The next day, Cangzhou City.
Manyun Restaurant is the tallest building in Cangzhou City, with a height of 100 feet, soaring into the clouds. The restaurant has carved beams and painted ceilings, and is luxuriously decorated. It brings together delicacies from all over the world, attracting countless gourmets, and its business is extremely booming.
In a private room on the upper floor of the restaurant, Chu Chen met his dog brother Lao Liu, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.
In the past few years, Lao Liu has been cultivating quietly in Yuqin Mountain, teaching immortal magic to little monsters and spirits, and developing the "Fairy Mutual Aid Association". His life has been quite fulfilling.
After a lot of hard work, the results of Lao Liu Dao's cultivation are extremely gratifying and the improvement is huge.
Currently, the Taoist cultivation level in the late fifth-grade stage has caught up with the master, Taoist Master Xu Ping. Their current cultivation levels are similar, and they are not far from the Great Perfection of the fifth-grade, and the realm of great supernatural powers can be expected.
The [Lion God Pill] contributed a lot to the rapid improvement of Lao Liu's cultivation. However, the real reason is that Lao Liu found his own way of cultivation. As he has always cultivated quietly, his original talent was extremely high. Naturally, a rising tide lifts all boats.
Chu Chen poured the wine and asked casually:
"Lao Liu, why did you come all the way to Cangzhou? But are you in trouble?"
"I'm not in any trouble."
Lao Liu shook his head and held the wine cup in both hands to receive the wine.
His Taoist cultivation has improved rapidly in the past few years, and he has been appreciated by the Yuqin Demon Emperor. He often gives advice and treats him as one of Yuqin Mountain's own, and he has a big backer in Yuqin Mountain.
In addition, Taoist Fu Hua loves Wu Jiwu and is quite kind to him, taking care of him from time to time.
In Yuqin Mountain in Yunzhou, it seems to have no backing, but in fact it has a profound background, so naturally it will not cause any big trouble.
"Brother Chu, it's not that I'm in trouble, but that a friend of mine in Yuezhou is in trouble. I'm rushing to Yuezhou this time, and I happen to be passing through Cangzhou, so I came here to see you..."
After finishing speaking, Lao Liu smiled, a little embarrassed: "Well, Brother Chu, are you busy right now?"
Chu Chen smiled softly.
People flock together and things divide into groups.
He doesn't have many real friends, and the only people who can truly be friends with him are people with similar temperaments.
Chu Chen could trust Lao Liu's character, so he didn't make so many twists and turns and said with a smile:
"Just tell me what you have to say. You and I have known each other for many years. There is no need to be polite. If I can help you, I will definitely not refuse."
Lao Liu had a naive smile on his face, then nodded slightly and said:
"The thing is, I went out for training two years ago and made a friend..."
While talking, Lao Liu explained the matter.
The year before last, when Lao Liu went out for training, he encountered demons in a remote wilderness who attacked the family of casual cultivators, killing and plundering them wantonly.
However, the demons are powerful and there are groups of demons, big and small, among which there are three fifth-grade demons.
Lao Liu obtained the true teachings from Emperor Guan Sheng and acquired superior immortal skills and top-level supernatural powers. He was quite good at fighting and fighting. However, his two fists could not withstand four hands. When he was surrounded and beaten, he quickly fell into a disadvantageous position and was in danger .
It was at this time that a passing fifth-grade perfect righteous master came to help and saved Lao Liu and the Sanxiu family.
Ever since, after going back and forth, the two got acquainted.
Lao Liu originally thought that the monk named "Lanyang" was a high-level cultivator who went out to experience in the fairy court of the Celestial Dynasty. However, after meeting him, he learned that he was also from the demon clan and was actually a sheep demon.
Although this "Lanyang" was from the Manghuang Monster Clan, he was kind and gentle in character, practiced Taoism and Buddhism, and behaved quite decently. Lao Liu and he hit it off immediately and became good friends.
In the past few years, we have often exchanged letters and have a good friendship...
Listening to Lao Liu's talk, Chu Chen nodded repeatedly.
