Shangyuque

Chapter 182 Floating Smoke, If I attain enlightenment, I will surely kill you!
Has Mang Xiang's attempt to start an era of civil war within the Immortal Alliance failed?
It's hard to say. From Wang Yulou's perspective, what he saw was that after the Mangxiang Immortal Venerable made his move, the Frog King and the Candle Illumination Immortal Venerable, both true Immortal Venerables, stepped in to intercept him.

Well, it took Wang Yulou a long time to grasp the true meaning of this matter—no one could stop the raging elephant on their own unless they were willing to get involved themselves.

However, for the immortal venerables, it's acceptable for everyone on the Immortal Platform to oppose Mang Xiang together, but it's not so good for one of them to oppose Mang Xiang alone.

The key to this game lies in the fact that when the elephant is under too much pressure, it will inevitably be more willing to increase the value of its entry stake.

After all, Mang Xiang is a figure standing at the threshold of the Golden Core stage, and many powerful figures are willing to lend him a hand. As long as the person making the move cannot crush Mang Xiang in an instant, Mang Xiang can always find a suitable countermeasure.

Personal intervention might not be enough to stop them, but if everyone joins in, it will just be in line with Mang Xiang's intention to instigate a civil war within the Immortal Alliance.

In Wang Yulou's eyes, the patriarch's words had a certain probing quality.

With the elephant's intervention, the center line of the Qianli River instantly stabilized.

Even if the Celestial Venerable arrives, there will be no clear sky; at least the cultivators on the front lines will no longer flee in fear.

The central line guards Guanzhong. Xuan Zhuan stands beside Mang Xiang. In front of the two great cultivators, a few gluttons and good-for-nothings are scattered on the ground.

If you ask why they aren't densely packed, it's because they don't respect the immortals.

No, friend.

Although Gua Zhenren was transformed into a three-legged toad—no, a three-legged golden toad—by Mang Xiang, his center line had been swept by Li Ting when he unleashed his two Great Annihilation Sounds.

Even the phrase "ploughing up the courtyard and sweeping away the acupoints" is insufficient to describe the terror of the Great Annihilation Immortal Sound. A great cultivator at the peak of the Purple Mansion realm unleashed his full power without reservation, using his most proficient sonic divine power.

Under the devastating power of Gua Zhenren's Great Extinction Sound, the vast majority of living beings, from insects in the soil to birds in the forest, and even people living within hundreds of miles of the front line, were killed.

The amount of bloodshed it caused was not in the hundreds of millions, but in the tens or hundreds of billions.

Under such terrifying supernatural powers, how many people could survive on the front lines of the Red Lanterns' central battlefront?

Well, not many.

For example, Wang Yulou brought more than two thousand independent cultivators from the Western Sea to the front lines, and more than half of them were assigned to the central front of the main battlefield.

After this battle, less than a thousand of the scattered cultivators who had been brought to the front lines from the Western Sea by Wang Yulou remained.

Therefore, correspondingly, there are far fewer people who can be forced to lie on the ground and be cursed as good-for-nothings.

"I understand that you can't beat Gua Zhenren, but the battle line you built as the core foundation of the central defense is more fragile than paper."

When Gua Zhenren shouted once, the entire midline collapsed. If he shouted a few more times, would the red light also collapse?
big eater!

"No, you're even worse than gluttons. Gluttons only need to eat, but what have you done? The sect entrusted you with such an important task, and what have you accomplished?"

Wang Yulou and his men rushed over to pay their respects, hoping to meet the patriarch and make an impression on him. After all, the patriarch was a man of few words and never liked to show himself in public, so younger disciples like him had no chance to get close to him.

However, upon his arrival, he witnessed Xuan Zhuan angrily rebuking the group of good-for-nothings.

As a seasoned Xiao Deng, Wang Yulou knew his place, so he obediently shrank into the corner by the door, not wanting to be the unlucky guy who would be pointed at and sprayed on the head by Xuan Zhuan.

