NOVPUBChapter 493: If Only I Had Befriended Shen Mo Earlier—Perhaps My Treatment Would Have Been Different
"Heavens… what kind of flame is that?"
Lang Ben and Yuan Tai were dumbfounded.
"I’ve never seen such terrifying fire—it’s like a natural bane to the demon race!"
Tang Jinglong was shaken to his core.
"Could it be… the legendary Eternal Flame?"
Zhang Longxiang found it hard to believe.
Inside the outpost, the many Demon Suppression Guards were all speechless.
They had the feeling they were witnessing a once-in-eight-lifetimes treasure!
That icy white flame—it was a divine object beyond imagination!
"The Nine Nether Iceflame! That must be the Nine Nether Iceflame!"
"You actually tamed such an Eternal Flame!"
Screams echoed from within the fire—An Mie’s cries of agony.
He never imagined that the Nine Nether Iceflame, which had been extinguished for thousands of years, would now be in Shen Mo’s possession!
Hadn’t An Cang said that in that great war years ago, the demons exhausted every resource to completely smother the Nine Nether Iceflame?
"It’s time to go," Shen Mo said, reaching out with his hand.
The Nine Nether Iceflame flared violently.
Boom!
Within the inferno, An Mie’s massive body shrank rapidly amidst shrieks.
Moments later, the Nine Nether Iceflame returned to Shen Mo’s palm.
As for the third Great Sky Demon…
Nothing remained but a foul-smelling pile of black ash.
Swept up by the wind, it vanished beyond the horizon—without a trace.
"Dead? Just like that? He died worse than a dog?"
Inside the outpost, Ying Ye, Ao Hong, Tang Zhanmo, and the others were still in disbelief.
It felt like a ridiculous dream.
The mighty third Great Sky Demon, the wielder of Brutal Force, a renowned Demon Emperor realm monster known for his brutal close combat…
Just died like that?
So humiliatingly? So insignificantly?
"He’s dead! The third Great Sky Demon is dead!"
"We won! It’s a huge victory!"
"Commander Shen, ten thousand victories! Commander Shen, ten thousand victories!"
A Demon Suppression Guard burst into tears and shouted with joy.
More and more guards followed, shouting from the heart.
Tears streamed down their faces.
They hugged one another, overwhelmed with gratitude for surviving the ordeal.
Their eyes, as they looked up at the youth floating in the sky, were filled with nothing but awe.
Zhong Baisheng beamed with relief. "We have someone to carry the torch now. Truly, someone to carry the torch!"
"I knew it! I knew it! Shen Mo is incredible!"
Wang Xing’an took a deep breath and suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs.
His chubby face turned completely red, like he might suffocate.
The surrounding Demon Suppression Guards gave him strange looks.
Zhong Baisheng gave a dry cough and quickly distanced himself from Wang Xing’an.
He even waved his hands. "I don’t know this fat idiot."
Zhou Mingyi, Li Zhendao, Mo Lingxiao, and the others looked at Shen Mo with pride in their eyes.
Not for any special reason—just because they came from the same place and had known Shen Mo earlier than most.
"Brother Zhou, I heard you knew Commander Shen from way back? What kind of person was he before the Will of Heaven recruited him?" a young Demon Suppression Guard asked curiously.
Zhou Mingyi laughed heartily. "That’s quite a long story. From what I know, Commander Shen used to be an elder of our Jing Kingdom’s Jade Cauldron Sect…"
"Look over there—those two are Sect Master Li and Elder Mo of the Jade Cauldron Sect."
The moment he said that, the eyes of the guards lit up.
"Senior Li! What an honor. I’m the deputy commander of Qinglong Fortress. With your strength, being a squad leader is beneath you. Why not join my command as a centurion?"
"You’re Elder Mo? Our Artifact Hall is in dire need of a skilled refiner. Once we return to the fortress, would you be willing to move to the Artifact Hall?"
In an instant, Zhou Mingyi, Li Zhendao, and Mo Lingxiao were surrounded by a sea of Demon Suppression Guards.
Some served tea, others massaged shoulders or pounded backs.
