Chapter 424 - 351: Bargaining
Great Wilderness Demon Court, inside the Assembly Hall of the Demon Venerable Palace.
Dozens of Communication Jade Talismans floated before Chen Sheng, their white halos continuously flowing with intelligence reports from various demon races inspecting void nodes.
Chen Sheng sat serenely on the Yin Yang Jade Throne, his Primordial Spirit swept across, a Jade Talisman relayed the voice of the Qīng Luán Emperor:
"Reporting to the Demon Venerable, the southern part has been inspected and three realm descent nodes were discovered, all in the initial gestation stages. Subordinates have ordered the clan members to set up protective formations. Should there be any activity, immediate communication will be sent."
He casually dispelled the Jade Talisman and took another with an earth-yellow halo, the voice of the Bai Xiang Clan Grand Elder carried a hint of gravity:
"Reporting to the Demon Venerable, the node within our Bai Xiang Clan territory is somewhat unique. The void passage has begun to take shape. Calculations indicate it is sufficient for Golden Core Stage and below Great Demons to pass through, and the expansion rate continues to accelerate."
"Oh?"
A hint of intrigue flashed in Chen Sheng’s eyes. Based on successive feedback from various clans, nine definite realm descent nodes have currently been discovered within the Northern Territory of the Great Wilderness Demon Court’s four quadrants.
The node in the Bai Xiang Clan’s location proves to be gestating the fastest, now capable of accommodating low-tier cultivators.
"Go and investigate!"
"I need to see what lies on the other side."
Just as the thought arose, Chen Sheng’s form vanished from the Jade Throne like ink flowing into water, leaving behind a faint trace of Yin Yang Dao Rhyme circulating within the hall.
In the next moment, within the Bai Xiang Clan’s territory in the southwest of the Great Wilderness, a subtle ripple arose in the void, and Chen Sheng’s figure abruptly appeared, landing precisely in an expansive valley.
At the center of the valley, a massive black passage suspended in mid-air, the void surrounding the passage twisted like a vortex, with faint purple spatial turbulence occasionally spilling out, striking the ground and triggering numerous fine cracks.
The Bai Xiang Emperor was leading the elite of his clan in arranging an array, wearing a heavy ivory armor, holding an ivory scepter carved with runes, injecting waves of earth elemental magical power into the array hub.
It was a "Ten-thousand Jin Mountain-stabilizing Array", based on earth-element magic that the Bai Xiang Clan excelled at, leveraging mountain forces to suppress the passage.
"Demon Venerable!"
The Bai Xiang Emperor caught a glimpse of Chen Sheng’s figure with the corner of his eye, instantly overjoyed, hastily leading the clan cultivators in kneeling and greeting:
"Subordinates pay respects to the Demon Venerable!"
The boulder suspended in his heart finally fell, with the Demon Venerable in command; even if the passage continued expanding, the Bai Xiang Clan could hold the defense line.
"Rise, how is the array arrangement?"
Chen Sheng raised a hand in a virtual support gesture, his gaze falling on the black passage, slightly frowning.
He could distinctly sense the spiritual energy fluctuation from the other side of the passage, both unfamiliar yet familiar—familiar with the flux from Illusion Sea, unfamiliar with its contained violent aura.
The Bai Xiang Emperor responded respectfully, with a trace of concern in his tone:
"Reporting to the Demon Venerable, the array is seventy percent completed, and will be thoroughly stabilized in three hours."
"However, the passage’s expansion rate is too fast; subordinates worry the array may not sustain for long term."
Chen Sheng nodded, speaking no more, but raised his hand, from his sleeve flew out five quasi-tier three puppets, palm-sized.
Riddled with runes concealing their aura, these were "Pathfinding Puppets", capable of not only aura concealment but synchronizing perceived images back.
With a flick of his finger, the five puppets shot towards the black passage like arrows freed from the bowstring, silently.
The Bai Xiang Emperor and others held their breath, gaze fixed on the puppets’ silhouettes.
Half a stick of incense later, a glaring red light suddenly erupted from the depths of the passage, the red light swept like lightning, instantly enveloping the five puppets.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Five faint sounds in succession, the five puppets turned to powder instantly, with synchronized perception instantly interrupted, leaving only a scorching aura of destruction.
"What subtlety!"
Chen Sheng’s pupils slightly contracted; he intended just to send puppets to probe for general information on the other side, unexpectedly destroyed the instant they neared the passage.