"Useless! How can you shoulder the great responsibility of the sect like this?"

I think this war is being fought at just the right time. The Red Lanterns have been developing steadily for many years, which is why you good-for-nothings have become the foundation builders.

War is good. Let's fight and hone our skills and weed out those who can't keep up. Let them die so as to save the sect's resources.

If you can't fill the gap, plenty of others can!

Standing behind the monstrous elephant, Xuan Zhuan's words were incredibly loyal. It seemed like he was criticizing the Foundation Establishment cultivators as useless, but it was all just a prelude.

What's the prelude?
Xuan Zhuan looked at Wang Yulou and said.

"I think Jade Tower is quite good. As long as the Red Lantern cultivators on the front lines of the two sects make contributions, the specific amount of their contributions can be determined within a week, and the corresponding contributions will be distributed to the specific cultivators."

The Hall of Special Merit has grown from nothing to something, from small to large, from a makeshift organization to the ballast stone for victory or defeat in the two major battles.

Wang Yulou, come forward! What are you doing cowering in the back? You're past the age where you need to be so subservient!

There is no love without a reason. Xuan Zhuan loves Wang Yulou so much because that good-for-nothing Yan Keyi ran away!

Why did the two frontline red light signals collapse so easily when Gua Zhenren shouted?
Because Yan Keyi, that big idiot, used the Heavenly River Divine Power Talisman bestowed upon the Yan family by the Suspended Seal.

The magical talisman created by the Grand Master of the Purple Mansion is not only powerful, but its power is like the Milky Way hanging upside down in the sky. High-level cultivators with good eyesight can see it from three thousand miles away!
Because they noticed the unusual activity in the direction of the central guard post, the cultivators on both sides of the central line fled in panic.

Then, the mad elephant was forced to make a move and directly ran into two real people.

Yes, given Xuan Zhuan's skill level, it's impossible for him to be inferior to Wang Yulou. Of course, he could understand that the patriarch had won this round.

But does the fact that the patriarch won mean that he bears no responsibility for cultivating the oxen and horses that produced "Yan Keyi, who led the way in running away"?
That's impossible.

Therefore, Xuanzhuan first blamed the collapse of the central line on these unfortunate survivors, and then grandly promoted his own disciple, Xiaodeng Wang Yulou, and began to praise and flatter him in various ways.

Was he trying to reward Wang Yulou? Did he acknowledge Wang Yulou's abilities?

No, it was simply using the 'outstanding performance' of Wang Yulou to offset the escape of Yan Keyi.

“It is all Yu Lou’s duty to be a true master.”

Fortunately, the patriarch intervened, preventing the situation at the front from deteriorating completely.

Yu Lou only regretted her own weakness; otherwise, she would have definitely stepped forward to fight the Serpent Sect's Melon Master!

Wang Yulou was very sensible and understood Xuan Zhuan's interests, so he immediately started singing a duet with Xuan Zhuan.

"enough!"

Mang Xiang finally spoke, and Wang Yulou, mustering his courage, glanced at Mang Xiang with an air of 'I'm listening attentively'.

This was the first time Wang Yulou had seen Mangxiang's true form. Unlike the previous time he saw Mangxiang, when it was an incarnation made of white mist, the reason why Gua Zhenren could be transformed into a three-legged golden toad was because the patriarch had personally entered the Great Heaven and Earth.

The elephant's appearance was nothing special; it was simply taller, more handsome, more imposing, and had more unfathomable eyes.

Despite his normal appearance, the longevity of ten thousand years had not left any trace on the founder of the Red Lantern Society; he remained as young as ever.

The monstrous elephant exuded a unique aura, and simply standing there, it possessed a tremendous attraction, drawing the creatures around it to approach.

Wang Yulou preferred to call it vitality, the vigorous vitality that exists in a ten-thousand-year-old immortal, which is a huge temptation for all cultivators who yearn for immortality.

