Feng Ruotong, Ping Immortal, Xi Immortal, Wen Daoist and others were each awed in their hearts, turning their heads to see the Heavenly Venerate walking towards them with a wide smile. Qingyuan Daoist quickly lowered his head, not daring to look up.

Feng Ruotong reacted the fastest, stepped forward quickly, bowed and said with a smile: "Ruotong, greets the Heavenly Venerate!"

The other Heavenly Dao immortals likewise came to their senses and went forward to pay respects.

The Heavenly Venerate didn't notice Qingyuan Daoist and laughed: "We are all fellow Daoists, why go through such formalities? Rise and speak."

Feng Ruotong straightened up and said: "We searched for the Demon Emperor to no avail, thus returned to Despair Slope, but did not see the Heavenly Venerate. Qiu Ning Fairy found Chen Shi dealing with the Twelve Families, mobilizing considerable Ghost God forces, so we planned to go and confront him. Just upon arriving at Heavenly Dao City, we happened to meet the Heavenly Venerate. Where have you been these days?"

The Heavenly Venerate's eyes twinkled, and he smiled: "I returned once and then went out again. Truth be told, I have already killed the Demon Emperor."

As he said this, he couldn't hide his proud expression and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Feng Ruotong and the others were shocked beyond words; had the Heavenly Venerate killed the Demon Emperor? Could it be that Chen Shi had already died at the hands of the Heavenly Venerate?

They felt a cold chill in their hearts; Chen Shi's Yin Yang Dojo had given them hope to eradicate the evil Qi and restore normalcy to West Bull New Continent. If the Heavenly Venerate killed Chen Shi, wouldn't that destroy even that hope?

Ping Immortal asked in a hoarse voice: "When did this happen?"

The Heavenly Venerate laughed: "Just a short while ago. I tracked down the High Priest of Demon City until the Demon Emperor slipped, revealing his true body. His strength was indeed formidable, but inferior to mine, and he met defeat at my hands."

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback.

Chen Shi's strength was not particularly impressive; even with his Skull Body, he might not be a match for the Heavenly Dao immortals. But the Heavenly Venerate's appraisal that the Demon Emperor's strength was formidable, albeit slightly inferior, was telling.

Clearly, this Demon Emperor could not be Chen Shi.

Then who could the Demon Emperor be?

Who has the strength only slightly inferior to the Heavenly Venerate?

The Heavenly Venerate smiled: "Don't stand outside; let's return to Despair Slope."

Feng Ruotong felt apprehensive and quickly replied: "Heavenly Venerate, we plan to confront Chen Shi during this trip. He has targeted the Thirteen Families, and his unification of West Bull New Continent is inevitable. This person is ambitious and has colluded with the Outer God Houtu, with malicious intentions that need addressing."

The Heavenly Venerate was nonchalant: "Chen Shi is ambitious and indeed needs confronting. Houtu, harboring ill intent, seeks to replace the True God and usurp orthodoxy, is guilty of severe crimes. When you go this time, eliminate Houtu as well."

Feng Ruotong, upon hearing this, was much relieved and smiled: "Understood."

The Heavenly Venerate nodded gently and encouraged them with a few words, then planned to enter Despair Slope.

Feng Ruotong and the others secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Just as the Heavenly Venerate was about to step into Despair Slope, he suddenly paused and laughed.

"Qingyuan Daoist, it's really you."

The Heavenly Venerate turned around, looking at Qingyuan Daoist who had been keeping his head down, and laughed, "Daoist, you are truly hard to kill. I exiled you twice, yet you still survived."

Qingyuan Daoist's body trembled slightly, knowing he couldn't escape, he slowly straightened up to face the Heavenly Venerate, and said: "The Heavenly Venerate holds no killing intent towards me; the exile was nominal, but in truth, it gave me a lifeline, which allowed me to survive."

Feng Ruotong, Xi Immortal, and the others felt a sinking feeling; the Heavenly Venerate recognized Qingyuan Daoist, with his wisdom, he would likely immediately infer their reason for bringing Qingyuan back to Despair Slope.

Shen Liu-jun laughed: "Does the Heavenly Venerate recognize Qingyuan? We encountered this Daoist in Heavenly Dao City, acting suspiciously, and were planning to interrogate him."

The Heavenly Venerate's gaze fell on Qingyuan Daoist and asked, "In that case, what is Daoist Qingyuan doing back at Despair Slope?"

Qingyuan Daoist's eyes twitched slightly, and he replied hoarsely: "Heavenly Dao City is my creation; I come and go as I please. You exiled me twice, our enmity is as deep as the sea. This time I've returned to destroy Heavenly Dao City, so Despair Slope is truly lost in despair! I assume I've lost today, being discovered by your people just after arriving at Heavenly Dao City, and now you've blocked me here, so be it, kill or flay, I leave it to your command!"

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope appeared in everyone's hearts.

The Heavenly Venerate surveyed the crowd with a look of mock amusement and said: "Childish tricks. Ruotong, you're not truthful either; do you not recognize Qingyuan? It was he who guided you to Despair Slope many years ago."

Feng Ruotong's heart settled instead, and he smiled: "The Heavenly Venerate rightly admonishes."

The Heavenly Venerate's gaze landed on Qingyuan Daoist: "So, you led them to that forbidden place?"

Qingyuan Daoist laughed: "Indeed. I led them to excavate several bones. These bones belonged to the former ministers of King Shang, responsible for overseeing Despair Slope's operations. Back then, King Shang sacrificed himself, transformed into the Outer Heaven True God, becoming the divine source of light and heat for this world, requiring eighteen Shang Ministers to manage Despair Slope and monitor natural disasters. Unfortunately, they were killed by a rescued Shang citizen, with thirteen ministers' bones lost. Only five left any remains, which I personally buried."

The Heavenly Venerate said: "You told Ruotong and the others this, and when they didn't believe you, you brought them here to see, is that right?"

Qingyuan Daoist nodded: "Words alone are not convincing. You remain high above, as the Heavenly Venerate of Despair Slope. To reveal your true colors, naturally, I need tangible evidence."

The Heavenly Venerate sighed and shook his head, saying: "Qingyuan, you've done them harm."

Feng Ruotong laughed: "Does the Heavenly Venerate admit this?"

The Heavenly Venerate laughed: "What harm is there in admitting it?"

Ping Immortal stepped forward, his Immortal Sword unsheathing with a swoosh, filled with murderous intent, said: "In that case, are you the one responsible for the world's evil transformations?"

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