Chapter 1495 (Raw 1475):
When the Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign said that the three of them should not leave and should wait here, a strange light flashed in the East Mountain Ghost Monarch's eyes.
After carefully hiding that glint, he asked, "We are going to personally wait here? Wasn't the plan to send experts here to wait? Given our status, why do we need to wait here ourselves?"
The Heaven Punishing Corpse God frowned and said, "Ghost Monarch, your line of thinking is unacceptable. Naturally, we hold very respectable identities. However, the current Xiao Chen cannot be underestimated. If we send others, they would not be able to accomplish the task."
"That's not it. I just have some other matters to deal with, and I need to make a trip back," the East Mountain Ghost Monarch explained. Then, he looked at the Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign and said, "Qitian, I'll go back first. If Xiao Chen has any unusual activities, I'll go directly to the Azure Dragon Palace to meet you.
"What do you think?"
The Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign thought for a while. Then he asked, "What is so urgent? Isn't your situation the same, able to get a subordinate to do that?"
Smiling, the East Mountain Ghost Monarch replied, "Nothing much, but it is something that requires me to make a personal trip. Sorry."
Seeing the situation, the Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign stopped asking and did not insist on his opinion. He said casually, "Do as you please. In any case, the secret in the Azure Dragon Palace will definitely allow us to break these shackles and leave the Kunlun Realm."
"I know. Once I get the word, I will immediately rush over to the Azure Dragon Palace and meet you."
After saying that, the Ghost Monarch turned into a beam of dim light and left quickly.
The Heaven Punishing Corpse God looked in the direction that the East Mountain Ghost Monarch had taken. Feeling confused, he asked, "What matter is so urgent? As a Prime, he should have long since handed over the management of his sect. What matter would require his personal attention?"
The Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign laughed meaningfully. Then, he said, "Xing Tian, you probably still do not know. Three days ago, I received some news that he had a confrontation with Xiao Chen at the Ghost Domain and nearly fought. In the end, Ying Zongtian arrived, and the situation was resolved."
"Why did he not tell us about such a thing?" The Heaven Punishing Corpse God's expression changed slightly due to some anger. Then, he asked probingly, "Could it just be a minor matter, so he did not mention it?"
The Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign replied indifferently, "At first, I thought it was a minor matter too. However, after investigating a little, I found out something interesting."
"What thing?"
"Are you familiar with this person called Zhuang Zhenghe?"
Of course, Xing Tian did not know any Zhuang Zhenghe. Hence, the Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign explained the origins of this person as well as some of Heavenly Star Island's past matters.
The things that Zhuang Zhenghe did in the sea region of Heavenly Star Island were easy to investigate. Given the Deity Sovereign's means, he had no difficulty in doing that at all.
"The Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva!"
The Heaven Punishing Corpse God immediately understood. While he had never heard of Zhuang Zhenghe, he knew about the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva, whom Zhuang Zhenghe was connected to.
"Is he rushing away quickly so that he can collaborate with the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva?" the Heaven Punishing Corpse God growled.
The Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign shook his head and said, "I'm not sure. Even now, I'm not sure what kind of existence the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva is, not even whether he is dead or alive. However, just knowing this is enough. The Ghost Monarch is hiding something from us. Furthermore, it is something significant."
"What should we do?" The Heaven Punishing Corpse God clearly could not understand these schemes.
The Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign smiled coldly. "He is still not qualified to play tricks with me. If this all remains speculation, it will be fine. However, if this guess turns out to be true… Humph! I have the means to deal with him."
The Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign shivered in his heart. He said, "Qitian, I have never played any tricks with you. I have always been a straightforward person, and I also respect your strength. When working together, I have been sincere all the while."
"I know this. Otherwise, I would not tell you about this matter." The Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign continued, "I'll tell you another thing. It's about how the wound on my face appeared."
The Heaven Punishing Corpse God was startled. It turned out that the Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign knew how he got the wound; it was just that he did not wish to tell the Ghost Monarch.
"If I guessed right, Xiao Chen comprehended the legendary state of cycle and can reverse time, traveling to the past or future and moving within the cycle."
The Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign casually downplayed Xiao Chen's ability.
"This…this fellow is a little too horrifying." Xing Tian thought about it and trembled at that thought.
The Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign smiled and said, "There is no need to be too nervous. The state of cycle is extremely hard to cultivate. Furthermore, the state of cycle is not the state of time after all. All he can grasp is just the tip of the iceberg. With our strength, it should not be too difficult to deal with it."
