Chapter 213: Return

When Zhang Nuo appeared before Zhuge Qing, the young woman could no longer control her tears; she threw herself into his arms and sobbed for a long time.

Seeing this, the others tactfully moved away, leaving only Zhuge Qing and Zhang Nuo in the room. This time, the young woman was not using a scheme, but was acting from the heart; without Zhang Nuo, she felt as if something was missing.

Looking at the beautiful woman sobbing uncontrollably in his arms, Zhang Nuo felt incredibly happy at this moment, but after the brief intoxication, he regained his senses; Zhuge Qing's previous actions made it hard for him to believe this was truly from her heart.

After a long while, the two separated, and Zhuge Qing began to incessantly ask about Zhang Nuo's whereabouts over the past few years.

Zhang Nuo briefly explained his situation, though he concealed some matters and glossed over them. Even so, Zhuge Qing still broke into a cold sweat listening to him. Although Zhang Nuo had now advanced to the Golden Core Stage, the dangers involved were still numerous; perhaps if it had been someone else, they would have perished long ago.

Just as the two were talking, the room door was opened and an old man walked in; it was none other than Zhuge An. When he saw Zhang Nuo, he could not help but feel a bit excited, but what surprised him even more was Zhang Nuo's cultivation!

So short! Even he, a Sect Master, almost had his jaw drop in shock.

"Haha! The Ancestor truly did not misjudge the person! You are indeed a peerless talent! As long as you are here, my Nanxuan Sect will surely flourish in the future!"

Whether it was because he was overly happy or because he intentionally revealed his inner thoughts, Zhuge An did not hide anything in front of Zhang Nuo and stated his true thoughts directly.

Although he had entered the Golden Core Stage, Zhang Nuo remained respectful toward Zhuge An.

"Sect Master, rest assured! In my lifetime, I will certainly work like a dog or horse for the Nanxuan Sect!"

Hearing these words from Zhang Nuo, Zhuge An became even happier, and despite his advanced age, he actually began to dance with joy. Zhuge Qing stood to the side, feeling even more overjoyed.

"Zhang Nuo! You have returned at just the right time. During this period, we are preparing to unite the forces around the Tianjiang Plain to launch a general offensive against the Five Great Demon Mountains. In the years you were gone, although we captured many strongholds, we were never able to attack the Demon Mountain. According to the Ancestor's speculation, the Demon Emperor's reconstruction of his physical body should be nearing its end; we cannot wait any longer!"

After his joy, Zhuge An changed the subject to the main topic. Upon hearing this, Zhang Nuo's expression also changed slightly. Chunyangzi had told him more than once about the Five Great Demon Mountains reconstructing the body of the last Demon Emperor, especially regarding the Black Book obtained from the Dark Swamp, which was very likely an item belonging to the last Demon Emperor.

"That is only natural! I have returned after forming my Golden Core, and I also wish to display my skills!"

Zhang Nuo stood proudly. He did not say this just to please Zhuge An; he had discovered that constantly tempering himself in battle allowed him to grow more rapidly. Compared to hiding in a Cave Abode to cultivate for years on end, battle was another method of cultivation.

"Good! You and Qing'er should first guard this stronghold. As for your Golden Core matter, do not publicize it for now; you are a trump card of my Nanxuan Sect! You will only be revealed when necessary!"

The unconcealable excitement on his face made Zhang Nuo feel that these words came from the depths of Zhuge An's heart! Just as he was about to turn and leave, Zhuge An suddenly turned back and said mysteriously:

"If this campaign to exterminate the Five Great Demon Mountains is successful, when we return to the Nanxuan Sect, I will give you a big surprise!"

Left completely confused by his words, Zhang Nuo looked at Zhuge An suspiciously, not knowing what the surprise he spoke of was. When his gaze fell upon Zhuge Qing, he discovered the young woman's cheeks were flushed red, and she was looking down in silence.

"Silly boy! They are using a beauty trap on you! They want to use that girl to tether your heart!"

Just as Zhang Nuo was letting his imagination run wild, the voice of Chunyangzi echoed in his mind. One sentence awakened the dreamer; Zhang Nuo immediately understood Zhuge An's intention. He wanted to use Zhuge Qing to tether him and make him stay in the Nanxuan Sect contentedly.

No wonder the young woman had shown a shy expression earlier. Zhang Nuo remained calm and continued to pretend he did not understand the meaning, blankly watching Zhuge An walk away.

In the main hall of the Qingnian Demon Mountain, the leaders of the Five Great Demon Mountains were all seated. A few days ago, a stronghold had been lost for no reason, and the demon cultivators inside had not even had time to sound an alarm, which left them very puzzled.

"Could it be that some Golden Core Cultivator from the Four Great Sects took action? Otherwise, the disciples in the stronghold could not have been wiped out in an instant."

Gui Xiao was the first to speak. In his impression, apart from cultivators at or above the Golden Core Stage, no one could take down a stronghold so quickly.

"Impossible! According to the eyes and ears we have placed within the Four Great Sects, the leaders of the Four Great Sects have been planning the general offensive these past few days; how could they go and raid a small stronghold?"

Wang Ji's expression changed slightly, and he lowered his head to say noncommittally in a deep voice.

"Could it be that a new Golden Core Cultivator has emerged within the Four Great Sects?"

