CHAPTER 266: CHAPTER 266 RAN DENG

Everyone looked up and saw another Daoist approaching. His frosty white long eyebrows hung down to his chest, riding a deer and floating on clouds, with a fragrant wind blowing in waves.

Upon seeing this person, the immortals knew it was Daoist Ran Deng from Yuanjue Cave on Lingjiu Mountain, and they all stood up to greet him.

Nezha carefully observed from the side. This Ran Deng was also a disciple under Yuanshi Tianzun, but his status was even higher than that of the Twelve Golden Immortals.

Like Lu Ya and Bai Mushuang, he had the cultivation of a Quasi-Saint and was a figure akin to the Vice Sect Hierarch of the Chan Sect.

He was also seemingly an incarnation of the "Past Buddha" of the Buddhist faith. After the Divine Enthronement War, Guang Chengzi and others finally returned to Yuxu Palace for secluded cultivation, while Ran Deng entered the Western Sect, becoming a key figure who bridged both Daoism and Buddhism.

As soon as Ran Deng arrived, he was escorted to the main seat to sit down.

With a benevolent and kind expression on his face, he smiled and said, "Fellow Daoists, you have arrived early; I apologize for my delay. Now that the Ten Extremes Formation is extremely dangerous, who is in charge?"

Jiang Ziya bowed respectfully and responded, "Senior Brother, we have been waiting for your guidance and arrangement for a long time."

Ran Deng nodded and said, "I have come here for three reasons: First, to assist Ziya with the talisman seal responsibilities; second, to help fellow Daoists resolve the tribulations; and third, to settle a personal cause and effect. Ziya, hand the talisman seal to me."

Everyone present, already troubled by this matter, looked pleased and said in unison, "Senior Brother is absolutely right!"

Jiang Ziya then solemnly offered the talisman seal.

Ran Deng accepted the talisman seal, thanked everyone, and immediately began discussing the strategy to break the formation.

His gaze swept over everyone and paused for a moment on Nezha. He then said, "Now that Yao Bin is dead and his soul has gone to the Enfeoffment Platform, the Soul Falling Array is without a leader, reducing the Ten Extremes Formation by one. Nezha deserves the most credit."

Nezha did not expect Ran Deng to mention him at this time. He had no choice but to step forward and salute, saying, "Junior Nezha greets Uncle Master."

"No need to be so formal."

Ran Deng looked at Nezha, his tall and upright figure, and said with approval, "Indeed a young hero, return to your seat."

"Yes!"

Nezha could not discern Ran Deng’s intentions. Could he be showing goodwill just like the four Buddhists among the Twelve Golden Immortals?

Otherwise, why would he display such friendliness in front of the Twelve Golden Immortals?

Returning to his seat beside Jiang Ziya, Nezha continued to ponder over this matter.

If he said he felt no pressure, that was absolutely impossible.

He was well aware of the vast power of the Chan Sect, and the inscrutable methods of the Taiyi Golden Immortals made it easy for them to deal with a cultivator of the Golden Immortal Realm.

He couldn’t help but look up again:

The Ten Heavenly Monarchs relied on the Ten Extremes Formation, claiming to be capable of matching the Taiyi Golden Immortals, with even more destructive power. But they were not as comprehensive as the true Taiyi Golden Immortals. In a real confrontation with the renowned Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect, they would certainly not be opponents.

However, Ran Deng understood this matter deeply. Facing the Ten Extremes Formation, each battle required a low-level Daoist friend to sacrifice before sending another to break the formation.

Nezha could understand this.

After all, if in the end, the names on the Investiture of the Gods were all disciples of Jie Sect, and not a single one from Chan Sect, it would be hard to explain to the Tongtian Sect Leader.

To Ran Deng, some less promising Chan Sect cultivators, whose deaths would be inconsequential, were just fuel for igniting this fire.

