While the backyard was buzzing with excitement, a tragic scene unfolded on the other side.

Thrown to the ground, Mu Cheng felt as if every bone in his body was about to shatter. Hmm... jellyfish don't have spines. And yet, Mu Cheng distinctly felt what it was like to be smashed to smithereens!

He trembled all over in pain, shivering on the ground for a long time. He couldn't even stand up and felt utterly hopeless. Just who is this reckless brute? Not only is he outrageously strong, but he's also exceedingly crafty! He hadn't even had a chance to fight back before being ambushed and knocked down.

Mu Cheng spat out in hatred, "You actually launched a sneak attack! Utterly shameless!"

After all, his target on this mission was Xu Lai, the one who had slain the Demon Kings of the Eight-Forked Serpent and the Thunder Beast, not this treacherous brute. Caught off guard, he had walked right into a trap.

"You call me crafty?" Taotie was taken aback before saying with contempt, "It's because your own Boundary is low and you couldn't react in time. Yet you call me crafty? Fine. As you wish, I'll continue to be 'crafty.'"

He beckoned with a gesture. Spiritual Energy transformed into countless transparent swords that pierced Mu Cheng's body. The pain was so intense he couldn't even scream. He drifted from pain-induced unconsciousness back to agonizing awareness, only to pass out from the pain again in an endless cycle.

In that moment, Mu Cheng's mind went blank. He forgot who he was, where he was, or what he had come to do. He lay on the ground like a pile of pulp, more dead than alive and on his last breath. The pain was immense. It hurts so much... Maybe dying like this wouldn't be so bad.

But just then, a voice near his ear spoke words that instantly snapped him back to his senses. "Supreme Emperor, could we make a cold jellyfish salad? The roast lamb is a bit greasy."

"NO!!!"

Mu Cheng didn't know where the strength came from, but despite being on the verge of death, he struggled to his feet. He was a Demon King, the Lord of Sea City. He had yet to leave his name and legacy upon this world, only to be pathetically turned into a dish and die a mediocre death. Mu Cheng would definitely not be able to rest in peace!

"A mere cold dish like you thinks it has the right to say no?" Taotie looked down on him, his gaze icy. "You can, however, decide how many spoonfuls of salt to add."

"..."

Mu Cheng was so angry he couldn't speak. But there was nothing he could do. He was outmatched. When you lose a fight, you take the beating. When you're being cursed out, you listen.

His voice trembled as he said, "You can't kill me! I'm a Demon King! If you kill me, my subordinates won't let you get away with it!"

After he spoke, a strange silence fell over the yard. Mu Cheng fell silent as well. He'd been unconscious and had woken up forgetting that his subordinates were piled up just a short distance away.

"Don't worry, they'll be served at the table right alongside you," Xu Lai said seriously.

Taotie was thoroughly impressed. Truly worthy of being the Supreme Emperor. Look at that. Such thoughtful words. A family should always be together. Not a single one missing.

"..."

Mu Cheng was growing desperate. He said coldly, "I have a secret weapon. If you let me go now, we can go our separate ways, and I will never come to Mount Haitang again!"

"Hmm?" Taotie raised an eyebrow.

Mu Cheng thought his opponent was tempted. Pushing through the dizziness from his severe injuries, he continued, "Once this secret weapon is unleashed, not only will you die, but the entire East Sea City... will be buried with you!"

Thinking he had found his opponent's weak spot, Mu Cheng laughed heartily. "Are you scared now? Since you're scared, throw me into the sea and let me go!"

Taotie nodded. He picked up the limp, pulpy Mu Cheng, but instead of throwing him into the sea, he beckoned with a hand. A pot filled with fresh water appeared before him.

"Supreme Emperor, do we need to soak it in fresh water for a couple of days and then in vinegar for five minutes?" Taotie turned his head to ask.

"That's for processed jellyfish," Xu Lai said lightly. "This one's venom isn't that strong. Just remove the toxic parts, and you can serve it directly as a cold salad."

"Alright."

"..."

Mu Cheng was dumbfounded. Wait a minute, why are they discussing recipes? I have a trump card, a secret weapon! You should be afraid! You should be terrified! You should be on your knees begging me not to use it!

Mu Cheng said angrily, "Have I scared you silly? Or do you actually want to die with me? Let me tell you, I'm not afraid of death!"

"If you're not afraid to die, then shut up," Taotie frowned. "The Seventh Divine General once said that prey with complex emotions tastes worse. You need to be happy. You need to smile. Come on, give me a smile."

Smile my ass! Mu Cheng nearly cursed aloud. I'm about to die, and you want me to smile? Go smile at your own funeral!

Taotie was not pleased. I told you to smile, and you don't smile? This isn't just disrespecting me; you're disrespecting the Supreme Emperor, the mistress, and even all the flowers and plants on this mountain. Disrespect earns a beating. And I'll keep beating you until you show some.

And that is precisely what he did. After less than three minutes of a savage beating, Mu Cheng completely gave in.

He pleaded miserably, "Stop... stop hitting me! I was wrong! I beg for mercy! I'll smile, I'll smile, alright?"

Watching from the side, Xu Lai couldn't help but shake his head. Taotie seems to have a promising future on the path of a profligate son...

"Then smile!" Taotie glared.

Mu Cheng squeezed out a smile that was uglier than a grimace, only to receive a slap across the face. "This is a joyous day! Why the long face? Smile happier!"

"..."

Mu Cheng was so furious he nearly fainted, but he was under their roof and had no choice but to bow his head. He struggled to compose himself, fantasizing about finding a chance to release the great evil within the Crystal Ball. When I do, I'll make this brute laugh for a hundred years!

Lost in this fantasy, Mu Cheng's smile finally became less hideous.

Taotie frowned and slapped him again. "What perverted thoughts are you having? That smile is disgusting."

"You've gone too far!" Mu Cheng trembled all over. How could anyone be so humiliating? He had complied with every demand. Did they really think his Demon King Realm was just for show?

But he couldn't express his rage. In Taotie's hands, he was like a swaddled infant, completely powerless. He was even forced to reveal his true form. However, his once-vast body, now being washed in fresh water, had shrunk to the size of an ordinary washbasin.

Taotie turned back to Xu Lai to continue discussing the recipe. Listening to them, Mu Cheng was overcome with terror and rage. He could bear it no longer and roared, "Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish!"

Along with Mu Cheng's desperate roar, he spat a Crystal Ball from his mouth.

The Crystal Ball, the size of a human head, levitated high in the sky.

Taotie, who had been washing the jellyfish, paused and looked up. He sensed the faint aura of a bloodline essence from within the Crystal Ball. The sensation was so faint that Taotie almost dismissed it as an illusion. Moreover, even with his Quasi-Emperor Realm Cultivation Level, he couldn't see through its mysteries!

Xu Lai was also slightly surprised. He couldn't discern what was inside the Crystal Ball either, nor could he sense the slightest wisp of an aura from it. However, Xu Lai did sense a seal on the Crystal Ball—one comparable to the power of an Emperor Realm expert.

The creator of this Crystal Ball... was an expert of the Emperor Realm

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