Astral Pet Store (WN)

"Stop acting like you're a saint!"

The cauldron woman's furious voice came from the old man's hand; she seemed to have been confined amidst his flesh.

"You really thought I was unprepared? The Heaven Lightning Barrier is the most exhausting barrier to breach. I knew you were trying to trick me the moment I saw it; I simply chose to play along because I wanted to find out what you were up to!"

There was a boom, and the old man's hand exploded; the cauldron woman dashed out with an overwhelming demonic aura and the brilliance of a creature born from chaos.

The old man narrowed his eyes. "Impossible… You shouldn't have this much strength left with the three curses and the cost of breaking the barrier!"

"Old fart, I've consolidated my strength for years. You're underestimating me if you think I haven't improved!" The woman sneered and suddenly flew towards Su Ping and Golden Lotus.

The pill lady's expression changed; she was about to move but then she grunted. Dark demonic aura surged out of her body and a black lotus exploded; golden fluid flowed on her lips.

"We could have left this place peacefully and part ways later. However, your trusted Senior Dark Demon just had to play tricks. Didn't he claim that he could lift the curses? Let him do it!" The woman confined Su Ping and threw him behind; she focused all of her attention on Golden Lotus and the old man.

The old man gazed at her with a gloomy expression. "You'd better release her. If anything happens to her, I will surely confine you to this place forever!"

"I won't kill you. I simply want to find out how you'll lift her curses!" The cauldron woman sneered and said to Golden Lotus, "Little pill, haven't you realized what kind of person this old fart is? How did I turn into an unparalleled demonic cauldron? What the old monster did to me was taught by this old codger. Do you think he's a good man?"

Golden Lotus was pale as she gnashed her teeth, "Even though Senior Dark Demon was born as an evil book, he's definitely not a bad person. He once risked his life saving mine; I'd like to repay his favor with my life!

"Senior, no need to worry about me. Just confine her already!"

"Stupid!" the cauldron woman roared.

The grim-faced old man said, "Let go of Golden Lotus and I'll spare you."

"F*ck off!" roared the woman. "I need to get out of here. If you dare try anything again, I will obliterate this stupid pill without hesitation!"

The old man gave her a cold, silent stare, showing no intent of backing off.

The cauldron woman was also staring back at him. It was a standoff yet again. Su Ping suddenly suggested, "Seniors, since you don't trust each other, why don't we leave together? There are twelve Deity Kings outside; you can argue after we leave."

The woman looked Su Ping in the eye, and said with a cold expression, "Shut up. This isn't your place to talk; I can annihilate you at any moment now that the barrier is broken. I would have killed you already if you hadn't persuaded this stupid stubborn pill!"

The old man frowned in silence.

Su Ping simply waited patiently, not minding to say anything else.

A long time passed before the old man slowly said, "This isn't going to work out. The Deity Kings' disciples are about to fill the fish's stomach. Once the old monster is reborn, none of us will be able to get away. Let's just follow the young man's advice and get out of here; I won't take action toward you for now. Just think about it."

The woman sneered and said, "Old fart, you just ambushed me, and now you're talking as if nothing has happened. Those stupid pills might trust you, but I'm certainly not dumb. If you want to go, fine; lead the way and we'll take the rear. That's compensation for attacking me right now!"

"Don't push too far!" The old man gloomily stared at her.

While laying her hand on Golden Lotus's head, the cauldron woman said, "I dare you to say that again!"

The old man thoughtfully looked at her. He took a deep breath and said, "Fine!"

It seemed that he wasn't in the mood for arguing anymore; he turned around and took the lead.

Golden Lotus's eyes were bloodshot upon seeing that. She said, "Senior, no need to worry about me. I…"

Before she could finish the woman slapped her in the face to stop her from blabbering.

"Just shut up and keep up, or I'll cook you and all the other pills in the same pot!" declared the woman ferociously.

Golden Lotus bit her lips; she had no choice except to tag along.

