Chapter 147 - 136: Seventh in the World, Teng Zijing!

Chapter 147: Chapter 136: Seventh in the World, Teng Zijing!

Inside the Jade Capital Temple, Chang Xi began preparing to perform the marrow exchange for Ancient Bell Spirit.

Meanwhile, having pondered the matter for three days, Jiang Chengzi of the True Martial Sect and his group finally sought out Bi Yunxiao and Chen Sha with complex expressions.

Bi Yunxiao and Chen Sha sat on opposite sides of the guest hall. She looked at Jiang Chengzi with a smile and said, "Three days have passed. I presume Brother Jiang has made a decision."

Chen Sha remained silent, slowly sipping his tea on the side.

Jiang Chengzi looked at the two of them, took a deep breath, and finally spoke. "After three days of deliberation with my three junior brothers, we are willing to acknowledge the status of the Dao Yi Sect. We have no objections to Sect Leader Chen taking up the mantle of leading the Daoist Sect once more. From this day forward, Sect Leader Chen is the number one person in our Daoist Sect."

With that, the four of them bowed respectfully to Chen Sha.

Joy sparked in Bi Yunxiao’s eyes. This matter had finally been accomplished.

Chen Sha set down his teacup, looked at Jiang Chengzi, and stood up to return the bow. "I trust this is the result of Sect Leader Jiang’s careful consideration. Since that is the case, from today onward, the various factions of our Daoist Sect will share in each other’s honor and disgrace as one family. Although I am temporarily assuming the position of the Daoist Sect Leader, please rest assured, Sect Leader Jiang. As the leader, I will never force the Great Daoist Sects to do anything that goes against their own interests."

Jiang Chengzi remained silent. He was indeed afraid that once Chen Sha took command of the Daoist Sect, he would begin suppressing the other factions. Although Chen Sha’s words sounded pleasant now, his future actions remained to be seen. However, since he had already decided to accept Chen Sha as the foremost figure in the Daoist Sect, it meant he had compromised in his heart. Against the threat of Long Zaitian from the Demon Sect, he had no confidence in the True Martial Dao Sect facing it alone; they had to join forces with the other Daoist Sects.

Seeing this major event concluded, Bi Yunxiao smiled. "With the three great Sect Leaders of our Daoist Sect present today, this agreement is sealed. It seems we can announce this to all the Daoist Sects in the world very soon."

The Four Great Daoist Sects were the premier factions within the Daoist Sect, each overseeing numerous Daoist Temples and smaller sects. It could be said that now that the Sect Leaders of the Queen Mother, Dao Yi, and True Martial Sects had made their decision, it meant that seventy percent of the Daoist Temples in the world acknowledged Chen Sha’s identity as the leader of the Daoist Sect. Although Jade Emperor Mountain was not present, everyone in the world knew what had happened at the gates of the Jade Capital Temple. Jade Emperor Mountain was now a Daoist Sect with almost no voice whatsoever.

With that, Bi Yunxiao stood up as well. "Sect Leader Chen assuming the role of leader still requires Sect Leader Jiang and me to return to our sects and spread the word to all the major Daoist Temples. I will not stay any longer."

Jiang Chengzi also requested to take his leave. "I will do the same and return to the True Martial Sect first."

Chen Sha saw Jiang Chengzi off first, then turned to Bi Yunxiao. "Elder Bi, are you leaving right now?"

Bi Yunxiao gazed in the direction Jiang Chengzi had left. "The True Martial Sect has already given their word and is unlikely to go back on it. However, to be safe, we must announce your ascension as the Daoist Sect Leader to the world as soon as possible to cement it completely. We must let everyone in the Daoist Sect know about this; it should not be delayed." Turning back, she looked at the disciple she had brought into the room, Chang Xi. "Chang Xi will be performing the marrow exchange for that girl these next few days, so let him stay with you for a while. Once this matter is settled, it won’t be too late to let him return to the Queen Mother Sect."

Chen Sha cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you for mediating this time, Elder Bi."

Bi Yunxiao gave a faint smile. "The Dao Yi Sect and the Queen Mother Sect share a bond like siblings. Saying such things makes us seem like strangers."

