Chapter 162: A Familiar Scene

Zhou Tian noticed that the various flying ships, chariots drawn by divine beasts, and other vessels had mostly flown toward that direction earlier. As they drew closer, he discovered that atop skyscraper after skyscraper in this zone, ferocious beasts had appeared on the rooftops, radiating terrifying radiances.

This place seemed to belong to the center of the city and was extremely bustling. Many divine beasts, not inferior to the nine-tailed phoenix bird, had appeared, and their masters were also immensely formidable.

The top of this towering building utilized a spatial expansion array, and numerous divine beast carriages were parked there. The most eye-catching was a crimson fierce beast; its gigantic wolf head bore a pair of ox horns, appearing exceptionally ferocious and wild.

It possessed five tails, resembling a true dragon, pitch-black as ink. Its dragon head was menacing, its massive maw agape, revealing dense, terrifying fangs.

Although it did not emit any fierce might and was merely crouching there, it still caused other fierce beasts to keep their distance from it. Even the phoenix bird stopped far away, seeming somewhat fearful.

Seeming to sense someone's arrival, that fierce beast opened its eyes. Its black-and-crimson beastly pupils glanced at the Saint Demon before closing once again.

"Could that thing be a Heavenly King?"

Seeing the phoenix bird's strange reaction, Zhou Tian couldn't help asking the Saint Demon. Because the phoenix bird was already an Emperor-grade fierce beast with a noble bloodline, and was extraordinary even among its peers, what could make her feel fear was probably beyond the capabilities of a mere Emperor-grade fierce beast.

"Indeed. This is a Nether Wolf, which can grow up to the Heavenly Venerate realm at its peak and will have nine dragon tails," the Saint Demon said.

Zhou Tian clicked his tongue in wonder. Now this was what you called a true second-generation heir.

Descending via the rooftop's dedicated passage, the interior here was luxuriously decorated and inscribed with certain special arrays. Each entering party had a dedicated pathway opened up for them. Because they were all supreme figures, a mere matter of stepping ahead or behind could potentially trigger a massive battle.

The service personnel at the end of the corridor was a tall woman, exceptionally beautiful, with black, silky hair smooth as satin. She maintained a sweet smile throughout. A projection hung before her displaying various types of suites, and the Saint Demon, clearly familiar with the routine, began handling the procedures.

"Isn't there still a Heavenly Venerate suite over there? It looks quite nice."

Zhou Tian pointed to the topmost room on the projection, which featured an introductory image. That was fundamentally a world in its own right, not some mere suite.

"We can't afford it," the Saint Demon replied very candidly, and instead booked a Great Emperor suite.

"............"

He was a Heavenly King after all, yet he booked a Great Emperor suite—wasn't that embarrassing? Zhou Tian muttered inwardly.

Although it was a Great Emperor suite, the decor was still dazzling. For instance, hanging on one wall was a painting of a fierce tiger descending a mountain. Upon closer inspection, the frame actually contained the specimen of a winged tiger. Its muscles were terrifyingly defined, and runes faintly flickered—truly transcendent.

It was fine if one didn't look closely, but once examined intently, a fierce and biting aura washed over them. Those silver tiger claws seemed as though they could rip space apart.

As for the potted landscape beside it, it was a ten-thousand-year-old dragon-blood pine, rugged and sturdy like a coiling dragon, yet standing less than two meters tall, exuding an intense presence.

Any random ornament here was no ordinary object.

"Aren't we going to that heavenly..."

Before Zhou Tian could finish, the Saint Demon's gaze flashed, and a rune sealed his mouth, leaving him mumbling incoherently without being able to speak.

Afterward, the Saint Demon took out an array disk. Golden runes danced, connecting into a grand array that permeated every corner of the room, before he finally lifted the seal on Zhou Tian.

"Alright, you can speak now. A few days ago, powerful figures revealed that many taverns and hotels have arrays set up to steal information and sell it to intelligence organizations. Although the Tongtian Corporation has an impeccable reputation, one cannot guard against every eventuality," the Saint Demon explained.

Zhou Tian was silent for a moment, increasingly feeling a sense of familiarity here.

"When are we going to that Heavenly Venerate tomb?"

"There is still some time before that place opens. We need to wait here for a bit."

The Saint Demon sat cross-legged on a bed made of misty precious jade, his body glowing faintly.

"Then I surely can't just stay here the whole time."

Zhou Tian frowned. He had already wasted many resurrection chances on the ship; he needed to find a place to court death, otherwise when on earth would he ever level up?

"What do you want to do?"

"I want to go out and look around."

Zhou Tian thought for a moment and said he wanted to first figure out what this place was really like, as it was completely unfamiliar territory to him.

"No." The Saint Demon refused.

"If you don't let me go out, I'll feel very uncomfortable. Once I'm uncomfortable, I won't feel well, and once I'm not well, my performance will slip. In case I mess up when the time comes... you understand, right?"

Zhou Tian said, his tone carrying a concealed threat.

The Saint Demon stared fixedly at Zhou Tian, but Zhou Tian did not back down in the slightest. After a moment, the Saint Demon spoke, "Fine, but you must let the phoenix bird follow you."

"No need. Are you afraid I'll run away or something?"

The Saint Demon did not speak, his piercing gaze conveying a meaning that needed no explanation.

Zhou Tian decided against locking eyes with such a stern man, waved his hand, and said, "Fine, fine. Let her tag along."

"Also, this place belongs to the Tongtian Corporation. This faction is neutral and does not meddle in any affairs. Even if you reveal your identity, they will not provide you with any assistance, let alone notify the people of Kyushu."

The Saint Demon spoke slowly. Although his tone was calm, it was actually a warning to Zhou Tian.

"I have no intention of escaping. With a Heavenly Venerate tomb waiting for me, why would I run?"

Zhou Tian truly had no thoughts of fleeing. Although he couldn't use the items inside the Heavenly Venerate tomb himself, the Zhou family could.

"The Starry Realm has been turbulent recently, with many factions targeting Kyushu. Even though you have never shown your face in the Starry Realm, it is hard to avoid malicious individuals. This is a rare treasure that can alter your appearance. I have imbued it with my spiritual power, and it can maintain the effect for a period of time."

The Saint Demon pulled something as thin as a cicada's wing from the void, bearing the faint outline of a human face. It drifted gently onto Zhou Tian's face and adhered to it.

Zhou Tian only felt a cool layer attach to his face with no other particular sensation. Looking into the mirror conjured by the Saint Demon, he discovered he had transformed into another person entirely, covered in dense facial hair and looking fierce and menacing.

"Remember, this is the Starry Realm, not that tiny territory of your Zhou family in Futian Prefecture. Even encountering a Heavenly Venerate is nothing to marvel at here. Although force cannot be easily unleashed, certain powerful figures possess privileges. I know you have special methods, but dealing with a Heavenly Venerate is probably still a bit of a stretch."

The Saint Demon instructed meticulously, terrified that Zhou Tian might stir up some massive trouble.