Encountering the Demon Clan on the Road

You find the Western Sect so displeasing, why didn't you act yourself?

Gu Changqing felt disdain inwardly, but on his face, he smiled and said, "The Western Sect truly committed heinous crimes by killing my subordinates and slaying my disciples. Uncle-Master Ran Deng, I am immensely grateful for your help in apprehending these rebels for me."

"Alas. There's no need for formalities between family," Ran Deng sighed. "I've been in secluded cultivation for all these years, and I never expected the Western Sect to become so rampant, daring to casually kill disciples of my Mysterious Sect."

"That's not true!"

Lapis Lazuli Bodhisattva exclaimed loudly, "It was you who sent someone to the Western Sect, saying you wanted to conspire together to seize the North Sea and cut off Great Shang's destiny!"

"Who are you, to dare slander me?" Ran Deng retorted angrily. "When did I ever send anyone to the West?"

Lapis Lazuli Bodhisattva then added, "Then why did you imprison Shi Ji in Golden Light Cave? Shi Ji is a disciple of Saint Tong Tian!"

"Nonsense! If not for Nephew Changqing, I would have crippled you with a single palm strike."

Gu Changqing frowned and asked, "Uncle-Master Ran Deng, what happened with Senior Sister Shi Ji?"

Ran Deng chuckled, "I saw that Nephew Shi Ji had extraordinary potential, so I let her refine her Golden Body in Golden Light Cave. As for imprisonment, that's pure slander."

"Besides, Nephew Shi Ji possesses a unique treasure. How could the small Golden Light Cave possibly imprison her?"

Hearing Ran Deng say this, Gu Changqing believed him eight-tenths of the way.

Golden Light Cave was indeed a good place to refine a Golden Body, and Shi Ji had the Primordial Chaos World Piercing Shuttle, so Ran Deng truly couldn't imprison her.

Lapis Lazuli Bodhisattva was dumbfounded!

Given the situation, how could he not realize he had been played?

All this talk of murder and jailbreaking was nothing but a ploy.

But...

But the Chan Sect and Intercepting Sect had always been at odds. How did they suddenly become family today?

Gu Changqing also couldn't fathom what Ran Deng was plotting, so he could only smile and say, "Thank you, Uncle-Master Ran Deng, for letting bygones be bygones."

"Don't mention it. Wasn't that bit of karma already resolved? It's just..." Ran Deng looked as if he had more to say but hesitated.

Gu Changqing replied, "Uncle-Master Ran Deng, please speak your mind."

Ran Deng then said, "Nephew Changqing has captured so many Western Sect experts. If this enrages the Two Sages of the West, how will Nephew Changqing handle the aftermath?"

Gu Changqing smiled, "Thank you for the reminder, Uncle-Master. I have my own plans."

It would be strange if capturing so many Western Sect experts didn't provoke the Two Sages of the West.

The Ten Thousand Immortals Grand Formation in the Heavenly Mystery Abode had been practiced for many days. Using it against a Saint was not a big problem. At least it could buy some time.

He still had billions of Merits. If he exchanged them for a batch of Innate Supreme Treasures, even a Saint would have to kneel.

As long as the Heavenly Dao didn't perish, Saints wouldn't die.

Throwing countless Innate Supreme Treasures at them wouldn't kill the Saints, but smashing their Golden Bodies wouldn't be a problem.

Moreover, the Two Sages of the West were relatively weaker among the Saints.

If one didn't have the capabilities, how could one dare to undertake such a risky endeavor?

If he didn't have these trump cards, how would Gu Changqing dare to be so reckless?

Ran Deng saw Gu Changqing's composure and secretly frowned: Could this guy have plotted with Tong Tian long ago? The Four Swords of Zhuxian cannot be broken by fewer than four Saints. If Tong Tian comes, the Two Sages of the West will have to admit defeat.

If Tong Tian comes, wouldn't all my scheming be in vain?

Thinking of this, Ran Deng added, "Since Nephew Changqing and Senior Brother Tong Tian have already made their calculations, I won't meddle further."

Meddle?

Could this guy really be here to help me?

