After hearing Chen Luoyang's orders, the members of the Demon Sect all said, "We will obey the command of the Sect Master."
Jingang happily chuckled, "They have such bad luck to encounter the return of our Sect Master to the headquarters. They are doomed."
Chen Luoyang remained calm and composed.
However, he was not careless.
Currently, the four most powerful forces in the land of Shenzhou were undoubtedly the Demon Sect, the Sword Pavilion, the Xia Dynasty, and the Otherworldly Tribe.
But when ranked further down, among the first-class powers, it was the turn of the Taiyi Daoist Sect and the Qingliang Monastery, the two holy lands representing the Daoist and Buddhist sects.
Both were filled with numerous formidable experts.
In recent years, they seemed to have lost the presence of Martial Emperor-level powerhouses and their influence appeared to be overshadowed by the Wang Clan, whose leader hailed from the Sword Emperor's lineage.
However, if the head of the Wang Clan was not taken into account, the Wang Clan itself was completely unable to contend with the Taiyi Daoist Sect and the Qingliang Monastery.
After the previous head of the Taiyi Daoist Sect, the Martial Emperor-level expert Qingyunzi, fell, talented individuals continued to emerge within the sect, but they lacked a Martial Emperor-level powerhouse presiding over them.
If someone within the Daoist sect were to reach the realm of Martial Emperor, the Taiyi Daoist Sect would immediately regain its former glory.
The reason why there are three major Buddhist temples in Shenzhou, while there is only one sect in the Daoist tradition, is precisely because in previous years, the Taiyi Daoist Sect was overly powerful. In order to maintain balance, the Xia Dynasty, to some extent, favored Buddhism over Daoism.
However, after Qingyunzi's fall four years ago, the influence of the Daoist sect weakened, and the Xia Dynasty began to readjust the balance between the two sides. In recent years, there were signs of promoting Daoism while suppressing Buddhism.
On the other hand, the Qingliang Monastery, which stood in opposition to the Taiyi Daoist Sect, was the foremost among the three major Buddhist holy lands, far surpassing the Huayan Temple in Shuzhou and the Jizang Zen Monastery in Huizhou.
Like the Taiyi Daoist Sect, the Qingliang Monastery is also filled with numerous formidable experts.
Not to mention others, among the defectors, there are figures like Elder Mingjing and the demonic monk Mingfa.
The current head of the Taiyi Daoist Sect and the current abbot of the Qingliang Monastery are both at the 12th realm of martial arts cultivation, the Warm Nurturing Realm, which is at the pinnacle of Martial Kings, just one step away from Martial Emperor.
In Chen Luoyang's current state, dealing with them is not so easy.
There can be a significant difference between Martial Kings at different realms.
The 10th realm, the Intent Condensing Realm Martial King, and the 12th realm, the Warm Nurturing Realm Martial King, are completely different concepts.
A roar from a Martial Emperor could easily kill a 10th realm Martial King.
But a 12th realm Martial King, although not a match for a Martial Emperor, would not be easily overwhelmed.
Dealing with such opponents, Chen Luoyang couldn't casually handle them like he did with the children before.
And in his current state, where he could unleash the combat power of a Martial Emperor, he only had three opportunities in a short period of time.
How to use those opportunities, overcome enemies, and not reveal his own flaws required careful consideration from Chen Luoyang.
What to do when facing such opponents continuously?
And how to deal with more than one opponent at the same time?
Chen Luoyang pondered in his heart.
Just then, someone suddenly asked, "May I ask Elder Mingjing, how is Bingshi Mahamoha doing?"
The person who spoke had red hair and eyebrows as white as snow.
It was none other than the former red-haired demon, He Tianxiang, who was now a servant under the Demon Sect's leader, the master of the Crimson Crane.
He rarely spoke in front of others, but at this moment, his expression and tone were unusually serious.
Elder Mingjing also had a serious look, "Senior Mingjue has been injured for many years and has developed an incurable root of illness. It is already difficult to recover. He has been in seclusion for quiet recuperation in recent years."
Bingshi Mahamoha?
Mingjue?
Who are they?
Chen Luoyang rolled his eyes inwardly.
Fortunately, someone was just as ignorant as him and asked the question on his behalf.
"Well, the name 'Bingshi Mahamoha' sounds familiar, but for a moment, I can't recall..." Jingang said, rubbing his hands.
