No one paid attention to Bai Guangda's wailing. The somber atmosphere permeated the entire grand hall.
Even Xu Yingwang, who was jealous of Chen Xiao, and Jin Shi Wang, who rarely showed emotion.
"Father, Father, how could you leave? I haven't had the chance to show my filial piety, and you, you've passed away, leaving me... Most importantly, you, you haven't even married my mother yet... Wuwuwu, wuwuwuwuwu..."
Xiao Hei cried even harder, appearing like a tearful mess. Anyone who saw him would say he was a loyal and righteous little fox.
"What are you crying about? I'm not dead yet!"
A familiar voice suddenly echoed. Xiao Hei froze.
"Father?!"
Immediately, golden light flickered in the air, ripples forming as if tearing through space. A dark golden Chen Xiao emerged from the void.
Chen Xiao's entire body was a dull golden yellow, as if cast in molten gold.
A sacred halo emanated from his surface, forbidding any desecration.
"Brother Chen, you're alive? That's great, you're alive, your Yang Shen is still there? Wait? You've cultivated your Yang Shen?! Congratulations, congratulations..."
Demon Lord Tu Shan Che danced with joy, acting like an old man reliving his youth, his words becoming incoherent.
"Such pure Yang Shen, such profound Yang Shen. This Yang Shen is like metal, truly rare!"
Xu Yingwang stared at the Yang Shen emitting a faint halo, muttering to himself as if he had seen many Yang Shen.
Jin Shi Wang gazed at the golden Chen Xiao, his eyes filled with envy and fervor. After a long moment, he managed to utter two words: "Awesome!"
"That's great, that's great, Father, you're alive. I knew you'd be alive. You're so powerful, how could you die so easily..."
Xiao Hei wiped away his tears, but more kept flowing.
This time, it was tears of joy.
Chen Xiao was speechless. Wasn't he the one crying the loudest about his death just moments ago?
Although the Yang Shen could leave the body at will without any consequences, Chen Xiao's current appearance was too dazzling. It was better to be low-key.
Chen Xiao retracted his divine ability, and his Yang Shen returned to his body, merging as one.
"Congratulations, Brother Chen. I didn't expect you to cultivate such a profound Yang Shen. Now, your strength has surpassed mine!"
Demon Lord Tu Shan Che said generously, without a trace of jealousy or unhappiness that Chen Xiao had become stronger than him.
Although this far exceeded his expectations, Chen Xiao's increased strength meant a greater chance of victory against the Heavenly Dao, so he was naturally overjoyed.
"Brother Tu Shan is joking. I've only just cultivated my Yang Shen. In terms of foundation, I can't compare to you."
Chen Xiao replied politely.
"No!"
The Demon Lord directly shook his head and waved his hands. "It's not like that. Your Yang Shen is far stronger than mine. Although I don't know why, it's definitely a good thing!"
Originally, Chen Xiao's divine sense was very strong, but compared to his physical body, it was still slightly inferior.
After all, his physical body was uniquely powerful, unmatched in heaven and earth.
Now, because of the Seven Gods' bestowal, the Yang Shen he cultivated could finally perfectly match his invincible physique.
Now, even when facing true immortals, Chen Xiao was completely unafraid!
Even if he couldn't kill them, it would be absolutely not easy for them to kill him.
Xu Yingwang was genuinely happy to see Chen Xiao unharmed, but seeing Chen Xiao's strength increase so much, a hint of sourness inevitably resurfaced in his heart.
"It is indeed a cause for celebration that Mr. Chen has cultivated such a perfect Yang Shen, but it is truly a pity that the Seven Gods have departed because of it."
Xu Yingwang said with a hint of sarcasm.
Chen Xiao smiled slightly, "King Xu Ying, your words are not entirely accurate. The Seven Gods have not departed."
"What? Not departed? Then why did the seven divine statues shatter?"
Xu Yingwang looked at Chen Xiao in disbelief.
The Demon Lord's expression brightened, and he asked repeatedly, "Brother Chen, judging by your words, you know where the Seven Gods are? Quickly tell this brother. I will reshape their divine statues to prevent them from truly leaving!"
"Uh... this..."
Chen Xiao hesitated, scratching his head with an awkward expression. "I can tell you where they are, but you don't need to reshape their divine statues."
"Oh? Brother Chen, what do you mean by that?"
Demon Lord Tu Shan Che asked, truly confused by Chen Xiao.
"Because they, have followed me..."
Chen Xiao's toes curled with embarrassment.
It felt like telling a good brother to his face that his wife had run off with him.
Tu Shan Che was stunned, his heart shaken. He asked again, "Brother Chen, what exactly do you mean? The more I listen, the more confused I become."
"Forget it, I'll just show you..."
Saying that, Chen Xiao gave a mighty shake!
Immediately, seven somewhat illusory figures appeared behind him.
Those seven figures were the images of the Seven Gods, their faces hidden within deep hoods.
As if far away, yet also close at hand.
Vague and substantial, making them impossible to grasp.
