Chapter 389: The Demon Shrine

Immortality and deathlessness are called transcending the world, having already attained a lifespan equal to that of heaven and earth.

One's divine abilities and magic power can no longer be measured by ordinary logic, enabling all sorts of inconceivable feats, turning decay into wonder!

A figure like Shouzun Shouzun Moshen, this "Sage among Demons," combines the strengths of both the Buddhist and demonic schools.

Even across the myriad heavens and cosmos, he is a renowned and titled great figure, a truly accomplished Venerable One who has attained the Dao!

Although Pure Buddha and the three Ladies of Zhang Le took advantage of his severe injuries to strike Shouzun Shouzun Moshen down from the dust-head, they lacked the capability to truly kill him or completely sever his life force.

Given time.

A thread of mysterious spirituality would eventually sprout once more from Shouzun Shouzun Moshen's indestructible Dao fruit.

And at that time.

It would mark the period of Shouzun Shouzun Moshen's return to the myriad heavens and cosmos!

This matter cannot be stopped; even a virtuous monk of the Sha Sect school like Pure Buddha is powerless against it.

However, long before making their move, Pure Buddha, being Shouzun Shouzun Moshen's old rival, was already aware of this, and under Master Master Kongkong's secret guidance, he harbored a plan in his heart.

He later taught this plan to the Crown Prince of Sui Yu, letting the Crown Prince carry it out personally.

This strategy involved Pure Buddha exercising a supreme divine ability to split Shouzun Shouzun Moshen's Dao fruit into ten parts, then seeking suitable individuals to serve as shrines with their own bodies to seal these ten fragments of the Dao fruit.

By confusing the Dao fruits, this method delays the time of Shouzun Shouzun Moshen's return.

This shares a similar essence with the "Ten Demons Method" that Monk Haha obtained from Yong Yong Wangfu, both being a type of secret technique within the Sha Sect Zen sect.

However, these two types of methods ultimately possess several differences.

Although Monk Haha's "Ten Demons Method" requires dividing ten types of afflictions and obstacles.

As for his Ten Demons, apart from being unable to further advance their cultivation, they suffer no other hindrance; on the contrary, they can effortlessly enjoy a body of powerful abilities.

Similarly, although candidates for these Ten Demons are hard to find, as long as one expends Ku Gong under the guidance of senior members of the sect, it can be successfully accomplished.

But the Demon Shrine is different.

Once a person is designated as a Demon Shrine, from that moment on their mind becomes chaotic, nearly reducing them to a walking corpse, with life and death no longer under their own control.

Not only are there no benefits, but they must also endure miserable suffering.

At the same time, due to the compatibility of their root nature, Shouzun Shouzun Moshen's Dao fruit will subtly enhance the Dao practices of the Demon Shrine candidate.

This means that once chosen as a Demon Shrine, the suffering endured is nearly boundless!

Only when one can no longer bear it will final relief finally arrive...

Since the Demon Shrine can delay Shouzun Shouzun Moshen's return.

Then whether it is the Crown Prince of Sui Yu or the three Ladies of Zhang Le, they must devise ways to find enough Demon Shrines to continue this practice!

Chen Chen Yushu learned from Elder Mu Sou that becoming a Demon Shrine is not something just anyone can do; the requirements are harsh.

Often, only geniuses and outstanding talents with noble fate grids can be selected.

But speaking carefully, the most suitable candidates for Demon Shrines.

Are actually the Princes of Sui Yu who have undergone the trial of the Six Dusts and can resonate with the Silent Tiangong...

At this moment, after hearing Chen Chen Yushu's suggestion.

The Crown Prince of Sui Yu glanced at him, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

He seemed unable to understand what scheme Chen Chen Yushu was plotting, feeling slightly guarded in his heart.

"Disciples of the Tribulation Immortal Sect are truly a plague; every single one of them is troublesome..."

He first sighed lightly in his heart, feeling quite helpless, then waved his hand:

"Younger Brother, you truly live up to inheriting Master Master Kongkong's legacy; this skill of dragging others into the water is exactly like that of your teacher!

