Chapter 989 710: True Monarch Possession
The aroma of the tea was elegant, penetrating the divine soul, indeed it was no ordinary product.
However, Shen Xuan paused his wrist, gently placed the teacup back on the table, and did not drink.
"Cold Mountain Snow Lotus, truly lives up to its name."
Shen Xuan's voice was peculiar.
"As long as Fellow Daoist Profound Ice likes it."
True Master Shou Yang's smile remained unchanged.
Shen Xuan sighed, raised his eyes to directly confront the other: "So? Fellow Daoist Shou Yang, are you afraid that you cannot control me, and intentionally added something to this tea?"
His perception was extremely sharp.
One sniff and he sensed something unusual.
True Master Shou Yang's smile suddenly froze, his eyes instantly sharpened.
Shen Xuan sat quietly unmovingly: "This peak of Shou Yang, the Spiritual Qi is fierce, the moisture is sparse, you specifically chose this place. Hmm, you also set up an array based on the mountain's geography and veins. Let me see, it seems to be a [Yi Wood Spirit Locking Array] type of array, specifically aimed at dealing with water cultivators like me, am I correct?"
True Master Shou Yang's expression completely darkened, his figure already floating backward several dozen feet like electricity!
A crimson magic sword leapt into his hand, the sword body hummed, and a dignified fiery Qilin Dharma Aspect suddenly condensed behind him, roaring silently toward the sky, with scorching heat waves sweeping across the stone platform!
"Being the sect leader, with the title [Shou Yang], yet you have forsaken even the initial intention of cultivation and inquiry."
Shen Xuan's gaze shot like lightning, suddenly turning toward a seemingly empty patch of void on the side and rear.
"I thought too highly of your Bright Flame Sect. I thought you would adhere to the basic Daoist precepts."
"Turns out, just a bunch of unscrupulous individuals, for one's own selfishness, employing any means necessary. Am I correct, Fellow Daoist Red Flame?"
The air rippled and distorted, a figure emanating scarlet flames stepped out from the void.
It was True Monarch Red Flame!
He and True Master Shou Yang subtly formed a flanking stance, with a fierce energy tightly locking onto Shen Xuan.
"Not enough."
Shen Xuan lightly spat out two words, his gaze disdainfully sweeping over the two.
"Let me tell you now, even if you join forces, you cannot stop me."
Shen Xuan cast his gaze to the left frontward, toward the billowing sea of clouds.
"Ultimately, Fellow Daoist Red Lotus will have to take action personally. Am I incorrect?"
Just as the words fell.
A long and complex sigh echoed across the peak.
The sea of clouds churned, a figure gradually coalescing from the glow, solidifying from virtual to real.
A red robe, long mustache, eyes deep like an ancient well, it was True Monarch Red Lotus!
As soon as he appeared, the vast Nascent Soul pressure, combined with the energy of Red Flame and Shou Yang, interconnected like an intangible cage, completely enveloping Shen Xuan at the center.
The triangular encirclement instantly formed!
"Boom!"
As True Monarch Red Lotus manifested, around Shou Yang Peak, nine thick azure light pillars soared into the sky!
Within the light pillars, vaguely visible were the shadow of nine ancient sacred trees with knotted branches!
The light pillars interweaved, instantly transforming into a massive azure hemispherical light shield, like an overturned giant bowl, completely sealing the top of Shou Yang Peak and forestland spanning dozens of miles around.
The dense Yi Wood Spiritual Qi, substantial as reality, formed an indestructible wood spiritual barrier, isolating inside and out, creating a self-contained prison!
The Grand Wood Confining Immortal Array was suddenly activated!
"True Master Profound Ice, truly profound and immeasurable. I thought my arrangement was meticulous, yet you still saw through it."
True Monarch Red Lotus gazed deeply at Shen Xuan, who was surrounded at the center.
"For the eternal foundation of the Bright Flame Sect, for the overall situation of the cultivation realm in Qin Country, for the destiny of the human race. Today, I can only inconvenience you, Fellow Daoist."
The words were calm, as if stating an obvious matter.
Upon hearing, Shen Xuan sneered, his eyes full of ridicule.
"Why bother speaking so grand and dignified!"
His gaze swept over True Monarch Red Flame, whose face was sinister, and he said coldly: "Just that your junior brother's Dao body was injured by the Thunder Roc, his foundation decaying, Nascent Soul unstable, eager to find a superior flesh body for possession and re-cultivation! And my Dao body happened to be his choice."
This issue he had long suspected in his heart.
He just hadn't expected True Monarch Red Lotus to personally enter the fray, and set a trap with True Monarch Red Flame.
After all, he had made significant contributions to the Bright Flame Sect by improving puppets and training disciples.
The Tier Three Puppet he devised was crucial enough to affect the human-demon war situation in Qin Country.
Yet, True Monarch Red Lotus was willing to sacrifice him.
"In this vast Bright Flame Sect, besides me, you can't find a suitable body for possession?"
Shen Xuan looked at True Monarch Red Lotus, questioned: "I don't believe you haven't prepared alternatives."
True Monarch Red Flame justified confidently: "With such an excellent Dao body as yours, what use are those mediocre alternatives! With such dragon-like vigor, foundation like a mountain of the perfect Dao body, even in my hundreds of years of cultivation, it's the first I've seen! It's a heaven-given opportunity!"
Shen Xuan slowly nodded: "I understand now."
At the end of the day, it was because his flesh body, enhanced by multiple secret techniques, was outstanding.
Which made True Monarch Red Flame covetous.
And True Monarch Red Lotus's decision was also easy to comprehend.
On one side stood a fellow sect brother with hundreds of years of shared history, concerning the continuation of Bright Flame Sect's top battle prowess.
On the other side was merely a meritorious Honored Guest who was ultimately an outsider.
Under such circumstances, sacrificing an outsider to extend the sect brother's Dao path and solidify internal sect strength aligned with maximizing his interests.
As for the merits Shen Xuan accrued, the puppet techniques he mastered, which could affect the war situation...
In the face of True Monarch Red Flame's personal interests in re-cultivation through possession, they are insignificant.
"Profound Ice, if you want to blame, blame yourself for not knowing when to advance and retreat!"
"Attack!"
True Monarch Red Lotus commanded with a low shout, taking the initiative to strike.
Red Lotus Silk expanded with the wind, transforming to an immense size, igniting with the flames of Red Lotus Karma Fire, bearing a fearful aura that could destroy everything, descending straight towards Shen Xuan!