CHAPTER 739: 614 JOYFUL DIVINE DEMON

Shi Sheng had originally intended to kill the remaining two Demon Humans as well, confiscating the Joyful Divine Demons they refined, when he suddenly heard them cry for help, "Master, save us!" So, he temporarily held back.

Since they had a master, he assumed it must be an even more formidable, utterly ruthless demon—perfect to eliminate together.

He descended from the sky, hands clasped behind his back, standing on a cloud of white light, following leisurely behind the two Demon Humans as they flew into the belly of the mountain.

The two Demon Humans, previously terrified by his techniques, now resorted to speeding away with Demon Light Escape Skills, only to realize that no matter how they accelerated—even in Human-Demon Union—they couldn’t extend the distance, growing even more terrified. Biting the tips of their tongues, they spat out blood to fuel the Demon Light and hasten their pace.

Inside the belly of the mountain was a natural canyon connected to a man-made tunnel of great length. They flew swiftly on either side, reaching the end in an instant.

The two Demon Humans threw themselves against a flat stone wall, kneeling and crying loudly, "Master, save us! Master, save us!"

Before the stone wall, a flash of red light transformed the rock into transparency, like a huge red crystal, revealing a plump, white-bearded old man.

This Elder was a connoisseur, and upon seeing that Shi Sheng was a personage of Heavenly Immortal caliber, was immediately startled, "Who might you be, sir, and why do you seek to utterly destroy my disciples?"

Shi Sheng frowned at him, taking a careful look at the surroundings, "Are you sealed here by a Buddhist high monk? And who are you, anyway?"

The Old Demon, seeing the integrity Shi Sheng radiated, was at a loss for a moment on how to reply.

His disciple, earlier wounded by Shi Sheng’s Sword Qi, half of his body bloody and dripping, thought now with his master present, having a backer, turned around to say, "My master is none other than the renowned Joyful Divine Demon, Zhao Changsu of yesteryear! You, brat, today..."

Before he could finish, the Joyful Divine Demon beside him suddenly reached out, grabbed his head, and with a forceful twist, turned it thrice, wrenching off the bloody head and started munching on it with big bites.

"Zhao Changsu..." Shi Sheng pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized, "You are Jiu Panpo’s husband!"

It turned out that Zhao Changsu was once very handsome, with remarkable Mana. He practiced together with Jiu Panpo, and before they were officially wed, his heart changed, favoring another witch.

Jiu Panpo, incensed by his betrayal of their past vows, caught the witch and killed her, also disfiguring herself in her grief.

The Sect Hierarch of the Red Body Sect was once a great beauty, but due to the incident, became old, ugly, and strange. She made a vow to the Demon Gods, saying that when I was beautiful, you whispered sweet nothings to me, and in the future, when I become unspeakably hideous, someday you still have to whisper those sweet nothings to me and kneel and beg for my forgiveness!

Zhao Changsu was furious that his lover was killed, her Soul captured, to suffer eternal Soul Refinement. He vowed never to encounter her in this life. If he ever did come to beg her, it would signal a great calamity for them both, and they would perish together!

Knowing Jiu Panpo’s formidable Mana, after making the vow, he immediately fled...

He knew that Jiu Panpo had a feud with her fellow disciple, the Bearded Immortal, and purposely sought refuge with him.

The Bearded Immortal, eager to use him against Jiu Panpo, taught him many powerful Demon Magic, and together they nearly killed her.

Jiu Panpo, backed into a corner, sought help from Iron City Mountain. On the day the Old Demon emerged, she received three volumes of the Nine Heavens Secret Demon Mysterious Scripture, finally regaining her footing, survived, and went on to establish the Red Body Demon Cult.

Just as Zhao Changsu was planning another attempt on Jiu Panpo, he offended Xuan Zhenzi, who chased him relentlessly. On the run, he eventually encountered the Zen Master Tian Meng, who was then sealed by the Big Monk within this mountain, until today.

