I Collect Skill Fragments in the Demon World

But after Zhang Chen heard what Zhou Qiucheng said, his mind was elsewhere; he was worried about whether Chen Sanliang could withstand the Weak Water.

"Eight or nine out of ten times, he won’t make it through." Zhang Chen sighed softly in his heart.

It’s a pity that Chen Sanliang has already stepped into the grand array, even if he wanted to help, it might be too late.

"Zhang Chen, in the future you will share wealth and honor with me!" Zhou Qiucheng said to Zhang Chen.

"I appreciate your kindness, sir, but I must decline because it won’t be long before I have to head to Kyoto," Zhang Chen replied. He refused Zhou Qiucheng’s goodwill because his younger brother and sister had already gone to Kyoto ahead of him, and he too wanted to visit Kyoto to see the world’s elites. Most importantly, with the demon army about to sweep in, Zhang Chen didn’t believe Jinling City could be preserved.

Zhou Qiucheng was taken aback by what he heard: "You’re leaving?"

"I’m still young, I should travel more and see the world," Zhang Chen replied with a smile.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Zhou Qiucheng said no more, but solemnly said to Zhang Chen, "Zhang Chen, when you leave, I must give you a proper farewell."

Then Zhou Qiucheng said to Zhang Chen, "Let’s not return to the academy, but go to the Shen Family’s former residence."

Zhang Chen drove the carriage towards the Shen Family’s former residence, and when they arrived, he saw that the Shen Family’s former residence was still in ruins, with a pale blue light flowing through the debris.

"In the past, someone destroyed the Innate Water God grand array, but after the Yellow Heaven Dao settled in Jinling City, they expended great effort to repair this Innate Water God Array. Even if a Twelfth Tier expert falls into it, they would only face being trapped to death in there. After I took control of Jinling City and received guidance from a certain senior, adjustments and arrangements were made to this grand array. Once it operates, not to mention a Twelfth Tier expert, even those beyond the Twelfth Tier wouldn’t be able to break through it. I’ve suppressed Chen Sanliang and will certainly be rewarded by the academy—perhaps even getting a chance to hold a position there as one of the governing instructors," Zhou Qiucheng stood in front of the grand array, watching the deep blue light flowing over the ruins of the Shen Family’s former residence, a hint of pride in his eyes.

Then he turned and climbed onto the carriage, exuding confidence as he said, "Let’s go! Back to the academy to await the rewards from the academy."

Zhou Qiucheng climbed onto the carriage full of vigor, and Zhang Chen also guided the carriage towards the mountains, but as soon as the carriage reached the foot of the mountain, Zhang Chen pulled on the reins because someone was blocking his path.

Yangtze River Water God --- Gu Mingyue!

"It’s you!" Gu Mingyue, in a water-blue long robe, stared intently at Zhang Chen, murder flickering in his eyes.

"Greetings, True Person." Sitting on the carriage, Zhang Chen nodded casually, showing no respect.

"I am one of the Twelve True People of the Yellow Heaven Dao. You, junior, upon meeting me, should bow your head and kowtow, surrendering in reverence!" Gu Mingyue’s voice was solemn.

Hearing this, Zhang Chen was about to retort when Zhou Qiucheng inside the carriage let out a cold laugh: "Gu Mingyue, you flaunt your authority to our Chongzheng Academy, isn’t this a bit too much?"

The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and Zhou Qiucheng stepped down from the carriage, quietly looking at Gu Mingyue with a hint of disdain in his eyes.

Being a Tenth Tier divine being with a supreme treasure to his name, he naturally had no fear of Gu Mingyue.

"I was just about to look for you." Upon seeing Zhou Qiucheng step down from the carriage, Gu Mingyue shifted his gaze to Zhou Qiucheng.

"What for? I want nothing to do with you rebels!" Zhou Qiucheng laughed coldly.

Gu Mingyue was not angered by Zhou Qiucheng’s attitude and instead calmly said, "Since I’m here, are you not even going to offer me a cup of tea?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qiucheng gave Gu Mingyue a glance. After all, the other was a formidable expert, so he coldly replied, "Follow me then."

The group entered the mountain, where Gu Mingyue and Zhou Qiucheng sat facing each other as Zhang Chen slowly brewed tea, but then heard Zhou Qiucheng say, "Get to your point quickly, then leave Jinling City soon as Jinling City does not welcome any Yellow Heaven Dao cultivators."

Upon hearing this, Gu Mingyue assessed Zhou Qiucheng up and down: "Actually, you should thank my Yellow Heaven Dao."

"Thank you?" Zhou Qiucheng questioned.

Gu Mingyue nodded at this: "Do you really think my Yellow Heaven Dao would repair that Innate Water God Tomb for no reason? Know that a broken tomb has no use for my Yellow Heaven Dao; why would we expend energy to repair it?"

Zhou Qiucheng froze at Gu Mingyue’s words, and the nearby Zhang Chen, who was serving tea, also felt a jolt in his heart.

Gu Mingyue continued, "Chen Sanliang has defected to the demon race, and his forces are growing stronger by the day, with the potential to reach Twelfth Tier cultivation and even break through to an unknown realm. Though my Yellow Heaven Dao and the demon race have a competitive yet supportive relationship to jointly oppose the Great Victory dynasty, we cannot allow another Twelfth Tier strongman to emerge within the Yellow Heaven Dao. Hence, the Great Virtuous Master had long calculated and arranged a plan to entrap and kill Chen Sanliang in Jinling City, cutting off the rise of a demon powerhouse. That Innate Water God Tomb was specifically refurbished by our Yellow Heaven Dao as a prison for him. So tell me, shouldn’t you thank us?"

