Submissive Above, Unrestrained Below

Chapter 18: What Kind of Expert Is This?

A large toad spoke human words: “Just capture him, why the panic?”

Several monks exchanged glances and said, “Old Ancestor, that guy has an overwhelming demonic aura, and it seems his cultivation has improved since a few days ago. He specifically named us to go and die, so we dare not act rashly, which is why we came to seek your guidance.”

Upon hearing this, the giant toad transformed into a frail old monk.

This figure is the Grandmaster revered by over five thousand disciples of the Fanyin Sect!

In reality, he was a toad that had achieved sentience after seven thousand years.

Few in the Fanyin Sect knew his true identity.

The monks before him were among that few.

The toad demon had ambushed and killed the Fanyin Sect’s abbot, Master Datian, over three thousand years ago and took over his body.

Initially, he planned to devour all the monks of the Fanyin Sect but later discovered that by hiding his identity within the sect, he could use the disciples to hunt other demons for blood and flesh, leading to faster growth in power.

Since then, he had been living in luxury and feasting for over three thousand years under the guise of the Fanyin Sect’s Grandmaster.

“Hmph.”

The toad demon snorted coldly.

“I truly suspect, as that little monk said, that you all have been secretly hoarding my celestial crystal.”

Several monks’ hearts sank, and one of them with a bitter face said, “Heaven’s witness, Old Ancestor, celestial crystals are exceedingly rare; even the major sects of the Great Domain can hardly produce half a grain. How could that Zhi Zhang possibly have the ability to acquire one?”

Another monk hurriedly added, “Indeed, Old Ancestor, it is entirely because that fellow is infatuated with the beauty of the snake demon, and has been used by her, which is why such lies arose.”

The toad demon nodded slightly; it seemed impossible to him that celestial crystals would be involved.

“Forget it.” The toad demon pondered for a moment and said, “I am only one step away from entering the earth immortal realm. You all stay here to guard; after I overcome the heavenly tribulation, it will not be too late to kill that Zhi Zhang.”

“Old Ancestor, are you going to face the tribulation now?!” the monks exclaimed in surprise.

“Less chatter and set up the earth formation!” the toad demon commanded.

“Yes, Old Ancestor.”

The monks bowed in unison, but a flicker of malice flashed in their eyes.

The toad demon sat cross-legged on the ground, gathering demonic power into its demon core.

As long as he successfully overcame the heavenly tribulation, his demon core would transform into a celestial pill, allowing him to shed his demonic nature. Even if a celestial being saw his true form, they would not dare to call him a demon but should address him as a celestial toad.

Becoming an immortal was the lifelong pursuit of all demons.

Under the influence of his demonic power, the toad demon’s core began to undergo transformation, and when the transformation was completed, the heavenly tribulation would descend.

The toad demon chose this spot for the tribulation for a great reason—the True Thunder Tower could withstand the heavenly tribulation, reducing its strength by forty percent.

Thus, it was almost guaranteed that he would successfully overcome the tribulation.

After several breaths, the sky above the Fanyin Sect turned dark; heavy clouds rolled in, enveloping the True Thunder Tower.

“Now that the toad demon is at its weakest, brothers, attack!”

At this moment, all the toad demon’s demonic power was absorbed into transforming its demon core into a celestial one, making it the weakest moment in its life.

With one monk shouting, the six surged forward without holding back.

In an instant, dozens of bloody holes appeared all over the toad demon’s body, its heart and dantian completely shattered.

“You…”

The toad demon collapsed to the ground in pain, staring incredulously at the monks before it.

“Hahaha, you stinky toad, see who we are!”

After a puff of green smoke, the six large monks took on the forms of muscular pig demons.

“After more than two thousand years, we seven brothers lay in wait for this day.”

The toad demon’s eyes turned a dead gray as it never expected that some pig demons had been hiding beside it, waiting for the right moment to seize its celestial pill.

…

Above the Fanyin Sect, Chen Ansheng’s celestial consciousness had already absorbed everything.

The drama in the True Thunder Tower, with its numerous twists, left him dumbfounded.

“To lay in ambush for more than two thousand years for a demon’s celestial pill, truly remarkable patience,” Chen Ansheng mused, this performance once again reshaping his understanding of deception and intrigue.

“Senior, those thieving monks dare not battle; I’ll go down and kill them now.”

After waiting for a long time without seeing the monks emerge, Zhi Zhang picked up his scythe, preparing to rush down.

“No need.”

Chen Ansheng stopped Zhi Zhang and then flicked his finger.

A strand of celestial power shot out, striking the True Thunder Tower.

The True Thunder Tower exploded immediately, and the six figures, terrified, rushed into the sky while carrying the toad demon’s corpse.

Then, Chen Ansheng gently waved his hand, and a surge of celestial power enveloped Qing’er, pulling her into his embrace in an instant.

