194: This guy has a dark heart.

"They're fighting again!"

As expected, the cultivators from the Martial God Palace and the Dragon Elephant Institute, who focus on Body Refinement, didn't have good tempers.

However, the monks from the Buddhism in the West also seemed to have explosive tempers; they had no intention of converting people or preaching the Dharma, opting instead for physical salvation.

Lu Chen watched the spectacle from a distance, his gaze sweeping back and forth across the four individuals engaged in battle.

He had already seen Wang Wanli's accompanying Spirit Treasure, a great halberd, a weapon of slaughter.

Wan Futu's accompanying Spirit Treasure was an iron rod, which also looked very powerful, making him a little tempted.

Furthermore, the two monks from the West, one manifesting the Dharma Idol of a Vajra heavenly Gang divine spirit, had a demon-subduing pestle as his accompanying Spirit Treasure, while the one manifesting the Arhat Golden Body heavenly Gang divine spirit had a Zen staff; both looked quite good.

Most importantly, these four were all in the Yang God Realm, heavenly Gang divine spirits who practiced Body Refinement. If he could take them down, he could instantly cultivate four Wind and Thunder Dao Soldiers.

Unfortunately, no one came looking for trouble with him. The Buddhism in the West and the Martial God Palace and Dragon Elephant Institute in the Eastern Region had already started fighting among themselves, showing no intention of involving the Southern Countries.

In fact, up until now, no one had even glanced in their direction.

"A terrible experience!" Lu Chen was quite displeased, and his gaze couldn't help but fall upon the Great Sword Immortal, Feather Sword Immortal, and Thunder Sword Immortal from the Spring and Autumn Sword Palace.

Sword Cultivators were known for having the strongest killing power and the most intense slaughter, so logically, they should also prioritize combat.

Yet, these three individuals were all honestly watching the show from the sidelines, not even mentioning taking the Heavenly Pride from the Southern Countries to show their Faces.

It would be good to attract some hatred, wouldn't it? Why be so timid!

Although others had Yang God Heavenly Pride holding down the fort, there were actually only a few Yang God Heavenly Pride; the majority were in the Yin Spirit Realm, and Lu Chen even caught a glimpse of Heavenly Pride in the Dao Infant Realm.

With the strength of the three Celestial Swords from the Spring and Autumn Sword Palace, they were fully qualified to intervene.

Unfortunately, these three guys chickened out.

He didn't even know if these three guys would have the confidence to cleanse others in the upcoming Azure Underworld Great Cleansing; most likely not.

As for himself?

He had Dao Soldiers and the Heavenly Pride from the Southern Countries working hard; acting personally would unnecessarily lower his status.

It was better to keep the Heavenly Pride from the Southern Countries in front of him.

"Brother Lu!"

Unbeknownst to him, the Heavenly Pride from the Southern Countries had already gathered in front of the Divine Hall, led by Marquis Yan, and even the three Celestial Swords from the Spring and Autumn Sword Palace were among the crowd.

"What is it?" Lu Chen glanced at the gloomy expressions of the Heavenly Pride from the Southern Countries, which were filled with worry, and slowly spoke.

"The Martial God Palace, the Dragon Elephant Institute, and even the Dajue Temple in the West all have Yang God Heavenly Pride holding down the fort. We..." Marquis Yan hesitated, the earlier high spirits long gone, replaced by only heaviness and worry.

Before coming to the Azure Underworld Great Cleansing, everyone had thought that they might encounter some sufficiently abnormal Yang God Heavenly Pride.

But who could have imagined that even before the Azure Underworld Great Cleansing had fully commenced and before seeing all the Heavenly Pride in the entire Azure Underworld, they had already encountered four Heavenly Pride who were Yang God Great Cultivator at the edge of the Jiyuan Sea!

This blow was too great for them!

Especially the terrifying momentum generated by Wang Wanli, Wan Futu, and the two Western monks fighting each other, it was like a heavy hammer, fiercely shattering the pride of all the Heavenly Pride from the entire Southern Countries!

Strong, too strong!

So strong that it almost made them feel a sense of 'despair'!

Just the Martial God Palace, the Dragon Elephant Institute, and the West alone had such terrifying Heavenly Pride; what kind of scene would it be if they were to encounter the Great Qian Dynasty, the Gu Family of Ancient Shu, and the Yu Chan Sect in the North!

Looking back at their South Chu, they hadn't even seen a Yang God Great Cultivator. With this little strength, could they really contend with the Heavenly Pride of the many great Sects in the Azure Underworld?

It was likely that the entire Southern Countries would be cleansed, or even turned into ordinary people.

Of course, colossal entities like the Spring and Autumn Sword Palace were slightly better off; since they were all in the Azure Underworld, the great Sects from other regions would likely show some respect and wouldn't target the Spring and Autumn Sword Palace.

