The Devil's Tribulation

Chapter 919 First Praise, Then Downplay

Nanzhou Holy Flame Island, in the Holy Flame Realm.

At this moment, Pan Chengfeng was standing in front of three to four hundred thousand cultivators.

These cultivators are all the cultivators from the Eastern Continent who have gathered around the three major sects in the past few months.

Pan Chengfeng scanned the area with his spiritual sense and sighed inwardly; there were far fewer people here than he had anticipated.

There are probably more than three million people from the Eastern Continent participating in this competition. Even if there are still some Eastern Continent cultivators remaining in the other two directions, there won't be more than here.

In other words, in just a few months, two-thirds of the cultivators in the Eastern Continent have been killed or wounded.

Pan Chengfeng sighed silently to himself, then cleared his throat and said, "I've gathered everyone here because I want to tell you something."

Everyone fell silent, but their ears perked up.

Seeing that everyone's attention had been focused, Pan Chengfeng continued, "I, from the Three Sects, know perfectly well why everyone is here and what their purpose is."

"I was fine with you guys coming along, it wasn't a big deal, it's just..."

Pan Chengfeng paused for a moment before continuing, "As you've all seen, the situation is far from optimistic. Not only have you suffered heavy losses, but the cultivators from the three sects are in a similar predicament..."

Pan Chengfeng glanced at the cultivators from the three sects behind him and sighed slightly, "I advise everyone to leave on your own. The cultivators from the two southwestern continents and the six major sects are targeting the three sects of the eastern continent. Following us will only make things more dangerous for you."

Therefore, please leave now to seek your own opportunities; it will be much safer than following the three sects of us.”

Upon hearing this, the crowd whispered among themselves, and most knew that what Pan Chengfeng said was true.

In the months since entering the Holy Flame Realm, whenever they encountered cultivators from the Southwest Continent, the cultivators would attack without saying a word.

Encountering minor clans or sects is manageable, but if they encounter the six major sects of the Southwest or a large clan, the outcome will be total annihilation.

After a flurry of whispers, people began to leave, especially those from small, weak sects and families.

Seeing that some people had already left, Pan Chengfeng thought anxiously, "Something's not right, is it? Could it be that the guy didn't think the same way I did?"

Just as I was getting anxious, a voice suddenly rang out: "Fellow Daoist of the Thunder Control Sect, I am very curious, after we leave, will the three sects go to compete for the Demon Companion Grass, or will they leave here like us?"

"They're here~" Pan Chengfeng thought to himself with a smile, and asked casually, "Which fellow Daoist is speaking? Please come out and meet me."

Three figures leaped out from the crowd. The one in the lead had a face as white as jade and skin as smooth as cream. He held a white fan and had an elegant demeanor. Who else could it be but Shang Jicheng?

Pan Chengfeng bowed slightly and asked, "May I ask who you are?" Shang Jicheng was slightly annoyed and said, "You know perfectly well why I'm asking!"

Shang Jicheng shook the white fan in his hand and said, "I am Shang Jicheng, a young merchant from Dongzhou."

Upon hearing Shang Jicheng's name, the group of cultivators began to discuss it again.

Pan Chengfeng chuckled and said, "So you are the Evil Emperor's disciple and the first heir of the Shang family, Young Master Shang! I've heard so much about you!"

This statement caused quite a stir, and hundreds of thousands of cultivators were in an uproar.

Everyone knows that the Shang family of Dongzhou is the second largest family, but many people don't know that Shang Jicheng is the disciple of the Evil Emperor.

Shang Jicheng was smug, waving his white fan even more enthusiastically, and grinned as he said, "My master hasn't officially accepted me as a disciple, but I've already been cultivating on Dongling Island for decades..."

The implication was clear to everyone: it was only a matter of time before they were accepted as formal disciples. Many female cultivators, upon hearing this, began to swoon.

Enjoying the spotlight, Shang Jicheng secretly smugly thought, "This kid isn't without his merits, is he?"

Sensing his master's delight, the follower behind added, "After this competition, our young master will be the Evil Emperor's official disciple!"

After being showered with praise, Shang Jicheng almost forgot who he was, feeling completely smug.

On Sacred Flame Island, in Emperor Yan's study.

On a sphere of light the size of a round table, Shang Jicheng's triumphant scene was displayed.

The Evil Emperor's face was grim as he coldly looked at the Flame Emperor, who was laughing loudly beside him, and said, "What are you laughing at! If you laugh again, I'll cripple you!!"

The Evil Emperor only dared to talk big; he had fought the Flame Emperor countless times and had never won.

Emperor Yan ignored the Evil Emperor's threat and laughed as he said, "Hahaha... So this is the prodigy of your Eastern Continent. You can't even see through the trick of praising first and then belittling, and you still look so smug."

Haha... This is absolutely hilarious! No wonder you've only taken on two disciples all these years. It must have been tough for you, hahaha...

The Evil Emperor sneered, "He's just a nominal disciple. I'd almost forgotten he even existed."