"Fa... Dharma forms? The Dharma forms of the Seven Gods!!!"
Tu Shan Che was dumbfounded, completely at a loss for words.
Only at this moment did he truly understand what "they have followed me" meant.
These seven Dharma forms of the Seven Gods were arguably Chen Xiao's greatest gain from this trip.
When facing powerful opponents, these seven Dharma forms could provide him with unexpected assistance.
Although they were not part of Chen Xiao's main body's power, they could be used by Chen Xiao, making them an incredibly powerful ultimate weapon.
Xu Yingwang's eyelids twitched wildly, the words "The Seven Gods followed him, the Seven Gods followed him, the Seven Gods followed him..." flashing repeatedly in his mind.
In Jin Shi Wang's eyes, unconcealed shock also appeared.
Xiao Hei, though he didn't understand, knew that his father was amazing.
Bai Guangda began to wail loudly again, "My Seven Gods trial, my Seven Gods trial..."
"I apologize, Brother Tu Shan. It wasn't intentional. I don't know what happened, but they insisted on following me. In that chaos, I had no ability to refuse or accept... In short, inexplicably, it turned out this way."
Chen Xiao explained with feigned innocence.
It's not that I seduced your wife, it's that your wife insisted on running away with me. It has nothing to do with me.
Xu Yingwang's heart bled as he frantically shouted in his mind, "Stop talking, stop talking, stop talking..."
Bai Guangda's gaze towards Chen Xiao became even more resentful, "My Seven Gods trial, my Seven Gods trial, you owe me my Seven Gods trial..."
In contrast, Demon Lord Tu Shan Che was much more magnanimous.
He laughed heartily and waved his hands, saying, "Brother Chen, you don't need to blame yourself. Since this is the choice of the Seven Gods, accept it calmly."
"Moreover, it has always been our demon race that worships the Seven Gods because we are close to the power of nature. However, the Seven Gods have never belonged solely to our demon race."
"Since the Seven Gods have chosen you, there must be a reason. We cannot discuss it rashly, nor do we have the right to interfere!"
In simple terms, he meant that Chen Xiao should accept the Dharma forms of the Seven Gods with confidence, as it was destined and unchangeable.
Furthermore, after worshipping and supporting the Seven Gods for so many years, they had not chosen him. Rather than letting the Seven Gods remain in these clay statues, it was better for them to become Chen Xiao's support.
As he said before, the stronger Chen Xiao became, the greater the chance of victory for the Nine Provinces.
Tu Shan Che wished to see this outcome.
Chen Xiao was now without any worries. He could be said to have reaped immense rewards from his visit to the demon sacred land.
The only slight imperfection was that he had not used this opportunity to break through to the seventh level of the Nine Revolutions Canglan Art.
But that didn't matter. His strength increase was real.
Chen Xiao felt that he was now fully capable of walking sideways in the Immortal Hidden Realm.
That night, Chen Xiao stayed at the demon sacred land and drank with Tu Shan Che.
The entire demon race celebrated with songs and dances, sharing in the grand occasion. However, they were unaware that Chen Xiao had taken away the Seven Gods, or they might have been crying while celebrating.
Tu Shan Che was rarely so happy, getting thoroughly drunk. The banquet did not break up until after midnight.
Tu Shan Che merely swayed his body and returned to normal, clear-headed as ever.
"Brother Chen, with your great increase in strength this time, I have gained more confidence in the future war. Moreover, I have also made some progress with Xiao Hong Chan. If successful, my cultivation will also advance another level. This time, we will definitely win, the Nine Provinces will definitely win!"
Tu Shan Che's eyes shone brightly. He was the type of person who, after failing a thousand times, would still embark on the next attempt, and each time he would believe he would surely win.
Chen Xiao was infected by Tu Shan Che's enthusiasm and said proudly, "With you and I, brothers, working together, our strength will be like gold and stone, capable of breaking them. We will face the glorious Heavenly Dao!"
"Hehe, I originally thought so too. But now, I feel that more will depend on you!"
Tu Shan Che patted Chen Xiao's shoulder. "With great ability comes great responsibility. It is my good fortune in this life to befriend such an outstanding human as you!"
Chen Xiao's eyes flickered, as he suddenly remembered that Wu Xiang had once told him that he was not truly human. Then, what was he? He still had to find the answer in the Immortal Hidden Realm.
Thinking of this, Chen Xiao said, "Brother Tu Shan, I am ready. I am going to the Immortal Hidden Realm!"
"I know."
Tu Shan Che nodded. After all, Chen Xiao's visit to the demon sacred land this time was precisely to prepare for his journey to the Immortal Hidden Realm.
His gaze dimmed slightly, revealing a hint of reluctance, and he asked, "When do you plan to depart?"
"There are no eternal feasts in the world."
Chen Xiao saw the reluctance in Tu Shan Che's eyes. Wasn't he feeling the same?
Although humans and demons were different, Chen Xiao considered this commander of the demon race as his own.
But thinking of the responsibility on his shoulders, Chen Xiao could only harden his heart and say, "I plan to depart immediately!"