Qing Chen rode pitch-black Escape Light, streaking through the clouds over the Gouwu Sea like a bolt of ink-dark lightning.
Faint blood marks wreathed the edges of his Escape Light, an unusual manifestation of the Pojun Battle Halberd's killing intent mingling with his own true essence.
His fingertips brushed a dark gold Command Token hanging at his waist. The words "Deputy Sect Master" inscribed on it had grown somewhat blurred from years of erosion by killing intent.
At that moment, the corners of Qing Chen's mouth lifted slightly into a smile tinged with mockery.
"That old fellow Xuanji is probably staring fixedly at the war reports from the Cold Mountain Sea Region right now, racking his brains over how to take back my military authority. Hahaha."
Qing Chen had quietly laid the groundwork for this Golden Cicada Shedding Its Shell scheme months earlier.
That day, he had received a message Ye Wushang had entrusted someone to deliver.
Ye Wushang, the Sword Path genius he had once fought, was actually visiting the Vajra Zen Sect at the time.
The message mentioned that Ye Wushang was exchanging cultivation insights with Buddha’s Son Wuchen, surrounded by several leading figures of the Gouwu Sea's younger generation, all of them at the Golden Core stage.
Later, after the Eight Serpent Sect delivered its pledge of allegiance as agreed, Qing Chen sent a reply, his tone half sincere and half feigned:
"Brother Wu Shang, it isn't that I'm unwilling to accept your invitation. The fighting in the Cold Mountain Sea Region is simply too intense, locked in a stalemate.
"Those bald donkeys at Cold Mountain Temple made a lion's demand, forgetting all loyalty at the sight of profit. In his fury, Sect Master Xuanji ordered an attack on Cold Mountain Temple.
"As I see it, there