Chapter 342: Return (Ten-Thousand-Character Chapter)

Spirit Severing stage.

Even in the current state of the world, as an individual who could finally be regarded as a "person," this newcomer who had ascended to the ranks of Great Cultivators had just emerged from the sealed cocoon of the Dragon Palace, taking the lead among the geniuses of their generation.

Du En.

【Age: 53/2433】

【Spirit Root: Low Grade】

【Cultivation: Spirit Severing Initial Stage (0/100)】

【Cultivation Method: Radiant Splendor Canon (Minor Achievement 0/100000)】

【...】

Amidst such attention, Du En did not linger too long in the afterglow of his breakthrough; he quickly used the interface to understand the most obvious and intuitive changes.

His cultivation method had successfully transitioned to Minor Achievement, his lifespan had increased by a full thousand years, and his divine sense had expanded to a range of two thousand miles, capable of peering deep into everything on the front and back of the surface space within that range, while his sensory tentacles had already reached the edge of the inner space.

The form of space is very complex, but generally, it can be divided into the surface layer, the inner layer, the deep layer, and the framework and branches at the very bottom, which are the laws and principles of space.

Spatial movement and various techniques affecting space during the Nascent Soul stage were actually limited to the surface layer, and even then, only to the front of that surface; their influence on the back was very limited, so although they could cause it to shatter, it would heal very quickly, as they were unable to touch the root.

But upon reaching the Spirit Severing stage, one begins to delve deeper into space; the divine sense of a normal Spirit Severing initial stage cultivator begins to cross the front of the surface layer and formally reach the back, which can be said to be a gradual and complete mastery of surface space.

Thus, the ability of spatial movement transformed into spatial manipulation.

Yet Du En had clearly gone a step further; just after breaking through, he had already completely mastered the surface space and his tentacles had crossed the back of the surface layer to reach the edge of the inner layer. With just a little more breakthrough in cultivation or technique, he would be able to reach the inner layer, at which point causing the surface space to collapse and shatter would be an effortless task.

Even now, as long as he brewed his power for a moment, he could do the same thing.

As for operations like movement, manipulation, and folding, they were even more like second nature, done exactly as he pleased.

"Next, is the Primordial Spirit coercion, and the ability to control things, and..."

Primordial Spirit coercion, that is, the Primordial Spirit that has transformed and emerged, is born with a kind of interference and influence on the outside world—or rather, on the reality beneath the surface—drawn out by the exploration of principles.

As one's focus gathers, this passive, invisible interference also gathers and focuses, causing Nascent Soul stage cultivators, who can begin to sense the clues but cannot understand the substance, to experience a intense pressure.

This is just the passive form, a result that normal Spirit Severing stage cultivators find difficult to fully restrain.

If actively triggered and actively interfered with, the intensity can be increased hundreds or thousands of times, thereby forming a crushing coercion against lower-level cultivators; one could easily crush the other party to death without actually making a move, which is how it got its name.

At this moment, Du En could clearly fully control and restrain his coercion, but he deliberately let a little leak out, appearing quite unpracticed. This was one of the reasons he became a highlight, and it also brought a tiny bit of "Spirit Severing shock" to those geniuses who had just recovered from their various states of emotional stupor.

They subconsciously lowered their eyes, not daring to look directly, only feeling that as time passed, an extra burden had been placed on their shoulders, and its magnitude was rising rapidly, gradually making them unable to breathe.

At this moment, Du En raised his hand and grabbed toward the sea. That ability to control spiritual energy, which had evolved all the way from the Golden Core stage and could now exert control over physical objects, easily snatched a piece of skin that was secretly drifting with the current, attempting to slip through, from an undercurrent a thousand miles deep on the seabed.

To the eyes of the downcast geniuses, it appeared as if the seawater had suddenly become incomparably docile, as if it had grown thousands of hands, respectfully presenting and offering the object within it up to the high heavens, into the hands of that Great Cultivator.

Wicked Dragon skin! Grayish-black in its entirety, ugly and ferocious, nauseating to behold, yet it was the only thing that had not been buried in the deep spatial annihilation seams along with the wreckage of the Dragon Palace.

It was not actually dead; it still wanted to run now, but...

"No consciousness, only the root seed remains?"

