Chapter 131: Zhou Changsheng

Zhou Tian had originally hoped that upon reaching his home turf, a powerful master would emerge to suppress the Saint Demon directly, sparing him from further complications. Little did he know that the Saint Demon had already done his homework and confirmed that no one present could truly crush him, which was why he had proposed coming here in the first place. Although there were many on his level, once the Saint Demon activated his state of unified sanctity and demonic essence, he could escape without the slightest difficulty, even if he couldn't win.

"Tian'er, why are you in the hands of the Saint Demon?" the middle-aged man in the center, clad in armor, spoke with a hint of surprise in his voice. He had black hair, and mysterious patterns of natural law pulsed across his forehead. A terrifying power radiated from him, and his cyan-gold armor made him look incomparably formidable.

Zhou Tian was stunned. "Tian'er"? Was he calling him? He hadn't examined the three strangers closely before, but now, looking at the armored man in the center, a vague sense of familiarity stirred within him.

Seeing Zhou Tian’s blank stare, the armored man’s expression darkened. "I don't know how that boy Zhou Yi manages to be a father, when his own son doesn't even recognize his grandfather."

Zhou Tian was taken aback. This middle-aged man was his grandfather? Could it really be such a coincidence? Despite his inner doubts, he respectfully addressed him, "Grandfather."

These were people of high standing; the man would certainly not lie about such a thing. If he were, it wouldn't be Zhou Tian who lost face. Hearing the title, the man’s expression softened considerably. He realized he had barely seen his grandson twice, and only when Zhou Tian was a young child, so it was understandable he wouldn't recognize him. He had only spoken harshly because he felt a bit embarrassed. He nodded and said, "Don't worry. The Saint Demon wouldn't dare do anything to you. If he did, I would beat him to a pulp."

His tone was casual, as if he were discussing a trivial matter. He did not despise the Saint Demon; he truly believed it. The Saint Demon smiled at this, showing no anger. "Zhou Changsheng, that might have been true in the past, but now, it’s hard to say."

"I know. You’ve merely figured out a method of fusion, but that alone won't be enough," Zhou Changsheng replied. He had received word about the Saint Demon and had personally volunteered to return to the Nine Provinces to hunt him down. After all, this was his grandson. He hadn't expected such an accident to force him to put the hunt on hold.

"You are welcome to try," the Saint Demon said, his smile fading. He and Zhou Changsheng were figures of the same era, and in the past, Changsheng had suppressed him on several occasions.

"Brother Changsheng, the Saint Demon doesn't seem to be here for a fight. Let's hear what he has to say first," the figure in Taoist robes nearby stepped forward to mediate.

"Xuan Zhenzi is as thoughtful as ever. Zhou Changsheng, you really need to temper that fiery temper of yours," the Saint Demon nodded, simultaneously gently setting Zhou Tian down. He had been holding Zhou Tian with his energy, a gesture of goodwill to show he wasn't here to cause trouble.

Invisible energy enveloped Zhou Tian, and Zhou Changsheng’s expression eased. Since the Saint Demon had made a gesture of peace, he found it difficult to continue being aggressive.

"Haha, Saint Demon, don't credit me with too much thoughtfulness. My nephew was shaken out of quite a bit of his vital essence by you. If you can't explain yourself clearly, Brother Changsheng might not be the first one to strike," Xuan Zhenzi laughed. His words were sharp, however. His eyes were radiant, his dark hair flowed, and his skin shimmered like jade—a sign of an incredibly strong physique. The Saint Demon’s eyes flickered; he was intimately familiar with that body, having battled it many times.

"I will naturally provide an explanation," the Saint Demon said calmly, showing no signs of panic.

"Grandfather, the Saint Demon wants to become a retainer of our Zhou family," Zhou Tian whispered to Zhou Changsheng. Given the cultivation levels of those present, they heard every word clearly.

"Oh? It seems we have no business here today, then," Xuan Zhenzi looked at the Saint Demon with slight surprise and a thoughtful expression, but he said nothing more.

"Xuan Zhenzi, take this as medicine for that little one’s injuries. Tell him to have a better attitude next time," the Saint Demon flicked a golden, glowing medicinal pill toward him. A rich fragrance instantly filled the air. The pill was about the size of a thumb, and something seemed to be moving beneath its surface.

"Then he has gained a blessing from misfortune," Xuan Zhenzi smiled. It was clear that the pill was no ordinary item, enough to offset the Saint Demon's earlier actions.

"I shall take my leave then." Seeing that the Saint Demon had come specifically for the Zhou family and had paid the price for his earlier actions, Xuan Zhenzi decided not to linger.

"I will be going as well," said the figure wearing a feathered crown. He was from the Daluo Academy and had heard about how Zhou Tian had caused them to lose face. But as a person of his status, he could hardly hold a grudge against a younger generation like Zhou Tian, so he excused himself.

After they left, Zhou Changsheng said to the Saint Demon, "Follow me. It is not so easy to become a retainer of the Zhou family."

The Saint Demon nodded and followed him. This was the base of operations in the Nine Provinces, a place filled with cities positioned according to complex formations to suppress the surroundings. It was inhabited not just by the major powers, but also by those who had arrived through the Heavenly Pass, turning it into a hub of trade. This was the heart of the God-Forsaken Land, filled with remnants of the ancient divine realm. In the wilderness, ancient holy spirits—leftovers from the destruction of powerful divine kingdoms—roamed, producing the most unique resource of this land: godheads.

The Zhou family’s residence was located in a city to the southeast. The three of them landed in a building in the center of the city. As soon as they were seated, Zhou Changsheng spoke bluntly to the Saint Demon: "Saint Demon, the matter of you laying hands on my grandson is not over yet. Give me a reason to accept you."

Zhou Changsheng was overwhelmingly imposing. He stared at the Saint Demon, sitting like a god of war, his vitality surging. It seemed as if he would attack if the Saint Demon’s answer proved unsatisfactory. Zhou Tian felt the sheer weight of his grandfather's dominance.

The Saint Demon remained unfazed. "Zhou Tian and I had a pleasant conversation, and we have decided to let bygones be bygones."

Zhou Tian’s eyelid twitched. This man could lie even better than he could. After a moment of thought, he spoke up: "Grandfather, I have two friends in his custody. I struck a deal with him: that all grievances involving the Zhou family because of me shall be settled from this day forward..."

Zhou Tian recounted the story roughly to Zhou Changsheng, hiding nothing. He felt it was better not to deceive his grandfather alongside the Saint Demon, as they were kin. As for the lives of Zhou Musu and Ling Yu, he trusted that Zhou Changsheng would not let him down.