Chapter 815: The Angler

Tang Luo, assuming the guise of Senior Disciple Brother, provoked the various Heavenly Artifact Venerables.

The Heavenly Artifact Venerables decisively responded to the provocation, with such effectiveness that Zhu Bajie momentarily thought his Master had directly used a Taunt divine ability.

A Taunt divine ability has no effect on Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons, things that possess only "war instincts."

Otherwise, Tang Luo and the others wouldn't have needed to come here; they could have just taunted their way straight through.

As the most powerful batch of people on this land, these Heavenly Artifact Venerables hadn't been cursed at like this in many, many years.

Although recently, for nearly a year, they had been chased high and low by Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons, the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons don't curse people.

Now suddenly being cursed at, a long-lost yet entirely new experience, made them very angry, not happy in the slightest.

The enraged Heavenly Artifact Venerables didn't bother caring why Zhu Bajie would call Tang Luo, a Nine-Star Life Artifact Bearer, "Master"; they only wanted to make this arrogant, ignorant white-haired man pay the price.

Venerable Zhenlong, however, thought of many things in that short moment.

The identity of this white-haired man as a Nine-Star Life Artifact Bearer was news brought by the squad leader.

Why the squad leader thought so: because when he addressed Tang Luo as "Venerable," Tang Luo said he wasn't.

Not a Heavenly Artifact Venerable yet this strong — at least Nine-Star, no problem.

Who would have thought the "not" spoken by the two parties meant fundamentally different things.

One extending infinitely upward, the other descending downward.

Of course, even if Tang Luo were a Heavenly Artifact Venerable, at a time like this it wouldn't stop these Heavenly Artifact Venerables from attacking.

Venerable Xinghe waved a hand, and starlight instantly flickered throughout the grand hall; his Life Artifact was rather special, a set of combined hidden weapons.

Now the hidden weapons were used openly, truly grand and majestic.

A wave of the hand, and a "Galaxy" enveloped everything, also revealing the origin of his title.

Within the Galaxy, Tian Yuguang made his move; the sword he now held was an Eight-Star Life Artifact, concealed within the Galaxy as it struck toward Tang Luo.

Not "Heavenly Light" in the least; on the contrary, very insidious.

The other Heavenly Artifact Venerables likewise acted, respectively attacking Zhu Bajie and Tang Luo.

Only Venerable Zhenlong remained, not having attacked, but he too had risen to his full height, gripping his Life Artifact, the Dragon-Slaying Saber, majesty radiating, standing by in formation, looking ready to attack at any moment.

These Heavenly Artifact Venerables were extremely decisive; since they had decided to attack, they didn't bother with any "face" issues.

Joining forces, they aimed to resolve Tang Luo and the other in the fastest speed.

Achievers of great undertakings naturally do not fuss over trifles.

For this kind of person who disregards the overall situation, there's no need to speak of morality; everyone, shoulder to shoulder, attack!

Facing the attacks of these Heavenly Artifact Venerables, Tang Luo didn't even stand up; he picked up the whip in his hand and swung it once.

Under one whip, all the Heavenly Artifact Venerables' offensives collapsed completely.

The whip lashed onto them, and in an instant it shattered the power they had condensed together.

The whip shadow flashed by; the surrounding specks of hidden weapons, like tiny water droplets thrown into a raging fire, evaporated instantly.

All Heavenly Artifact Venerables, including Venerable Zhenlong who had stood ready with saber drawn but hadn't attacked, were sent flying backward; before they could smash through the grand hall and continue flying.

Tang Luo waved the Duan Shui Liu in his hand once more.

The whip whistled out, and in an instant it filled the entire grand hall, forming a spider web that entangled everyone, rendering them unable to move.

"Then, this poor monk shall begin persuading you."

Only then did Tang Luo stand up, walking before Venerable Zhenlong, who looked the easiest to persuade: "Are you willing, for the sake of the greater good, to join hands with me and exterminate all Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons?"

"Senior's great righteousness! This junior cannot refuse! Through boiling water and blazing fire, I will not hesitate!"

Venerable Zhenlong expressed that exterminating Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons was his lifelong responsibility!

Persuasion successful.

Next, Tang Luo looked toward Venerable Xinghe.

Venerable Xinghe was just about to say something when he saw a fist magnify before his eyes, smashing heavily onto his nose.

Soreness, numbness, pain; tears welled up, nosebleed flowed long, teeth loosened.

Before Venerable Xinghe could shout a single "Why," he was yanked down from the "spider web" by Tang Luo.

Pinned to the ground and beaten with fists and kicks; after the beating, Tang Luo tossed the battered Venerable Xinghe, whom even his mother wouldn't recognize, back onto the Duan Shui Liu spider web.

The first victim was born; the second was Venerable Tian Guang, Tian Yuguang.

After consecutively beating three Venerables, Zhu Bajie said: "Master, someone's coming."

"Oh." Tang Luo didn't even turn his head; he reached back and grabbed, the grand hall's main doors opened, and the remaining five Heavenly Artifact Venerables who had hurried over were all seized and pulled inside in one go.

A casual pinch, pinching them until their whole bodies fell apart, even their fingers difficult to move, likewise tossed onto the "spider web" to be entangled.

Zhu Bajie stretched out a hand, and with a "creak" closed the grand hall's main doors remotely.

Also closing off the Heavenly Artifact Venerables' hope.

"Then, let's continue persuading." Tang Luo smiled.

Those few Heavenly Artifact Venerables who arrived later wore faces of shock; just what had happened?

They had sensed power fluctuations, realized someone was acting within the Heavenly Fate Alliance's heartland, and immediately came to see.

They hadn't expected to figure out anything before they suddenly became fish on the chopping block themselves.

Especially those three Heavenly Artifact Venerables who had been in secluded bitter cultivation; their strength was a level higher than the other Heavenly Artifact Venerables, sufficient to fight one against two, even against three, against four.

They were truly the undisputed top five of the current era.

Yet they didn't even have a chance to attack; the blow to their hearts was immense, much old blood wanting to be vomited.

He beat all those Heavenly Artifact Venerables who had attacked to a pulp.

Only then did Tang Luo ask: "Then, are all of you willing to mind the greater good, and join me in exterminating Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons?"

Persuasion · Physical · Duan Shui Liu!

"Senior decides!"

"I cannot refuse!"

"I was born to deal with Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons!"

"Why are you hesitating, Senior? Just do it."

Mixed with many indistinct words; there was no help for it — his face was swollen, speaking was very difficult.

Persuasion successful.

Zhu Bajie gave a thumbs-up: "Worthy of being Master!"

"Call Wukong and the others back; we're changing the plan," Tang Luo said.

Originally, Tang Luo and the others had thought to join forces with the Heavenly Mandate Alliance and the Demon-Extermination Alliance to drive away the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons.

Now the situation had changed, and Tang Luo immediately altered the original plan.

So what use is a "pre-made plan"? When the critical moment comes, don't you still have to rely on "adapting to circumstances"?

"Master, what do you plan to do now?" Zhu Bajie asked.

Tang Luo glanced at those Heavenly Vessel Venerables bound on the Severing Water Flow and smiled: "Fishing."

He smiled so that those Heavenly Vessel Venerables felt a chill in their hearts.

Fishing?

Who is the fish, who is the bait, who is the angler?

This question almost needs no thought to have an answer.

One day later, the Heavenly Mandate Alliance sent word, recalling all Nine-Star Destiny Weapon Bearers stationed outside, uniting with the Heavenly Vessel Venerables to form bait — no, to form the strongest assault squad.

To become a sharp knife, piercing several bloody holes in the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons' "bodies".

They were determined to change the current trend of passive defense and steady retreat.

For this, the Heavenly Mandate Alliance let bygones be bygones, prioritized the greater good, and even planned to join forces with the Demon-Extermination Alliance's experts to act together.

They had already dispatched a special envoy to go and discuss the grand plan with the Demon-Extermination Alliance.

Three days later, word returned: the Demon-Extermination Alliance likewise prioritized the greater good, recalled all Nine-Star Destiny Weapon Bearers, and together with the Heavenly Mandate Alliance formed a spearhead force of nearly three hundred people.

This time, they would surely heavily wound the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons.

When experts move, efficiency is high.

After a few days, this spearhead force set off for the War Fog region amid the grand send-off of many people.

The scene was lively yet carried a tragic grandeur.

Everyone knew the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons' power; even these three hundred experts were the strongest batch among Destiny Weapon Bearers.

This trip was fraught with peril; who knew how many could return.

They are all heroes!

The heroes all donned uniform battle robes; the Nine-Star Destiny Weapon Bearers even wore helmets, covering the expressions on their faces.

The Heavenly Vessel Venerables wore no helmets; their faces bore looks of resolve, unyielding spirit, and readiness to die.

The wind sighs, the Yi River is cold; the hero departs, never to return!

Listening to the cheers of those people behind them, the Heavenly Vessel Venerables roared in their hearts: "We really don't want to go; we're not heroes, we're bait!"

Helpless — a gaze watched from above their heads.

Being bait still holds a sliver of survival; not being bait means certain death.

Far from the crowd, nearing the War Fog region, a burst of tiger roars and dragon chants, dense fog pressing down — a colossal creature poked its majestic, ferocious dragon head out of the thick fog.

On the dragon head Tang Luo sat cross-legged, holding Sun Wukong's Golden-Hooped Rod in hand.

One end gripped in his hand, the other end tied with that very useful Nine-Star Divine Whip, Severing Water Flow.

Sha Wujing and Zhu Bajie hovered on either side of the dragon head; behind Tang Luo, Sun Wukong poked his head around.

Tang Luo had already grown into a youth; once he stood up, he could completely block Sun Wukong from view.

Sitting, he could not block Sun Wukong.

Tang Luo waved the Golden-Hooped Rod, and that end of the Severing Water Flow suddenly lengthened, looping past everyone and winding a circle around each of their waists.

"Everyone remember: the greater good comes first," Tang Luo said.

Zhu Bajie cast an illusion technique, concealing the Severing Water Flow.

At the same time, Tang Luo and the others also vanished without a trace.

Even the original dense fog ceased to exist.

Yet everyone felt the rope at their waist tighten, signaling they could move.

Hearts wanting to weep but no tears; being bait and still having to move themselves — too tragic.

At the same time they cursed those Heavenly Vessel Venerables of the Heavenly Mandate Alliance half to death; if not for that bunch drawing this god-demon-like existence here.

Would they have to act as bait and fight desperately here?

Three hundred or so Destiny Weapon Bearers formed a rectangular array, rose into the air, and charged into the War Fog region.

Not long after entering the War Fog region, they encountered some Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons.

Carrying stifled rage, these Destiny Weapon Bearers didn't waste words and attacked on their own initiative.

They quickly finished off those Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons.

Who said bait can't bite the fish to death?

At first, the bait indeed can bite the fish to death.

But after a few days, the bait tires, the fish grow more numerous, and the situation is different.

A group of Destiny Weapon Bearers panted heavily; besides ahead and above, behind, left, right, and below — all were Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons.

Over two hundred thousand Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons were chasing and killing them.

Or, to put it more accurately, Tang Luo had already hooked over two hundred thousand fish.

"It's over."

A Fate Artifact wielder felt the Fate Artifact in their hand had the force of a thousand jin.

Prolonged, uninterrupted pursuit and battle had exhausted his strength.

Not just one—most Nine-Star Fate Artifact wielders were already utterly fatigued, lacking even the strength to fight or flee.

Only the Heavenly Artifact Venerables still retained some combat power.

"Could it be... we're going to die here?"

As the encirclement of the extradimensional heavenly demons gradually tightened and despair rose among the crowd, the whip at their waist suddenly tightened.

A group of people surged in speed, being pulled forward as they flew, instantly breaking through the forming encirclement.

A large group of extradimensional heavenly demons immediately gave chase from behind.

Having exhausted their initiative as bait, it was now Tang Luo's turn as the angler to truly begin fishing.