"Old bat, are you here to seek death?" The words echoed in Dula Bide's ears.
Subsequently, the ancient wooden door of the grand building opened automatically. An elder walked out, clad in an ancient European-style robe and leaning on a cane. His white hair and beard made him resemble a frail old man.
If you thought of him that way, you'd be utterly mistaken; the cane was merely for show.
Orville glanced at Xia Feng, then fixed his gaze on Dula Bide, saying, "Why aren't you staying at your lair and instead running to my place? Feeling a bit itchy and looking to draw some blood?"
As Orville spoke, his aura surged, almost suffocating Dula Bide. Dula Bide exclaimed in shock, "You've already reached the Prince realm?"
"Old bat, we haven't seen each other for decades, and you've managed to reach the intermediate Duke realm. Not bad, still not disgracing your bloodline. I've been a Beast King for many years now."
Orville put on a show of a hero past his prime, one who had no worthy opponents, exuding a sense of loss before Dula Bide.
Seeing Orville come out and immediately start bragging, Dula Bide was somewhat speechless.
"Fortunately, Master is here. Otherwise, I would truly be beaten half to death by this old fellow."
"Old man, stop posturing. I'm here to see you about something today," Dula Bide called out without any politeness.
"What is it?" Orville asked instinctively.
"Your family has collected a national treasure from Huaxia, one of the Twelve Zodiac Heads – the Dog Head. Hurry up and have someone bring it out," Dula Bide said with full confidence.
"What kind of Beast King? In front of Master, you're just a little chick, not worth mentioning."
Upon hearing Dula Bide's words, Orville finally shifted his gaze to Xia Feng and said, "This kid you brought along, he's Huaxia, isn't he?"
"Orville, show some respect. This is my Master!" Dula Bide became instantly enraged.
"Haha... for the dignified Duke of the Bloodline to recognize a Huaxia person as his Master, it's truly a disgrace to European nobility. You might as well apprentice under me; I can offer you some guidance."
Orville burst into laughter at this.
"How much skill can someone so young possibly have?"
"However, this kid does possess a certain aura. Under my powerful presence, he can still maintain a calm and composed expression. This shows that the younger generation is indeed formidable."
"You bastard..." Dula Bide was about to make a move, ready to defend Xia Feng's honor even if he couldn't win.
"Old Peter, stand down," Xia Feng said.
"Yes, Master." Dula Bide immediately lost his temper.
Orville looked at Xia Feng with confusion. He couldn't sense any aura from Xia Feng, who seemed like an ordinary person.
Could it be that he couldn't see through this person?
With this thought, Orville began to take him seriously.
Anyone Dula Bide would acknowledge as a Master must have some substance.
"Who are you?" Orville asked.
"Who I am is not important. Hand over the Dog Head, and I'll leave immediately," Xia Feng said calmly.
"Haha... What arrogance! It's been over a hundred years since anyone dared to speak to me like this." Orville laughed heartily.
Xia Feng shook his head and moved with lightning speed, directly grabbing Orville by the neck.
Orville's eyes bulged in shock. The old man stared at Xia Feng with an unbelievable gaze, his heart filled with terror.
With his neck held by Xia Feng, Orville was unable to exert any strength. His aura was completely suppressed, and no matter how much Orville struggled, it was all in vain.
It was like an adult holding an ant in their hand on the ground; no matter how the ant struggled, it was futile.
"You... you... have the power of a Beast God?"
Orville uttered a few words with great difficulty.
"Beast God? No, no, no, that's your term. If you must call me that, I haven't been a Beast God for many years."
Xia Feng shook his head, correcting Orville's misconception.
"I haven't been a Beast God for many years."
Does this statement sound boastful?
Is this statement shocking?
Regardless, Dula Bide and Orville listened with immense shock. Someone above the Beast God realm was still walking the earth?
Dula Bide looked at Xia Feng's back, his eyes filled with adoration. "Master is so awesome."
"Considering your cultivation journey, I'll give you a chance to live."
Xia Feng then casually tossed Orville to the ground.
Freed from Xia Feng's grip, Orville's entire being convulsed with energy, almost causing him to explode from the surge of qi and blood.
Orville quickly knelt on the ground, placing his hands flat on the floor, palms facing up, and kowtowed deeply to Xia Feng, respectfully saying, "Orville requests your command, sir."
Orville, having lived for three to four hundred years, had seen all sorts of people, but he had never encountered a god-like man like Xia Feng. He felt no desire to resist.
He knew very well that someone like this could kill him as easily as crushing an ant.
When Xia Feng had grabbed his neck earlier, he had already felt death approaching.
Orville remained prostrate on the ground, not daring to move. Sweat had already soaked his clothes.
It had been countless years since Orville last felt the fear of facing death.
"Help me find the remaining Sheep Head, Snake Head, and Rooster Head," Xia Feng commanded, looking down at Orville, who was still kneeling on the ground.
"This old fellow is considered quite powerful in this world. His family is also one of the most powerful in Europe. The other three lost Zodiac Heads are most likely also in Europe."
"It's best to have Orville search for them."
"Yes, sir. This will be my lifelong mission. Orville is willing to serve you eternally, never to betray," Orville said flatteringly, full of apprehension.
Dula Bide cast a disdainful glance at Orville. "This guy has lived so long, he's learned to flatter."
"Get up, and take me to get the Dog Head," Xia Feng said.
"Yes, sir." Orville meekly got up.
"This way, sir." Orville quickly adapted to his new role, bowing as he led Xia Feng out of the forbidden area within the castle.
Seeing Dula Bide looking distracted, Xia Feng stopped and smiled, "Are you wondering about my realm?"
"Master, I wouldn't dare," Dula Bide said hurriedly.
"It's alright. Today, I'll enlighten you," Xia Feng waved his hand.
"Please enlighten me, Master," Dula Bide bowed.
Orville also listened attentively, not daring to breathe.
"Let me use an analogy. People in this world are like fish living in a painted river. You are just strong fish, where big fish eat small fish. But once you jump out of the river and onto the shore, you'll discover that the world has changed."
Xia Feng used a metaphor to give them a better understanding of power.
(Let me say, I'm a silkworm, a little bug eaten by fish.)
"Master, have you already gotten ashore?"
Dula Bide asked, seemingly understanding but still confused.
Xia Feng shook his head.
"Master, you haven't even gotten ashore?" Dula Bide was shocked.
"You haven't even gotten ashore?"
"No, that's not what I mean. I have already jumped out of the painting, while you are still in the river within the painting," Xia Feng said matter-of-factly.
Dula Bide: ...
Orville: ...