Chapter 1181

All the Tianjuns instantly underwent a massive change, their killing intent surging like a tide.

"What are you doing?"

"You bastards!"

The Hundred Poisons Canghai Tianjun's eyes bulged with rage, about to unleash a torrent of curses.

But soon, his expression changed abruptly as well, filled with doubt and alarm; his face cycled through fear, regret, ruthlessness, and killing intent like a great dyeing workshop.

"Why?"

Gong Gong Caiyu was equally puzzled, then her face broke into wild joy.

Everything, absolutely everything, was a voice appearing in the minds of the many Tianjuns.

"Fellow Daoists, please come to the Black Demon Palace for a chat."

This voice was gentle and kind, lacking much sharpness, yet upon hearing it, all the Tianjuns shivered in unison, thinking of something extremely terrifying; some even began to tremble.

Tushan!

After an interval of twelve hundred years, Tushan Tian Jun has awakened from seclusion!

"Haha!"

"Hahaha!"

Gong Gong Caiyu sheathed her white-scabbarded long sword, instantly transforming from a Canghai Tianjun who had swept across battlefields into a well-behaved, cute young girl: "Hundred Poisons, didn't you want to see the Young Master? Now you can!"

"Haha, please go ahead."

She was overjoyed, paying no attention to anything around her; even the Blood Demon Abyss, right at her doorstep, was ignored as she swiftly traversed space, flying nimbly toward the direction of Tushan Master Tushan Zhongting.

The remaining Tianjuns exchanged glances.

The air was oppressively heavy; no one followed immediately, not even Hundred Poisons Canghai Tianjun, who had previously been willing to unleash war just to meet the Canghai Tianjun.

A moment later.

"Oh no, I don't know how many years I'll have to sit in prison, or how much in fines I'll have to pay..."

The Moonlight Rabbit let out a cry of despair and hurriedly followed Gong Gong Caiyu's steps.

Li Qingyun Canghai Tianjun smiled faintly and also departed.

The remaining Tianjuns all sighed and left one by one, leaving only Hundred Poisons Canghai Tianjun and Six Paths Canghai Tianjun behind; both stood rooted to the spot, staring at each other as if realizing something.

"It's just a feigned posture!"

Hundred Poisons Canghai Tianjun sneered: "Not breaking seclusion early, not breaking seclusion late, but choosing this exact moment. In my view, it's nothing but all bark and no bite."

He too flew toward the direction of Master Tushan Zhongting.

Six Paths Canghai Tianjun, Yin Dao, remained silent before following suit.

The two chose not to flee.

Because, in this world, the safest place is where other Tianjuns exist; they were certain of this, whereas a solitary open space was actually the most dangerous.

Tianjuns move quickly, and with the help of the "High-Speed Teleportation Channel Network Project" distributed throughout Tushan Master Tushan Zhongting, it took only a few hours to return to Tushan Master Tushan Zhongting once again.

The capital city of this world remained as before; immortals, demons, and cultivators came and went on the mountain, with no major changes. Seeing the many Tianjuns return, they all respectfully bowed, addressing them as Canghai Tianjun with boundless reverence.

Hundred Poisons Canghai Tianjun and his group fell somewhat silent as they walked toward the mountain peak, soon arriving outside the Black Demon Palace.

Their steps paused slightly before several of them stepped into the palace.

There, they saw a sixteen-year-old youth in green robes, with a youthful appearance, sitting quietly on the Wang Zuo, gazing at them.

Just as he had been over a thousand years ago, with no change.

"Young Master, it has been a long time."

Gong Gong Caiyu widened her eyes, looking carefully at the youth before her, her face filled with joy.

"Mm, it has been a long time since I saw you too."

Jiang Ding chuckled softly.

An old friend from two thousand years ago, still able to meet today; this is indeed a great joy on the path of immortality. Only by walking the path of immortality, contending and striving within it, has this scene come to be.

"Greetings, Canghai Tianjun!"

Lou Xi Canghai Tianjun, Li Qingyun Canghai Tianjun, Night Moon Canghai Tianjun, and nine other Tianjuns bowed respectfully with hands clasped.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists."

"After an interval of twelve hundred years, to see you all again brings me great comfort."

Jiang Ding sighed: "A thousand years ago, while I was in seclusion, I often worried that upon emerging, I might find it impossible to locate a single familiar face in this world. If that were the case, so cruel, how would I conduct myself?"

"Fortunately, such a thing did not happen."

"This is truly wonderful."

"Thank you, thank you, Canghai Tianjun, for your concern."

Li Qingyun Canghai Tianjun, Night Moon Canghai Tianjun, and others all showed expressions of nostalgia.

