Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 471 You Demon Lords Are All Madmen

Having only cultivated with the Great Sage of the Overturning Sea for a few days, Chen Ye felt that the changes that had occurred in his body were greater than those of his arduous cultivation over the past few years combined.

His realm hadn't changed; it remained at the Profound Realm. But he knew that he could easily defeat a hundred times his former self from a few days ago.

This feeling is wonderful. It's like before I was just borrowing the power of heaven and earth, but now, the power has become a part of my body.

As Chen Ye refined these magical powers, he also came to understand why he had failed in the Battle of Guixu.

The "Reverse Star Sea Formation," which gathered the power of the entire East Sea, was of no use to the Great Sage Overturning the Sea, firstly because the formation was built in the sea.

The ocean is the absolute home ground of the Great Sage Overturning the Sea. Even the power of the earth veins on the seabed is controlled by the Great Sage Overturning the Sea. It would be strange if the formation could not operate.

Secondly, even if the formation can operate smoothly, spiritual energy cannot ultimately withstand magical power. The Great Sage Who Overturns the Sea only needs to exert a little force to smash the heavens and the earth to pieces.

However, the formation itself is not problematic; it has been perfected to the best of its ability and can be considered the best formation in the world.

"If... the array's core had been modified during its initial setup, allowing it to channel magical power..."

Chen Ye couldn't help but start to ponder. He was one of the people who set up the formation and knew every detail of it like the back of his hand.

Several modification plans flashed through Chen Ye's mind. If everyone had understood the difference between immortals and mortals at the time, and modified the formation accordingly, even if they couldn't seal the Great Sage Overturning the Sea, they wouldn't have been so easily defeated.

However, the thought only flashed through his mind, and he immediately shook his head with a self-deprecating smile.

"Even if they knew, they probably wouldn't be able to cultivate magic power in a short time."

The past few days of cultivation were essentially a case of him and Feilian "getting a bargain." The Great Sage of the Overturning Sea released his own magical power into the lake water and then taught them a special water control technique, allowing them to extract the magical power from it and integrate it into themselves.

This is pure cramming.

To make the spiritual energy of heaven and earth transform into magical power on its own is not that simple. You either need a celestial fruit from myths and legends that grants immortality with a single bite, or you need elixirs and magical treasures crafted by immortals.

Therefore, it is not enough to just know the difference between immortals and mortals; we also need to find a way to turn mortals into immortals, just like what the Great Sage Who Overturned the Sea is doing now.

Thinking of this, Chen Ye's heart stirred, and he suddenly looked up at the giant dragon that coiled like a mountain range and spoke:

“Great Sage, we still don’t know who else in Heaven is still alive. But since you think Feilian and I can be of use, what about the other cultivators?”

The Great Sage Who Overturns the Seas slowly opened his enormous dragon eyes and looked over.

Despite the pressure, Chen Ye continued, "Although the cultivators in this world are weak, if we can help them cultivate even a trace of magic power, little by little, it might play a role in the great battle."

The words had barely left his mouth when the Demon Lord Feilian's expression changed slightly, and he immediately became anxious. This incredible opportunity wasn't enough for him to enjoy alone; Chen Ye actually wanted more people to share it?

The Great Sage Who Overturns the Seas did not answer immediately, but simply looked at Chen Ye quietly. After a long while, his huge mouth suddenly opened, and he let out a deafening laugh.

"Haha...hahahaha!"

His laughter was filled with undisguised mockery. He lowered his head, his enormous dragon eyes fixed on Chen Ye:

"Other mortals? You brat, are you planning to bring your sect's disciples along to take advantage of me?"

Faced with this mocking question, Chen Ye did not back down at all, but instead nodded calmly.

“Indeed. It was thanks to your guidance, Great Sage, that I suddenly realized that the path of cultivation we had taken in the past was a dead end. No matter how much we cultivated, in the end we would only be 'false immortals' who could be shattered at the slightest touch. Now that I have seen the way forward, I naturally hope that there will be more true cultivators in this mortal world.”

He paused, then changed the subject, his gaze fixed intently on the Great Sage Who Overturns the Seas:
"Moreover, Great Sage, your magical power is as deep as the ocean. The magical power you casually release is enough for Feilian and me to cultivate day and night. Even so, what we can absorb is still less than one ten-thousandth. Rather than letting this vast magical power dissipate in vain, why not let more people receive this blessing? When a powerful enemy truly descends upon the Heavenly Court, a large number of people can help you share the burden. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Chen Ye did have his own selfish motives, but he did not intend to deceive the Great Sage Overturning the Sea.

The Heavenly Court is ultimately a threat. If the previous ascended immortals all died in the Heavenly Court, then the remaining immortals of the Heavenly Court will definitely be enemies of the mortal world, so we should naturally make more preparations.

It would be a good thing to take this opportunity to have a few more "true immortals" in the mortal realm.