Before long, someone arrived from the Chengtang camp, a red-haired, blue-faced man, the vanguard Deng Zhong under Master Wen.

Jiang Ziya had seen him in the previous battle, and he recognized him as a defeated general under Lei Zhenzi, so he asked, "General Deng, what brings you here?"

Deng Zhong replied, "To deliver a challenge."

Enemies do not kill messengers. Jiang Ziya ordered someone to accept the challenge letter, which read:

The Western Expedition Grand Marshal Master Wen to Prime Minister Jiang Ziya: The ancient saying goes, ’None under the heavens are not the king’s subjects.’

Now, rebelling without cause is to offend the world, and thus you are abandoned by all.

You have repeatedly disobeyed the heavenly orders, not repenting your crimes, indulging in arrogance and violence, killing the royal troops, thereby humiliating the court, your crimes are unforgivable!

Now let us decide victory or defeat together!

After reading the letter, Ziya looked at Ran Deng at the upper seat. When Ran Deng nodded, he replied to the letter, "In three days, let us settle the matter with the Grandmaster."

With the major decision made, the Twelve Golden Immortals rested in the city, while Nezha, not staying idle, went to see Huang Feihu.

Upon seeing Huang Feihu, Nezha felt like turning back.

Not for any other reason, but because he saw Huang Feihu not at his residence but in the prison of Xiqi.

Huang Feihu was now the Military Duke of Xiqi and in command of the military, naturally having no reason to be imprisoned.

He came here to see someone.

The former General of Qinglong Pass, Zhang Guifang.

In their presence, Nezha sighed and said, "General Huang, no matter the reason, you shouldn’t be here to see him."

Huang Feihu was startled, immediately understanding Nezha’s meaning, and said with a bitter smile, "It seems I have done something foolish again."

Zhang Guifang said, "Indeed foolish, Huang Feihu. On the battlefield, you are a valiant general, and I admire you. But in official matters, you are not even as good as a petty officer under me."

Huang Feihu’s face reddened from Zhang Guifang’s words, retorting, "Good, Zhang Guifang. I kindly come with wine and meat to see you, discussing the world’s affairs, and you repay my kindness with insults?"

Zhang Guifang laughed, "Of course I am talking to you. The longer I talk to you, the more Ji Fa and Jiang Ziya will suspect you. Eventually, even if your son is here, you will have to return to Zhaoge."

Huang Feihu, enraged, clenched his fists, but Nezha stopped him.

Nezha looked at Zhang Guifang.

In truth, he respected him, and there was no enmity between them. On the battlefield, they simply fought for their respective masters.

He said, "General Zhang, I hope you are well."

Zhang Guifang sneered, "The whips in Xiqi’s prison are too soft. Even soaked in salt water, they don’t hurt much. I just hate that my hands are bound; otherwise, I would kill you, a traitor and regicide, with my own hands."

Nezha shook his head, stared into Zhang Guifang’s eyes, and said, "Yin Shou had the merit of recognizing your talent. You repay his grace with your life, which is loyal. But you can’t fool me. Killing King Zhou and ensuring Chengtang gets a Holy Emperor like Yin Jiao, you are actually pleased with this outcome."

"Hahaha, it is Nezha who understands me!" Zhang Guifang laughed until he cried, then looked at Nezha, "And you, have you come today for my life?"

Nezha rolled his eyes and said, "Don’t think too highly of yourself. I’m here to see Huang Feihu, but seeing that he is such a fool, meeting him is no longer important. Besides, it’s his son, Huang Tianhua, who should be worried now, not me."

With that, he turned and walked out.

Behind him, Huang Feihu called his name, "Nezha, it’s not what I wanted. With my son Huang Tianhua here, I know that even if I return to Zhaoge, I will be criticized, and I won’t have comfortable days. Don’t worry about me betraying Xiqi!"

Nezha did not stop or turn back, only replying leisurely, "It doesn’t matter, it’s all the same."