Crusading Against the Successor of Demonic Arts—What Value Does He Have Left Now?
Crusading Against the Successor of Demonic Arts—What Value Does He Have Left Now?
“As expected of Daoxiong Changge! Faced with this matter, he only hesitated for a moment before agreeing. This character of his, considering all living beings under heaven, truly fills me with admiration!”
Chi Ling couldn’t help but rise to her feet in solemn respect, deeply impressed.
Her words came straight from the bottom of her heart, without the slightest trace of any other motive.
Ye Langtian also said admiringly, “Brother Gu’s action is no different from drawing Ye Ling’s fury onto his own head. Sigh, to think that I, as the Young Master of the Ye Family, don’t dare to step forward—in this regard, I fall far short of Daoxiong Changge.”
“It’s not without reason that Brother Gu can become a Walking Taboo.” The Young Master of the Undead Lake Clan, hidden within a mass of swirling black mist, also sighed deeply at this moment.
“Wonderful! Xiaojie is saved! With Young Master Changge taking action, she will definitely turn danger into safety.”
The group of young clansmen of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan also grew excited and thrilled.
Their strength was truly too weak.
Gu Changge saying this made all the young prodigies breathe a sigh of relief, their faces unable to hide their joy and excitement.
Whoever shouldered such a heavy responsibility would very likely face the retaliation of the Successor of Demonic Arts!
Even a Young Prodigy like the Young Master of the White Tiger Clan had met a tragic end.
Although they were shouting fiercely at this moment, when truly facing the matter of the Successor of Demonic Arts, they might run faster than anyone.
Now Gu Changge had stepped forward to take charge of this crusade.
This courage alone made them feel they fell far short.
“Actually, regarding the matter of Ye Ling being hunted by the Celestial Ancient Races, I have a guess that I’m not entirely certain about.” At this moment, Ye Langtian suddenly spoke up, having decided to voice his suspicions.
“Oh? Brother Ye, please speak.” Gu Changge smiled faintly.
At these words, everyone looked over.
“I think Ye Ling must have touched something belonging to these races. Everyone, think about it—as the Successor of Demonic Arts, why would he approach the gathering places of these races?”
Ye Langtian asked. These words had been carefully considered.
These words caused the expressions of Kong Yang, Wang Wushuang, the Undead Lake successor, and the others to change slightly.
Gu Changge also put on a thoughtful appearance.
Then, his brow furrowed slightly as he said, “Brother Ye means...”
Ye Langtian glanced at him and nodded. “Ye Ling’s goal is very likely searching for isolated prodigies of these races... or searching for tombs...”
Sss!
A sound of sharp intakes of cold breath.
Actually, when Ye Langtian had given his hint just now, many people had already guessed it.
It was just that some people hadn’t reacted yet.
Gu Changge glanced at Ye Langtian and secretly praised him in his heart.
It wasn’t a waste for him to call him Brother Ye.
At this moment, he was still somewhat useful.
This way, it also saved Gu Changge some effort in guiding things along.
This pot would probably remain firmly strapped to Ye Ling’s back until the day he died.
“Searching for tombs... this...”
Ye Langtian’s words fell on the others’ ears like a thunderclap exploding, making them all shudder.
Everyone was shocked, cold chills running through their entire bodies.
If Ye Ling really did this, his current strength was simply unfathomable.
Given the terrifying, heaven-defying nature of the Demonic Arts, Ye Ling’s current cultivation was simply immeasurable.
“Ye Ling wasn’t separated from us by very far back then, but it’s not impossible that this is his plan going forward.”
Chi Ling held some doubts about Ye Langtian’s words.
After all, she had been together with Ye Ling before and knew what he had been doing.
“What Brother Ye said makes a lot of sense, but let’s leave this matter at that for now.”
“Tomorrow, we’ll begin searching for Ye Ling’s whereabouts in the vicinity. Not a single ancient town should be overlooked. If we encounter the Lost Clans, try to reason with them. This matter is truly of great importance...” At this moment, Gu Changge also spoke, wearing a troubled expression.
As if he too found the situation thorny because Ye Ling’s cultivation might have skyrocketed.
Hearing this, everyone also understood that this matter might become more complicated.
