Chapter 98: Zero Frame Initiation, the Voice of the Dao's Suffering Grips the Heart!

Chen Ku's face grim, his gaze cold and fierce as he looked at Yun Zhongjun and the others.

"How unpleasant, how could people from the Xiating appear here?"

He furrowed his brows in thought.

Back when he followed behind Dong Wanggong, he had also seen Yun Zhongjun, Huang Quan, and other strongers.

Therefore, he recognized at a glance that the other party were indeed people of the Xiating.

He had just found the Fangjang Xiandao, and the Xiating people arrived right after—this is too much of a coincidence, isn't it?

This would make the situation even more complicated and troublesome.

The black dragon that had taken human form pondered for a moment, then spoke:

"Could it be that the commotion from breaking the formation earlier was too great, drawing the Xiating's attention?"

Obviously, the black dragon also didn't think this was merely a coincidence.

But their doubts could not be resolved for the time being.

After coming to his senses, Chen Ku also knew that now was not the time to dwell on these matters.

"Never mind!"

"It's still most important to first collect the spiritual treasure."

Having reached this thought, he again struck out boldly, his speed pushed to the extreme, even faintly manifesting a Buddha's Dharma Aspect, as a great heavenly palm continued to press down upon the Hongmeng Measuring Heaven Ruler.

Yet, the Hongmeng Measuring Heaven Ruler remained "agile."

In the blink of an eye, another spatial leap occurred, disappearing from before Chen Ku's eyes and fleeing a hundred li away.

This scene finally drew the attention of Yun Zhongjun and the others opposite.

Seeing Chen Ku make a move, the several Xiating individuals finally snapped awake.

That's it!

There's still Chen Ku as an opponent here right now.

Yun Zhongjun started, leapt up, manifested above the high heavens, and directly spoke:

"Stop!"

"This treasure is fated with my Xiating; no one dare think to snatch it first."

Yun Zhongjun's words fell.

Chen Ku was momentarily stunned.

"This... isn't this my line?!"

He stared at Yun Zhongjun with a look of astonishment, unable to help but angrily say:

"You even steal this humble Daoist's lines?"

"Do you still have any shame?!"

Chen Ku's sudden, head-to-toe tirade also caused Yun Zhongjun's stance to falter, his expression instantly turning extremely strange.

"Someone actually dares to call me shameless?!"

Moreover, these words came from the mouth of Chen Ku, that most shameless brat.

"You're the shameless one, kid—how dare you say others are?"

"Although the harm is minor, the insult is maximized."

Yun Zhongjun's mouth corner twitched fiercely.

He had no intention of engaging in a war of words with Chen Ku.

He slightly turned his side, gazing at Biluo, Huang Quan, and the other strongers, and spoke in a low voice:

"You go and block Chen Ku and the black dragon."

"I will make a move and seize the Hongmeng Measuring Heaven Ruler."

It must be said, Yun Zhongjun is also quite decisive and swift.

He had personally witnessed the earlier scene where the Hongmeng Measuring Heaven Ruler flew away on its own, knowing that such treasures differ from ordinary spiritual treasures.

It is not simply that suppressing Chen Ku and the black dragon will allow one to naturally obtain the Measuring Heaven Ruler.

Therefore, it is wisest for the Xiating people to split up and act separately.

More importantly, among the Xiating, Yun Zhongjun's strength is the greatest, so it is only natural for him to go and subdue the Hongmeng Measuring Heaven Ruler.

Hearing this, Biluo, Huang Quan, and the others nodded without hesitation.

Immediately, the five Quasi-Sages dispersed, with Biluo, Huang Quan, and the others closing in on the position of Chen Ku and the black dragon.

As for Daoist Huang Quan, he didn't even glance at Chen Ku, turning and flying toward the Hongmeng Measuring Heaven Ruler.

Watching Yun Zhongjun make a move, the scene of contending for the Hongmeng Measuring Heaven Ruler, Chen Ku did not show much worry.

