In those years when I was a mortal and a demon

"What exactly happened?" Shadow Venerable pressed.

"This matter is rather special. I will now make some requests. If you cannot fulfill them, fellow Daoist, please leave now."

"Tell me what you think. If anyone refuses to leave, I will clear the area," Shadow Venerable said coldly, his aura subtly shifting.

"Thank you, Venerable Shadow." Venerable Wolf nodded in satisfaction, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "This matter will take at least a hundred years, and cultivation during this period will be virtually impossible. Of course, there is still a very small chance of encountering beings at the Saint Ancestor level."

As soon as Venerable Bei finished speaking, the hall fell silent, and many Demon Lords hesitated. A hundred years without the ability to cultivate, plus the risk of encountering the Holy Ancestor—the price was not small.

The Shadow Venerable frowned, weighing the pros and cons in his mind, while Lu Yuan stared wide-eyed at the few treasures, seemingly not listening to any of the demands.

"If you all find the above requirements acceptable, please stay and swear an oath by your inner demons, because the matter I am about to handle involves the three great ancestors of my Holy Realm, and cannot be easily revealed." After saying this, Venerable Bei's gaze swept over everyone.

Upon hearing that the three founding ancestors were involved, the expressions of the people in the hall varied.

A moment later, several demon lords silently got up and left.

Then, after much deliberation, more venerable ones shook their heads and left.

After pondering for a long time, the Shadow Venerable finally decided to stay.

Lu Yuan, however, was still staring longingly at the treasure, seemingly still not having listened to the harsh conditions.

In the end, including Lu Yuan and the Wolf Venerable, there were less than ten people left in the hall.

Looking at the remaining people, the Venerable Bei showed a hint of satisfaction and slowly said, "Since you are all willing to stay, then swear by your inner demons that you will not reveal what I am about to say to anyone other than us. After the oath is made, I will tell you the specific details."

Having said that, he waited quietly for everyone to take their oath.

The Shadow Venerable was the first to raise his hand, and an extremely strange demonic symbol entered his head, making him the first to complete the oath of inner demon.

He then glanced at the others, who, seeing this, also began to swear oaths. Lu Yuan, seemingly slow to realize what was happening, followed the other Venerables and completed his oath regarding his inner demons.

After everyone had finished taking their oaths, Venerable Bei nodded slightly and then said in a low voice, "I need a fellow Daoist to go to Bitter Spirit Island for me and guard it for a hundred years. If you agree, you can choose one of these three treasures. Remember, I only need one fellow Daoist."

Bitter Spirit Island!

Upon hearing this name, the remaining Venerables were all unsettled, and even Venerable Shadow couldn't help but frown.

"Isn't the Holy Ancestor guarding Bitter Spirit Island? Why look for someone else?" a Demon Lord couldn't help but ask.

"I cannot comment on that. Today we will only discuss the transaction. If you are willing to go, you can come to me, the Wolf Venerable, to collect your goods a hundred years from now," the Wolf Venerable replied without room for argument.

"What? It won't be fulfilled for another hundred years?" Many more demon lords frowned.

“Otherwise, what if you take something from me and then disappear? Wouldn’t I be at a huge loss?” Venerable Bei retorted without any politeness.

"Hmph! But what if you deny it afterward?"

“That’s right. Unless Venerable Bei agrees to pay for the treasure first, there’s no room for discussion. After all, Bitter Spirit Island is no ordinary place. Not to mention that it suppresses us greatly, the sea of ​​lightning and the alien Mahayana cultivators who may cross over at any time could easily annihilate us.”

"That's right. Such a dangerous place should at least allow us to choose two treasures to make it fair."

Despite the doubts and dissatisfaction of the crowd, Venerable Bei remained unmoved and simply said, "Since I have agreed, how could I go back on my word? If you all find the conditions too harsh, please leave now. It is absolutely impossible to take the treasures first. Although Bitter Spirit Island is dangerous, the value of any one of these three treasures is worth the risk."

Upon hearing the Wolf Venerable's unwavering words, everyone in the hall exchanged bewildered glances.

Suddenly, a Venerable One snorted coldly: "I have heard a little about Venerable Bei's reputation, so I will not get involved."

After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and left.

"Heh heh, let alone whether the promise can be fulfilled a hundred years from now, it's unknown whether he can even survive a hundred years on Bitter Spirit Island." Another Venerable sneered and left.

After a moment's hesitation, the other venerable ones also took their leave.

"Hey, where is Bitter Spirit Island?" Lu Yuan pretended not to know and called out to a departing Venerable.

