Wutong’s eyes widened. This snake was actually lying! Astonished, he looked at Gu Huaixiu, then back at the green serpent. The green python’s voice immediately turned unnatural. Nonsense, what tricks, and what was that about the Zhutian Jue? I think there is no such thing at all. How could two mere brats possibly possess the Zhutian Jue? Yet the Zhutian Jue is indeed in our hands, Wutong said. The green python flashed a look of disbelief. Let me see it! Gu Huaixiu maintained his composure, slowly lifting his left hand. The faintly glowing red cord flickered visibly on their wrists. The green python’s eyes lit up with greed. It really is the Zhutian Jue, but why has it locked both of you together? Its eyes rolled around on either side of its head. So which of you has obtained the Zhutian power? Wutong asked, Is the Zhutian power the ability that causes a cultivator’s magical power to soar and their cultivation to increase greatly? The green python nodded repeatedly. You know quite a bit, don’t you? Judging by your completely foundationless state, it certainly is not you. It turned toward Gu Huaixiu. Is it you? No, Gu Huaixiu said coldly. The green python’s snake head shook back and forth repeatedly. After scrutinizing the two of them from head to toe once more, it suddenly slumped with deep dejection. Heavens and earth, Heaven is destroying my green python! I finally managed to wait for someone carrying the Zhutian Jue, but his spiritual roots are sealed and completely useless. Wutong felt a jolt of secret shock. The discernment of this grand demon was truly defying the heavens to have seen right through that. Ordinary people only assumed he lacked spiritual roots entirely and possessed zero cultivation, while the fact that his spiritual roots were sealed was a secret known only to his closest family members. This was because children with exceptionally pure spiritual roots were extremely prone to becoming objects of covetous cultivation materials for demonic paths and wicked forces. Consequently, the Ji family exercised strict precautions, publicly claiming only that their young master was born lacking spiritual roots and unable to practice cultivation. Wutong cast a covert glance at Gu Huaixiu, wondering if this fiend would want to use him as medicinal material. On second thought, since any harm done to him now would backfire on the fiend as self-inflicted punishment, the fiend should not resort to such a desperate measure, which finally allowed him to feel slightly more at ease. Stop beating around the bush. You had better explain everything you know about the Zhutian Jue and the mechanisms on this door from beginning to end. Otherwise, do not blame me for being discourteous. Gu Huaixiu interrupted the green python’s endless chatter, his stern expression and icy tone leaving no doubt that anyone who failed to comply would meet a gruesome end. The green python’s arrogance finally extinguished, and its voice became much more docile. This is a long story. It does not matter, we have time, Wutong said. The small snake immediately grew impassionate. Think back to when I, Lord Qingpython, dominated one side and enjoyed supreme renown, how glorious I was! Not to mention the demon race that had yet to emerge, even among the demon clans across the four seas and eight wastes, which one did not revere me as supreme? Little snake, if you start your story all the way back from the four seas and eight wastes, it is going to be very long, Wutong interrupted. Who is a little snake! Green python, green python! The green snake argued with its neck stuck out. Pick out the main points, Gu Huaixiu said concisely. The green python flicked its tongue. That Haochan was originally no match for me. Later, when the Zhutian Jue manifested, he made a wager with me, saying whichever of us could move the three peaks to the same location first would claim the Zhutian Jue. So, you lost? Wutong asked. The fact that Haochan Tianzun had brought the three peaks together to construct the Upper Immortal Platform was common knowledge throughout the world. He cheated! the green python fumed, its snake head flushing red. I had clearly already moved two peaks, but who knew that the final peak was the key to activating the Zhutian Jue? When the three peaks returned to their positions, Zhutian formed the Jue, and Zhutian chose him. Yet I was cursed and sealed by him within this door for ten thousand years… The more the green python spoke, the angrier it grew. Its snake head turned entirely red, and tears even began dripping down drop by drop. Wutong suddenly did not know whether to comfort it or laugh. This behavior of weeping teardrops felt far too out of character for a legendary grand demon. Moreover, was the legendary feat of the gathering of the three peaks not entirely due to Haochan Tianzun’s merit? Wutong remained skeptical of the green python’s claims, choosing to take them with a grain of salt. Ever since then, my demonic power has been sealed by the runes on this door. Not only that, whenever any external force touches this door, the iron chains materialized by the runes contract and