Boom!

With furious intensity, Zhang Kui unleashed a strike, slicing a gigantic Artifact Demon in half with the hundred-meter-long purple light sword. As he waved his right hand, a silver orb buried below instantly fell into his palm.

The object refined from Karmic Fire was not only adored by him but also drove the Artifact Demons into madness.

Earlier, they accidentally swallowed one, and the fused Artifact Demon nearly capsized the Dragon Ship.

Eyeing the endless surge of Artifact Demons, Zhang Kui’s expression was grim, “Friend, abandon ship, let’s go!”

Bao Wuxin was vigorously operating the Divine Drum, shattering the incoming Artifact Demons one by one. Hearing this, he was immediately stunned, “Taoist Friend Zhang, victory is in sight, why abandon?”

These strange Artifact Demons, although terrifying in number, they had already found a coping method and could definitely leave with the Dragon Ship safely, gaining substantial rewards.

“No choice, little men are causing trouble…”

Zhang Kui grimly explained the situation, “The treasures are indeed wondrous, but better ones can always be found in the future. If this incident arises, it will be irreparable.”

“I see…”

Bao Wuxin’s eyes flickered, “That Chi Lin’s nature is dark and brutal; this time, he makes no attempt to hide his true self. Don’t worry, friend, the human race has forged an alliance with the Lanjiang Water Mansion; this is the time to exert our strength.”

Zhang Kui slightly frowned, “After all, it involves confrontations with another Forbidden Land; Lanjiang Water Mansion surely does not wish to, and besides, I do not want to owe any favors.”

“Your words are a grave misunderstanding!”

Bao Wuxin slightly smiled and said, “Though the Lanjiang Water Mansion signed the alliance due to you, the main body is still the human race.”

“I see that under your protection, the human race has an upward trend. If the alliance is just empty words, over time, it will create a rift.”

“The Mansion Master of Lanjiang Water Mansion is a far-sighted senior, and with Chi Lin as a vagrant dog, the Water Mansion certainly wishes to offer favors to solidify the alliance.”

“Without enduring the hardships, how could one appreciate the plum blossoms? The human race not only needs to grow but also needs its own allies. Do you, friend, think that after becoming an Immortal, you will always have to descend to the mortal realm and fight in person?”

Zhang Kui seemed to ponder, then nodded and took out the Tongsheng Shell, “Your words make sense, but considering the thousands of human lives at stake, I should inquire first…”

…

Lanjiang Water Mansion, the Ice Tower stood tall, enveloped in spiraling Yin Qi, tranquil and ancient.

Within the depths of an Ice Tower, a pale man in black robes was meditating in a cross-legged position, shrouded in twisting streams of black and red light, none other than Yuan Huang.

His blood-red eyes suddenly opened, frowning with a hint of puzzlement, he then took out the Tongsheng Shell, twitching his lips.

“True Man Zhang, oh, you’re with Taoist Friend Bao, why does it sound so chaotic there…”

Then, his expression changed drastically, alternating between outrage, shock, and a dazed look.

“Profound Yin Mountain… Dragon Ship… Spiritual Sect…”

His head was a bit muddled, not expecting such a major event to unfold shortly after closing off for training.

The havoc at Profound Yin Mountain, the fall of over a dozen Mahayana Realms, the near collapse of two major forces, Spiritual Sect and Water Mansion…

Yuan Huang suddenly felt very weary; ever since meeting Zhang Kui, peaceful days became fewer, although the other’s growth speed was truly terrifying.

And that Dragonbone Ship…

Yuan Huang’s breath became rapid, damn, if this thing is truly so mysterious, maybe years of planning could succeed.

Thinking of this, he took a deep breath, “True Man Zhang, hold on, I’ll go report to the Mansion Master right away.”

With these words, he transformed into billowing black smoke, flying out from the Ice Tower, merging into the central pit of darkness.

Mystical and profound, Karmic Fire ablaze.

An old monk covered in scales meditated in the void, listening to Yuan Huang’s detailed recount of the events without reservation.

“Dragonbone Profound Ship, huh…”

The old monk’s eyes flickered with sadness, “Didn’t expect this to emerge again; this True Man Zhang indeed has deep fortune.”

“You know of this object?”

Yuan Huang’s eyes lit up; the Mansion Master’s past was mysterious, who knew how long he had lived and how many secrets of the world he grasped.

The old monk shook his head slightly,

“The Underworld can be traversed, but the Moon Palace is difficult.”

Yuan Huang’s eyes showed a hint of disappointment, then respectfully asked, “Mansion Master, what about aiding the human race…”

“Of course, we must go!”

The old monk smiled faintly, “The East Sea is in turmoil, the Spiritual Sect destroyed, with this opportunity, the human race’s momentum is unstoppable, likely returning to the world’s chessboard; their Divine Path is not simple, if successful… go, perhaps our Water Mansion might obtain a share of luck.”

