Chapter 376: Hugging a Big Thigh

Deep within Demon Mountain, inside a great hall, Shen Daoxing was still discussing matters of cultivation with Elder Blood Dragon.

Just then, Shen Daoxing noticed something was off with Mola and turned to look at her. "What's wrong?"

Mola's shapely brows curved as she casually turned her head back. "It's nothing. I just dealt with a few pests."

Since Mola said so, Shen Daoxing thought no more of it. He turned back to the small red snake beside him and continued their discussion on cultivation.

Although the Blood Dragon hadn't told Shen Daoxing his true identity, it was obvious Elder Blood Dragon's status was anything but low—even a Celestial Demon was subservient in his presence.

The cultivation insights that came from Elder Blood Dragon's mouth were, naturally, of immense benefit to Shen Daoxing.

Meanwhile, the Golden-Eyed Treasure-Seeking Rat and Chi Yi sat respectfully beneath Shen Daoxing's table, nibbling on the small portions of Spirit Beast Meat in their dishes. It felt like it wasn't even enough to get stuck in their teeth, but after the rat and the cat glanced at the small red snake on the seat at the table, neither dared to act out of line.

Below the main seat, Chu Guifeng and Ma Wan, who were drinking, exchanged a look. Suddenly, Chu Guifeng stood up, raised his wine cup, and bowed respectfully to Shen Daoxing. "Young Master Yang, this journey has been a success entirely thanks to you. If not for you, I, Chu Guifeng, would have likely already met my end in the Jiuli Mountain Range. Please don't look down on this humble cup of wine."

With that, Chu Guifeng raised his cup and drained it in one gulp. "From this day forward, our Mighty Escort Agency is yours. Young Master Yang, if there is anything you need, just give the order, and the Mighty Escort Agency will see it done for you."

Immediately, the Darts Masters of the Mighty Escort Agency beside him also stood up and respectfully toasted Shen Daoxing.

As Chu Guifeng's words faded, Qian Gui's light laughter rang out. "Heheheh, Young Master Yang, now that you have an escort agency, how can you do without us from the Dongji Merchant group? From this day forward, we are all your people. Young Master Yang, whatever you need, my Dongji Merchant group will find it for you, even if we have to search the entire East Continent and Cangzhou."

Saying this, Qian Gui also slowly stood, raised his cup to Shen Daoxing, and drained it. "Please, Young Master Yang, do not look down on my humble cup of wine."

After Qian Gui finished speaking, Ma Wan also stood and raised his wine cup high. "Young Master Yang, though I am but a mere Loose Cultivator with little power, I am willing to offer my meager strength and pledge my loyalty to you. Please, Young Master Yang, do not look down on this humble cup of wine."

With that, Ma Wan raised his cup, tilted his head back, and drained it as well.

As seasoned veterans who had navigated the East Continent and Cangzhou for many years, after witnessing the power backing Shen Daoxing, how could Chu Guifeng, Ma Wan, and Qian Gui not guess that he was the Celestial Slaughter Demon Star that the Celestial Profound Sacred Land had been hunting?

But at this moment, instead of exposing him, they made these gestures. This was, in effect, a demonstration that they would not betray Shen Daoxing—both a pledge of fealty and an attempt to latch onto a powerful patron.

Shen Daoxing naturally understood their intentions. He didn't refuse them and returned their toasts in kind.

At this moment, Luo An pulled Luo Xi up beside him and raised his cup high. "Shen, my sister and I will never forget your incredible kindness today. If you ever face any difficulties in the future, we will do everything in our power to help, without hesitation. Please accept this toast from the two of us."

Saying this, Luo An drained his cup, but he stopped short of pledging the entire Bixu Palace of Taiping Mountain.

In truth, Luo An was completely baffled as he watched the actions of Chu Guifeng, Ma Wan, and Qian Gui.

'That's right! We definitely escaped danger this time thanks to Shen Daoxing, but is it really necessary to give away your entire livelihood just to repay a debt?'

However, no sooner had Luo An finished speaking than Tao Ying, who was sitting to the side, raised her wine cup without the slightest hesitation. "Young Master Yang, I, Tao Ying, have no way to repay your great kindness today. From now on, I and the entire Tao Family are willing to pledge our eternal loyalty to you. Please, accept this humble cup of wine from me."

With that, Tao Ying decisively raised her cup and drained it.

Shen Daoxing nodded and returned the toast.

Just then, Mola's indifferent voice sounded softly in Tao Ying's ear. "You bear the curse of a Celestial Demon."

Hearing this, Tao Ying grew frantic. With a THUD, she fell to her knees before Mola. "Please, Lord Celestial Demon, I beg your magnanimity! Please lift the curse upon me, lift the curse upon my Tao Family!"

Silently, Mola turned her head to look at Shen Daoxing.

Shen Daoxing nodded.

Immediately, Mola slowly raised a jade-like hand and pointed forward gently.

A drop of crimson blood suddenly flew out, landed on Tao Ying's forehead, and slowly melted into her skin.

Tao Ying's body suddenly grew feverishly hot and turned bright red as billows of steam rose from her.

A moment later, with a series of crisp CRACKS, the skin on Tao Ying's body split open. The wood-like outer layer flaked away piece by piece, revealing soft, delicate, newborn skin underneath.

Tao Ying's appearance had transformed completely. She had become a beautiful woman with a charming expression and lively, sparkling eyes, restored to her human form.

Tao Ying was stunned. She raised her hands to touch her soft face, seemingly unable to process what had happened, her expression one of disbelief.

"There. I have bestowed upon you the blood of a Celestial Demon. The curse on your body has been lifted. You can also use this power to help your kin remove their curses. However, from this day on, you and your people must serve my master well. If you dare show even a hint of disloyalty, you will all be cursed by a Celestial Demon once more and fall into eternal damnation."

Mola's indifferent voice echoed slowly.

At these words, Tao Ying snapped back to her senses and began to kowtow excitedly toward Mola and Shen Daoxing, her head hitting the floor with loud THUDS. "Thank you, Lord Celestial Demon! Thank you, Young Master Yang—no, thank you, Master! I, Tao Ying, will never forget your great kindness for the rest of my life! From this day forward, I and the Tao Family will serve you with all our hearts!"

Seeing this, Luo An, who was watching from the side, froze. He suddenly felt as if he had missed a great opportunity.

Meanwhile, Chu Guifeng, Ma Wan, and Qian Gui had already raised their cups again, toasting one another and drinking merrily.

But as the crowd was drinking spiritedly, Mola and the small red snake both sensed something. They simultaneously tilted their heads back and looked up at the sky.

Shen Daoxing, who was beside them, knew the two must have discovered something, but when he carefully extended his own senses, he couldn't detect anything out of the ordinary.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Shen Daoxing asked, "What is it?"

The corner of Mola's mouth curled into a smile. "Heheh, it's just that a few of this world's annoying pests have noticed me. Heheheh. It seems I can't stay in this realm for too long. If we were in the Upper Realm, of course I wouldn't be afraid of them, but this world places too many restrictions on me. I really don't have a way to deal with them here."