Chapter 1426: Everywhere Is the Jianghu

This was already the third time his memory had been erased.

The first time was by Bodhisattva Tian Ting.

The second time was by Lv Zhu.

Each time, the Ancient Void Tree had blocked the attempt, and this time was no exception.

Yet, he had merely inquired about Ling Shu and Liu Li's whereabouts, displaying neither hostility nor friendliness, when the Demon Lord decisively erased his memory.

It seemed the two women were indeed in trouble.

Since the other party had erased his memory, he decided to play along and see what was happening.

The Demon Lord retracted his domain, looked at Jiang Fan's dazed expression, and cautiously probed:

“Wang Chongxiao, are you alright?”

Jiang Fan said blankly, “Who is Wang Chongxiao? Is that me?”

The Demon Lord continued to probe, “What? You don’t even remember who you are?”

Jiang Fan shook his head, frowning, “What happened to me?”

“Who am I, where am I, and what am I doing?”

Only then did the Demon Lord relax.

Excellent. Three consecutive questions confirmed that the memory erasure was successful.

In truth, there was no room for failure. How could a mere Nascent Soul cultivator possibly block the domain of a Soul Transformation Venerable?

“You are a servant of my Myriad Demon Great State. I will now take you to see our master.”

Master?

Jiang Fan's eyes flickered, but he said calmly, “Alright.”

The Demon Lord grabbed Jiang Fan's shoulder and teleported away.

Approaching Spirit Snake Mountain, Jiang Fan realized the mountain range had suffered significant damage.

Many palaces and cave dwellings had collapsed, and demon corpses, along with the remains of infernal creatures, were visible everywhere.

Hordes of demons were engaged in clearing the battlefield, yet even so, there was a severe shortage of manpower.

Many bodies had begun to rot and stink.

As a result, the once golden-shining Spirit Snake Mountain Range reeked of decay, with corpses strewn across the ground.

It was not difficult to imagine the brutal battle that had erupted here after the interlayer world connected with Spirit Snake Mountain Range.

Jiang Fan's heart sank.

Ling Shu and Liu Li wouldn't be harmed, would they?

Shortly after.

They arrived at a cave dwelling hidden deep beneath the Spirit Snake Mountain Range.

The dwelling was riddled with tunnels, connecting to various parts of Spirit Snake Mountain.

The terrain was intricate and complex.

The Demon Lord led Jiang Fan to the front of the cave dwelling, respectfully bowing his head and saying:

“Great Venerable, I have an important matter to report.”

From the dim cave dwelling, a chilling voice rang out:

“Did Great Venerable Jin Lin die in the interlayer world?”

The Demon Lord bowed his head even lower and replied, “Reporting to Great Venerable, no.”

He glanced at Jiang Fan, then raised his hand to set up a barrier, sealing Jiang Fan within it.

Only then did he say, “This person came searching for Great Venerable Jin Lin’s daughter. I discovered him in time.”

Jiang Fan was secretly astonished.

There was a Great Venerable in this cave dwelling?

That shouldn't be!

Strong cultivators from various states had come to support Spirit Snake Mountain. There was no reason for Spirit Snake Mountain's Great Venerable to be hiding in the mountain range and not participating, was there?

Could it be that Spirit Snake Mountain had two Great Venerables?

He wondered if the Great Venerable before him was Liu Li's father.

Unfortunately, they were on guard against him, preventing him from eavesdropping on their conversation.

After a thought, he secretly activated the Silent Meditation Bead and exchanged a glance with the Demon Lord.

From then on, everything he wished to say and everything he heard would first pass through his mind.

As long as Jiang Fan kept his mind steady and didn't form any thoughts, he could secretly listen in on their conversation.

“Searching for Jin Lin’s daughter?”

From the gloom, a figure emerged.

More precisely, it was a great demon, half-human and half-snake.

His upper body was that of an incredibly muscular human, with ink-black hair and dark eyes, and a bare chest rippling with knotted muscles.

His lower body was a long black snake tail, its scales shimmering with a dark luster in the faint light.

Behind his head, there was a divine halo.

Upon it, five flame imprints were distinctly visible.

Jiang Fan was secretly surprised.

He had reached the Five Declines of Heavenly Beings realm, yet he was still half-human, half-snake?

He recalled that demons could completely transform into human form once they reached the Nascent Soul realm.

The Demon Emperor's daughter was naturally born in human form.

What was going on with this Great Venerable before him?