However, although Demon Shrine candidates are hard to find, given the vastness of this myriad heavens and cosmos, those with compatible root natures and noble fate grids, though rare, are not impossible to locate. As it happens, I have found another one, which should be able to delay things for a while.

If it were merely killing a few Chen Yuanshu Chen Yuanshu Zhenjun for you or settling some enemies, I, your foolish elder brother, would naturally not hesitate and would lend a hand without any reward, but selecting Chen Heng as a Demon Shrine will surely cause Yu Yu Yuchen to fly into a rage.

To be honest, I have witnessed the power of the Universe Lei Chi! Taking a single strike from this treasure brings considerable trouble!"

Chen Chen Yushu paid no heed to these words, merely smiling slightly:

"Chen Heng can resonate with the Silent Tiangong."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince of Sui Yu froze, inadvertently dropping the wine vessel in his hand, causing the table before him to clatter loudly.

His expression stiffened slightly, a trace of surprise appearing on his face.

"Chen Heng is the Dao companion of Jun Yao, identical to that rebellious daughter Chen Yan whom I killed with my own hands... In other words, they, like the Crown Prince, are all Princes of Sui Yu."

Chen Chen Yushu raised his eyebrows slightly, observing the expression on the Crown Prince of Sui Yu's face with interest, then added casually:

Suddenly, a moment of silence fell over the scene; no one spoke, so quiet that the drop of a needle could be heard.

The atmosphere became subtle, suddenly turning tense.

In the end, it was Chen Chen Yushu who spoke first, breaking the silence:

"The Crown Prince is also a Prince of Sui Yu, so naturally you know the weight of a Prince of Sui Yu; having a Prince of Sui Yu serve as a Demon Shrine is most appropriate, far more enduring than any other candidate.

Did not the Crown Prince once lament bitterly over the death of Chen Yan?

Thinking back now, I should have handed Chen Yan over to the Crown Prince for disposal at that time; this was truly my fault, Chen's fault. As for other candidates..."

Chen Chen Yushu paused deliberately, then said:

"Although I am currently confined to a limited area, I am aware that the reputations of the Crown Prince and Sui Yu Heaven are not good; continuing to act as you do, it is not impossible that disaster might strike suddenly one day."

Logically speaking, as long as the Demon Shrines are not exhausted, Shouzun Shouzun Moshen will almost never have a chance to awaken.

No matter how powerful his divine abilities were in life, he would be helpless.

However, the candidates for Demon Shrines are stringent.

They must possess outstanding root nature and require a noble fate grid to barely resonate with that fragmented Dao fruit.

Such individuals are, eight or nine out of ten, carefully cultivated by various Dao sects and lineages.

Only one or two remain.

Those who have yet to secure a patron are the easiest to target…

Over countless eons, to ensure the Maw of Demons never fades, Chongyu Crown Prince has been forced on several occasions to act, offending several Dazongda Sects.

Now, he is infamous throughout all heavens and universes, nearly everyone cries out to hunt him down…

"Could he truly be the Chongyu Demon Prince?"

At this moment, Chongyu Crown Prince's expression turned subtle.

"The Crown Prince is now the sovereign of Chongyu Heaven and has his own means to verify this—why would I deceive you?" Chen Chen Yushu declared loudly.

"..."

Chongyu frowned upon hearing this and fell silent.

The Maw of Demons's first choice is naturally the Chongyu Demon Prince.

This breed can sustain far longer than other Maw candidates—often tenfold or more—and is extremely useful!

Currently, within Chongyu Heaven, it is precisely the support of several Chongyu Maw bearers that allows the Crown Prince and the three Lady Musicians to sit securely in command, at ease and untroubled.

Just now, Chen Chen Yushu mentioned that the Chongyu Demon God's return is not far off precisely because he knew one Chongyu Maw bearer in Chongyu Heaven was nearly spent and no longer usable.

If the Ten Maws of Demons were to fail and no successor could be found, it would be a catastrophic disaster, and the Chongyu Demon God would awaken.

Under such circumstances.

At any cost, Chongyu Crown Prince must stabilize the situation and prevent the worst outcome!

At this moment, Chen Chen Yushu perceived Chongyu Crown Prince's hesitation—he was likely worried about Yu Yu Yuchen's reaction.

He smiled faintly and said only one thing:

"Crown Prince, haven't you nearly perfected that secret art? You are already among the finest of the Chongyu Demon Princes, in perfect accord with the Demon God's Dao. If you can refine the Dao Fruit, your cultivation will surge forward dramatically.

At that time, even if the Demon God revives, what can he do to you?"

Upon hearing this, Chongyu Crown Prince's face paled slightly; he rose abruptly, sleeves sweeping, his eyes hiding a cold, fierce killing intent.

After a moment of locked gazes,

Chongyu Crown Prince suddenly let out a light laugh and sighed deeply:

"Chen Yushu, you truly have eyes and hands that reach everywhere—even such a secret is known to you. How intriguing. The Disciples of the Catastrophe Immortal are truly terrifying and awe-inspiring!"

Chen Chen Yushu shook his head in denial: "Crown Prince overestimates me. I merely received some transmissions from Master Master Kongkong—I am not yet a Disciple of the Catastrophe Immortal."

"Not yet?"

"Not yet—I lack sufficient refinement. But when my calamity is complete and I achieve Dao union, and seize the title of Celestial Immortal—"

Chen Chen Yushu slowly swirled the old goblet, carelessly saying:

"Then Master Master Kongkong will surely come personally to this Fan Fan Dongtian, arriving before others to formally establish our master-disciple bond, and I shall finally hear the teachings of the Catastrophe Immortal Fuchan Laozu."

"Unite the fortunes of the Bapailiu Sect, bear the honorific title Yuan Shi, and if you then join the Catastrophe Immortal's sect, with your talent, you will surpass Kanli Daoist and become the foremost third-generation disciple of the Catastrophe Immortal."

Chongyu Crown Prince paid a compliment:

"Such a status—even in the ancient Dao Court era, your name would grace the Ten Thousand Heavens Assembly as a honored guest of Crown Prince Changming!"

Chen Chen Yushu bowed: "Crown Prince flatters me. If you refine the Chongyu Demon God's Dao Fruit, in time you will become another Saintly Sage among demons—then even Chongyu Heaven may prove too small for your dwelling!"

The two exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

For a time, goblets clinked and guests and host rejoiced fully.

"Regarding Chen Heng, Crown Prince, no need to answer hastily—you still have another candidate, and that buys you plenty of time."

As they prepared to part, Chen Chen Yushu called Chongyu Crown Prince back, smiling:

"Such a matter naturally requires careful deliberation."

Chongyu Crown Prince gazed deeply at him, then nodded with a similar smile:

"Thank you, younger brother, for your advice. I understand—I will think deeply before giving you my reply."

After bowing farewell, Chongyu Crown Prince shifted his shoulders and vanished instantly from the spot, his whereabouts lost.

Chen Chen Yushu withdrew his gaze and merely clasped his hands behind his back.

He strolled to the railing of the Golden Palace, coldly gazing down at the silver waves piled layer upon layer, white crests rising and falling, auroras flickering and flashing, stretching boundlessly.

Standing at such a height,

He felt an immense, lonely vastness—as if he were the only being in heaven and earth—his vision wide open…

"At last, he's bitten."

After a long while, Chen Chen Yushu let out a faint smile.

As Chen Chen Yushu returned to himself, the sea below suddenly split apart, as if two colossal mountains roared open, revealing a vast, grotesque serpent head.

"How did you know Chen Heng could resonate with the Ji Ran Tiangong? And that Dao Fruit matter—look at Chongyu Crown Prince's reaction; it seems a secret indeed."

Brother Lady Yue You asked in surprise.

"I received the grace of Master Master Kongkong. Though I haven't formally become his disciple, seeking a few favors isn't difficult."

Chen Chen Yushu spoke calmly.