Shortly after seeing Bi Yunxiao off, Chen Sha gathered everyone together. "Sect Leader Bi and Jiang Chengzi have temporarily left the Jade Capital Temple. I will also be departing for the Celestial Demon Sect tomorrow. As for things here..." He looked at Yu Miaolian and said, "After Bell Spirit’s marrow exchange, you and Senior Brother Zhang, along with Qingqing and Zhengyi, will accompany them to the Yuan Country first. Treat it as an escort mission."

Yu Miaolian nodded. "Rest assured, Sect Leader."

She knew exactly why Chen Sha had specifically said this to her. Naturally, it was because she had the highest Cultivation among everyone present. Furthermore, Chen Sha had entrusted her with a piece of the Cosmic Light Stone. Therefore, even if Chen Sha left tomorrow, as long as they remained in the Jade Capital Temple with Chen Sha’s projection inside the Cosmic Light Stone, no one in the world would dare to come here and cause trouble.

Finally, Chen Sha specifically relayed Bi Yunxiao’s arrangements to Chang Xi. "Senior Brother Chang, you’ll have to stay a little longer. Once this matter is over, I will visit the Queen Mother Sect and surely reward you handsomely."

Chang Xi smiled gently. "There’s no need to be so formal."

Seeing this, Chen Sha didn’t offer any further pleasantries. He simply memorized this favor in his heart. In the future, if he encountered items dropped by legendary figures related to fate, destiny, or medical skills behind the Southern Heavenly Gate, he might save them to gift to this senior brother.

The next day.

Without the knowledge of the Royal Family in the Zhao Country Capital City, nor any of the major factions within the city, Chen Sha quietly departed from this most esteemed city in the Zhao Country, heading towards the Celestial Demon Sect.

The Celestial Demon Sect was shrouded in mystery. In the Jianghu, only a few prominent figures might know the location of its headquarters. As for ordinary Martial Artists, let alone visiting the Celestial Demon Sect, they didn’t even know where it was. Fortunately, Chen Sha naturally knew. The Celestial Demon Sect was located at the border of the Yuan and Jin Countries, situated within the Jade Gui Mountain Range.

While Chen Sha was on his journey to the Celestial Demon Sect, the news of him succeeding as the leader of the Daoist Sect—acknowledged and promoted by both Bi Yunxiao and Jiang Chengzi—had reached the ears of every Daoist Temple and Daoist Sect, big and small, across the world.

Upon hearing this news, the first ones ready to spit blood were the two one-armed Celestial Masters of Jade Emperor Mountain who had barely escaped with their lives from the Jade Capital Temple.

"That man..." Atop Jade Emperor Mountain, Celestial Master Lin, who now only had one arm left, tilted his head to the sky and cried out in agony. "To think he can still command the Daoist Sect and order all Daoists around. How unfair the heavens are!"

On the mountain, he furiously cursed Bi Yunxiao and Jiang Chengzi for their sycophancy. "Those two rats are nothing but groveling dogs begging for mercy!"

The other, Celestial Master Hong, merely watched his junior brother vent in silence. Although his junior brother cursed endlessly, even he could see that this was just an impotent outburst born from their tragic powerlessness over the matter.

Meanwhile, within the Demon Saint Sect.

Young Master Qing stood on the left, watching a tall man with an evil yet strikingly handsome face stride into the hall, looking like a Divine Spirit among demons. It was none other than the man who had now become the foremost figure in the Demon Sect: Long Zaitian.

Young Master Qing bowed slightly and said, "Congratulations, Sect Leader. After successively taking down the Emotionless Sect and the Rebirth Sect, and subduing Granny Meng and Zhou Xilong—the two Demon Sect Masters—our Demon Saint Sect is now only missing the Celestial Demon Sect to completely unify the Six Paths..." ℯ𝕝.

The Six Demonic Paths comprised the Demon Saint Sect, the Rebirth Sect, the White Lotus Sect, the Fire Worship Sect, the Emotionless Sect, and the Celestial Demon Sect. Rebirth Sect Master Granny Meng, White Lotus Sect Master Ning Yuanchen, Fire Worship Sect Master Tian Jingshui, and Emotionless Sect Master Zhou Xilong—these four great Demon Sects had all bowed in submission to Long Zaitian.

Every single Demon Sect possessed at least one or two experts at the Great Innate Level. Now that the Demon Saint Sect had subdued them, the gathering of the five great Demon Sects boasted no fewer than ten supreme experts at the Great Innate Level. Such a formidable force would, in any era, be an absolute juggernaut capable of turning the tides of fate and completely reshaping the empire.

