359: Chapter 359 Colluding with the Divine Dynasty - Desiring to Seize the Supreme Treasure

Jiang Chen pondered for a moment before speaking, "I have one matter to entrust to you—I am currently gathering the power of faith. I would like your sect to choose a location on Feiyun Star to build a temple and offer incense, collecting the devotion of the believers on my behalf."

Without hesitation, the old man replied loudly, "At your command! Tomorrow, I will mobilize the elders and craftsmen to choose an auspicious day to break ground, build the most magnificent temple, and establish the strictest rules for the offerings!"

Jiang Chen nodded. "Those who work for me shall be handsomely rewarded. If the incense offerings flourish, I will naturally bestow even more superior cultivation techniques."

Using both kindness and authority is the way to win people over. After giving a resounding slap, one must naturally offer a sweet date.

With a light tap of his finger, a manual interwoven with black and gold, faintly resonating with Buddhist rhythms, floated toward the old man. "This 'Eight Notes of the Heavenly Demon Manual' is my gift to you all today—I hope you will practice diligently and not fail my expectations."

Before Jiang Chen's voice had even faded, he flicked his finger, and a cluster of golden light shot out like a meteor, landing steadily in the palm of the Demon Sect Ancestor.

The Demon Sect Ancestor scanned it with his divine sense and was instantly shaken—the light sphere contained a supreme demonic technique that pointed directly to the origin and could swallow the heavens and earth! His breath hitched, and he immediately showed wild joy, bowing deeply with hands clasped. "Lord Jiang Chen's generous gift is immense. The entire Demon Sect will serve you to the death; should you have any orders, we will go through fire and water without a second thought!"

"Good, I have noted your loyalty." Jiang Chen's eyes were calm, and he wasted no time. "The first matter—take me to the Laojun's Ruins."

"My Lord, it is late, and the mountain roads are difficult to travel. Why don't we set out tomorrow morning? What do you think?" the Demon Sect Ancestor asked respectfully.

"Very well," Jiang Chen nodded.

Subsequently, led by the Demon Sect Ancestor himself, Jiang Chen was settled into the sect's most secluded Yunqi Annex to rest.

At night, deep within the heart of the Demon Sect, in a secret room isolated from divine sense, Vice Sect Master Mo Tianya and Elder Chen sat opposite each other. The flickering candlelight cast an uncertain light on their faces.

"laojuns treasure is about to fall into Jiang Chen's hands..." Mo Tianya's voice was low and raspy, his brow furrowed. "Can we still turn the tables?"

Elder Chen pinched a black chess piece and slowly crushed it, his voice cold. "He personally swore an oath never to touch the treasure—that oath is bound by the Heavenly Dao Imprint and cannot be faked. But if he truly accompanies us into the ruins, I'm afraid our hidden men and the death traps we've set will be wiped out before they even see a shadow."

Mo Tianya sneered, his sleeve brushing across the table and making the teacups hum. "A mere True Immortal dares to block the path of the Great Qin Divine Dynasty? What a joke!"

Elder Chen's eyes flashed. "Sect Master Mo is absolutely right! We should immediately send a message to State Preceptor Bai and ask him to bring the Four Great Generals for a night-time reinforcement. The moment we step into the ruins, we will strike from both inside and out—the entire Demon Sect, along with that Jiang Chen, will be eradicated! laojuns treasure will naturally belong to our Great Qin!"

Mo Tianya's eyes burned brightly as he nodded heavily. "Since we have already pledged our loyalty to the Great Qin Divine Dynasty of Flame Star, how can we exchange for a ladder to success without achieving a monumental feat? If we present laojuns treasure with both hands this time, we will be the primary officials credited with expanding the territory before State Preceptor Bai!"

"Elder Mo, there's no time to lose. Shall we activate the 'Thousand-Mile Crane' magic treasure to send the message now?"

"I'll leave this to you—it must be kept secret! If even a hint of this leaks out, all our previous efforts will be for naught, and both of us will die without a grave!" Mo Tianya lowered his voice, every word sharp as a knife.

"Don't worry." Elder Chen's lips curled into a grim smile. "After being stepped on by that greenhorn Mo Wudi for a hundred years, today we will use the blood of the Demon Sect and the treasures of Laojun to pave our ladder to the heavens!"

