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*****
As for why he chose not to bring the disciples of the Demon Capture Squad along this time?
The reason was simple. The Infinite Immortal, Wuliang Xianweng, knew that while those disciples were loyal to him, their loyalty was predicated on confronting the Demon Race and upholding the interests of the Chan Sect.
By dealing with the Demon Race, more immortal elixirs could be refined, and they could use these elixirs to enhance their cultivation bases.
And upholding the interests of the Chan Sect was synonymous with upholding their own self-interests.
Therefore, even if the demons in question were not malevolent spirits causing chaos, but rather benevolent and kind demons, the disciples would still willingly obey Wuliang Xianweng's orders to capture them.
It was just like chickens and ducks; although harmless, they could fill one's belly, so humans would still kill and eat them.
To the disciples of the Demon Capture Squad, due to the ideologies and worldviews constantly instilled in them by Wuliang Xianweng, their perspective on all members of the Demon Race was the same as a human's perspective on chickens and ducks.
As for those demons who had joined the Jade Void Palace—such as Deer Boy, Crane Boy, and Shen Gongbao—they were viewed merely as vicious dogs raised by their elders and leaders. On the surface, the disciples had to show them some respect, but deep down in their hearts, they still looked down upon them with disdain.
However, if they were ordered to slaughter the entire human population of Chentang Pass, the vast majority of the Demon Capture Squad disciples would not be able to do it.
Most humans feel nothing when killing chickens, ducks, pigs, or cows, but asking them to kill another human is an entirely different matter.
Crane Boy and Deer Boy were different. They were originally of the Demon Race, so killing humans did not evoke much feeling in them. Moreover, they were restricted by their own binding spells and dared not defy him.
In truth, if he hadn't sensed that something might be amiss at Chentang Pass, he wouldn't have even brought Crane Boy and Deer Boy along.
Because wiping out Chentang Pass and killing so many mortals... even if he was the Eldest Senior Brother of the Chan Sect, and even if he claimed it was for the sake of the sect, if this deed were exposed, he would absolutely face severe consequences.
"After all, having done your dirty work for so many years, I can guess your purpose in coming to Chentang Pass to play these tricks. You want to frame the Dragon Race, don't you!"
Shen Gongbao looked at the emerging figures of Deer Boy and Crane Boy and immediately let out a cold snort.
With him, the three Great Dragon Kings, and the Black Dragon Daoist below, even if Wuliang Xianweng brought Deer Boy and Crane Boy, it would be impossible to annihilate everyone in Chentang Pass.
So, he was not currently afraid.
However, the scene that followed caused his expression to change drastically.
"Are you interested in making a deal, Immortal Elder?"
The Dragon King of the West Sea did not attack Wuliang Xianweng; instead, he flew over to stand opposite him.
The Dragon King of the North Sea, Ao Shun, also leaned in close:
"As the principal manager of the Jade Void Palace, surely you know the spell to unbind these Sea-Fixing Dragon-Locking Chains."
Clearly, the three Sea Dragon Kings wanted to defect to Wuliang Xianweng, hoping he would help unlock the Sea-Fixing Dragon-Locking Chains so they could regain their freedom.
This was their only chance to escape their predicament right now.
Originally, they wanted to entice that Black Dragon Daoist, but he had been hesitant and had not made up his mind to help them.
If they waited until Ao Bing and Nezha became immortals and returned, it would be too late.
They would be imprisoned by Ao Guang in the submarine purgatory again, with no chance of escape ever again.
So, even knowing that defecting to Wuliang Xianweng would come with restrictions, they did not want to give up.
"I know it. But so what?"
A look of surprise first appeared on Wuliang Xianweng's face, followed by the furrowed brows relaxing.
He hadn't expected these three suppressed Dragon Kings to harbor other thoughts. This was truly Heaven helping him.
Originally, he thought taking down Shen Gongbao and the three Dragon Kings would require significant effort.
Now, if the three Dragon Kings were willing to defect, it would take no effort at all.
