Swallowed Star 2: Land of Origin

Diaorong Qi glanced at the young True God, then entered the small building alone.

Within the small building, Diaorong Qi immediately saw Luo Feng and Morosa, both sitting there, enjoying the fine food and drinking wine.

"Diaorong Qi pays her respects to the Supreme," Diaorong Qi said reverently as she knelt and pressed her forehead to the ground.

"Speak your business," Luo Feng said leisurely as he poured himself some wine.

"My father was murdered, and all the creatures in the cave mansion, including the children, were slaughtered," Diaorong Qi said while prostrate, "I only wish to avenge my father and all the creatures of the entire cave mansion that died."

"I asked the city owner's mansion to kill the murderer, but they were unmoved."

"I increased the bounty at the Flame Wind Pavilion's Dark Hall, hoping someone would be willing to take action. But I waited all night and still no powerful being stepped forward."

"I know the Supreme is not afraid of the Blood Python Association, so I have come to beg the Supreme, hoping the Supreme would accept the bounty and kill the Blood Python Leader," Diaorong Qi pleaded hoarsely.

Luo Feng and Morosa both looked at her.

"What do you offer me in your plea?" Luo Feng said, "That banquet you've arranged for this occasion?"

"I have nothing left to offer; nearly all my wealth has been put into the bounty of the Flame Wind Association's Dark Hall. Now only ten thousand Cosmic Sand remain. I am also willing to offer these ten thousand Cosmic Sand to the Supreme," Diaorong Qi whispered as she knelt.

"I know that this bit of Cosmic Sand is far too little to ask the Supreme to take action. But I have nothing left, only my life remains."

"I am willing to sell myself into servitude for the Supreme, to serve for a lifetime. I have no other wishes than to seek vengeance," Diaorong Qi said with tears in her eyes, her fluffy tail also drooping to the side.

Luo Feng looked at her: "Sell yourself into servitude? Your father obviously had plans for you, and today you also came aboard the Moli Clan's Flying Boat; you could easily live a carefree life. Now you want to give up everything, sell yourself into servitude, all for the sake of revenge?"

"Yes," Diaorong Qi prostrated without any hesitation.

"Even if I killed the Blood Python Leader, your father cannot be brought back to life. To give up a carefree life for a dead father?" Luo Feng looked at her, recalling the last time he saw the young Miss of the Diaorong Family, feeling her pride, but now she was completely different.

"That was my father! He loved me the most in this world, always protecting and cherishing me. His final transmission before his death was all about considering my welfare, arranging a way out for me. Yet... the father who loved me most, is gone! The clan members I've grown up with since my birth are gone!" Diaorong Qi said as she knelt.

"For the sake of vengeance, I can do anything! At no expense! Even if it meant perishing both in body and soul, I would be content!" Diaorong Qi looked towards Luo Feng.

"Your father made arrangements for you in his final transmissions? He likely hoped you'd live well," Luo Feng said, "You need not sell yourself into servitude. Keep the ten thousand Cosmic Sand you have left and use it for your own cultivation, and live well, just as your father hoped for you. As for your request for me to take action, I was indeed planning to accept a bounty mission."

"Let the Blood Python Leader be my first bounty target," Luo Feng said.

Diaorong Qi stared at Luo Feng, stunned.

He would help without needing Cosmic Sand or her servitude?

"I am willing to serve the Supreme," Diaorong Qi expressed her immense gratitude.

"There's no need," Luo Feng said lightly, shaking his head, "You go back to the Moli Clan first, and remember, keep this matter a secret."

Diaorong Qi nodded repeatedly.

Of course, she understood the importance of secrecy.

"You will receive a message before nightfall," Luo Feng said as he waved his hand lightly, "You may go."

"Thank you, Supreme," Diaorong Qi bowed deeply before getting up and departing.

As Diaorong Qi left the small building, her emotions surged. She saw Moyu Qingyan waiting at the door and felt an inexplicable twinge of envy. She offered to serve as a servant, yet the Supreme did not accept.

"Miss," Suo Yun hurriedly approached to greet her.

"Suo Yun, my father is dead; the Diaorong Clan is finished," Diaorong Qi said, "You no longer need to act as my protector." As she spoke, she patted Suo Yun on the shoulder, and a Jade Vial appeared inside Suo Yun's robe.

Stunned, Suo Yun could hardly believe it.

Diaorong Qi quickly boarded the Moli Clan's Flying Boat and left.

"The Diaorong Clan is finished?" Suo Yun, who had been guarding the modest Fire Realm Restaurant, was not very well-informed and did not know about the events of the previous night. Sensing the small Jade Vial with Divine Power, he couldn't help feeling delighted, "A full five hundred Primal Chaos Crystals! The Miss is truly generous."

Even with his talents, serving as a protector for the Diaorong Family for one era earned him only 10 Primal Chaos Crystals. The Miss was letting him go and gave him five hundred Primal Chaos Crystals, which was truly a fortune for a True God.

He understood that such a large number of Primal Chaos Crystals was given to him because of the merit points he had accrued.

"With these, I can purchase resources to refine the bloodline of my godly body and, added to my previous Inheritance Law, with my talents, I fully aim to become a true god of void space," Suo Yun mused internally with eagerness welling up, and turned to leave.

...

At that moment, the Fire Realm Restaurant's owner 'Black Butcher' also noticed Suo Yun's departure.

"This protector, Suo Yun, has been staying at my Fire Realm Restaurant all this time, and he's finally leaving?" the Black Butcher thought, "The Diaorong Family's young Miss who just left was also odd; normally she comes with her own entourage of protectors. Why did she take the Moli Clan's Flying Boat this time?"

