Chapter 457: Bold and Reckless, Elixir Warehouse

Whatever transpired between them,

Old Demon Jiaoyang was, after all, a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Grand Perfection stage. Even if his true combat strength was inferior to Grandmaster Huang Quan, he would not have been killed by him.

Moreover, the battlefield was within Dongji Capital.

Under the very nose of Red Heaven Demonic Venerable, neither of them dared to cause too much of a stir, otherwise the consequences might not be so easy to accept.

For the Heaven Refinement Demonic Sect, all cultivators who reached the Soul Transformation stage posed a threat, especially the leaders of the four demonic sects.

Grandmaster Huang Quan's identity was even more sensitive than Old Demon Jiaoyang's.

He should have been even more cautious about this.

Therefore, what truly surprised Wang Yu was that after Grandmaster Huang Quan pursued him, Old Demon Jiaoyang did not appear.

This was perplexing.

Excluding other possibilities, given the nature of demonic cultivators, the greatest likelihood was that some kind of secret deal had been struck. This was the root of his question.

If this conjecture were true, the integrity and character of Old Demon Jiaoyang would be truly deplorable and shameless.

In the arena,

Grandmaster Huang Quan did not answer Wang Yu's question. After carefully sizing him up, he twitched his nose.

"You've cultivated the divine abilities of Huang Quan Monastery, and more than one. Who taught them to you?"

"Since the Grandmaster is here to assassinate me, why bother with such trivial matters?"

"This is no small matter. Your death is destined today. But the leakage of the inheritance... someone must have revealed the core secrets of our monastery. Such a person can betray anything. It's better to find them early to put our minds at ease, don't you think?"

Wang Yu raised an eyebrow. The opponent's unhurried attitude hardly seemed like someone intending to assassinate him.

He even engaged in conversation.

This made him suspect a misjudgment regarding Old Demon Jiaoyang's situation, yet when the topic of a deal came up, Grandmaster Huang Quan remained silent.

This was illogical.

After all, from the opponent's perspective, whether the deal was real or fake, simply admitting it would effortlessly create a rift between Wang Yu and Old Demon Jiaoyang.

It would be an easy push; there was no reason to avoid discussing it.

Unless the deal was real, but its true purpose wasn't to assassinate Wang Yu. What kind of scheme were the two of them concocting? It was truly unfathomable.

As he pondered,

Wang Yu spoke again, "The Huang Quan Great Hand Seal was indeed personally taught to me by you. The fusion of the Profound Yin Hand and the Underworld Finger is the true nature of this third-tier divine ability."

He only lacked the corresponding promotion method. Unless he comprehended the relevant Huang Quan Dharma Intent, the divine ability could not advance to the fourth tier. This was also why he gradually abandoned this divine ability.

Instead, he began practicing the Buried Bone Curse Sword, which he had comprehended from the Huang Quan Underworld Wraith, along with another technique: the Huang Quan Evil World Spear!

However, he rarely used this weapon, almost never, and his proficiency level was only at the beginner stage.

"So it was you."

Grandmaster Huang Quan seemed to recall something, glancing at Yin Gui, who was glaring like an enraged cat. After a moment of silence, he said,

"You're smarter than I imagined. Let this boy go first. I have something to tell you."

"Alright."

Seeing Wang Yu agree, Yin Gui immediately became anxious.

"Brother Wang, you're mistaken! Don't think that just because I'm easy to talk to, other demons..."

Before he could finish, he was enveloped by a fierce psychic pressure. Yin Gui instantly clamped his mouth shut, unable to utter another word, and flew away in a huff.

He frequently looked back but still couldn't wait for Wang Yu to change his mind.

Finally, he could only transmit a message.

"I'll be waiting three hundred miles away. If a fight breaks out, make a loud commotion, and I'll immediately come to your aid."

Wang Yu responded with a highly affirmative glance.

He now suspected that Old Demon Jiaoyang and Grandmaster Huang Quan might be planning to act against Red Heaven Demonic Venerable, and keeping him might be for that very reason.

After all, he reasoned, only Red Heaven Demonic Venerable could attract more firepower than himself.

The junior overcoming the senior was also an old tradition in the demonic path.

Once Yin Gui had truly departed,

Grandmaster Huang Quan then smiled, "It seems you've figured out a lot of things. Speak your mind."

Wang Yu sighed.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Can you replicate what you did when you kicked Netherworld Son out of the Heavenly Star Pagoda?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yu immediately understood the problem.

The same excuse worked for Lord Lei Hou and others because they hadn't experienced the 'privilege' of authority. But when Red Heaven Demonic Venerable later used that token to experience it, he would definitely discover the issue.

Similarly, Old Demon Jiaoyang, who entered the imperial palace with him, would also have reasonable suspicions after learning what happened at the Heavenly Star Pagoda.

Wang Yu's initial actions were merely a temporary expedient.

As long as Netherworld Son was dealt with, the objective would be achieved. Even if Red Heaven Demonic Venerable discovered something amiss later, he would be too preoccupied with the opportunities in the imperial palace.

