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

Chapter 248: The Golden-Winged Eagle King Strikes

"If you want the relic, then step over my corpse to get it. Kong Xiang, swallow the relic."

Du Kong had already resolved to perish together with the enemy. He stepped forward, blocking in front of Kong Xiang.

"Hmph!"

The Centipede King snorted coldly. "This Dharma Lord had no intention of committing further slaughter, but since you seek death, I shall grant it."

As he spoke, he chanted a Buddhist mantra. Just as Xiao Wu pulled out the relic, he felt a searing pain in his head, and the relic slipped from his hand onto the ground.

Du Kong didn't fare much better. Even with Buddhist light radiating from his body, blood streamed from his seven orifices, his expression twisted in agony.

Up in the sky, Chu Feng saw this and patted the Golden-Winged Eagle King on the shoulder. "Brother Eagle, I'll leave it to you."

"No problem."

The Golden-Winged Eagle King responded, then uttered a single word.

"卍!"

A thunderous sound rang out like a bell. The oppressive chanting disappeared, and everything returned to normal.

Inside the palanquin, the Centipede King's expression shifted slightly. He scanned the surroundings but saw no one. Instinctively, he asked, "Since you've come, why hide in the shadows? What kind of expert skulks about unseen?"

"I'm not a human to begin with."

The Golden-Winged Eagle King descended from the sky, landing in front of Xiao Wu and Du Kong.

The Centipede King looked at the young man dressed in golden feathers and frowned with doubt.

Though there were a hundred thousand demon kings in Myriad Demon Mountain, he had dealt with most of them.

Yet this person felt unfamiliar. Though clearly a demon cultivator, he carried no trace of demonic aura. Standing there, he exuded the presence of a Daoist monk of great virtue.

"Who are you?"

"What level are you at, and what gives you the right to ask for my name? I'll give you one chance—scram."

The Golden-Winged Eagle King sneered, clearly not putting the Centipede King in his eyes.

"You're quite arrogant. Don't think I don't know what you're after. You're just here for that relic. In that case, let's settle this with our fists!"

As he spoke, the Centipede King flew out from the palanquin and struck with a palm.

The seemingly ordinary palm strike transformed into a massive Buddhist palm.

The Golden-Winged Eagle King didn't budge. He simply extended one finger and poked toward the palm.

The moment his finger touched it, the palm vanished without a trace.

"That's all you've got?"

The Golden-Winged Eagle King stared at the Centipede King with a mocking smile, eyes filled with amusement.

This is bad—he's met a real monster.

The Centipede King wasn't stupid. He knew his own strength, and the way this man effortlessly dissolved his technique—he had to be at least Half-Saint level.

Run!

With that single thought, he immediately transformed into his true form and fled toward the horizon.

The little demons who had been carrying the palanquin saw the Centipede King fleeing and scattered like frightened birds, not daring to remain a moment longer.

The Golden-Winged Eagle King looked at the hundreds-of-meters-long centipede wriggling through the sky and grinned. "So it's a long bug trying to become a dragon—just what I like."

With those words, the Golden-Winged Eagle King leapt into the sky, revealed his true form, and opened his mouth wide.

The once-massive Centipede King instantly shrank into a tiny insect, squirming in midair and begging pitifully.

"S-Senior… don't kill me, please don't…"

The Golden-Winged Eagle King swallowed him whole, then reverted to human form and let out a loud burp.

"Burp… the flavor's really not bad."

Chu Feng laughed. "Wild ones really do taste better than farm-raised."

Chen Qianqian tugged on Chu Feng's sleeve. "Master, I want to go check on little brother Xiao Wu."

"Let's go."

With that, Chu Feng brought Chen Qianqian down from the sky, landing before Du Kong and Xiao Wu.

Seeing them descend, Du Kong quickly bowed. "Amitabha. This humble monk Du Kong thanks senior for your assistance."

"No need. I already share a karmic bond with Xiao Wu—lending a hand was only natural."

Chu Feng spoke with a light-hearted smile.

Hearing his words, Du Kong let out a deep breath. At first, he had truly suspected that the demon Half-Saint before them was also here to seize the relic.

Chen Qianqian looked at the unconscious Xiao Wu with worry all over her face. "Master, Xiao Wu… he'll be alright, right?"

"He's fine, just fainted."

As Chu Feng spoke, he gently tapped Xiao Wu, and a ray of light landed on him.

The unconscious Xiao Wu slowly opened his eyes, looking around in confusion.

When he saw a beautiful young woman watching him with wide, concerned eyes, he was completely stunned. He asked hesitantly, "Benefactor, were you the one who saved me?"

"Xiao Wu, it's me—Big Sis."

Chen Qianqian said with mock irritation.

"Big Sis!"

Xiao Wu instantly recognized her voice—it was too familiar. He jumped up and studied the girl before him.

"So this is what Big Sis looks like… even prettier than the noble ladies we used to see back in the day."

???

Du Kong instinctively wanted to scold the boy upon hearing that,

but seeing the unique closeness between the two, he could only hold his tongue.

Chen Qianqian, however, scowled. "You little rascal, you've become a monk and still haven't changed your mouth. I really wonder how that old monk Du E taught you."

Upon hearing this, Du Kong reflexively looked toward Chu Feng's group. "You all know my junior brother?"

Chu Feng nodded slightly. "We met once. I was there when little monk Du E took Xiao Wu as his disciple—I suppose you could say I was a witness."

"I see."

Du Kong then asked, "May I ask where you all are headed?"

"South."

Chu Feng wasn't close with him, so naturally he wouldn't reveal more than necessary.

Only then did Du Kong realize he'd overstepped. "Amitabha. I've spoken out of turn."

"No harm done."

Chu Feng glanced toward the nearby tea stall. "Let's have some tea first. These two little ones can take some time to catch up—after this, they may never see each other again."

"After you, senior."

Du Kong no longer felt the need to rush. Staying close to these two seniors was clearly the safer path.

Chen Qianqian, meanwhile, sat with Xiao Wu to reminisce.

A few hours later, Chen Qianqian and Xiao Wu parted reluctantly.

At the same time, within Nanwu Temple, the five Nirvana Realm demon kings who were busy looting treasures received news that the Centipede King had been eaten by a Golden-Winged Eagle.

"This can't be true! Big Brother is one of the top Nirvana experts. How could he be eaten by some damn eagle?"

The Long-Armed King was the first to shout in disbelief.

The four demon kings beside him said nothing, but each harbored his own thoughts.

Their alliance had been entirely thanks to the Centipede King. Without him, it was only a matter of time before they turned on each other.

The serpent demoness asked, "Describe what happened in detail again."

"Yes."

The demons who had carried the Centipede King's palanquin vividly recounted the entire scene once more.

When they finished, the five demon kings again fell into heavy silence…

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