Chapter 369: Chapter 369: Brother Knows Best
Chen Pingping’s requirement for Guang Xiaoyu was, "You cannot disgrace us."
Chen Pingping’s requirement for Zi Ji was, "You must be careful and protect yourself."
Although Guang Xiaoyu was a demon cultivator, she possessed formidable combat strength, enough to protect herself. In contrast, Zi Ji, the Netherworld princess, had entered the Nine Heavens. Without him around, powerful beings from the Netherworld might come after her.
Next were the issues concerning Lao Huang and Hei. These two were guaranteed to improve over time, as the system would issue rewards periodically without him having to do anything. Therefore, it didn’t matter if they were left to their own devices. As for Mao Qiu, Earth Chicken, and Emperor Spirit, it was different.
Chen Pingping stood atop a structure, observing the entire Ancient City. After performing one last confirmation, he gave a command, planning to let the Devouring Sky Beast consume the Ancient City.
At that moment, a figure suddenly darted out from nowhere, shouting loudly, "Fellow Daoist, wait!"
It was a middle-aged man with a resolute face and average build. His true identity was the Protector for the Purple Gold Divine Clan’s Emperor Son. He was a powerful being in the Quasi-Emperor Realm who had been trapped in this place for ten thousand years, tormented immensely.
Over these ten thousand years, he had constantly tried to escape, but each attempt ended in failure.
There was no way out! Even as a being in the Quasi-Emperor Realm, he had no understanding of the taboo seals. This left him helpless and forced him to think of another way. He decided to seek a Great Opportunity here for Tao Verification, hoping to become an emperor or something similar.
As a result, he accidentally entered the slumbering place of the Green Demon. There, he was trapped for thousands of years, and the Green Demon devoured his Life Essence, causing his cultivation realm to decline. Now, he could only maintain the status of a Lord at best.
This continued until Chen Pingping barged in.
Initially, he thought he was saved and was internally ecstatic, wanting to come out and greet Chen Pingping. Unexpectedly, he saw Chen Pingping heading towards the Green Demon. He was completely dumbfounded, praying in his heart that Chen Pingping wouldn’t disturb the Green Demon.
Then he saw the old Golden Raven appear. Of course, he did not follow them into the palace. His strength did not allow it, and he was also afraid of revealing himself. Furthermore, he had no idea whether Chen Pingping was friend or foe.
Afterward, he witnessed the entire process of Chen Pingping suppressing the Green Demon with transcendental methods and also saw Guang Xiaoyu merging with the Green Demon. He was profoundly shocked and couldn’t calm down for a long time.
Later, he watched Chen Pingping distribute cultivation resources, a scene that shattered his conception of cultivation.
There was only one thought in his mind: this person must not become an enemy.
That was also why he had hesitated to come out, afraid that Chen Pingping might turn around and slay him.
But now, that young man’s pet was about to devour the entire Ancient City. If he didn’t come out, he feared he might become food for that pet. With no other choice, he had to brace himself and come out.
Chen Pingping was surprised. "Who are you?"
"I am a clansman of the Purple Gold Divine Clan," he said sheepishly, not daring to reveal too much.
"So? You were in the Ancient City just now?"
"Yes, uh, no!"
"You saw?"
"I, I didn’t see," he said, his voice trembling as terror suddenly gripped him. "Fellow Daoist, I am a powerful expert from the Purple Gold Divine Clan. If you let me go, I will surely express my profound gratitude another day."
Heh-heh. Chen Pingping chuckled. "The Emperor Son outside brought me here, intending to use you to kill me, right?"
The middle-aged man shook his head vigorously. "No, the Purple Gold Divine Clan has no grudge or enmity with you, Fellow Daoist. How could we possibly kill you? Uh? What did you just say? Emperor Son?"
Chen Pingping looked at him. "My grievances with the Purple Gold Divine Clan are not something that can be explained in a word or two. But... I’m about to leave. Do you have any last words?"
"..."
His face turned pale, and his body shook. Looking at Chen Pingping, although he sensed that Chen Pingping’s cultivation was merely at the Royal Path realm, he couldn’t muster a shred of resistance.
"May I deliver a message to the Emperor Son?" he asked in desperation.
"Speak."
"Tell him by no means to make an enemy of you."
Chen Pingping gave him a seemingly nonchalant final look, then left. Behind him, the Devouring Sky Beast directly consumed the Ancient City, causing a thunderous rumble. After that, its colossal body quickly shrank and, in the blink of an eye, disappeared from everyone’s sight.
...
「Below.」
Everyone looked up. The Demon Sealing Epic, the Hanging Ancient City, had vanished without a trace.
What about that demon?
High above, only Chen Pingping was visible, calmly descending. His robes flapped, and his long hair draped over his shoulders. Smiling, he walked up to the Emperor Son and said, "A senior asked me to convey a message to you."
The Emperor Son felt his breath catch.
Chen Pingping added, "If you wish to achieve Tao Verification, you must first become a eunuch."
What?! The Emperor Son had thought Chen Pingping was in conflict with the Protector, but listening now, it didn’t sound like it. ’To achieve Tao Verification, one must first become a eunuch?’ What does that mean? The Hanging Ancient City has vanished, but what about the Protector?
He looked up, still thoroughly confused.