After saying that, the Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign told the Heaven Punishing Corpse God how to deal with that move.
When the Heaven Punishing Corpse God heard that, his face showed an enlightened expression.
At the same time, the Heaven Punishing Corpse God felt somewhat fortunate. At this moment, the East Mountain Ghost Monarch did not know this. If he ran into Xiao Chen, the East Mountain Ghost Monarch might end up suffering.
Thinking of this, the Heaven Punishing Corpse God could not help marveling at the ingenuity of the Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign. When necessary, he could make use of the hands of another to kill the East Mountain Ghost Monarch.
"However, that fellow Xiao Chen is really good at hiding. I'm afraid that despite waiting here, we might not discover any traces of his whereabouts."
The Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign did not appear concerned. "There is no need for you to worry about that. I have my means of figuring out where he goes."
The two's discussion ended, but on the other side, the East Mountain Ghost Monarch did not know about the situation. Right now, he was rushing back to the Ghost Domain, unaware that he had put the Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign on guard.
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Half a day later, the Ghost Monarch rushed down the Yellow Springs Road at his fastest speed and met the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva.
After the East Mountain Ghost Monarch stated the purpose of his visit, the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva argued, "However, you still have not accomplished what you promised me."
The East Mountain Ghost Monarch's face sank. Then, he retorted coldly, "Do you think Ying Zongtian is that easy to deal with? How can I possibly think of an idea within two or three days?
"I'll definitely accomplish what I promised you, but you need to help me too. The Azure Dragon Palace contains the secret of the Azure Emperor's rise. Xiao Chen is about to enter it. This is a rare opportunity."
At the words "Azure Emperor," the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva's expression changed markedly. Then, he glared at the East Mountain Ghost Monarch and demanded, "Who told you that?"
The Ghost Monarch smiled coldly to himself. Apparently, the Azure Emperor had beaten this old man into a fearful state back then.
Otherwise, the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva's expression would not have changed like that just because of a name. The East Mountain Ghost Monarch did not answer directly. "If I don't gain any benefit and Xiao Chen really becomes a second Azure Emperor, you will be the most miserable."
"You dare to threaten me?"
When the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva heard that, he snorted coldly and released Buddhist Might. As he glared, it was like a Buddha glaring, displaying might without needing anger.
The Ghost Monarch's heart sank. This Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva improved at a godly rate; he seemed to have reached a whole new level, compared to half a year ago.
It was hard to imagine how strong the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva had been at his peak.
"This is not a threat. Right now, we are all like ants on the same rope. If I become stronger, I will have an easier time helping you refine the sins in Meteor Trail City."
When the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva heard that, he dispersed the Buddhist Might and remained silent.
After a long time, he finally made his decision. "Very well, I promise you. What do you want me to help you with?"
The Ghost Monarch smiled. "I need you to come with me to the Azure Dragon Palace. At that time, one appears in the open while one remains hidden as we work together.
"After that, we proceed according to the situation. Unless absolutely necessary, we should not fall out with the Deity Sovereign."
When the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva heard this, he hesitated for a long time. Right now, his strength had yet to recover to its peak, and he was not willing to get involved.
He was wildly ambitious and did not want to end up dying in the Azure Dragon Palace. If anything happened, he would regret it for life.
The Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva did not rush to answer but, instead, changed the topic. "I have a question. How strong is Xiao Chen now?"
The Ghost Monarch answered honestly, "He should be unrivaled under Prime. People at the same level as the three Holy Masters would find it hard to defeat him in a one-on-one. Even after receiving three palm strikes from the Deity Sovereign, he did not die. Instead, he even managed to injure the Heaven Abandoning Deity Sovereign."
"Very well, I promise you. Remember your promise."
Upon hearing that, the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva quickly made his decision. The Ghost Monarch found this somewhat strange.
However, after thinking for a while, the East Mountain Ghost Monarch understood. This Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva was afraid, afraid that Xiao Chen would really become the second Azure Emperor.
Exactly how strong was the Azure Emperor back then for the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva to be this fearful?
The secret of the Azure Dragon Palace was becoming increasingly interesting to the East Mountain Ghost Monarch. He was not willing to remain forever under another person, always ordered around or manipulated by the Deity Sovereign.
"It's a deal, then. When Qitian sends news, I will head to the Azure Dragon Palace with you."