Long Zaitian sat on the Demon Saint throne, his crystalline skin making him look like a crystal divine statue. Below him stood the numerous experts of the Demon Sect. He looked at Young Master Qing and spoke slowly. "Recently, the son of Chen Canxuan and Yun Shouxuan caused a massive commotion in the Capital City. I heard that many Elders in the sect believed we should go and strangle this Dao Yi Sect Leader named Chen Sha in his cradle, but it was you, Vice Sect Leader, who stopped everyone."

As soon as these words were spoken, the many Elders of the Demon Saint Sect looked at Young Master Qing with profound meaning in their eyes. Was the Sect Leader finally going to reprimand him?

Young Master Qing’s expression did not change. "It was me."

However, Long Zaitian nodded slowly. "The Vice Sect Leader handled the situation appropriately."

The expressions of the Demon Saint Sect Elders shifted slightly, deeply surprised.

Long Zaitian said impassively, "This son of Chen Canxuan is very much like Chen Canxuan himself in the past. With me absent from the sect, even if Bian Qing had been persuaded by you all to head to the Jade Capital City, it would have been difficult to eliminate him. Instead, it might have cost Bian Qing his life. Zhang Shouren, as the ninth-ranked expert in the world, was beaten to death by him with just a few punches. Even if Bian Qing went and joined forces with the likes of Zhang Shouren, the result would have been exactly the same."

"This man suppressed the world’s ninth-ranked expert as easily as eating and drinking." The Little Demon Saint, Ma Rulong, frowned in thought from the hall below. "Could it be that Chen Sha’s Power can already rival yours, Master?"

The hearts of the many Demon Sect members trembled slightly. How could that be? What kind of Cultivation did the Demon Saint possess? How could that young Daoist, at his age, rival the Demon Saint?

Long Zaitian said slowly, "The Dao Yi Sect’s Great Yellow Court consists of Twenty-four Gods, with a major transformation occurring every Eight Gods. If he can successfully cultivate Sixteen Gods, his Realm will be roughly equivalent to my Eighth Demon Heaven Tribulation. If not, his Realm remains weaker than mine."

The Little Demon Saint, Ma Rulong, asked, "In Master’s judgment, approximately how many Gods has Chen Sha cultivated to?"

Long Zaitian closed his eyes. "Judging by his battle record against Zhang Shouren, around ten Gods. However, looking solely at his cultivation speed, I’m afraid it won’t be long before he reaches the level of Sixteen Gods and stands as my equal."

Young Master Qing frowned. "This Chen Sha is already such a Demon. Furthermore, he has Yun Shouxuan as his mother. Her strength is second only to yours, Sect Leader, ranking sixth in the world. Recently, you mentioned that Yun Shouxuan had obtained the final two layers of the Celestial Demon Strategy. If her Power advances during this secluded cultivation, the combined forces of this mother and son will likely become the greatest obstacle on your path to unifying the Demon Sect—and even the world."

The rest of the Demon Sect members felt anxious in their hearts. Now that the Demon Sect had unified five of the paths, if they wanted complete unification, Yun Shouxuan of the Celestial Demon Sect was an unavoidable hurdle. And if they intended to unify the world in the future, Chen Sha—who had now become the leader of the Daoist Sect—was an even more unavoidable obstacle.

This mother and son were truly the roadblocks that Long Zaitian needed to erase completely. If they weren’t erased, his grand ambition could never be realized.

Young Master Qing suggested, "I, Gu, believe that since Yun Shouxuan is currently in secluded cultivation and has not yet achieved a breakthrough in her strength, this is the perfect opportunity for us to launch a massive assault on the Celestial Demon Sect..."

Long Zaitian said calmly, "Although Yun Shouxuan’s Celestial Demon Strategy hasn’t reached its highest Realm yet, if she chooses to flee while being besieged, even I wouldn’t be able to make her stay. This is the very reason why she was able to escape last time. For this move against the Celestial Demon Sect, we should not simply swarm them all at once. I already have a plan..."

"What plan?" Young Master Qing asked.

Long Zaitian parted his lips and spat out three syllables—a person’s name. "Teng Zijing."

Young Master Qing and the others were shocked. "The Great Roc Demon King, Teng Zijing?"

The seventh-ranked person in the world, just below Yun Shouxuan.