Demon Lord (6): He is just a young dragon whose hair has not yet grown fully, what is he talking about! 

Near the Demon Palace, the land was barren, and no one lived there.

Ordinary demonic cultivators and demonic creatures didn’t dare to approach this area. They feared Demon Lord Haotian and those who came to cause trouble for him.

When Demon Lord Haotian fought, sometimes he couldn’t control his power, and the overwhelming demonic energy would kill all living beings near the Demon Palace. No one wanted to live in a place where even the hardiest weeds, common in the Demon Abyss, couldn’t grow.

However, not far from the Demon Palace, there was a bustling city—the largest and most lively city in the entire Demon Abyss.

Two hundred years ago, during the reign of Demon Lord Chi Lian, who had a habit of devouring demons, no one lived near the Demon Palace except his subordinates.

But since Demon Lord Haotian took over, things had changed significantly.

Demon Lord Haotian never actively attacked those living nearby, so more and more demons settled around the Demon Palace.

Later, when demonic cultivators discovered that Demon Lord Haotian didn’t demand “protection fees,” they became even more willing to live here. Over two hundred years, this place had grown into the largest city in the Demon Abyss.

The so-called protection fees were essentially tributes paid to a demon king or demon lord.

Generally, living within the territory of a powerful demonic creature or demonic cultivator required paying tribute to them.

Doing business within a demon lord’s territory required even more demon stones as tribute.

Over the years, some people did offer tributes to Demon Lord Haotian, and he would accept them. However, he never actively demanded money. As a result, the demons living and doing business within his territory faced much less pressure, making them more willing to settle here.

Gu Juntian used a magical artifact to conceal his face and selected a robe from Zhou Qinghao’s collection that could completely mask the aura of a human cultivator. Only then did he take Zhou Qinghao out to the city named “Haotian City.”

Before the original owner attempted to assassinate Zhou Qinghao, he had stayed in that city. He remembered that there were many shops there, and you could basically buy anything you wanted.

The city was also home to many powerful demonic cultivators. If they needed help repairing the Demon Palace, they could just ask these cultivators for assistance.

Gu Juntian, carried along by Zhou Qinghao, arrived at the city gates in an instant.

After the two stopped, Gu Juntian said, “Qinghao, there are many delicious things in this city. You can try them all later.”

Zhou Qinghao let out a soft “Hmm,” his voice coming through his nose, clearly a bit unhappy.

Gu Juntian asked him, “You’re not happy? What’s wrong?”

Zhou Qinghao looked at Gu Juntian, who was wrapped up tightly, raised an eyebrow, and asked discontentedly, “You don’t want others to see us together?”

He wanted to show off his incredibly handsome partner, but instead, Gu Juntian wouldn’t even reveal his face.

Gu Juntian indeed didn’t want others to see his appearance.

When the original owner came to assassinate Zhou Qinghao, he had disguised himself specifically to avoid implicating his sect and the dragon clan. It was only after being captured by Zhou Qinghao that those disguises were completely torn away.

Now, he certainly couldn’t show his face either.

Otherwise, if word got out that the youngest Nascent Soul cultivator in the cultivation world, the closed-door disciple of the Qingyun Sect’s leader, was traveling through the Demon Abyss with Demon Lord Haotian, it wouldn’t just cause trouble for the Qingyun Sect—it would also bring trouble to Zhou Qinghao.

The original owner’s master might even come to the Demon Abyss to rescue him!

The dragon clan might also take notice of Zhou Qinghao because of his presence in the Demon Abyss.

If Zhou Qinghao were already an adult, he wouldn’t have to fear those people. But Zhou Qinghao wasn’t yet an adult, and during his transition to adulthood, there would be a period when he would be extremely vulnerable.

It was better for Gu Juntian to keep his identity hidden and avoid drawing attention.

Of course, he had to reassure Zhou Qinghao first.

Gu Juntian joked, “What’s so good about letting others see? What if someone tries to take me away from you after seeing me?”

After the joke, Gu Juntian was about to explain the stakes to Zhou Qinghao when he heard Zhou Qinghao say, “You make a good point.”

With that, Zhou Qinghao waved his hand, and a vast surge of demonic energy enveloped Gu Juntian completely. Now, outsiders couldn’t even make out Gu Juntian’s figure.

Gu Juntian was momentarily stunned.

Zhou Qinghao, however, was very satisfied. The demonic energy wrapped around Gu Juntian and connected to his hand, as if he had tied Gu Juntian up and was leading him by a leash.

This way, Gu Juntian definitely couldn’t escape, and no one could take him away.

Zhou Qinghao proudly led Gu Juntian forward: “Let’s go, we’ll eat something!”

When he was young, he had also loved eating and had an intense craving for food.

But it was also because of food that he had suffered many injuries and endured a lot of hardship.

So, after he no longer needed to eat, he stopped.

Now… he wasn’t sure what his little partner liked to eat.

Zhou Qinghao had never been to this city before.

As soon as he entered, he was captivated by its bustling atmosphere.

When he was young, he had lived a life of constant displacement, always hiding and on the run. Coupled with the fact that people around him were always hostile, he never went to crowded places.

