms using the power of the corpse path. This toxin contains some remnants of the Dragon Corpse Worm's grievances, making it a sinister corpse-soul gu... Mr. Ji, I have been troubled by this matter, unable to find a way to save the common people. Thankfully, you have arrived..."

The old ox, standing by, was also somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Shi Jiu, who was almost universally disliked in the Revelation Alliance, to be such a formidable hidden figure. In just a few words, the old ox realized this fellow played a crucial role in the Alliance and, even more unexpectedly, knew Mr. Ji and seemed to have agreed to help him.

However, the old ox also discerned that while Shi Jiu had indeed been carrying out his tasks, he had harbored a degree of wishful thinking before.

"So, besides you, Shi Jiu, which other members of the Revelation Alliance in the city are responsible for this matter?"

As Ji Yuan asked this, he looked at the old ox and Wang Yourhong. The old ox reacted very quickly, frantically waving his hands as if nervous.

"This matter has absolutely nothing to do with me!"

Wang Yourhong also reacted the next moment, hastily distancing himself.

"I only heard today about Shi Jiu refining the Dragon Corpse Worm. This matter has absolutely nothing to do with me either!"

Shi Jiu's brow twitched. Wang Yourhong's addition of "refining the Dragon Corpse Worm" sounded particularly jarring in front of Ji Yuan at that moment. Nevertheless, he still had to answer Ji Yuan's question.

"As far as I know, there shouldn't be a second person, which is why more people are watching me. Oh, and there's a demon king in the city, a spider from the Black Barrens. Sometimes I can sense it observing me, but I don't know where it is. If I remain isolated in this tavern, it might attract that demon king's attention..."

Ji Yuan let out a cold chuckle, remaining noncommittal for the moment, and looked at Wang Yourhong and the old ox.

"Shi Jiu, you've handled things well today. However, these two cannot be allowed to stay. What are your thoughts?"

Hearing Ji Yuan's words, Shi Jiu inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that his ordeal was likely over, at least not a death sentence. As for the fate of the others, it mattered little to him.

"Brother Shi, Brother Shi, you must save me, Old Ox! Please, tell this immortal. I, Old Ox, merely have a short temper, but I'm a vegetarian! I've never eaten people! In the Revelation Alliance, Old Ox genuinely considered you a friend! Please, speak for me, Brother Shi!"

The old ox bowed repeatedly to Shi Jiu, his face a mixture of tension and terror, as if he already saw his doom. Shi Jiu displayed a troubled expression, but inexplicably felt a surge of satisfaction. At the same time, Ji Yuan's telepathic message reached Shi Jiu's ear.

"Do you think this ox demon still has any use? If so, for your sake, I can spare his life. However, we'll need to put on a bit of a show."

Shi Jiu's heart completely relaxed now. Mr. Ji was consulting him on this matter, which meant he had definitively passed the test. He was even considering finding him an assistant.

Thereupon, Shi Jiu feigned a troubled expression, furrowing his brow and sighing, then gritted his teeth, stood up, and bowed to Ji Yuan.

"Mr. Ji, this ox demon is named Niu Batian. His demonic form possesses unique and exceptional talents, making him highly valued in the Revelation Alliance. And as he said, his primary cultivation progresses quickly, so he doesn't need to involve himself much in other matters. He could be considered a redeemable demon. Sometimes in the Revelation Alliance, I feel like a lone hand, unable to clap. If I had some assistants, that would be excellent..."

Ji Yuan feigned contemplation, waved his hand for Shi Jiu to sit down, and then repeatedly scrutinized the old ox, who was so nervous and anxious his face had turned pale.

"He has some aggression and stubbornness. However, you are indeed struggling within the Revelation Alliance. Since you've spoken on his behalf, as long as he is willing to swear an oath to assist you, I will temporarily spare him."

"I'm willing, Mr. Ji, I'm willing!" "Thump, thump, thump..."

The old ox immediately left his seat and knelt directly on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly to Ji Yuan as he spoke, and even to Shi Jiu.

"Thank you, Brother Shi, thank you, Brother Shi..."

What a fellow! This old ox completely disregarded his dignity, even kowtowing to Shi Jiu. This sight momentarily stunned Ji Yuan.

"Get up, and sit down for now."

"Yes, yes!"

The old ox wiped the sweat from his body and sat down, while Wang Yourhong, on the side, was utterly dumbfounded. To think that the typically arrogant and overbearing Niu Batian would do something like this.

Wang Yourhong also wished to live, but he inwardly doubted his ability to act as dramatically as the old ox. The plea for mercy he was about to utter had been completely drowned out by the old ox's fervent appeals. However, when Ji Yuan's gaze fell upon him, he still quickly spoke, his heart pounding.

"Mr. Ji, Mr. Ji, spare my life! I can also help. I know where that demon king in the city is hidden. I know who holds the most sway in the Revelation Alliance, and killing that person could quell the chaos in Tianyu Continent. I also know where that person is..."

At this moment, the old ox slightly lowered his head, and Shi Jiu pretended to sip his tea. Their thoughts were almost identical: "Alright, he's spilled everything he can!"

Ji Yuan had originally intended to extract some information from Wang Yourhong and even considered executing him. But upon hearing him blurt out so much at once, Ji Yuan's expression became slightly intrigued, then morphed into a smile.

He hadn't expected this youth, who resembled a peach branch, to know so much.

"Good. Then first, lead me to that demon king."