Chapter 1691: Ten Thousand Heavenly Prison
Fang Chen's divine soul returned to his body, and he subsequently steered the Black Dragon Boat over the great river.
The opposing side was also very adept at seizing the moment; the instant they confirmed this Black Dragon Boat belonged to Fang Chen, they each steered their own Black Dragon Boats to break through the water from beneath the river.
Their speed was immense, like two bolts of black lightning.
Boom.
The terrifying impact caused Fang Chen's Black Dragon Boat to tremble violently, sending it tumbling away.
Fang Zhixue and the others traveling with him immediately rooted their feet, clinging firmly to the Black Dragon Boat to avoid losing their balance.
In an instant, a second impact struck again.
The opponents clearly intended to break through the protective shield of Fang Chen's Black Dragon boat before he could react.
After repeating that several times, the shield of the Black Dragon boat indeed shattered under the force. Following that, two figures arrived in an instant, one after the other, appearing before Fang Chen.
Fang Chen was not unfamiliar with the two, he had encountered them several times at the Enlightenment God Palace. One was a third-transformation immortal, and the other was a fourth-transformation immortal.
Fang Chen said calmly, "Core Disciple Zhang, Core Disciple Zhao, have you both succumbed to the demonic path?"
Fang Zhixue and the others had already retreated behind Fang Chen, observing these two core disciples with curious gazes. They hadn't expected that such high and mighty figures would truly fall to the demons.
Regardless of their cultivation level, once one became a core disciple of the Enlightenment God Palace, they were among the most elite existences in the Nine Mortal Realms.
If even such beings could not withstand the demonic calamity, what of ordinary cultivators?
Hearing Fang Chen say they had succumbed to the demonic path, a faint trace of cold mockery flashed deep within the eyes of the two. Core Disciple Zhang said indifferently, "Since you are already aware of this matter, there is no need for us to waste our breath."
Core Disciple Zhao smiled. "For the sake of us all being core disciples, how about you give us a way out?"
Fang Chen sighed softly, "A way out? Both of you have already succumbed to the demonic corruption. What you should do is surrender and come with me to see Senior Sister. She will naturally provide you a way out."
Core Disciple Zhang snorted coldly. "Bullshit. Xie Aman covers the sky with one hand in the Enlightenment God Palace; she won't give us any way out at all."
Core Disciple Zhao sighed softly. "Exactly. Her handling of things this time is far too dishonorable. No matter what, we are core disciples; so what if we fell to the demons during the demonic calamity? We are still ourselves, yet Senior Sister insists on capturing us and driving us to extinction. It is truly chilling."
"Core Disciple Fang, have you ever considered that if one day you encounter the demonic calamity and fall to the demons, the Enlightenment God Palace will immediately regard you as a thorn in their side and hunt you down? When that day truly comes, could you calmly hand your life over to them?"
"Then what are your intentions?" asked Fang Chen indifferently. "Even if I were to consider our past friendship and wish to give you a way out, I fear it would still be difficult for the two of you to leave Enlightenment Star."
Core Disciple Zhao's eyes brightened slightly. "Core Disciple Fang, as long as you let us hide within your Black Dragon Boat, we will have a chance to escape. The fact that you were sent out to search for us proves you have already passed the test. With you providing cover for us, we have a fair degree of confidence in leaving."
Fang Chen frowned. "And if I refuse?"
"You haven't been a core disciple for long, your own cultivation isn't high, and there is no Immortal Boat Formation here for you to utilize, let alone Immortal Formation Techniques. Therefore, in our eyes, you have no advantage at all," Core Disciple Zhang scoffed indifferently. "Between the two of us, a fourth-transformation immortal and a third-transformation immortal, we can easily kill you and these juniors before your expedition team members arrive."
"Do you really wish to see such a mutually destructive scene?"
Core Disciple Zhao smiled. "Core Disciple Fang, don't even think about sending a message. If you make any sudden move, we will strike immediately. Since it's a dead end either way, why shouldn't we take someone down with us?"
Fang Chen's brows lifted. "What stage do you think I am at?"
Both Core Disciples Zhang and Zhao were taken aback.
"Aren't you a second transformation Human Immortal?"
"No wonder you chose me." Fang Chen sighed. "I am a fourth-transformation immortal."
Core Disciple Zhao's expression flickered rapidly. Core Disciple Zhang, however, was more uninhibited and let out a long laugh. "So what if you're a fourth transformation immortal? Even if you are a newly ascended one, you are no match for us in a single exchange!"
He had the confidence to say that. As core disciples of the Enlightenment God Palace, which one of them wasn't a peerless talent among those of the same rank?
A dozen breaths later, the two had been beaten into a daze by the God Striking Whip. When Ji Gang sensed the commotion and rushed to the scene, Fang Chen handed the two over to him to be delivered to Xie Aman.
"How could he be a newly ascended fourth-transformation... how could he be one.." muttered Core Disciple Zhang as they led away.
Core Disciple Zhao also couldn't help but glance at Fang Chen a couple of times as he was dragged away, his eyes filled with profound horror. In the fight just now, they had been suppressed and beaten from start to finish. Fang Chen's immortal essence seemed inexhaustible, and every single strand of it was incredibly powerful.
"Ji Gang, what exactly is the background of Core Disciple Fang?" Core Disciple Zhao couldn't help but ask.
Ji Gang looked back, then slowly shook his head. "I don't know either, but it is only natural that you two lost to Core Disciple Fang; you shouldn't feel wronged."
Core Disciple Zhao asked instinctively, "Why do you say that!?"
Ji Gang smiled and did not reveal the true reason, only stating indifferently, "Among those of the same rank, there are likely very few in the Enlightenment God Palace who can defeat Core Disciple Fang. It is only normal that you lose."
Back then, Xie Aman had suppressed her cultivation to fight a match against Fang Chen. The news of that encounter had been completely suppressed, so ordinary people had no knowledge of it at all. If they had known, they naturally would have weighed their options before confronting Fang Chen.
***
Fang Zhixue walked to Fang Chen's side and asked in a low voice, "Brother, a total of thirteen core disciples fled. You've captured two now. In Renzu Mountain territory, there shouldn't be any more core disciples, right?"
Nanming Shaoze and the others had not yet recovered from the shock of that extremely swift battle. Many among them had once been external cultivators like Fang Chen, participating together in the exploration of the Ancient Forbidden Zone. Nanming Shaoze had even exchanged blows with Fang Chen personally.
But today, they found it hard to imagine that even seasoned core disciples had become so vulnerable in Fang Chen's hands.
Fang Chen shook his head. "Not necessarily. You still cannot afford to be careless. These demonized individuals are now driven by desperation. There's no telling what insane acts they might still commit."
Everyone felt a slight chill in their hearts.
***
The manhunt lasted for approximately three years.
Through the efforts of all parties, the five-year deadline given by Xie Aman was not even exhausted before the escaped awakened demons were captured one by one. Even the external cultivators did not escape. They were unearthed despite being buried three feet deep.
The core disciples all gathered at the Hall of Elders, listening to Xie Aman summarize the successes and failures of this manhunt.
After the summary was finished, Xie Aman called upon Fang Chen and several other core disciples.
"Follow me to the Ten Thousand Heavenly Prison. Extracting the Formations Hearts from Old Fourth and the others will require your assistance."