After his strength grew a bit, he wasn’t afraid of people anymore, but he still disliked strangers and rarely went out. Instead, he spent year after year sleeping and cultivating in his cave.

Even after becoming the Demon Lord, he continued living this way.

This was the first time Zhou Qinghao had seen such a vibrant city.

If he were alone, he wouldn’t have been particularly interested in the city. But now, his little partner was by his side.

“This is Haotian City, my city. Isn’t it big? Is there anything you’d like to eat?” Zhou Qinghao asked Gu Juntian.

Although wrapped in demonic energy, Gu Juntian could still see Zhou Qinghao’s expression clearly.

Zhou Qinghao looked exactly the same now as he had when he was showing off the treasures in the underground palace earlier.

However, it was obvious that Zhou Qinghao wasn’t very familiar with this place. Not only did he extend his spiritual sense outward, but his eyes also kept darting around, filled with curiosity about everything.

Most of the food in the Demon Abyss couldn’t be eaten by righteous cultivators, so Gu Juntian naturally didn’t have any particular cravings.

As for what to eat next, he probably wouldn’t need to make the decision.

The Demon Lord Haotian had appeared in Haotian City without any disguise, so the powerful demons in the city would surely come to find him.

Gu Juntian’s thoughts were correct.

As soon as Zhou Qinghao finished speaking, a fat and a thin demonic cultivator appeared before them, kneeling and bowing to Zhou Qinghao: “Greetings, Your Majesty!”

Within just a few seconds, seven or eight more powerful figures from the Demon Abyss appeared before Zhou Qinghao, kneeling and saying, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

In front of Gu Juntian, Zhou Qinghao often showed a hint of pride, but when these people appeared, his face became completely expressionless, exuding an aura of power and danger.

The powerful figures of the Demon Abyss could clearly sense his overwhelming strength. They knelt on the ground, not daring to move.

“Rise,” Zhou Qinghao said.

The powerful figures of the Demon Abyss stood up, only to see the formidable Demon Lord Haotian holding the hand of a person wrapped in demonic energy, his expression cold and indifferent, as if nothing in the world could catch his attention.

This Demon Lord was indeed not an easy person to please.

He cared about nothing and wanted nothing. They had once brought treasures to him, and while he accepted them, he never paid them any mind.

The beautiful men and women they sent to him were completely ignored.

However, recently, it was said that he had captured a human cultivator and kept them locked in his private chambers.

Demon Lord Haotian didn’t take on many subordinates, but some ordinary demons who had helped clean the Demon Palace during the reign of Demon Lord Chi Lian and lived on the outskirts of the palace were not driven away by him.

Those who brought treasures to the Demon Palace seeking protection were also allowed to stay.

Thus, there were still some people living on the outskirts of the Demon Palace, and they were able to learn some news about the palace.

Now… could this person wrapped in demonic energy be that human cultivator?

Did Demon Lord Haotian bind him with demonic energy and lead him around to humiliate him?

Various thoughts flashed through the minds of these demonic cultivators. Finally, the fat demonic cultivator who had appeared first smiled and asked, “Your Majesty, what brings you to Haotian City? Is there anything you need?”

Zhou Qinghao replied, “My partner wanted to come here for a stroll and eat something.”

As he spoke, he wrapped the thread of demonic energy around his index finger.

Zhou Qinghao’s expression remained cold, and his words carried a heavy pressure, fully embodying the demeanor of a Demon Lord.

But in his heart, he was cheering with joy.

He had a partner! He wanted to show these people, to let them know!

Even though he couldn’t reproduce, he still had a partner!

It was also good that his partner was a man. That way, others wouldn’t know that he couldn’t reproduce—they’d just think his partner couldn’t have children.

Zhou Qinghao happily tugged on the thread of demonic energy in his hand.

While Zhou Qinghao was overjoyed, the people around him were utterly stunned.

The demonic cultivators hadn’t expected Zhou Qinghao to treat the human cultivator who had broken into the Demon Palace as his partner.

Although the Demon Lord seemed to treat this partner with little respect, dragging him around, they still didn’t dare to underestimate the human cultivator whom the Demon Lord called his partner.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Your Majesty, I have prepared a banquet at my home. Would you honor us with your presence?” the fat demonic cultivator immediately asked.

Of course, there was no banquet at his home, but if the Demon Lord agreed, he could have one prepared in no time.

Zhou Qinghao glanced at the swirling mass of demonic energy beside him, seemingly casual as he asked, “Shall we go?”

Gu Juntian finally snapped out of his daze, a look of helplessness on his face: “Let’s go.”

Interacting with these people was part of Gu Juntian’s plan.

He intended to have Zhou Qinghao win over these powerful demonic cultivators who already lived within his territory, along with the forces behind them.

This way, Zhou Qinghao wouldn’t lack manpower.

But he hadn’t expected Zhou Qinghao to introduce him as his partner.

He was just a young dragon, not even fully grown—what did he know about having a partner?

But since they were in public, he had to give Zhou Qinghao face.

Gu Juntian didn’t argue, planning to have a proper talk with Zhou Qinghao once they returned to the Demon Palace.

Such words couldn’t be thrown around carelessly.

At the very least, he should wait until adulthood before thinking about having a partner.