Gods of the Nation: You worship the God of Longevity, I worship the King of Hell!

Chapter 234 Jiangdu, I'm back!!!

Inside the South Heavenly Gate, watching Lu Chen's figure disappear into the horizon of the sea of ​​clouds, the Plague God slowly withdrew his gaze, raised his hand and clasped his fist: "Gentlemen, why don't we move to the Nine Dragons Palace for a more detailed discussion?"

The immortals exchanged glances and nodded in unison.

Wow!

Several streaks of rainbow light pierced through the clouds, heading straight towards the Nine Dragons Palace.

Seeing that the matter was settled, the surrounding immortals dispersed and did not linger any longer.

"My lord, please don't forget the promise between us!"

The Broom Star prayed silently, and to prevent the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King from noticing, he shrank into the clouds and quietly rode away.

Little did they know that the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King had already spotted His whereabouts, but was currently unable to extricate himself from the matter.

He looked down at the pagoda in his hand, which was shimmering with divine light.

Although the problem of the leakage of fortune has indeed been resolved.

The "Lotus for Stabilizing Fate and Suppressing Souls" worked miraculously as expected.

But the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King knew that the pagoda before him was no longer the same pagoda as before.

Lu Chen has become the most troublesome variable among them.

He took a deep breath and turned to look at Nezha, who was bound by the jade tablet.

Unexpectedly, Nezha grinned and sneered: "Old fool! This pagoda is no longer entirely under your control. Remember this well, the grudges between us will last a long time!"

The Heavenly King Li Jing's expression changed drastically; he was filled with rage, but even more so with fear.

"Father, let my second brother and I take my third brother back first."

Jinzha and Muzha quickly stepped forward, clasped their hands in supplication, and asked for permission.

"Go back?" The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King smiled bitterly: "The Cloud Tower Palace has already been destroyed by this wicked creature, where can we go back to? Forget it, you take him to the Chonglou Palace first, I will be there later."

"Is there anything else, Father?"

"No need to ask any more questions, go ahead."

"Yes!" Jinzha and Muzha accepted the order and left with Nezha.

The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King remained alone, waiting for Venus, the planet of Venus.

Now that things have come to this, we can only seek some guidance from this old star official.

……

On the other side, the sea of ​​clouds churned and the fresh air rose.

In a short while, Lu Chen could see a patch of auspicious, multicolored clouds faintly appearing below.

“Young friend, that is the chasm that connects the Heavenly Court and the mortal world. The so-called ‘ascension to immortality’ in the mortal world refers to flying to this very place.”

Venus stroked his beard and laughed, "I wonder where my young friend is headed? This old man will see you off."

"Please, Elder Angel, escort me back to Rongcheng," Lu Chen replied, bowing respectfully.

The mission documents haven't been stamped yet, but I'm definitely going to have to make this trip.

"it is good."

The golden light suddenly accelerated and pierced through the layer of colorful auspicious clouds.

Looking down, Lu Chen could clearly see the outline of Rongcheng City.

At that moment, He was filled with countless emotions.

—I'm back.

This time, I'm really back.

The three stood on a cloud, and Venus, the planet of Venus, flicked his whisk and said, "Young friend, I will see you off here. I hope we will meet again someday."

Lu Chen bowed deeply to Venus: "Thank you, angel. If it weren't for your help today, I would never have been able to escape so easily."

Venus smiled and waved his hand: "Young friend, you are too kind. What I said just now was not an empty phrase. I truly feel a connection with you, as if I see a resemblance to an old friend in you."

"The appearance of an old friend?"

Is it...

However, Venus did not say much, but only bowed and said, "Young friend, farewell, and may we meet again someday."

With that, he waved his whisk, and a beam of clear light swept up Lu Chen and Lan'er, drifting gracefully down towards Rongcheng.

"Thank you, Old Angel!"

Lu Chen's voice echoed on the wind.

As Venus watched the two figures disappear into the distance, he stroked his beard and smiled slightly. After standing still for a few breaths, he transformed into a rainbow of light that pierced the sky and returned to the Heavenly Court.

Qingguang brought Lu Chen and Lan'er to the ground and then disappeared.

"This... is this the mortal realm as it is now?"

Looking at the towering skyscrapers standing side by side and the bustling streets with their endless stream of traffic.