Some even offered pills and spiritual artifacts.
In an instant, they received treatment far beyond their current military rank.
Having weathered many worldly affairs, Li Zhendao and Mo Lingxiao did not act like fresh-faced youngsters. Instead, they integrated into the crowd with ease and grace.
"Haha, of course, next time for sure!"
"No need to call me Elder Mo—we’re all Demon Suppression Guards here. There’s no such thing as status or rank between us."
They cupped their fists and smiled at the guards reaching out with goodwill.
Sharing a glance of mutual understanding, they both knew very well—
This sudden shift in treatment was entirely thanks to Shen Mo.
Shen Mo had ascended to the Dharma Manifestation Realm in one leap, fully capable of holding the title of Demon Suppression General. From now on, his status would be leagues above the average Demon Suppression Guard.
Those hoping to curry favor with Shen Mo but unable to reach him directly naturally turned their attention to his friends and relatives.
And so, they had become targets by default.
If anyone could reach Shen Mo through them—it would be a heaven-sent opportunity.
Xue Ziyi watched as Li Zhendao, Mo Lingxiao, and the others stood at the center, surrounded and fawned upon by the Demon Suppression Guards. Her heart felt complicated.
"Ziyi, you’re a conscripted Demon Suppression Guard too. Do you know Commander Shen? What’s your relationship like?" Zhu Lan beside her suddenly asked.
Xue Ziyi forced a few chuckles and shook her head. "It’s just a normal acquaintance. Nothing like the connection Sect Master Li has with Shen Mo."
Zhu Lan sighed softly, a trace of envy in her tone. "What a shame. Commander Shen might soon become General Shen."
"If you could get in his good graces now, you’d be part of his inner circle for life… ah…"
Hearing this, Xue Ziyi’s heart grew even more conflicted.
‘If I had gotten close to Shen Mo earlier… wouldn’t I be enjoying the same treatment now?’
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Four figures streaked through the sky and landed beside Shen Mo.
Tang Jinglong burst into hearty laughter. "Haha! Excellent! No wonder Zhang Longxiang keeps praising you day and night—you truly are a once-in-a-generation talent!"
Lang Ben didn’t say anything, but gave a firm nod of agreement.
Yuan Tai gave Shen Mo a serious once-over and couldn’t stop praising, "The Xuanwu Fortress finally has someone to carry on the legacy."
Zhang Longxiang was grinning ear to ear—as if Shen Mo's praise reflected on him personally.
"Shen Mo, you did well. Exceptionally well!" Zhang Longxiang gave a big thumbs-up, his eyes brimming with pride. "When did you break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm?"
Shen Mo smiled. "Not long ago. Just a few months."
The four Demon Suppression Generals exchanged subtle glances—mildly astonished.
He had only just entered the Dharma Manifestation Realm…
And already condensed his second manifestation?
Zhang Longxiang was about to say more, when suddenly, a deafening roar echoed from the deepest part of the fourth layer!
"That’s the ancient altar used to resurrect the Demon Emperor’s left hand!"
"That must be where Little Zhu and the others are fighting!"
Zhang Longxiang's expression turned grim. "Now’s not the time for celebration. We head there at once!"
Shen Mo nodded.
He had already known that this battle had been divided into several fronts.
The battle on the third level was nearly over.
The battle on the fourth layer had already ended.
Only the deepest part of the fourth layer remained—where the fight over the Demon Emperor’s left hand was still raging.
All three battles had to be won for it to count as a true victory.
Moreover, that left hand originated from the Undying Demon Emperor.
The Undying Demon Emperor was said to be the parent of all demonkind.
Some even speculated that the Demon Suppression Sea was originally created to seal the Undying Demon Emperor.
One must know—this was a Great Demon Emperor!
If they could destroy the Demon Emperor’s left hand, or offer it up to the Will of Heaven, the military merit earned would be astronomical!
Far greater than the reward for slaying the third Great Sky Demon, An Mie.
With such merit within reach—how could they not seize it?
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Five figures burst forth, trailing streams of powerful spiritual energy behind them—
And vanished in an instant.
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