Xiao Yuntian, who was shrouded in the flowing wind beside him, spoke with a slightly ethereal voice, "Elder Mingjue is a contemporary figure with the Sword Pavilion's Lord and our sect's Grand Elder. However, since being injured by the leader of the Otherworldly Tribe, he hasn't stepped out of the Qingliang Monastery for nearly twenty years."
Jingang suddenly realized, "That's right, I remember now. The former abbot of the Qingliang Monastery, I thought he had succumbed to his severe injuries."
Elder Mingjing did not contradict him, "Senior Mingjue has suffered severe injuries, but his life is not in danger."
Chen Luoyang's expression on his face appeared indifferent.
In reality, he quietly perked up his ears and listened carefully.
Gradually, he began to understand.
Elder Mingjue should already be quite old.
Among the current powerful figures still alive, he should be from the same era as the Sword Pavilion's Lord, the Demon Sect's Grand Elder, and the Dan Consort.
Then there's the leader of the Otherworldly Tribe, the Black Emperor, the Xia Emperor, and the Sword Emperor, who can barely be considered from the same generation.
Chen Luoyang couldn't help but complain inwardly.
What about the Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns?
Why is there still such a figure hidden in the Qingliang Monastery?
"I'm more concerned about the former top expert of the Qingliang Monastery, the Martial Emperor of Buddhism. How much power does he still have today?" Zhang Tianheng asked.
"Elder Mingjue can no longer reach the realm of Martial Emperor. He can only maintain his level at the 12th realm, and he cannot engage in prolonged battles with others," Elder Mingjing answered. "However, even so, he is still the top expert of the Qingliang Monastery and the top expert of the Buddhist sect in Divine Continent."
Chen Luoyang contemplated in his heart. If Elder Mingjue had fallen to the 12th realm, then it was indeed a different concept.
However, for him at the moment, this was still someone he needed to be cautious about.
Moreover, who knows if the other party also possessed a secret technique similar to his desperate last resort?
"I'm not sure if Senior Mingjue has come south this time," Elder Mingjing shook his head.
"It doesn't make much difference," Chen Luoyang said lightly. "Continue searching for his whereabouts."
The members of the Demon Sect immediately agreed in unison.
After everyone had left, Chen Luoyang took a deep breath and once again focused his attention, contemplating his own martial cultivation.
The Six Dragon Emperor Sedan headed towards the Ancient God Peak.
As they approached the main altar, there were more members of the Demon Sect active in the vicinity.
When they encountered the carriage of the sect leader, the members of the sect naturally rejoiced and their morale soared.
Those with status and weight among the sect members had to step forward and pay their respects.
Chen Luoyang looked at the young man in front of him and casually asked, "What task are you currently assigned to?"
The young man, with a serious and solemn expression, his face scarred as if carved, knelt down and replied, "Reporting to the sect leader, I am accompanying the Chief Elder on this outing."
"Hmm?" Chen Luoyang's gaze slightly condensed.
Although he didn't recognize the young man before, when they had just communicated through transmission, the young man had already introduced himself.
Li Heishui.
He is a Martial Ancestor at the 9th realm, the realm of Empty Clarity.
He belongs to the Xuanwu Hall of the Demon Sect, the second constellation of the Seven Constellations of Xuanwu, also known as Xuanwu Two.
When he mentioned the "Chief" in his words, naturally, he was referring to the Chief of his own Xuanwu Hall.
However, as far as Chen Luoyang knew, among the four halls of the Demon Sect, the Xuanwu Hall was mainly responsible for daily affairs, economic revenue, and part of the internal security work.
The Chief of the Xuanwu Hall is sometimes jokingly referred to as the "Demon Sect God of Wealth."
Now that the situation is tense and there is a war, why did this guy leave the Ancient God Peak instead of staying put?
Sensing the doubt from the sect leader, Li Heishui hurriedly bowed and said, "Please forgive me, Sect Leader. The Chief and I did not deviate from our duties. We left the Ancient God Peak precisely because of the enemies of the Divine Sect."
Chen Luoyang quietly watched the other person without speaking.
Li Heishui, the second of Xuanwu, whispered, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, we haven't found him yet... You know, the Chief's whereabouts are somewhat... uncertain..."
.