Ten days later.
Zhou Hong arrived at the forest not far from Black Wind Cave.
This was where Zhou Hong's parents were killed.
Zhou Hong's parents were killed by a demon beast within Black Wind Cave, a beast whose strength had reached the Spirit Awakening stage.
Zhou Hong had originally intended to pay respects to his parents here and then, if possible, avenge them.
But now, it seemed like a pipe dream for him, a cultivator in the early Fusion stage, to kill a demon beast in the Spirit Awakening stage.
"Father, Mother, rest in peace." Zhou Hong arrived at the entrance of Black Wind Cave, took out the offerings, lit a few incense sticks, and began his tribute.
"Roar," at this moment, a roar came from within Black Wind Cave, and a strong gust of wind surged out.
"Not good, I haven't even lit the candles, and this beast is already rushing out." Zhou Hong was furious. Not only had this demon beast killed his parents, but it had also rushed out to disrupt his tribute before the candles were even lit.
Zhou Hong's anger flared. He decided to take a gamble. He would lure it into his sub-world. Although his sub-world couldn't withstand the beast's power, the Dark Golden Crow was within his sub-world. Zhou Hong believed the Dark Golden Crow wouldn't stand by and watch, as his sub-world collapsing would mean his own demise.
Thus, Zhou Hong instantly opened the gate to his sub-world, connecting it directly to the entrance of Black Wind Cave.
Indeed, a few seconds later, a powerful demon beast rushed out of Black Wind Cave.
The beast instantly charged into Zhou Hong's sub-world.
"Huh?" The demon beast also paused, appearing confused to find itself in a different realm.
At this moment, Zhou Hong got a clear look at the beast. It resembled a toad, with an incredibly fast tongue capable of snatching prey hundreds of meters away.
"Dark Golden Crow, come out quickly, or we'll both die!" Zhou Hong shouted from within his sub-world.
As expected, the Dark Golden Crow, floating in the sky, sensed the danger.
"You lowly human, you've brought in a beast you can't handle. Are you seeking death?" the Dark Golden Crow roared in anger.
"I'm sorry, but I had no choice. Now that it's in, my mental power will collapse any moment. Either you defeat this beast for me, or I die, and you die with me," Zhou Hong said, half begging, half threatening.
"You lowly human, forcing me to act like this!"
"If I don't, I'll die even faster."
The next second, Zhou Hong felt his head about to explode, as his mental power could no longer sustain the sub-world. Unless the beast was expelled instantly.
"Senior Dark Golden Crow, please, act quickly!"
Although the dark clouds in the sky were angry, they knew Zhou Hong was in imminent danger.
In the next instant, the Dark Golden Crow instantly annihilated the demon beast.
Zhou Hong's mental strain immediately eased.
"Hoo!" Zhou Hong took a deep breath.
"Thank you, Senior Dark Golden Crow," Zhou Hong said with a smile, not expecting the Spirit Awakening stage demon beast to be killed so easily.
"You lowly human, if you ever do something like this again, I will not help you. We can die together," the Dark Golden Crow roared in fury.
"Senior, I encountered this beast outside, and if I hadn't lured it into my sub-world, it would have eaten me. By leading it here for you to deal with, I at least had a slim chance of survival," Zhou Hong spread his hands, feigning helplessness.
"Aaaargh!" The Dark Golden Crow let out a roar of unwillingness, seemingly devastated by being imprisoned by a weak human.
"Stop roaring and accept your fate. I know you're angry, but you should also consider that if you hadn't entered my sub-world and were still in that deep underground pit, your life would be even more miserable. Here, in my sub-world, you are at least more at ease and happy." Zhou Hong said.
The Dark Golden Crow paused upon hearing Zhou Hong's words. What Zhou Hong said was not wrong. Compared to being sealed in a deep pit on Earth, its current situation was indeed much better.
"Come on, Golden Crow Senior, let's be friends. You help me cultivate. Only by me cultivating to immortality faster can you gain your freedom sooner," Zhou Hong invited again. If the Dark Golden Crow were willing to help Zhou Hong cultivate, Zhou Hong's progress would be meteoric.
"Hmph, your grandfather in your past life sealed me for so long, causing me immense suffering. You still expect me to help you? Dream on," the Dark Golden Crow sneered defiantly.
"It's all fate. Moreover, isn't this an opportunity for you?"
"Bah."
"Heh heh, if in the future I become an supreme existence, even more powerful than my grandfather in my past life, perhaps even a god, then would following me now not be an opportunity for you?" Zhou Hong asked.
"Stop feeding me empty promises. You, a lowly human, dare to harbor such ambitions."
Zhou Hong wasn't angry and chuckled, "Even I, a lowly human, have obtained a sub-world. What does that say? It means I'm not that lowly."
"You!" The Dark Golden Crow was taken aback. Indeed, for such a weak human to possess his own world, among humans, it represented an extraordinary opportunity.
"Come on, Golden Crow, help me. I believe it's an opportunity for you too. Besides, you have no other choice now."
The Dark Golden Crow hesitated, pondering whether to help Zhou Hong.
"Stop hesitating. Although I may seem very lowly in your eyes now, from another perspective, you, who are so powerful, are still subject to me. This shows that my potential is far greater than you imagine." Zhou Hong continued his psychological assault, breaking down the Dark Golden Crow's defenses.
"Let me think about it." The Dark Golden Crow finally seemed to be loosening up. Every word Zhou Hong spoke struck a chord within it. Especially the last sentence: such a powerful being as itself was still under Zhou Hong's control.
Thinking from this perspective, perhaps Zhou Hong truly had an extraordinary future. Helping him might not be a bad idea.
"Golden Crow, stop thinking. All of this is predestined."
"Fine, fine. As you wish." After a moment of hesitation, the Dark Golden Crow seemed to resign itself.
"Haha, your choice will definitely be the right one. So, from today onwards, we are friends. If you don't mind, may I call you Brother Golden Crow?" Zhou Hong asked with a hearty laugh.
"Alright," the Dark Golden Crow sighed.
"Brother Golden Crow, I'll need your guidance in the future." Zhou Hong was overjoyed. With the Golden Crow's assistance, he had no doubt that his cultivation would progress rapidly.