It is a good thing for Lao Liu to make friends with similar temperaments.
For a moment, he became interested in this monster who had the same temperament as Lao Liu and also practiced Taoism and Buddhism:
"Is this Fellow Daoist Lan in trouble?"
"He was caught by Xianting."
Lao Liu nodded with a solemn expression:
"Brother Chu, there must be a misunderstanding here. Lan Yang is a kind-hearted demon cultivator who practices righteous immortality and Buddhism. He is not a monster who kills innocent people indiscriminately."
Chu Chen nodded slightly.
Although he has not seen the sheep demon "Lanyang", he does believe in Lao Liu's vision.
Seeing Chu Chen nodding his head, Lao Liu immediately asked:
"Brother Chu, you have just joined the Demon Court, are you free recently? I...I don't have many connections in the Immortal Court..."
】
In the past two years, after Lao Liu broke through to the fifth rank of Taoism, the Immortal Court granted him the right to practice from the fifth rank of Wailu. After three years of performance evaluation, he was successfully promoted to a full fifth rank of immortal official.
In terms of rank in the Immortal Court, they are also classified as mid- to high-level immortal officials.
However, he was practicing "Wailu" and did not join the Immortal Prefecture Division. He did not have many connections in the Immortal Division. The only person who knew him was Mr. Ming Jing except Chu Chen. He basically did not have much influence in the local Ghosts and Gods Division.
When he went to Yuezhou and showed off his true fifth-level Dharma, the local state and county ghosts and gods must be very polite to him, but if he wanted to do anything, his eyes would be black.
Chu Chen smiled softly when he saw Lao Liu's worried look.
It just so happens that he is really free right now.
The Demonic Academy has just delegated power to the various elders of the Demonic Ministry. Except for being on duty at the Demonic Academy for seven or eight days every month, he can arrange the rest of the time on his own.
"I'll walk with you to see what's going on."
...
Lao Liu had no intention of enjoying the delicious food, so Chu Chen followed the principle of not wasting it and packed it back to the Qingchen Cave of the Demonic Academy to feed the tigers.
Immediately, the two of them soared through the clouds and mist, and galloped towards Yuezhou.
That night, the two arrived at Yuezhou City and arrived in front of the Prefectural Ghosts and Gods Office.
Since he had something to do, Chu Chen rarely made a high-profile appearance this time, and the [Xianting Central Academy Alternate Elder Order], [The Demonic Elder Order] and [Yunzhou Deputy Capital Administrator Order] were all revealed.
Not long after, a deputy governor of the Yuezhou Ghosts and Gods Department personally came forward to entertain them.
It was a coincidence that Chu Chen, the deputy governor of the state, knew him.
The person who came was none other than Guang Yuanzi, the former third-in-command of the Ghost and God Department of Yunzhou and the deputy governor of the state.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, you're welcome!"
"Fellow Daoist Guangyuanzi, I didn't expect you to be transferred to Yuezhou?"
Chu Chen was slightly surprised. When he was transferred to the Demon Academy, he didn't hear that Guang Yuanzi was transferred.
In the past two months, he was busy saving the souls of the dead and comprehending the [Dragon and Tiger Five Elements Divine Weapon Technique], and had no time to pay attention to the news in Yunzhou.
Guang Yuanzi smiled slightly:
"In the past few days, I had an epiphany and a breakthrough, so Xianting transferred Pindao to Yuezhou to serve as the deputy governor of the first state and to assist the left governor."
Chu Chen was slightly startled. Guangyuanzi was already in the late stage of the fourth level of Taoist cultivation. He was at the same level as the Konggushan people. If he went one step further, he would be the fourth level of Dzogchen.
"Congratulations fellow Taoist!"
"Haha~ Not worth mentioning."
While talking, Guang Yuanzi invited Chu Chen and Lao Liu to enter the Yuezhou Ghosts and Gods Division and sit down in an elegant courtyard in the Duguan compound.
After some pleasantries, Guangyuanzi smiled and said:
"Fellow Daoist Chu, I heard that you killed the little Tiger Emperor Youxiao's clone in Yuezhou a few days ago and made a great contribution to saving the Li family. Today, you have another errand. We are old colleagues. Don't forget about the fat one. Damn it!"