Brother Lady Yue You slowly nodded, said nothing more, and began to understand Chen Chen Yushu's intent.

The current Bapailiu Sect, due to the affairs of Taichang and Fa Sheng Heavens, is now tightly bound together and will not easily form major rifts or grievances.

Regarding this matter,

All the World-Regulating Ancestors have reached a consensus, a mutual understanding.

Even though Chen Chen Yushu unites the fortunes of the Liu Sect, it's still hard to move their high elders to act.

If so, only external force can break the deadlock.

After careful thought, only Chongyu Crown Prince is the most suitable choice.

Due to the matter of the Demon Shrine, Suiyu Heaven has already offended many great sects within the myriad heavens of the universe, and unless a proper solution is found, it is plainly visible that they will continue to offend even more.

At such a time, if another Suiyu Demon Scion could be found to serve as the Demon Shrine, for those in power within Suiyu Heaven, it would save countless troubles.

Even insisting on holding out until the Crown Prince of Suiyu is confident enough to completely refine the Dao Fruit should not be difficult!

Either continue offending the various sects until finally facing an expedition from multiple factions, resulting in severe damage to their foundational strength.

Or accomplish the matter all at once, offending only Yu Yu Yuchen's side, and thus settling everything once and for all.

Such was the dilemma.

Presumably, the Crown Prince of Suiyu already had a clear understanding in his heart...

"Do not underestimate the hidden depth of Suiyu Heaven; after all, it is a major heaven. When Shouzun Shouzun Moshen was still in the world, this heaven was a veritable Netherworld Demon Cave, its fierce prestige overwhelming! And regarding the matter of the Demon Shrine, everyone in Suiyu Heaven is of one mind."

At this moment, before Brother Lady Yue You could say anything, Chen Chen Yushu shook his head:

"Furthermore, do you truly believe Yu Yu Yuchen is actually controlled by Master Master Tongxuan? Although he once attained Immortal Karma and holds an extraordinary status within the sect, merely for the sake of a mere Dongxuan disciple, especially with the major affairs of Taichang and Fasheng preceding this, Yu Yu Yuchen would not go so far as to mobilize the entire sect's power to annihilate Suiyu Heaven.

Ultimately, Chen Heng is simply not yet a Dao Son!"

Hearing this, Brother Lady Yue You nodded repeatedly and sighed:

"This is truly an open scheme; the Crown Prince of Suiyu has no other choice and is forced to select it. If one must blame someone, it can only be that Chen Heng's root nature is simply too excellent, that he would actually turn out to be the Suiyu Demon Scion, which is truly bizarre! However, having said that..."

Brother Lady Yue You asked with confusion:

"But you clearly intend to take action personally later; if that is the case, why make this extra move and let the Crown Prince of Suiyu get involved?"

"An extra move? Perhaps."

Chen Chen Yushu's gaze was deep and subtle as he spoke calmly:

"However, given my nature, I always need to make preparations on two fronts before I can feel at ease; this time, let us just see what his true caliber is!"

Time flew swiftly, and soon several months had passed.

On this day, after bidding farewell to Master Qiao Ding.

Chen Heng, along with Master Qiao Xi and several other members of the Master Qiao clan, boarded a magnificent tower-ship and whistled through the sky toward the direction of Ganliu Medicine Garden.

The tower-ship was clearly a dharma treasure crafted specifically for flight and evasion, and its escape speed was indeed rapid.

In merely three days and nights, they had flown past layers of mountains, rivers, and lakes, arriving above Ganliu Medicine Garden.

At this moment, Chen Heng stepped out of the cabin; just as he stood on the deck and looked around in all directions, before he could observe much, a faint voice suddenly sounded from not far away.

"This is Ganliu Medicine Garden, a spiritual land specially crafted by the Gamma and Nanding tribes; judging by the arrangement today, the people of the two tribes have likely made additional preparations, intending to curry favor with you people from the great sects during the banquet."

Chen Heng turned around, performed a salute to the person who had just spoken, and said:

"Greetings, True Person Master Qiao Wei."

United

(End of Chapter)