Chapter 729

Storing the faint disdain in his heart, Lü Jingtian looked at Kongming again.

Questions answered one by one, the scene fell quiet once more, everyone's gazes gathering on Kongming's group and Lü Jingtian.

Everyone understood clearly: this meeting was a collision of different ideals between the new and old factions of Shenmo Walkers.

"Since things have been made clear, I'll take my leave first."

Tang Yuhan said.

"Hm? Director Tang, you're leaving?" Lü Jingtian was a bit surprised.

He had originally worried the Bloody Queen might support Kongming; after all, she was also a veteran powerhouse, and her relationship with Kongming and the others ran deep.

He hadn't expected her to be so cleanly neutral.

He couldn't help but feel a surge of joy; if everyone else could be as decisive as Tang Yuhan, the purpose of this trip would be directly achieved.

Unfortunately, fence-sitters are bound to need to see some results before they'll have any inclination or choice.

"Mm, staying would be a waste of time." Tang Yuhan said.

What's there to discuss? In the end, isn't it still just a matter of what that person intends?

And looking at Kongming, that old schemer, with his brows slightly furrowed, seeming a bit anxious.

But in reality? He's absolutely already dug pits waiting for people to jump in.

Glancing at Lü Jingtian, Tang Yuhan shook her head; young people, never been through society's beatings.

"An'an too?" Tang Yuhan looked at An'an and asked.

"Mm, I'll stay a bit. Might get to see Big Brother; haven't seen him in a long time." An'an said.

Ever since she shrank, Tang Luo had gone from secluded to completely reclusive.

"Alright, if you see him, pass on my regards to the Master." Tang Yuhan nodded, decisively unfurling a pair of wings and soaring into the sky.

Those wings were no longer the Iron Wings, but a pair of blood-colored feathered wings, carrying a demonic beauty.

Tang Yuhan paused in the sky, blocked by the formation.

Over there, Daoist Chijing only then raised his head for a glance, pinched a hand seal, and opened the grand formation to let Tang Yuhan leave.

He immediately plunged back into studying the formation; his occasional frowns were of course not from straining to maintain the formation.

Rather, Zhu Bajie's few pointers had opened the door to a whole new world for Daoist Chijing.

Like a scholar encountering a difficult problem, drilling into it with effort, naturally with full body and mind invested.

The children's roughhousing, he hadn't taken to heart at all; it was merely at Kongming's request, helping out a bit.

Even if right now Kongming suddenly said he was washing his hands of it, "do whatever you want," Daoist Chijing wouldn't mind.

Truth be told, he now kinda wanted to cultivate by the side of the Holy Monk Xuanzang.

Mm, accurately speaking, by the side of Zhu Bajie.

Didn't expect this guy to actually be a hidden formation grandmaster.

This doesn't match Journey to the West at all.

"Master... looks like that guy didn't have an accident." Hearing Tang Yuhan and An'an's dialogue, Lü Jingtian thought to himself.

He looked at An'an a couple more times.

Didn't expect this Black Whirlwind to actually be a "Shenmo second-gen," with a great Buddha behind her.

Lü Jingtian's thoughts began to turn, pondering what impact that so-called Master would bring to this meeting if he suddenly popped out.

"Since everyone chooses to stay, I have some drafted regulations here, governing our Shenmo Walkers' conduct in the real world; everyone can take a look."

Someone delivered a thick stack of paper.

Kongming and Zhao Hongmiao took it and tossed it out; papers flew everywhere, with incomparable precision flying before each person, hovering for a moment.

Happily caught by everyone.

Even that plain, unremarkable man was no exception.

"This one seems to be a new face." Kongming looked at that man at the right moment.

The man nodded and said: "I've met Mr. Zhuge; I'm just an insignificant nobody, it's normal for a big shot like you not to know me."

"Modest. What should I call you?" Kongming asked.

"Huan Shen." The man smiled, using a very modest posture to speak a very arrogant title.

"Mm." Kongming nodded, indicating he remembered.

Huan Shen lowered his head to look at Kongming's drafted regulations.

Inside were stipulated quite a few things Shenmo Walkers cannot do; basically making Shenmo Walkers be ordinary people.