"Do you have fewer nominal disciples? Aren't all those who have practiced your techniques your nominal disciples?"

Emperor Yan put away his smile and said, "Those who can cultivate my techniques are naturally exceptionally talented."

"I advise you to follow my example; it will save you a lot of trouble in taking on disciples."

The Evil Emperor snorted and continued to look at the ball of light.

Pan Chengfeng looked at Shang Jicheng's smug face and thought to himself, "Just keep being smug. The smug you are now, the more embarrassed you will be later!"

Pan Chengfeng wasn't in a hurry. He waited until Shang Jicheng was smug enough before speaking, "So Young Master Shang is about to become the Evil Emperor's formal disciple. Congratulations in advance."

As he spoke, Pan Chengfeng raised his hands and cupped them in a respectful gesture, saying, "I will now answer the question that Young Master Shang just asked."

The three sects' struggle for the Companion Demon Grass was an order from their sects, and they had no choice but to go. As for you…”

Pan Chengfeng chuckled and said, "Don't blame me for being blunt, going there will only be suicide."

"We'd be better off using this time, while we're entangled in the southwestern continents, to seek out other opportunities."

"What did you say?!" Shang Jicheng's smug smile vanished instantly, and he stared coldly at Pan Chengfeng, saying, "You're saying I'm going to my death?!"

Pan Chengfeng sighed and said, "I knew it. The truth hurts the most, but was I wrong?"

There are at least 50,000 cultivators from the six major sects in the southwest, including the Demon-Accompanying Grass.

Adding in the other sects and families, the number is no less than a million!

"Aren't you all just going to your deaths? Do you really think you can get your hands on the Demon-Companion Grass?"

Shang Jicheng's face turned ashen. He knew that Pan Chengfeng was telling the truth, but how could the Shang family just give up on the Demon-Companion Grass like that?

Pan Chengfeng glanced at the cultivators from the Eastern Continent, then raised his hand and pointed, slowly moving until he finally pointed at Shang Jicheng. He said slowly, "Don't blame me for being too blunt. You bunch of crooks and deformities would be nothing more than free food if you went there!"

"You should stay alive and go home. Eat and drink as you please, get married, and have kids as soon as possible!"

When Shang Jicheng heard about getting married and having children, wasn't that referring to him? Everyone knows that he's going to marry Nangong Wan after he leaves.

Shang Jicheng was now humiliated and roared, "Pan Chengfeng! Who are you calling a crooked rascal! Have you ever witnessed my strength?!"

Pan Chengfeng chuckled and looked Shang Jicheng up and down, saying, "Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul Realm, not bad. Not even five hundred years old yet, this achievement is indeed impressive, but... that's all."

Enraged, Shang Jicheng unleashed his inner power, roaring, "I let you go the last few times, and you really think you're something special! I challenge you to a duel right now!"

Pan Chengfeng asked in astonishment, "You want to fight me with magic?"

Shang Jicheng thought Pan Chengfeng was scared, and sneered, "If you're scared, then kneel down and apologize to me, and I'll spare your life!"

Li Ke thought he had misheard; how could he expect Pan Chengfeng to kneel down and apologize? Did he not know how terrifying this scoundrel was?

When Xin'er heard that Shang Jicheng actually wanted Pan Chengfeng to kneel, her pretty face turned cold, and she said in a chilling voice, "Shang Jicheng, you're courting death!!"

As she spoke, Xin'er took a step forward, intending to teach Shang Jicheng a lesson.

Pan Chengfeng grabbed Xin'er's small hand and said calmly, "I think we should just forget about it. We don't want to end up with the older one after we've already hurt the younger one."

If even the Evil Emperor has to be brought up, things will get complicated.

When Shang Jicheng isn't acting rashly, he's not exactly on his own, let alone now that he's burning with rage.

He subconsciously announced loudly, "Today, I will fight Pan Chengfeng to the death. No matter the outcome, no one can hold me accountable!!"

If I break this oath, may my soul be annihilated and I never be reincarnated!

The scene fell silent, and the word "ruthless" popped into everyone's minds.

This oath is truly vicious. Most people would swear by their inner demons, but Shang Jicheng used his soul directly, vowing never to be reincarnated.

Upon hearing Shang Jicheng's oath, Pan Chengfeng dropped his pretense, and his previously smiling face slowly turned cold.

Sensing the murderous intent emanating from Pan Chengfeng, Shang Jicheng immediately calmed down.

However, having already made the vow, he had no way out and could only bite the bullet and go for it.

Shang Jicheng carefully examined Pan Chengfeng and thought to himself, "What terrifying killing intent! Just how many people has this kid killed?"

"But he's only at the Nascent Soul stage. I refuse to believe that the magical treasures and talismans given to me by the family can't defeat him!"

Seeing that Shang Jicheng had suddenly calmed down, Pan Chengfeng put on a smile again and said, "Young Master Shang, are you ready?"