Chu Chen shook his head and said:
"I disappoint fellow Taoist. It's not a business matter, but a poor Taoist who has a private matter to ask for."
When Guangyuanzi heard that it was a private matter, he didn't look disappointed on his face, but became even more happy.
In the Yuezhou Ghosts and Gods Division, others didn't know Chu Chen's origins, but he knew it all.
He had been serving as the deputy governor of the Yunzhou Ghosts and Gods Department before. He had watched Chu Chen go from first entering the fifth-level Taoism practice to being a mid-level fourth-level magical monk in less than ten years. His speed made him both Envy, but also feel amazing.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Chu Chen's immortal bones were beginning to take shape at this moment, and that he could look forward to his journey to immortality.
Being able to sell favors to Chu Chen was something he couldn't ask for.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, I don't know what's going on? We are friends, so there is no need to be polite, but it doesn't matter!"
Hearing this, Chu Chen and Lao Liu had faint smiles on their faces.
Especially Lao Liu, he secretly sighed that Brother Chu still had a wide network of contacts. If it were him, he might not be able to find a way so easily.
"Thank you, fellow Taoist. Here's the thing. I have a good friend..."
Chu Chen stretched out his hand to introduce the dog brother Lao Liu beside him, casually mentioned Lao Liu's identity as the Immortal Official of Immortal Court, and then told the whole story about "Sheep Demon Lanyang".
Lao Liu also quickly answered:
"Senior, my good friend practices both Taoism and Buddhism. He has a good character and is not an evil heretic. Is there any misunderstanding in this?"
"I just took office these two days, and I really don't know much about this matter. Fellow Daoist Chu, Fellow Daoist Quan, please wait a moment."
After Guang Yuanzi finished speaking, he pressed the magic formula with his hands to communicate something, and then he frowned slightly.
When Lao Liu saw this, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
Chu Chen was quite calm and asked:
"Fellow Taoist, what did Lan Yang commit?"
Guang Yuanzi shook his head and said: "Lanyang did commit a crime, and it was not a trivial matter. He was suspected of practicing evil arts to attack the realm of great supernatural powers and killed thousands of living beings. The evidence is conclusive."
"The sheep demon Lan Yang himself confessed and admitted his crime. There was no misunderstanding."
"This...how is this possible! How could he practice evil arts and fall into evil heretics?"
When Lao Liu learned the result, he was a little unbelievable.
"This fellow Taoist Lanyang is possessed by a demon and can't help himself."
Guangyuanzi said with emotion on his face:
"Pindao also believes that he has a kind nature. According to colleagues from the Prefecture Division, after the incident, this fellow Taoist Lanyang successfully broke through to the realm of great supernatural powers. However, when faced with the accusations from the Prefecture Division of Ghosts and Gods, he confessed without any resistance and was captured without any resistance. .”
For all sentient beings, survival is an instinct.
Faced with a sudden arrest, no matter how weak he is, he will fight back desperately.
If he didn't have moral integrity in his heart, how could a demon cultivator who had just broken through the realm of great supernatural powers be captured without mercy.
Chu Chen and Lao Liu looked at each other in shock when they heard this.
"Brother Chu, I..."
Chu Chen nodded slightly, guessing what Lao Liu was thinking, and said:
"Fellow Daoist Guangyuanzi, I wonder if we can go to Tianlao to meet the sheep demon Lanyang?"
"It's easy to talk! Fellow Daoist Chu, please..."
...
Yuezhou Ghosts and Gods Division, Tianlao and Underground Palace.
Generally speaking, the Ghost and God Sitian Prison only imprisons immortal officials, ghosts and gods who have committed crimes, and rarely imprisons demons.
Because most demons that can be killed can be killed outside, and there is no need to be imprisoned in the state prison.
Lan Yang was an exception. Faced with Xianting's arrest, he surrendered without any resistance.
