[Star Lord Clear River] wasn't very surprised.
On the contrary, Zhu Xuanhao was numb when he fell out. His expression was full of shock and anger. After escaping, he even subconsciously touched his own head.
"Is my head still there?"
This wasn't being scared out of his wits, but a genuine question... Heaven and earth have a conscience; just now he really couldn't judge if his head was still there!
Although he had expected the strength of the Immortal Nexus demon—after all, the reputation of the Supreme Dao Fruit [Great Forest Wood] was well known even in the Star Palace—the strength displayed by [Sky-Shrouding]'s retained image in the end still completely exceeded Zhu Xuanhao's expectations. He couldn't even fight back.
How did he fight just now?
The battle started. He stood in place in a daze, tried his best to come back to his senses, and then found he was about to die... What the hell was there to fight?
"How can there be such a big gap..."
Zhu Xuanhao couldn't believe it. Both being Supreme Dao Fruits, was the [Azure Dragon Constellation] much worse than [Great Forest Wood]? Or was he inferior to the Immortal Nexus demon?
Thinking of this, he couldn't help looking up at [Star Lord Clear River]...
"Master... is [The Mortal World] broken?"
After all, no matter how he thought about it, something was wrong. Maybe the numerical values were filled in incorrectly. Otherwise, since everyone held a Supreme Dao Fruit, how could the Immortal Nexus demon be so much stronger?
And if the numerical value weren't wrong, and the Immortal Nexus demon was really this strong and unreasonable, then the problem was even more serious. Because such a strong Perfected Lord was actually let in by [The Mortal World], allowed to act recklessly within the trial. The rules must have been broken long ago, right?
"You lost?"
Seeing this, [Star Lord Clear River] shook his head: "Losing is normal. You just broke through. That bastard in [The Mortal World] clearly has higher Dao comprehension than you."
"If you could win, I would be surprised. Being able to come back alive is already quite good."
"Is that so?"
Hearing this, Zhu Xuanhao suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself:
In that case, it is fine. It is the opponent who lacks immortalvirtue; my loss is excusable.
That's right, I just broke through!
My potential is still huge!
Compared to me, that retained image in [The Mortal World] won't get stronger anymore. As long as I cultivate diligently, sooner or later I will be able to defeat him!
Immediately after, [Star Lord Clear River] continued: "So what's important isn't that you didn't win, but that you successfully attained the [Azure Dragon Constellation]... In this way, you can bring others in."
Hearing this, Zhu Xuanhao was stunned: "Others… referring to?"
[Star Lord Clear River] sneered: "Letting mid-stage Golden Core Star Lords challenge him across levels. This is called 'learning from the barbarians to defeat the barbarians'!"
"So that's how it is..."
Hearing this, a thought suddenly emerged in Zhu Xuanhao's mind: if we do this, won't I lose out?
If I bring a mid-stage Golden Core Star Lord in, and he wins against that Immortal Nexus demon, then wouldn't the opportunity of [The Mortal World] have nothing to do with me?
I don't want that kind of thing!
With this thought, Zhu Xuanhao almost couldn't suppress the idea in his heart:
Immortal Nexus demon... you damn well have to keep winning!
As the saying goes, better a dead Fellow Daoist than a this poor Daoist. The demon's victory certainly made him feel frustrated and aggrieved, but the teammate's failure still made him very reassured.
As for the opportunity of [The Mortal World]?
If I can't get it, letting others get it would be a hundred times more unbearable than not getting it myself. Might as well let no one get it!
Thinking of this, Zhu Xuanhao hurriedly lowered his head.
However, [Star Lord Clear River] seemed to have seen through his thoughts long ago, chuckling: "No need to worry, that is the final solution."
"Before that, I have another method."
"Really?" Zhu Xuanhao looked up instantly.
"Of course."
[Star Lord Clear River] said indifferently: "Observing that Immortal Nexus demon's style, nine out of ten he is from the Primordial Saint Sect. This kind of demon values profit the most."
"As long as it concerns profit, nothing can't be discussed."
"Before, we hadn't talked yet, and our people were instantly killed by it. But now since you can survive in its hands, there a chance to negotiate."
After speaking, he took out a jade stone dotted with starlight from his bosom: "This item is named [Horn Constellation Heavenly Gate Star Core], a supreme treasure extracted from the [Horn Wood Flood Dragon]. It can be considered a top-grade dharma body embryo. You take this item to negotiate; this master predicts that Immortal Nexus demon will definitely be tempted."
Zhu Xuanhao took the jade stone carefully, asking curiously:
"Why is this... please instruct me, Master."
"Its very simple."
[Star Lord Clear River] laughed: "Because this treasure can help those retained images in [The Mortal World] condense a fleshly body, and breaking away from the control of rules!"
"Those retained images are conscious."
"Since they have consciousness, how could they be willing to be trapped in a secret realm for eternity without liberation? Almost all retained images want to obtain freedom."
"Unless your Dao Heart was already perfect and your true self unwavering before leaving the image, it is almost inevitable for the retained image to choose to betray the main body. It's just that under normal circumstances there is no method, no way to betray. And this [Horn Constellation Heavenly Gate Star Core] can give these retained images a sliver of chance."
"So that Immortal Nexus demon's retained image will inevitably be tempted!"
Speaking of this, [Star Lord Clear River] stroked his beard smugly, feeling that his plans were truly infallible and knowing how to be flexible in conduct and handling affairs.
After all, why fight and kill over things that can be solved with money?
Immortal Nexus demons have always had no bottom line for profit. Measuring the material power of my Star Palace, what difficulty is there to win its favor? Anyway, my Star Palace has plenty of mountains of gold and silver.
It can never be spent!
On the other side, after listening to [Star Lord Clear River]'s explanation, Zhu Xuanhao also nodded convincingly: "Worthy of Master, this method is good!"
But soon, he frowned tightly again, glancing carefully at [Star Lord Clear River]: "Then will Master go negotiate with me?"
"No need for me to go."
[Star Lord Clear River] sighed: "I've self-awareness. Early-stage Golden Core is already the limit. There should be no hope of breaking through to the middle stage in this life."
"This opportunity is given to you."
"I only hope that after you obtain the opportunity, when my lifespan is exhausted in the future, you can come to guide master back onto the Immortal Path. In this way, our relationship as master and disciple will not have been in vain."
Hearing this, Zhu Xuanhao's eyes instantly turned red.
"Master, rest assured. This disciple will definitely not fail master's heavy trust!"
While swearing oaths, he also breathed a sigh of relief secretly in his heart: Fortunately Master doesn't intend to snatch it from me, otherwise I could only place righteousness above family loyalty...
Matters concerning one's own Dao path, there was no room for sentimental feelings.
Although the Immortal Nexus Demonic Path was rampant and morally corrupt, on such major issues of right and wrong, Zhu Xuanhao felt that the Immortal Nexus still had its merits.
Soon, he took the [Horn Constellation Heavenly Gate Star Core] in hand and returned to [The Mortal World] again.