Once he had taken all the treasures inside, Wang Yu's problem would cease to be a problem. With the treasures in his hands, a few questions about authority would, of course, become unimportant.

"Where is Senior Jiaoyang?"

"He's still in Dongji Capital, hidden in a place you're very familiar with."

"The underground river?"

"Indeed."

To be honest, Wang Yu didn't want to get involved.

The Coiled Dragon Ring also involved the immortal's relic in the Crown Prince's tomb, and was itself a Soul Transformation-grade spirit treasure. He was unwilling to just hand it over.

But if he rashly participated, he worried he would meet a terrible end.

There was a bottom line to small-scale gambles. What Grandmaster Huang Quan was planning now seemed like teaching an ant to slay a dragon, which was a bit too idealistic.

However, if he refused, everything Grandmaster Huang Quan had said earlier would become true, and next year would be his memorial day.

After a long hesitation, Wang Yu asked,

"What can I gain?"

Grandmaster Huang Quan's smile became more genuine. He replied, "A lot. As long as we can keep Red Heaven trapped in Dongji Capital, I can use his divine body to forge my own path to Soul Transformation. You can state your desires later."

Wang Yu decisively shook his head.

He was highly resistant to the deceptive practice of making empty promises.

"How about this: I am never greedy. Senior, please inform me of the advancement methods for all the divine abilities of Huang Quan Monastery, and clearly explain every step that needs to be taken next."

"I will do my utmost, even at the cost of my life. Once the conditions are met, I will leave Dongji Capital and never return."

This was both a precaution against being discarded after use and a way to demand benefits upfront. If he truly succeeded, would Wang Yu dare to come back and ask for more?

Moreover, if it failed, he could retreat in time.

He was merely an assistant; it was impossible for him to bear the main responsibility.

Therefore,

Grandmaster Huang Quan pondered for a moment before agreeing to Wang Yu's terms.

"Very well, but you must play your part effectively. Otherwise, even if Jiaoyang wants to protect you, it will be useless. With my strength, if I truly wanted to kill you, it would take only an instant."

Wang Yu remained silent about this.

He completely disbelieved that the other party could achieve that. He wasn't a true ant; being intimidated by a Soul Transformation Venerable was one thing, but by a Nascent Soul Peak cultivator?

On the way back to Dongji Capital,

Grandmaster Huang Quan briefly explained the plan, which was actually quite simple and direct.

The whole thing started because Old Demon Jiaoyang was dissatisfied with having gained nothing from this trip and insisted on taking a piece of the imperial palace.

But as events unfolded at the Heavenly Star Pagoda,

And with Netherworld Son's sudden demise, a different emotion arose in his heart.

Don't forget, when it came to understanding Dongji Capital, only the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect and Huang Quan Monastery knew the most.

Now, with the Grandmaster right in front of him, combined with his knowledge of the place and Wang Yu's inexplicably high-level authority, the idea of using the local advantage to ambush and kill Red Heaven Demonic Venerable arose.

It's important to note that a killing formation controlled by someone and defensive measures that are not controlled are entirely different concepts.

The core of this lay in the so-called Eight Capitals Suppressing Dragon Array.

Grandmaster Huang Quan said,

"Do you know that the ancient Human Emperors used the dragon as a totem and symbol of faith, gathering the beliefs of common people to create the unique destiny-enhancing methods of the Immortal Dynasty?"

Wang Yu raised an eyebrow.

"Is Senior referring to methods like the Purple Qi Divine Flame?"

"More or less."

"If they claimed to be the True Dragon Emperor, why would they use a 'Suppressing Dragon Array' as their core defense?"

"Senior means..."

"The Eight Capitals Suppressing Dragon Array is divided into two arrays, yin and yang. The overt one is a defensive array, which is why breaking through the palace city was effortless; one only needed to grind it down with demonic qi."

"But the hidden yin array is the true fifth-tier killing formation, and it also contains the power of karmic backlash from the Immortal Dynasty's collapse."

"When the True Dragon's aura was severed, beheaded by the immortal's guillotine, it inevitably generated endless grievances, giving rise to a terrifying vengeful dragon of unmatched ferocity, suppressed for nearly 100,000 years... Once it erupts, even Red Heaven Demonic Venerable might not be able to withstand its power."

Hearing this, Wang Yu couldn't help but imagine.

It sounded like there was indeed a chance of success, provided Red Heaven Demonic Venerable was completely unaware and even stepped into this imperial palace trap.

Grandmaster Huang Quan wanted Red Heaven's remains to comprehend the secrets of Soul Transformation within the Heaven Refinement Demonic Sect, so what could Old Demon Jiaoyang gain?

A storage ring? Or some opportunity within Dongji Capital?

He remembered.

During the Battle of Black Mountain Pass, the Heaven Refinement Demonic Sect and the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect were still in a honeymoon period of cooperation, even promising a secret method to avoid demonic corruption from ancient demonic inheritances.

