When I woke up, I wanted to go home.

Xiao Hei turned to Zhu Chongjiu, who was leisurely humming a tune and admiring the scenery of Houtu Continent, on its back and asked, "Ninth Brother, was that really the Source of Earth just now?"

"Hmm! Based on my analysis and deduction over the past two days, I think I'm right."

Besides, Xiao Feng wouldn't lie to me about something like this; there's no need for him to.

Moreover, he personally dispatched a hundred Emperor-level experts; would ordinary creatures warrant such a massive mobilization from Xiao Feng?

After hearing Zhu Chongjiu's answer, Xiao Hei said somewhat anxiously, "Then Ninth Brother, should we go to the Houtu Swamp to catch the Source of Earth?"

Aren't you also in dire need of it?

No need, I'm not in a rush right now.

Let's go to the capital of Houtu Kingdom and find their king.

"Let's deal with that fake sun in the sky first, then we can talk about other things," Zhu Chongjiu calmly replied to Xiao Hei.

Xiao Hei gave an "oh" and didn't say anything more, but continued to head towards the capital of Houtu.

Sitting on Xiao Hei's back, Zhu Chongjiu gazed intently at the boundless black soil plain, thinking to himself, "More than twenty years have passed, what's the rush?"

It's possible that his wife has already remarried!

Perhaps my family has gotten used to life without me!

I just wonder how my parents' health is now?

Then, thinking of Xiao Tu, a smile returned to Zhu Chongjiu's previously calm lips.

Since this was Zhu Chongjiu's first time visiting the Houtu Continent, he did not head to the capital as quickly as possible.

Instead, they would stop in each city they visited, bringing any questions they encountered along the way to the city to find answers from locals.

For example, why is so much arable land left idle?

Information about any rare and exotic animals encountered?

There are also some human geography, and so on, and so forth...!

Anything Zhu Chongjiu could think of, regardless of its importance or triviality.

Along the way, Zhu Chongjiu encountered some caravans and refugees, but upon seeing the imposing and clearly unapproachable Xiao Hei, they would all give way.

Zhu Chongjiu did not deliberately try to stop or strike up a conversation with him.

More than a month passed, and Zhu Chongjiu and Xiao Hei finally arrived at the capital of Houtu Kingdom, Houtu City!

When Zhu Chongjiu arrived outside Houtu City, he instructed Xiao Hei to shrink its body and jump onto Zhu Chongjiu's shoulder, or let him hold it in his arms, just as he usually did when entering the city.

At this moment, Zhu Chongjiu looked up at the majestic city walls and the thick, wide city gate, but he no longer took it seriously.

Upon entering the city gate, Zhu Chongjiu presented the Flame Empire's "Nine Emperors" token, a token of the Parallel Kings, to the soldiers guarding the city, instead of the token he had previously requested from Xiao Tian's five attendants.

When the soldiers guarding the city saw the brocade presented by Zhu Chongjiu, they were taken aback. They then looked at Zhu Chongjiu and scrutinized him for a long time.

Zhu Chongjiu asked doubtfully, "Is there a problem?"

Startled by Zhu Chongjiu's question, the soldier guarding the city quickly bowed to Zhu Chongjiu and said, "Your Majesty, the token you presented is far too important. Please wait a moment while I go and inform him!"

Zhu Chongjiu looked at the soldier and replied with a smile, "Alright, go and come back quickly!"

After the soldier respectfully saluted Zhu Chongjiu, he turned and quickly ran towards the city wall.

As for why Zhu Chongjiu would use this token?

The reason is simple: when working for the Flame Empire, one needed a token that could prove they were a citizen of the Flame Empire!

Moreover, it must be a relatively heavy token.

Otherwise, even this precarious false sun would be the only thing possessed by the Houtu Continent to sustain its nation.

How can we allow others to touch it at will?

Zhu Chongjiu roughly knew what the soldier had gone to ask for instructions about.

It's simply a matter of whether this token is genuine or not.

After all, there is no title of "King of the Same Side" on any continent yet.

Moreover, no monarch would be idle enough to appoint someone with equal power to share the reins of power.

After Zhu Chongjiu waited at the city gate for almost an hour, a huge carriage pulled by three five-zhang-long, four-hoofed demonic beasts that looked like rocks came quickly from the depths of the city.

Behind the chariot followed a thousand soldiers armed with stone spears.

According to Zhu Chongjiu's senses, there was a top-level Emperor-rank expert on the carriage. If he wasn't mistaken, this should be Shi Gang, the King of Houtu Kingdom.

