I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 1033 Come forward
“Wang Heng?” Zhang Chen took the memorial and carefully studied the information inside. Then, a look of disdain appeared in his eyes: “He’s just a mere ant, not worth mentioning.”

"But we must not be careless. You must know that Wang Heng has already become a force to be reckoned with. He has swallowed up the territories of three feudal lords and dominates the southeast. He is the biggest threat to our northern lands. In fact, he is secretly colluding with the human-demon race and Huang Tiandao. If we are not careful, he may really become a force to be reckoned with." Xie Lingyun's eyes showed a solemn expression.

Zhang Chen waved his hand dismissively: "Let them collude. I want to see how bold they are to be so arrogant. This time, I will personally take action to completely destroy the hopes of all those who secretly harbor ill intentions, and let them know what despair is."

Upon hearing that Zhang Chen intended to take action personally, Xie Lingyun immediately understood his meaning. Therefore, she stopped trying to dissuade him and instead changed the subject to discussing the location of the feng shui formation with Zhang Chen:
"Have you chosen a suitable location for constructing this grand feng shui formation?"

“There is a goal,” Zhang Chen said.

"Where?" Xie Lingyun's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

“Qingcheng Mountain,” Zhang Chen slowly uttered the three words.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, Xie Lingyun was taken aback: "Huang Tiandao Headquarters!"

Zhang Chen nodded. Qingcheng Mountain is no ordinary place. In the past, the Ancestor of Longevity established his Taoist temple on Qingcheng Mountain, gathering all the earth's veins in the world. Qingcheng Mountain is a place where dragon veins converge, created by the Ancestor himself, and there is great fortune within it.

“Qingcheng Mountain is the main altar of the Yellow Heaven Dao. If we want to take over Qingcheng Mountain and set up a feng shui formation there, we need to plan carefully,” Xie Lingyun said.

Northern border

In a desolate mountain, Wang Heng raised his wine cup, offering a toast with a broad smile. Opposite him stood Zou Wenlong, also smiling, and Huang Tiandao, Zuo Lianying, and Zhou Shenzhu, their faces showing hesitation. Beside them, Ma Zhou spoke with a cold expression: "You all know Zhang Chen's methods. Why provoke him? Zhang Chen is cunning and scheming; how could we possibly outmaneuver him? He is ruthless and cruel. Years ago, to avenge himself, he slaughtered the entire city of Jinling. Such brutal methods make him like a great demon king. Why did you come here?"

"Master Ma, you are mistaken. How can we allow others to sleep soundly beside our bed? We all make a living in the North, and Zhang Chen's control of the North makes him the undisputed overlord. Even if we have no designs on the North, there's no guarantee that in the future, in order to continue growing stronger, the North might turn around and send troops to attack us. At that time, we would be in a passive position. How could we resist the elite troops and generals of the North? Besides, even if Zhang Chen is powerful enough to slaughter Jinling City, so what? That was before the end of Dharma! Now that the great calamity of the end of Dharma has arrived, we have all become ordinary mortals. Who is afraid of whom? Moreover, this time, the major families of the North are secretly supporting us. This is a rare and excellent opportunity for us." Wang Heng advised Ma Zhou.

Upon hearing this, Ma Zhou remained silent, but instead turned his gaze to Zou Wenlong: "Zou Wenlong, are you really going to attack the Northern Lands?"

Zou Wenlong smiled slightly upon hearing this: "For us, this is an opportunity. If Huang Tiandao can swallow up the North, his great cause will surely be accomplished."

Zou Wenlong wore a smile on his face, but inwardly he was bitter. Why? Because after Zou Wenlong seized the body of the Ancestor of Longevity, he thought that with the body of an immortal, he could unleash his power, sweep across the world, and restore the glory of the Longevity Temple in the past. But who knew that the great calamity of the end of Dharma would suddenly descend, causing his immortal body to degenerate into a mortal body, which made him very depressed.

Zhang Chen is the target he must eliminate. Zhang Chen appeared in Changsheng Temple years ago and was the youngest disciple of Changsheng Temple. However, after the Changsheng Ancestor fought with the Peacock Demon King, the Changsheng Ancestor died and disappeared, and Zhang Chen also mysteriously disappeared. Now, after hundreds of thousands of years, he saw Zhang Chen again. How could he not be tempted?
Zhang Chen must have a big secret!
Most importantly, Zhang Chen took away the tree branch that suppressed the great tomb. That tree branch could steal the lifespan of living beings, and perhaps it could extend the lifespan of people in the world of Dharma decline. He had a reason to take action against Zhang Chen.