However, the Great Sage Who Overturns the Seas merely let out a soft hum, exhaling two streams of white vapor from his nostrils, which melted the ice surface in front of him.

"It's not that simple. You, Chen Ye, are exceptionally talented, a successor favored by Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, and you even possess a small world within your body. Naturally, cultivating my water control technique will be twice as effective with half the effort. This deer-headed boy has also cultivated to the point of being half a pseudo-immortal, only one step away from refining magical power, which is why he was able to learn it. If it were any other mortal, even if I personally pried open their mouths to feed them, I'm afraid not a single one could learn it."

After hearing this, Chen Ye laughed and said, "Great Sage, you underestimate mortals these days."

"Oh?" The Great Sage of the Overturning Seas raised his dragon eyebrows disdainfully. "What difference can there be between mortal bodies and ordinary people? When I escaped, I saw today's cultivators, who were no different from the ants of my time."

No matter how many millennia have passed, the mortal body remains essentially the same, and even the snakes, insects, and rodents of this world haven't changed much.

If that's the case, then cultivating immortality must be just as difficult.

Back when the Heavenly Court of Mount Ling still existed, how many mortals could ascend to become immortals?

Chen Ye knew that it was pointless to reason with this ancient monster who had lived for countless millennia. The nature of the demon race was always straightforward and direct.

So he simply said, "Since the Great Sage doesn't believe me, how about we make a bet?"

"A bet?" The Great Sage Who Overturns the Seas was indeed intrigued. His enormous dragon head tilted forward slightly, his golden pupils filled with curiosity.

"How do we gamble? What are we betting on?"

“It’s very simple,” Chen Ye said confidently. “I will bring some friends with me, and you will teach them the cultivation method as before. If less than half of them can learn it in the end, I will lose. If more than half can, I will win.”

Seeing his certainty, the Great Sage Overturning the Seas' curiosity was completely piqued: "That's interesting. What about the stakes?"

Sure enough, the tactic of provocation works best on such straightforward monsters.

Chen Ye feigned hesitation, then spread his hands, took out several magical treasures from his person, and laid them out in front of him. With a shabby expression, he said, "Great Sage, as you know, I am but a mere mortal, possessing nothing of value. These tattered items are probably beneath your notice. How about… we make a verbal bet? After all, neither of us will lose anything." His seemingly conciliatory stance actually piqued the interest of the Great Sage of the Overturning Seas.

His gaze swept over Chen Ye's few "tattered" items, initially with disdain, but when his eyes fell on a handful of fine, multicolored sand, he couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

"This is...this is fragments of the Five-Colored Stone! You brat, where did you get such a divine object?!"

"Five-colored stones?" Chen Ye asked knowingly. "The kind that Nuwa used to mend the sky?"

"Indeed!" The Great Sage of the Overturning Seas spoke with absolute certainty. His gaze towards Chen Ye changed, as if he wanted to see right through him. "You do indeed know many secrets. This aura is unmistakable; it is indeed the Heaven-Mending Divine Stone! It's a pity... there are too few of them. They no longer have the power to mend the heavens, so they are not very useful."

Although he said it was "not very useful," his dragon eyes were actually staring at the colorful sand with great interest.

This Great Sage Who Overturned the Seas truly couldn't hide even the slightest thought.

Chen Ye understood and went along with it, pushing the handful of colorful sand out.

“In that case, let’s use this five-colored sand as the prize for this bet,” he said with a smile. “Although it may not mean much to you, Great Sage, it’s still something to look forward to. What do you think?”

The Great Sage Who Overturns the Seas nodded and said, "Alright, since you're offering me a treasure, how could I refuse? What do you want me to wager, kid?"

Chen Ye shook his head and said, "No need. The Great Sage has already given me too many benefits. If I ask for any more treasures, I will become a greedy person. Besides, if I win, the Great Sage will help my friend cultivate. No matter how you look at it, I will be the one who gains."

The Great Sage Overturning the Seas was overjoyed and praised, "Good, you have a good character, but it's a pity you're just a mortal. If you were a demon, I would have wanted to appoint you as a Dragon Palace General. It's settled then. Go and choose the people, as many as you like. But don't think that the more the better. If less than half of them can cultivate magic power, then this Five-Colored Stone will be mine."

Chen Ye nodded in agreement, and then said to Demon Lord Feilian, "Lord, I'll have to trouble you to take me there again."

The Demon Lord Feilian remained silent.

From Chen Ye's absurd suggestion to his use of the five-colored stone as a wager, and finally to his persuasion of the capricious ancient demon... he watched the whole process, but his heart was far from at peace.

He watched as Chen Ye, with just a few words, packaged and sent away this immortal opportunity that was enough to drive the entire cultivation world mad. And not just to one person, but to a whole group.

Is this just good luck?

