I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 983 Sending You On Your Way

The Primordial Era was an extremely brilliant era, a mysterious origin, with countless so-called immortal and indestructible gods and demons. Therefore, if he could dig out those gods and demons, he felt that defeating Zhang Chen would not be a problem.

"No matter how strong Zhang Chen is, can he possibly compare to those immortal demons who can pluck stars and the moon?" A glint of light appeared in the eyes of the Great Victory King: "Of course, we only have one chance to make a move. Once that beast Zhang Chen escapes, what awaits us is his ruthless methods. Therefore, we must find a powerful enough god-level expert and then strike with certainty."

"Your Majesty need not be too pessimistic. The mysterious energy in the capital is now thousands of times denser. Breaking through to the twelfth rank is not too difficult. As long as we secretly cultivate some experts who can break through to the twelfth rank, and combine them with innate spiritual treasures, even if we cannot defeat Zhang Chen, we still have a great chance of restraining him!" The twelfth-rank deity comforted him.

Upon hearing this, the Great Victory King's face turned sorrowful. He couldn't help but sigh, "How tragic! My Great Victory Dynasty has ruled the world for five thousand years. My royal decrees have been issued to all the feudal lords, and no one, human, demon, ghost, or god in the world dares to disobey. Now, we have been bullied and forced to bow and scrape. How despicable!"

Hearing the Great Victory King's sorrowful words, the twelfth-level god also gave a bitter smile: "Zhang Chen has only risen from the North to the present in ten years. His rise is too fast, so fast that we can't react at all and can't come up with any countermeasures. Zhang Chen's cultivation is constantly increasing, and his progress is not like that of an ordinary person. Instead, it is like that of some old guys who have been reborn by seizing another body."

The Great Victory King understood the implied meaning, raising an eyebrow as he looked at the twelfth-tier deity with suspicion: "You mean? Zhang Chen was possessed and reincarnated by some old fellow?"

"Besides, I really can't understand how a child whose bloodline hasn't awakened could resist the oppression of the Pingbian Prince's Mansion and how he could fight his way out of that hellish environment." The twelfth-order god said solemnly, "Even if it were any child with outstanding talent, they shouldn't have such abilities."

"But the Zhang family's bloodline involves supernatural powers related to the soul. Can members of the Zhang family also be possessed?" The Great Victory King found it hard to believe.

“The Zhang family members are only immune to possession by ordinary cultivators, but what if it's some ancient beings from the Primordial Era? I heard that not far from the small village where Zhang Chen lives, there was once an ancient tomb of gods and demons. If the immortal soul in that tomb escaped and possessed Zhang Chen, then everything would make sense,” said the twelfth-order god.

The Great Victory King's pupils contracted, and a look of fear appeared in his eyes. After a long while, he said, "What you say makes sense! Zhang Chen's true identity is indeed a mystery. What do you think would happen if we spread this deduction and passed it on to the Zhang family?" A murderous aura appeared in the Great Victory King's eyes.

The twelfth-order god shook his head: "It's useless! Zhang Chen now controls the Yellow Springs Water and the bloodlines and futures of countless members of the Zhang family. His power is unshakeable."

As Zhang Chen walked out of the palace, Dugu Qiu chased after him, following behind him: "Zhang Chen."

"Godfather!" Zhang Chen stopped in his tracks, turned around and looked back, and saw Dugu Qiu walking hurriedly, and hundreds of imperial guards following behind Dugu Qiu.

Dugu Qiu stepped forward alone and stood in front of Zhang Chen. With a solemn expression, he lowered his voice and said, "You shouldn't have pressured the King like this today. It's not good for you or the Zhang family. Although you have cultivated great skills, you should know that many ways to kill in this world are beyond your skills."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen raised an eyebrow and gave a bitter smile: "Ancestor, do I have any way out? My relationship with the Human King has long been irreconcilable. Even if I don't force him today, he will never let me go easily if he gains power in the future."

Upon hearing this, Dugu Qiu sighed helplessly. How could he not know that what Zhang Chen said was true? However, as the chief steward of the Dasheng royal family, he had long regarded the Dasheng royal family as his own home. Zhang Chen's actions made him feel that he was in a difficult position.

Everyone knew that Zhang Chen was domineering, after all, the Pingbian Prince's Mansion was a cautionary tale. The Pingbian Prince's heir, Zhang Xiaohua, was killed without hesitation, and the entire Pingbian Prince's Mansion still hated Zhang Chen to the bone. But Dugu Qiu did not expect that Zhang Chen would be so domineering, not even giving face to the Great Victory King. This guy was simply a lawless brute.

Now that the enemy target has shifted to the Great Victory Royal Family, only those who are truly suffering know the pain.

“Godfather is going to capture the Third Prince. Would you mind if I personally escorted him?” Zhang Chen looked at Dugu Qiu and changed the subject. He didn’t want to clash with Dugu Qiu at this time, nor did he want to ruin their friendship because of the Great Victory Royal Family.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, Dugu Qiu gave a bitter smile: "You're killing me by attacking my spirit! If you go, it will only make the Great Victory King hate you even more."

"So what? Do you think the royal family will accept me if I don't go to Dasheng?" Zhang Chen replied quietly.

