The Celestial Devourer opened its jaws and inhaled. The Nether Lanterns, the blood red ribbons, the axes, the icy wind, every last one vanished down its throat, and with them the gray-robed elder and his three companions were dragged helplessly into the void.
“Help me!” The woman in crimson flung out blood-red ribbons to anchor herself to the shattered floor, but the Celestial Devourer slapped one paw down, pinning the ribbons, and her, before sweeping both straight into its cavernous jaws.
The shirtless giant hacked his battle-axe at the creature’s talons; the blade vanished as though it had plunged into water, and an instant later, axe and man were swallowed without a trace.
The Ravenousor Wraith sensed its natural nemesis, loosed a terrified roar, and tried to slip into the void, only for the Celestial Devourer to clamp its fangs around the specter’s neck.
The black mist that formed the wraith’s body was chewed contentedly between those teeth, and the hundreds of emerald beams shooting from its eyes could not scratch a single silver scale.
Nearby, the fire unicorn trotted back to Jared‘s side with its head lowered in awkward shame.
It spent every day sharing Jared’s Storage Ring with the Celestial Devourer, yet in a real fight, everyone still counted on the Celestial Devourer, it couldn’t help Jared at all.
Jared stroked the unicorn’s flaming mane and murmured, “You were great too… Don’t blame yourself…”
He sent the creature back into the ring to recover, plenty of resources waited inside to nurture its wounds and growth.
Looking up again, saw the Celestial Devourer munching on the Ravenousor Wraith, Ghostmask, and the rest as though they were popcorn, swallowing until not even a wisp of their aura remained.
“This…” Everett leaned on the splintered Azure Banners, his face drained of color. “Those Wandering Immortal Realm Level Nine cultivators… Are gone just like that?!”
Flaxseed stuck his head around the stone doorway and gawked. “Sweet mercy! That beast is ridiculous!”
Jared chuckled. “Careful, Mr. Flaxseed. It understands every word! Talk like that, and it may eat you next!”
Flaxseed squeaked and ducked back at once.
The Celestial Devourer belched contentedly, then dissolved into a ball of golden light and slipped back inside the Storage Ring.
Silence fell over the ruins of BloodShadow Palace; only the crackle of dying flames and the distant clatter of disciples hauling away loot broke the stillness.
Incredible beast… But it never talks to me. Life would be easier if it actually followed orders…
He said to Vermilion Demon Lord, “Mr. Vermilion, your old mount puts you to shame.”
“Rubbish,” Vermilion Demon Lord grumbled within his consciousness. “I’m down to a single shred of divine soul. When I grow a body again, those five little gnats will explode if I so much as glare at them.”
“Mr. Chance…” Everett walked up, awe thick in his voice. “That really was the Celestial Devourer, wasn’t it?”
“It was…” Jared confirmed.
Everett stared as though seeing a miracle.
Jared had already astounded by fighting far above his cultivation level, by summoning a golden dragon, by controlling a fire unicorn, and now the Celestial Devourer?
Whatever force stood behind Jared clearly did not belong to the Third Heavens, it had to reside much higher in the celestial realm…
By now, the treasure vault was bare. Disciples lugged bulging item pouches past Jared, their eyes brimming with reverence.
Everett organized the ranks while Flaxseed kicked through rubble, hunting for overlooked treasures.
“Mr. Chance!” a young Azurecloud Sect disciple said, offering a blood-spattered token. “This fell off the masked man. The word ‘Nether’ is carved on it!”
The token was icy to the touch. The carved word seeped a faint smoke-black haze.
“Could this be that secret organization’s pass?” Everett asked.
“Maybe with it we can reach their base?”
“Maybe…” Jared tucked the token away.
“So where to next, Jared?” Flaxseed asked.
Jared gazed at the horizon. He still had to deal with the Seventh Hall. Once that was done, could dig into the secrets of this shadowy sect.
