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*****
"To be able to unlock the Sea-Fixing Dragon-Locking Chains... what a brilliant method. I wonder, Fellow Daoist, under which master did you study?"
After disengaging from the battle, the Infinite Immortal Venerable did not look at the three Dragon Kings, nor did he look at Shen Gongbao. Instead, he locked his gaze firmly onto George.
To unlock the chains using one's own method, without knowing the specific unlocking spell—even if it was just the three branch chains and not the entire Demon-Locking Array—was already incredibly impressive.
Possessing such ability suggested that the opponent was likely not a mere rogue cultivator, but someone with a significant background.
Perhaps he came from the Jie Sect, or maybe he was a disciple of one of those powerful recluses who had existed since Pangu split the heavens and earth.
He had to clarify the opponent's identity before deciding whether to kill him and refine him into an elixir.
"The Immortal Venerable flatters me. I am but a humble rogue cultivator with no master or lineage. My cultivation relies entirely on my own comprehension. Being able to unlock the Sea-Fixing Dragon-Locking Chains is merely because I happen to enjoy studying such mechanics. It was luck, pure luck."
George performed a respectful Daoist bow to the Infinite Immortal Venerable, then, feigning a look of trembling fear, he hastily retreated behind the others.
regarding this Eldest Disciple of the Chan Sect, a Daluo Golden Immortal or perhaps even a Quasi-Saint, George's original plan had been to avoid offending him if at all possible.
However, from the moment the Infinite Immortal Venerable revealed his true form above Chentang Pass, that option was off the table.
Since the Infinite Immortal Venerable had shown his true face, it meant he intended to silence everyone—unless they allowed him to implant a controlling curse and became his subordinates.
George could not possibly allow the Infinite Immortal Venerable to implant such a curse. Thus, his only choice was to stand in opposition to him, rallying the three Dragon Kings to assist Shen Gongbao and Chentang Pass.
Since he was already confirmed to be on the opposing side, and he couldn't completely eliminate the enemy right now, he naturally had to find a way to lower the enemy's vigilance toward him.
In reality, if George went all out in the current situation, there was a high probability he could directly kill the Infinite Immortal Venerable, along with Crane Boy and Deer Boy.
The Infinite Immortal Venerable might still have some hidden magical treasures or trump cards, but George held plenty of cards himself—perhaps even more.
However, killing the Infinite Immortal Venerable, Deer Boy, and Crane Boy right now was completely unnecessary.
through the constant probing just now, he had already confirmed that this Infinite Immortal Venerable was not the main body, but merely an incarnation formed from a magical treasure.
So, even if he killed him, he would only be destroying an incarnation, while simultaneously exposing his own trump cards.
Furthermore, the Battle of the Investiture of the Gods hadn't officially started yet, and the Jie Sect and Chan Sect hadn't completely fallen out.
If he truly killed the Infinite Immortal Venerable at this juncture, he would thoroughly offend the entire Chan Sect. It would likely make it very difficult for him to join the Jie Sect later on.
Although this was just an incarnation, he was still the Eldest Disciple of the Chan Sect, the current acting head of the Jade Void Palace, and the face of the sect. No matter how great a mistake he made, he could not be directly killed by an outsider.
Therefore, from the beginning until now, George had consistently maintained the persona of a rogue cultivator who was not good at fighting but was proficient in the Dao of breaking formations.
Previously, when he helped Taiyi Zhenren fabricate a story, he had also completely erased his own existence from the narrative.
This way, although he would incur the Infinite Immortal Venerable's hatred, if the Venerable wanted to deal with him in the future, he wouldn't prioritize him too heavily. At most, he would send Deer Boy and Crane Boy.
And Deer Boy and Crane Boy combined weren't enough for George to fight alone.
Sure enough, after hearing George's explanation and seeing him retreat behind Shen Gongbao, the Infinite Immortal Venerable's furrowed brows instantly relaxed, and he shifted his gaze to Shen Gongbao.
In his view, George's explanation was reasonable. If he really was a combat weakling who only specialized in breaking restrictions, then he truly posed no threat.