If disputes arise between each other, they cannot retaliate wantonly; mediation remains the main approach.

Same as before, invite a notary to preside, hold a fair duel.

Compared to before, there's no relaxation; on the contrary, because the contract relationship is gone, some punitive measures have become even harsher.

A few thin sheets of paper, content neither too much nor too little.

"If any of you have thoughts, feel free to speak freely." Kongming said.

"I object."

The words barely fell when Lü Jingtian immediately spoke up.

"What do you object to?" Zhao Hongmiao looked at Lü Jingtian.

Compared to the elegance Kongming displayed, this elder who held high position and wielded great authority was full of majesty.

Facing Zhao Hongmiao's pressure, Lü Jingtian refused to show weakness, releasing a powerful aura to contend: "All of it."

The clash between the two made many Shenmo Walkers' hearts tremble.

Secretly sighing at the strength of both sides.

"Oh?"

"I just said, we gods and demons walk freely—we don't need so many rules and restrictions." Lü Jingtian said, "These are shackles on us, hindering our growth, blocking our progress."

"Exactly!"

"I think so too."

"Lord Wenhou is right!"

With Lü Jingtian's words, the Eagle Faction's gods and demons immediately stirred into an uproar.

At this moment, we absolutely cannot weaken our momentum!

"Hmph." Zhao Hongmiao let out a chuckle, his voice not particularly loud, yet clearly reaching everyone's ears, "What do you understand? These things aren't restraints—they're protecting you."

"Protecting us?"

Lü Jingtian froze, then burst into loud laughter, "Old Zhao, let me say something unpleasant—these things are protecting your power, aren't they?"

Zhao Hongmiao didn't get angry, merely shook his head, wearing an expression of "the ignorant fear nothing."

It was precisely this expression that nearly instantly enraged Lü Jingtian and the others.

A bunch of doomed-to-be-eliminated fellows—nothing more than lucky to have entered the God-Demon Game earlier than them—what is there to be proud of?

What era is this, still relying on seniority to show off?

Lü Jingtian shouted loudly: "Perhaps we can prove we don't need any protection at all! Just use your favorite way—fair duel—how about it?"

"Oh?" Kongming said, "Speak, we're listening."

"Each side sends three people, right here, for three battles, best two out of three. If you win, we'll naturally abide by everything written here."

Lü Jingtian shook the papers in his hand.

"But if you lose, well, actually we don't demand anything—we just hope these things become scrap paper."

The paper in his hand suddenly shattered and fell to the ground.

"Oh, sorry." Lü Jingtian feigned an apology, "I didn't expect this paper to be so fragile—it breaks at a touch."

Zhao Hongmiao looked toward Kongming.

Kongming nodded: "Good, we agree."

"Wait." The Athena-fated one said, "I want to know—will Daoist Chijing not fight us?"

Even if we harbor some disdain, returning to reality, we don't now wish to face the mysterious Chijing Daoist.

It's not admitting the opponent is definitely stronger, but their strength is unfathomable—we must avoid complications, uh, out of tactical consideration.

Chijing Daoist didn't even lift an eyelid, impatiently waving his hand, "Don't disturb my cultivation."

Receiving an affirmative answer, Lü Jingtian's side gained a bit more confidence.

This battle will let all gods and demons walk be shocked by their strength!

Lü Jingtian stepped forward: "Mr. Kong, Elder Zhao—who goes first?"

We must win the first match!

Unexpectedly, Zhao Hongmiao glanced aside, while Kongming said: "No fight—we concede."

"Huh?"

Lü Jingtian's confident, battle-ready smile instantly froze on his face.

What situation is this? You concede? I haven't even exerted myself yet!

"After thinking, we old bones can't keep holding on like this." Kongming pounded his waist, even taking off his hat to gesture, "Too tired. Since you, Xiao Lü, are so confident, then the future of gods and demons walking is entrusted to you."

"No……"

Lü Jingtian opened his mouth.

Happiness came too suddenly? No, this must be some conspiracy!

These guys—what trick are they playing!