Considering this, Gu Changqing said, "Uncle-Master Ran Deng, you've misunderstood. Master doesn't know I came to the North Sea. The reason I'm so confident is because I believe justice resides in people's hearts, and I believe the two Uncle-Masters of the West won't make things difficult for a junior like me."

It's best not to expose trump cards if possible. If I can get a free helper, why not?

Hmm?

Kid, you're still too young!

Ran Deng's interest was piqued when he heard Gu Changqing say this.

When the Two Sages of the West arrive, you'll be in trouble.

At that time, when my Senior Brother and I step in to rescue you, I'll just ask if you're moved or not?

As long as I get you into the Chan Sect, the Investiture of the Gods will be a benefit for our Chan Sect.

Ran Deng continued, "Nephew Changqing, it's quite inconvenient for you to escort so many captives alone. Let me escort you for a while. This long, snowy road holds unknown dangers."

"Thank you, Uncle-Master Ran Deng."

He really is a free helper!

However, Gu Changqing couldn't quite figure out Ran Deng's motive at the moment.

Along the way, the two chatted happily, while the Western Sect disciples' spirits plummeted.

Ran Deng was too shameless!

They didn't hate Gu Changqing, after all, he was naturally part of the opposing faction.

But Ran Deng was different!

They were supposed to be partners!

If Ran Deng hadn't instigated things back then, why would they have eagerly run all the way to the North Sea to eat snow?

Who would have thought that at the very end, he'd just sell them out?

They had never seen such a shameless person!

Whether it was anger or frustration, they could only swallow their resentment.

At this point, no matter what they said, Gu Changqing wouldn't believe them.

The so-called murder by Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva might have been entirely orchestrated by Ran Deng.

After all, it was incredibly easy for a Quasi-Saint to frame a Great Luo Golden Immortal.

At this moment, the experts of the Western Sect wished they could light Ran Deng up like a sky lantern.

So hateful!

What they didn't know was that Gu Changqing had already believed them.

He might have doubts about Shi Ji's imprisonment, but Gu Changqing had no doubt at all that Ran Deng was colluding with the Western Sect.

Although he knew Ran Deng's words were full of loopholes, Gu Changqing didn't expose him; he wanted to see what Ran Deng was truly up to.

Besides, a free helper was still worth using.

Horses were naturally not as fast as flying, and Ran Deng showed no intention of rushing; the slower, the better.

The group had traveled less than a hundred li when a demonic wind suddenly swept through, stirring up a thousand piles of snow.

Gu Changqing's eyes slightly narrowed. He hadn't waited for the Two Sages of the West, but instead, the Demon Clan had arrived.

"Ran Deng!"

"Surprised? Delighted?"

Seeing the Demon Clan experts descend, Lapis Lazuli Bodhisattva shouted.

Ran Deng frowned and said, "Are you telling me your Western Sect is also colluding with the Demon Clan?"

"Bullshit!"

Lapis Lazuli Bodhisattva roared, "It's your Chan Sect that colludes with the Demon Clan!" Though it was a roar, her voice quieted down.

She had once told Ran Deng that the Western Sect had other forces in the North Sea.

Ran Deng chuckled, "If there's no collusion, how would they have found this place?"

Gu Changqing silently watched Ran Deng and Lapis Lazuli Bodhisattva bickering. Although everyone's acting wasn't great, the plot was certainly exciting.

Upon first arriving in the North Sea, the Chan Sect, Western Sect, and Demon Clan all made their grand entrance. He had to admit, this welcome ceremony was quite unique.

Who was the fish, who was the bait, and who was the angler?

Could they even tell the difference?

Gu Changqing glanced at the arriving Demon Clan: two Demon Saints, over a dozen Great Demons, followed by countless other demons.

Quite a grand display!

The leading Demon Saint looked puzzled when he saw Ran Deng.

Wasn't Ran Deng on their side?

Why was he chatting with Gu Changqing?

If that was the case...

Then it was trouble!

Trying to capture Gu Changqing and rescue the Western Sect would be incredibly difficult!

"What kind of demons are you, blocking my path!"

Gu Changqing bellowed, his voice echoing for a hundred li.