When it was about ten meters away from Zhu Chongjiu, the magnificent carriage slowly came to a stop.

Immediately afterwards, a figure leaped down from the carriage like lightning, and in the blink of an eye, crossed the distance with astonishing speed, standing steadily in front of Zhu Chongjiu.

The man's skin was a healthy wheat color with a slight dark sheen, as if forged from countless storms and sun. His hair was short and stiff, standing upright like sharp steel needles, while his beard was equally thick and coarse, each hair as distinct as a steel wire.

Looking at his physique, one is struck by its sheer power. Every muscle is prominently bulging, clearly defined, firm, and strong, giving the impression of invincibility.

His broad, thick shoulders, strong arms, and firm, straight legs all showcased his powerful physique.

Finally, there was that face, with strong, chiseled features, exuding an innate determination and courage.

At this moment, he grinned and laughed at Zhu Chongjiu, saying, "You must be the one who was recently appointed as a peer king by the Fire Emperor, right?"

After saying that, he looked Zhu Chongjiu up and down, then nodded and continued to smile, "Hmm! He looks quite energetic."

But... with your thin, frail frame, I really can't understand what that guy, Fire Flame, saw in you."

Zhu was not angry after hearing what King Shi Gang said, after all, this was a world where strength was the most important thing.

Moreover, because they are isolated by border barriers, they can only receive education based on certain established ideas.

For example, on the Houtu Continent, someone like Zhu Chongjiu who looks frail and weak is definitely not strong. Even if you are an Emperor-level being, you are still a very weak one.

However, Zhu Chongjiu's lack of anger does not mean he will indulge you, since Zhu Chongjiu does not believe in Buddhism and only admires the Taoist philosophy.

At this moment, Zhu Chongjiu smiled at King Shi Gang and said, "Since King Shi Gang has already received the news of the Flame Empire being crowned as a co-king, why does he seem to be missing half of his brain?"

Otherwise, how could we only get half the information?

Furthermore, didn't your ancestors on the Houtu Continent tell you not to judge people by their appearance?

Upon hearing Zhu Chongjiu's words, King Shi Gang was not angry at all. Instead, he laughed even louder and said to Zhu Chongjiu, "Good, good, good. I, Shi Gang, like people like you who speak their minds without holding back."

Since that's the case, and I'm itching to get my hands dirty, why don't we invite the Nine Emperors to the martial arts arena for a little practice?

Then, Shi Gang quickly added to Zhu Chongjiu, "Don't think that just because it's on my turf, it's a one-on-one fight."

What I despise most in my life is ganging up on someone of the same level.

Don't worry, I'll go easy on you!

After Shi Gang finished speaking, he gave Zhu Chongjiu a sly smile.

Seeing Shi Gang's expression, Zhu Chongjiu looked somewhat timid and asked, "Then you must go easy on him later."

Also, forget about the training grounds. There are vast plains right outside the city; why go through all that trouble?

Upon seeing Zhu Chongjiu's expression, Shi Gang immediately agreed to Zhu Chongjiu's request, not even listening to what Zhu Chongjiu was saying. He was like a groom waiting for his wedding night, his heart filled with excitement.

Upon hearing Shi Gang's agreement, Zhu Chongjiu flashed to an open area outside the city.

At this moment, someone immediately stepped forward from behind, seemingly wanting to offer some advice to Shi Gang.

However, after being pushed aside by Shi Gang's ruthless hand, he followed closely behind and came to stand in front of Zhu Chongjiu.

Just as Shi Gang was getting into position and about to launch his attack, Zhu Chongjiu quickly shouted to stop!

This sudden stop nearly caused Shi Gang, who was already poised to pounce, to suffer internal injuries from holding back his anger. He asked Zhu Chongjiu with some rage, "What are you going to do?"

It's too late to back out now. Whatever the issue, we have to finish the fight first.

After waving his hands repeatedly, Zhu Chongjiu asked Shi Gang somewhat cautiously, "If I accidentally beat you, will you get angry and send a group to beat me up?"

Or will it cause me many inconveniences in Houtu Kingdom?

Upon hearing Zhu Chongjiu's words, Shi Gang said somewhat impatiently, "No, no, as long as you don't kill me, anything is fine. Our Houtu Kingdom isn't that petty!"

After hearing this, Zhu Chongjiu smiled and said "Oh" to Shi Gang, then said, "Well, you'd better be prepared to take this punch, okay?"

As soon as Zhu Chongjiu finished speaking the word "fist," he vanished without a trace!