The Gu King Centipede looked at the black mist man.
"A stranger's face."
When it saw the black mist man's appearance clearly, the Gu King Centipede was slightly puzzled. It had never seen this person before and assumed he was not a cultivator from the same era as itself.
But subconsciously, it assumed that the other party was a "Mortal Dust Immortal" of this era.
As it sensed the aura of the black mist man, and his demeanor, which was completely different from Situ Lao and the other nine, completely unlike the temperament someone of their era should have.
Instantly, the Gu King Centipede's rumbling voice spread.
"No wonder you dare to stop this sovereign. Turns out, you are an ancient cultivator."
It did not hold back its words at all, speaking bluntly. When Situ Lao and the others heard this, they were deeply shaken.
Ancient cultivator.
Just these few words alone carried immense weight, and as members of the 749 Bureau, how could they not understand?
This was a title that could only be granted to someone at least several hundred years old. In other words, the Meituan deliveryman standing before them was at least several hundred years old.
At the same time, in response to the Gu King Centipede's words, the black mist man simply said one sentence.
"Go back to the deep mountains and continue sleeping."
Though it was only one sentence, anyone could hear the undeniable authority in his words.
The Gu King Centipede was stunned for a moment. Immediately, its centipede eyes grew colder.
"Do not think that just because you repelled this sovereign, you are capable of contending with this sovereign. This sovereign addresses you as a fellow cultivator only because we are both 'Mortal Dust Immortals.' But that does not mean this sovereign must show you deference. In terms of seniority, you are merely a thousand-year-old cultivator, so you should be addressing this sovereign as your senior. Boy, choose your words carefully."
In response, the black mist man nonchalantly replied. "Then, senior, please return to the deep mountains."
Situ Lao and the others froze: "???"
The Gu King Centipede was also momentarily stunned.
The black mist man's quick-witted response left the Gu King Centipede completely unprepared. It didn't know whether to call the other party overly straightforward or something else.
"You are quite skilled at wordplay. However, what if this sovereign says no?" The Gu King Centipede slowly spoke another sentence.
The black mist man simply said, "Senior, cultivation is not easy. Do not gamble with your life. My master has given the order—any ancient great demon of the Hengduan Mountains must not leave the mountains. Violators will die."
As he spoke, he glanced at the Gu King Centipede's massive body.
That final sentence, he did not hold back in the slightest. His voice echoed through the Hengduan Mountains, carrying far into the depths of the range.
Situ Lao and the others clearly noticed that demonic auras in the Hengduan Mountains stirred faintly, and their expressions changed.
Deep within the Hengduan Mountains, not only had the Gu King Centipede awakened this time, but many great demons, even ancient great demons, had also awakened. However, unlike the Gu King Centipede, they chose to remain as bystanders instead of taking action.
In the next second, the massive body of the Gu King Centipede began to move. Its body was so enormous that even the slightest motion caused the earth to tremble.
"Are you threatening this sovereign?"
The Gu King Centipede's upper body lifted, its gaze more terrifying than ever before.
Situ Lao and the others felt as if their hearts were about to stop. If not for the black mist man protecting them, they would have been crushed under the sheer oppressive force.
"Threatening? Not really." The black mist man finally spoke at this moment.
"I am merely stating the truth. After all, demon cultivation is difficult. To cultivate for three thousand years is to endure countless hardships and dangers. If it all ends in ruin over something as trivial as leaving the mountains, it is not worth it."
Without warning, the Gu King Centipede struck. Its massive, blood-red mouth opened, spewing forth rolling green miasma.
Its three-to-four-hundred-meter-long body surged forward, its hundred legs scuttling.
In an instant, it reached the black mist man, enclosing him completely.
"Senior!"
Situ Lao and the others were sent flying.
Although the Gu King Centipede struck swiftly, the black mist man still reacted in time, sending Situ Lao and the others out of harm's way.
Boom!
The earth shook violently. The mountains and forests collapsed.
At this moment, if someone were to venture deep into the Hengduan Mountains, even from a great distance, they would see that the depths of the mountain range had been cleared out, and at its center...
A massive centipede was curled into a spiral, forming a centipede pyramid.
During this time, deafening sounds echoed continuously. Beastly roars, battle cries, the booming of the trembling earth—all mixed together.
If someone highly skilled in cultivation listened carefully, they would hear, aside from the sounds of battle between the two, deep within the Hengduan Mountains, there were also hushed whispers.
Without exception, those speaking were not human, but great demons of the mountains—even ancient great demons.
"The Centipede Immortal has made a move after all."
"As expected. With its temper, how could it not?"
"If it were me, I would have struck too. That human cultivator was far too arrogant, acting as if he had the Centipede Immortal completely under control. No 'Mortal Dust Immortal' would tolerate such condescension."
"I don't think that human is arrogant. Perhaps he truly has the ability to handle the Centipede Immortal and was simply stating the truth."
"You hold that man in such high regard? A mere 'Mortal Dust Immortal' willing to serve as a slave—how powerful could he be?"
"I do not know how strong that man is. But the Centipede Immortal is not weak. Have you all forgotten? It belongs to the Gu insect lineage. That Eagle Elder Immortal, who had four thousand years of cultivation, was slain and devoured by it."
"Avian demons have always countered insect demons—they are natural nemeses. And yet, the Centipede Immortal overturned this restraint, proving itself as a true master of the Gu insect lineage."
As they discussed, suddenly, an ancient voice echoed from deep within the mountains.
"This old one hopes that the Centipede Immortal wins."
The great demons and ancient great demons instantly fell silent, all turning their attention toward the source.
"Old Turtle, you've awakened?" An ancient great demon who had been observing the Gu King Centipede spoke with slight surprise.
"I woke up. I woke up long ago. The thunder tribulation at Ailao Mountain a few days ago disturbed my rest."
The ancient great demon known as the Old Turtle spoke slowly. It sounded incredibly aged, as if its voice carried only half its strength, as if it could enter the grave at any moment.
This was an ancient great demon at the end of its lifespan. Yet, not a single great demon or ancient great demon present dared to pry into its condition. Even the death of an ancient great demon was an event of immense consequence. For great demons and ancient great demons alike, it was a feast beyond compare.
The reason?
Even a dying camel is larger than a horse. This was an ancient great demon with several thousand years of cultivation. No matter how old and near death it was, it remained formidable.
As long as it was still alive, no great demon or ancient great demon present dared to act rashly.
At this moment, hearing the Old Turtle's words, the earlier ancient great demon could not help but ask, "You are awake. Why have you not left the mountains? The death energy on you is growing heavier. It does not seem as if your lifespan has increased. Why do you not leave the mountains?"
Perhaps it was because people speak their truest words when near death. Even though the great demons were now gazing at it, the Old Turtle did not conceal anything. It spoke openly.
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