"Shen Zhao!"
Shendu spoke.
Suddenly, with a loud boom and amidst the gloom of distant thunder, Drago appeared, his appearance completely transformed.
At this moment, Drago's originally human-like lips protruded slightly, his four fangs grew increasingly sharp, and the three horns on his forehead became even more pointed and hideous. His height broke past three meters, and faint arcs of electricity danced across the bat wings on his back.
In those red-glowing eyes was a trace of attachment as he bowed slightly toward him: "Father!"
Shendu sized up Drago and nodded slightly: "Well done, Shen Zhao. I can feel your strength; you have already reached the level of a Demon Wizard."
With three demonic energies plus ten percent of the fire energy, Drago was now on par with those who had just broken through to become Demon Wizards.
From this perspective, it seemed like demonic energy was only so-so, as even the Eight Demons United would only result in a slightly stronger Demon Wizard.
But that wasn't actually the case. The Eight Demons United version of Drago was indeed average; in the original story, when Shendu had lost everything and only possessed the twelve talismans, he could still suppress him.
However, that's not even mentioning how the Shendu of that time was buffed because he had to stop Drago from destroying the world.
In Shendu's plan, the Eight Demons United was only the first step.
Completely mastering the eight demons so that the demonic energy was no longer linked to the gods and demons was the second step. Once he reached that stage, the Eight-Demon version of Drago would be in the top tier of Demon Wizards.
At that time, if Drago returned the ten percent of fire energy to Shendu, achieved a true balance of the eight demons, and began to refine the Netherworld, that would be his path to divinity.
fire energy was his foundation but also a shackle. He had to walk his own true path to reach the supreme path Shendu had arranged for him.
By then, as long as he was in the Netherworld, he would have no problem rivaling a full-fledged demon.
After completely refining the Netherworld, he might even possess the bug-level ability to use the Netherworld to refine all things for his own use.
At that point, even a peak demon would find it difficult to escape from a Netherworld that had a master.
Jade was the choice of the era, but wasn't Drago the same?
"This is all thanks to Father's arrangements. I can now contribute my strength to the Empire."
Drago spoke with some excitement.
He had never been this powerful before. After obtaining the lightning demonic energy, he had sparred with Divine Patrol. With Divine Patrol holding back, they were evenly matched.
Drago was not frustrated by this result; instead, he was very delighted.
Because Divine Patrol was a Demon Wizard of the Dragon Tribe. Although he was newly promoted, he was considered above average among Demon Wizards.
But he only had three demonic energies; there were still five more outside!
He didn't dare imagine how strong he would be in his complete form. All of this was the divine path his father had planned for him...
"Yes, indeed. It is time to contribute."
Hearing Shendu's confirmation, Drago's eyes lit up. Did this mean he could go to the parallel world?
That world had eight more demonic energies. If he had sixteen, or even twenty-four...
Drago's breathing became slightly hurried.
However, at this moment, as the celestial phenomena began to dissipate.
A slightly shrill voice rang out, instantly breaking the harmonious atmosphere between father and son.
"Hehe, my dear brother, what are you and my grand-nephew chatting about so happily? Do you mind if I join in?"
Xi Mu approached instantly. His eyes snapped toward Drago, constantly sizing up his state, and even his breathing became slightly hurried.
Drago's state was very special. This combination of Sky and Thunder, this perfect state, was a scene he had only ever seen in his dreams.
However, when he realized his loss of composure, he immediately retracted his gaze and looked at Shendu with a smile.
"I do mind."
Shendu said coldly, moving slightly to block Drago behind him. He didn't really want to interact much with Xi Mu; this guy didn't give him a very good feeling.
In Shendu's memories, his impression of Xi Mu was that of a cowardly, weak, and incompetent person who only knew how to attach himself to others for peace.
Even now, he still wore a similar mask, not even caring about his dignity, but perhaps his wisdom had been eroded too much.
Underneath Xi Mu's facade, he always gave off a dangerous feeling. Even though this guy was currently pitifully weak, Shendu still didn't want much contact with him.
"Oh, I'm so heartbroken. I always thought we were brothers; I even helped you create eight gods." Xi Mu feigned sadness, acting like they shared deep brotherly affection.
But Shendu didn't buy it. He stared into Xi Mu's eyes: "The deal is done. I gave you protection, and you helped create the gods. Now, you should leave my kingdom."
Xi Mu's expression stiffened. He subconsciously glanced at the tower where thunder and lightning were flashing.
Then, looking as if his world had collapsed, he said: "My dear sixth brother, are you driving me away? I am still very weak and could easily be imprisoned in the Netherworld by those powerful sorcerers. I need your protection, brother."
Shendu:...
He stared at Xi Mu calmly, unmoved by his acting.
Once Xi Mu had been used, he was naturally useless. Leaving him around introduced too many variables; it was better to have him leave so Shendu could explore the parallel worlds in peace.
Xi Mu locked eyes with Shendu for a moment, seemingly sensing his thoughts.
Xi Mu was clearly taken aback and seemed a bit conflicted: "Didn't what happened before already pass?"
"It has nothing to do with what happened before. I simply don't want you in my kingdom."
Shendu spoke directly, not worried about a potential conflict between them.
A flash of surprise crossed Xi Mu's eyes, but then he didn't persist: "Since Brother says so, then I, your younger brother, naturally cannot disobey. Farewell!"
He flapped his wings, instantly took flight, and disappeared.
Shendu just watched the place where Xi Mu had vanished, remaining silent for a while.
He felt things were a bit tricky.
There were many spells in Dragon City, and while these spells could keep out most Demon Wizards, they might not necessarily stop Xi Mu.
However, by driving him away, at least he couldn't appear openly.
As long as he strengthened surveillance in certain areas, there was a high probability that Xi Mu wouldn't dare come and act wildly.
"Father, why do I feel like your attitude toward Xi Mu is different from your attitude toward the other demons?"
Drago spoke softly.
"I cannot see through Xi Mu's goals. You should also have little contact with this demon."
"Yes, Father."
Shendu thought for a moment and summoned Divine Patrol.
Soon, Shendu began to arrange guard duties near the Sacred Dragon Square.
Powerful dragons began to stand guard at their posts on the city walls.
As Shendu activated the functions and partial permissions of Dragon City.
Numerous runes began to appear on the bodies of the dragons at their posts. Following that, a pair of golden vertical pupils began to appear within the dragons' scarlet eyes.
If one looked closely, these vertical pupils looked exactly like Shendu's.
At the same time, the dragon patrols began.
From this day on, this city officially refused entry to Xi Mu and other demons.
It was also from today that Shendu was officially going to explore parallel worlds.
As for whether doing this was too obvious...
It didn't matter. Letting others discover he was up to something was perfectly fine, as long as they didn't discover he was tampering with time.
If he didn't defend it and let Xi Mu wander around Dragon City, only for him to accidentally sense the aura of time, that would be what Shendu least wanted to see.
When that time came, the demons would definitely not be an aid.
Because, to some extent, the connection between the eight great demons meant that, at least on the level of time, they had the possibility of being 'implicated by association'.