"What do you want to do?" Lü Jingtian, not dazed by the inexplicable victory, sank his voice and asked.

"No. We're just stepping back to the second line, withdrawing." Kongming said, bowing slightly, "Venerable Monk Xuanzang, please do as you wish."

"Xuanzang?"

"That monk?"

"Master, the Master has come!"

"Ha, I knew the Master wasn't in trouble—people just kept a low profile, but wherever the Master is, I still want to become his disciple."

The platform instantly stirred with commotion.

Many people looked around, seeking Tang Luo's figure.

That man—where is he?

Lü Jingtian and the others were no exception—never expecting the variable to actually be that Xuanzang monk who had long avoided appearances, even suspected of having already knelt.

But under these circumstances, what could he do?

Kongming had already conceded.

Huan Shen narrowed his eyes, gaze like lightning, sweeping the surroundings—found no one hiding.

"Seems not here—probably just pretending to be mysterious, playing obscure……"

Huan Shen spoke.

"Hmm."

As the words fell, a grand, clear, heavenly voice rang out.

Like the great bell Zhongzhou, echoing in everyone's ears.

At the same time, the platform beneath everyone's feet began to tremble.

"What's happening? Is the platform breaking?"

"No, no—it's not the platform! The entire island is shaking!"

"An earthquake?"

The entire island was trembling and shaking, as if a sudden earthquake had struck.

Many divine and demonic wanderers on the island stumbled, swaying left and right.

With a sound like something breaking, accompanied by violent shaking, the island began to rise into the air before the astonished eyes of the divine and demonic wanderers.

The surrounding sea churned with waves, the calm surface beginning to roar as the island lifted.

Soon, the entire island had completely detached from the sea and hovered in midair.

Clouds and mist gathered, swirling around the island above.

"Boom!"

A deep, thunderous roar echoed, followed by the cries of the divine and demonic wanderers.

What did they see?

Within the surrounding mist, a fearsome, elegant, and awe-inspiring colossal beast slowly "swam," circling the island.

A tangible pressure emanated as the massive head emerged from the mist, its gaze sweeping over the many divine and demonic wanderers on the platform.

Golden pupils burned like flames, a pair of sharp horns, and long whiskers fluttered.

Dragon!

A white true dragon!

Was it lifting the entire island?

No, no!

This dragon was merely flying around the island.

On the platform, over half of the divine and demonic wanderers trembled, struggling to resist the terrifying dragon's might.

Before they could act further, the dragon's head suddenly retracted, the surrounding mist faded, head and tail no longer visible, only the slow movement of its massive body.

Under the light, its scales emitted a brilliant radiance.

Then, at the island's base, five enormous pillars began to rise slowly, bit by bit.

"Pillars? No, they're hands?"

"Fingers!"

"Palms! Whose palms are these!"

Astonished cries rose from the divine and demonic wanderers—these were not pillars, but five heaven-supporting fingers!

Heaven-supporting giant fingers glowing with white jade light!

Lü Jing Tian considered a possibility, his eyes widening, his breath growing difficult.

"Impossible, impossible!" his mind roared.

The "pillars" stood upright between heaven and earth, parallel to the island, casting a vast shadow that completely enveloped the platform.

Though gaps existed between them, they created a feeling of sealed heaven and earth, with no escape.

Moreover, those five fingers seemed to be slowly pressing inward into the island.

A dragon's chant.

The coiling true dragon around the island reappeared, dragon head visible as it descended.

Upon its dragon head sat a blood-robed, gold-patterned, white-haired youth in lotus position, eyes closed, left hand slightly extended forward, palm up, fingers upright, slowly curling inward, forming a fist.

The surrounding pillars, following his movement, also began to curl inward bit by bit.

He opened his eyes—his ancient, still pupils instantly replaced the pillars, replaced heaven and earth, replaced everything in his field of vision.

The entire world held only those two eyes.

In an instant, the world suddenly returned to normal—the island now under human control, normal.

"Pay respects to the Holy Monk!"

Kong Ming, initiating the salute, shouted loudly.

"Pay respects to the Holy Monk!"

A group of elder divine and demonic wanderers reacted, including outsiders, all bowing in unison.