Furthermore, the scene would appear even more authentic—it would truly be the Dragon Race attacking Chentang Pass, and no one would ever be able to find out the truth.
"You... you actually want to betray us!"
Shen Gongbao was incredibly intelligent; if Wuliang Xianweng guessed the Dragon Kings' goal, he guessed it too.
If the three Dragon Kings betrayed them, everyone here today would die.
"Hmph! A thousand years ago, the four brothers fought against the Immortal World together. Who was the one to break faith and abandon righteousness first, casting us into purgatory? If Wuliang Xianweng wants to deal with Ao Guang, that is exactly what we wish for!"
Ao Qin, the Dragon King of the South Sea, retorted angrily.
Ao Run smiled cheerfully as he looked at Wuliang Xianweng:
"I have long heard that Wuliang Xianweng recruits talent regardless of background. You must be aware of our strength. If you can rescue us from purgatory and allow us to attain the Dao and become immortals, we are willing to serve as your slaves and servants."
"We will also offer up the secrets of the Spirit Pearl and the Demonic Pill, as well as Ao Guang's plans!"
The Dragon King of the North Sea, afraid Wuliang Xianweng might refuse, hurriedly added.
"Despicable! Where is the arrogant pride you once had when resisting the Immortal World?"
Shen Gongbao shouted in rage, his mind racing to find a way to escape.
Ao Run, who was usually composed, showed a rare fluctuation of intense emotion as he glared furiously at Shen Gongbao:
"We were young and ignorant back then. Only after enduring a thousand years of torture in purgatory did we understand who truly sets the rules in this world."
They didn't want to defect to Wuliang Xianweng either, but this was their only choice.
Hearing this, Wuliang Xianweng stroked his long beard and said:
"Smart. But you three are fickle and treacherous. How can this old man trust you? Unless you allow this old man to place a..."
"We are willing."
Before Wuliang Xianweng could finish his sentence, the three Dragon Kings had already given their answer.
They knew Wuliang Xianweng would inevitably place a curse on them, and their lives would henceforth depend on his whim. This was the price of escaping the submarine purgatory, and they had already thought it through clearly.
"Dragon Kings, please wait. I have something to say."
Just then, George suddenly appeared beside Shen Gongbao.
Originally, upon seeing Wuliang Xianweng appear, George's first thought was to pull Chentang Pass into his own world and run for his life like crazy.
You have to be kidding—Wuliang Xianweng is the Eldest Disciple of the Primordial Heavenly Lord, the strongest expert in the Chan Sect aside from the master himself. His strength might have reached the peak of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.
He might even be a Quasi-Saint.
Who knew how many powerful magical treasures he held in his hands?
Fighting him was absolutely out of the question.
However, after probing, he suddenly discovered with surprise that this Wuliang Xianweng didn't seem as strong as he had imagined.
His strength was indeed much greater than Shen Gongbao, Taiyi Zhenren, and the three Dragon Kings he had seen, but it hadn't reached a level where it was completely impossible to handle.
At his current level, he could still sense how much stronger an enemy was compared to himself.
In this situation, either the Wuliang Xianweng of this world was different from the Old Man of the South Pole in the Investiture of the Gods world and wasn't that powerful, or the Wuliang Xianweng before him was not the main body at all, but merely an existence similar to an avatar.
Just like the thought-entity clone he had created, its strength was not as great as his main body.
Coupled with the fact that he had a trump card to stop the three Dragon Kings from joining Wuliang Xianweng, he flew up after setting up a formation that could pull the entire Chentang Pass into his world at any moment.
"Who are you?"
Seeing a strange cultivator appear and temporarily stop the three Dragon Kings from defecting, Wuliang Xianweng narrowed his eyes.
This cultivator before him gave him the feeling that he was not weak.
"This humble one is the Black Dragon Daoist. Greetings, Wuliang Xianweng."
George smiled and performed a Daoist greeting, then looked at the three Dragon Kings:
"After my research during this period, I already know how to break the Sea-Fixing Dragon-Locking Chains on your bodies. If the three of you are willing, I can unbind them for you immediately."
(End of Chapter)