Immortality was like a flower in a mirror or the moon's reflection in water to them—unattainable. But the Mangxiang was the very embodiment of immortality, so how could it not be attractive?
"The two major battles are expected to drag on for a long time, and the situation in the middle must be addressed."

Alright, Yulou, you go and guard the central line, and take a good look at the situation there.

"The Purple Mansion sect probably won't intervene again. The success or failure of the central line will determine the outcome of the great battle between the two sects. You need to do your best."

The fact that Mang Xiang's words lingered for so long meant that after endless bloodshed, there would only be more endless bloodshed.

Wang Yulou respectfully accepted the patriarch's kindness, but in his heart, he thought of his past in the Western Sea.

Compared to the number of cultivators who died in the two major battles, the cleansing of the Divine Light's poison seems rather trivial.

“Grandmaster, Master, I…” At this moment, a familiar voice came.

Wang Yulou knew it was Lao Yan, who had run away, without even turning around.

Xuan Zhuan was right; the long-term stable development of the sect has allowed too many people to easily ascend to high positions.

Old Yan isn't stupid, but he is stupid too. He usually seems very smart, but he always messes up at crucial moments.

Yan Keyi's act of fleeing first and causing the collapse of the battle line may seem accidental, but it is the inevitable result of the long-term development and expansion of the great clans in the stable world of cultivation. That is, the accidental nature it embodies is itself a product of inevitability.

"Bang~"

With a soft thud, Old Yan, who had just stepped across the threshold of the main hall, turned into dust in the wind.

Without any explanation, the Immortal Alliance forbids Foundation Establishment cultivators from attacking Qi Refining cultivators, but it has never interfered with Purple Mansion cultivators attacking their own disciples.

"waste!"

Only after killing Yan Keyi did Xuan Zhuan's pent-up anger subside somewhat.

Wang Yulou was somewhat puzzled—Xuan Zhuan seemed not at all worried that Yan Keyi's older brother, Yan Keli, would turn against him and bring the Yan family after becoming a Purple Mansion.

why?

"Alright, you all obey Yu Lou's orders and do your jobs well. After I achieve enlightenment, the sect will need at least twenty Purple Mansion cultivators to support the foundation for the sect's expansion."

Those of you who do well will all have the opportunity to open your Purple Mansion, not just Wang Yulou.

After delivering the earth-shattering statement, the shrewd elephant vanished from everyone's sight, leaving with an air of nonchalance.

This is also one of the wonderful uses of the Formless Dharma, but cultivators of the Formless Dharma in the Foundation Establishment stage are far from being able to achieve the smoothness of the patriarch.

The elephant's pancake was like throwing a bundle of detonators into a cesspool, and the entire front lines exploded.

However, the first person to approach Wang Yulou's door, eager to make a deal, was Pi Lingxiu, the garrison commander of the southern front.

"Fellow Daoist Yuque, we really can't continue like this."

Groups of low-level cultivators from the southern front are rushing towards you. With only six thousand cultivators on a battlefront stretching over a thousand miles, how can you possibly hold out?

I reported this to the sect leader, who told me to come find you, as he couldn't control you.

"Please, brother, I'm begging you, Fellow Daoist Yuque, please have mercy on me this time!"

Pi Lingxiu's expression was priceless, and his tone was as effusive as a bullied little wife, almost as if he were about to kneel down and kowtow to Wang Yulou.

However, Wang Yulou was certain that he had not come because too many cultivators from the southern route had switched to the central route.

Old Pi was quite a character. After learning about the twenty Purple Mansion disciples of the Patriarch, he actually thought about finding an opportunity to shout a few words of 'Mang Xiang, loyal!'

He used official business to discuss the possibility of switching sides to Mangxiang, which shows that he didn't care about the number of cultivators on the southern front at all.

Even the idea of ​​having Anthony Wong manage Wang Yulou might have been a part of Pi Lingxiu's calculations.

Old Huang refused, but the matter still had to be done. Old Huang didn't have many options, the simplest of which was to pass the buck back to Pi Lingxiu, so that Pi Lingxiu could legitimately see Wang Yulou.