Su Ping followed them closely. He saw a brilliant, starry sky beyond the barrier and the dome.

While walking ahead, the old man spoke, "This is the Sky Corridor that the old monster built in the past; other palaces are found at the end of the corridor. The one with green lamps is the place where the old monster cultivated; it's close from where we are. We'd better not make any noises, or none of us will get away if the two beasts in the palace notice us!"

The woman yelled, "Old fart, do you know the other way?" The old man said indifferently, "Just follow

me."

The woman snorted but didn't press on the matter. She was familiar with the ruins, and wasn't afraid of being misled.

Su Ping followed them quietly; no one could tell what was on his mind.

They soon reached a certain part of the corridor. The old man stopped and quickly moved his hands, while releasing the power of unusual laws. A vortex appeared in the space ahead soon after.

The woman scoffed, "You're not too dumb after all!"

She walked toward the vortex after the old man, and then glanced at Su Ping.

Su Ping looked back at her. Their eye contact was brief; they soon turned their heads away.

Su Ping followed them into the vortex after the woman walked in.

Teleportation dizziness took hold, but it faded soon after. Su Ping was vigilantly looking around; he then found the cauldron woman, the old man, and Golden Lotus who was being held hostage. Underneath their feet was an ancient tree whose leaves were withering.

"Old friend, I'm here to pay you a visit," said the old man softly.

The enormous tree shook all of a sudden. Its black branches seemed to have endured lightning strikes; they rose slowly as a hoarse and ancient voice echoed. "Is it you, Dark Demon? Is this a dream? Am I hallucinating?"

"I'm real. I managed to get out of that place, and now I'm planning to leave." The old man stroked the ancient tree with a gentle hand.

The cauldron woman raised her eyebrows. "Old tree, you're not dead yet? Do you want to leave with us? The old monster is already dead. He's still in process of being reborn; there's still a chance to leave."

"Evolution Deity Cauldron… You're out too," said the ancient tree after a moment of silence.

The woman's expression changed ever so slightly; it had been a long time since anyone called her Evolution Deity Cauldron, her original name. Everybody called her Evolution Demon Cauldron later on.

Since everybody was calling her that, she decided to become a demon cauldron for real!

"I'm not leaving. Whatever will happen will happen; he won't mistreat me anyway, even if he's reborn and does return," said the old tree in a slow and weak manner. The old man shook his head. "Your root is connected to the Sky Corridor's secret channels. We couldn't have gotten out without you. He will investigate how we ran off once he's reborn. You'll be punished when he finds that you helped." "That's right. I can find a fertile land for you after we leave this place. If none is available, I will slaughter and empty a world for you," declared the cauldron woman.

The tree chuckled. "That'll be unnecessary. This is my home; I'm rooted here. Even if he knows that I helped you leave, he won't punish me too severely; he needs my help to become emperor. He won't hurt me until then."

"You…" The old man was stunned for a moment. He knew that people of their levels wouldn't be swayed easily; the tree must have considered carefully before making such decision.

The woman was silent for a long time too, before she finally said, "Take care of yourself then, you dumb tree!" "You too."

The tree laughed and spoke gently, "This is a different era. You must keep a low profile after you leave. It may be even more dangerous outside; I've recently detected the powerful auras of at least twelve Deity Kings outside of the residence."

"I've prepared a road for your departure, but I don't know if any Deity Kings will be waiting for you. You'll be on your own for the rest of the journey. See you…"

The old man patted the tree branch and said, "Old friend, take care of yourself!"

"What an idiot!" the woman gnashed her teeth.

"Haha…"

The tree's laughter echoed in the air as its branches shook.

An extremely thick root emerged from the soil; it then cracked on the surface. Inside there was an obscure vortex which led to unknown places.

"Let's go," said the old man in a low voice. He then jumped into the root.

The woman looked at the tree thoughtfully. She didn't dawdle either, jumping into the root with Golden Lotus and Su Ping in tow.