Mo Tianya looked down, a cold tide surging in his eyes. During the struggle for the Sect Master position years ago, his cultivation was deeper and his strategies more refined, yet he had lost simply because the previous Sect Master said "Wudi's character is pure," forcefully handing the position to that wet-behind-the-ears junior. The humiliation he had suppressed for over a hundred years had long since turned into a poisonous wine—until the Laojun's Treasure Map appeared, and he saw it at a glance: this was a heaven-sent opportunity to turn things around!

He had secretly contacted the Great Qin Divine Dynasty of Flame Star because that power was at its zenith, far beyond what the Demon Sect could compare to. As long as he helped State Preceptor Bai successfully seize the treasure, the seal of the Minister of War would be his!

Thinking of this, his Adam's apple moved slightly, and a nearly frenzied curve appeared on his lips.

He immediately summoned Elder Chen, took out a transmission jade talisman, and connected with State Preceptor Bai.

The two sides discussed secretly for a while and finalized the entire plan. State Preceptor Bai was shrewd and decisive; he condensed a jade bottle with spiritual energy and sent it across space—the bottle contained "Soul-Severing Powder," which was colorless, odorless, and dissolved instantly upon entering the meridians. He ordered Mo Tianya to find an opportunity to put it in the food and drink, ensuring that everyone in the Demon Sect and Jiang Chen would be rendered as limp as mud.

"With the State Preceptor's strategic planning, this trap is already as solid as an iron bucket!" Mo Tianya bowed while holding the bottle, his tone fervent. "laojuns treasure is already in our grasp!"

State Preceptor Bai laughed heartily. "Once the matter is settled, the position of Minister of War will be waiting for you—power and wealth will all be in your hands!"

"The State Preceptor's great kindness is more than Mo Tianya can ever repay!"

A bloody storm was already tightening its bowstring in the shadows.

The next morning, the group from the Demon Sect escorted Jiang Chen, following the map, and arrived directly at the foot of Xixing Mountain, thirty miles west of Changzhou City.

Just as they stepped into the mountain pass, more than ten figures suddenly rushed out, blocking the path ahead.

The leader had a face like a spring breeze, wearing a plain Taoist robe, and acted with modest politeness. He cupped his hands and smiled, "Distinguished scholars of the Demon Sect, have you come for the Laojun's Ruins? I, the humble State Preceptor of the Great Qin Divine Dynasty, have also heard much about this map—please hand it over, and I may show mercy and spare your lives."

Mo Wudi's pupils shrank, and his voice suddenly rose, "How do you know about this?!"

"Hahaha—naturally, I told them myself!" Mo Tianya and Elder Chen stood beside State Preceptor Bai at some point, their robes fluttering and their expressions confident.

"You two traitors! You actually dared to bring the Divine Dynasty into this and plot for laojuns treasure!" Mo Wudi clenched his teeth, his knuckles turning white, his whole body trembling with rage.

"Enough nonsense!" Mo Tianya sneered, cold light flashing in his eyes. "If the previous Sect Master hadn't favored you back then, this position would have been mine! Since I can't sit steadily in that chair, I'll flip it over—no one will have peace!"

"Mo Tianya, you will die a miserable death! Don't forget—Lord Jiang Chen is here today! You want to touch the treasure map? You're dreaming!" Mo Wudi's voice was sharp, every word resonant.

"Jiang Chen?" Mo Tianya scoffed, glancing sideways with utter disdain. "There are experts to deal with him; it's not for you to worry about."

In his eyes, with State Preceptor Bai overseeing the scene, Jiang Chen was no longer a threat.

"Mo Wudi, be sensible. Hand over the treasure map, and you might still live." Elder Chen took a step forward, his voice cold as a blade.

"In your dreams!" Mo Wudi's eyes bulged, the veins on his forehead throbbing. "I would rather be smashed to pieces than let you touch it even slightly!"

The hatred of betrayal gnawed at his bones—at this moment, he only wanted to tear off those two hypocritical faces and throw their bloody innards back at them!

"Refusing the toast only to drink a forfeit!" Mo Tianya's eyes turned cold, then he quickly put on a fawning smile and bowed to State Preceptor Bai. "Lord State Preceptor, the treasure map is hidden in a secret pocket on his person. This man is stubborn; just kill him, and the map will be ours."

State Preceptor Bai's lips curled slightly, the smile not reaching his eyes. He only nodded gently. "Four Great Generals, kill them all—leave no one alive."