The Great Venerable's black eyes fixed on Jiang Fan, and he said:

“What’s his background?”

The Demon Lord replied, “He claims to be from Taicang Great State, named Wang Chongxiao, and was ordered to go to the interlayer world to provide support.”

The Serpent-tailed Great Venerable squinted his eyes. “Taicang Great State? Jin Lin’s daughter also came from Taicang Great State.”

“This person truly has a strong connection to Jin Lin’s daughter.”

“Fortunately, he encountered you. If he had met one of Jin Lin’s people, the news of his daughter’s return wouldn’t have been kept secret.”

The Demon Lord nodded, “This person represents Taicang Great State, so this subordinate dared not kill him.”

“I merely temporarily erased his memory.”

“How does Great Venerable intend to deal with him?”

The Serpent-tailed Great Venerable said indifferently, “Naturally, eliminate him to silence him.”

“However, don’t let him die here. Take him to the interlayer world and let him die a plausible death among the infernal creatures.”

The Demon Lord nodded, a hint of a smile appearing. “Great Venerable is wise.”

“It’s a good opportunity to have him kill more infernal creatures in your name, earning you some merit.”

“This will contribute to your control over Spirit Snake Mountain.”

“Then I shall remove the barrier, and Great Venerable can personally assign him tasks.”

With that, he raised a finger and dispelled the barrier.

Jiang Fan decisively deactivated his Silent Meditation, but his heart was filled with indescribable shock.

Liu Li and Ling Shu had come to Spirit Snake Mountain.

However, it seemed they had approached the wrong Great Venerable—the mortal enemy of Liu Li’s birth father, Great Venerable Jin Lin.

His heart was in turmoil.

What had the Serpent-tailed Great Venerable done to Liu Li and Ling Shu?

Had he killed them?

Probably not. Killing Liu Li would bring him no benefit.

Keeping her alive, on the other hand, could serve as a restraint against Great Venerable Jin Lin at a crucial moment.

Upon realizing this, his heart settled slightly.

He also couldn't help but reflect on the situation.

It was true that wherever there were people, there were power struggles, and the demon race was no exception.

He needed to find a way to contact Great Venerable Jin Lin and inform him about Liu Li.

Otherwise, for him to rescue someone alone from a demon Great Venerable in the Five Declines of Heavenly Beings realm would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

“Wang Chongxiao, you are this Venerable’s servant.”

“Now go to the interlayer world and kill as many infernal creatures as possible. Do not let them escape.”

The Serpent-tailed Great Venerable said indifferently.

Jiang Fan snorted inwardly. He wanted to use him to kill someone else?

Was he so easily manipulated?

His eyes flickered, and he feigned a thoughtful expression, saying, “Great Venerable, I am human, and you are a demon.”

“Why would I be your servant?”

The Demon Lord frowned, watching Jiang Fan with suspicion.

But he wasn't too surprised. Some overly vigilant individuals retain strong cognitive abilities even after their memories are erased.

The Serpent-tailed Great Venerable said indifferently, “Are you questioning this Venerable’s words?”

Killing intent flickered in his eyes.

If Jiang Fan hadn’t arrived with the identity of being sent by Taicang Great State, making it inconvenient to directly eliminate him, why would he waste words on him?

Jiang Fan cupped his hands and said, “This junior wouldn’t dare. It’s just that I remember nothing.”

“Without proof, I dare not simply obey anyone’s orders.”

The Serpent-tailed Great Venerable let out an exasperated laugh but could only force down his temper.

He sensed for a moment, detected the Sky Thunder Stone in Jiang Fan’s embrace, and instantly had an idea.

With a subtle flick of the fingers clasped behind his back, a scale quietly fell into Jiang Fan’s Sky Thunder Stone.

How could Jiang Fan not notice the change inside the Sky Thunder Stone?

He feigned ignorance, opened the Sky Thunder Stone, took out the scale, compared it with the Serpent-tailed Great Venerable’s aura, and then respectfully said:

“My Lord, I truly am your servant.”

The Serpent-tailed Great Venerable said, “Then go to the interlayer world immediately.”

Jiang Fan nodded and said, “Yes, My Lord!”

But he didn't leave immediately; instead, he hesitated and said:

“My Lord, this subordinate remembers nothing—I’ve even forgotten my cultivation techniques, magic artifacts, and talismans.”

“That interlayer world must be very dangerous, right?”

“If I go like this, won’t it be very dangerous?”