“What kind of divine technique is this!”

“With a snap of his fingers, he destroys the True Thunder Tower; this person is at least a peak earth immortal!”

The Fanyin Sect monks, witnessing this scene, were nearly trembling with fear.

Nearby, Zhi Zhang also sensed everything and was shocked by the immeasurable strength of the senior!

“Your enemy has emerged; go and kill him,” Chen Ansheng said calmly.

“Senior, I only sensed that six powerful pig demons flew out from the True Thunder Tower, and there is a toad demon with dissipating life force!” Monk Zhi Zhang said.

“Those six pig demons are your masters, and that toad is your Grandmaster who you have worshiped for over ten years,” Chen Ansheng informed Zhi Zhang.

Zhi Zhang froze!

His sincerely worshipped Grandmaster, his senior, was actually a transformed demon!

If he had known this a month ago, before he fell into madness, it would have crushed his heart and tormented him deeply.

“Brothers, that bastard has brought help! We must quickly refine the toad demon’s inner pill with the celestial crystals!” The pig demons had nearly lost their wits at the previous terrifying attack.

What they did not realize was that if Chen Ansheng had not deliberately spared their lives to let Zhi Zhang confront his mental obstacles, they would have already turned to dust.

“Kill, kill, kill!”

After learning the truth, an enraged Zhi Zhang wielded his scythe, transformed into a black shadow, and plunged forward.

On the other side, the pig demons hastily refined the stolen celestial crystals with the toad demon’s inner pill, their cultivation rapidly soaring.

As Zhi Zhang arrived, the pig demons drew their weapons to battle him.

After a fierce clash, the pig demons’ weapons were all shattered by the scythe, while Zhi Zhang himself sustained numerous injuries, drenched in blood.

Amidst the struggle, Zhi Zhang comprehended the demonic skill he acquired in the forbidden zone, significantly enhancing his strength.

With the dual enhancement of the celestial weapon scythe and the demonic skill, Zhi Zhang struck down one pig demon after another.

In just a few breaths, he had slain all six pig demons!

Demon blood fell like raindrops upon the kneeling monks below.

They all knelt down, loudly chanting Buddhist praises.

This battle came to an end.

Half an hour later, the monks of the Fanyin Sect learned the entire truth and disposed of all the senior monks who had served the toad demon.

“Amitabha, Zhi Zhang, my disciple, our Fanyin Sect has been under the control of demons for over three thousand years. Thanks to you for stepping forward to slay the group of demons, we old monks wish to appoint you as the new abbot; please do not decline.”

Several senior monks deliberated and then spoke.

“My name is Li Huaizhen, not Zhi Zhang. If you wish to appoint a new abbot, seek someone more capable,” Zhi Zhang replied.

Zhi Zhang had escaped a famine at the age of three and fortuitously been brought back by the monks of the Fanyin Sect; Li Huaizhen was the mundane name he could never forget.

After experiencing this incident, his devotion to Buddha had naturally evaporated, and he no longer wished to continue as a monk.

In the back courtyard of the guest house, Chen Ansheng took out a medicinal herb, crushed it, and fed it to Qing’er.

In just a few breaths, Qing’er’s injuries had healed.

She opened her eyes and was greeted by the handsome face of a young man.

“Young Master! It really is you! Qing’er knew you would come back, sob sob.”

Qing’er cried tears of joy; wanting to rush into Chen Ansheng’s embrace, she recalled her status as a servant and instead knelt before him.

“As the saying goes, a drop of water returned with a fountain of grace; I saved your life twice. If I do not let you repay your debt, you certainly will not sleep easy. Do not worry; I, Chen, am not without compassion,” Chen Ansheng said with a flourish.

Qing’er laughed through her tears, a hint of shyness in her voice, “Thank you, Young Master. The Young Master once taught me that acts of gratitude cannot be delayed; I hope you will allow me to repay the kindness now.”

“I permit it!”

Today, Chen Ansheng had not done much fighting, and he could endure no longer without having a thrilling battle with the little demoness.

Several hours later, the door to the guest house opened.

A group of small monks hiding outside fled with blushing faces.

In the main hall of the outer courtyard, Li Huaizhen (Zhi Zhang) saw Chen Ansheng and Qing’er come out and immediately rushed over.

“Senior, the old monks have been waiting for a long time; they wish to thank you in person.”

“What thanks? Drive away that bunch of fools who can’t discern right from wrong. From today onward, this place will be renamed ‘Zhen Xian Sect’; I appoint you as the first-generation sect master.”

Chen Ansheng deliberately raised his voice, causing the group of old monks outside to feel like crying without tears.

They had thought a few words of apology would suffice, but who would have expected their sect to be taken away.

The monks were totally disheartened, cursing in their hearts: What kind of expert is this!

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