Twelve hundred years ago, they served under the Canghai Tianjun, fighting, cultivating, listening to the Canghai Tianjun expound the Dao, explaining the bottlenecks of Soul Transformation, experiencing so many things; how could there be no affection?

With this reunion, the past rose to their hearts, and emotions surfaced once more.

Many Tianjuns immediately made up their minds: even if things did not go smoothly, they were still willing to fight for the Canghai Tianjun again, at least once.

Tushan Tian Jun chatted with the many Tianjuns about old times, recounting past events and stirring up long-forgotten memories; it was not as tense as previously imagined.

This posture made some recall the past, causing many tender emotions to reappear in their hearts.

Others felt nothing, treating this as proof, proof that their own deductions were entirely correct, and gradually felt reassured.

Some were restless, as if about to act, but restrained themselves.

They were extremely perceptive, noticing that the mindsets of the surrounding Tianjuns had changed greatly.

Tushan Tian Jun was, after all, their former ruler and elder; there were emotions between them, shared experiences and battles, and it was not

A purely transactional relationship.

In ordinary times it was fine; a thousand years of separation had indeed faded it considerably, but upon meeting again, emotion for the moment gained the upper hand.

"Congratulations, Canghai Tianjun, on emerging from seclusion, your cultivation advancing a step further!"

Hundred Poisons Canghai Tianjun and the others offered congratulations, probing as they spoke.

"My cultivation has indeed advanced a step further."

Jiang Ding smiled and nodded.

This left many uncertain and suspicious, unable to determine truth from falsehood; the divine senses covertly extended could discern nothing.

However, immediately afterward, all such probing proved to be in vain.

Clang—

Beneath the horrified, trembling gazes of many Canghai Tianjun.

The blue-robed youth on the Wang Zuo slowly drew the longsword at his waist, still smiling: "The reminiscence is done; it's time to send some Dao companions on their way."

"If any Dao companion is unwilling, they may go along together."

"Is anyone unwilling?"

Jiang Ding surveyed everyone, smiling as he asked.

The entire palace fell silent—so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

An icy atmosphere, like a cold tide, swept through the great hall, jolting the many Canghai Tianjun awake from their tangled emotions in an instant, striking them with dread.

They remembered.

Within those warm, nostalgic memories, that cold killing intent had been present from beginning to end, running through them all.

This blue-robed youth needed no one's help, no lingering sentiment, to show mercy.

He only wanted you dead.

Everyone who violated Master Tushan's laws must pay the price they owed, including death; there had never been an exception, whether old acquaintance or not.

"Ha, hahaha!"

"Laozi told you—a dog never changes its nature! And I actually worried you'd defect!"

Hundred Poisons Canghai Tianjun laughed wildly, no longer feigning composure.

He knew clearly that even if anyone could be spared, he himself could not—he had openly threatened the Zheng Sect Sect Master, and had no ties of affection with Master Tushan; whoever might be pardoned, he would not be.

So be it; he had already steeled himself, and trusted his own judgment, and was the first to step forward.

"Master Tushan is nothing but a dog putting on airs!"

"His wounds certainly haven't healed yet!"

Hundred Poisons Canghai Tianjun's body swelled violently, revealing a true form of a several-zhang-long emerald-green centipede; a foul wind assailed the nostrils, his face savage as he said: "Since the retreat is already cut off, it's nothing more than a fight to the death!"

"Fellow Dao companions, you and I join forces to surround and slay him—those who survive will have hope of the Great Dao, obtain countless heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and ascension to the Upper Realm will be within reach."

"Ice Snow Canghai Tianjun, I know your strength is formidable…"

Hundred Poisons Canghai Tianjun began courting them one by one.

Ice Snow Canghai Tianjun Mu Mu Tianxue, the first to advance to Canghai Tianjun, had always fought and slaughtered, and within Master Tushan Master Tushan Zhongting had always been known for her boundless ambition—

—known for it, privately engaging in countless petty schemes, wild and untamed.

At this moment, hearing Hundred Poisons Canghai Tianjun's words, her face immediately turned bitter.

Thud!

Without the slightest hesitation, Mu Mu Tianxue knelt.

"Canghai Tianjun, I am guilty."

Mu Mu Tianxue said deferentially: "Over these years I have committed crimes of corruption, dereliction of support, embezzlement… and so on, one thousand seven hundred and twenty-seven offenses in total, deserving a fixed-term sentence of two hundred and seventy-seven years; I beg you to punish me."

She cast aside her longsword, released all resistance, utterly abject.

"You…"

Hundred Poisons Canghai Tianjun's savage face went blank, the words of recruitment dying on his lips.