“Subordinate obeys!”

Yuan Huang’s eyes flashed with red light, respectfully clasped his hands, then turned into black smoke and flew out of the huge pit, adjusting his posture, his voice resonated across the world, “By the order of the Mansion Master, expedite to aid the human race, depart immediately!”

Quickly, above Lanjiang Water Mansion, the sky suddenly changed, boundless black smoke rolled, over a dozen towering shadows went straight toward the East Sea.

Below on Lanjiang, an old fisherman who was fishing changed his expression, hurriedly entered the cabin, lit incense before a Divine Court Bell statue, and solemnly reported, “Earth Pavilion Lanzhou’s dark agent Xiao Er reporting, unusual movement from Lanjiang Water Mansion…”

Kaiyuan Divine Dynasty, relying on the Divine Path for governance, naturally needed a new system; overall, it was divided into two parts.

One is an internal governance system evaluated by the sun, moon, and stars, still divided into six departments, but with an added human merit evaluation system.

Achieving great merit, entering the Divine Path, could be seen as paving an alternative path to longevity for ordinary people.

Secondly, there’s the directly subordinate Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow Four Pavilions of the Divine Dynasty.

The Celestial Pavilion enshrines powerful cultivators, serving as the foundation of the human race, currently having only Elder Huayan, Helian Boxiong, and a few National Guardian True Men.

The Earth Pavilion resembles the former Astronomical Bureau’s Black-clothed Profound Guards, divided into explicit and secret sections, primarily fighting against alien races, evil spirits, and demonic path forces.

The Profound Pavilion, proposed by Zhang Kui, mainly responsible for excavating ancient civilization ruins, organizing cultivation methods, and researching array talismans.

The Yellow Pavilion is in charge of assisting Divine Path management, investigating illegal activities, and maintaining the human merit system.

This grand system, through continuous trial and error, was gradually functioning well. This seemingly ordinary old fisherman was just one of countless secret agents of the Earth Pavilion.

The Lanjiang Water Mansion is, after all, a Forbidden Land of malevolent spirits located deep within human territory. Even though an alliance was submitted, special personnel have been monitoring for any disturbances.

Not only was it this old fisherman, but when the demons from the Lanjiang Water Mansion crossed the border, sand and stones flew, black clouds covered the sky, and along the way, message after message converged through the Divine Path network to the headquarters of the Kaiyuan Sect in Lai State.

Soon, the blood-covered Weng Zhong, wrapped in boundless Blood Evil, headed toward Quanzhou, while over the skies of Taiyuan City, the bronze Thunder Sword rumbled loudly…

Inside the cave at Profound Yin Mountain, Zhang Kui slightly shook his head and turned off the Tongsheng Shell, looking at Bao Wuxin, and said, “As you predicted, Taoist Friend Bao, the Lanjiang Water Mansion actually dispatched all their Mahayana cultivators and brought the treasures bestowed by the Mansion Master. Even if Sect Leader Chilin is powerful, I’m afraid he won’t have it easy.”

Bao Wuxin smiled slightly, “Taoist Friend Zhang is merely in the midst of things. In fact, even the strongest forces always forge alliances and leverage power; it’s as common as everyday meals.”

“I’m indeed not skilled in this aspect…”

Zhang Kui nodded and candidly admitted, then stared at the Artifact Demons surging forth like a black tide, fierce light gleaming in his eyes.

“But Old Zhang knows one thing: All the strategies in the world need to have substantial backing to carry weight. We should hurry back and let them know that the human race relies not merely on allies…”

…

The endless black clouds rolled forward, voices of conversation continuously emanating from within.

“Brother Yuan Huang, I was impressed after meeting True Man Zhang last time, but just after submitting the alliance, the human race asks us for help. Are we to protect them for thousands of years?”

“Exactly, with the Heavenly Dao in chaos, we can only protect ourselves. Moreover, we still need to cultivate; who has the time to manage such a burden?”

“Everyone, the human race is already on the rise. The Old Mansion Master sees the heavenly secrets clearly and is also paving a future path for us. Let’s not dwell on it.”

“Rising…even with True Man Zhang’s shelter, it’s likely to take over a millennia…”

During the idle chat, the demons of the Lanjiang Water Mansion arrived at the coastline of Quanzhou. Standing above the black clouds, they saw spiritual light rising from each city, the power of the Divine Path surging, and massive runes floating in the air, making them gasp in amazement.

A large, armored, and crowned Toad Demon furrowed its brows in concern, “This talisman is not simple. I actually feel a hint of danger; is this the Divine Path of the human race? How has it grown to such a scale in such a short time?”