The Black Butcher subtly felt something was amiss. Having struggled to reach the Void True God Realm after arriving in the Land of Origin from reincarnation cycles, he wasn't as well-informed and didn't know of the annihilation of the Diaorong Family.

"Black Butcher!" A commanding voice resounded as the red-haired man Duan Moyun, accompanied by several subordinates, arrived at the Fire Realm Restaurant.

"Palace Master Duan." The portly Black Butcher greeted him enthusiastically. As the Black Butcher, a member of the Law Lineage who had cultivated in the Land of Origin for countless years, he was definitely among the top tier in the Void True God Realm, more than capable of suppressing Duan Moyun.

However, he didn't dare to show the slightest disrespect at the moment, for the other was one of the Palace Masters of the Blood Python Association.

"It's truly rare for Palace Master Duan to visit my humble restaurant," the Black Butcher said warmly.

"Black Butcher," Duan Moyun spoke, "I'm here to deliver an order."

The Black Butcher asked, puzzled, "What order?"

"Our leader has commanded that all merchants within the territory of the Blood Python Association must pay a one-time tribute fee for One Hundred Eras," Duan Moyun said.

"A tribute fee for One Hundred Eras?" The Black Butcher was shocked and asked urgently, "Hasn't it always been just one Era's fee at a time? I've never shortchanged the Blood Python Association in my tributes."

"The rules have changed, pay a one-time fee for One Hundred Eras. After this payment, the next will be after another One Hundred Eras," Duan Moyun said with a smile, "My Blood Python Association won't overcharge you."

The Black Butcher said anxiously, "But where would I get so much?"

"All merchants within our Blood Python Association's territory are the same," Duan Moyun said. "You have three days to make the payment, if you don't pay, hmm hmm... You should know the consequences of defying the Blood Python Association."

The Black Butcher's expression turned ugly.

"The message has been delivered, you better hurry and prepare," Duan Moyun said as he turned and walked away with his subordinates.

"Master, how can we gather such a huge tribute fee in three days?" a disciple also said worriedly.

The Black Butcher shook his head slightly: "Those merchants with stronger backing can ignore the Blood Python Association, but we don't have that luxury! To dare not pay at a time like this, one might lose their life without a sound."

Since the Blood Python Association had decided to collect a one-time tribute fee for One Hundred Eras, they'd surely make an example out of someone! Those who dared not pay would be killed!

The Black Butcher had lived in Huyang City till this day, and he knew very well what should and shouldn't be done.

Though he understood, he still felt aggrieved: "Sigh, it's so hard to run a small restaurant here in Huyang City."

"The Blood Python Association is collecting a tribute fee for One Hundred Eras?" a voice sounded.

The Black Butcher turned his head and saw Luo Feng and Morosa walking up to him.

"Supreme heard?" the Black Butcher said helplessly, "It's the order of the Blood Python Association, and a small restaurant like ours has no room to resist."

"Indeed, the Blood Python Association is a bit mad," Luo Feng nodded. "Luckily, I've had dealings with them."

The Black Butcher muttered to himself.

Had dealings?

Who in Huyang City didn't know that the River God crushed the Blood Python Association, making them obediently pay a penalty of twenty-thousand Cosmic Sand!

"I'll speak to them when the time comes, and you should be able to avoid paying that tribute fee," Luo Feng said.

"That would really trouble you, my lord," the Black Butcher said repeatedly. In Huyang City, some merchants with strong backing wouldn't need to pay tribute fees. It was only the weaker merchants like them who couldn't resist. If the River God spoke up, life for the small restaurant would undoubtedly improve significantly.

"My word should carry some weight," Luo Feng said before departing with Morosa and Moyu Qingyan.

The Black Butcher watched Luo Feng leave, overflowing with joy: "The Blood Python Association won't start a fight with Supreme Lord Luo He just for a small restaurant like mine. Ah, Supreme likes my little restaurant, life's going to get better from now on."

Having a patron like that could save one from a lot of exploitation.

...

"Master, are we going to the Blood Python Association now?" asked Morosa, looking down at the bustling cityscape of Huyang City, his eyes burning with eagerness, while the bewildered Moyu Qingyan stood beside him.

Visit the Blood Python Association? Was it necessary to be so urgent for the sake of the Fire Realm Restaurant? At this moment, Moyu Qingyan was still unaware of Luo Feng's intention to confront the Association Leader of the Blood Python.

"We're going now," Luo Feng nodded. "Let's go."

Whoosh!

Luo Feng, leading his two servants, turned into a blur of flowing light, heading directly for the Blood Python Association Headquarters.

Soon, the vast, imposing expanse of the Blood Python Association Headquarters came into view, teeming with Blood Python Association Members scattered everywhere while the Formation operated, its power terrifyingly formidable.

"You two stay outside and watch," Luo Feng instructed, glancing at Morosa.

"Yes, Master," Morosa replied, while simultaneously grabbing hold of Moyu Qingyan, who was somewhat confused. Shouldn't the servants accompany their master during his visit to the Blood Python Association?

Morosa transmitted a message through mental connection: "Master, rest assured, even if that cunning Blood Python Leader manages to escape, I'll be able to intercept him."

"Just watch, I'll handle him!" Luo Feng sent a message back telepathically and flew towards the grand entrance of the Blood Python Association Headquarters.

"Leave the body of the Blood Python Leader to me, will you?" Morosa sent a telepathic message, drooling with anticipation. The body of the famous Blood Python Leader would surely be far superior to that of Hei Duomo.

Luo Feng had already flown close to the main entrance of the Blood Python Association Headquarters. He also utilized the Flame Wind Pavilion's Dark Hall's Transmission Token to instantly accept the mission "Assassinate Association Leader Mu Yang of the Blood Python."