Fortunately, he was a smart man who knew how to adapt to changing circumstances. He joined the Yellow Heaven Path at the beginning of the Great Calamity of the End of Dharma and even managed to obtain the position of a Star God. Now he holds a high position in the Yellow Heaven Path.

“But Zhang Chen is too terrifying. If we fail to conquer the North, we will definitely be hunted down by Zhang Chen, and our foundation in the North will be shaken.” Zuo Lianying earnestly advised.

"Don't forget, Chengyu is still in Zhang Chen's hands. If we can take back Chengyu, we will surely be richly rewarded by the Great Teacher, and it is not unknown whether we will become the successors of the Huangtiandao Sect in the future," Zou Wenlong said.

Upon hearing Zou Wenlong's words, Zuo Lianying and Zhou Shenzhu both remained silent. Because the relationship between Chengdu and Chongqing was of great importance, when the other party brought up Chengdu and Chongqing, the two of them had no way to refute it.

“I think we should listen to the advice of professionals before we attack the North. I have a master strategist under my command who is most skilled in troop deployment. I have already transferred him here. Before we attack the North, we might as well listen to his opinion,” Ma Zhou said.

"A master of military strategy? Why not invite him over?" Zou Wenlong, who was standing to the side, quickly spoke up after hearing what the other party said.

Ma Zhou waved to someone not far away, and Huang Chao came running over excitedly. Ever since he made a name for himself in Jinling City, Huang Chao had caught the eye of the high-ranking rulers in Huang Tiandao, and his status had risen rapidly like a rocket.

"Greetings, esteemed masters." Huang Chao walked over and respectfully bowed to everyone.

"What are your thoughts on our conquest of the North?" Ma Zhou asked.

He just wanted a peaceful life and didn't want to cause too much trouble. Everyone only lives for a hundred years, isn't it better to live a good life? Why make a fuss over nothing?
Upon hearing Ma Zhou's question, Huang Chao quickly replied, "Fellow Celestial Masters, we absolutely must not attack the northern lands!"

"Why?" Zou Wenlong asked calmly.

"The world has been in turmoil for nearly twenty years, but only the North has been able to recuperate and rebuild, and has been training its troops extensively, ready for battle. Their army is strong, well-equipped, and well-rested, looking down upon the world. How can we possibly defeat them?" Huang Chao said. He had a good relationship with Zhang Chen, who was his benefactor, and of course he didn't want anything to happen to Zhang Chen.

Hearing Ma Zhou's words, Zou Wenlong offered a different opinion: "What you said makes sense, but you've overlooked one thing. The North hasn't fought a war for nearly twenty years. Although their morale is high and their equipment is excellent, their war preparedness has been neglected for many years. On the other hand, we are a battle-hardened army, and we also have various powerful figures in the North as our inside agents. As long as we attack the North, with an attack from both inside and outside, how can we not win? No matter how strong Zhang Chen is, he's just an ordinary mortal. His era has ended. The Pingbian Prince's Mansion was originally a pawn we planted, but I don't know how this kid managed to steal it. It's really despicable!"

"This matter is ultimately not very safe. Besides, although the North has not experienced war for a long time, it does not mean that its combat capabilities are poor. Its adopted son, Wang Ye, has been fighting in the south and north for years, defeating various warlords one after another and crying for their fathers and mothers. Wang Ye is not someone to be trifled with. He will never watch us conquer the North." Huang Chao wanted to do his best to prevent the flames of war from spreading to Zhang Chen's territory.

Zou Wenlong waved his hand, saying, "If that's all you can analyze, then there's no need to say anything more. My mind is made up and cannot be changed. The Great Teacher has appointed me to take charge of the northern war, and all matters are decided by my word. I now wish to select someone to secretly collude with the major clans in Zhang Chen's territory to form an inside agent, and then, with the help of both inside and outside forces, conquer the north and capture Zhang Chen alive. But I wonder who among your subordinates is capable of undertaking this great task?"