Furthermore, as for the Dongming Sect where Lu Chen belonged, a mysterious force that even the Spring and Autumn Sword Palace had to bow to, there was naturally no need to say more; other parties would likely not seek trouble with the Dongming Sect, and they shouldn't cleanse the Dongming Sect either!

But...

Their Vermilion Bird Palace couldn't do it, and the great Sects of the other Southern Countries were even less capable. Without Lu Chen, this mysterious big shot whom even the Spring and Autumn Sword Palace was wary of, leading the way, the Southern Countries this time were very likely to be completely annihilated.

The entire South would be thoroughly reshuffled and swallowed by the various great Sects.

Therefore, they were fearful, uneasy, and trembling, wanting to obtain Lu Chen's protection, wanting to obtain the Dongming Sect's protection.

But this opportunity clearly couldn't be obtained by all the great Sects of the Southern Countries; only a minority would be able to get it.

Firstly, no matter how mysterious and powerful the Dongming Sect where Lu Chen belonged was, it was impossible for all the great Sects in the entire Azure Underworld to show him Face.

Secondly, although Lu Chen's background was strong, his strength was somewhat lacking. Without the ability to suppress the Heavenly Pride from other great Sects, his prestige naturally wouldn't be high either.

Finally, this was the Azure Underworld Great Cleansing, which was originally an opportunity for various forces to reshuffle and compete for cultivation resources; the various great Sects would not easily let go.

"Please, Brother Lu, grant us protection!" A Heavenly Pride was the first to bow, requesting Lu Chen's protection.

Subsequently, more Heavenly Pride lowered their heads and bowed deeply to Lu Chen one after another.

Lu Chen fell into deep thought, looking at the many Heavenly Pride from the Southern Countries who were still bowing, and then at Wang Wanli, Wan Futu, and the other Yang God Heavenly Pride who had already started fighting towards the depths of the Jiyuan Sea.

In fact, the Southern Countries and him were one entity, with interconnected interests. Even if these people didn't request his protection, he would find a way to integrate these forces.

After all, no matter how strong he was, he couldn't suppress the entire Azure Underworld; he still needed to borrow momentum.

At this moment, Marquis Yan and others were frightened by Wang Wanli, Wan Futu, and the Yang God monks from the West, and they actively sought his protection, which happened to save him trouble.

After thinking for a moment, Lu Chen brewed his emotions, and then sighed and spoke: "The Heavenly Pride from various regions are powerful, while our Southern Countries are weak! In terms of both reason and emotion, we should stick together and join hands! Unfortunately, I am insignificant and my words carry little weight, so I'm afraid it will be difficult to protect the Sects of all of you at the same time!"

To make people work hard, you can't just tell them to work hard!

You have to tell them about your difficulties, tell them about the price you have to pay, and finally make them feel a sense of urgency and gratitude, only then will they actively put in twelve points of effort, or even rush to help you.

"Please, Brother Lu, you must help us! Although we have no background or backing, we do have some cultivation and strength. If Brother Lu doesn't mind, just command us! As long as Brother Lu has a need, we will go through fire and water without the slightest hesitation! We only ask Brother Lu to secure a path for us to live!" Marquis Yan's heart was filled with trepidation, and he bowed all the way down, sincerely pleading, almost kneeling and kowtowing.

Seeing this, the rest of the Southern Heavenly Pride dared not fall behind and all bowed: "We will follow Brother Lu's instructions completely."

Lu Chen was silent for a long time, and finally, as if gritting his teeth, he made a difficult decision: "Alright, since we are all from the South, I will not stand by and watch the Sects of my Fellow Daoists fall!"

He paused: "But let me make this clear beforehand, if anyone wants to reap without sowing and doesn't put in effort, don't blame me for not caring about your life or death!"

'He agreed!'

Marquis Yan and the others were shocked, and then overjoyed, expressing their stances one after another.

"Brother Lu, just command us. If anyone doesn't listen, I will be the first to take his head."

"Brother Lu is righteous, we are infinitely grateful!"

'This Brother Lu is truly my benefactor!'

"This guy, his heart is really dark!" The Shaman Feng Jie, who was leaning against the Divine Hall door, couldn't help but glance at Lu Chen. If he hadn't personally witnessed the scene of Lu Chen transcending his tribulation in the Starry Sky, he would have almost believed it.

It was only because these guys in front of him were scared witless by Wang Wanli, Wan Futu, and the Western Yang God monks, and because they knew nothing about Lu Chen's strength.

If these guys who were expressing so much gratitude knew that Wang Wanli, who was in their eyes so powerful that he was invincible and made them unable to even think of resisting, was beaten like a dead dog by Lu Chen just over ten days ago, and even almost lost his life being pursued by Lu Chen, what would they think?