tighten, cutting into my body like knives, saws, and axes, as if subjecting me to the punishment of a thousand cuts. As it spoke, the green python shed a few more tears. Hearing this, Wutong could not help feeling a degree of sympathy. Thinking back to when they first pushed the door, the python demon had launched a frantic attack, which must have been a violent reaction born of excruciating pain, while all its boasting earlier was merely putting up a brave front to save face—truly suffering a painful punishment just to preserve its pride. Yet, speaking of which, for the founding patriarch of the Tianchen Sect and the supreme figure of the world to set down such a curse and spellwork was perhaps a bit too vicious and heavy-handed. Then is there no way to break this spell? Wutong asked. This spell was set by that old man Haochan relying upon the Zhutian power, so breaking it naturally still requires the Zhutian power. The green python cast a sideways glance at Wutong, speaking in a tone filled with lifelong regret: Although you possess the Zhutian Jue, your cultivation is zero, let alone having the Zhutian power… Alas, ten thousand years have passed, why is my old Qingpython still so ill-fated? As it spoke, it hammered its head against the door with a loud thud. This was simply too dramatic. Wutong frowned, hesitated for a moment, and pointed at Gu Huaixiu: What about he? He has high cultivation and is also considered wearing the Zhutian Jue. Does he not work either? He does not work either. The green python stretched out its head again, squinting at Gu Huaixiu for a long while before suddenly wearing a gloating expression: I was wondering why you little fellow took a strike from me and acted like nothing happened. So it was deflected onto this boy here. You boy, instead of practicing immortality, you went to cultivate demonic arts, and now suffering the tribulation of the Zhutian power is entirely bringing it upon yourself. What tribulation? Wutong asked, feeling thoroughly baffled by the green python’s words. How could Gu Huaixiu, a demon cultivator, cultivate immortality? The Zhutian Jue is inherently an object of heaven and earth creation. Achieving overnight ascension through Zhutian power requires consuming a massive amount of refined spiritual energy, and you boy surely do not think it came for free. So anyone who wears the Zhutian Jue and gains its magical power will suffer misfortune… Wutong experienced a sudden realization. He had previously known of this rule, but with this explanation, it made complete sense. Yet logically, only the person who obtained the Zhutian power should suffer misfortune, whereas Gu Huaixiu’s magical power had not increased, yet he bore the tribulation of the Zhutian power and took on all of his injuries. How could that be? Wutong posed this question. The green python looked at him, then at Gu Huaixiu, its snake head swaying back and forth again: If I am not mistaken, this Zhutian Jue was imposed upon both of you simultaneously. Precisely, Wutong said. Gu Huaixiu, who had been listening noncommittally all along, also revealed a hint of attentiveness. So you obtained the Zhutian power, and he obtained the misfortune. It is as simple as that. I did not… You did not increase your magical power because your spiritual roots are sealed. What can be done about that? The green python looked as though it regretted lacking a pair of hands to spread in helplessness. It looked at Gu Huaixiu again and spoke in a sarcastic tone: Ah, a demon cultivator of the Asura Realm, how unlucky you are, what a pity. Gu Huaixiu glared sharply, causing the green python to instantly shut its mouth. Suddenly, it adopted a mysterious air and said: If you truly wish to open this door, it is not entirely without a method. What method? Wutong asked. What… relationship are you two? The small snake abruptly changed the subject, darting its gaze back and forth across their faces. Huh? Wutong was startled. But seeing the green snake’s expression, which could hardly be called innocent, he immediately straightened his demeanor: Enemies, an irreconcilable enemy relationship! Gu Huaixiu tilted his head to glance at him and said nothing. Ah! It was the green python’s turn to drop its jaw in utter shock. Then… this becomes difficult to handle. You might as well speak first, Gu Huaixiu said. Actually, it is not difficult. Since you have obtained the Zhutian power, it merely fails to take effect because his spiritual roots are sealed. Therefore, simply unlocking his spiritual roots will solve it. Hearing this, Wutong immediately laughed out in derision, sneering: Could it be you think my parents never tried? Since childhood, my parents and brothers searched far and wide for famous physicians, consulted countless medicinal pills and elixirs, and even stimulated my body with spiritual power day after day for a full ten years, until they finally gave up because it still yielded zero results. Unlocking spiritual roots is not nearly as simple as you make it sound with a flick of your tongue. The green python hissed with laughter a few times: Your parents were no better