The sealing Buddha Light by Zen Master Tian Meng was incredibly mystical. Over the years, Zhao Changsu dug many tunnels within the mountain, but the Buddha Light followed persistently, reacting with his Magic to form this red crystal-like rock, trapping him within. Wherever he moved, the red crystal followed, confining him underground, preventing him from seeing the light of day.

In his boredom, the Old Demon lured in some fated individuals through the crystal wall, teaching them Buddhist Law, especially the Joyful Zen Skill, often watching them through the wall as they reveled in bliss.

He taught these people the art of Sacrificial Refinement of Divine Demons, in truth using their hands for Demon Refinement, controlling all the demons himself.

The moment his disciple exposed his name, he immediately controlled the Joyful Divine Demon to kill him.

Shi Sheng had heard of this Old Demon but hadn’t anticipated encountering him here. After a quick calculation, he found that not only was the Old Demon married to Jiu Panpo, but he was also the junior of Shi Pi the Elder’s wife, and was closely connected to two major events currently unfolding!

All things in the world are interconnected, evolving over time, gradually forming patterns.

One can actively create a "situation," and there are also many naturally formed "situations," naturally bringing together many coincidences.

Had Shi Sheng not diverted from Central Earth towards Yunnan, he wouldn’t have encountered Zhao Changsu, and now here he was at another crossroads of decision.

At that moment, Zhao Changsu manipulated another Joyful Divine Demon to kill the remaining disciple, devouring the head, then watched Shi Sheng carefully, picking up on changes in his heart and mind. All the while, he took out a large fan, fanning gently while smiling benignly, appearing harmless to humans and animals alike.

In his heyday, he was known as the Beautiful Bearded Immortal, adept in the Asura Secret Demon Great Technique, an old spirit who greeted others with a smile; his laughter could beguile the Soul. If one was unguarded, his smile and laughter could unwittingly pull one’s Divine Soul from the body and seize it.

"I am indeed Zhao Changsu. Might I inquire as to your distinguished name, good sir?"

Shi Sheng said, "I was just about to go to Yunnan to rescue someone. It shouldn’t have been too troublesome, but the other party is too proud and aloof for me to offer help directly. With you here, it’s perfect. Come help me take care of this."

He could see that the Buddha Light imprisoning Zhao Changsu was extremely powerful, specifically designed to counteract all kinds of Demon Path Techniques. Given Zhao Changsu’s own abilities, he would not be able to escape for hundreds of years.

Shi Sheng extended his hand and shot out Spiritual Stone Sword Qi, hitting the "red crystal." Five streaks of Sword Qi encircled and sliced, and after a moment, they suddenly converged into a Five Fire Divine Thunder, cracking loudly, scattering the Buddha Light, and causing the stone wall to crumble. Numerous fragments tumbled down.

Zhao Changsu’s laughter ceased abruptly as he saw the formidable Mana Shi Sheng possessed and swallowed hard twice.

"Come out!" Shi Sheng called crisply. "Or should I go in and invite you?"

Zhao Changsu saw that Shi Sheng’s Primordial Spirit had already achieved Pure Yang and realized that his own Soul Capturing Magic would be ineffective. Back in the day, during his magical confrontation with Tian Meng Zen Master, his most powerful Magical Treasures were destroyed. If he were to forcefully contend now, he feared he would be thoroughly defeated...

He quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind, still casually wafting his fan with a chuckle, as if he were a genial old neighbor. He came forward and gave Shi Sheng a fist-and-palm salute, "Your Divine Skills are admirable! But I must still ask, how may I address you? I’ve been trapped for many years and with your help, I am free once again. I’ll need to express my gratitude in the future but must know which temple’s doors to knock on."

"My name is Shi Sheng, do you know of it?"

Zhao Changsu opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to express his long-standing admiration, but looking into Shi Sheng’s clear eyes, he swallowed the words back, "Forgive this ignorant old man, I truly have not heard of your esteemed name. May I be so bold as to inquire after your master?"

"My mentor’s family name is Shi, his Daoist title Yuan Yang."

Zhao Changsu thought Shi Sheng must be a Heavenly Immortal about to ascend, so his master must be a notable elder within the Mysterious Sect.