Having discovered nine nodes in the north of the Great Wilderness, plus other four domains, there’s assuredly numerous descent realm nodes throughout the Celestial Abyss Realm, increasingly overlap between the realms.
Hard to block thoroughly!
Chen Sheng could only direct subordinates to set up arrays at the nodes within Demon Court regions, Human Race region having broader territory, even if major sects searched exhaustively, omissions were easy.
He paced to the passage edge, in his bi-toned pupils circulated Yin Yang Dao Rhyme, meticulously perceiving the presence from the passage’s other end.
Moments elapsed, a thought within him became increasingly clear:
"If not coincidence, but only one possibility—that not merely accelerated descent, but holds precise locations of numerous nodes, even established precautions at each node."
This judgment heightened his vigilance within.
If accelerating descent, and capable of precision locating and monitoring multiple realm nodes, the opposing forces and tactics may undoubtedly be far stronger than foreseen.
"No wonder the opposite cultivators carry a posture of complacency."
"However, knowing oneself and opponents grants strategic advantage; even a setback in one node doesn’t rule out opportunities in others."
Chen Sheng shook his head, with a resolution made internally, turning to the Bai Xiang Emperor standing deferentially, his gaze scanned over busy Bai Xiang clan cultivators within the valley, he commanded:
"Bai Xiang Emperor, this passage is temporarily entrusted to you for safeguarding."
"After reinforcing the array, set up a three-layer warning net, should any foreign cultivators come through the passage, refrain from killing, but suppress and capture alive."
"No matter their identity or level, immediately report to me using a Communication Jade Talisman."
He paused, supplementing: "They may send consecutive tests with low-tier cultivators, do not underestimate."
The Bai Xiang Emperor agreed vigorously, raising his massive head slightly, brimming with confidence; he distinctly sensed the passage’s bearing limit.
At present, it could accommodate at most Golden Core stage passage, even Demonic Qi from Demon King level would trigger passage tremors, which bolstered his confidence.
"Subordinates abide!"
"Demon Venerable may rest assured! Should any foreign cultivators dare venture, subordinates shall bind securely, personally deliver to Demon Venerable Palace!"
Before his words finished, he beckoned several clan elders, quietly instructing details for reinforcing arrays.
Chen Sheng nodded, his form once more melded into void, transforming into a wisp of Yin Yang Qi, vanishing from the valley.
Next, he would rush to the remaining eight nodes, probing defense situations one by one, even discerning any passage’s reality would yield substantial gains.
...
Meanwhile, within the palace of the Eastern Domain Seven Killings Nation.
The Seven Kills Demon Monarch sat on the White Bone Throne, his crimson gaze slowly sweeping over the three cultivators, Li Zhenjun, Zhang, and Zhou, as the swirling myriad soul Demonic Qi in the hall seemed to freeze.
The three cultivators stood shoulder to shoulder, although they wore smiles on their faces, their fingers had quietly prepared protective spells, ready to respond to any sudden incident.
"I was born in this realm, grew up in this realm."
The Seven Kills Demon Monarch finally spoke, his voice hoarse like a broken gong, yet carrying a penetrating force:
"Friends, sects, families, disciples, all have roots in this realm. You want me to assist you in constructing the Celestial Sacrifice Platform, harvesting the origin of this realm."
"If I collaborate with you, I will become the eternal sinner of this realm, at that time, both human and demon races will attack together, and my Seven Kills lineage will have no place to rest."
Li Zhenjun felt a sense of relief in his heart, and his smile grew wider.
He exchanged a glance with the two True Monarchs beside him, Wang and Zhao, secretly mocking:
"No wonder the Saint Dao in this realm doesn’t flourish, such hypocrisy, even playing the game of three refusals."
He immediately gave them a look, stepped forward, cupped his hands and said:
"Saint Monarch, you are mistaken! We cultivators of the Saint Dao, regard the Great Dao as supreme, and seek eternal life; how can we sever our Divinity Transformation prospects for the mundane ties of friends and sects?"
"Once the Saint Monarch follows us back to the Saint Sect, commands a territory, then eternal blessings await, which is countless times better than struggling for a hundred years in this realm, turning to dust."
True Monarch Wang hurriedly echoed, taking out a Jade Scroll glowing with black light from his Storage Pouch:
"Saint Monarch, do not be confused!"
"This is my sect’s ’Supreme True Demon Treasure Strategy’, with this cultivation technique alone, it will elevate the Saint Monarch’s demon technique to another level."
