"What's going on with you?"
Xuan Yangque looked at Zhang Xiaohu, who had come before him, with confusion and shock.
It suspected it was mistaken, but after careful observation, it could indeed feel the modified bloodline within the other party.
Thus, it had not mistaken the person.
But the crucial question was, how much time had passed?
The last time it saw him, he was still a novice in the early Qi Condensation stage, barely managing to reach the middle Qi Condensation stage with the Lava Berries it had given him. Less than a month had passed, and he was already in the late Foundation Establishment stage.
Even cheating wouldn't be this fast. Even claiming to be a peerless genius wouldn't be this unbelievable.
Zhang Xiaohu scratched his head awkwardly. "Actually, I've been cultivating in a secret realm with a different flow of time for several years. I've eaten many pills and heavenly treasures, and I was lucky..."
Xuan Yangque gave him a deep look and sighed, "There's no such thing as so much luck in the world. Luck also needs to be fought for..."
Zhang Xiaohu felt a little embarrassed by the praise.
"Senior, I'm here to fulfill my promise. Without the opportunity you bestowed upon me, I wouldn't have my current strength. I have found and learned the art of contract, Senior, do you really intend to leave?"
Xuan Yangque: "..."
Look at how the world has become. Should it wait to die here?
However, Zhang Xiaohu said seriously, "Actually, it's not safe outside either. Although spiritual energy is recovering now, according to Brother Xian, in three years... or rather, less than three years, extraterrestrial evil creatures will invade our world, and we will all be in great danger."
"Evil creatures? Are they powerful?"
"Very powerful. Brother Xian said that if we don't have several Immortal Emperors born, we will have no resistance at all."
Xuan Yangque was shocked: "Why didn't you mention this last time?"
"I didn't know last time either. If Senior wishes to stay here, I can plead with Brother Xian to prevent people from harming Senior..."
"Let me think about it..."
Xuan Yangque paced back and forth at the bottom of the volcano, trying hard to consider its future.
Undoubtedly, this [Demon Spirit Realm] was a cage for it. However, as long as Chu Yang did not allow others to enter, it was safe here.
But if it went to the outside world, it would have to face the invasion of alien races in three years.
Chaos, however, also meant opportunity.
Xuan Yangque was actually quite tired of this peaceful and invincible life. If humanity could win the racial war in three years, perhaps it could also benefit by following along?
As it was contemplating.
It noticed that the young girl Zhang Xiaohu had brought was staring at it with a peculiar gaze.
It immediately turned around and stared at Shen Yingxue, saying coldly, "What are you doing?"
Shen Yingxue was startled and quickly retracted her [Myriad Flowers Pupil].
She said shamefully, "I think Senior is very powerful, so I wanted to simulate it..."
Zhang Xiaohu quickly came forward and explained to Xuan Yangque, "Senior, please don't be angry. Her eyes are the [Myriad Flowers Pupil], which can simulate and store some things in her eyes. She means no harm."
However, Xuan Yangque tilted its head and asked in confusion, "Why... is there the aura of a phoenix?"
Xuan Yangque was actually a phoenix with a mixed bloodline, so it was naturally very familiar with this aura.
Shen Yingxue thought of something and took out her ancient zither, "Phoenix Perching on the Wutong Tree," from her storage ring.
"This is the magical treasure I am currently using, named 'Phoenix Perching on the Wutong Tree.' It was refined from Wutong tree wood and phoenix feathers."
Xuan Yangque: "???"
"Is it easy for you to obtain such a magical treasure?"
"Uh... it depends on luck, and also strength. If I can win first place in this trial, Brother Xian should also reward me with some good things, right? I remember Li Qingyun was rewarded with an immortal artifact last time, the Chaos Divine Lotus."
"What? Immortal artifact? Do you know what you're saying?"
Xuan Yangque's voice suddenly became sharp. It suspected Zhang Xiaohu was bragging. Did this fellow have any idea of the value of an immortal artifact? Just blabbering?
"It's true! I got tenth place last time, so I was rewarded with a top-grade Xuan-tier cultivation technique. This trial is to give us a chance to change our destiny!"
Seeing Zhang Xiaohu's serious expression, Xuan Yangque believed him!
"What is your relationship with that Brother Xian?"
Zhang Xiaohu shamefully touched his buzz cut and said, "I was fortunate enough to become a member of Brother Xian's [Immortal Emperor Training Brigade]. I have the worst talent among them. Oh, right, Miss Shen is also a member."
Xuan Yangque's pupils dilated. Immortal Emperor Training Brigade? That sounded incredibly shocking for a few lifetimes!
To train a group of people into Immortal Emperors, this Brother Xian had quite the ambition!
"My talent is still too poor. Geniuses like Li Qingyun are already in the middle Golden Core stage. Perhaps after coming out of the [Land of Dragon Fall], their strength will greatly increase..."
Xuan Yangque knew who Li Qingyun was. It couldn't imagine that when they were in the Demon Spirit Realm last time, he was only in the Foundation Establishment stage!
Breaking through realms didn't happen like this!
"...He has exclusive guidance from the Green Emperor, which is so fortunate. However, I can also learn a lot from the battles with the Nine Heavens Flame Emperor, and I am already very satisfied."
Xuan Yangque listened to Zhang Xiaohu's rambling, and the entire bird was numb.
What kind of world was it outside? Why did he keep mentioning Immortal Emperors? Would Zhang Xiaohu also become an Immortal Emperor in the future?
"Stop talking, quickly sign the contract with me!"
"Huh? Senior, are you sure you want to leave here?"
"Don't talk nonsense, fulfill your promise!"
Zhang Xiaohu was very obedient to his benefactor. He drew a small magic formation.
"Next, we drip our own blood into it to successfully sign the contract."
"You drip first."
Zhang Xiaohu didn't think much of it. He bit his finger and dripped his blood into the magic formation.
At this moment, Xuan Yangque also extended its claw, and while dripping its blood, it nudged the formation.
Zhang Xiaohu's heart jolted: "Holy crap, Senior, you touched the formation, this will cause problems..."
However, it was too late. With a flash of light, the contract was formed!
Zhang Xiaohu was stunned and immediately said with a bitter face, "Senior, you changing that step has altered the contract. If we forcibly dissolve the contract, it will cause a severe backlash!"
Xuan Yangque was slightly surprised and said with an "unbelievable" expression, "It turned out like this? It seems I was negligent. I am truly very regretful!"
Then, it said with a look of "grief," "Since that's the case, there's nothing we can do. I can only condescend to be your contract beast for now. Sigh, it's truly fate playing tricks on a bird!"
Zhang Xiaohu, however, said earnestly, "Senior, don't worry, I will find a way to dissolve the contract without harming both parties!"
"Ahem... it's good that you have this in mind. Actually, there's no need to be in such a hurry..."
Shen Yingxue watched all of this with wide eyes. She wasn't a fool like Zhang Xiaohu and could naturally tell that Xuan Yangque had deliberately bound itself to Zhang Xiaohu.
But when she was about to say something, Xuan Yangque glared at her with a threatening look.
She swallowed the words that were about to escape her lips and mechanically clapped her hands: "Wonderful, haha..."