Feilian had lived for hundreds of years and considered himself to be knowledgeable and experienced, so he could not convince himself that it was just "luck".

If I had to find a word, it would probably be... courage.

What gives Chen Ye the right to speak?
Fei Lian asked himself honestly, even though he also thought Chen Ye's words were reasonable and persuasive, he wouldn't even open his mouth.

Facing a true immortal who could crush him to dust with a single breath, why was Chen Ye able to speak so confidently? Was he truly not afraid of angering the other party and being slapped to death? Was it really worth risking the wrath of a true immortal just to give away this opportunity to someone else?
Fei Yilian couldn't understand it. He silently tore open the void, carrying Chen Ye, who was full of doubts, and stepped back into Fengdu City.

Once he stepped out of the spatial rift, Fei Lian could no longer contain himself and turned around abruptly.

The Demon Lord stared intently at Chen Ye, his voice low and menacing as he demanded, "Chen Ye, aren't you afraid of death?! How dare you utter such a thing?!"

Chen Ye was taken aback by his question and asked in confusion, "What? How dare I? Didn't I already analyze it? The Heavenly Court's powerful enemies are unknown, the Great Sage needs more helpers, and we also need more 'True Immortals' who can fight against the Heavenly Court. Now that the path to ascension is cut off, our predecessors may have all fallen victim to the Heavenly Court's poisonous hands. We are preparing for the future."

"That's not what I'm asking you!" Fei Lian interrupted him excitedly, almost growling. "I'm asking why you're not afraid! The Great Sage Overturning the Seas is unpredictable. If he gets angry, you and I will be annihilated on the spot! Do you really think those four favors can save your life? Even if they can, are you just going to waste a chance to save your life?"

"Or is it that... you and the Great Sage Overturning the Sea are of the same kind? Both of you come from the Immortal Realm, which is why you are so fearless!"

These successive questions left Chen Ye completely bewildered.

When did I become one of that old monsters?
Did the Demon Lord Feilian go astray during his cultivation and suffer a qi deviation?

Chen Ye looked at the extremely agitated Fei Lian with bewilderment, seemingly unable to comprehend his fear at all, and could only try to soothe him, saying, "Lord, please calm down. First of all, I am definitely not from the Immortal Realm. You have definitely misunderstood. Otherwise, how could I be completely unaware of something as simple as the shattering of the Heavenly Dao?"

"If we weren't of the same kind, how dare you be so absurd!" Fei Lian simply didn't believe it. "He could blow us all to ashes in a single breath! The moment you opened your mouth, I almost wanted to run away, afraid of being implicated by you. Do you know you almost killed me!"

So that's where his excitement came from.

Chen Ye suddenly realized, then shook his head helplessly.

"You demons..." he sighed, "You're used to killing people to silence them at the slightest disagreement, so you think immortals are the same. Treating mortals as ants and arbitrarily deciding life and death is your code of conduct as demonic cultivators. If you use your own mind to judge others, you'll naturally be hesitant and fearful at every step."

He looked at Fei Lian with a sincere gaze: "But in my opinion, although the Great Sage Overturning the Sea is a demon, he understands human nature. What I did was reasonable and justified, beneficial to both him and me, and not at all rebellious. Why would he want to kill me?"

"Hmph, even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance, how could you possibly guess the thoughts of a true immortal?" Fei Lian remained disdainful.

“Because there’s no need to guess about something so illogical.” Chen Ye’s tone became calm and firm. “I could say there’s a one in ten thousand chance that a celestial being from heaven could descend right now and slap us both to death. Are we going to do nothing because of this vague possibility? There are too many ‘what ifs’ in the world. Can you handle them all?”

Chen Ye was too lazy to explain to him anymore. Demonic cultivators have harmed too many people, so they always feel that everyone in the world is trying to harm them. This is a disease ingrained in their bones, and reasoning with them won't work.

He ignored the Flying Demon Lord who was still standing there in a daze, and transformed into a streak of light, flying straight into the Yellow Springs Palace deep in Fengdu City.

Upon entering the main hall, Chen Ye wasted no time.

With a sweep of his divine sense, his voice resounded throughout the entire Dao Palace: "All disciples of the Yellow Springs Sect, assemble immediately in the main hall!"

A moment later, when everyone had gathered.

Almost every member of the Yellow Springs Sect looked at Chen Ye with a puzzled expression.

This sect leader's whereabouts have been too elusive lately; he's been coming and going countless times.

Wasn't he supposed to be taken hostage by a true immortal to help others? How come he got so many breaks along the way?

Seeing the puzzled expressions on everyone's faces, Chen Ye couldn't explain in detail, so he went straight to the point: "Everyone, I have found an incredible opportunity for immortality for you! Every single disciple of the Yellow Springs Sect, without exception, is to come with me to cultivate immortality!"

(End of this chapter)