Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

In the end, the Heavenly God chose to compromise.

It wasn’t because Mu Changsheng’s words were reasonable. In fact, he couldn’t judge whether they were or not; he simply didn’t possess that level of rationality.

He simply chose to believe.

He chose to believe in Mu Changsheng’s judgment. After all, the man had been reliable up to this point. Since he had made a decision, he must have had his reasons.

And so, Mu Changsheng quickly received the Heavenly God’s assistance. A sudden, intuitive feeling arose out of nowhere, planting a thought in his mind: ’Ang Xiao doesn’t fully trust us. Or rather, he’s actually wary of that Nameless True Monarch. The one who acted before was just a clone...’

’His true body has been following us the whole time!’

It was just a guess, a completely baseless one, yet Mu Changsheng was utterly convinced. He understood in his heart that this was a hint from the Heavenly God.

’Wait... oh no!’

At that thought, Mu Changsheng’s heart skipped a beat. ’I’ve been using my spiritual perception to contact that Nameless True Monarch... Could he have already found out?’

It wasn’t impossible.

Transmissions via spiritual perception could be detected. While the other party couldn’t know the content of the message, they could discover that a message was being sent out.

When traveling with the Old Dragon Monarch before, he had sent one message and had to come up with a very good excuse to get away with it. Just now, however, with only the Celestial Python—whose abilities were limited—by his side, he had recklessly sent out many messages using his spiritual perception.

But if Ang Xiao had been following them this whole time...

’I’ve been discovered!’

Mu Changsheng instantly abandoned all illusions. ’I’ve definitely been discovered. The only reason that guy hasn’t made a move... is because he’s probably using me as bait!’

He wants to lure out that Nameless True Monarch?

’This is not good!’

’What if the Nameless True Monarch thinks I’m secretly colluding with Ang Xiao to set him up, and in his anger, he destroys the Fruit Position Book of No Heaven...?’

What a terrible injustice that would be!

At this thought, Mu Changsheng grew increasingly anxious. ’It’s not that I’m not trying, it’s just that Ang Xiao is too cunning. My lord, you must be extremely careful...’

........

「Sea of Suffering.」

Lü Yang paced with his hands behind his back, holding the thread of spiritual perception connecting him to Mu Changsheng. After a brief moment of sensing, he shot off in Mu Changsheng’s direction.

At this moment, he felt quite relaxed. ’Mu Changsheng... is most likely being used as bait.’

’He hasn’t dealt with Ang Xiao many times, after all. How could Ang Xiao possibly entrust such a crucial matter to him and the Celestial Python?’

’The one who intercepted the Old Dragon Monarch must be his Earth-Walking Avatar.’

’That’s a fine treasure, capable of replicating almost all of his combat strength.’

’In that case, his main body is most likely following Mu Changsheng. Ang Xiao must have seen all those messages Mu Changsheng sent me.’

Thinking of this, Lü Yang couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

’Hmph, he thinks he can manipulate me, but he has no idea that I’m on my home turf this time... And my current strength should be far beyond his expectations!’

.......

「The Sea of Suffering, another area.」

Beside Mu Changsheng and the Celestial Python, a figure shrouded in a smoky aura—Ang Xiao—followed with his hands clasped behind his back. He was right beside them, yet they remained completely oblivious to his presence.

Just as Lü Yang had predicted.

He would never entrust something as important as the Fruit of Celestial Fire, an Emperor Fruit, to others. Only by watching over it personally could he ensure that nothing went wrong.

What he hadn’t expected, however, was this pleasant surprise.

’Mu Changsheng is actually in contact with an outsider. Who... No, no need to guess. It must be that nameless beast. Is he trying to steal from me again?’

At this thought, Ang Xiao couldn’t help but grit his teeth. For the past five years, he had watched that man first use the Dao of Arcane Body to return to his peak, then swallow the Fruit of Spring Water, growing stronger bit by bit. That feeling was honestly more agonizing than his own fall from his Realm had been.

’This time, I’ll make sure you take a nasty fall!’

Ang Xiao wasn’t afraid of his enemy appearing. He was afraid the man would hide from him and disappear without a trace. That would truly be a torment, like a hundred claws scratching at his heart.

