Ming Zhitian coughed twice, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and patted Bake's head. "Sorry, Bake, I scared you."
Bake seemed to understand, shook his head, and rubbed against his leg.
Ming Zhitian's expression instantly turned vengeful. He opened a long-forgotten valve, and before his eyes stood magnificent, unyielding peaks, offering infinite training resources.
He neither ate nor drank, spending a day to subdue a majestic Mount Sumeru. In the following days, he continued without food or water, solely focused on training.
Only after breaking through to the early stage of Tian Jue did he weakly let his fist sink into the peak.
During this time, Bake continuously brought him food and water, none of which Ming Zhitian consumed. His fist was stained with the blood of vengeance, dripping from the peak like an endless stream.
He carried too much, collapsing powerlessly. Upon waking, he discovered he was alive. Bake lay beside him, eyes swollen from crying. Ming Zhitian touched him, gratefully accepted the food the little fellow brought, and then sat up to eat.
He now realized Bake had grown considerably. It was no wonder, after all, he had spent half a year with him in the Bei Jiao desert.
Ming Zhitian attempted to teach Bake training methods. To his surprise, Bake quickly grasped the techniques and began training with twice the efficiency.
Besides individual training, Ming Zhitian occasionally sparred with Bake, two by two, to enhance their training experience. The results were remarkable.
...
One year later!
Ming Zhitian had advanced to the late stage of Tian Jue!
Bake's strength had also undergone a qualitative leap, now comparable to the mid-stage of the Divine Rank! He could rival his father, the great lion Gu Gong.
Ming Zhitian changed his gear, packed all his new weapons, and set off for Bieyang City.
Dressed in high-ranking military attire, the guards along the way offered only reverence, no inspections. Even though Ming Zhitian wore a mask, they assumed he was on a secret mission.
The only oddity was riding a three-meter-long lion, which they attributed to the privileges of the higher ranks.
The entire Bieyang City was suspended in the air, held up by specially crafted meteorite chains, earning it the name "City in the Sky." Ming Zhitian's title, Sky King Emperor, was also derived from this.
Taking the Myriad Phenomenon Elevator from a hundred meters high to Bieyang City took only a few breaths.
In the bustling city, Ming Zhitian had no time for sightseeing and went directly to the Iron Horse Empire.
After passing through numerous checkpoints and intelligent scanning cameras, Ming Zhitian headed straight for the Angel Legion headquarters.
However, a messenger blocked his path at the entrance. "Halt. Please dismount. Animals are not allowed in here."
These were only two Qian Kun early-stage cultivators, but the Angel Legion had no weaklings; they were at least of Qian Kun level.
Ming Zhitian removed his mask. "Are you going to stop me?"
"Instructor?!"
"Sky King Emperor?!"
One was a former student of Ming Zhitian, and the other was one of Bieyang City's revered idols, a devoted fan of Ming Zhitian.
They straightened up in respect. "Instructor, please!"
Ming Zhitian rode Bake directly inside. He had now returned to his peak; no one here was his match, even if they all united against him.
Soon, the adjutant saw this scene on the surveillance monitor. "He... he... has returned! The Sky King Emperor has returned! Quickly! Quickly inform Captain Kuang Lang!"
The chairs of everyone present were in disarray as they scrambled to their feet and rushed out to notify captains and even deputy commanders.
In an instant, the entire Angel Legion was in chaos. Ming Zhitian grabbed a messenger and asked, "Where is Tian Ranlin imprisoned?"
The white-robed messenger shook his head. "This... Instructor, I cannot say. If I say, it would be considered rebellion!"
Ming Zhitian said, "I'll give you one more chance."
The white-robed messenger still shook his head. Ming Zhitian punched him, sending him flying into the wall, instantly killing him!
"And you?"
The other white-robed messenger, terrified, quickly blurted out, "At...! Tian Ranlin is imprisoned on the thirteenth level of the Heavenly Prison! Second row, fifth cell!"
Ming Zhitian patted Bake's head. "Bake, full speed ahead!"
Bake let out two roars and then pushed off with his hind legs! He rushed towards the Heavenly Prison.