Chapter 1298: Dahua Heavenly Demon

Chen Mobai never expected that he had completely misjudged Kuzhu.

If it were him, the first thing he would do after reaching the Deity Transformation stage would definitely be to see his family.

“He should have returned to Dongyi by now…”

Hearing Zhang Pankong say this, Chen Mobai immediately activated the Sky Net Earth Vein Grand Formation to check the spirit veins where Kongsang Valley was located, but found nothing.

Although the Sky Net Earth Vein Grand Formation could control all spirit veins within the Five Elements Sect's territory, it usually didn't operate at full power to conserve energy. It would only trigger its critical screening nodes and inform Chen Mobai when someone like Zhang Pankong, eager for the whole world to know they'd reached Deity Transformation, appeared with their aura fully manifest.

However, upon learning that Kuzhu had already reached Deity Transformation, Chen Mobai was willing to expend some of his spirit stone reserves.

Chen Mobai's second primordial spirit, seated on Wandering Mountain, immediately raised the Haotian Mirror after receiving the message transmitted by divine sense.

With the activation of this native magic artifact, the Sky Net Earth Vein Grand Formation began to operate at maximum power, targeting more than a dozen spirit veins centered around Kongsang Valley.

Under these circumstances, any cultivator interacting with, inhaling, exhaling, absorbing, and refining the local spirit energy from the spirit veins would be identified.

Although Zhao Nancheng had concealed his aura, his basic spiritual breathing and exhalation had not ceased.

Even if this spiritual breathing was merely to sustain the basic functions of the body, it was still captured by the Haotian Mirror.

This was because the frequency and efficiency of spiritual breathing for Deity Transformation cultivators were completely different from those of ordinary cultivators.

Their precision and efficiency far exceeded even those at the perfected Nascent Soul stage.

If someone knew how the Sky Net Earth Vein Grand Formation operated, like Lin Daoming and others, they could disguise themselves as ordinary Qi Cultivation stage cultivators.

But cultivators of this world wouldn't know that.

What's more, at one moment, Zhao Nancheng even dropped his disguise. Although his Deity Transformation aura flashed and disappeared instantly, it was as conspicuous as a firefly in the dark night within the Sky Net Earth Vein Grand Formation.

On the surface of the Haotian Mirror, a point on the Dongyi map suddenly began to magnify, quickly revealing the topography of Kongsang Valley and locking onto an energy mass within it that only absorbed and did not emit, like a black hole.

Kongsang Valley.

Zhao Nancheng, having just returned in Kuzhu's identity, complacently displayed his Deity Transformation stage cultivation to the sect elders and disciples.

Although it was only for an instant, that vast aura, like an abyssal ocean, made True Lord Mingwen and the others unable to raise their heads.

These Core Formation cultivators, who had traveled extensively with Kuzhu, had seen many Nascent Soul stage cultivators, but what Zhao Nancheng was now displaying far surpassed the Nascent Soul stage.

“Congratulations, Sect Master...”

As soon as they thought of Kongsang Valley soon being promoted to a Holy Land, Mingwen and the other elders were all so excited they could barely control themselves.

“You all just need to know about this for now; we still need to keep a low profile, after all, we are within the Five Elements Sect's territory...” Zhao Nancheng instructed. He had come this time primarily to display his strength, regain control over the people of Kongsang Valley, and establish a base.

While the Eastern Desolation Green Emperor was still around, he had no intention of being too aggressive.

However, he would send elites from the Eastern Lands Imperial Court, from within the Bubble Cave Heaven, to completely take control of this sect. Then, using this as a stepping stone, he would slowly infiltrate the three border regions of Eastern Continent and even plant spies within the Five Elements Sect.

In fact, over the years, Zhao Nancheng had not merely been idly cultivating Kuzhu; he had secretly controlled three countries among the Hundred Kingdoms of the Eastern Lands. However, that area was the territory of Holy Lands like the Daoist Virtue Sect, and they were most familiar with the Eastern Lands Imperial Court. Once exposed, it would immediately draw thunderous suppression.

Therefore, it was best that the vast border territory of the Five Elements Sect knew nothing about the divine abilities, methods, and resources of their lineage. Zhao Nancheng was confident that he could slowly erode it with his own methods.

Once the Eastern Desolation Green Emperor ascended and the Nine Heavens Devil-Slaying Sect was captured by the demonic, monstrous, and ghostly paths, he could then incite civil unrest within the Hundred Kingdoms of the Eastern Lands and seize the opportunity to rebuild the Eastern Lands Imperial Court.

“Yes, Sect Master.”

Seeing that the disciples of Kongsang Valley all respectfully nodded in agreement, Kuzhu nodded with satisfaction. He was just about to find an excuse to let the royal descendants from the Bubble Cave Heaven join when a vast divine sense, like the warm sun of the rising dawn, suddenly descended from the sky, transforming into a single voice that landed in his ear.

Come see me!

This voice, although gentle and calm, carried an undeniable majesty that exploded within Zhao Nancheng's heart.

