Chapter 448: Ranying Appears, Heroes Confront the Peng

In the Shattered Star Abyss, a river of blood cut through the sky; the Ancestral Lord of the Ming River stood atop the Twelve-Petal Karma Crimson Lotus, the Yuan Tu and A Ni swords hanging behind him, murderous intent surging to the heavens.

The Peng regarded the Ancestral Lord of the Ming River, his expression dark.

“Ancestral Lord of the Ming River, do you also wish to take advantage of this chaos?”

The Ancestral Lord of the Ming River chuckled.

“Peng, don’t phrase it so harshly.”

He raised his hand, and the river of blood churned behind him.

“I, the Ancestral Lord, am merely kind-hearted—I saw you surrounded and came to lend a hand.”

Zhen Yuanzi watched him with cold eyes.

“Ancestral Lord of the Ming River, if you wish to interfere, I shall suppress you too.”

The Ancestral Lord of the Ming River turned to Zhen Yuanzi, his smile unchanged.

“Zhen Yuanzi, your friend has been dead for countless years—have you still not let go?”

Zhen Yuanzi said nothing; he immediately activated the Earth Book, spreading a yellowish divine light that pressed directly toward the blood river beneath the Ancestral Lord’s feet.

The blood river sank under the pressure, and the Ancestral Lord’s smile faded slightly.

“Fine, very fine. You all want to know the whereabouts of the Primordial Purple Qi—but you won’t let me ask? What logic is that?”

Doumu Yuanjun held the Star Constellation Divine Seal, her gaze sweeping over the Ancestral Lord of the Ming River before returning to the Peng.

“Peng, if you surrender now and come with me to Tiangong, I will spare your life.”

The Peng threw back his head and laughed loudly.

“Spare my life? How bold of you!”

He glanced at the Ancestral Lord of the Ming River and said: “Do you truly believe I obtained the Primordial Purple Qi?”

“You lured me away with a decoy, sent your avatar to wreak havoc across the Three Realms, while your true body slipped into the Outer Realms. Now you tell me you didn’t get it?”

The Ancestral Lord of the Ming River picked up the thread.

“Peng, I may not be a good man, but I’m no fool.”

“You went to such great lengths—now you claim you came away empty-handed?”

“Do you even believe that yourself?”

Hearing this, the Peng’s hatred for Su Chen deepened further.

He seethed with furious rage inside.

Su Chen had escaped.

The Primordial Purple Qi had been startled away, the little thief had fled, and now this crowd still surrounded him demanding the artifact.

Thinking of this, the Peng’s mind stirred, and he shouted out directly:

“The Primordial Purple Qi was startled away by that little thief, Su Chen!”

“That little thief wore the Chaos Bell on his head, used a primordial supreme treasure to lock space and time, and severed my absorption of it!”

“If you want the Primordial Purple Qi, go find him!”

Upon hearing this, the few figures in the Shattered Star Abyss reacted with varied expressions.

Doumu Yuanjun and the other three naturally knew the Peng spoke truthfully, yet they made no move to confirm it.

The Ancestral Lord of the Ming River, however, fixed his gaze on the Peng.

“You say the Chaos Bell appeared?”

The Peng sneered.

“You arrived too late to see it—a human little thief just left, the Chaos Bell atop his head.”

The Ancestral Lord of the Ming River’s eyes flickered slightly, as if weighing the value of the Chaos Bell against the Primordial Purple Qi.

At that moment, Buddhist light suddenly flared in the void of the Shattered Star Abyss.

An ancient lamp pierced the darkness; its flame was small, yet it forced the river of blood to recoil.

An old monk stepped forth from the light, draped in a kasaya, holding the Qiankun Ruler, his back radiant with Buddhist luminescence.

This was the Ancient Buddha Ranying, who had been secretly searching the Three Realms for traces of the True Demon.

Zhenwu Emperor frowned.

“Ancient Buddha Ranying, you’re not at Lingshan—why are you here?”

Ancient Buddha Ranying glanced at Zhenwu.

“The affairs of the Demon Master have stirred the Three Realms. Since I witnessed changes in the Outer Realms, I naturally came to investigate.”

The Ancestral Lord of the Ming River scoffed.

“Ancient Buddha Ranying, your words might fool young monks, but not me.”

“The moment news of the Primordial Purple Qi spread, you ran faster than anyone else.”

Ancient Buddha Ranying did not grow angry.

“If Ancestral Lord of the Ming River has come too, why mock me?”

The two locked eyes; bloodlight and Buddhist light clashed in the void, emitting a dull thud.

The Peng looked at Ancient Buddha Ranying, his anger deepening further.

“Ranying, do you believe them?”

Ancient Buddha Ranying turned to the Peng.

“If the Demon Master claims the Primordial Purple Qi was startled away by Su Chen, then explain clearly.”

“How did you know the Primordial Purple Qi was here? How did Su Chen learn of your location?”

“Otherwise, how can anyone believe you?”

