Battle Through The Heavens : I Am The Thunder Emperor

Chapter 145: A Deal Struck, The Guardian Snake Uncle

When Mo Yu heard She Wu Maru's proposal, he was taken aback and fell into deep thought.

For a long time, Mo Yu had envied Xiao Yan's powerful bodyguard and mentor, Yao Lao. Although Mo Yu had his own cultivation experience from his previous life and didn't need a teacher, his current strength was still too weak. Having a powerful protector would certainly be beneficial.

Unfortunately, Yao Lao and Xiao Yan were bound by fate, and Mo Yu had no way to interfere. Moreover, finding another powerful soul like Yao Lao wasn't easy, so this idea had remained buried deep in Mo Yu's heart.

Now, the appearance of the weakened soul of She Wu Maru stirred Mo Yu's thoughts. Even after Yao Lao was captured by the Soul Palace, Xiao Yan still had Tian Huo Zun-zhe to protect him. Why couldn't Mo Yu strike a deal with She Wu Maru? After all, She Wu Maru was a top-tier Dou Zun who had evolved into the Seven-Winged Purple-Gold Serpent.

However, Yao Lao and Tian Huo Zun-zhe were both righteous individuals, while She Wu Maru was a snake person who held resentment towards humans. His temperament was unpredictable.

Mo Yu was uncertain whether cooperating with She Wu Maru would be mutually beneficial or if it would be like bargaining with a tiger.

"Hehe, young human, don't worry. If you help free me, I, She Wu Maru, swear on my soul that I will not harm you. Furthermore, I will keep my word: I will help you reclaim the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame from that lizard by persuading the current Medusa Queen and the elders of the Snake People Tribe to assist us. How about this deal?" She Wu Maru added.

Hearing this, Mo Yu frowned slightly. The Snake People Tribe in the Jia Ma Empire was indeed powerful, but did they have the strength to defeat the Lizard Clan across such a great distance?

But then again, She Wu Maru was a powerful figure from hundreds of years ago. Could it be that he was unaware of the current state of the Snake People Tribe?

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Mo Yu began to see a possible way to negotiate with She Wu Maru.

"Senior, I won't lie to you. I'm also from the Jia Ma Empire, but as far as I know, the Snake People Tribe is not in a very good position right now. I fear they lack the strength to cross countries and reclaim the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame from the Black Lizard Demon Serpent King." Mo Yu said, bowing slightly.

Hearing this, the middle-aged soul was taken aback and quickly responded in that distinct raspy, sinister voice, "What has happened to the Snake People Tribe?"

Seeing She Wu Maru's urgent expression, Mo Yu raised an eyebrow. It seemed that despite being away from his tribe for centuries, this Dou Zun-level snake person still cared deeply for his people.

"Senior, several centuries ago, due to intense conflicts with humans, the major human empires launched multiple wars against the Snake People Tribe. Although the Snake People Tribe was powerful, they were outnumbered and eventually forced to move from the Magical Beast Mountain Range to the Tagore Desert."

"What!?" She Wu Maru's cold face suddenly turned grim upon hearing Mo Yu's words. He hadn't expected that in the few hundred years since he left, the Snake People Tribe had been driven to such a desperate state, forced into the Tagore Desert!

The survival conditions in the Tagore Desert were extremely harsh, with intense fire elements making it inhospitable even for humans, let alone for the naturally cold-blooded Snake People Tribe.

"How is the Snake People Tribe faring now?" After his initial anger subsided, She Wu Maru's soul anxiously asked.

Mo Yu reassured him, "Rest assured, Senior. The current Medusa Queen of the Snake People Tribe is both stunningly beautiful and incredibly powerful. She reached the peak of Dou Huang at a young age and has repeatedly thwarted the Jia Ma Empire's attempts to eradicate the Snake People. Now, no one in the empire dares to underestimate the Medusa Queen or the Snake People Tribe."

As Mo Yu's words sank in, the middle-aged soul's expression gradually softened. In a raspy voice, he muttered, "This generation's Medusa Queen seems to have a bit of my sister's spirit… It seems the heavens have not forsaken my Snake People Tribe after all."

