Chapter 475
When the news of Qingjing Zhu (清静竹, "Serene Bamboo") reached Jiushan Jie, the atmosphere at Leiyin Temple was electric, even to the point where it seemed the Buddha himself might descend from the mountain. Ultimately, however, it was decided that he should bring the temple's greatest treasure with him.
Excitement surged within him as he activated his Shen Zutong (神足通, "Divine Foot Technique"), traversing the vast ocean in an instant. Yet, due to his cautious nature, he also employed Tian Yantong (天眼通, "Heavenly Eye Technique") and Tian Eartong (天耳通, "Heavenly Ear Technique") to guard against any unforeseen events.
But the sea was calm, devoid of even the presence of major demons, making it feel remarkably safe.
His heart filled with doubt, he heightened his vigilance and activated Tian Eartong once more.
Suddenly, he halted, as if he had discovered something. His eyes shone with a radiant light, and after a moment, he murmured, "The coronation ceremony?"
"Is the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor about to ascend to the throne of the Demon Emperor? Seems a bit hasty..."
After a moment's hesitation, he changed direction and walked toward a gathering of demons, who were bustling about.
The Great Freedom Demon Ancestor was immensely powerful, and he dared not approach too closely. Instead, he unfurled his robe, releasing a golden bowl that hovered above his head.
As he drew nearer, he beheld a vast complex of palaces.
The foundations of the palaces sank deep into the ocean, yet half of their structures rose above the water's surface. From above, the palace roofs resembled a series of small islands.
The height was impressive, and the expanse was even more so.
He wanted to look further, but laughter echoed from within the palace:
"From Leiyin Temple?"
"Why not enter the hall to witness the ceremony?"
(End of this chapter)
**Chapter 374: The Balance of Offense and Defense, Modern Changes (8K)**
Upon hearing this voice, he pondered for a moment, then glanced at the golden bowl above his head, which bolstered his confidence. He soared forward with renewed vigor.
A creature with a turtle shell and a human-like head emerged, respectfully guiding him into the hall.
As he entered the palace, he realized it was a realm unto itself; most of the palace lay beneath the sea, yet there was not a drop of seawater inside.
However, the decorations were primarily made of pearls and precious shells.
Even though the working demons had taken on human forms, his keen eyes could discern that they were mostly transformed from sea creatures.
As they walked through coral walls, they soon turned a corner to find a grand hall adorned in gold and jade, with dragon carvings on the eaves.
Upon seeing the figures within, his heart tightened. The Great Freedom Demon Ancestor sat atop a white platform, surveying the hall.
Upon closer inspection, he realized this was no ordinary platform; it was clearly the skeleton of a giant Kun (鲲, a mythical fish).
At the forefront were the two figures of Youming Xian (幽冥仙, "Netherworld Immortal") and Qin Mu, who, as elders of the Great Freedom, held a special status before the Demon Ancestor, despite not being demons themselves.
But aside from them, the hall was filled with demons.
Though he had entered with confidence, his heart sank upon seeing the ten demon saints present.
Perhaps the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor favored humans, as these ten transformation demons had taken on human forms, yet their aura was cold and bloodthirsty. They dared not look at the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor, but their eyes turned toward him with a glint of greed...
His expression darkened, and the golden bowl above his head swayed slightly.
The sprawling palace creaked underfoot, as if it might shatter with the waves.
The small demons laboring below gathered at his feet, seemingly in worship, while the imposing demon saints prostrated themselves, their eyes filled with reverence.
"The Bowl of the World Honored One?"
The Great Freedom Demon Ancestor spoke, his tone tinged with surprise. He waved his hand, and the ten demon saints stood up, looking somewhat dazed.
Descending from the platform, the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor met his gaze. He glanced at the golden bowl above his head and suddenly smiled, "Do you wish for Qingjing Zhu?"
His pupils constricted, and as he looked at the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor, the turmoil within him surged more violently than the waves beneath his feet.
"Demon Ancestor, do you know I was coming?"
"I don't know who is coming," the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor replied, looking outside the hall with a light chuckle. "I just knew that Leiyin Temple would never easily part with Qingjing Zhu."
Thoughts raced through his mind like lightning. Looking at the ten demon saints behind the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor, he understood that this was likely a test—
If he did not possess the World Honored One's Bowl from Leiyin Temple, then there would be no discussion.