"Once the matter is complete, the sect will bestow the Origin Pearl, aiding the Saint Monarch in understanding Dao Principles, breaking through to Divinity Transformation will be just a natural progression, and the Primordial Spirit Dao is near!"
True Monarch Zhao also added:
"Saint Monarch’s lifespan is nearing its end, if you miss this opportunity, it will result in the dispersal of your Dao and the end of your life, all mundane ties will become mere illusions. Only by following our sect can you enjoy eternal life!"
The three matched their words with each other, filled with temptation, as if the moment the Seven Kills Demon Monarch nodded, Divinity Transformation and eternal life would be within reach.
"Hehe..."
The Seven Kills Demon Monarch suddenly let out a low laugh, his crimson gaze suddenly sharp:
"You misunderstand my intentions."
He leisurely stood up, the myriad soul Demonic Qi around him suddenly surged, dimming the candlelight in the hall:
"I am not unwilling to cooperate, but if I join forces with you, it means abandoning everything in this realm, becoming an enemy of the entire Celestial Abyss Realm. Your promises are quite cheap."
He stepped forward, his bony finger pointing at Li Zhenjun:
"You just mentioned, the Primal Saint Sect has unified the entire Small Thousand World, with over ten Celestial Venerables of Divinity Transformation overseeing, having harvested ten Small Thousand Worlds."
"With such foundations, treasures must be countless, the Origin Pearl is a promise for the future, vague and intangible, what I want to see is sincerity in the present!"
Li Zhenjun’s smile froze on his face, secretly cursing "greedy".
Their visit had already presented the Five-tier ’Supreme True Demon Treasure Strategy’ to show sincerity, the highest gift they could offer within their authority.
Yet the other party was not satisfied, even wanting immediate benefits, he suppressed his displeasure and plastered a smile back on his face:
"Saint Monarch, what are your demands, feel free to say, as long as it is within our capabilities, we will certainly satisfy them."
The Seven Kills Demon Monarch spoke plainly, crimson gaze tinged with a hint of urgency, yet his face wore a smiling expression:
"I want a treasure for lifespan extension."
"I have already consumed the Four-tier Longevity Pill twice, my lifespan is close to fifteen hundred years, ordinary extension items are useless to me."
"At least a Five-tier Longevity Treasure is needed to extend my life, giving me enough time to assault Divinity Transformation. Since you claim to assist me in transformation, this request should not be excessive, right?"
"A Five-tier Longevity Treasure?"
The three cultivators exchanged glances, each seeing the difficulty in the other’s eyes.
A Five-tier Longevity Treasure, even within the Primal Saint Sect, is a precious item reserved for Celestial Venerables of Divinity Transformation, with the three of them in Nascent Soul Early-stage, having no authority to access such treasures.
Li Zhenjun secretly transmitted telepathically:
"Though this beast is greedy, local cultivator of Nascent Soul Great Perfection is a regional leader, critical to us in the early and mid stages before the Celestial Venerables arrive."
"It can help us rapidly control the Saint Dao forces in this realm, against the Demon Court and Human Race."
True Monarch Wang anxiously transmitted:
"But we cannot produce a Five-tier Treasure unless receiving aid from the sect."
"It’s the only choice."
Li Zhenjun gritted his teeth in transmission, refocusing his gaze on the Seven Kills Demon Monarch, loudly saying:
"Saint Monarch’s request, the three of us will accept! However, such treasures need to be requisitioned from the sect, we ask the Saint Monarch to grant us three days, and in three days we will present the treasure to you!"
The Seven Kills Demon Monarch’s crimson gaze flickered a few times, suddenly let out a sinister smile, his gaze sweeping over True Monarchs Wang and Zhao:
"Fellow Daoist Li may return alone, while the other two Daoists shall remain in the Demon Palace, allowing my hospitality for three days."
Upon these words, Li Zhenjun and the others’ faces changed dramatically, clearly intending to keep two as hostages to prevent their escape!
True Monarch Wang was about to react but was stopped by Li Zhenjun’s glance.
Li Zhenjun knew well that the situation was overwhelming, with the other side controlling the Eastern Domain Demon Path; turning hostile would mean their retreat would not be assured.
He pondered for a moment, nodded at the two, and transmitted: "Bear this inconvenience, I will certainly return with treasure in three days."
True Monarchs Wang and Zhao, though reluctant, could only nod in agreement.
Seeing this, the Seven Kills Demon Monarch smiled satisfactorily and waved to summon two attendants:
"Take the two Daoists to the ’Calm Heart Hall’ to rest, treat them well, and do not make any mistakes."