Hearing this, Mo Yu couldn't help but smirk slightly. "Your sister? This Medusa Queen is none other than Cai Lin, the greatest queen in the history of the Snake People Tribe, unmatched by any."

Cai Lin not only successfully evolved into the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python using the Green Lotus Core Flame but later further evolved into the Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, becoming an unstoppable force that solidified the Snake People Tribe's place on the Dou Qi Continent.

Although much of this was due to Xiao Yan's influence, Cai Lin's talent and efforts were not to be underestimated.

After a moment of contemplation, the middle-aged soul finished his thoughts and turned his sinister eyes back to Mo Yu, a glint of interest in his gaze.

"Young human, what is your name?"

"This junior's name is Mo Yu," Mo Yu replied respectfully.

"Mo Yu… A good name." She Wu Maru murmured, then smiled mischievously. "You've said quite a lot, as if you have a plan in mind. Let's hear it…"

Mo Yu wasn't surprised that She Wu Maru could see through his intentions. After all, those who stood at the top of the continent were sharp and cunning, not easily fooled.

"Senior, the Snake People Tribe has declined and may not be able to protect you or find the materials needed to restore you to your peak. I dare to propose a new kind of partnership with you."

"Oh? What kind of partnership?" She Wu Maru licked his lips with interest, his eerie gaze fixed on Mo Yu.

Even though She Wu Maru was now just a weakened soul, as a former Dou Zun of the Snake People Tribe, even a Dou Huang would find it hard to remain as calm as Mo Yu did. The fact that a mere Dou Shi could speak so confidently intrigued She Wu Maru.

Perhaps this boy could bring him some unexpected surprises.

Taking a deep breath, Mo Yu looked up and said calmly, "I can help you restore your soul and, eventually, your physical body. In return, I ask that you protect me during this time…"

As Mo Yu finished speaking, he stared intently at She Wu Maru. If She Wu Maru showed any signs of anger or refusal, Mo Yu would not hesitate to destroy him.

After all, even a Dou Zun-level soul could be a catastrophic threat to Mo Yu.

"Help me restore my soul, and rebuild my body, in exchange for my protection?" She Wu Maru seemed surprised at first, then a sly smile appeared on his face.

"You, a mere Dou Shi, dare to make such bold claims and expect me to protect you? You should know that it's not easy to get a Dou Zun-level expert to serve you. In fact, I doubt anyone on the entire Northwestern Continent could do it."

"Do you still stand by your proposal?"

Mo Yu remained calm in the face of She Wu Maru's doubts. He knew that this reaction was understandable.

Back then, Yao Lao had helped Xiao Yan because of their years of companionship and Yao Lao's own sense of guilt. In Yao Lao's eyes, Xiao Yan was like his own disciple, which is why he was so dedicated to helping him.

When Xiao Yan met Tian Huo Zun-zhe, the situation was different. Xiao Yan was a five-star Dou Huang and a sixth-tier alchemist at the time, giving him the leverage to negotiate with Tian Huo Zun-zhe.

But Mo Yu had neither an emotional bond with She Wu Maru nor the strength to command his respect, making it difficult to strike a deal.

However, Mo Yu was not easily discouraged. Instead of replying immediately, he reached into his storage ring and took out the Earth Core Spirit Fruit.

"This Earth Core Spirit Fruit—could it help restore some of your soul's power, Senior?"

He held out the fruit, watching as She Wu Maru's eyes filled with surprise and longing. Then, Mo Yu summoned the Vermilion Bird Skyfire, the terrifying lightning-flame dancing in his hand like a dazzling, multi-colored flower.

"This is the Vermilion Bird Skyfire. As you said, once it reaches its peak, it will be a lightning force no weaker than a strange fire. My plan is to use this Skyfire to devour the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame and elevate it to its peak…"

"Skyfire…" She Wu Maru's face showed a rare expression of shock.

The Earth Core Spirit Fruit was something he knew well—a rare treasure that could enhance soul power, invaluable to him in his current state. Such fruits were rare even in Zhongzhou, yet this boy had one.