This secret method was precisely the secret that Grandmaster Huang Quan yearned for, the mystery he wanted to uncover even at the risk of killing Red Heaven.

This differed somewhat from the Heaven Refinement Demonic Sect's stated direction for demonic cultivation. So either they were making empty promises, or they intended to establish the true decisive victory in this current demonic-righteous war.

Through this conversation, Wang Yu saw clearly many hidden subtleties in their decisions.

A sufficiently high perspective was indeed quite important.

Therefore, Xie Xie'an's matter was decided during the Blood Abyss trial. One of its main purposes might have been to verify the authenticity of the secret method.

"What a bunch of cunning and shrewd demonic overlords."

Wang Yu sighed inwardly.

Soon, Dongji Capital was already in sight. Grandmaster Huang Quan looked at him with a composed expression, as if watching a performance.

Wang Yu, feeling helpless, took out the Water Ancestor Token and connected it to the underground water array, instantly teleporting both of them into the underground river. The other party seemed a little surprised as well.

"Is this also a benefit of high authority?"

"Something like that."

There were actually many survivors from the trip to the Heavenly Yin Water Pool, but only Leng Gu was related to Huang Quan Monastery. The latter died too early and did not report the relevant information.

Wang Yu subconsciously assumed the other party already knew.

It turned out to be a misunderstanding. The Water Ancestor Token isn't a treasure that cannot be exposed, as it can only be used by Feng Shui Geomancers. However, it's naturally better to keep it hidden if possible.

"What's next?"

After entering the underground river, Wang Yu transformed into a tool.

He was only responsible for activating the crucial step; other steps had nothing to do with him. He didn't need to have his own will, just play this role well.

"First, head to the underground location corresponding to the Longevity Medicine Treasury and rendezvous with Old Demon Jiaoyang."

The implication was that Jiaoyang still coveted the medicine treasury.

The resilience displayed was astonishing, truly a prime example of not giving up until the last moment. Even now, with intentions against Red Heaven Demonic Venerable, he was still thinking about the medicine treasury...

Wang Yu was at a loss for words.

After a long silence, he still couldn't help but ask,

"He wants to explore the medicine treasury first?"

Grandmaster Huang Quan smiled.

"That is also my intention. Some ancient elixirs might have an unexpected effect, or they might achieve my goal, in which case there would be no need to act against Red Heaven."

Wang Yu suddenly realized. It made sense.

Since they chose to offend Red Heaven, it was only natural to clear out another wave of gains. Moreover, unlike Wang Yu, they were confident they could escape Red Heaven's pursuit.

Relying on Huang Quan Monastery or the Zhuo family's territory, they could fully resist a Soul Transformation Venerable's attack. As long as they stalled for a year or so, they could break through after digesting their gains.

Naturally, there would be no need to fear the threat of a Soul Transformation cultivator.

In this regard, Grandmaster Huang Quan was clearly more confident than Jiaoyang or Netherworld Son; he was closer to this realm than anyone else.

If they could make such a gamble, why would they be afraid?

One incense stick of time later,

Wang Yu saw Old Demon Jiaoyang from afar, sitting cross-legged above the underground river. There was a large hole near his head, from which a faint glow of a restrictive barrier subtly shone.

He now understood why Old Demon Jiaoyang was in the underground river. It seemed he had failed in a frontal assault on the restriction and tried a crooked path, only to find that it didn't work from below either.

It was rather comical.

Seeing the two arrive together, Old Demon Jiaoyang immediately broke into a grin, like a blooming chrysanthemum.

"Young friend Wang, you've indeed come."

Wang Yu's attitude became much colder, but he didn't show overt disrespect.

He subtly expressed his dissatisfaction.

"Senior Jiaoyang jests. With the Grandmaster personally inviting me, how could I be so tactless? Please tell me exactly what needs to be done."

"Hahahahaha..."

Even with Jiaoyang's thick skin, he felt a bit awkward at this moment.

After all, Wang Yu's relationship with the Zhuo clan had already fractured. His previous acknowledgment of 'Great Grandfather Lie' outside the Heavenly Star Pagoda had shown an intention to reconcile.

Now, for the sake of this opportunity, he not only risked death but also pushed Wang Yu away. No matter what, he had lost his demeanor and integrity.

The other party would no longer try to get close to him.

"Young friend Wang, please try first to see if this restrictive barrier can be directly opened."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yu immediately shook his head.

"Red Heaven Demonic Venerable is in the imperial palace. If the Longevity Medicine Treasury's restriction is fully lifted, he will definitely detect it immediately."

Upon hearing this, both their faces fell.

Wang Yu then continued,

"But I can try to partially lift it, gradually squeezing in. Only one person can enter at a time. Who wants to go first?"

Grandmaster Huang Quan and Old Demon Jiaoyang exchanged glances.

They both wanted to go first but also worried about being ambushed by Wang Yu, so they simply fell silent.