Is it the Eastern Desolation Green Emperor? How does he know I'm here? Have I been exposed?

In an instant, Zhao Nancheng's face turned pale.

“Sect Master, what's wrong?”

Mingwen and the other elders of Kongsang Valley, seeing his face suddenly change drastically, were bewildered and asked curiously.

“Ahem, it seems that Ancestor Chen of the Five Elements Sect knows I've returned and has summoned me with his divine sense to meet him.”

Zhao Nancheng could only speak, adopting Kuzhu's usual demeanor.

In Kuzhu's memory, there were scenes of him visiting Chen Mobai on Wandering Mountain, from which Zhao Nancheng saw Chen Mobai casually refining a bottle cap and suppressing the Heavenly Abyss Dao Fruit in the past.

Regarding this, Zhao Nancheng was very fortunate. If Kuzhu had not been forced into desperation in Western Continent, he probably wouldn't have risked directly refining the Heavenly Abyss Dao Fruit.

If he had truly slowly absorbed the power of the Dao Fruit and integrated it into his sword dao, it was indeed possible that upon reaching Deity Transformation, he could have broken free from the countermeasures Zhao Nancheng had left.

But the current outcome proved that Heaven was still on his side.

At this moment, Zhao Nancheng also felt that Chen Mobai wouldn't know he had already possessed Kuzhu. Otherwise, with his vengeful nature, he would probably already be here with his sword and bell, ready to kill.

Mingwen and the others, hearing that Chen Mobai had indeed summoned him, all spoke up, telling Kuzhu to attend to this important matter first and not to keep Ancestor Chen waiting.

Seeing Chen Mobai's immense prestige, Zhao Nancheng was also very envious.

If he had such popular support, what great endeavor could fail?

“I'll be right back.”

After Zhao Nancheng finished speaking, he headed towards Wandering Mountain.

Chen Mobai's second primordial spirit had already given him the address when it sent the message.

Knowing that his Deity Transformation cultivation had been exposed, Zhao Nancheng immediately took out Kuzhu's native flying sword. With man and sword united, he quickly arrived at his destination.

Before stepping into Wandering Mountain, Zhao Nancheng hesitated slightly. After all, as a sixth-tier spirit vein, it must have a grand formation set up.

Even if his current body had reached Deity Transformation, if he were trapped in a powerful grand formation, he would have no way to escape.

However, after a careful thought, given the Eastern Desolation Green Emperor's strength, he could easily suppress Zhao Nancheng (inhabiting Kuzhu's body) even without a grand formation. Why bother with extra steps?

So Zhao Nancheng stepped directly inside.

Tracing back to Kuzhu's memories of previous visits to Wandering Mountain, Zhao Nancheng looked up and soon saw the figure standing on the highest peak. After nodding in greeting, he skillfully flew to stand before Chen Mobai.

“Greetings, fellow Daoist.”

Zhao Nancheng, thinking that he was now at the Deity Transformation stage, changed his address for Chen Mobai according to local customs.

Chen Mobai saw "Kuzhu's" demeanor and slightly raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that this fellow had become a bit impolite after reaching Deity Transformation.

Unacceptable, he needs a good lesson.

Just as he was thinking this, Chen Mobai's true body, far away in the Yellow Dragon Cave Abode, suddenly let out a gasp of surprise.

His divine sense was now extremely powerful. Even though his second primordial spirit and true body were separated by tens of thousands of miles, it was still as if they were face to face. Therefore, the "Kuzhu" seen through the second primordial spirit was equivalent to standing right before his eyes.

Within his Zifu Sea of Consciousness, the World-Destroying Millstone suddenly illuminated two of its faces, facing "Kuzhu."

This was the first time Chen Mobai had ever seen such a situation.

He immediately put down the teacup in his hand and began to observe.

He discovered that of the World-Destroying Millstone's two faces, one was the "Supreme Heart Devil," with which he was very familiar, and the other was the "Great Transformation Heavenly Demon."

The latter was relatively unfamiliar, but it was not the first time it had lit up.

Previously, when he met Du Mengyun and Honghe in Beiyuan City, this face had lit up for him after Honghe refined the Primordial Demonic Talisman.

However, at that time, Chen Mobai did not receive any information.

So it was named "Great Transformation Heavenly Demon"!

According to Honghe's clues, at that time, he cultivated the Sea-Devouring Demonic Art. This meant that the reason Kuzhu was able to reach Deity Transformation was because he cultivated demonic arts?

But soon, Chen Mobai looked at the other face again: the Supreme Heart Devil.

He could say he was most familiar with this demonic path.

After all, his Primordial Demonic Talisman had already been planted in all the avatars of the Lord of the Central Demonic Path.

But this "Kuzhu" before him showed no signs of being tainted by the Primordial Demonic Talisman, which meant he was not an avatar of the Lord of the Central Demonic Path.

Were there other Deity Transformation cultivators in the Avatar Demonic Sect?

Chen Mobai was somewhat puzzled. After all, according to the characteristics of this demonic art lineage, those with weaker cultivation should all be food for the Lord of the Central Demonic Path.