A red light flashed in Yuan Huang’s eyes as he smiled, revealing sharp fangs, “From little drops come a vast ocean, from tiny grains a towering castle. The human race has always been numerous, and if their faith is devout enough, coupled with the divine talismans bestowed by Taoist Friend Zhang, it’s indeed remarkable.”

“Recall, how long has it really been? If they had a century to accumulate, even without suppressing from those in the Mahayana realm, they might have the power to protect themselves.”

The demons all nodded in agreement, even those who had their cultivation interrupted no longer felt impatient.

That is the way of the world: some people daydream of encountering benefactors, but without power and potential, benefactors won’t even take a glance. The same is true for allies.

Just then, the Blood Weng Zhong and Thunder Sword aura soared into the sky to meet them, as Helian Boxiong and Zhu Sheng smiled and cupped their fists in salute:

“Thank you, everyone, for coming to assist.”

At present, besides Zhang Kui, only the two of them in the human race, with the help of the power from the Divine Artifacts, could be considered noteworthy.

Having calculated things well, the demons of the Lanjiang Water Mansion, facing the two, no longer displayed a high-and-mighty attitude.

“As allies, when the human race is in difficulty, we naturally come to assist…”

“Presumably, it’s because True Man Zhang isn’t present that those Spiritual Sect remnants dare to invade.”

“Rest assured, with us here, the human race will indeed be fully protected…”

Each and every demon beat their chests and proclaimed heroic words, leaving Helian Boxiong and Zhu Sheng exchanging looks.

Is this really a Forbidden Land of evil spirits…

Meanwhile, Chi Lin had already led three of his subordinates to loot all the important materials. To prevent those after him from benefiting, he even massively destroyed the mountains and veins, turning the spiritually rich and ancient Ten Thousand Demons Cave into a blazing, smoldering ruin.

Subsequently, the four demons with their newfound ferocity rode the demonic wind, the Blood Evil howling, directly heading towards the coastline of Quanzhou.

Initially superior beings, the blow suffered at Profound Yin Mountain left them as helpless as chicks. After escaping alive, they were filled with evil fire needing release.

However, upon nearing the coast, they were blocked by more than a dozen towering figures.

The red glow flashed in Yuan Huang’s eyes, “This must be Sect Leader Chilin. The human race has an alliance with our Lanjiang Water Mansion; you are not allowed to massacre at will, retreat quickly.”

“Lanjiang Water Mansion?”

Seeing their numbers superior, Chilin suppressed the fierce light in his eyes, “Being a Forbidden Land yet allying with these ants, how shameless.”

“Bah!”

The Toad Demon opened its large mouth, spraying spittle everywhere, cackling sarcastically, “A lost dog venting its anger on these mortals, who indeed lacks shame? If you have the guts, go and challenge that True Man Zhang.”

Chilin’s eyelids twitched, “So you all are looking out for that fellow’s honor, but he is already dead; no need to curry favor with him anymore.”

That fellow?

Yuan Huang frowned, then burst into a sinister laugh, “Seems Sect Leader Chilin already witnessed True Man Zhang’s prowess. Think, who invited us here.”

“He’s not dead, impossible!”

Shock flashed in Chilin’s eyes, suddenly realizing a terrifying possibility.

At this moment, deep within the ocean, sinister winds abruptly swept, and a blood-red light soared to the sky.

As endless black clouds rolled in, the sea roiled, the wind howled, and the sounds of endless battle cries drew nearer.

The old Turtle Demon and the last two Mansion Masters were covered in blood, leading tens of thousands of the Sea Race, rushing through the waves, with more than a dozen dreadful shadows and the endless Sea Eye Army pursuing from behind.

“Sect Leader Chilin, please save us!”

The old Turtle Demon, with one eye blind and bleeding pus, frantically begged Chilin.

Chilin’s eyelids twitched, initially intending to ignore them, but suddenly a plan emerged. Laughing heartily, he said, “Elder Gui, come quickly to me, together we can charge into the human lands and save your tens of thousands of the Sea Race.”

“Impudence!”

Yuan Huang was instantly furious, blood lighting up his eyes, revealing a menacing maw full of sharp teeth.

This Chilin is simply vicious; the Sea Eye Army has gone mad with killing. If they can’t be stopped, the army’s passage will turn human lands into mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Seeing this, Chilin laughed even more maniacally, blood flames soaring into the sky, his aura overpowering everyone present.

He sneered coldly at Yuan Huang, “What are you even, daring to speak to me like that, today don’t think you can leave alive.”

Watching the blood-red clouds that took up half the sky surging forward, the demons of the Lanjiang Water Mansion felt their scalps go numb, faces solemn.

They thought this was a simple task; who knew coming here meant risking their lives; it’s truly a bitter assignment…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep