Chapter 280: Chapter 280 I Have Difficulties
Well, I’ll be damned!
The watching experts of the ancient families, one by one, were petrified with fear.
This guy was dead set on killing the elites of the Purple Gold Divine Clan!
Unable to defeat them alone, he even dragged the people of the three great imperial dynasties into this, and these dynasties could not refuse.
First, they had a reason. The members of the Purple Gold Divine Clan had set the death trap first; that was their reason. Second, any of the three great imperial dynasties would panic and couldn’t remain composed when facing the Divine Clan alone, but together, they had no fear of a single Purple Gold Divine Clan.
Plus, with Chen Pingping’s Emperor Scripture, it was just as he said: he could control the Undying Furnace—could they? Not really, right? So, an alliance was needed. They had to kill the Divine Clan members first.
Chen Pingping was not in a hurry.
The imperial experts had somber faces and quickly made their decision. Since the people of the Purple Gold Divine Clan were heartless, why should they yield?
"Form an alliance!" declared the Heavenly Dragon expert.
"Agreed!" said the Heavenly Phoenix.
"Me too!" exclaimed Taigu!
Chen Pingping laughed.
Wen Yuqing also laughed and blinked, somewhat surprised, thinking to herself, This guy is actually somewhat useful!
Not far away, the Purple Gold Divine Clan experts became instantly furious. "You dare?"
However, watching the figures of the imperial experts approaching, the Divine Clan members felt their breath catch. They turned to flee, but more than twenty imperial path experts struck simultaneously, their attacks overwhelming and drowning them.
They had no chance of escaping, no room to resist. The disparity in numbers was too great. Reviving Divine Weapons, awakening bloodlines, using secret techniques—all were futile.
Screams echoed, pools of blood spilled, and one body after another plummeted to the ground. In the blink of an eye, the Divine Clan experts were all slain.
The scene instantly became quiet.
Mo Lai frowned, covering the young girl’s eyes to prevent her from watching.
The ancient family experts, one by one, inhaled sharply. Their gazes towards Chen Pingping changed—they were very wary.
At that moment, Wen Yuqing suddenly asked, "When did you begin your cultivation training?"
The crowd was astonished. What kind of question was that? What does "when did you begin your cultivation training" mean? You’re Chen Pingping’s mentor, aren’t you?
In a quiet, enigmatic tone, Chen Pingping said, "I’ll tell you tonight."
"Forget it then," shrugged Wen Yuqing, her face turning red as she realized her question was problematic. She remembered: she had never taught Chen Pingping cultivation before.
AHEM. She added, "When your mentor has time, I’ll properly teach you how to cultivate."
Chen Pingping rolled his eyes. "Tonight!"
SMACK! She rapped him on the head. "Stop mentioning ’tonight’."
How embarrassing! With so many people around, and I’m still his mentor! Her eyes widened.
It was a brief interlude. The experts from the three great imperial dynasties returned to this place. Now that an alliance had been formed, they should have a plan next, right?
The person from the Heavenly Phoenix Imperial Dynasty spoke up first, "We’ll use the Phoenix Cauldron to draw out the Undying Furnace shortly. At that time, Taigu and the Heavenly Dragon will suppress it from the sides, enabling the young Dao friend to use the Emperor Scripture to control it."
With that, he turned towards Chen Pingping.
"I agree," Chen Pingping smiled faintly.
"What about Taigu and the Heavenly Dragon?"
"Agreed."
The terms of the agreement were straightforward. The key issues were the second and third steps. Could the experts of Taigu and the Heavenly Dragon suppress the Undying Furnace? Could Chen Pingping control the Undying Furnace? They needed to try. No one dared to be sure.
Moreover, there was another problem: the group of ancient family experts nearby, eying them covetously.
Wen Yuqing spoke up, "Wait a moment, let me collect the gourd vine first."
At this moment, an expert of the Heavenly Phoenix Imperial Dynasty interjected, "That gourd vine is fake."
Wen Yuqing was surprised. "How do you know that?"
"We knew from the beginning; it’s just that you hadn’t appeared yet," he said, lifting his eyelids slightly.
"You didn’t tell me?" Wen Yuqing’s eyes were wide.
Fake? She and the members of the Purple Gold Divine Clan had fought for so long, only to be told the gourd vine was fake?
The Heavenly Phoenix expert said in a somber tone, "Why should I have told you? We were strangers, not to mention potential enemies. Who would tell you?"
He pointed towards the Ancient City. "I guess the real gourd vine is inside the Ancient City."
Chen Pingping spoke, "Let’s decide it like this! Let’s each get ready." Having said that, he quickly pulled Wen Yuqing to the side and said with a grave expression, "Master, if a fight breaks out later, you must run immediately."
His plan was already more than half complete: the three imperial dynasties and the Divine Clan were thoroughly at loggerheads, with only the matter of the Undying Furnace remaining. However, holding the Emperor Scripture, he was a key figure. If he did not act properly, or made the slightest mistake, the three imperial dynasties would not be able to obtain the Undying Furnace. The invasion of the Heaven Martial Continent would naturally become a mere dream.
At the moment, the biggest issue was that once exposed, he would become the target of all.
Wen Yuqing stared at him intently. "Tell me, what exactly are you thinking?"
"Don’t ask. In short, when the fight starts, just run," Chen Pingping said, taking a deep breath.
"I am your Master. Are you going to keep secrets from me?" Wen Yuqing said.
"I have my reasons."
Sighing helplessly, she said, "After all, I am your Master."
Chen Pingping said, "Once this matter is over, Disciple will naturally explain everything to Master. Please trust Disciple."
The situation was critical, and time was running out. At any moment, the Heavenly Dragon Prince and Huang Mingzhi might arrive, at which point his lies would collapse on their own. So, he had to act quickly.
Watching Chen Pingping’s retreating figure, Wen Yuqing cursed inwardly, Damn kid, you think you can take away the Undying Furnace right under the noses of the three imperial dynasties? Just how easy do you think that is?
She assumed this was Chen Pingping’s ultimate plan. However, she hadn’t paid close attention to his earlier words about ’invading Heaven Martial.’ If she had pondered them even slightly, she would have understood his true aim.
It was not to seize the Undying Furnace, but to stop them.
Not far away, the Saintess’s gaze was intense as she watched the Ancient City.
Meanwhile, the three imperial dynasties had also discussed their strategies. They approached Chen Pingping and then all turned their gaze toward Lan Xiuzhi.
Lan Xiuzhi was startled, not understanding why. Although she could bear the Phoenix Cauldron, she couldn’t revive it. Moreover, when she first set foot on the island, the Phoenix Cauldron had resonated with the Undying Furnace. In this inexplicable situation, even she was at a loss. Now, being asked for the Phoenix Cauldron to take action, she didn’t know how to proceed.
Chen Pingping sent a sound transmission: "Act now!"
The Earth Chicken understood and immediately lifted the restriction.
In an instant, the aura of the Phoenix Cauldron spread out. The Ancient City shook violently, and that long cry from earlier echoed once more. Blazing flames erupted from within, like a sword slashing towards the heavens.
It’s coming! The experts from the ancient families felt suffocated, their expressions solemn.
Mo Lai took the young girl away from there. "Are you scared?"
The girl shook her head. "With Elder Brother here, Ni’er isn’t afraid."
Mo Lai lowered his eyelids and said, "You possess the Heaven Image Power. If you can see the person within the Heaven Image, it will greatly benefit your cultivation. However, this ’Heaven Image’ is also accompanied by terrible slaughter. Perhaps it will stimulate your growth, or perhaps it will wear down your drive and lead to disillusionment. Regardless, I hope you are strong enough."
Jiang Ni’er nodded seriously. "Yes, Ni’er will remember Elder Brother’s advice."
SCREECH! An Undying Bird soared upwards, carrying immense power and scorching flames. It circled in the sky for a while before pouncing towards the Phoenix Cauldron’s location.
The Heavenly Phoenix expert shouted, "Princess, be careful!"
That was a Demon Bird from ancient times, comparable to the Ancient Phoenix, famed for being undying and indestructible. The flames on its body could incinerate the Void, and even Saints were wary of it.
The Great Tao it released, even a strand or a wisp, could slay a Saint.
The attacking shadow, though not its true body, was still more than Lan Xiuzhi could withstand.