This situation was very peculiar; even with Du En's current Spirit Severing stage perspective, he still could not see through it, only able to discern this superficial appearance.

Judging from the fact that the Supremes had just tacitly ceased their hands, perhaps this was some kind of failed product, a semi-finished item?

He could not help but be lost in thought, casually using a suit of Profound Armor as a coffin to seal it away. He also attempted to expand space inside it to actually test his spatial manipulation power. After doing this, he poured a storm of sand and dust into it, further wrapping and isolating the Wicked Dragon skin inside.

For now, although his proficiency in these two spells was still not high, they were the best templates for testing the changes brought about by the improvement in his realm, and they also showed the expected increase in power, a situation that made Du En nod to himself.

Not bad.

"Not bad, it was indeed the right choice to give the Canon to you."

The words of True Monarch Zhuding ringing in his ears were like a signal, causing the half-pause that had previously fallen over the scene to immediately begin moving again.

The True Monarchs of the various immortal sects moved silently and as a matter of course, severing the invisible influence accumulated by his leaked coercion, allowing the crowd of Nascent Soul geniuses to finally be relieved of the heavy burden, gasping for air one after another, unable to restrain themselves.

That is the Spirit Severing stage!

Their eyes were burning, especially the few who were confident they could break through after surviving death; they appeared even more impatient, wanting to return to heal their wounds and then attempt a breakthrough themselves.

They could not let Du En hog all the glory!

However, after their emotions cooled down, a situation could not help but emerge.

A cultivation method mastered upon transition? The bearing of a heaven-sent prodigy?

Not to mention that light and easy step of eating hundreds of pills to break through effortlessly, just the situation of his cultivation method transition alone made people feel shocked! At this moment, their minds and thoughts were completely unblocked, and they immediately grasped this key point.

And so, by observing their emotions and thoughts, the True Monarchs, who appeared unrestrained and did not care at all about individual will, also generally knew the gist of it.

"Silent for three years, then stunning everyone with a single call?"

"Transitioning upon learning exists, but it shouldn't be 'learned the moment it's taught'."

"Borrowed the lingering hatred of a Phoenix to break through? Tsk! I wouldn't even dare to touch the resentment of that Divine Venerable."

"Overall, it can only be called a weak prodigy, the kind that barely touched the threshold."

The four True Monarchs each had their own thoughts, and as they looked at each other, malice stirred.

Although he had only just touched the threshold, even just this was already an entire Spirit Severing stage of accumulation more than other geniuses; the possibility of him breaking through to the Integration stage in the future and truly reaching the same height as them was obviously much higher!

Stifle threats in the cradle, nip enemies in the bud! The malice that stirred in them subconsciously was exactly this! "Hahaha, Brother Dao, another promising junior has emerged from your sect; how joyous and congratulatory!"

True Monarch Kezhan chuckled and congratulated True Monarch Zhuding, placing it directly in the open, allowing Du En and the geniuses below to hear it as well.

With a swish, they, who had been gathered in groups, immediately scattered, distinct and clear.

It was just that the total annihilation of Mucang, the death of Fudong, the sole remaining seedling of Zhijing being crippled, and Xiulin being a group of remnants—only the Luoyu side still had a fair number of people, exactly ten.

Subconsciously, they gathered toward Du En's side.

He looked up at the high sky, appearing completely fearless.

"Quite bold, aren't they."

"Seemed quite arrogant before, didn't he?"

"..."

True Monarch Taotie and True Monarch Youfeng spoke up, their malice the most obvious.

Because each had secretly employed their own methods, it was already confirmed that Du En was the key factor in the destruction of the two sects' forces! The mysterious True Monarch of the Stop-Limit Immortal Sect did not say much; although a subtle, restless malice was faintly present, the action actually taken was to directly wipe away the Dao-wounds suffered by Rui Yi and the remnants of the Heart-Demon Flesh Bodhisattva.

A heaven-proud seedling who had comprehended a divine ability early on must not be truly ruined under the watchful eyes of enemy sects.

This behavior itself revealed such an implication, such hostility.

In an intangible way, it also seemed to be putting pressure on True Monarch Zhuding, and along with it, the attitude of the ambiguous True Monarch Kezhan also appeared equally ill-intentioned...