He deeply knew the power of this Merit Supreme Treasure; relying on Yun Zhongjun's strength, wanting to take it in one fell swoop was not that easy.

Even so, he still couldn't help but repeatedly lament.

"Ah... suffering...."

"Clearly this opportunity was discovered by this humble Daoist, yet others still covet it—utterly unreasonable."

In the midst of speaking, Chen Ku's gaze also fell upon the ill-intentioned Biluo, Huang Quan, and others, whose faces bore cold smiles.

Unexpectedly, Biluo, Huang Quan, and the others did not launch an attack right away.

These individuals had previously covertly observed, having seen Chen Ku accompanied by various top-tier innate spiritual treasures, his methods endless.

Thus, they couldn't help but feel some apprehension.

Dealing with this brat, a single misstep might result in being schemed against by him.

His expression shifting momentarily, Daoist Biluo spoke first:

"Kid, although you cultivated later, you have managed to reach this level—indeed not ordinary."

Why not join our Xiating? You will surely be held in high esteem by the Emperor.

Why not join our Xiating? You will surely be held in high esteem by the Emperor.

Why not join our Xiating? You will surely be held in high esteem by the Emperor.

In that case, you'll avoid suffering in the West.

Literal: "That way, you won't have to suffer in the West." So: "That way, you won't have to suffer in the West."

Biluo Daoist spoke up, actually starting to persuade Chen Ku to submit.

Biluo Daoist spoke up, actually starting to persuade Chen Ku to submit.

But we need natural English: "Biluo Daoist spoke up, actually beginning to urge Chen Ku to submit."

Let's do: "Biluo Daoist spoke up, actually starting to urge Chen Ku to submit."

To the side, Huangquan Daoist likewise spoke up in agreement:

To the side, Huangquan Daoist also spoke up in agreement:

Exactly, those who know the times are outstanding.

Exactly, those who know the times are outstanding.

That Hongmeng Heaven-Measuring Ruler, and even this Xiandao, rightfully belongs to our Xiating.

That Hongmeng Heaven-Measuring Ruler, and even this Xiandao, rightfully belongs to our Xiating.

If you persist in delusion, you'll surely suffer a loss that outweighs any gain, enduring bitter hardship.

If you persist in delusion, you'll surely suffer a loss that outweighs any gain, enduring bitter hardship.

Compared to Biluo, Huangquan's words came across as much stronger.

Compared to Biluo, Huangquan's words came across as much stronger.

Upon hearing that, before Chen Ku could even speak, Heilong beside him narrowed its eyes, and its inner power began to surge uncontrollably.

Upon hearing that, before Chen Ku could even speak, Heilong beside him narrowed its eyes, and its inner power began to surge uncontrollably.

Heilong's entire body also displayed a wary, defensive posture.

Translation: "Heilong's entire body also displayed a wary, defensive posture."

As a top-tier expert of the Dragon Clan, how could they tolerate a Xiating person spouting such nonsense before them?

As a top-tier expert of the Dragon Clan, how could they tolerate a Xiating person spouting such nonsense before them?

Even as a mount, Heilong's arrogance was not erased thereby.

Translation: "Even though it serves as a mount, Heilong's pride has not been diminished in the slightest."

Moreover, Heilong naturally believed that although Chen Ku is shameless, compared to betraying his master's sect, defecting to Xiating is something he would certainly not do.

Moreover, Heilong naturally believed that although Chen Ku is shameless, compared to betraying his master's sect, defecting to Xiating is something he would certainly not do.

Or rather, any cultivator with a bit of backbone could not possibly do such a deed despised by all beings.

Translation: "Or rather, any cultivator with a bit of integrity could never do such a thing despised by all beings."

Next, perhaps a disagreement could spark a great battle.

Translation: "Next, perhaps a disagreement could spark a great battle."

Heilong has already sworn an oath to the Heavenly Dao, so naturally it must share Chen Ku's fate.

Heilong has already sworn an oath to the Heavenly Dao, so naturally it must share Chen Ku's fate.