At this point, everyone fell silent. Although they looked down on Zhang Chen, he was not someone to be trifled with. If he went to the North to cause trouble, he could easily lose his life.

Of course, no one wants to send their own trusted subordinates to their deaths.

Seeing that no one responded, Zou Wenlong turned his gaze to Huang Chao: "I think you're quite good. You know the North very well. I'll leave this matter to you. For the great cause of Huang Tiandao, who else but you? You wouldn't refuse to dedicate yourself to the Great Teacher of Virtue, would you?"

"No!" Before Huang Chao could speak, Ma Zhou, who was standing beside him, quickly stopped him. Huang Chao was his confidant, how could he let Huang Chao take such a risk? If there were spies from the north among the powerful and influential, Huang Chao's life would be in danger. It could be said that this was a mission fraught with danger and a matter of life and death.

"Why not? All my disciples of Huang Tiandao must be dedicated to the Great Teacher. If it weren't for my need to take charge, I would have gone there personally." A cold glint appeared in Zou Wenlong's eyes. Ma Zhou's presence in the North was a hindrance to him. If he had the chance to cripple one of Ma Zhou's arms, it would be a good opportunity for him.

His eyes were fixed on Huang Chao, his voice filled with murderous intent: "Are you perhaps unwilling to dedicate yourself to the Great Teacher of Virtue?"

“I am willing to go!” Huang Chao gritted his teeth upon hearing this, a cold glint in his eyes.

The other party all said they had dedicated themselves to the great and virtuous teacher, so did he have the right to say no?
"Alright! I'll leave the task of colluding with the major clans, secretly building an army, and stirring up internal strife in the North to you. This is my secret register in the North, Huang Tiandao's register, which records the major clans that are colluding with me. You must be careful and create internal strife in the North to distract Zhang Chen." Zou Wenlong took out a booklet from his pocket and handed it to Huang Chao.

Huang Chao accepted the booklet, bowed respectfully, and then ran down the mountain.

After descending the mountain, Huang Chao flipped through the roster in his hand, a cold glint in his eyes: "You fools think you can fight against my benefactor? You're delusional! You think I'll collude with the powerful figures of the North to stir up trouble? You're all doomed!"

Huang Chao concealed himself and went directly into the northern lands. After disguising himself, he arrived at Zhang Chen's palace.

Zhang Chen was holding a map and measuring something on it with a ruler when a guard came in from outside and bowed respectfully: "Your Highness, a man has come to the door. He says he is an old friend of yours and has come to pay his respects."

"An old acquaintance? Do you know his name?" Zhang Chen paused in his map-taking and asked.

"The other party has a letter to present." The guard said, handing over the letter.

Zhang Chen took the invitation, opened it, and was taken aback. Then he said to the guard, "Please let him in through the back door."

Before long, Huang Chao came into the courtyard through the back door. When he saw Zhang Chen, who was wearing a white undergarment, his face was full of smiles: "Brother Zhang, I've missed you so much."

"It's been almost twenty years since we last met. How have you been all these years?" Zhang Chen pulled Huang Chao to a seat, ordered tea and snacks to be served, and asked.

Upon hearing this, Huang Chao said, "Making a living in Huangtiandao is too difficult. Since the end of the Dharma, the internal hierarchy of Huangtiandao has become solidified, and it is extremely difficult to climb up. I am not doing well either, and I am suppressed by others everywhere. Even the Star God position that I was originally destined for was snatched away by someone else."

As Huang Chao said this, he cursed inwardly. Who do you think Zou Wenlong stole the Star God position from? Wasn't it the sect's way of rewarding Huang Chao?
"You've come here to seek refuge with me, haven't you?" Zhang Chen joked.

“I have already established a foothold in Huang Tiandao, why would I abandon decades of hard work to join you? I am here today to deliver a message to you. Huang Tiandao intends to attack the North and has sent me to lead the vanguard and to collude with the powerful figures who have already prepared in the North.” At this point, Huang Chao directly took out the register: “This register records those treacherous figures in the North who have long been secretly colluding with my Huang Tiandao.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen didn't touch the roster, but instead looked at Huang Chao curiously: "How do you have the roster?"

"Because I am the leader of the Huangtiandao sect responsible for rebellion in your territory," Huang Chao said irritably.

(End of this chapter)