Chapter 455: There Are No Eternal Friends, Nor Eternal Enemies
"Achoo!"
Inside the Fire God Cult's treasury, Cao Youqian suddenly sneezed for no reason.
He rubbed his nose and muttered, "Strange, who could be speaking ill of this Holy Son behind my back?"
Great Sage Babao chuckled and said, "Holy Son, it's most likely those fiends of the Fire God Cult. Judging from the timing, they should have already encountered the cultivators of the three great powers. By the end of tonight, the Fire God Cult will likely be erased from the Barbarian Continent."
"Uncle Babao, I didn't expect you to have grown cleverer," Cao Youqian teased.
Great Sage Babao fell silent.
Seeing his expression, Cao Youqian patted his shoulder and said, "Uncle, don't take it to heart. I was only joking."
"I don't believe a word of that," Babao muttered, ignoring him as he continued to store the treasures from the vault into his storage ring. These treasures alone would be enough to advance his cultivation by several levels.
As each piece of treasure entered his possession, the displeasure in Babao's heart vanished without a trace.
Indeed, following the Holy Son always meant there was food to eat. Once Junior Brother Xuanjing returned and learned of his gains, he would surely regret not coming along.
By the next morning, only Cao Youqian's group remained alive within the Fire God Cult. The seventy-two attendants who had accompanied him were all in high spirits.
Cao Youqian swept his gaze across the crowd and smiled. "It seems everyone has gained quite a harvest."
The Lion Prince grinned. "It's all thanks to the Holy Son that we were able to profit so much."
"Have you searched the entire Fire God Cult?" Cao Youqian asked.
The Lion Prince shook his head. "No, we only searched about a tenth of the place. Some of the royal mansions and noble caverns haven't been explored yet."
It wasn't that they were unwilling, but rather that they lacked the strength. They could only wait for Cao Youqian and his companions to act.
After thinking for a moment, Cao Youqian said, "Then today, this Holy Son shall lead you all in a thorough search."
Hearing that, the crowd's faces lit up with joy. They spoke in unison, "Many thanks, Holy Son."
While Cao Youqian led his followers to continue plundering the Fire God Cult, two of the great powers had already finished exterminating its remnants and were flying toward the main altar at top speed.
By evening, the three great powers met outside the Fire God Cult's headquarters.
Upon seeing Great Sage Xuanjing, Great Sage Guili immediately said, "Daoist Xuanjing, your Giant God Academy has acted rather dishonorably this time."
Xuanjing quickly realized what the old man meant.
He smiled and said, "Dare I ask, Daoist, in what way has my Giant God Academy done wrong? Please enlighten me."
Guili narrowed his eyes, his grin cold and sharp. "We three agreed to attack the Fire God Cult's headquarters together. Why then did your Giant God Academy secretly send people in ahead of time?"
The two Great Sages from the Heavy Sword Academy did not speak. They merely stood to the side, watching the scene unfold.
They, too, were puzzled by Giant God Academy's actions. If their own armies had not already set out, the remnants of the Fire God Cult might have escaped.
Had those few Great Sages managed to flee, the consequences would have been disastrous.
Xuanjing asked calmly, "You refer to the Holy Son entering the Demon Valley alone and suppressing the Fire Demon God, correct?"
"Exactly," Guili replied, surprised at how readily the old man admitted it.
Xuanjing continued, "There's nothing much to explain. After all, that was the Holy Son's decision. Though I hold the rank of Great Sage, in terms of status, I cannot compare to the Holy Son. In terms of strength, I am but one of his defeated subordinates. Whatever he wishes to do is beyond my control."
At those words, the expressions of the four Great Sages present changed.
Great Sage Xuantie spoke coldly, "Daoist Xuanjing, do you take us for fools to dismiss us with such an excuse?"
"I'm merely stating the truth," Xuanjing replied evenly. After a brief pause, he added, "If my fellow Daoists doubt it, perhaps Daoists Xuantie and Heiming can test the Holy Son's strength for themselves when the time comes."
"Daoist, you've gone too far."
Half-Saint Wufeng spoke with some displeasure.
Although he was far away in the Barbarian Continent, he knew well that the Holy Sons of various Holy Lands were generally of the rank of Princes. Without the use of supreme treasures, it was absolutely impossible for them to escape from the hands of a Half-Saint, much less overpower one.
Half-Saint Xuanjing said, "Senior Brother Wufeng, whether it's true or not, we'll know once we meet the Holy Son."
"Fine!"
Half-Saint Guili said coldly, "Then we shall see just how powerful this so-called Holy Son of Wendao Academy truly is, that even a Half-Saint like you fears him so much. Let's go!"
As his voice fell, the cultivators of the Nine Nether Holy Land surged forward, advancing mightily toward the valley.
Half-Saint Xuantie gestured politely. "After you, Daoist."
"Then this old man will not be polite."
Of course, Half-Saint Xuanjing could see through their intent. The two great forces were clearly trying to use the disciples of the Giant God Academy as hostages, to prevent him from fleeing.
But he felt no fear at all. Even the Lord of the Fire God Cult had been suppressed by Cao Tianjiao—why should he fear these small fry?
The disciples of the Giant God Academy, though sensing that something felt off, quickly remembered that even an Outer Heavenly Demon had been subdued by their Holy Son.
Compared to that, these two great powers were hardly worth mentioning.
As the three great forces successively entered the valley, tension silently brewed among them despite their supposed alliance.
With several Half-Saints present, the Fire God Cult's formations naturally posed no obstacle to their armies.
By noon, the dense legions had arrived before the headquarters of the Fire God Cult.
At that moment, Cao Youqian was leading his men through a noble's cavern residence, plundering its treasures, when he suddenly received Half-Saint Babao's voice transmission.
"Holy Son, the cultivators from the two Holy Lands have arrived. Judging by their demeanor, they don't seem to have come with good intentions."
Upon hearing this, Cao Youqian's lips curved slightly. He turned to the crowd and said, "Alright, our allies have arrived. Let's go greet them."
"Understood."
Although everyone felt a trace of irritation, they still followed Cao Youqian out of the residence.
Before long, his group arrived at the main gate of the headquarters.
Just as Cao Youqian stepped outside, he felt several divine senses sweep over him repeatedly.
Before he could even trace their source, flattering voices rose from within the ranks of the Giant God Academy.
"We pay our respects to the Holy Son. The Holy Son's divine might is peerless and reigns supreme over the world!"
"Rise."
Cao Youqian rather enjoyed this feeling, the corners of his lips curling upward involuntarily.
Yet, there was always someone who enjoyed spoiling the mood.
"So, you're the Holy Son of Wendao Academy?"
A deep and commanding voice suddenly rang out.
Cao Youqian turned toward it and saw an elder cloaked entirely in black, with blood-red hair, staring at him with open hostility. A powerful aura of the Half-Saint Realm pressed down upon him through that gaze.
Unfazed, Cao Youqian grinned and said, "That's right, I am the Holy Son of Wendao Academy. What's wrong—do you wish to witness this Holy Son's power for yourself?"
At those words, the entire field fell silent...
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