Regarding these overt or covert malices, True Monarch Zhuding did not care in the slightest, only chuckling as he said: "It seems too few people died this time; would you like me to kill all of you as well to help the atmosphere?"

"..."

He spoke as if it were a matter of course, appearing perfectly justified, causing the four True Monarchs to fall into silence for a moment.

Domineering!

Confident!

The key is, it was not arrogance, just reality! Those who couldn't beat him even when they attacked together thousands of years ago, naturally still couldn't beat him now, thousands of years later.

Because True Monarch Zhuding was never the type to stay in place, waiting for defeated foes to catch up! "Hmph!"

True Monarch Taotie let out a cold snort, his figure swelling to a massive size, and with a gust of evil wind, he departed directly toward the east.

"Heh!"

True Monarch Youfeng let out a cold laugh, simultaneously transforming into a gust of yin wind, quietly and profoundly departing toward the west.

"..."

The mysterious True Monarch did not utter a word, only waving a hand to take Rui Yi and return toward the south.

Finally, in the blink of an eye, only two parties remained: Luoyu and Xiulin, who had originally agreed to explore the Dragon Palace together.

Tao Shao, this leading general among his peers, dared not look directly into the sky at this moment, only glancing furtively, watching the signs of the three parties departing, his heart inevitably feeling somewhat bewildered.

Just, like this?

Not daring to leave even a single harsh word, just slinking away in defeat?

He could not help but be greatly shocked, and inexplicably, somewhat envious.

Envious of True Monarch Zhuding's formidable power, and at the same time, envious of Du En for receiving such protection.

Because it was very clear that True Monarch Zhuding was not joking; if they had really wanted to move against Du En just now, he would have killed the other True Monarchs!

Even if doing so might have prematurely ignited the originally deadlocked and tepid situation.

The reason he felt envious was because Tao Shao knew that Du En was not from True Monarch Zhuding's faction at all! If it were the Xiulin Immortal Sect, they would likely have been half-reluctant and half-willing to suppress the seedlings of other factions within their own sect first; in any case, it wouldn't be their own people suffering the loss, and besides, by picking up the remains, they could try to see if they could copy the cat and draw the tiger, recreating a brand-new person of their own.

The difference in treatment was truly too great; he couldn't help but sigh inwardly, various stray thoughts rising one after another.

"Kezhan, since you are neither leading your sect members back nor helping your own sect's seedling repair their Dao-heart, and are still lingering here, could it be that you want to challenge me alone?"

True Monarch Zhuding glanced toward Tao Shao's side, then looked at True Monarch Kezhan who was still standing before him, and immediately asked this.

First of all, this area of the South Azure Sea is where our sect has greater direct influence; theoretically speaking, this is our territory...

True Monarch Kezhan wanted to say this, but after weighing their respective combat strengths and noticing that True Monarch Zhuding was indeed feeling itchy for a fight at this moment, he immediately retreated, raised his hands to press the air in front of him, and smiled weakly.

"Brother Dao jests; I would not dare to show off my meager skills before an expert, but it is just that our sect still has one disciple on your side, and you see, this..."

"Xiulin and our sect have ceased hostilities for a thousand years; it should be considered amicable, don't you agree?"

"That is naturally so!"

"Then, your sect's member coming to our sect to be a guest shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"..."

Letting Jin Miao'er be taken back to the Luoyu Immortal Sect, I fear that even how many times she wet the bed when she was just born and before she had switched to a puppet body, how much she wet each time, and how much area of the bedsheets it soaked through, could all be dug up clean!

But now, True Monarch Zhuding had made it clear he would not release her for the time being, and this time, the Xiulin Immortal Sect had first played tricks in Luoyu's Lin'an City, and then dragged other immortal sects into the Dragon Palace exploration matter.

"Hahaha, naturally, no problem."

True Monarch Kezhan finally answered with a bitter smile.

In any case, she was just going to be a guest and wouldn't die, and she was only at the Nascent Soul stage; the secrets that could be dug up wouldn't be many, so there wasn't much loss.

And so, under the amused gaze of True Monarch Zhuding, True Monarch Kezhan took Tao Shao and the others and returned to the north.

"Alright, let's go back too."

His gaze fell on Du En and the others; he looked to be in a good mood, but he neither asked for the Wicked Dragon Skin nor asked for Jin Miao'er, making it somewhat difficult for people to fathom this True Monarch's specific thoughts.