But what astonished him more was the Vermilion Bird Skyfire. Though the Dou Qi Continent had many strange things, few could rival a strange fire. A Dou Shi possessing such a powerful flame—what did that even mean?

The boy's plan also struck She Wu Maru as incredibly bold. Using the Skyfire to consume a strange fire was something even a Dou Huang wouldn't dare to attempt. This boy was giving him too many surprises.

"Who are you, really?" She Wu Maru narrowed his eyes at Mo Yu, his voice dripping with suspicion.

Had they not been in the Northwestern Continent, he would have suspected Mo Yu of being from one of Zhongzhou's powerful clans. Only such clans could produce someone capable of self-destructing to survive and nurturing such a talented youth.

Mo Yu smiled lightly. "I'm just from a small clan in a small city in the Jia Ma Empire."

**"As for the Vermilion Bird Skyfire, it was a stroke of fortune that I acquired it. And, Senior, I went from having four Dou Qi tiers to becoming a six-star Dou Shi in under three years. You, of all people, should understand the significance of that."

"And right now, I'm probably the only one who can help you, Senior. Are these terms enough for our cooperation?"**

She Wu Maru's sinister eyes gleamed with interest as he listened to Mo Yu. The more he heard, the more intrigued he became.

If the boy truly came from a small clan, then his achievements were indeed extraordinary. If he didn't fall along the way, reaching the Dou Zong realm wouldn't be difficult—he might even reach the Dou Zun level.

"You certainly know how to talk. Protecting you until you grow strong doesn't sound impossible. I'll agree to it, but the time limit will be no more than fifteen years, and only if you can completely restore my soul. A single Earth Core Spirit Fruit won't be enough." She Wu Maru nodded slowly, his tone serious.

"Restoring a soul isn't too difficult," Mo Yu smiled. "Although your soul is severely damaged, it's not irreparable. I won't stay in the Northwestern Continent forever. I'm sure there are strange items in Zhongzhou that can help restore your soul, Senior."

Fifteen years might seem short to others, but for Mo Yu, it was more than enough to grow into someone who could control his own fate.

Seeing Mo Yu's confident demeanor, She Wu Maru chuckled darkly. "I hope I haven't misjudged you. Since our deal is struck, let's leave this place quickly. That lizard bastard could return at any moment, trying to extract the secret of my evolution."

Mo Yu nodded and approached the black pillar, examining the black chains that bound She Wu Maru's soul. His expression hardened.

These chains were black, sturdy, and made of a material that seemed designed to restrain souls. Mo Yu couldn't imagine how the Black Lizard Demon Serpent King had acquired such things.

"These are soul-binding chains, crafted to restrain souls. That lizard bastard traded several fifth-tier magical cores for these chains to imprison me. They may not be thick, but they're not easy to break," She Wu Maru explained.

Mo Yu frowned as he touched one of the chains. A chilling coldness seeped into his hand, but the Vermilion Bird Skyfire within him quickly burned it away.

"Sizzle!"

Gripping the chain, Mo Yu released the crimson lightning-flame, which engulfed the chain and made it smoke.

"It seems your Skyfire is indeed extraordinary…" She Wu Maru remarked with a hint of admiration as the chains began to loosen.

Mo Yu smiled, increasing the power of the lightning-flame, which burned through the black chains and dissipated the strange symbols engraved on them.

"Snap!"

With the symbols gone, Mo Yu crushed the chain in his hand. He quickly repeated the process with the other chains, freeing She Wu Maru from his bonds.

As the chains fell away, She Wu Maru's expression of fatigue eased slightly. Though his body remained ethereal, it was visibly more solid than before.

She Wu Maru flexed his wrists, looking at the broken chains with a mix of relief and nostalgia.

As She Wu Maru finally escaped his bonds, Mo Yu tensed up. He couldn't be sure that She Wu Maru would keep his word now that he was free.

"Mo Yu, thank you. You don't need to call me 'Senior' anymore. Until you grow into a mighty tree, I'll be here to protect you." She Wu Maru's sinister eyes glinted with hidden meaning as he smiled.

He was curious to see how far this mysterious, powerful boy could go.

Hearing this, Mo Yu relaxed and smiled. "Thank you, Uncle Snake."

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