But since he had brought the bowl, everything changed in the eyes of the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor.
He lowered his gaze, avoiding the Demon Ancestor's eyes, as if he had no interest at all, and said, "The righteous and the demonic cannot coexist. As a member of the Xuanwei Five Sects, Leiyin Temple will not collaborate with the Demon Ancestor."
"Demon Ancestor?" The Great Freedom Demon Ancestor tilted his head back and laughed heartily, "Who is the Demon Ancestor?"
"I am the Great Freedom Demon Emperor!"
His expression stiffened; he hadn't expected the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor to be so quick-witted, yet it was undeniably... quite reasonable!
Seeing his expression, the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor's lips curled slightly, as if he felt quite confident.
After a moment of silence, he cautiously asked, "May I inquire how the... Demon Emperor envisions this collaboration?"
"Kill Zheng Fa and seize Jiushan Jie, and you... can obtain Qingjing Zhu."
The Great Freedom Demon Emperor stated directly, his tone revealing none of the previous fondness for Zheng Fa.
Youming Xian, upon hearing this, couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing the weight Zheng Fa held in the Great Freedom Demon Emperor's heart... it had likely increased.
He glanced at the golden bowl above his head, fell silent for a while, and suddenly asked, "What does the Demon Emperor plan to do?"
The Great Freedom Demon Emperor waved his hand, dismissing the ten saints, leaving only him, Wu Zhi, and Youming Xian Chen Ting, clearly distrustful of the other demons.
"Zheng Fa has obtained the Demon Emperor's Dao Fruit from somewhere."
Wu Zhi's expression twitched, and he understood the Great Freedom Demon Emperor's intent.
"The Dao Fruit is unique..."
He uttered those four words.
The Great Freedom Demon Emperor's expression turned cold: "The Demon Emperor's Dao Fruit is profound and vast, but when it comes to those who have truly embarked on the path, it turns out there is only me..."
"And now, there is unexpectedly another, Zheng Fa!"
The frustration in his tone was palpable, and Wu Zhi could fully empathize—he had finally been playing his own game, and now someone else had come to interfere?
"Qingjing Zhu..." The Great Freedom Demon Emperor's gaze darkened, "As long as I prove the Demon Emperor's Dao Fruit, the restraint Qingjing Zhu has over me will weaken, and I won't have much desire for it."
Wu Zhi understood all too well that the Great Freedom Demon Emperor certainly coveted Qingjing Zhu, yet he was willing to forsake a piece of heavenly spiritual root to deal with Zheng Fa.
The determination behind this made Wu Zhi silently mourn for Zheng Fa.
"So, the Demon Emperor means to jointly invade Jiushan Jie?"
"No! Who knows what lies hidden in Jiushan Jie!" The Great Freedom Demon Emperor scoffed, revealing a cautious demeanor. "To prove the Demon Emperor's Dao Fruit, the most crucial step is the coronation ceremony. No matter how powerful Zheng Fa is, he cannot compel the recognition of all demonkind."
"But I can!"
Wu Zhi nodded slowly, coming to a realization: "If Zheng Fa wishes to stop you, he can only emerge from Jiushan Jie?"
The Great Freedom Demon Emperor nodded with a smile.
Wu Zhi fell silent for a long moment before sighing:
"Zheng Fa... this..."
"Either he emerges from Jiushan Jie and dies quickly."
"Or he waits for you to complete the ceremony, and for your Dao Fruit to advance further, and then... he will also die."
"The Demon Emperor, you truly are..."
Behind him, Youming Xian and Chen Ting exchanged glances, concern evident in their eyes.
...
After their discussion concluded, the two exited the grand hall, exchanging a knowing look before heading back to their respective quarters.
Once inside, Youming Xian pulled a black talisman from his sleeve, noticing the faint ghostly light emanating from it, and sighed deeply.
At his sigh, a look of bitterness crossed Chen Ting's face.
Now, they were considered the most trusted confidants of the Great Freedom Demon Emperor, and in the future, they might even become elders of a significant power.
The prospects seemed limitless!
...If only they weren't affiliated with the Nine Nether Holy Ancestor.
"Master, do you think... the Great Freedom Demon Emperor will discover our issues in the future?"
Hearing Chen Ting's words, Youming Xian's expression mirrored his own worries.
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