And coincidentally, this person happened to be a member of a small group that Lu Yuan had previously harassed.

This demon lord naturally had no good impression of Lu Yuan, and sneered, "That's a good place, go ahead!"

After saying that, he left on his own.

Lu Yuan said "Oh" and did not leave with the others.

The Wolf Venerable had been secretly watching Lu Yuan's movements, and seeing this situation, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. However, there was still one person remaining in the hall, none other than the Shadow Venerable, a late-stage Demon Venerable.

Choosing between the two, Venerable Bei was truly torn. After hesitating for a moment, he tentatively asked:

"It seems you two are prepared to agree to my terms?"

"I am determined to have the Fairy, but I did not agree to go to Bitter Spirit Island," the Shadow Venerable said coldly.

Upon hearing this, the Wolf Venerable frowned and looked at Lu Yuan.

“I was afraid that if no one stayed, you would be too embarrassed, so I’m keeping you company.”

"Of course, I want the stuff too," Lu Yuan grinned.

The Venerable Bei shook his head helplessly, but said nothing more.

But at that moment, the Shadow Venerable suddenly moved his lips slightly.

After receiving the message, the expression on the face of the Venerable Bei changed from shock to solemnity.

The two talked for a while, during which they even glanced at Lu Yuan a few times, intentionally or unintentionally.

Lu Yuan had actually noticed the two wolf-like creatures' subtle movements long ago, but at this moment he still pretended that his attention was completely drawn to those three things.

After a while, Venerable Bei suddenly spoke to Lu Yuan: "Venerable Lu, Venerable Ying has just agreed to my conditions, and our deal is done."

"what?"

"So all these treasures belong to him?" Lu Yuan looked astonished, pointing at Shadow Venerable with a face full of resentment and disbelief.

"But I'm still here, why don't I get any?" Lu Yuan was so anxious that he scratched his head and cheeks, his eyes fixed on the three treasures.

The Wolf Venerable frowned slightly, his tone calm yet unquestionable: "Venerable Lu, this matter is settled, and Venerable Shadow is only taking one item; I will take back the other two."

"Then I'll exchange the other two with you!"

“This… Venerable Lu, as I have already said, these items are not for exchange, but rather you must go to Bitter Spirit Island to guard it for me for a hundred years.”

"To Bitter Spirit Island?"

"Forget it, whatever, I'll go!" Lu Yuan stepped forward.

“That means staying on Bitter Spirit Island for a hundred years, how could you possibly stay there!” Venerable Wolf looked unconvinced.

"A hundred years is nothing! I can take a nap longer than that! If you don't like it, I'll make ten or eight more vows of my own mind that I will never leave Bitter Spirit Island for a hundred years. Even if the time comes, I can stay for several more decades without your permission!"

As Lu Yuan spoke, he kept raising his hands and forming hand seals, and strange symbols flashing with red light continuously entered his huge head.

This scene completely stunned the two, including the Wolf Venerable.

"Even so, I've already promised Shadow Venerable, I can't go back on my word, can I?" Wolf Venerable was in a dilemma.

"Venerable Shadow, Senior Shadow, could you please give me this opportunity?" Lu Yuan looked at Venerable Shadow with anticipation, repeatedly bowing with his hands clasped.

The Shadow Venerable frowned slightly, as if weighing his options. After a moment, he sighed and said, "Fine, I'll give it to you, but you can't take that Demon Immortal Token with you!"

"Okay, okay, I don't want that broken token anymore. I'll choose the Netherworld Blood Crystal and the Ancient Jade Talisman." Lu Yuan laughed heartily, his eyes fixed on the two treasures.

“No, I’ve already said I can only take one item,” Venerable Bei shook his head.

“One? Then I’ll choose that jade talisman.” Lu Yuan said, reaching out to grab the jade talisman, but was stopped by the Wolf Venerable.

“Venerable Lu, did you not hear what I said earlier? This treasure can only be given to you after you return from Bitter Spirit Island.”

"What? I already promised I'd only have one, why haven't you given it to me yet?"

"Then I'm not going!" With that, Lu Yuan turned away as if he were sulking.

Seeing this situation, Venerable Bei was both amused and exasperated.

But the Shadow Curse Venerable frowned and said, "Bel Venerable, I think this Venerable Lu is honest by nature and not the kind of person who goes back on his word. Why not make an exception for him?"

Upon hearing this, the Wolf Venerable looked surprised and somewhat puzzled as he looked at the Shadow Venerable.

"Haha, Senior Shadow is right. Our clan has always been true to its word and has never broken its promise to anyone!"