Ye Ling had secretly slipped into the Celestial Ancient Continent.
The ancient tombs here were the best breeding ground for Ye Ling.
Afterward, everyone discussed further and then dispersed, preparing to rest and recuperate before acting tomorrow.
Chi Ling, however, took the initiative to stay behind and talk with Gu Changge about some things.
Most importantly, Chi Ling told Gu Changge about her falling out with Ye Ling, and raised her current suspicions about him.
Regarding this, Gu Changge nodded to show his understanding.
Then Gu Changge still put on an act of caring about her, and afterward expressed his deep regret over the matter.
“No matter what, Ye Ling’s title as the Successor of Demonic Arts can’t be removed now. Even if you and I believe in him, it’s useless.” Gu Changge sighed.
“There are quite a few suspicious points about Ye Ling now. It can’t necessarily be said that he has nothing to do with the Successor of Demonic Arts.” Chi Ling said.
Gu Changge nodded, expressing agreement.
Afterward, Chi Ling relaxed.
She rarely joked with him, saying, “During this time, I’ve heard quite a bit of news about you, Brother Gu! Suppressing a whole crowd of Celestial Ancient beings, and snatching the fortuitous opportunities of your peers everywhere—it’s made your reputation rather bad.”
Of course, she didn’t mean to blame Gu Changge by saying this.
She simply couldn’t find a topic of conversation and was purely teasing.
In her eyes, Gu Changge definitely had his reasons for everything he did.
Besides, in a world where the weak are prey to the strong, snatching fortuitous opportunities was nothing at all.
Gu Changge also understood this. Hearing her words, he smiled and said, “You’re wronging me with those words. If those opportunities fell into their hands, they wouldn’t be able to keep them. They’d end up being snatched away by the Lost Clans, and they might even lose their lives.”
“So rather than that, it’s better for me to snatch them. That way, they can at least stay alive.”
Of course, these words were complete nonsense he’d made up on the spot.
When snatching opportunities, who cared about such things?
Anyone who dared to block him would still be slapped to death all the same.
However, when these words fell on Chi Ling’s ears, her eyes went wide, and she couldn’t help saying in shock, “So Brother Gu actually even considered this kind of thing...”
Gu Changge glanced at her and said nothing more.
This imagination of hers was too terrifying—she actually believed such words.
At this moment, he suspected that Chi Ling was probably missing a screw in her head.
...
Led by Gu Changge, with the participation of the various Supreme Dao Lineages, the Young Prodigies of the Cults of Immortality, and numerous young prodigies, news of the crusade against the Successor of Demonic Arts caused a huge sensation across the Celestial Ancient Continent for a time.
The appearance of the Successor of Demonic Arts was already shocking enough.
But no one had expected that at this time, Gu Changge would actually be willing to step forward and lead everyone in crusading against the Successor of Demonic Arts.
For the cultivation world, this was absolutely of great significance. If successful, it could even be called a great merit.
For a time, young prodigies from all regions rushed over, wanting to join the crusade, to purge the scourge from the cultivation world and slay the Successor of Demonic Arts.
This matter even attracted the attention of the various Lost Clans of the Celestial Ancient Continent.
Even the True Dragon Clan of the Celestial Ancient Continent, which had declared that Gu Changge must return Long Teng’s corpse, immediately went to investigate whether the matter was true.
In the end, the various Celestial Ancient Races came to a conclusion: this time, Gu Changge was serious.
This made them sense an opportunity within it.
Many young Celestial Ancient beings also spontaneously assembled, intending to crusade against Gu Changge.
Within the clan grounds of the True Dragon Clan of the Celestial Ancient Continent.
An Elder directly activated the True Dragon Token, commanding the other races to send out their outstanding younger generations to participate in the crusade against Gu Changge.
During this period, the slaughter and battles between the beings and cultivators of both sides had already thrown the situation on the Celestial Ancient Continent into chaos.
Quite a few of the younger generation of the outside world’s Dao Lineages had also died.
Many people even had a premonition that a great war would soon break out on the Celestial Ancient Continent.
Especially since Gu Changge had muddied these waters, causing heavy casualties among the beings on both sides.