The journey back was unhurried.

While making his report, Du En secretly pondered, and soon generally understood part of the reason.

No matter how much information they dug out of Jin Miao'er, they could only obtain some superficial scraps, but if it were placed on Meng Changqing's side, then the higher-ups at Xiulin, that True Monarch Juanzhi, might perhaps give something more.

Thinking that someone who could be involved with Meng Changqing would generally be on the same path, they wouldn't leave their own people to fend for themselves; thinking even better, in order to keep up appearances and not let the other party be blamed, giving some information was a very normal development.

In any case, by doing this, what they were holding was Meng Changqing, which was not entirely equivalent to the Luoyu Immortal Sect.

In other words, it was like hitting a tree to see if any dates would fall; if they happened to hit one, it would naturally be even better.

And as long as they were holding it on their own side, when the situation changed or when they were unfolding interest exchanges and swapping chips, they would always be able to find an opportunity to obtain it.

In short, one must get the dumpling into the pot first!

As for the Wicked Dragon Skin...

At this moment, having reached the seaside, Du En simply spoke and asked via voice transmission: "Judging from your previous and current performance, True Monarch, you don't seem to have much intention regarding resentment-monsters and their related strange entities?"

"Heh, Changqing's side probably stubbornly believes that I would want to pull chestnuts from the fire this time."

Regarding this matter, True Monarch Zhuding did not hide anything at all, "Perhaps in the future, I really might do such a thing, but at least for now, I am actually holding a resistant attitude toward resentment-monsters and their related matters."

"Why is that? You, True Monarch, should not be someone who gets hung up on major or minor principles."

"Because It is too uncontrollable, or rather, It always gives me a feeling that something is not quite right. Secondly, my master and my senior brother both laid out plans around It early on; if I were just to imitate them blindly and follow the script, I wouldn't be able to accomplish anything great."

Speaking of this, he was quite appreciative of Du En: "For example, you; this breakthrough was achieved by drawing on the lingering hatred of the Phoenix. This is a quite unique and pioneering move. Thus, with your burn-resistant Dao-heart, borrowing the remaining heat of the Divine Venerable to break through the Unity shackles is something that can already be foreseen."

While other True Monarchs still needed to borrow eyes to peek and know, he had already been able to look directly into it when the Dragon Palace collapsed, witnessing Du En's breakthrough, which is why he spoke so definitively and why he appeared so appreciative before.

Du En directly climbed up the pole: "This time I can also be considered to have racked my brains and fought with all my might; not only did I bring the Wicked Dragon Skin for the Immortal Sect, but I also brought a captive for the Immortal Sect, and wounded and defeated many enemy generals. This reward for merit..."

"You are quite good at exploiting loopholes, not bad. As long as you give me the people and the skins, I will give you enough merit and resources so that you don't have to toil away digging up the Dragon Palace."

At the moment the Dragon Palace collapsed, his gaze swept across the entire scene, and naturally, he saw the outer perimeter that had been ravaged; truly, not a single decent spiritual material was left, which made one shake their head inwardly.

Thus, Du En stopped speaking.

Those people and skins had to pass through Meng Changqing's hands first.

This matter of choosing a side could not be done carelessly; one needed to stand firm.

In any case, this would not affect True Monarch Zhuding's perception of him, and might even improve it.

He did not harp on it further, truly not minding, but instead offered his own advice: "Admittedly, using the hatred of the Phoenix to your own advantage is a very good approach, but since you are Changqing's subordinate and have now entered the ranks of Great Cultivators, he will likely arrange for you to do things he previously couldn't find the time or means to intervene in."

"Especially in this current situation, and I believe you know and have experienced it, that lingering hatred has a very intense reaction to the traces of resentment and your master's handiwork, yet you are inevitably going to step into that kind of situation next."

"As such, it, being too closely tied to your cultivation method, will constantly stir your foundation, wanting to truly burn you to ashes; at the same time, the stronger you become and the closer you cultivate the precious canon to perfection, the more hatred it can squeeze out from the deepest levels!"

It cannot be used casually and requires constant control! This is clearly a great disaster, and also an inevitability of attempting to gain the assistance of the Phoenix's lingering hatred.

It is simply untamable, a symbol of the Dao of this world's corruption!