What he feared was that there might be an expert standing behind George.
Some rogue cultivators who had existed since the creation of the world were figures that even his master, the Primordial Heavenly Worthy, had to treat with caution, let alone him.
Standing in front of George, the corner of Shen Gongbao's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
Others might not know, but he was very clear that George was absolutely not some partial-talent rogue cultivator who only knew how to break seals. He was a terrifying figure with true power and incredibly comprehensive abilities.
At the very least, judging by George's performance during the heavenly tribulation, Shen Gongbao felt that even if he and Taiyi teamed up, they probably couldn't beat this Lord Black Dragon.
Although George claimed to "know a little" about everything, in reality, he was exceptional in every field.
With formations and magical treasures, he weakened most of the Saint-level heavenly tribulation; he swallowed the final tribulation lightning whole; he could cast all sorts of strange spells at will; and he even knew teleportation techniques.
In terms of healing, he could save his younger brother even when his primordial spirit was on the verge of dissipating.
Add to that the fact that he cracked the Sea-Fixing Dragon-Locking Chains that had bound the Dragon Clan for a thousand years.
However, Shen Gongbao was not a naive person. He instantly understood why George was acting this way. He immediately played along, shielding George behind him, then pointed at the Infinite Immortal Venerable and demanded:
"Eldest Senior Brother, release my father! Otherwise, I will report everything you have done in the past and today to Master and all the other Senior Brothers!"
In the past, he had no evidence to accuse the Infinite Immortal Venerable, and as the former Captain of the Demon Capture Squad, he would have been implicated himself.
But now, the entire Chentang Pass served as witnesses, including Li Jing, the Man of Destiny whom their Master valued highly.
Moreover, with his father captured, he no longer cared about the repercussions that might befall him after exposing the Infinite Immortal Venerable.
"Oh? Report me? Junior Brother, you had better think this through."
"Your father is in my hands; I can kill him at any time."
"And even if you report me, everything I do is wholeheartedly for the sake of the Chan Sect. Even if my methods are a bit extreme, do you really think Master will punish me heavily?"
"At most, he will confine me for a few years. When I come out, I will still be the Eldest Senior Brother of the Chan Sect."
"You, however, are different. You are already disregarded by Master. When that time comes..."
The Infinite Immortal Venerable's words caused Shen Gongbao's expression to change because he knew that this was indeed a possibility.
"Daoist Shen, don't be fooled by him. You..."
Seeing Shen Gongbao being bluffed by the Infinite Immortal Venerable, George immediately sent a secret voice transmission to remind him.
The Infinite Immortal Venerable's words did make sense; even if everything he did was exposed, he wouldn't actually receive too heavy a punishment.
However, it was obvious that the Infinite Immortal Venerable did not want his actions exposed.
For one, it would greatly impact the reputation of the Chan Sect. For the Infinite Immortal Venerable, who did everything for the sect's benefit, this was unacceptable.
For another, if he was removed from his position managing the Jade Void Palace by the joint efforts of his other junior brothers because of this incident, many of his plans prepared for the Investiture of the Gods would go down the drain.
So, the Infinite Immortal Venerable was not as indifferent to Shen Gongbao's threat of exposure as he claimed.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have come here with only Crane Boy and Deer Boy.
After receiving George's reminder, Shen Gongbao reacted immediately. He began to verbally spar with the Infinite Immortal Venerable, adopting a stance that suggested a "fish dies, net breaks" scenario—mutual destruction—if the Infinite Immortal Venerable did not agree.
This caused the veins on the Infinite Immortal Venerable's forehead to throb with rage.
"Hmph! It is impossible for me to release your father. At most, I can ensure he lives comfortably in my care."
Seeing Shen Gongbao's face full of disagreement, he quickly added:
"However, I can choose not to pursue the matter of you and the Dragon Clan stealing the Spirit Pearl. I will allow the Spirit Pearl and the Magic Pill to ascend successfully and obtain the token of the Chan Sect."
(End of Chapter)