Yu Daochen chuckled, shedding all pretense of modesty. "Senior Ma, I'm not asking for anything in return, I just hope..."
Before he could finish, Ma Shaogang quickly interrupted, "Alright, you brat. If you don't manage to wring something out of me, you won't rest, will you?"
Yu Daochen chuckled again and said no more, but his intentions were clear.
Ma Shaogang took out a stick of red incense and handed it over, saying grumpily, "This red incense has my remaining lifespan infused within it. Even if you're not a disciple of the 'Chu Ma' sect, you can still invite immortal spirits to possess you."
Upon hearing this, Yu Daochen shamelessly accepted the red incense, his face beaming with a smile. "Oh, this is too much."
Ma Shaogang's face turned ashen, and he stared at Yu Daochen with annoyance.
Yu Daochen, however, was unconcerned. This was a huge profit.
Li Shaochun slowly spoke, "We need to make arrangements for what's next."
Monk Ni Cang nodded. Ma Shaogang looked at Yu Daochen and said irritably, "Brat, give me your hand."
Yu Daochen looked confused but still extended his hand.
Ma Shaogang grabbed Yu Daochen's arm, then with a sudden heave, lifted him onto his shoulder.
The three of them quickly sprinted out of the forest.
Yu Daochen was like a little goat, carried on Ma Shaogang's shoulder.
As Ma Shaogang dashed forward, he asked, "Brat, you mentioned that Divine Phoenix Qing before. How strong is he?"
Yu Daochen, feeling a bit uncomfortable from being carried, pondered for a moment before giving an ambiguous answer.
"His strength is not weak. At least on par with the Black List. During our recent exchange, I could feel his extensive combat experience."
Ma Shaogang wasn't interested in such details and got straight to the point. "Alright, stop with the useless talk. What were your chances of winning against him?"
Yu Daochen didn't answer immediately but pondered for a long time before saying, "Sixty-forty. I'm sixty, he's forty."
Hearing Yu Daochen's reply, Ma Shaogang grinned. It was rare for him to offer praise. "Not bad, you're a good kid."
Yu Daochen chuckled and returned to his usual ways. "If Senior Ma could give me a little..."
"Enough."
Ma Shaogang immediately cut him off. "You brat have already gained quite a lot. The three items we gave you alone are enough to make Black List experts envious. Be content."
Yu Daochen smiled faintly, dropping his playful demeanor.
He understood a fundamental principle.
People can be greedy, even extremely greedy; it's human nature, and there's nothing wrong with it.
However, one must have a bottom line; that is the principle of self-preservation.
Outside the forest, Wang Ming and the others were gasping for breath, with someone tending to their wounds.
Shi Bingzhi was covered in injuries. Although out of danger, he still needed half a month of rest.
Seeing that Yu Daochen hadn't pursued them, he began to worry. "It's been so long, why is Master Yu still silent?"
Wang Ming shook his head and asserted, "Don't worry, that guy won't die that easily."
"Why haven't those few arrived yet?"
Nanjing Shuo muttered, pulling out his phone to check the time.
Just then, a car sped towards them.
Nanjing Shuo's eyes lit up with joy. "They're finally here!"
Three figures alighted from the car.
Upon seeing the newcomers, everyone present was shocked and surprised.
They hadn't expected these three to show up.
The arrivals were none other than the sect leader of the Formation Gate, Li Tianxiang, ranked ninth on the Black List, Meng Dalong, ranked twelfth, and the Immortal Aunt Wangyou, Cui Yiling, ranked sixth.
Meng Dalong looked at Nanjing Shuo and smiled. "Director Nan, we haven't arrived too late, have we?"
Nanjing Shuo shook his head, a smile on his face. "No, you've arrived at the perfect time. Master Yu is single-handedly holding off three Black List experts, and his fate is unknown. I'd trouble the three of you to quickly go and rescue him."
Li Tianxiang's face broke into a smile, and he stepped forward, intending to enter the forest. "Director Nan, rest assured, today we will utterly annihilate these beasts from the Divine Cult!"
Although Cui Yiling remained silent, her expression turned serious.
The three of them had rushed here the moment they received Nanjing Shuo's call for reinforcements.
Today, they had to eliminate the leaders of the Divine Cult here!
Just as everyone was preparing to charge back into the forest, a voice rang out.
"Hahaha, fellow Daoists, there's no need to pursue further. Those people have already fled."
Following this, three figures walked out.
"Brat, we're here."
Ma Shaogang said this and then gently set Yu Daochen down.
Upon seeing the three, everyone present clasped their hands in a salute, respectfully addressing them.
"Greetings, Heavenly Master Li, Master Ni Cang, Hall Master Ma."
"Greetings, Heavenly Master Li, Master Ni Cang, Hall Master Ma."
"..."
Li Shaochun waved his hand, a benevolent smile on his face. "There's no need for such formality, everyone."
Every face was filled with excitement and joy.
The return of the three seniors meant that Shen Tianming had been slain.
This victory belonged to them.
Li Tianxiang and the others, however, remained silent, their faces betraying no hint of joy.
Li Tianxiang looked at Cui Yiling beside him and whispered, "Immortal Aunt Wangyou, the three seniors they..."
Before he could finish, Cui Yiling shook her head helplessly.
Li Tianxiang fell silent.
It seemed his suspicions were correct.
The three seniors before them were merely experiencing a final burst of energy.
Seeing the jubilant crowd, Li Shaochun raised his hand to interrupt them. "While I hate to be the bearer of bad news, I must disappoint everyone. We are merely experiencing a final burst of energy right now."
At these words, the faces of everyone present were filled with shock and disbelief, unable to comprehend what they had heard.
Wang Ming, Liang Jing, and Wang Fubao also wore expressions of utter disbelief.
Wang Ming shook his head, unable to accept it. "Master, you..."
Monk Ni Cang shook his head, showing no fear of death, but instead smiled. "Amitabha. All men must die. Whether it is as light as a feather or as heavy as Mount Tai, to die for the common people of the world is a cause for joy."
Wang Ming fell silent. He had sensed this day would come three months ago.
Liang Jing looked at his master, Li Shaochun. Although sadness flickered across his face, he remained silent.
He understood that this was not the time for grief.
With the enemy at their doorstep, they had to completely eradicate the Divine Cult!
As for that fellow Wang Fubao, he had a cigarette dangling from his lips, his face resolute, showing no signs of sadness. He asked, "Hey, old man, anything else you need to pass on to the sect? Hurry up."
At this remark, Ma Shaogang glared at Wang Fubao, his face darkening. If there weren't so many people around, he would have gladly unleashed a torrent of abuse on the spot.
Li Shaochun looked at Liang Jing and said, "Xiao Liang, come here for a moment."
Liang Jing nodded and walked over.
Li Shaochun's face showed a look of relief as he asked, "Do you know about the Heavenly Master's Ferry from the Heavenly Master's Mansion?"
"I do."
Liang Jing nodded, then his eyes widened in surprise. "Master, you don't mean..."