Only when the universe is clear and bright can it be calmed.

"Then, what instruction does the True Monarch have for me?"

Du En asked without shame.

"You are always looking to get something for nothing, but, since it is just guidance, it is no matter."

True Monarch Zhuding did not mind and gave him a suggestion directly: "Simply put, use it less. Use your Divine Palace, your Primordial Spirit, and your Dharma treasures to block and plug the ports, isolating and reducing its perception. As for a new trump card to replace it that suits your situation, hmm, among the Four Spirits True Arts, there is one move that is quite fitting." The Four Spirits are the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise.

Known as the Four Spirits of Heaven and the Four Sages of Earth, they are Holy Beasts and Holy Venerables. In more ancient times, they were active in this world, but later they disappeared; according to legend, they may have ascended to immortality.

In short, all that remains in this world now are their four inherited True Arts.

And quite naturally, they were all scavenged and divided by the Five Great Immortal Sects.

Moreover, even if the Four Spirits were still in the world, facing the current situation, they would likely end up in the same state of extinction as the ancient myriad spirits like the dragons and phoenixes.

"Master only managed to seize two True Arts back then, the White Tiger True Art and the Vermilion Bird True Art. They were incomplete, but he later deduced and completed all four. Within the Vermilion Bird True Art, there is a secret technique called 'Burning Together with the World'."

Just hearing the name, one knows it is a move of self-detonation and mutual destruction, harming the enemy by ten thousand while damaging oneself by ten thousand.

But for Du En, it is the most suitable! Because he has a divine ability that can exactly offset the negative effects! Therefore, he had already planned to learn a similar method, but due to various reasons, he had not yet found a suitable one to learn.

Now True Monarch Zhuding presented a choice and also believed Du En could learn it.

Because the Holy Bird Vermilion Bird and the Divine Bird Phoenix have an unclear relationship, similar to the relationship between the Holy Dragon Azure Dragon and the Dragon Race; one can always find countless connections in various records and texts.

By using the Phoenix Red True Flame and the Phoenix's lingering hatred as an entry point, perhaps one could replace the fundamental method of the True Art and thereby master that individual secret technique.

True Monarch Zhuding believed in his comprehension.

After calm reflection, Du En also quickly grasped this difficulty.

"Although there are difficulties, the problem is not big. In any case, let's take advantage of this incident to see if we can get the secret technique through the resolution process."

Even if he can't learn it now, once the proficiency of the Phoenix Red True Flame is raised and he has a sufficient foundation, is there any fear of not being able to learn it?

It will only take some time, and he can afford to wait.

Thus, he thanked True Monarch Zhuding.

At this time, the group had already rapidly approached Lin'an City.

And they soon crossed the border, returning to the main territory of the Luoyu Immortal Sect.

With a blur before their eyes, everyone had already returned to the Central Capital.

The reason for taking the Heaven-Piercing Pillar before was mainly to alert the Xiulin Immortal Sect; now that was no longer necessary, so True Monarch Zhuding brought the people directly into the Central Capital.

At the same time, he had already gone to the Main Pivot Hall, where the upper echelons of Luoyu were gathered, waiting for him to discuss the follow-up matters regarding this event.

"Wait until I break through, then I will challenge you!"

Once they landed, Nangong Sheng said this to Du En.

Then, without waiting for any calm talk about who came first or last, he signaled to his faction's people, led them toward another area, and soon disappeared among the cold steel buildings.

Six people left, leaving four in place.

Du En and Jiang Ying looked at the other two outsiders in unison; those two, whose standing was subordinate to True Monarch Huiqing, felt their scalps go numb.

It seemed, perhaps, maybe, that after leaving the Dragon Palace, they were no longer on the same side?

This actually didn't need a "perhaps" or "maybe"; it was practically the case.

So, they shouldn't try to kill them here and silence them, right? Because they had witnessed Du En's battle and breakthrough, this worry was inevitably arising at this moment.

"Why are you still standing here?"

Du En asked directly.

"Uh, this..."

The two were a bit dazed, clearly not having realized where the problem lay.

So Du En reminded them: "Our sect, or rather the mountain gate, True Monarch Huiqing's place is over there, to the east."

And there was no need to mention this side; it was the path to Meng Changqing's cultivation grounds, the southern peak of the sect.

