"Daoist, be strong! We are inseparable!"
Lin Feng stepped forward to support Duan Liang. Seeing Duan Liang's sorry state, he felt a mix of amusement and guilt.
Gu Xiaoman and Xu Lin also felt Duan Liang had been dealt a raw deal and stepped forward to comfort him.
"Daoist, Lin Feng didn't do it on purpose, please don't be angry."
Xu Lin knew Duan Liang felt wronged.
Duan Liang's eyes welled up with tears.
"You want this Daoist to be strong? Do you know how much pain I'm in?"
"You little brat, you tricked me, took my things, and then dangled empty promises in front of me. I got nothing substantial. Are you trying to kill me?"
Duan Liang glared pitifully at Lin Feng, his expression hilariously pathetic.
"Alright, Daoist, I know you're hurting, and I'm not just dangling promises. I genuinely wish you well."
"Think about it from another perspective. You've met the Demon Emperor and the Black Fox King through me. Aren't these connections more valuable than any artifact?"
"When I become successful, I'll compensate you slowly."
Lin Feng tried his best to appease him.
"Fine. This Daoist must have owed you in a past life. I need some time alone. Please stay away from me for now."
Duan Liang straightened his back with a tremble, wiping away tears with every step.
In his advanced age, he looked like a scrawny, emaciated old horse.
"Daoist, take care then. I'll compensate you when I'm back on my feet!"
Lin Feng waved his hand.
"Pfft! Can't you give me something good to balance things out? Do you really want this to be over?"
Duan Liang's anger broke through his composure, and he bared his teeth, wishing he could fight Lin Feng.
"What else can I do? How about I use the Star Bead that the Black Fox King gave me as compensation?"
Lin Feng displayed the Star Bead; it was the only valuable item he possessed.
"The Star Bead? The Black Fox King gave it to you?"
Duan Liang's spirits immediately lifted.
Anything given by the Black Fox King was sure to be good.
"Of course, ten times the compensation if it's fake. Take it."
Lin Feng tossed the Star Bead to Duan Liang.
Although this bead had no substantial function, it was good for cleaning things and refreshing the mind.
Duan Liang happily accepted the Star Bead and played with it in his hand. It was obvious at a glance that it was no ordinary item, its quality reaching the celestial tier.
"You little brat, what does this bead do? How do I use it?"
Duan Liang, having never seen the Star Bead before, inquired curiously.
"It's simple, just throw it into the air. But..."
Lin Feng was about to warn him about the second half of the explanation when he saw Duan Liang impatiently toss the Star Bead into the air.
Seeing this, Lin Feng's heart sank, and he felt a sense of foreboding.
At this moment, the Star Bead, when thrown into the air, scattered starlight all around.
Under the baptism of starlight, the surrounding dust was cleaned away, and even Duan Liang's grubby Daoist robe was washed spotlessly.
Duan Liang, bathed in starlight, felt incredibly comfortable.
"Kid, why does this Daoist feel this bead is just an auxiliary artifact? Other than cleaning impurities, it has no other function?"
Duan Liang vaguely sensed something was not right.
"It has other functions, look!"
Lin Feng gave a wry smile and pointed towards the sky.
Duan Liang looked up and saw the Black Fox King descending from the clouds, his face ashen and his expression suggesting an impending storm of fury.
"Damn it, what's going on? Why is this great being here again?"
Duan Liang was startled. He had just been swatted away by the Black Fox King and now felt intimidated by his presence.
"Old man, did you summon me using the Star Bead?"
The Black Fox King landed on the ground, glaring at Duan Liang.
"Yes, I used the Star Bead, but I didn't summon you!"
Duan Liang was confused; he had no idea that the Star Bead's other function was to summon the Black Fox King.
"Are you sick? Do you think it's fun to mess with me?"
The Black Fox King was furious.
As a great sage of the demon race, being ordered around made him very displeased.
Sensing the Black Fox King's anger, Duan Liang, terrified, prostrated himself on the ground and said aggrievedly, "Great one, this Daoist is wronged! It was Lin Feng, this little brat, who set me up and insisted on giving me the Star Bead. How was I to know this thing was related to you!"
"Brother Black, it's not his fault. It's my mistake; I didn't explain properly."
Lin Feng stepped forward awkwardly to explain. He was afraid the Black Fox King would lose his temper and swat Duan Liang to death.
So, Lin Feng recounted the entire story to the Black Fox King.
Upon learning that the Underworld Demon Pot belonged to Duan Liang, the Black Fox King finally understood the whole situation.
"Hmph, you unlucky old man. Your own treasure became a wedding dress for someone else, and in the end, you got nothing!"
The Black Fox King sneered, finding Duan Liang quite endearing.
"Yes, you're absolutely right! This Daoist is truly a fool. Lin Feng got all the good stuff, and I'm just his laborer. This Daoist feels so wronged."
Duan Liang was almost in tears from his grievances. Finally, the Black Fox King understood his plight.
"Seeing how adorable you are, tell me, what compensation do you want? I might consider offering some amends."
The Black Fox King said, with his hands behind his back.
Duan Liang's eyes lit up, and he became spirited. "Actually, my demands aren't high. If you could grant me some divine power, allowing me to advance three levels, I would be satisfied."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Black Fox King couldn't help but give Duan Liang a rap on the head.
"What fantasy are you having?"
"And you call that not a high demand?"
"If I grant you divine power and let you advance three levels, do you think I'm your father?"
The Black Fox King's smile vanished.
At their level of strength, while they could help someone advance, such actions went against the natural order and could easily lead to backlash.
Otherwise, he would have helped Lin Feng advance long ago.
Duan Liang rubbed his sore head and said miserably, "I was just speaking casually. How about giving me some good things then?"
Duan Liang was utterly dejected; he had been beaten twice today.