Caught in the middle, the Wolf Venerable was somewhat helpless. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Fine, for the sake of the Shadow Venerable, I will make an exception for today. I will give you this jade talisman first, and I hope you will keep your promise."

"Hahaha, this is the first transaction I've made since I was born, and I will definitely not disappoint you, Venerable Bei." Lu Yuan said as he took the box containing the ancient jade talisman.

At the same time, as if feeling uneasy, he reluctantly took out his own primordial stone: "If Venerable Bei is still not at ease, I'll leave this primordial stone with you for now, and I'll take it back after I return from Bitter Spirit Island!"

“Alright.” Venerable Bei accepted Lu Yuan’s Origin Stone with a hint of satisfaction, then said, “Venerable Lu, please excuse yourself for now. Venerable Ying and I have some private matters to discuss.”

"Avoid?" Lu Yuan scratched his head.

“You go out first,” Shadow Venerable added coldly.

Lu Yuan said "Oh," and reluctantly glanced at the Netherworld Blood Crystal and the Demon Immortal Token a few more times before walking out of the hall, turning back every few steps.

After Lu Yuan had completely left, the Wolf Venerable's expression instantly turned cold, and he said, "Why did you go back on your word and speak up for him? Aren't you afraid that I, Wolf Venerable, will not trade this Demon Immortal Token with you?"

"When have I ever broken my promise? We agreed beforehand that I would help you fool that fool to Bitter Spirit Island. As for how it went, didn't we succeed now?"

"Besides, even if he doesn't go, you still won't agree to my terms of the deal." The Shadow Venerable said calmly, a hint of profound meaning in his eyes.

"Hmph! Let me take a look at that thing first." Venerable Bei snorted coldly, showing an attitude of not wanting to get entangled any further.

Without further ado, the Shadow Venerable waved his sleeve, and a jade slip emitting a faint glow appeared, slowly flying towards the Wolf Venerable. The Wolf Venerable reached out and caught it, placing it on his forehead. After a moment, a look of surprise appeared on his face. "Indeed, it is that thing."

At the same time, Lu Yuan, who was wandering around outside the main hall, walked to the edge of a cliff. A flash of light appeared in his hand, and several more Origin Stones, just like the ones before, appeared.

"Regardless of who is the hunter and who is the prey, everyone is happy!" Lu Yuan sneered and casually threw the so-called 'Origin Stone' off the cliff.

......

Several days later, in a side hall of the Holy Palace where Zi Ling was located.

"Seventh Miss, several seniors from Jitian City who are heading to Bitter Spirit Island have already set off, but..." An old man with the cultivation of the Demon Sect reported softly, but stopped halfway through his sentence.

"Just what?" Zi Ling sat in the chair, glanced at the old man, and said indifferently.

"The two seniors, Venerable Bei and Venerable Guan, are not included. They secretly found other seniors to take their place," the old man hurriedly replied, not daring to be negligent. However, he felt even shorter in front of Zi Ling.

“They already informed me beforehand, and even I can’t do anything about them, so you can’t do anything either. So don’t worry about it. If they really investigate in the future, you won’t be held responsible.” Zi Ling sighed, looking helpless.

"Thank you for your understanding, Miss Seven." The old man breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this and hurriedly thanked her.

The woman in purple nodded calmly, but then asked without warning, "Who did they find to take their place?"

"Uh, Venerable Guan is looking for the Illusion Venerable senior in the city, while Venerable Bei is looking for an adult mountain giant."

"The Illusionary Venerable, the Mountain Giant?" Zi Ling frowned upon hearing this, somewhat incredulous.

"Indeed, Venerable Huan is a senior who has lived in Jitian City for many years. He usually stays in seclusion to cultivate diligently. I wonder what price Venerable Guan paid to persuade him. As for the mountain giant that Venerable Bei found, who calls himself Lu Shan, he is said to have just been born and is childish in his words and actions. He has caused quite a few laughs at Ruyun Pavilion. He was probably deceived by Venerable Bei." The old man explained in more detail.

"Lu Shan?" A thoughtful look flashed in Zi Ling's eyes.

"Should we investigate the origins of this mountain giant in more detail?" the old man asked hesitantly.

"Investigate? Then go and investigate Venerable Bei." Zi Ling glanced at the old man and said coldly.

"this....."

"Go down."

......

After the old man left, Zi Ling gently tapped the armrest of her chair, repeatedly muttering the name 'Lu Shan'.

Suddenly, she stood up in astonishment:

"More than one fusion-level avatar!"

"The immortal successor who caused chaos in the territory of the Underworld Saint Ancestor more than ten years ago—"

It was him too!