"Okay, I'll go and issue the order right now to stop the rule that cultivators from the southern route can switch to the central route. Senior Brother Pi can rest assured."

Unexpectedly, Wang Yulou agreed so readily, thwarting Pi Lingxiu's preparations. He chatted with Yulou for a while before finally revealing his true purpose.

“Fellow Daoist Yuque, I was not very sensible before. In the past few years, I have been wasting my time on the front lines of the two sects and have learned a lot from you.”

"To be honest, Fellow Daoist Yuque, I want to be your friend, a close friend. If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to contact me directly. I, Old Pi, will definitely do my best to help."

Yu Lou, there are many people outside, but few here. Your senior brother is kneeling before you.

Pi Lingxiu blinked his eyes at Wang Yulou, but unfortunately, Wang Yulou ignored him.

"Of course, but Senior Brother, Yu Lou has other matters to attend to today."

Wang Yulou could not refuse Pi Lingxiu's approach, because this could be the first domino to fall in the hands of those within the Fuyan faction who were beginning to turn to Mangxiang.

Lower-level cultivators face restrictions when trying to switch factions, but mid-level core Foundation Establishment cultivators are not subject to many restrictions.

Ultimately, these people, of course referring to people like Pi Lingxiu, are often talented individuals who have been through a lot and can shine wherever they go, so they naturally have value in winning over others.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Yuque, please make yourself at home."

After leaving the central town's guard post, Pi Lingxiu stopped smiling.

Purple Palace, Purple Palace, Purple Palace, I have sought the Dao for three hundred years, where is the secret of the Purple Palace?
Fuyan, if I attain enlightenment, I will surely kill you!
"Clan leader, if I attain enlightenment, I can save you."

Standing before the tree that Wang Xianmao had transformed into, Wang Yulou's tone was as somber as his mood.

The old patriarch survived the Great Annihilation Sound of Gua Zhenren, but due to the special nature of special methods such as abandoning the body to become a tree, he lost the possibility of further advancement.

Moreover, Wang Xianmao's condition is deteriorating step by step. In just two months, the sapling he transformed into has grown to a height of four zhang (approximately 10 meters).

During this process, the old clan chief's consciousness gradually dulled, and Wang Yulou sometimes even refused to see Wang Xianmao.

Each time he met him, his situation became more difficult. Wang Yulou knew, of course, that there was no causal relationship between them, but he always held onto a glimmer of hope.

'Save me? I'm doing fine now. I'm going back to Wild Donkey Plain soon. It's quite interesting to see those silly donkeys every day.'

However, Yulou, how's the investigation into Lian Chengxian's matter going? Have they found out who's behind it?

Wang Yulou shook his head and said.

"The Maitreya Immortal of Lotus Immortal City killed Lian Chengxian, and his explanation to me was to stop there; they were unwilling to investigate further."

"I can't help it. If I were to guess the enemy, I'd guess Yuan Daoshen, Yi Zouri, or Pi Lingxiu, but it's hard to say for sure who it is."

Old Yuan is an old grudge, and Lin Ying is also from Drip Cave, but considering the changes in Old Yuan and Wang Yulou over the years, it's unlikely that he's behind this. As for Pi Lingxiu, it's because Yulou is somewhat hesitant about his willingness to serve him.

Guilty criminals often return to the crime scene to confirm the outcome.

Old Pi was willing to send wave after wave of cultivators from the faction fighting to the front lines to die. No one could be sure what he was thinking.

"Don't think about it anymore. Cultivators trapped in regrets can't go far."

"Yu Lou, I can no longer walk. You must cultivate diligently, think less of your regrets, and travel far away. For my sake and for Xian Zhou's sake, see the cultivation world high above."

Wang Yulou wanted to say that the clan leader could still leave, and that the clan leader was wrong; what if there was a way?

But what's the point of saying such things?

"Chieftain, do not give up hope, do not give up hope."

(End of this chapter)