Wu Xu shook his fat body and said half-jokingly.

"That is even more impossible! Did you see the celestial phenomena of a Golden Core formation?"

Fu Ling glanced at him and retorted, breaking down Wu Xu's idea with a single sentence! At the mention of Golden Core celestial phenomena, Du Yuntang's expression paused slightly. After thinking for a moment, he said suspiciously:

"According to my disciples from the Xianghuang Demon Mountain, in a large mountain very close to the Panlong Mountain Range, a Golden Core celestial phenomenon did indeed appear some time ago!"

His words caused the gazes of the other four to converge, but Wang Ji immediately shook his head.

"Even if someone formed a Golden Core, it wouldn't be someone from the Four Great Sects! That place is very far from the Four Great Sects; they wouldn't run all the way there to form a Golden Core, would they?"

"Fellow Daoist Wang, I don't think this matter is that simple! Fellow Daoist Wu, do you remember that back then, your son and my disciple were pursuing a cultivator named Zhang Nuo, and didn't they go missing in the very region Fellow Daoist Du mentioned?"

Fu Ling, this woman, had a very sharp mind; after a moment of thought, she recalled the events of that year.

"Yes! That did happen!"

Wu Xu also nodded. He had specifically gone there to look back then, but he had found nothing. Let alone Zhang Nuo, even the valley his son had described had vanished into thin air.

"Could the person who formed the Golden Core be Zhang Nuo?"

Wang Ji's expression changed instantly. In a battle a few years ago, Zhang Nuo had severed one of Du Yuntang's arms, which had almost become a disgrace for the Five Great Demon Mountains. Whenever this matter was mentioned, Du Yuntang would gnash his teeth!

Back when he was at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Zhang Nuo's strength was already not to be underestimated. If he had advanced to the Golden Core Stage, it was truly unimaginable how strong he would be.

"This seems unlikely! As far as I know, Zhang Nuo had only just advanced to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage not long before; how could he have another breakthrough in just a few short years! If that were really the case, wouldn't he have become a peerless talent?"

Gui Xiao curled his lip grimly, not believing at all that the person who formed the Golden Core was Zhang Nuo.

"Fellow Daoist Gui is right! On the Tianjiang Plain, such a genius has never appeared before!"

Wu Xu also strongly agreed with Gui Xiao's view. Only Du Yuntang remained silent. Over these years, whenever Zhang Nuo's name was mentioned, he felt hatred in his heart! Looking at his empty sleeve, the muscles on the old man's face twisted.

The five of them quickly brushed this matter aside; after all, it was only a small stronghold that was lost, and there was no need for them to go to great lengths to guess who it was.

There were many things more important than this, such as the general offensive of the Four Great Sects that was about to begin; this was the urgent priority!

"Now the Demon Emperor's body is seven or eight parts complete. As long as we hold on for another year, he will successfully complete the reconstruction of his physical body! At that time, we will have our day of success, and the Four Great Sects that have always suppressed us will pay a painful price for this!"

Wang Ji's expression was gloomy. Over these years, to ensure the success of the Demon Emperor's body reconstruction, the Five Great Demon Mountains had not dared to formally clash with the Four Great Sects. Whenever the other side made a big move, they had to shrink back, which was truly suffocating.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, there is one thing I have always been unable to set my mind at ease about! After the Demon Emperor completes his body reconstruction, will he really be so magically powerful? We must know that the Nanxuan Sect still has a Nanxuan Laozu! He is also an existence at the Nascent Soul Stage!"

Fu Ling smiled softly and asked tentatively.

"Fellow Daoist Fu! To tell you the truth, I have no confidence in this point either, but judging from the Spiritual Pressure currently emanating from the Demon Emperor, it should be the Nascent Soul Stage, no doubt!"

Just as Wang Ji's voice fell, a strange laugh echoed throughout the entire hall!

"A few juniors! You actually dare to question this Demon Emperor's strength!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the five changed drastically. One by one, they stood up, trembling like chaff. This voice was precisely the Demon Emperor's. They had not expected that the Demon Emperor, who was in the middle of reconstructing his body, could actually hear their conversation; it seemed his cultivation had already recovered to a terrifying level.

But what shocked the five even more was yet to come. A figure suddenly flashed in from the entrance of the hall, with such speed that even the five of them did not have time to defend themselves.

'Slap!'

A crisp sound of a slap rang out on Fu Ling's face. Following this, the woman was sent flying seven or eight zhang away. Her delicate, pretty face was swollen high, and five clear finger marks were left upon it.

The five were terrified. When they focused their eyes to look at the newcomer, they were all so scared that cold sweat poured down. They saw a man who looked to be about thirty years old, with upright features and a murderous look, wearing a white robe, standing proudly in the center of the hall. This person's appearance was exactly the same as the Demon Emperor who was currently reconstructing his body!

"Lord Demon Emperor, has your reconstruction of your physical body been completed?"

Hurrying forward, Wang Ji bowed and said.

"No, this is merely one of my External Incarnations!"

The Demon Emperor looked coldly at the five people and spoke without the slightest courtesy. Upon hearing this, the group exchanged glances with one another, then all lowered their heads and remained silent; Fu Ling in particular, having been slapped, did not even dare to breathe loudly and stood to the side with her hands hanging down!