Chen Pingping then glanced over at the Golden Raven Clan nearby and said with a grin, "You all wouldn’t be thinking of making a move against me, right?"
WHOOSH!
All the Golden Ravens took a step back in unison. Although they didn’t know what had happened inside the Hanging Ancient City—whether that demon had fallen, escaped into the Void, or how the city had vanished—everyone from the Golden Raven Clan knew that Chen Pingping was connected to all of it. He was a disciple with the bloodline of the Wen Dynasty, and behind him, there might be unparalleled experts hidden.
No one spoke.
Chen Pingping looked at Emperor Spirit, then approached Liu Changqing and his four companions.
"Congratulations, congratulations," Liu Changqing managed a forced smile.
"Ah, what happened just now in the Ancient City scared me to death! Thank goodness a senior stepped in," Chen Pingping said, a lingering fear in his voice. "That senior is very powerful, so I didn’t dare to act rashly. But I managed to grab quite a few good things in the end."
Ohhh? Upon hearing this, the five people’s expressions flickered as they watched him intently.
As a result...
Chen Pingping pulled out a heap of second and third-rank Spiritual Medicines, distributing them enthusiastically. "Here, don’t be shy! We’re all friends. These are the Spiritual Medicines I risked my life to obtain." He paused, as if remembering something, and turned to look at the Emperor Son, saying, "Thanks to Brother Emperor Son for leading the way; otherwise, I, Chen Pingping, wouldn’t have been able to harvest so many Spiritual Medicines."
The Emperor Son’s face stiffened, and he looked like he was about to blow his top. He had led them here, yet all the opportunities had ended up in Chen Pingping’s pocket. Not only that, but his Protector’s fate was also uncertain, and the Ancient City had disappeared. What was infuriating was that Chen Pingping was still putting on an act here.
Thinking of this, the Emperor Son clenched his teeth secretly. A flash of killing intention surfaced in his eyes but quickly faded. He couldn’t beat him.
After dismissing the five people, Chen Pingping then approached the Fairy Valley disciples, still as enthusiastic as before. Just as he was about to speak...
Guang Xiaoyu transmitted her voice: "Call me sister!"
He paused for a second, somewhat puzzled, but still complied, chuckling, "Many thanks to the Fairy Valley seniors, and to these distinguished young talents! At first glance, you appear to be dragons among men, with such extraordinary temperaments. Given time, achieving Tao Verification is surely within your reach. Here, these are the Spiritual Medicines I risked my life for in the Ancient City."
Again, they were second and third-rank.
Yuan Qifeng couldn’t help but ask, "Inside the Hanging Ancient City, shouldn’t it be barren, without a blade of grass?"
A place devoid of any plant life, where did the Spiritual Medicines come from?
Oh! Chen Pingping feigned sudden realization. "That’s right, that’s right! I remember now, there were no Spiritual Medicines. But don’t worry, I risked my life to get some Divine Weapons." Saying so, he took out dozens of second and third-rank weapons.
Everyone was speechless.
"Ah, life is tough, and cultivation is even tougher," Chen Pingping sighed. "I originally thought that by entering that Ancient City, I could find a Great Opportunity. However, a senior arrived and took everything. I could only silently pick up some Divine Weapons left behind... I hope you won’t look down on these. Oh, right, I’ve heard that my sister is going to cultivate in Fairy Valley..."
"Brother, that’s enough, you should go back now!" Guang Xiaoyu couldn’t stand it any longer.
Fairy Valley was, after all, a significant power, situated above the Nine Heavens. Which prominent family didn’t have a pile of second and third-rank weapons? Did they need him to distribute them here? It was too embarrassing. She couldn’t bear to watch anymore. Moreover, Chen Pingping was rambling on and on. She was afraid he might accidentally reveal something important. What then?
"You girl, your brother is doing this for your own good. You’re going to Fairy Valley, shouldn’t your brother help you smooth things over?" Chen Pingping glared at her, speaking indignantly.
Guang Xiaoyu felt like spitting blood. Is this your way of helping? This is what you call smoothing things over? It would be better not to give anything at all!
"Aiya," she cried, then said, "Brother, our family isn’t that well-off. We should take these things back quickly!"
"Alright then!" Chen Pingping smiled. He gathered up that pile of junk and glanced over the Fairy Valley group before suddenly adding, "My sister is going to cultivate in Fairy Valley. No one is going to bully her, right?"
He used the second and third-rank weapons as an opening gambit before moving on to his main point. That was Chen Pingping’s true intention: to give Fairy Valley a subtle warning not to casually bully his sister.
Remembering the earlier display of power, Bai Yisheng managed a strained smile and said, "Of course not, definitely not."
Yuan Qifeng also spoke up. "Exactly. If anyone bullies your sister, I’ll take care of him."
Chen Pingping chuckled. "Then I’m relieved. By the way, are you sure you don’t want those Divine Weapons?" Seeing no one responded, he smiled, preparing to leave.
However, at that moment, Liu Kuangyi, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up. "Fellow Daoist, you look very familiar."
"You as well..." Chen Pingping turned his head to look at him, his eyes brimming with mirth, but he said no more and left with Emperor Spirit.
This silhouette? Liu Kuangyi’s mind raced. Damn it! He bolted upright, suddenly breathless as he remembered.