The disciples of some Dao Lineages had even been completely wiped out here because of it.
...
The Mountains of Horizons.
Ancient trees lush and verdant, vast and boundless, vines like clouds—a large expanse of ancient, dilapidated ruins hidden within.
Yue Mingkong’s figure appeared here.
At this moment, she was leading her people in making arrangements here, carving numerous Array Patterns and magical artifacts into various places.
Spiritual qi was dense, essence stones scattered about, and mysterious scriptures were engraved into every stretch of space.
Ancient characters one after another radiated hazy golden light, rising and falling in the void.
When the time came and celestial light shot into the sky here, it could obscure the heavenly secrets of this place, buying her some time.
Otherwise, attracting large numbers of cultivators and beings would not be good for her.
At this moment, she also received the news that Gu Changge was going to crusade against Ye Ling.
“This Ye Ling really has the worst luck in eight lifetimes, offending that fellow Gu Changge. Not only did he take the blame for Gu Changge, now he’s going to be crusaded against by Gu Changge leading a crowd. I just wonder if Ye Ling will be angered into spitting blood.”
“Right now, everyone has been hoodwinked by Gu Changge. No one knows that he is actually the true Successor of Demonic Arts. He’s completely playing everyone under heaven in the palm of his hand...”
Yue Mingkong naturally had no sympathy for Ye Ling.
At this moment, she was instead speculating about what goals Gu Changge had.
Snatching Ye Ling’s fortuitous opportunities was one.
As for the second... what it was, honestly, she couldn’t guess either.
“I’ve already seen the Celestial Gate. While no one has reacted yet, it should belong to me...”
Actually, Yue Mingkong had already found a stone gate here, very ancient and simple, located deep within the mountain range.
Many things were carved upon the stone gate.
Mountain ranges vast and boundless, as tall as the heavens, divine vines and celestial trees growing, brimming with celestial intent.
She wanted to peer through the crack of that gate to see the path beyond the Celestial Gate, but a layer of mist obscured it.
And in that instant, great sheets of light rain bloomed from behind the Celestial Gate, sprinkling down from the sky, carrying Celestial Runes.
These Celestial Runes sank into her body, as if to temper her into a celestial physique.
This power was very sacred, far surpassing ordinary Grand Runes, containing powerful energy.
Yue Mingkong knew she had confirmed the location of the Celestial Gate.
It was just that with her current strength, she couldn’t open the Celestial Gate yet.
Right now there were only two choices: either wait for the Celestial Gate to open on its own, revealing the opportunity to ascend as a Celestial.
Or tell Gu Changge about this matter—he might have a way.
Yue Mingkong also fell into a dilemma.
This feeling of having a fortuitous opportunity right in front of her yet being unable to eat it even gave her the impulse to cleave this gate before her apart with a single sword strike.
But she also worried that when the time came, Gu Changge would push her aside and find a way in himself, leaving her to have schemed and worked for nothing.
...
“Damn it, this Gu Changge is truly vicious! He’s clearly the Successor of Demonic Arts himself, yet he framed me for it, and now he even wants to lead people to crusade against me!”
At the same time...
In a remote ancient town, within a courtyard.
Ye Ling currently wore an expression of boundless hatred, wishing he could cut Gu Changge into a thousand pieces.
Beside him was Yin Mei, who had come to the ancient town to rendezvous with him.
According to Gu Changge’s instructions, everything Yin Mei had done had not aroused any suspicion from Ye Ling.
On the contrary, he felt some regret over having abandoned Yin Mei and fled first back then, fearing that she would hold a grudge.
Fortunately, Yin Mei said she still had quite a few life-saving items at the time, escaped with her life, was unharmed, and could understand his actions.
This moved Ye Ling even more.
At this moment, he was gripping a young prodigy who had been searching for his whereabouts, interrogating him about these matters, his expression extremely gloomy.
What had happened outside made him incomparably furious, his hatred practically surging to the heavens.
Gu Changge’s actions were even more deranged than a thief crying “stop thief.”
“It must be Chi Ling who exposed my whereabouts. Otherwise, how could Gu Changge possibly know I’m currently hiding in this ancient town...”