Before, one could only try to barely judge by the subtle differences in the architecture, but now that his realm had risen, he could confirm it quite intuitively, and would no longer walk into it without any feeling or warning.

Of course, even with his current cultivation, he still could not distinguish between the sect and the Central Capital, specifically who was enclosing whom, or how it worked.

"Apologies, apologies, excuse us!"

"This, Talent Du, or rather, Great Cultivator Du, please understand our helpless situation."

"It's fine."

Hearing Du En's words, the two couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief, secretly sighing that they had truly measured a gentleman's heart with a petty person's yardstick, then bowed and turned to leave.

After they left, Jiang Ying appeared nervous and couldn't hold it in, her gaze drifting as she spoke: "Are you really just letting them leave? True Monarch Huiqing will naturally dig out what is in their brains and study it in detail; won't your background be completely exposed?"

"Even if I don't let them go, would it not be exposed?"

Du En was not that naive; furthermore, killing people in the Central Capital—wasn't that asking for trouble and inviting disaster upon himself?

True Monarch Huiqing was just fretting over having no excuse! How could various underhanded, secret schemes compare to using the rules to suppress someone openly and honestly? After all, if she really could suppress them, she would inevitably take action herself, ruthlessly crushing and obliterating them, leaving not a single hidden danger!

Jiang Ying was just too nervous right now, which was why she asked such a foolish question.

"Let's go, I still have something in your hands; you must return it to me first."

"Oh, oh!"

Not paying attention at all, she just hurriedly followed along, because a certain True Monarch's dissatisfied gaze had already been cast over, seemingly questioning why she was still standing there like a fool wasting time.

Du En had already reached the Deity Transformation stage! She couldn't help but shiver, feeling nothing but horror in her heart.

Fortunately, the next moment she stepped into their sect, onto the Fifth Peak where Meng Changqing cultivated.

Du En would indeed keep his promise, and now, by using the situation of the deposited item, he let True Monarch Buyi wait for a moment, creating a window of time.

Jiang Ying quickly recovered, only feeling that the dog thief's malice was so thick and blatant that she still couldn't help but tremble now.

Looking at Du En again, it was like looking at the last straw, looking extremely pitiful.

However, the focus of the atmosphere was not on this side, so Du En didn't say much, and she didn't dare to speak casually, so she could only stand there, waiting silently.

"Well done!"

Meng Changqing's avatar did not go to the Main Pivot Hall; he had received a voice transmission from True Monarch Zhuding earlier, and the two had actually already discussed various matters after the conclusion of this incident based on some cooperation frameworks agreed upon previously.

Therefore, he already knew the result, and at this moment, he remained here, walking over to welcome them looking very cheerful.

"Here, the Wicked Dragon skin, and also, Jin Miao'er."

Du En walked over and handed him the packaged Wicked Dragon skin and the infant core in the storage bag.

"That, can you not treat me like an object?"

The infant core of Jin Miao'er, which had been taken out, made a weak and timid sound.

Her feelings were actually terrible; the storage bag was already very crowded, and she was only at the fourth rank. Following Du En to participate in those various fierce battles, even though she was protected by him, the aftershocks still transmitted inside, making her feel as if she had entered a meat grinder, being twisted in all sorts of ways I don't know how many times.

If it weren't for her not being an ordinary person in an ordinary state, she would have long been in a sorry state, lost all composure, and even suffered a mental breakdown; how could she still have the room to speak? However, seeing that the person she finally saw was Meng Changqing, whose image she had seen in a pile of portraits at the cave dwelling of the True Monarch above her own head, she actually let out a sigh of relief.

And hearing her words, Jiang Ying also realized belatedly why the Buyi dog thief didn't forcibly drag her back, because Jin Miao'er's body was still with her.

Since the team-leading True Monarch Zhuding didn't ask for it, it was the spoils of this mountain faction; True Monarch Buyi was stubborn and also recognized the alliance between them, so waiting for a while for the handover was a normal situation.

So, Du En, is this also something you anticipated long ago?! Jiang Ying couldn't help but widen her eyes, but unfortunately, the focus of attention was still not on her side.

