ALL NOVEL Chapter 169 - Xuanwu Has Realized It and Is Here to Be a Mount
At the same time.
Outside the mountain gate of Qingming Sect.
“Black Tortoise Emperor, are you here to challenge Master Xu?”
Elder Zhou retracted his gaze, his face filled with a genuine smile, and turned to look at the Black Tortoise Emperor, who stood on the ancient warship. He asked casually, though his tone carried a hint of amusement.
After witnessing Master Xu ascend to the rank of Venerable—and considering the terrifying combat power he displayed, such as defeating an Immortal Emperor’s mark with a single punch—it was hard to imagine anyone foolish enough to challenge him. Unless this Black Tortoise Emperor had somehow resurrected the Immortal Emperor himself, it was unlikely he could withstand even a flick of Master Xu’s finger!
As Elder Zhou spoke, all eyes turned toward the Black Tortoise Emperor and his followers. Their gazes were mixed with curiosity and ridicule.
No one could fathom where this Black Tortoise Emperor found the courage to challenge Master Xu.
Even if he was a pure-blooded descendant known for his battle prowess, so what? Could he possibly surpass the Xuanwu imprint beneath the True Martial Immortal Emperor’s feet?
Feeling the crowd’s peculiar stares, the Black Tortoise Emperor’s face turned beet red. His expression was tense, and he shifted uncomfortably. Embarrassment and regret consumed him. He cursed himself for making such bold claims earlier. Now that his bluster was exposed, there was no graceful way to retreat.
At the same time, he seethed with resentment toward Ying Wudi, silently wishing for his demise. If not for Ying Wudi’s loud declaration, he could have quietly left without drawing attention.
“Elder, I am not here to challenge…”
As he said this, the Black Tortoise Emperor felt several cracks forming in his Dao heart. His face paled, and cold sweat began dripping down his forehead.
Faced with life and death, he chose life.
Xu Yang’s overwhelming performance had utterly crushed his spirit. Any desire to challenge Xu Yang had evaporated. If he could turn back time, he would swallow his previous boasts and never step foot near the Qingming Sect.
Hearing the Black Tortoise Emperor’s admission of weakness, Ying Wudi’s eyes sparkled with amusement, as if recalling something familiar.
The other descendants of the Holy Land and Immortal Clans were unsurprised by the Black Tortoise Emperor’s retreat.
After all, Xu’s combat power was unmatched. To challenge him now would not be bravery—it would be recklessness bordering on insanity!
“Since you’re not here to challenge, then why are you, a member of the demon race, standing outside the gates of Qingming Sect? Surely you didn’t come to give gifts?”
Elder Zhou looked at the Black Tortoise Emperor with a mix of suspicion and intrigue.
Historically, relations between the human and demon races had been fraught with conflict. Assassinations, betrayals, and skirmishes were commonplace. For a member of the demon race to visit a human sect with the intent to offer gifts was both absurd and suspicious.
As the saying went, “A weasel paying New Year’s greetings to the chicken comes with no good intentions!”
Of course, this adage didn’t apply to Master Xu.
“I…”
the Black Tortoise Emperor hesitated. He wanted to claim he came bearing gifts, but he had nothing in his hands. While there were a few heavenly treasures in his storage ring, they paled in comparison to the priceless offerings presented by the Immortal Clans. If he took them out, it might even be seen as an insult or provocation.
“Brother Xuanwu came all the way from the demon clan to Qingming Sect. He’s not here to challenge or to give gifts. Could it be… he’s here to become Master Xu’s mount?”
Zhu Zaohou’s teasing remark caused the crowd to erupt in laughter.
The Zhu family held a deep-seated grudge against the demon race, believing their interference contributed to the fall of the Ming Dynasty. Seeing the Black Tortoise Emperor in this predicament, Zhu Zaohou couldn’t resist mocking him.
The Black Tortoise Emperor clenched his teeth and remained silent, though cold sweat drenched his back.
As a descendant of a divine beast, becoming a human’s mount was unthinkable. It would be a disgrace among the demon race, inviting ridicule and scorn.
But as he thought further, it occurred to him that serving as Xu Yang’s mount might not be so shameful after all.
Xu Yang had defeated the True Martial Immortal Emperor—a feat that guaranteed his future achievements would surpass even that legendary figure. The True Martial Immortal Emperor was revered, even by the demon race. Serving someone destined to outshine such greatness wasn’t a humiliation—it was an honor.