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Zhang Chen, Dugu Qiu had no choice but to let him have his way, allowing Zhang Chen to follow him to the Third Prince's residence. Then, a group of fierce imperial guards rushed out and surrounded the entire residence.

Inside, the Third Prince, Chai Wenxin, was feasting with Zhang Gaoqiu and others. He had fled during the chaos after witnessing Zhang Chen's powerful suppression of the evil spirit with a flick of his finger. Since seeing all the royal ancestors perish in the calamity, Chai Wenxin was overjoyed, knowing his freedom was near. He secretly gathered his confidants for a celebratory drink. As for Zhang Chen's ability to suppress evil with a flick of his finger? So what? He was a prince of the Great Victory Royal Family. Even if Zhang Chen was strong, could he possibly surpass the Great Victory Royal Family? The Great Victory Royal Family naturally had ways to deal with it, so he wasn't alarmed. He could simply keep a low profile in the future. Just as the banquet was halfway through, a guard suddenly rushed in from outside, stammering, "Your Highness! Something terrible has happened!" "What's the matter that you're so flustered?" The Third Prince, seeing the panicked guard, didn't mind his rudeness in front of his guest, knowing the strict rules of his household; his guards wouldn't act so disrespectfully unless it was something extremely serious. But from the moment he saw the guard rush in, a sense of foreboding crept into his heart. Something that could frighten his guard to such an extent was clearly no ordinary matter.

"Grand Eunuch Dugu Qiu has led thousands of palace guards to surround our residence!" The guard knelt on the ground and replied in a panic.

Upon hearing the guard's words, the Third Prince's men, who were drinking in the hall, all changed color and their eyes showed a hint of horror. They knew that the Third Prince was the most favored prince in the world. Who would dare to rashly lead troops to surround his mansion?
Most importantly, who would dare to do such a thing without the Great Victory King's order? Now that someone has dared to do it, it must be under the Great Victory King's order.

Those who were able to attend the banquet were all core figures among the Third Prince's faction. Each of them was incredibly intelligent and had already figured out the key to the matter in the blink of an eye. So they all put down their wine cups and looked at the Third Prince, waiting for his reaction.

Sure enough, the Third Prince's expression changed drastically, his face filled with disbelief: "What did you say? Dugu Qiu led the Imperial Guards to surround our palace?"

The third prince's expression changed drastically at this moment. He suddenly stood up and rushed to the guard: "Is what you said true?"

"It's absolutely true, you'll see for yourself when you go out." The guard lowered his head: "I wouldn't dare lie."

The third prince shoved the guard aside and rushed out of the palace. As soon as he arrived, he saw Dugu Qiu standing in front of the gate. He quickly composed himself, put on a warm smile, and went to greet him: "What wind has blown the Grand Eunuch here? I have not been able to greet you properly. Please forgive me, Grand Eunuch."

As the Third Prince spoke, his gaze swept across the entire room. When his eyes landed on Zhang Chen, his expression changed slightly. It was as if a heavy stone had been placed on his heart, and an indescribable sense of dread weighed on him.

Looking at the Third Prince with a forced smile, Dugu Qiu sighed softly, his eyes filled with complex and unfathomable emotions. He had watched the Third Prince, Chai Wenxin, grow up. To put it bluntly, Chai Wenxin was no different from his own grandson, and the relationship between the two was difficult to describe in words.

Looking at the smiling Third Prince, Dugu Qiu sighed softly: "Third Prince, this old servant has come here today with no good news."

Chai Wenxin was taken aback upon hearing this. His eyes swept over the Imperial Guards who had completely surrounded his residence, and his expression was bitter: "When I saw the Imperial Guards surrounding my residence, I had a premonition, but I do not know what Your Majesty's orders are. Please, Grand Steward, tell me directly."

Although Chai Wenxin looked bitter, he didn't take it seriously and still didn't realize the seriousness of the matter.

When he saw Zhang Chen following him, he assumed it was because Zhang Chen's cultivation was too powerful and his father was trying to win him over by pretending to punish him. He never expected that the Great Victory King would betray him so easily, and he never imagined that he would die today.

Dugu Qiu did not speak, but instructed the guards beside him: "Put the Third Prince in shackles. Also, arrest everyone in the palace. Do not let a single person escape."

Upon hearing this, Chai Wenxin obediently put on the shackles without resistance. He knew his importance in the eyes of the Great Victory King and didn't think he was in any serious danger. He simply assumed the Great Victory King was punishing him to appease Zhang Chen, something that had happened before. The Third Prince didn't resist, and seeing Chai Wenxin obediently put on the shackles, the retainers in his residence also chose to follow.

After all the men, women, children, guests, and servants in the mansion had been locked up, Dugu Qiu said, "It is the King's decree."

The Third Prince led all his retainers to kneel and listen respectfully. Dugu Qiu then said, "The entire household of Chai Wenxin shall be executed immediately. All his retainers and associates shall be sent to the imperial prison for interrogation. Those found guilty shall be tried and punished, and those who are innocent shall be released immediately. Obey this order!"

"What?" Chai Wenxin was shocked upon hearing this, his face filled with disbelief: "Grand Steward, you're not mistaken, are you?"

He couldn't believe his ears; it felt like a thunderbolt had struck his head, making his brain buzz. For the first time, panic appeared in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)