Beside him, Zhang Chen was shocked upon hearing this, feeling extreme dread toward the Great Virtuous Master. The methods of the Great Virtuous Master were truly shocking. He had planted the seeds of murder and set up a killing trap for Chen Sanliang years ago; it was truly horrifying.

If Chen Sanliang was being manipulated by the Great Virtuous Master, then what about himself?

Zhang Chen’s heart was now on alert, as an inexplicable fear and chill swept over him, giving rise to a foreboding feeling in his heart.

The Great Virtuous Master’s manipulative tactics were so profound; how could he not have also calculated against him beforehand?

"Nonsense! I don’t believe the Great Virtuous Master possesses such abilities. Yes, your Yellow Heaven Dao repaired the Innate Water God Array, but it was I who guided Chen Sanliang into the Innate Water God Array. Without my intervention, even if your Yellow Heaven Dao had rebuilt the Innate Water God Array, Chen Sanliang would never have entered it. Are you suggesting that my leading Chen Sanliang into the Innate Water God Array was also part of your calculations?" Zhou Qiucheng refused to believe the other’s rubbish and lies.

"Hehehe, you are a smart person. As long as my Yellow Heaven Dao has finished building the Innate Grand Array, you would naturally use the power of the array to trap Chen Sanliang, which is also within the Great Virtuous Master’s calculations. Otherwise, do you truly think the Yellow Heaven Dao would so easily abandon the Jinling City foundation and transfer all the incense offerings from Jinling City to you?" Gu Mingyue’s voice was filled with smugness: "We merely aimed to disarm Chen Sanliang’s vigilance and used your hand to move with the flow. If Jinling City were still under my Yellow Heaven Dao’s control, Chen Sanliang would not dare to step into Jinling City lightly. Even if he did, there would definitely be a Twelfth Tier powerhouse holding the fort; the Yellow Heaven Dao could not withstand the wrath of a Twelfth Tier presence."

Zhou Qiucheng fell silent upon hearing this, while Zhang Chen beside him felt a chill in his heart, as if an invisible net from destiny was enclosing around him.

"Did you come here today just to tell me all this?" Zhou Qiucheng noticed that he had lost his advantage, and he shifted the topic by asking.

He thought he had an impeccable plan, but little did he know someone had been secretly pushing him along like a puppet. How could Zhou Qiucheng feel good about this?

No one likes the feeling of being manipulated and being treated as a puppet.

Gu Mingyue said, "Your Great Virtuous Master’s path is now broken after Chen Sanliang ruined it..."

"I still have the Divine Spirit Dao; how could my path be broken!" Zhou Qiucheng interrupted the other’s words with a wave of his hand.

"The Divine Spirit Dao has flaws. Your Excellency only knows about the Incense Divine Spirit Dao, but is unaware of the incense poison. Once one’s Divine Dao Cultivation steps into the Eleventh Tier, they’ll be plagued by incense poison, and only by obtaining the mandate of mountain and water Natural Gods, or the Star God, can one delay the encroachment of incense poison. If you seek achievement in the Divine Dao, you’ll need my Yellow Heaven Dao’s mandate!" Gu Mingyue’s eyes looked towards Zhou Qiucheng at this point:

"You haven’t stepped into the Eleventh Tier of the Divine Dao yet, but you should feel the incense poison’s disturbance; do you frequently experience hallucinations, sudden rage, greed, or lust, with emotions amplifying uncontrollably?" Gu Mingyue inquired.

Zhou Qiucheng was stunned at this, as the conditions described by the other didn’t seem to apply to him.

Seeing Zhou Qiucheng’s daze, Gu Mingyue thought the other was scared and continued:

"The Great Virtuous Master is very magnanimous. We’ll set aside the account of you driving out the Yellow Heaven Dao’s followers from Jinling City—for now. As long as you surrender to my Yellow Heaven Dao and hand over Zhao Lie and this lad, you’ll become a top elder of my Yellow Heaven Dao, and your achievements will not be any less than mine."

As Gu Mingyue spoke, she glanced at Zhang Chen with eyes full of menace.

Zhang Chen looked at Gu Mingyue, his eyes free of joy or sorrow, observing Zhou Qiucheng’s reaction. The Eleventh Tier Sun True Flame was his confidence in confronting Gu Mingyue.

"Oh? What if I refuse to surrender?" Zhou Qiucheng asked.

"You truly are a clever person... what did you just say?" Gu Mingyue, upon hearing Zhou Qiucheng speak, thought he had chosen to yield, but halted her words halfway, incredulously looking at Zhou Qiucheng.

There was no reason for refusal!

On what grounds does he refuse?

The terms presented are highly favorable, how could he reject them?

"Are you deaf or something? Sir said a mere group of rebel Yellow Heaven Dao, dare ask him to surrender?" Zhang Chen disdainfully provoked Gu Mingyue.

"Zhou Qiucheng, you better think clearly, you are injured now! You’ve plotted against Chen Sanliang and have in turn offended the Demon Race!" Gu Mingyue ignored Zhang Chen and instead locked her fierce gaze on Zhou Qiucheng.

"You aim to strike me as I am injured?" Zhou Qiucheng dismissively inquired, "It’s not that I underestimate you, but you truly lack the qualification to confront me now. Even if wounded by Chen Sanliang, within the Jinling Earth Realm, it’s enough to suppress you."

Upon hearing Zhou Qiucheng’s words, Gu Mingyue took a scroll from her sleeve: "The matter of confrontation is for another day, for I am here with the Great Virtuous Master’s decree."

Gu Mingyue unfurled the scroll, her eyes turning to Chen Sanliang: "The Great Virtuous Master’s decree instructs you to immediately release Po Jun Star Zhao Lie from the Exquisite Tower; do you accept or not?"

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