However, he was still clueless upon hearing this name.

He had been sealed by Tian Meng Zen Master inside the mountain for hundreds of years and had no knowledge of the significant events that had taken place outside during that time.

Shi Sheng instructed him to go first to Yunnan, to the cave they initially descended into, and to take all the captured boys and girls, along with the gold and silver utensils in the cave, on a cloud of five-colored auspicious clouds up into the skies. He was to deliver them directly to a Daoist temple about one thousand three hundred miles away.

This Daoist temple was a subbranch of the Qingcheng Sect. Firstly, these unfortunate souls would no longer encounter demons and secondly, they could safely return home by seeking assistance from the Qingcheng Sect.

Then, he brought Zhao Changsu on a bundle of Escape Light, flying side by side towards the Yun Gui Plateau.

On the way, Zhao Changsu asked what he needed him to do. The old Demon spoke with a sincere and friendly smile, "I have been trapped for centuries, and now, thanks to you, I am free. I am endlessly grateful. I was pondering how to repay your kindness, considering you are about to ascend, and I truly have nothing that could catch your eye.

Even though I am from the Demon Path, I do not like being indebted, especially for such a great favor... Fortunately, you have a task for me, which really solves my problem. Whatever it is, even if it means climbing a mountain of swords or descending into a vat of oil, I will definitely do everything I can to help you succeed."

After speaking, he fanned himself with his fan and laughed, "This feels great! Owing a favor kept me from sleeping and hindered me from entering a Meditative State. To be able to repay it so quickly is truly satisfying!"

Shi Sheng asked him, "Have you heard of Jiu Panpo?"

Zhao Changsu was taken aback and pondered before replying, "I’ve seen her a few times. I met her at a gathering held by the Red Lotus Venerable in West Kunlun and exchanged a few words, but I am not well-acquainted with her. She’s the wife of Shi Pi the Elder."

The Demon Cult is a rather loose organization, or rather, it has no organization similar to Daoism, with many internal branches and sects, some on friendly terms and others sworn enemies.

For instance, One Light Master’s Western Demon Cult is a major branch, Shi Pi the Elder’s Asura Sect is another, and Iron City Mountain and Stone God Palace yet another...

Zhao Changsu’s lineage is rather complicated, originally from the Western Demon Cult, mixed with elements of the Asura Sect. He is most famous for his Joyful Zen Skill, which combines the strengths of both schools. He later became a disciple of Sand God Child and learned the magics of the Iron City Mountain lineage.

Shi Sheng quickly flew him over the vast mountains of Yun Gui and found a valley, "Jiu Panpo should be here. Go find her."

"I can find her... but then what? What do you need me to do?"

"I haven’t decided yet. First, go in there and settle down. When I figure out what needs to be done, I’ll find you."

Suddenly, Zhao Changsu felt that this young-looking Heavenly Immortal was somewhat unreliable, but he couldn’t very well say anything.

In fact, he was somewhat curious about what Shi Sheng was up to. Having freed himself, if all else failed, he could just walk away. Even if Shi Sheng were a Heavenly Immortal, if he wanted to leave, he doubted Shi Sheng could stop him.

He chuckled and agreed, swaying his fan, striding confidently into the valley.

Inside the valley was another Grotto Heaven, and the terrain changed dramatically. He had not gone far when suddenly, Demon Light surged on the cliff facing him, and a black-clad old crone appeared out of thin air. She was tall and sinister-looking, wielding a black vine staff decorated with many branches, engraved with the figures of birds and beasts, dragons and snakes, all of which writhed as if alive, continuously emitting threads of black smoke.

"Who dares to trespass onto my forbidden territory!" the old woman swung her snake staff, and 88 bird and beast images all turned their heads towards Zhao Changsu. They opened their mouths simultaneously, spewing out black Demonic Flame.

Zhao Changsu waved his fan and released a burst of Demon Light to block the dozens of black flames, then laughed, "Elder sister, do you still remember the beautiful Bearded Immortal Child from back in the day?"