Thinking of this, he immediately began to set things up.

Trapping Arrays, sealing arrays, and several Secret Treasures he had refined over the past five years—all could be used in coordination with the Fruit of Great-Forest Wood. He would guarantee that the moment that beast appeared, he would be salivating!

Just then, the Celestial Python and Mu Changsheng abruptly stopped. They saw the waves of the Sea of Suffering stir in the distance, and a figure with his hands clasped behind his back walked out from the water.

’Is that him?’

Ang Xiao glanced over, but his brow furrowed. ’No, that’s not him... I don’t know this person. Who is he? Judging by his Position, is he an Orthodox True Monarch?’

Encountering a fellow Daoist in the Sea of Suffering was a rare occurrence, but not entirely impossible. The main thing was that this person was completely different from that beast. A powerful aura of the Dao emanated from him, a clear sign of his exceptional talent. He didn’t look like someone who would be associated with that beast.

At the same time, the newcomer also noticed them.

The next second, he cupped his hands in a small salute and smiled. "I didn’t expect to run into fellow Daoists in the Sea of Suffering. I am Guanming. And you are?"

Before the man could finish speaking, the Celestial Python said coldly:

"We are not acquainted. Leave now, or don’t blame us for getting forceful!"

"Er..."

Hearing this, the man’s smile froze. He looked a little awkward, but he quickly saluted again. "If that’s the case, then perhaps we’ll meet again."

With that said, he turned and left.

There was nothing suspicious about him from start to finish. At most, he had glanced at the Celestial Python from a distance. Ang Xiao thought for a moment and decided not to follow.

.......

"Progenitor, what did you find?"

"It’s definitely the Fruit of Celestial Fire. No mistake."

With his wide sleeves fluttering, Progenitor Tingyou smiled. "I’m quite familiar with the Fruit of Celestial Fire. I even borrowed your hands to observe it a few times back in the day."

"I shouldn’t be mistaken."

"That’s great!"

With Progenitor Tingyou’s confirmation, Lü Yang immediately made his decision. "Prepare to move!"

......

"We’re finally here!"

Staring at the high platform before him, the Celestial Python finally let out a sigh of relief. This was the exact location he and Ang Xiao had agreed upon during their secret plotting.

He had no idea why such an out-of-place platform existed in the Sea of Suffering.

But it didn’t matter.

’My mission is complete!’

According to Ang Xiao, as long as he delivered the sealed Fruit of Celestial Fire to the platform, he wouldn’t have to concern himself with the matter any further.

Thinking of this, the Celestial Python even felt a little dazed.

He thought back. The Old Dragon Monarch, whom he had revered as a god; World Purger Fei Xue, the "Five Thousand Years of Fighting Number One"; and even True Monarch Gangxing.

He had tricked them all in the end.

They had schemed and plotted for ages, only for a nobody like him to swoop in and reap the rewards. A great sense of satisfaction filled the Celestial Python, and a look of arrogance surfaced in his eyes.

’The heroes of this world... are nothing special after all.’

The very instant that thought formed, a dazzling light suddenly filled his vision, bright as a candle flame, and he found he couldn’t look away.

’...Huh?’

What was happening?

Then, he saw a hand reach out and calmly take the Fruit of Celestial Fire—the very thing he had risked his life and exhausted all his strength to obtain.

At that moment, the Celestial Python felt a sharp pang in his heart.

It felt as if he had gone through countless hardships to marry a stunningly beautiful wife, only to see her happily run off with another man who had merely beckoned to her.

’But I was here first...’

Meanwhile, Lü Yang looked at the Celestial Python with a rather friendly expression. After all, the fellow had fought tooth and nail just to deliver this package to him.

With that in mind, Lü Yang casually tossed the Fruit of Celestial Fire in his hand.

’Package received!’

’Don’t you worry, I’ll take good care of it!’

The next second, Lü Yang suddenly sensed something and looked up.

His eyes met the sight of Ang Xiao, who had already revealed his form and was laughing boisterously. "Excellent! You beast, this time you have no chance of escape!"