People in the heavens know the matters of the earth.
After learning from Long Xuan that Qingxu Zi was the Kunwu Immortal who founded the Kunwu Realm back then, Su Chengyu was puzzled. Qingxu Zi, who had clearly ascended and left behind a trial ground for future generations, why did he scatter all his cultivation and insist on returning to this place himself?
Even if he intended to lead this realm in the worst direction, he could have, like others, used other means to indirectly influence here, and at least he wouldn’t have put himself in danger.
It wasn’t until now that Su Chengyu understood that some things couldn’t be changed unless he personally came to this realm. Even Qingxu Zi himself might be a hidden pawn placed here by some Immortal Emperor.
"Aside from the Demonic Path, Qingxu Zi clearly also knows that this place is where the Luo Fu Treasure House entrance is located. Unfortunately..."
"Without a complete set of keys, he also couldn’t truly open the gate."
Xu Nanzhi speculated aloud, then suddenly realized something terrifying.
"Mengmeng, Long Xuan!"
Just as Su Chengyu started speaking, a massive commotion occurred. The formation that had previously surrounded Langma Peak was completely broken, revealing to everyone a gigantic stone gate carved with countless Immortal Gods!
Forty-nine Immortal Emperors, each in a different pose, appeared on the gate, which exuded an overwhelming and pungent smell of rust.
"Coiling Dragon Gate, Nine Intentions Open Heaven."
Su Chengyu muttered the inscription he obtained along with nine Blood Ruyis, realizing this was indeed the final gate to enter the Luo Fu Treasure House.
"Well, well, well! You’re indeed the person I’ve been waiting for. I knew you would bring the keys here and reveal this gate before me."
Cui Manlou’s excited voice rang out nearby, his presence, previously utterly absent, now unveiled with no hesitation before the crowd.
Su Chengyu gritted his teeth, looking at Cui Manlou, whose appearance had undergone a massive transformation.
Cui Manlou had shifted from his previously low-key style; a huge overcoat draped over him, unrestrainedly allowing dark demonic qi to disperse in all directions.
Even from a great distance, Su Chengyu could feel the terrifying aura within that demonic qi, a presence that aimed to transform everything around into its likeness.
What puzzled Su Chengyu the most was that this demonic qi was different from what he had seen before.
The prior demonic qi had been strange too, but Su Chengyu merely found it irritating. In contrast, the aura surrounding Cui Manlou now seemed in harmony with the principles of heaven and earth, starkly different from its soulless previous state.
"Brother, what’s wrong?"
Long Xuan and Chen Mengmeng had returned to Su Chengyu’s side, asking about his sudden shout of their names.
Su Chengyu took a deep breath to calm his mood and replied, "It’s nothing, it was my misjudgment, not related to you two."
Upon realizing Qingxu Zi had been here but hadn’t broken the local prohibition, Su Chengyu noticed something amiss.
If the only issue were lacking keys, Qingxu Zi, knowing what was behind the formation prohibition, would certainly have opened it to examine, seeking a way to surpass the barrier without keys.
Yet, the prohibition remains, signifying that even Qingxu Zi back then couldn’t unlock this place’s prohibition.
This realization led Su Chengyu to become instantly aware that Cui Manlou, who also knew this place was the Luo Fu Treasure House, might equally fail to break open the prohibition here.
"The orthodox Dao Sect, that fellow from Luo Fu, is truly an old stubborn. The prohibition he laid isn’t just troublesome; numerous Dao Sect restrictions are interwoven within. Even though many from the Demonic Path have spent time cultivating within the Dao Sect, it’s unfortunate that even together, they couldn’t break open this prohibition. Su Chengyu, it’s thanks to you bringing these people here; otherwise, I wouldn’t even be able to glimpse the truth hiding the world’s largest secret."
Su Chengyu squinted and looked at Cui Manlou, speaking.
"So, you intentionally let the Capital City notice your movements?"
"So what if I did? Could you have not come? As long as I release a bit of information, wouldn’t you obediently take the bait? Those fools continually assumed you had no weaknesses, barefoot is fearless of those with shoes. They utterly fail to understand that those women are your biggest weakness, Su Chengyu."
Su Chengyu squinted, speaking in a low voice, "The Luo Clan has already tried such a thing, and you’ve seen their fate."
"The Luo Clan? Fools! Were it not for me, had Zhao Xuanzhen likewise wanted to eliminate the Luo Clan, do you genuinely think your actions would proceed so smoothly? By now, haven’t you realized? Your so-called path has always been orchestrated by me, all choices guided for you to step upon. The worthless Su Linyuan, Zhao Xuanzhen; they are nothing but a bunch of useless people! In this new world, only one king is needed, and that person will only be me!"
His crazed words were nearly incomprehensible. Su Chengyu helplessly shook his head and asked rhetorically.
"Then whose arranged road are you walking down?"
A single sentence snapped Cui Manlou out of his complacent state. He looked at Su Chengyu, disdainfully speaking.
"Do you think you can issue a heart punishment on me?"
"It’s called heartfelt exchange,"
Su Chengyu corrected, speaking up, "I’m merely curious. Knowing full well you’re a mere tool in the hands of others, why do you so gleefully continue playing this role? If you truly know more than we do, then you should understand. Your victory cannot bring you actual freedom. Ultimately, you’re merely a puppet controlled by others."
"Hahahahaha! Su Chengyu, do you truly comprehend your position? Do you realize whom you’re up against?"
Su Chengyu blinked, calmly, "I understand; those behind me understand; over the decades, for the sake of preventing the Great Catastrophe of Heaven and Earth from descending, those seniors know fully well."
Supreme Immortal Emperor.
This supreme from the Myriad Heavens and Worlds, an untouchable and unapproachable existence, is the fundamental reason for the world’s destruction, and since they’re resisting, the enemy must surely be the celestial immortals and Buddhas.
"If you’re aware, then why speak such childish words?"
Cui Manlou looked pitifully at Su Chengyu, "What’s wrong with being their pawn? Do you know, even those familiar heavens like Kunwu, Wasteland, are merely pawns of some Supreme Immortal Emperor. As someone from the lower realm, a former monk kicked out by that crappy Quanzhen Sect, shouldn’t I be content?"
"Is this why you stepped here step by step?" ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NoveI-Fire.ɴet
Listening to Cui Manlou’s narrative, Su Chengyu shook his head; he completely understood the origin of Cui Manlou’s inner motivation.