than a bunch of fools who understood nothing. If you do not shatter all the meridians throughout the entire body, how can you reshape spiritual roots? You! Hearing the green python insult his parents, Wutong flew into a rage and sneered coldly: Shatter all my meridians, and my life would be gone. What spiritual roots would I have then? You old, useless snake can only resort to flapping your tongue and spouting shocking nonsense. Who is old and useless! Think back in my prime… Save the reminiscing! Wutong interrupted unceremoniously. Save your ancient tales to tell someone else. In any case, I have no desire to enter this door. I am staying right here and going nowhere. I have not finished speaking yet. Why are you little brats always flying off the handle? the green python grumbled. Go on, Gu Huaixiu said. The green python cast a timid glance at Gu Huaixiu: If I say it, will you fly off the handle like the little fellow? I will not. The green python’s voice instantly regained its confidence: Originally, breaking all meridians would indeed mean certain death for him, but now you are the one bearing his injuries… Seeing the murderous glint gradually rising in Gu Huaixiu’s eyes, the green python quickly shrank its head back. You said you would not fly off the handle… Wutong also felt that the green python’s suggestion was sheer fantasy and completely devoid of shame. To Gu Huaixiu, he was merely a hostage and a shield. For a fiend, being forced to bear his injuries was already the absolute limit; how could he possibly shatter his own meridians to help a hostage reshape spiritual roots and gain formidable power? Gu Huaixiu was certainly not an idiot. Instead, Gu Huaixiu sneered coldly: You are so eager for him to obtain the Zhutian power. I am afraid it is not just as simple as opening the door. A flash of panic crossed the green python’s snake eyes: Th… then what else could it be? Gu Huaixiu: Since you already knew I had to open this door, you framed every sentence on opening the door on the surface, while actually steering toward how to lift the seal on your own demonic power. Once the seal is lifted, the door can indeed be opened, but you can also use that opportunity to escape. Yet with just a little thought, since this place serves as the resting place for the ancestral remains of the Tianchen Sect, how could only the Zhutian power be capable of unlocking it? Among the successive sect masters and elders of the Tianchen Sect, how many actually obtained the Zhutian power? Surely they did not stop entering the ancestral mausoleum or opening the door after they died? That made complete sense! Seeing the green python struck speechless, Wutong inwardly exclaimed that this guy was brilliant! He had entirely missed this angle, having been led along by the serpent’s words the entire time. This grand demon python was thoroughly cunning. He could not help tilting his head to look up at Gu Huaixiu. While one had to admire this fellow’s meticulous mind, he was no better than the grand demon. Had he not been skilled at deception himself, how could he have seen through another’s lies so effortlessly? On the other hand, why was Gu Huaixiu so determined to open this door? What exactly lay inside that he desired so badly? Was it a new exit leaving the underground mausoleum? A method to untie the Zhutian Jue binding? Or some other purpose entirely? Wutong suddenly recalled Gu Huaixiu mentioning earlier that he came to the Tianchen Sect entrusted with a task to accomplish an errand. He had originally assumed that errand was seizing the Zhutian Jue, but seeing Gu Huaixiu insist on opening this door, curiosity inevitably sparked within him. Moreover, regarding Gouqing whom the green python had mentioned, although Wutong was well-versed in the history of various sects, he had never once heard of such a figure belonging to the Tianchen Sect. Yet Gu Huaixiu not only knew of him, but also spoke as if he were thoroughly familiar with him… Just as Wutong vaguely felt he could connect these pieces together, his body was suddenly spun in a complete circle. His arm was pulled by Gu Huaixiu across his chest, and his entire body was yanked directly into Gu Huaixiu’s embrace! What are you doing? Before Wutong could finish shouting, a powerful surge of force seemed to pierce straight through his body, aiming directly at the Zhutian Jue binding their wrists. Through the Zhutian Jue, that force multiplied in strength manifold, shooting like a laser beam straight toward the diamond pattern on the door. The moment it struck, an expression of utter disbelief—as if asking ‘how could this be possible’—flashed across the green python’s face. Yet before it could even utter a cry, amidst a rolling clatter of iron chains, it dissolved back into the wandering rune patterns carved upon the door, coiling round and round into a massive circle. Immediately afterward, a mechanical clicking sound rang out as if a tightly clenched gear chain loosened, and the heavy door creaked open from the middle!
Chapter 13 - Enemies, The Irreconcilable Kind!
After The Demon Lord Became A Beautiful, Useless Accessory