Immortal Court was also very particular about it. Instead of killing him, they banned his magic power and threw him into a heavenly prison that was densely covered with formation restrictions and was easy to enter and difficult to exit.
Chu Chen, Guang Yuanzi, and Lao Liu met Lan Yang.
This new great magical cultivator took the form of a human, with a tall body and a thin face. He was dressed like an ordinary old man and had a very kind appearance.
At this moment, he looked very decadent, his eyes were full of sadness and regret, and his face was lifeless and depressed.
When the prison door of the underground palace opened with a bang, he seemed not to have heard it and didn't care at all. That is to say, he noticed Lao Liu's aura. Then he raised his head with a slight surprise on his face:
"Lao Liu, why are you here?"
Lao Liu was quite excited, and in a flash, he came closer and said:
"Brother Lan, what on earth is going on?"
Perhaps because he met an acquaintance, Lan Yang's face had a hint of life, and his old face was full of sadness:
"My children and the people under my command are all dead, one by one. They all died in my hands."
Lao Liu was slightly startled. He had heard Lan Yang mention it before.
Lan Yang connected a terrain in Yuezhou and sealed the mountain god. Although he worshiped the grass-headed god obscenely, he was kind-hearted and protected the area. He quickly gained the love of the mountain spirits and small demons as well as the small human tribes in the mountain.
Over the years, Lan Yang adopted many adopted sons in the mountains.
Among them are demons and humans. They are quite fond of them, treat them as their own children, and have deep feelings for them.
Lao Liu was aware of these situations and immediately understood how Lan Yang was feeling at this moment.
He was also very sad when his master first left.
Lao Liu shook his head, swept away the distracting thoughts in his mind, and asked:
"Brother Lan, you are profound and well-behaved, how could you become possessed by evil spirits?"
"Perhaps I have been trapped in the fifth-level Taoism for too long. In addition, the world situation has changed greatly recently. I thought about improving my strength to avoid being unable to protect the children in troubled times. Unknowingly, my mind became impetuous."
Lan Yang weakly analyzed it, his body trembled slightly, and he continued:
"A few days ago, I encountered an opportunity for a breakthrough, and I hurriedly went into seclusion to practice. Who knew that I encountered a demonic obstacle after seclusion. A demon bewitched me, taught me secret methods, and made me eat children to practice demonic skills... .”
"Of course I was unwilling and stuck to the bottom line, so I started fighting with the demon... After killing the demon with the wisdom sword, I broke through the realm of great supernatural powers..."
"I thought I had great fortune, and I was secretly happy in my heart. Who knew that I was not a demon slayer? I was clearly bewitched by evil spirits and went crazy. I took away and devoured the souls and spirits of the children and all the people in the mountain, and achieved my goal. breakthrough..."
After saying that, Lan Yang lowered his eyes, his heart full of guilt, and said:
"My sins are so great that they cannot be redeemed by a hundred deaths."
When Lao Liu heard this, he froze on the spot and wanted to persuade, but he didn't know what to say.
"Eh~ What a pity."
Guang Yuanzi shook his head, feeling sorry for Lan Yang in his heart. Even if the Immortal Court did not kill him, his demonic roots were deep and his path to immortality would be ruined.
Among the three people, only Chu Chen looked as usual, without much emotion in his heart.
It wasn't that he was hard-hearted, but that he vaguely noticed something fishy.
"The dead monks and common people also had their souls and essence taken away..."
Chu Chen was secretly surprised. If it were anyone else, he probably wouldn't think much about it.
However, he knew very well that Luo Guizhen Demon taught the [All Souls Holy Pill] to the Dragon King and Tiger Emperor of Qingyou Demon Realm, and the two demon emperors were collecting soul essence from everywhere to refine the magic pill.
Right now, someone had actually taken away his "soul essence" again, and he couldn't help but think about it.
After thinking about it carefully, Chu Chen felt more and more something was wrong. Immediately, he focused his eyes and said to Lan Yang:
"Fellow Daoist Lan, you didn't kill this person, so you don't need to feel guilty."
As soon as these words came out, one person and two demons in the underground palace prison looked at Chu Chen with shocked expressions on their faces.