However, since he could light up two faces of the World-Destroying Millstone, it meant that this "Kuzhu" before him had reached the fifth-tier level on at least two demonic paths.

Perhaps it was precisely because of this Great Transformation Heavenly Demon that he was able to escape the Lord of the Central Demonic Path.

And one thing Chen Mobai was certain of was that the Kuzhu who had previously visited him on Wandering Mountain had not caused any unusual reaction from the World-Destroying Millstone.

Furthermore, after Kuzhu reached Deity Transformation, he didn't return to Eastern Continent immediately to see his wife and children, and his greeting to Chen Mobai was impolite. He was completely like a changed person.

Synthesizing these clues, Chen Mobai reached the conclusion that the "Kuzhu" before his second primordial spirit was probably no longer the real Kuzhu.

Upon thinking of this, Chen Mobai couldn't help but let out a cold snort!

“Brother Chen, what's wrong?”

Zhang Pankong, sitting opposite him, saw his face suddenly darken and, thinking he had said something wrong, scratched his head.

“Brother Zhang, thanks to your reminder. Otherwise, a demonic scoundrel might have infiltrated my territory.”

Chen Mobai sincerely thanked Zhang Pankong.

“Ah? What's going on?”

After hearing this, Zhang Pankong was completely bewildered.

Chen Mobai briefly explained, stating that his second primordial spirit was based on the Dao of Sacred Virtue and was extremely sensitive to demonic paths. After summoning Kuzhu, he discovered that he cultivated multiple demonic arts.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Pankong shivered all over, realizing he had actually traveled back on the teleportation array with a demonic Deity Transformation cultivator. He couldn't help but sweat slightly. But then, anger surged in his heart, feeling that "Kuzhu" deserved to die. “Brother Chen, do you need me to make a move?” he asked.

“He has already fallen into my formation; even the Lord of the Central Demonic Path would not be able to break free.”

Chen Mobai shook his head, indicating that he could handle this matter easily.

“Ao Yuxia was with him. I wonder if she knows about this?”

Zhang Pankong then remembered another Deity Transformation cultivator and couldn't help but show a worried expression.

“It's best to notify her, but also be wary that she might also be a disguised demonic Deity Transformation cultivator...”

Chen Mobai's words made Zhang Pankong even more anxious. He deeply feared that something might happen to the Daoist Virtue Sect, in which case he would certainly be held accountable.

“Brother Chen, I'll return to the Eastern Lands first. I'll leave the demonic cultivators here to you.”

After Zhang Pankong put down his teacup, he immediately took his leave and teleported to Wuwei Immortal City using a Void Secret Art.

After he left, Chen Mobai was then able to fully dedicate himself to dealing with "Kuzhu."

Wandering Mountain.

After Zhao Nancheng called out "fellow Daoist," Chen Mobai did not respond, which made him feel uneasy.

He wondered if this Eastern Desolation Green Emperor could not accept another Deity Transformation cultivator appearing within his sect's territory.

How petty!

“How dare you!” Just as Zhao Nancheng was considering whether to address him as "senior" again, Chen Mobai's cold words rang out, making his body tremble slightly.

“Fellow Daoist, what do you mean by that?”

Zhao Nancheng thought to himself that as a Deity Transformation cultivator, facing such an impolite attitude from Chen Mobai, he definitely had to maintain some composure. So, he feigned displeasure and frowned slightly, asking in return.

“After you reached Deity Transformation, why didn't you return to Eastern Continent immediately? Are you abandoning your wife and children?”

Chen Mobai sternly rebuked him. He had originally thought that as an outsider, it was not appropriate to meddle in Kuzhu and Xuan Shui's family affairs. But after realizing that this person before him was from the demonic path, he simply decided to scold him to his heart's content before making a move.

Moreover, Chen Mobai sensed in "Kuzhu" a resilient, tenacious, and uniquely transformed Sword Intent of Peace, though suppressed. He felt that Kuzhu might still be salvageable, so he wondered if he could use his family to awaken his Sword Intent.

“Well... haven't I returned? I hadn't consolidated my realm yet, so it took some time.”

Zhao Nancheng quickly searched Kuzhu's memories, found information about Xuan Shui and his children, and immediately came up with an excuse.

“Then what about your trip to Central Continent?”

Chen Mobai, however, kept pressing. As soon as he said this, Zhao Nancheng finally understood where the problem lay. Nevertheless, he thought of another reason.

“After I reached Deity Transformation in Lanyuan Valley, I obtained the inheritance left by Daoist Tianlan. Inside it was a treasure map detailing his cave abode in Central Continent, which contained many valuable resources. So I first went to Central Continent to retrieve them.”

To prioritize cultivation resources after reaching Deity Transformation and temporarily set family aside was a very normal thing in the eyes of local cultivators.

After all, once resources are missed, they're gone, but as long as family members are alive, they will always be there.

Chen Mobai: “Oh, that's strange. The things in that Lanyuan Valley were clearly already cleared out by me.”