Lan'er's eyes widened, filled with novelty and amazement.

"Back when I entered the Linglong Pagoda, the mortal world was full of houses with blue bricks and tiles. I had never seen such a sight before."

"Times are progressing."

Lu Chen took a deep breath of the air, which smelled of gasoline, and felt that the everyday life of the mortal world was surprisingly familiar at that moment.

He looked down at himself; his celestial robes had returned to their usual attire from the mortal realm, something that he would only reveal when he was in the Heavenly Court.

"Come, follow me to the City Lord's Mansion!"

"What to do?"

"Task settlement!!!"

Lu Chen gritted his teeth and spat out four words, then unleashed his magic power and flew straight towards the City Lord's Mansion...

……

Meanwhile, inside the South Heavenly Gate.

When Venus returned, he saw the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King standing alone in the same spot.

Where is Nezha?

"For now, Jinzha and Muzha will escort them back to Chonglou Palace."

The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This general has been waiting here, hoping to ask the old star official for guidance!"

Venus tapped Him with his whisk, his expression darkening slightly: "Heavenly King, Heavenly King, look at yourself! You've stirred up a hornet's nest this time!"

Looking at the chaotic scene around him, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King said sheepishly, "Rest assured, Elder Star Lord, I will take full responsibility for the damage here! Even if I am thrown into the Heavenly Prison, I will have no complaints. But right now... there is something more important, and I implore you for your help!"

"Are you referring to the Linglong Tower going out of control?"

"Exactly! This tower is now undergoing frequent strange changes, and I dare not activate it lightly. Moreover, that brat can also summon it... What should we do? The Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda is a supreme treasure of the Heavenly Court; how can it be controlled by mortals?"

"Controlled by mortals?" Venus glanced at the pagoda in his hand: "Isn't this pagoda still in your palm?"

"But what if that kid summons you again in a hurry, and the pagoda descends to the mortal realm on its own?"

"Alright." Venus stopped him from speaking: "Heavenly King, you are simply worried that this tower will slip out of your control, making you unable to eat or sleep in peace, and you are even more afraid that the Third Prince will constantly cause you trouble, isn't that right?"

“This…” The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King did not deny it.

Venus glanced at him sideways: "You're always so stubborn. Why don't you learn from the Plague Gods?"

"What does the old star official mean...?" "Don't you understand? After spending time together, you should have seen that young friend Lu is not a wicked person and knows how to repay kindness. In the end, it was you who trapped him first, not that he intentionally provoked us. All he wanted was to survive and protect himself."

The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King frowned slightly and nodded slowly.

"It seems he's not completely beyond redemption."

Seeing this, Venus's expression softened slightly: "Why did you confront Him again in my cave just now? If it were me, I would never have confronted Him at that critical moment. Instead, I would have turned hostility into friendship."

The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King's expression hardened, and his posture became even more respectful as he bowed deeply: "Please enlighten me, Elder Star Lord, how should this commander proceed? You want me to learn from the Plague Gods and the like, do you mean I should emulate them and befriend this boy?"

"Why not? If you befriend Him, He will naturally not put you in danger. Can't you understand this principle?"

The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King's body trembled, as if he had realized something.

Venus continued, “Now the pagoda’s fortune is intertwined with bad luck. The treasure is also known as the ‘Lotus for Stabilizing Fortune and Suppressing Souls,’ and the key lies in the word ‘stabilizing fortune.’ If you want to refine it again, it’s no less than rebuilding the pagoda. Why don’t you… go and ask that great immortal to have a new one made for you?”

The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King was both amused and exasperated: "Such innate treasures are rare and hard to come by; how can you say you can just create them?"

"That's it. Since we can't forge it, we can only settle for second best."

Having said that, Venus flicked his whisk and said, "Think it over carefully. It's getting late, and I need to retrieve the jade tablet. I'll be going now."

"Hey, old star official!" The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King hurriedly chased after him.

……

Rongcheng City, City Lord's Mansion.

Lord Huang stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the scene outside, and sighed softly for no reason: "Alas, two months have already passed in the blink of an eye."

Although he had only met Lu Chen a few times, he remembered Lu Chen's voice and appearance.

After all, if it weren't for Lu Chen, he would never have had the chance to witness what a true "battle of the gods" was like.

"What a pity, what a real pity..."

"Boom, boom, boom."