As he spoke, several aura signatures of Pre-Saints appeared in the Shattered Star Abyss, though the newcomers remained hidden, observing from afar.

Once news of the Primordial Purple Qi spread, the ancient monsters who normally stayed hidden could no longer sit still.

The Peng surveyed the surroundings, then suddenly smiled.

“You want to know?”

“Very well—I shall tell you.”

He raised his finger toward the half-collapsed fragment of the Primordial Chaos.

“This place is a remnant of the shattered Primordial Chaos—outside the Three Realms’ heavenly Dao, unbound by cause and effect.”

“The Primordial Purple Qi is hidden here.”

“I gained an opportunity and accidentally learned it was here—but Su Chen, carrying the Chaos Bell, followed me and attacked while I was absorbing the Purple Qi.”

“He slashed with his axe, severing my connection to the Dao, and the Chaos Bell startled the Purple Qi, causing it to vanish into the void.”

The Ancestral Lord of the Ming River listened in silence for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

“That’s a fine tale—but I don’t believe it.”

Ancient Buddha Ranying murmured: “I don’t believe it either.”

Doumu Yuanjun said coldly: “Whether you obtained it or not, we’ll know once we suppress you.”

She exchanged a glance with Zhen Yuanzi; seeing the crowd grow larger, they feared delay would bring complications, and moved in unison.

Zhen Yuanzi activated the Earth Book, unleashing the Mountain-Suppressing Art; the spectral shadows of mountains and rivers rose from the Outer Void, forming a great array that directly engulfed the Peng.

Doumu Yuanjun also struck at once; the Star Constellation Divine Seal soared upward, and three hundred and sixty-five beams of starlight pierced through the chaotic void, pinning the Peng from all sides.

The Peng’s face changed; the Demon Master’s Palace burst open, ancient demonic script surged forth to block the mountain-river specters, and the Bei Ming Sword slashed downward, severing the starlight chains.

At the very moment Zhen Yuanzi and Doumu Yuanjun moved, the Ancestral Lord of the Ming River also acted.

The Yuan Tu and A Ni swords behind him flew out simultaneously—one slashed at the Earth Book’s mountain-river specters, the other cleaved toward the Star Constellation Divine Seal; crimson swordlight cut across the Shattered Star Abyss, tearing through the suppression.

Zhen Yuanzi’s gaze turned icy.

“Ancestral Lord of the Ming River!”

The Ancestral Lord of the Ming River spread his hands.

“Don’t rush. The Peng hasn’t finished speaking—why do you want to take him away? Are you trying to monopolize the Primordial Purple Qi?”

Doumu Yuanjun’s voice turned frigid.

“Ancestral Lord of the Ming River, do you wish to oppose Tiangong?”

The Ancestral Lord of the Ming River smiled: “I dwell in the Blood Sea—Tiangong has no authority over me.”

At that moment, Ancient Buddha Ranying moved his Qiankun Ruler, blocking the other side.

Zhenwu Emperor looked at him.

“Does Ancient Buddha Ranying also oppose Tiangong?”

Ancient Buddha Ranying clasped his hands.

“Amitabha. I merely refuse to let the truth be taken by one side alone.”

Zhenwu Emperor sneered: “So the Ancient Buddha still harbors greed.”

Ancient Buddha Ranying lifted his eyelids slightly, the Qiankun Ruler horizontal before him.

“Your Imperial Highness, watch your words.”

Zhenwu Emperor’s Zhenwu Cleansing Demon Sword trembled.

“Did I speak falsely?”

The scene had now descended into utter chaos.

Zhen Yuanzi pressed forward with the Earth Book, directly suppressing the Ancestral Lord of the Ming River.

The Ancestral Lord of the Ming River’s blood river surged violently; the Twelve-Petal Karma Crimson Lotus protected his body, while the Yuan Tu and A Ni swords clashed repeatedly against the Mountain-Suppressing Seal.

Doumu Yuanjun blocked Ancient Buddha Ranying, the Star Constellation Divine Seal transforming into a wheel of stars, preventing him from drawing near.

The Ancient Buddha Ran Deng raised the Coffin Lamp; its light revealed a vision of a Buddha realm, blocking the Star Wheel.

For a moment, all sides fought individually, watching each other warily, each fearing the others would strike at the Peng and claim the Primordial Purple Qi alone.

Seeing the chaos, the Peng felt an opportunity to profit from the turmoil; he transformed into a great roc form and unleashed the Peng’s Ultimate Speed technique, seeking to flee.

Seeing the Peng try to escape, those who had been fighting each other suddenly turned in unison, unleashing their divine arts to block the Peng’s path.

Seeing this, the Peng had no choice but to dodge, and thus found himself surrounded once more.

The Peng looked at the crowd that saw him as a dish on their plate, his heart filled with unbearable indignation.

He, the Great Master of Demons, had schemed against the Three Realms for countless years—today, Su Chen had severed his opportunity and made him the scapegoat.

“Su Chen!” the Peng roared inwardly, “I will not rest until we are dead to each other!”