This thought took root in the Black Tortoise Emperor’s mind.
The world seemed to suddenly broaden, and the Black Tortoise Emperor looked at Zhu Zaohou with gratitude.
Fortunately, you’re here. Otherwise, this emperor wouldn’t have found a way out of this!
“Elder, I am here to be a mount!”
The Black Tortoise Emperor turned to Elder Zhou, speaking with resolute determination.
The followers behind him froze upon hearing their master’s declaration.
The master wants to be Xu Yang’s mount… so what does that make us? Followers of a mount?!
The thought was too absurd to process.
Their master wouldn’t stoop so low, right? No matter how terrifying Xu Yang was, he couldn’t possibly kill him outright. After all, the Xuanwu Great Saint stood behind him!
Even if Xu Yang had no respect for Black Tortoise Emperor, surely he would give face to the Great Saint.
But words, once spoken, were like water spilled on the ground. As mere followers, they had no right to interrupt or object.
“?”
A question mark seemed to materialize above Zhu Zaohou’s head.
No way, Black Tortoise Emperor… you admitted it just like that?
Where was his pride as a divine beast? How could he surrender so easily?
Wait—was the look the Black Tortoise Emperor gave him earlier… gratitude?
No, I misunderstood. How could being a mount for Master Xu be considered surrender? It’s clearly an honor!
Many holy maidens from the sacred lands wished to be mounts for Master Xu, but they hadn’t even had the chance.
Did I accidentally do him a favor?
When Zhu Zaohou imagined the Black Tortoise Emperor becoming renowned alongside Master Xu, much like the True Martial Immortal Emperor’s legendary mount, he felt a pang of regret.
If only I weren’t human… I’d also want to be Master Xu’s mount!
“Oh my god, the Black Tortoise Emperor is actually enduring humiliation to be Senior Xu’s mount?”
“What’s wrong with you? This isn’t humiliation—it’s Master Xu!”
“Honestly, I came here partly to deliver gifts and partly to see if Senior Xu needed a mount!”
“The Black Tortoise Emperor is smarter than I thought.”
“It’s not the Black Tortoise Emperor—it’s his clan. They know how to attach themselves to the right thighs!”
“Damn it, Zhu Zaohou, why’d you have to bring up the mount idea!”
The descendants of the immortal clans glared at Zhu Zaohou in frustration. They blamed him for planting the idea in the Black Tortoise Emperor’s mind, letting him escape his predicament and cling to Xu Yang’s favor!
“If you’re here to be a mount, go line up over there. That’s where all those who want to be Master Xu’s mounts wait,” Elder Zhou said nonchalantly, pointing toward a long line not far away.
In that queue were spirit beasts of various esteemed bloodlines—dragons and other rare species among them.
It seemed word had spread that spiritual pets and mounts at Purple Cloud Peak lived luxuriously. Rumors claimed they dined on thousand-year-old spiritual herbs daily. Enthralled by such tales, these spirit beasts had flocked to the Qingming Sect, vying for a spot as one of Master Xu’s mounts.
Even though Master Xu had been in seclusion for some time, the spirit beasts remained undeterred, lining up day after day. They refused to leave until they were accepted by Purple Cloud Peak.
Elder Zhou speculated that after today, there would be an even greater influx of spirit beasts hoping to become mounts for Master Xu!
“Understood. Thank you, Elder!”
The Black Tortoise Emperor bowed to Elder Zhou and walked toward the queue with his followers in tow.
The spirit beasts in line noticed the arrival of the legendary Black Tortoise Emperor. Their hearts sank as they realized the competition had just gotten fiercer. Compared to his divine bloodline, many of them were a level lower. If they didn’t perform exceptionally, they had no hope of competing.
Determined to make the best impression, the spirit beasts stood straighter, their spirits ignited. They hoped to meet Master Xu in their finest state.
Meanwhile, the holy maidens of the sacred lands observed the scene with barely concealed envy.
At that moment, a voice transmitted directly into Elder Zhou’s ears. He froze in place, his expression turning serious.
After a moment, the voice faded. Elder Zhou exhaled deeply and looked at the descendants of the immortals with a polite yet sharp smile.
“The Sect Master has ordered that the holy maidens leave their gifts and then depart. The rest of you may follow me into the sect.”
“???”
The holy maidens were dumbfounded.
“…”
At this moment, they felt as if a wave of malice had descended upon them.