Another domino falls.
In his spectral form, Zoran silently observed everything unfolding within the Netherworld. He had not announced his entry, nor was there any cause for concern; the consequences for a power-stripped Zhang Guo Lao in this prison were clear and predictable.
He simply wanted to take a look.
Two Immortals were now locked within the Netherworld. Zoran surveyed the scene. To be honest, this was good news for both the other Demon Sorcerers and even for Lü Dongbin.
For the Demons, it meant their grand design was one step closer to completion. For Lü Dongbin, he finally had a partner to help share the burden. It was like two people encountering a grizzly bear on a mountain—you don't need to be faster than the bear; you only need to be faster than your companion.
Whether the Immortals possessed genuine emotional bonds was something Zoran didn't know. But even if they did, those feelings would be ground down here. They were merely retracing the path the Demons had walked before.
As Zoran had said when refining Wuliang: those who seek to refine others must be prepared to be refined themselves. Born opposites and ancient enemies, there was no room for sympathy.
After one last look at the "peaceful" Netherworld, Zoran satisfiedly withdrew his gaze. He looked at the two Demons beside him.
Shendu required little concern. Having reclaimed his wisdom, he knew exactly what to do and was not the type to cause trouble. Po Kong, however, was a bit more problematic. Even at her peak, she had been an insatiable glutton; now that she had returned to that height, nothing had changed.
She seemed to exist solely to consume.
"I need to satisfy my hunger, yet my appetite is insatiable, Brother," she said, seemingly sensing Zoran's concern.
"It is of no consequence," Zoran said, drifting down to land on her shoulder.
"I have prepared gifts for all my siblings. Shendu has already opened his, but yours is... a bit more dangerous," he said calmly.
"Brother's gift is a world," Shendu added.
"You are a glutton by nature," Zoran continued. "But even for one who eats, there are worlds within the multiverse born specifically for the sake of consumption."
"I am willing to go," Po Kong nodded. It was merely a change of territory. As long as she could eat without end, there was nothing she couldn't accept.
Zoran remained silent for a moment, thinking. Indeed, this sister of his was an anomaly. Generally speaking, there was no world that could satisfy her hunger once and for all. Moreover, she was different from Shendu.
Shendu already had his own anchor; he could enter and leave the Dragon Raja world at will without Zoran's guidance. But the world Zoran had selected for Po Kong was one where, even with his current strength, he could not easily establish a permanent anchor.
This meant that if he sent Po Kong there, she would be entirely on her own once he left. Zoran could take her through the golden portal once or twice, but he couldn't lead her by the hand forever. It was precisely with this in mind that he had given Shendu his own anchor.
Zoran pondered for a moment and smiled. "There is still time. Those celestial elixirs will sustain you for a while. I'll open the cauldron and refine some more pills for you to keep as rations."
He turned to Shendu. "I need your help, Shendu."
Shendu nodded, summoning a wisp of his Fire Demon Chi as was the custom.
Zoran hooked his hand with satisfaction, and the wisp of fire spiraled around his arm like a swimming dragon. He flipped his palm, and the System-enhanced Tianyuan Cauldron manifested in his hand. Using Shendu's Fire Chi for refining was the perfect choice.
The Fire Chi wound around the small cauldron like a serpent. Now, he possessed the furnace, the method, and the flame.
Shendu watched the small cauldron in Zoran's hand with curious eyes. His brother always had surprises in store. He wondered where Zoran had learned this particular trick.
"As for the ingredients... we shall use these."
Zoran raised a hand, and the fragments of the small drum, which he had stripped from Zhang Guo Lao and shredded with gravity, flew into the cauldron. As alchemical materials, they were more than qualified.
The lid snapped shut, and the Fire Chi leisurely heated the Tianyuan Cauldron. Before long, steam began to drift out.
Two jade-green elixirs emerged. With a gentle push, Zoran sent them floating in opposite directions. One tumbled into the mountain of salt before floating into Po Kong's mouth; the other landed in Shendu's palm.
Shendu stared intensely at the pill in his hand.
"Want a taste?" Zoran teased with a grin. "You can give me a review on my skills as a chef."
Shendu closed his hand and smiled. "Next time," he said.
He tucked the elixir away, clasping his hands behind his back, his eyes clear. Zoran seemed to understand his thoughts and turned to Po Kong. "If there's nothing else, I'll take you to that world now."
"Wait," Shendu interjected. "Let her stay in my domain for a few days. It doesn't matter if she eats a few things."
Zoran glanced at him.
"There are some matters to attend to," Shendu said. "Brother, you can stay for a few more days as well."
…
A short while later, in San Francisco.
In front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of a penthouse skyscraper, Valmont looked at Shendu, who had suddenly appeared before him. Surprised, he bowed respectfully. "Shendu..."
Shendu waved a hand and said in a deep voice, "Valmont, I am here to evaluate you."
Valmont's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately straightened his posture. As Shendu's subordinate and proxy, he hadn't expected his first evaluation to come so soon.
Ever since Shendu had found him on that bus, he had truly transformed into the public face of the new world's godfather. Shendu seemed indifferent to worldly wealth; he only required certain luxuries that Valmont found quite easy to provide. Naturally, this wealth had accumulated in Valmont's hands to be managed on Shendu's behalf.
"I am ready," Valmont said seriously.
While he was bracing himself for a difficult or complex test, Shendu simply pulled out a voice recorder.
Valmont blinked, confused. "This is...?"
"I need you to report on your experience governing this world on my behalf," Shendu said.
Puzzled, Valmont took the recorder and pressed the button. He didn't quite understand what Shendu was planning or why this was happening so suddenly. It was called a report, but it sounded more like Shendu was seeking advice. Wasn't he supposed to just sit back and enjoy the results from the shadows as they had discussed?
"Don't be nervous," Shendu said casually. "Just talk about how to lead others and things of that nature."
Valmont settled his thoughts and began to earnestly recount his experiences and insights as a boss and a high-ranking leader.
"I am Valmont, leader of the Enforcers..."
A long time later, Valmont leaned back in his executive chair, exhausted. He looked around the empty room and fell into deep thought. After all that, it turned out Shendu really was just asking for advice.
…
Meanwhile, in front of a crimson portal, Shendu smiled at Zoran.
"Valmont is an excellent fellow and a decent leader. In certain aspects, his wisdom exceeds the norm. He should be quite capable of teaching the administrator of that world you gave me, don't you think?"
"As proxies, there are bound to be experiences they can share."
Zoran smiled. Shendu seemed more concerned about his old territory in the Dragon Raja world than his own Asian domain.
"Besides, that world you gave me seems to be a bit chaotic right now," Shendu noted.
Zoran nodded slightly. "Then I shall accompany you on this trip."
————
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