A knock on the door suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

"Enter."

The office door was pushed open.

"Lord of the city, there is a gentleman named Lu Chen outside the gate requesting an audience."

Before he could finish speaking, Lord Huang suddenly turned around, his face filled with disbelief.

"Who...who are you talking about?!"

"Lu Chen".

Lord Huang felt a chill run down his spine. He staggered forward, shouting, "Where is he?!"

"Lord of the City, I'm here."

A figure had already quietly stood in front of the door.

Lord Huang's mind went blank for a moment before he stammered, "Mr. Lu, you, you're not dead?!"

"Thanks to the city lord, I escaped death by sheer luck," Lu Chen said with a cupped-hands bow and a smile.

"Oh my—!" Lord Huang rushed forward and hugged Lu Chen tightly, unable to contain his excitement:
"That's great...that's really great! I'm so glad you're alright, so glad you're alright! Please, please have a seat."

After dismissing his subordinates, Lord Huang prepared tea.

"No need for that, Lord City Lord. I'll leave as soon as I've stamped the document."

Lu Chen was eager to return home and wished he could fly back to Jiangdu immediately.

"Alright, alright! I understand, I understand!" City Lord Huang tried to calm his agitated emotions, then changed the subject, "Mr. Lu, what exactly happened in the secret realm that day? Why did it suddenly collapse?"

"This..." Lu Chen hesitated for a moment, then casually made up an excuse.

"Actually, I don't know either. I was about to capture the Boundary Hub when suddenly the earth shook violently, and I was affected and fainted. When I woke up, I found myself trapped in the secret realm. I used some methods to get out, but I didn't expect it to take two months."

"There is such a thing!"

Lord Huang did not suspect anything.

After all, acquiring the Boundary Pivot is inherently fraught with danger, and anything can happen; it's not uncommon for the Boundary Pivot to escape.

"So... how did you escape?"

"Well..." Lu Chen smiled slightly and said no more.

"Understood, understood! In any case, it's a great blessing to be able to return safely. Mr. Lu is a lucky man; he survived such a calamity and will surely have good fortune in the future!"

"Thank you for your kind words. As for this task..." Lu Chen took out the task document.

"Is the boundary pivot present?"

"exist."

With a thought, Lu Chen caused the Yin-Yang fish-shaped boundary pivot to appear on its own.

Lord Huang was shocked. He immediately took the document, solemnly stamped it, and returned it with both hands: "Congratulations, Mr. Lu! You have successfully completed such a difficult S-level mission. Your future achievements will surely be limitless!"

"Thank you!"

Gazing at the bright red seal on the document, Lu Chen's heart was filled with turmoil.

This is an S-level secret realm mission with a slim chance of survival.

He—finally finished!!!
"Lord Huang, farewell!"

"Have a safe journey, Mr. Lu! Please visit Rongcheng often when you have time. I, the city lord, will certainly accompany you."

"Indeed, Lord City Lord, please wait, farewell!"

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Chen had already darted out of the office.

"This aura... mid-stage fourth rank?!"

They sensed the spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from Lu Chen as he left.

Lord Huang was secretly alarmed.

Two months ago, Fang had just entered the fourth rank, but now he has broken through another small realm.

"It seems Mr. Lu has encountered quite a stroke of luck this time..."

Outside the city lord's mansion, Lan'er was sitting on the stone steps, waiting quietly.

Lu Chen leaped forward, shouting, "Lan'er, come home with me!"

"it is good!!!"

……

In the Heavenly Court, within the Nine Dragon Palace.

The Plague Emperor sat in the main seat.

Seated on either side of the prince were the Emperor of Fengdu, the Water Deity Star Lord, the God of Wealth, and the Kitchen God; there were no other people present.

With a wave of his sleeve, the Plague Emperor unleashed a layer of azure miasma that instantly enveloped the entire Nine Dragons Palace, completely sealing off the secrets of heaven.

Then, He went straight to the point, getting to the heart of the matter: "Gentlemen, do you feel anything is amiss about what happened at the South Heavenly Gate?"

"The Plague God refers to...?"

"Haven't you all noticed that the matter concerning Lu Chen is too coincidental, and full of hidden secrets?"

Upon hearing the Plague Emperor's words, the four immortals exchanged glances, all feeling a nameless chill in their hearts.

(End of this chapter)