After taking the Wicked Dragon skin from Du En, Meng Changqing casually sealed Jin Miao'er's senses first, then became fully focused, investigating carefully and thoroughly, looking as if he wanted to dig out the real intentions, current plans, and other key intelligence of that old immortal above.

But this was destined to be difficult to dig out in a moment, so after a while, he detached from the investigation with some thought.

"Du En, what do you think?"

"Even if other Supremes had already intervened at that time, even if he knew he couldn't obtain the Wicked Dragon, the Sect Master still acted as usual. I fear his goal was not necessarily to obtain it, but perhaps seeing its birth was already enough."

Du En had thought about this long ago, pointing out a key point about the Wicked Dragon, "Compared to resentment-wickedness, it possesses a mature self-consciousness, and after being ground to death by the brilliance of my breakthrough, it also retained a kind of immortal nature; it still hasn't died now, and as long as there is time or an opportunity, it can be resurrected again."

"However, whether what is resurrected then is the previous Wicked Dragon or something else, this is hard to say and requires actual phenomena to prove."

Hearing this, Meng Changqing's expression was exceptionally grave.

After pondering for a while and making comparisons, he spoke: "Until a hundred years ago, he could only gestate pure resentment-wickedness, but in just a short hundred years, he seems to have made various corrections, even able to produce an intermediate state with consciousness, a near-resentment-wickedness body. Even if it was by borrowing the Dragon-Gestation Blood Abyss and the residual resentment and wishes of ten thousand dragons, which is quite opportunistic, it also proves that he has indeed taken a big step toward his goal!"

Time is tight! A sense of urgency welled up spontaneously!

One side hasn't successfully merged their bodies yet, and another has just reached Deity Transformation, but the situation seems to have already reached the edge of a cliff, about to dive down without giving them any time!

"There is no need to be too nervous."

"Oh?"

"What must be admitted is that the current situation of the Immortal Sect hegemony is actually favorable to us, because other Supremes clearly have their own pursuits, mutually restraining and limiting each other, forming a temporarily stable link."

"……Indeed."

Meng Changqing actually knew this point too, but just now he still couldn't help but be anxious.

Thus, Du En pointed it out directly, lest this superior be eager for success and instead make a wrong move.

Although even if one ship capsized, he could still jump ship.

However, to be honest, following Meng Changqing was relatively simple; although he also had schemes and strategies, because of his principles and vision, it was a situation that was easy to deal with.

If it were True Monarch Zhuding, one would have to be careful! Although that person had a broad mind, could tolerate others growing, and was happy to see juniors catching up, their philosophies and pursuits were different, and they would inevitably have a life-and-death Dao struggle at some point, and he must have had various countermeasures long ago! Who knows if there were hidden hands in some of the help he provided!

Therefore, after Meng Changqing returned to normal, Du En asked about the Vermilion Bird True Method.

"His suggestion is actually not wrong."

Meng Changqing considered it carefully and nodded in approval: "Next, whether it is the old immortal or the other few guys, they will likely accelerate their pace. I will evaluate various signs and information and also let you intervene in suitable places. In any case, it is to trip them up, and this is very dangerous, requiring replaceable trump cards."

"However, the only problematic part lies in the nature of the Four Spirits True Method; it was deduced and completed by the old immortal. In other words, learning the secret techniques within means entering the frame set by the old immortal, probably wanting to use this to completely tie you to the chariot of dealing with the old immortal."

Listening to such words, Du En was thoughtful: "Because I will not ignore the risks within, in order to avoid being controlled and having my weaknesses held by others, so now I must lay out the pros and cons first, lest I get the order of priorities wrong in the future?"

"Yes, who told you to be the type of personality that would rather kill the wrong person than let one go?"

Meng Changqing understood that this was unsolvable; it was definitely an open scheme.

Is there a problem with the secret technique?

If there is!

As long as Du En is wary of and minds the Sect Master, that Supreme Luoyu, then he cannot ignore the hidden dangers within. Even if there are none, who dares to be sure there aren't? Therefore, no is yes! And as long as there is, then it is necessary to remove such a hidden danger that cannot be ignored!

That is, standing on the same chariot as them, first crashing into and killing that mutually agreed-upon target!

"Then there is nothing; I wouldn't have gotten the order wrong in the first place."

Du En said this calmly, and also confirmed again that True Monarch Zhuding was not the best person to follow.

