29 The Overseer

Drip, drip...

Clan Master Bai squinted his eyes as drips of water trickled down his face.

The chains rattled out noisily in the dark space as Clan Master Bai attempted to move, sobering up.

Suddenly, he became fully awake as he realized that he was chained. At the same time he gave his surroundings a quick scan.

He was in a cave. A gigantic one at that, the surface was smooth and embedded in it was several glowing stones that he had not seen before.

In the distance, he could vaguely make out a throne and a large round table; A conference table or some sort.

Other than the glowing stones, the other light source came from the constant red glow from the distance.

Out of nowhere, he shivered, as if by reflex. As he was too absorbed in observing his surroundings, he did not realize that the surroundings to his left was mildly hot while that to his right was slightly cold.

Hence, the large difference in temperature caused the involuntary shiver.

'Where exactly am I…' Clan Master Bai pondered, the temperature difference making it hard for him to focus.

Clink, clink…

The chains rattled again as he tried to shift to a more comfortable position.

'Oh, the chains…' Clan Master Bai then attempted to break the chains by using his White Qi whilst using raw strength. However, the chains did not budge, at most it gave out a pale white light.

It was then did Clan Master Bai realize that this was no normal chain, it was a superior Qi Absorbing Chain, capable of restraining cultivators.

A superior Qi Absorbing Chain was no simple grade artifact, it was capable of trapping a Spirit Ascension cultivator, an existence that almost transcended mortality.

"Hahaha...Old North, look at how pitiful your descendant is…" The devilish entity scorned as it emerged from the shadows.

"W-who??!!" Clan Master Bai exclaimed as he readied himself against the unknown, whilst generating a layer of Qi to defend himself. However, it was quickly absorbed by the Qi Absorbing Chain.

"Heh, who? Did Old North not tell you guys?" The devilish entity asked back.

"..." Clan Master Bai was unsure of what to reply. 'Who is Old North?'

"Ahem, listen up. I am the overlord of all devils, the mighty overseer. Under me are...were 4 Devil lords; Northern Lord, Southern Lord, Eastern Lord and Western Lord. So far so good?" The Overseer questioned as he squinted his eyes, ensuring that Clan Master Bai understood him before continuing.

"Long ago, the four of them and me lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Northern Lord betrayed us." The Overseer recalled as his facial expression changed from that of bliss to pain.

"And since then, the filthy humans have me trapped in some stupid formation after I slain Northern Lord with my own hands. My three remaining subordinates unknown." The Overseer clenched his fist to prevent tears from flowing out, albeit his eyes still became moist.

"Of course, even though the blood of the traitor flows in you, I hold no ill will against you. You have 2 choices, to become my subordinate or perish. Now which will you choose?" The Overseer laid out his hands with a face of compassion.

Clan Master Bai remained silent for awhile before silently murmuring, "I don't believe you. I am a human. Not some devil...You can't fool me!"

The Overseer smirked before taking out a colorless palm-sized crystal.

"T-this is the Devil's stone!" Clan Master Bai pointed his bony finger at it as he instantly recognized the crystal in front of him. It was a mystical stone that was able to confirm whether the entity was a devil or not by dripping a few drops of blood on it. If it glowed red, then the owner of the blood is a devil, if not, nothing happens.

The Overseer set the Devil's stone down as he lightly sliced across Clan Master Bai's arm, letting a few drops of blood to drip onto the stone.

Clan Master Bai held his breath as he stared at the stone, his eyes glued to it. After a while, the stone still remained colorless.

'EH?!' The Overseer exclaimed inwardly as he casual gaze turned serious. He held his breath too and glanced seriously at the stone.

"Looks like I'm hu..." Clan Master Bai was about to conclude it when suddenly, the Devil stone turned into a slight hue of red. The glowed lasted for quite awhile before fading into the darkness.

"Hahaha, see. You are a devil. It's just that your devil blood is really really really diluted," The Overseer was overjoyed as his judgement was spot on.

He then held out his red hands and said, "Now choose. Do you want to join me? Or perish?"

Clan Master Bai calmed down from his initial shock and closed his eyes. Upon reaching a decision, he opened his eyes, and as resolute as ever, he responded, "I will join you."

'I have to stay alive and become stronger so I can quickly protect Leng Mo. Please don't let anything happen to you! Grandpa will find you!' Clan Master Bai prayed before he steeled himself to give the answer.

"Congratulations! You shall now be appointed as a High Devil. Your mission is to find and gather the remaining 3 devil lords here. If they resist, you will have to punish them and bring them back alive. However, you are too weak now. Stay here and grasped the true essence behind The Lands of Eternal Blood." The Overseer quickly appointed Clan Master Bai a position and explained his future mission.

"Why must I grasp the true essence behind this land?" Clan Master Bai asked, confused as to how it would help him.

As if looking at an idiot, The Overseer sighed before saying, "All High Devils before you have to do it. It's the only way to become a High Devil."

Clan Master Bai nodded understandingly before shooting another question, "But...What exactly is a High Devil?"

Taking another deep sigh, The Overseer replied patiently, "High Devil Bai, your position is above that of the Devil Lords but below mine, obviously. When I'm not around, you will be the acting boss. You can do whatever you want but you must prove your loyalty first by finding the Devil Lords."

"Oh, I see..." Upon seeing High Devil Bai deep in thought, The Overseer decided to leave for now as he straightened himself and walked towards the magnificent door.

"Ah wait a minute, Overseer..." High Devil Bai suddenly raised his head and glanced at the departing Overseer.

When he heard High Devil Bai's voice, The Overseer became extremely annoyed as he whipped his head around and stared intensely at High Devil Bai.

"Erm, out of goodwill, I wanted to remind you to wear some...clothes. You are stark naked," High Devil Bai shifted his gaze to the ground as he solemnly said.

In the blink of an eye, a gush wind suddenly appeared and a deep crack formed by the door. Following that, the entire door collapsed and The Overseer was nowhere to be seen.