Who would have thought that just as Heilong was almost ready for battle,

Translation: "Who would have thought that just as Heilong was nearly finished preparing for battle,"

Beside him, Chen Ku finally spoke.

Translation: "Beside them, Chen Ku finally spoke."

"Oh, bitter... bitter..."

Translation: "Oh dear, bitter... bitter..."

"You seniors also know that my West is impoverished; I am truly poor."

Translation: "You seniors also know my West is barren; I am truly poor."

"Now that I have finally found this opportunity here, this poor Daoist wishes to use it to benefit the beings of the West."

Translation: "Now that I have finally found this opportunity here, this humble Daoist wishes to use it to benefit the beings of the West."

"I hope you seniors will show kindness and pity the beings of my West."

Translation: "I hope the seniors of Xiating will show mercy and pity the beings of the West."

"Moreover, you are all innate mighty ones among the three thousand guests of Zixiao Palace; please make way for this junior Daoist, so that I may also gain fame across the world, and the beings of the West will be eternally grateful."

Moreover, you are all innate mighty ones among the three thousand guests of Zixiao Palace; please make way for this junior Daoist, so that I may also gain fame across the world, and the beings of the West will be eternally grateful.

Upon hearing that, Heilong was completely bewildered.

Translation: "Upon hearing that, Heilong was instantly dumbfounded."

"Isn't that so?"

Translation: "Isn't it?"

"You're playing like this?!"

Translation: "You're playing like this?!"

"As a mount, I've prepared for a fight to the death, yet you, as the owner, are the first to surrender?"

As a mount, I've prepared for a fight to the death, yet you, as the owner, are the first to surrender?

"As the saying goes, 'Subjects ready to die in battle, why does Your Majesty first surrender?'"

Translation: "As the saying goes, 'We subjects wish to fight to the death, why does Your Majesty surrender first?'"

"As a disciple of Jieyin of the West, you keep calling the Xiating people 'seniors'?!"

As a disciple of Jieyin of the West, you keep calling the Xiating people 'seniors'?!

"Moreover, your words show no trace of opposition; instead, you appear to be pleading for the Xiating to concede?!"

Translation: "Moreover, your words show no hint of opposition; instead, you appear to be pleading for Xiating's concession?!"

"Where is your backbone?"

Translation: "Where is your integrity?"

"Where is your dignity?!"

Translation: "Where is your dignity?!"

"Disgraceful!"

Translation: "Embarrassing!"

"Too disgraceful!"

Translation: "So embarrassing!"

Heilong covered its forehead with a hand, speechless.

Heilong covered its forehead with a hand, speechless.

Following such an owner, even I feel ashamed to face people.

Translation: "Following such an owner, even I feel ashamed to face others."

Meanwhile, Biluo and the others were also stunned, greatly surprised.

Meanwhile, Biluo and the others were also stunned, greatly surprised.

They had imagined various reactions from Chen Ku, yet they never expected him to be so 'able to yield and stand firm'?

Translation: "They had imagined various reactions from Chen Ku, yet they never expected him to be so flexible—able to bend and stretch."

He has no shame at all.

Translation: "He has no shame at all."

Right from the start, he keeps crying 'bitter', a zero-frame start—how can we defend against that?!

Right off the bat, he keeps crying 'bitter', a zero-frame start—how can we defend against that?!

Precisely because several people were unprepared, Chen Ku's words fell into their ears without omission.

Translation: "Moreover, because they were completely unprepared, Chen Ku's words fell into their ears, not a word missed."

Unbeknownst to them, the expressions of the several Xiating individuals gradually softened, and they couldn't help but feel compassion.

Translation: "Unbeknownst to them, the expressions of the several Xiating individuals gradually softened, and they couldn't help but feel compassion."

According to Chen Ku, the beings of the West are truly pitiful.

Translation: "According to Chen Ku, the beings of the West are also too pitiful."

Could it be...... that we really have done too much?