Pretending To Be A Boss
Chapter 892 - 55: The Duel Atop the Sacred Mountain

The sound of the dragon's roar echoed in the skies nineteen thousand meters above the earth—a height unreachable even by the Curse Skybird or the Golden Blaze Bird.

The Azure Dragon pierced through the sea of clouds, guided by Tang Xian's directions, and finally beheld the island suspended in the sky.

This dragon's roar reverberated like thunder, startling the ancient long-eared primates atop the Sacred Mountain, who mistook it for the return of the Ashen Dragon. Yet, the sound was markedly different.

They raised their heads in unison, their expressions transforming at the sight of the meandering Azure Dragon in the skies. Some long-eared primates, who had returned from other sacred grounds, recognized the dragon instantly. Fear seized them, as memories of the scene on Yuepela Plains came rushing back.

The primates grew restless, their chains and shackles clanging furiously. Junlin, burdened by massive restraints, gazed skyward with a startled expression.

The Judge's face mirrored Junlin's bewilderment, but soon enough, it arrived at an answer.

[So, it was you who summoned them.]

[I didn't expect him to come to save me.] Junlin felt a peculiar emotion stirring within.

He had indeed wanted to kill Tang Xian, and Tang Xian should have known. Why then did this human persist in helping him time and again?

The Judge snorted coldly.

Though faint, the sound carried a certain authority, calming the agitated primates instantly.

They abruptly realized that this was the Sacred Mountain, home to the strongest beings in existence.

The mighty dragon descended upon the Sacred Mountain, landing on the plaza before the gate leading to the Forbidden Land, blocking the Judge's path.

Figures leaped down from the dragon's back, one of them transforming into a beast and revealing its enormous true form—the Nuwa Imperial Snake.

Among the dragon and snake, several human figures became visible.

The one most familiar to the Judge, naturally, was Tang Xian.

Tang Xian's arrival disrupted the Judge's plans.

Ever since seeing the notes left by Eden's Master, the Judge had harbored an inexplicable dread of Tang Xian.

But there wasn't much confusion in its mind.

[We are destined to fight, though last time we met, you were utterly devoid of will, a defeated stray dog. In just a few short months, you now dare to stand before me?]

The vast plaza, flanked by numerous laboratories belonging to the primates, seemed somewhat reminiscent of an arena with its empty expanse.

Tang Xian mulled over it for a moment—had he ever fought in a proper setting?

It was either twenty thousand meters beneath the sea, deep within an abyss, or high above the clouds.

He stared at the Judge, then at the barely-alive Junlin behind the Judge, and said:

"You're more patient than I imagined. I thought you'd care, at least a little, about those thousands of beasts loyal to the Court beneath the Sacred Mountain."

[The fact they didn't come with you explains everything, doesn't it?]

Tang Xian nodded. The army of beasts had ultimately not dared to ascend the Sacred Mountain. The Judge was too formidable. In this world, there were plenty bold enough to declare they would defy the heavens and slay gods, but few actually dared to act on such claims.

Of course, the Judge had noticed that Tang Xian had only brought his own people. Most of them were individuals the Judge had encountered before.

Only one unfamiliar face stood out.

A blade-wielder clad in black, wearing a bird-beak mask. This was the first time the Judge had seen Dark Crow. Despite appearing human, Dark Crow gave the Judge a sense of being an exceptionally troublesome foe.

Tang Fei, Bai Mansheng, Tang Feiji, Yuan Wu, and Dark Crow.

If the fight truly broke out, Tang Xian believed Junlin would assist him, even though Junlin appeared gravely injured.

Tang Xian speculated that for the Court to control a powerful creature like Junlin, they must have kept him in a perpetual state of severe injury these days.

Earlier on the Sacred Mountain, he had sensed a catastrophic-level monster imprisoned within a jail.

"The Court is already destroyed. The foundation you built for centuries crumbled in mere days."

[They were nothing more than a disorderly rabble; as long as I exist, they will eventually return to my command.]

Tang Xian nodded.

"That's certainly true, which is why I'm conflicted."

[Conflicted?]

The Judge was puzzled.

Tang Xian said:

"If Junlin is in your hands and has managed to survive all these days, then it confirms my hypothesis. The methods Eden's Master used to create all living things lie within this Sacred Mountain, perhaps deep inside the Forbidden Land?"

The Judge was stunned. How had Tang Xian deduced this?

"This Sacred Mountain truly holds many secrets."

In truth, Tang Xian still didn't understand why the Judge had kept a team of humans on the Sacred Mountain, nor whom the Sacred Mountain's Forbidden Land concealed in its deepest depths.

Once the Judge was defeated, all those secrets would come to light.

[For centuries, you are the first to dare wreak havoc on the Sacred Mountain.] The Judge remarked.

"If I were to speak of my achievements in the Beasts' World, I could go on all day long." Tang Xian showed no hesitation today.

The Judge gazed coldly at Tang Xian:

[Do you truly think that within a span of three months, you've earned the right to challenge me?]

"I can't beat you, which is why I brought plenty of allies. Besides, a fight between us is inevitable—why not let it start now?"

A strand of Divine Sense landed upon Tang Xian.

Tang Xian could feel the Judge scrutinizing him.

He remained indifferent as the Judge spoke:

[You are indeed arrogant. Without even possessing all the Beast God legacies, you dare to challenge me?]

Tang Xian retorted:

"Since you visited that island, you should understand—if I truly gather all the Beast God legacies, you'll no longer find me to be your enemy."

[You've been to that tower?]

"It was left for me from the beginning."

[Are you still yourself?]

The Judge's tone grew urgent, betraying a moment of unease as the words spilled out.