I was just making up techniques... how did all of you become Emperors?

Chapter 247: Xiao Wu on the Run

"Yes."

After responding, Xuan Cheng turned to look at Du Kong and Du E beside him.

"You two will take eight disciples and leave together. Remember—once you exit the teleportation array, split up. Anyone may be sacrificed, but the reincarnated spirit child must not be lost. If the situation becomes desperate, have the reincarnated spirit child swallow the relic."

"We will obey the decree!"

The two gave their reply, then turned and departed.

Outside Nanwu Temple, the Long-Armed King turned to see that the Myriad Demon Formation was complete. He looked at the Centipede King and asked, "Big Brother, shall we begin the assault?"

The Centipede King replied flatly, "No. We must capture Nanwu Temple at the lowest possible cost. If we use the Myriad Demon Formation at full power, even if we succeed, the losses will be severe. At that point, others with ambition will surely step in to take their share."

Beside them, a female serpent demon asked, "So Big Brother already has something that can break the formation?"

"Indeed."

As the Centipede King spoke, he spat out a black needle.

The moment it appeared, a wave of oppressive power swept through the gathered demons.

The Long-Armed King's expression shifted slightly. "Big Brother… what kind of treasure is that?"

"This needle is the tail spike of the Black Empress, the Great Sage. After her death, I came upon it by chance. After refining it, it can break through any formation below the Saint level—equivalent to a full-power strike from a Half-Saint. However, once used, it's spent."

A flicker of pain flashed in the Centipede King's eyes as he said this.

But the opportunity to become a Great Sage was right before him—he wasn't about to let it slip away so easily.

"Prepare to act."

"Yes!"

Five Nirvana Realm demon cultivators responded in unison, then flew off in the four cardinal directions, determined to ensure no monk from Nanwu Temple escaped.

The Centipede King flew above Nanwu Temple, chanting an incantation.

The black needle before him began to grow larger and larger.

"Break!"

With a shout, the black needle shot downward and pierced the protective formation of Nanwu Temple.

Boom!

A thunderous roar rang out. For dozens of miles in every direction, the earth shook and mountains trembled.

The Buddhist radiance of Nanwu Temple vanished instantly.

"The formation's broken—attack!"

The Long-Armed King bellowed and charged into Nanwu Temple ahead of the others.

Inside, the four senior monks of the Xuan generation had never imagined that the formation they took such pride in could be broken so easily.

The reincarnated spirit child and Du Kong's group hadn't even left yet!

Master Xuan Bei roared, "Fellow disciples! Today, join me in slaying demons and evil! Attack!"

With that, he charged straight toward the Centipede King in the sky.

The Centipede King showed no fear and met Master Xuan Bei head-on.

The other three senior monks each engaged one of the Nirvana Realm demon beasts.

For a time, Nanwu Temple was filled with the sounds of battle, and both sides were locked in fierce combat.

In the sky, Chu Feng's divine sense swept across Nanwu Temple in search of Xiao Wu.

Before long, he saw Xiao Wu heading toward a hidden chamber.

He immediately locked onto Xiao Wu with his divine sense. At the moment Xiao Wu and the others entered the teleportation array, Chu Feng marked him with a spiritual imprint.

After completing this, Chu Feng turned to Chen Qianqian. "Xiao Wu has already left. This battle doesn't concern us anymore. It's time to go."

Chen Qianqian was stunned for a moment, but she trusted her master completely and nodded. "Then let's go find Xiao Wu."

"Mm."

With that, Chu Feng led the group and vanished above the battlefield.

From beginning to end, none of the forces noticed their presence.

…

A hundred miles west of Nanwu Temple, in a ruined shrine.

Du Kong and Du E, senior and junior brothers, were helping eight young novice monks change their clothes.

Throughout the entire southern barbarian lands, there was only one Buddhist monastery—Nanwu Temple. Anyone seen in these parts practicing Buddhism was, nine times out of ten, a monk from Nanwu Temple.

Now that Nanwu Temple was under siege, they could no longer act under that identity.

After the group changed into new attire, Du E spoke first. "Senior Brother Du Kong, I'll leave Kong Xiang to you."

Hearing this, Du Kong instantly understood his junior brother's intent. "No. Kong Xiang was brought back by you—he's your disciple. How could I let the two of you be separated?"

Du E replied, "Precisely because I brought him back, I can't take him with me. It would make us too conspicuous. You've spent most of your life in the temple, rarely appearing in public. Most cultivators wouldn't recognize you. If you take Kong Xiang, it'll be far safer."

"There's no time to argue over details. If we delay, none of us will get out alive."

"…Very well. We'll do as you say. Take care, Junior Brother."

Du Kong then looked at Kong Xiang. "Kong Xiang, say goodbye to your master."

Though they were in a hurry, this parting could very well be forever.

Xiao Wu nodded. He hadn't been with his master for long, but his master had taught him everything, treating him like his own son.

After the farewell, Du Kong took Xiao Wu and headed north.

Du E led the other seven novice monks westward.

It wasn't that Du Kong couldn't fly with Xiao Wu. But dressed like this, flying would draw far too much attention.

Chu Feng and his group silently followed behind Du Kong and Xiao Wu, with no intention of showing themselves.

The next day.

Du Kong and Xiao Wu arrived at a roadside tea stall. Just as Du Kong was about to get them something to eat, he suddenly felt an overwhelming pressure descend from the sky.

His face changed instantly. He was just about to grab Xiao Wu and fly away when a wave of Buddhist chanting rang out.

A group of monks descended from the sky, carrying a palanquin.

As the chanting filled the air, Du Kong felt the spiritual power in his body being sealed completely.

From within the palanquin, the Centipede King's sorrowful voice echoed slowly.

"Little monk, Nanwu Temple has fallen. Hand over the Great Sage's relic, and I will spare the lives of you and your disciple, letting you live out your miserable days."

Everyone at the tea stall—human or demon—was terrified by that voice. They immediately fled in all directions. No one dared to stay and watch.

Even a powerful force like Nanwu Temple had been destroyed by the Centipede King. How could small fry like them dare linger?

Du Kong wasn't intimidated by the Centipede King's words. Instead, a suspicious look crossed his face.

"Master, I truly am not a monk of Nanwu Temple. Have you mistaken me for someone else?"

"Hahaha…"

Laughter rang out from the palanquin.

The Centipede King chuckled and said, "As the saying goes: monks do not lie. Yet you dare spout falsehoods before this Dharma Lord? Are you not afraid of being cast into Avīci Hell after death? Or do you think this Dharma Lord cannot sense the presence of that relic?"

Hearing this, Du Kong's face changed dramatically.

He had never imagined this demon king actually possessed such a divine ability...

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