Because as long as one thinks rationally, one knows he wouldn't get the order wrong, but he still acted with kindness to ensure there were no mistakes, to lock this point in, which only revealed a code of conduct of "natural infallibility"!

"In any case, I will try to win this reward for you. It's just that that woman Huiqing will definitely nitpick about you overdrawing top-grade cultivation techniques, so I can't fully guarantee it."

Saying this, he thought for a moment and changed his wording, "Or, should we settle the matter of other techniques first? That is, the matter of positional improvement and conversion."

I want both, is that okay? Du En's gaze was calm, with only this look.

Meng Changqing couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth, looking down at the Wicked Dragon skin in his hand, and began to be thoughtful.

Taking this thing to plug Huiqing's mouth should be enough to get her approval, right?

Then, one saw Du En begin to add to the stakes.

Pouring out the fourth-tier spiritual materials from the storage bag could both remind Meng Changqing that he should replace his current magical artifacts of this type, and also allow him to offload these items of low practical value to the other side, or rather, to the sect's Fifth Peak.

Consequently, the spiritual materials piled up into a small hill.

Seeing this scene, Jiang Ying immediately poured out her own as well.

Consequently, there was one more small hill of spiritual materials.

"... You went to the Dragon Palace just to engage in demolition?"

"Actually, it's a bit of a pity; we couldn't budge the true dragon corpse, otherwise we definitely would have tried every possible way to intercept a portion of it."

"... These aren't quite enough, after all, they are only fourth-tier."

Regarding Du En's various hints, Meng Changqing decided to ignore them for the time being and focus on the matter at hand first.

Consequently, a pile of fifth-tier spiritual objects was taken out on this side.

I knew it, all the good stuff was hidden; you brat only threw "trash" at me at the beginning! Looking at the pile of fifth-tier spiritual objects in front of him, along with that fleeting glimpse of the fifth-tier storage bag's transformation, Meng Changqing's stomach began to ache again.

Then.

"Eh? An Earth Dragon Egg?"

Seeing at a glance the most precious one among them—which had actually secretly recovered and was currently restless, waiting for an opportunity to escape—Meng Changqing took it and began to observe it.

"Ji!"

It immediately shrieked in alarm, but quickly became docile again.

You want to run after coming here?

You aren't running anywhere!

So, of course, it was better to go with the flow and become obedient and endearing! "So that's how it is; is it actually a 'cuckoo in the nest' situation? Squeezing out the true dragon that should have been conceived, perhaps even crushing it, and then becoming a Five Elements Dragon Egg. Looking at its current level of true spirit state, I reckon the other four were either found and swallowed by the Wicked Dragon, or died prematurely due to a lack of incubation conditions."

"Is it because it's broken that it needs to be pieced together first to become complete?"

"Correct. Looking at this state, it has generally pieced together three, or perhaps four; in any case, the whole thing looks a bit strange... It might be that the side leaning toward kindness in the Dragon King's dying wish was excluded in this form. Regardless, it currently manifests as Earth-attribute, but internally the five elements are unbalanced and quite chaotic. You must have used a spirit-disturbing method to be able to catch and subdue it earlier."

Meng Changqing laughed as he said, "Not bad. With this, not only can we continue the ancient Dragon Clan's heritage, but we can also use the pretext of raising a sect-protecting true dragon for our sect to snatch up all the benefits!"

Because the Dragon Clan was almost completely wiped out, only scattered mixed-blood remnants remained.

Even if the true dragon eventually raised was still on Meng Changqing's side, it could at least allow some materials and resources from daily pruning contributions to be left over and filled into the treasure vault, which other True Monarchs and other factions could also obtain.

Furthermore, if this dragon is raised well in the future and its congenital defects are compensated for, it might even become a new Dragon King or unearth various hidden secrets of the Dragon Clan.

In any case, even if the other True Monarchs know the lion's share is here, they can only hold their noses and accept it.

At least the meat is rotting inside the pot, and they will actually benefit from it invisibly.

Moreover, even if it could eventually reach the Dragon King level—corresponding to the level of a True Monarch—it would still be unable to ascend to the upper echelons, which is completely different from the situation with Du En's side, so even True Monarch Huiqing would have a very high tolerance for it.

A living true dragon or Dragon King is far more valuable than a corpse! (End of chapter)