Chapter 528

The figure that fell out of the void was pitch black all over, as if condensed from the purest shadow, with no fixed form, only a pair of scarlet eyes flickering in the darkness, revealing terror and bewilderment.

This is a shadow demon, born in the chaotic rift at the deepest part of the Realm Sea, a natural assassin and plunderer.

He is also a Jue Dian Immortal King.

Long before Gu Zhan and Gu Xue Dao were drawn into the Tianhuan Realm, he had already been lying in wait in the darkness.

He was very patient, watching Gu Zhan and Gu Xue Dao left and right amidst the siege of countless Immortal Kings, carving a bloody path, yet he did not move.

He saw the mantis-like old man and four Jue Dian Immortal Kings surround the two, preparing to reap the final fruit, yet he still did not move.

He wanted to wait until both sides were weakened, then emerge to reap the fisherman's gain.

Even when Gu Lin Tian appeared, striking with thunderous force and beheading two Jue Dian Immortal Kings in succession, he was shocked but still suppressed his greed, choosing to remain hidden.

He felt that this suddenly appearing powerhouse, after slaying two peers, must surely be spent.

Wait until he exhausts his strength, then I strike and take everything—how wonderful would that be?

He believed his breath-concealing technique was unrivaled under heaven; even a major Immortal King could not detect him unless he revealed himself.

But he never imagined the mantis catching the cicada, with the oriole behind.

In fact, there was an even older oriole that had been watching him, this oriole, from start to finish.

"How... how could you possibly find me?"

The shadow demon's voice trembled; he could not comprehend.

"Find you?" Gu Cangsheng bore the Chaos Immortal Bell, looking at him like an idiot, "Old man, I've been waiting for you from the very beginning."

He leisurely paced over to Gu Lin Tian's side, patted his son's shoulder, adopting the air of a teacher.

"Did you see that, Lin Tian?"

"The Realm Sea is like a filthy, stinking mud puddle. The surface looks calm, but who knows how many man‑eating black fish and turtles lurk below."

"Sometimes, you can't see them with just your eyes. You have to toss a good bait down, stir up the water, and then those hidden in the mud will jump out on their own."

He glanced at his son, a hint of approval on his face.

"Your moves just now were flashy, but the commotion was big enough—well performed. This bait served its purpose quite well."

Gu Lin Tian: "……"

He finally understood now.

There was no rescue operation at all.

From beginning to end, it was nothing but a sting operation led by his father.

A mixed feeling of helpless amusement and warm affection surged in his heart.

This, is the Gu Family.

"When geese pass, their feathers are plucked; when beasts pass, their skins are taken. Every action must maximize profit, never engage in a loss‑making deal."

"Senior... senior, I was wrong! I am willing to offer all my lifetime collections, only begging for my life!"

The shadow demon was utterly terrified, beginning to beg for mercy with tears and sobs.

"Your measly trash, I don't even look at it." Gu Cangsheng waved his hand impatiently.

He looked at the shadow demon, his eyes as if seeing some novel curiosity.

"But, in my grandson's divine kingdom, a six‑paths reincarnation has just opened, lacking a ghostly official. I think your sneaky demeanor makes you quite suitable."

Gu Cangsheng extended a finger and pointed at the shadow demon from afar.

A hazy gray stream of chaotic energy, like a chain, instantly pierced the shadow demon's brow, forcibly dragging his wailing, begging soul out of his body.

The shadow demon's soul, under the confinement of the chaotic stream, struggled incessantly to no avail.

In the end, it was compressed into a gray bead the size of a thumb.

"Take it, go back and give it to your son as a toy."

Gu Cangsheng threw the bead sealing the shadow demon's soul, together with its Dao fruit, to Gu Lin Tian.

After doing all that, he resembled an old farmer who had just finished field work, hands in his pockets, strolling back to Gu Zhan and Gu Xue Dao.

He walked up to Gu Zhan and Gu Xue Dao and flicked his finger.

Two golden rays brimming with vast life essence entered their bodies.

Their wounds began to heal at a visible, rapid pace.

"Many thanks for saving our lives, Elder Ancestor!"

Gu Zhan and Gu Xue Dao hastily bowed in salute.

"Enough." Gu Cangsheng waved his hand, "Go back and collect your punishment from the Discipline Hall."

"Huh?" Gu Zhan stared, "Elder Ancestor, we... we were also scouting for the family!"

"Scouting? I think you're trying to dig up your own graves." Gu Cangsheng snorted coldly.

Gu Zhan immediately shrank his neck, afraid to speak further.

Gu Cangsheng ignored them further, his gaze falling on the center of the Tianhuan Realm.

There, a phantom gate woven from countless laws flickered in and out of existence.

The Gate of Rebirth.

He could sense that something extraordinary lay hidden behind the gate.

Gu Cangsheng stroked his chin, circling the gate twice, his eyes growing brighter.

"Interesting, interesting."

"This gate behind seems to be connected to a giant's... stomach?"

Immediately after, Gu Cangsheng seemed to think of something, and from the remaining treasures of the two slain Jue Dian Immortal Kings, he casually flipped out two palm‑sized tokens, neither metal nor jade, covered in strange runes.

"Huh? Tianhuan Order?"

Gu Cangsheng picked up one of the tokens, turned it over and over, then calculated with his fingers: "It turns out this damned place is a membership‑based arena."

Want to enter that door? You still need to get an admission ticket first.

Gu Cangsheng gave a hehe laugh, then tucked both tokens away.

Come on, let's go in and take a look.

The good stuff behind this door—Yuan'er's gonna love it.

Saying that, he took the lead, hoisting the Chaos Immortal Bell, ready to dive into the Gate of New Life.

Dad, wait!

Gu Lin Tian hurriedly stepped in front of him, 'This door's origins are unknown—rushing in could be dangerous.'

Danger, my ass.

Gu Cangsheng glared at him, 'With your dad here, even if the sky falls, I've got you covered.'

Besides," he grinned, flashing a mouthful of white teeth, "What's the Gu family's motto?

Gu Zhan, standing nearby, instinctively took up the line.

Pluck the goose's feathers as it passes, leave the beast's skin as it walks.

The youngster can be taught.

Gu Cangsheng nodded in satisfaction, kicked open the illusory gate, and marched in.