Chapter 61: Xu Shengqun's Life Countdown

Zhen Hua subtly glanced at Xu Shengqun, his pupils shaking violently as he exclaimed inwardly:

"Brother Xu, your loyalty and righteousness are unparalleled! Willing to sacrifice yourself for all of humanity!"

He refused to believe that with Xu Shengqun's blatantly provocative and suicidal remarks, Di Tian and Zi Ji wouldn't show any reaction at all.

"Pop~"

Unsealing the wine jar, Zhen Hua poured a full cup for Xu Shengqun with the utmost respect.

The liquor emanated a faint yet unique fragrance—it was somewhat akin to sandalwood yet also resembling the aroma of garanwood.

Its color was an amber hue, but more profound than usual—so deep it almost appeared black.

After pouring wine for everyone present, Xu Shengqun lifted his cup in a toast to all.

This self-proclaimed connoisseur of fine liquor behaved as if he were the gathering host.

"Come, come, please, please!"

"Bottoms up!"

After downing a full cup of Dragon Blood Wine, he instinctively exhaled a few times.

"Ah—"

Perhaps due to drinking too fast or consuming an entire cup at once without using soul power to neutralize it, even with his Super Douluo-level cultivation, he felt a surge of heat rushing to his head, a fiery streak shooting down to his lower abdomen.

All the pores on his body seemed to open at that instant, and a flush bloomed across his rugged face. His vision blurred.

The fiery liquor made him instinctively reach for the side dishes.

However, the dishes on the table failed to satisfy him, prompting Xu Shengqun to start critiquing them.

"What a pity, what a pity. We have Dragon Blood Wine to drink but no dragon meat to accompany it. Truly one of life's great regrets."

As the Spirit Pagoda's envoy for diplomatic affairs, he naturally knew how to engage in conversation—social exchanges should always be reciprocal.

"Our Spirit Pagoda's development plan for the core region of Star Dou Forest is nearly complete."

"When the time comes, neither of the two true dragons inside will escape."

"Female dragon meat is generally more tender than male dragon meat. Once we capture them together, Di Tian can be used to brew more wine, and Zi Ji can serve as the side dish."

"I hold a certain position in the Spirit Pagoda, so I can get a share."

"When the time comes, let's all enjoy it together!"

The moment these words left his mouth, Zhen Hua and Mu Ye's respect for him skyrocketed—to the absolute peak.

With two shots of strong liquor down, his arrogance was soaring. Soon, his life would likely be at risk.

Thus, both men exchanged glances, then raised their cups with solemn expressions, toasting Xu Shengqun as if sending him off on his final journey.

While they drank and feasted, a small hidden space not far away remained undisturbed.

This space had been personally created by Di Tian, a master of spatial abilities. As long as either he or the Demon Empress maintained it, it would not collapse. It was also highly concealed.

Inside the space were the Demon Empress and her daughter, Zi Ji, as well as the recently ranked second and third leaders of the Extreme North—Titan and Ice Empress.

Zhen Hua and Mu Ye's assumptions were correct—Zi Ji was angry.

The dragon race had already dwindled to near extinction, and every surviving dragon was her family.

Yet now, not only did these humans want to drink Di Tian's blood as wine, but they also wanted to feast on her flesh. Did they truly see them as nothing more than a meal?

Her dragon eyes flashed with bloodlust and killing intent. She wanted nothing more than to storm out and flay these humans alive.

Fortunately, the Demon Empress beside her had a firm grip on her shoulder, preventing her from acting recklessly.

Of course, even if all six of the human powerhouses outside joined forces, they wouldn't be a match for the Demon Empress.

However, any reckless action could alert their enemies. Such decision required Di Tian's approval.

Just then, Di Tian emerged soundlessly from the shadows, like a specter—unnoticed by anyone.

He placed a firm hand on Zi Ji's shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Do not let anger control your thoughts. Rage will only cloud your wisdom."

"Di Tian!" Zi Ji's voice was a mix of excitement and reassurance.

"Let's go out there and kill them all!"

Hearing her ruthless declaration, Di Tian shook his head helplessly. She hadn't taken his words to heart at all.

Compared to him, Zi Ji was still too young and inexperienced.

Seeing these humans drinking Dragon Blood Wine and casually discussing eating dragon meat, she couldn't keep her composure as Di Tian could.

Because Di Tian had done the same before.

Though his motives had been different, he had indeed done it.

Unlike Zi Ji, Di Tian had lived through the era when the dragon race was at its peak.

A powerful species without external pressure was bound to suffer from internal strife.

Survival of the fittest had always been the way of beasts, and dragons, as the apex species, were no exception.

And among them, Di Tian stood at the pinnacle.

Did they think his title as the Dragon God's bodyguard had been won by mere chance?

Starting from the Dragon God, through the Nine Dragon Kings, down to the vast dragon clans that spread across the world, countless second and third-generation dragon descendants were born.

Among them, how many tens of thousands had competed for supremacy?

Di Tian had climbed to the top through countless battles, drenching himself in dragon blood along the way.

To intimidate his rivals, he had once torn the wings off a Bright Holy Dragon with his own hands. He had drunk the true blood of a Red Dragon and refined the flesh of a Thunder Dragon.

It was through these ruthless struggles that he secured his place at the peak, ultimately receiving the Dragon God's gift—the Dragon God Claw.

Seeing Di Tian shake his head, Zi Ji couldn't help but ask, "So, we're just going to sit here and do nothing?!"

"Of course not," Di Tian replied in a deep, meaningful tone. "But sometimes, deception works better than brute force."

"Besides, didn't that Spirit Pagoda envoy just say that drinking my Dragon Blood Wine would make life complete?"

"I've already mixed my true dragon blood into that wine. Soon, he will experience the fulfillment he desires."

Zi Ji: "?"

Di Tian patted her back, giving her a look that said, "everything is under control."

Indeed, the Dragon Blood Wine they were so gleefully drinking had already been "enhanced" by him—with his genuine dragon blood.

In the original timeline, these six people had gathered at the Blacksmith's Association headquarters while investigating the Holy Spirit Cult's dark soul masters.

Of course, their trip had been fruitless.

Out of courtesy and personal connections, Zhen Hua had taken out this very jar of Dragon Blood Wine.

And so, these six had drunk it all.

Oh, and Tang Wulin had been there too.

For Tang Wulin, the enhanced dragon blood was a great tonic.

But for ordinary soul masters, it wasn't necessarily a blessing.

Time continued to slip away in silence.

Zhen Hua and Mu Ye's once fervent hopes were gradually died down by the wheels of time, flickering like a dying ember.

Until the four human powerhouses finally left—at which point, all hope was completely extinguished.

(End of Chapter)