"Xu Taiping, where did you get those Sky Demon Tokens?"
In Black Prison, Ninth Madam watched the scene in the phantom image before her, then turned to Heavenly Lord Xuanbei and Daoist Fengzhu in astonishment.
Heavenly Lord Xuanbei frowned.
"It seems to have been Kang Cangzi."
At that name, the corner of Ninth Madam's mouth twitched several times before she said helplessly:
"He certainly lives up to being Chief of the Nine Half-Immortals. Five Sky Demon Tokens, handed over just like that."
Daoist Fengzhu shook his head.
"This certainly wasn't Kang Cangzi's decision alone."
Ninth Madam and Heavenly Lord Xuanbei both turned their eyes toward Daoist Fengzhu.
Daoist Fengzhu took a sip of tea from his cup, then said expressionlessly:
"Because they disagree over whether to reopen the Heaven-Treading Contest, Kang Cangzi and those old fellows have been secretly pitting their strength against Heavenly Crow."
"And over the years, because of Dong Cangzi's betrayal, Kang Cangzi's faction has been consistently suppressed by Heavenly Crow and those old ghosts."
"The same holds true even on the Heaven-Demon Battlefield."
"So it's hardly surprising that Kang Cangzi would stake a move on Xu Taiping."
Heavenly Lord Xuanbei nodded in deep agreement.
"Fengzhu has a point."
He continued thoughtfully:
"If this gamble fails, it won't have much effect on the plans of Kang Cangzi and those old codgers."
"If it succeeds, whether Xu Taiping slays the Demon Mother Clone or summons the Five Emperors' Demon-Slaying Army anew, either will deal a heavy blow to the Nine Abysses."
"In particular, the addition of the Five Emperors' Demon-Slaying Army will allow Kang Cangzi's forces on the Heaven-Demon Battlefield to match Heavenly Crow's faction once more."
"That would certainly bring those old fellows' plan to reopen the Heaven-Treading Contest another step closer to fruition."
Ninth Madam did