“Damn it! I should have known long ago that Chi Ling and Gu Changge were in cahoots. To think I trusted her so much back then!”
At this moment, Ye Ling’s expression was gloomy to the extreme.
These past days, he could see cultivators flying across the sky, searching for his figure in every region.
This was simply even more hateful than those Lost Clans.
“Fortunately, none of them know that the cave dwelling the Ancient Reincarnation Supreme Being left me is actually hidden within this ancient town.”
Thinking of this, Ye Ling couldn’t help but reveal a disdainful smile.
Then, he struck and silenced the young prodigy before him forever.
“Spirit turtle, are you sure the entrance is within this ancient town...” Ye Ling once again asked the spirit turtle inside his pendant. He himself had a premonition it would be here.
But without the spirit turtle’s guidance, he actually didn’t know the exact location either.
“It’s right here. The entrance is a dried-up well. However, there are many Array Patterns left behind by the Supreme Being back then within it. Even a Sacred Realm existence who strays in would die. You must be careful and find a path through it.”
The spirit turtle’s words sounded from within the pendant, making Ye Ling’s expression turn solemn.
Then, he said to Yin Mei behind him, “Yin Mei, in a moment, remember to follow my steps closely and walk behind me. Don’t take a single wrong step.”
Seeing how gravely Ye Ling spoke, Yin Mei’s face also showed a worried expression, and then she nodded. “I understand. Don’t worry.”
Hearing this, Ye Ling was also reassured, and did not notice the mocking intent that flashed through Yin Mei’s eyes.
Soon after, Ye Ling wandered around the nearby courtyards. This ancient town was actually very old, very aged, appearing weathered by time.
But in fact, no beings had lived here for a long time. It was already abandoned.
“It should be this well.”
Finally, Ye Ling brought Yin Mei to a stop inside an ancient temple. There was no trace of any living being here anymore.
And from the dried-up ancient well ahead, covered by withered leaves, came an aura familiar to Ye Ling.
This was indeed the aura of reincarnation!
“It’s here. There shouldn’t be any mistake.”
His face couldn’t help but reveal joy and excitement.
At this moment, from various parts of the sky came the sounds of divine rainbows. Several cultivators descended upon this ancient town, searching for him.
Sensing this aura, Ye Ling’s expression changed, and he directly said to Yin Mei behind him, “Follow me.”
If he didn’t flee into it now, he’d probably be caught red-handed.
So Ye Ling took the lead, rushing toward the ancient well ahead, stepping into it first.
With a huala sound, the withered leaves scattered.
The space below began to shatter inch by inch, blurring, as if appearing in another world.
Just as Ye Ling had expected.
Beneath the dried-up well was not solid ground, but a spatial node.
Seeing this scene, Yin Mei’s face showed no hesitation, and she followed down after him.
Only, in the instant she went down, she left behind an aura marker at this spot.
“There seemed to be someone’s aura here just now...”
“How did it vanish in the blink of an eye?”
The group of cultivators searching within the ancient town were also puzzled. Their divine senses enveloped thousands of miles, yet they found no trace of Ye Ling anywhere.
“Forget it. Let’s go back and report to Young Master Changge first. Ye Ling isn’t here.”
With that, the few of them left the ancient town.
Meanwhile, in another direction, atop a mountain peak, Gu Changge—robes fluttering, sitting cross-legged—suddenly sensed something.
He revealed a smile of keen interest, a strange aura emerging from his body, pressing upon the void before him until it blurred.
“Come!” Gu Changge ordered indifferently.
“Master!”
From all four directions around the mountain peak, a large group of cultivators and beings appeared, kneeling prostrate on the ground.
“News has already been received. The Successor of Demonic Arts has appeared...”
“He is currently within some ruins forty thousand miles to the east. Spread this news.”
Gu Changge revealed a meaningful smile.
Naturally, there was nothing in those ruins now. If there was anything, it would be a tomb that he had already dug up.
“Yes, Master.” Soon, the group of followers behind him received the order and vanished.
“Ye Ling, oh Ye Ling, what value do you still have left now...”
As Gu Changge spoke, he rose to his feet. The void before him blurred, and he stepped straight into it, vanishing in an instant.