Tunyun Dharma King truly was an informer.
Even something as seemingly trivial as the Peerless Great Emperor obtaining a Spirit Beast — he had promptly reported the news to the Cult Master of the Wind Cloud Sect.
Upon hearing this, the Wind Cloud Cult Master's suspicious nature caused a flicker of displeasure to cross his heart.
Before long, the Cult Master arrived at their area and found the Peerless Great Emperor.
"Soaring Cloud Dharma King, I hear you recently obtained a Spirit Beast?" The Cult Master's tone was light, yet carried an inherent air of authority.
The Peerless Great Emperor had clearly anticipated all of this. He feigned surprise on the spot.
"Cult Master, that is so. It was merely a rash, ordinary Spirit Beast. I have already fused my divine consciousness with it and bound it as a contracted Spirit Beast."
As he spoke, the Peerless Great Emperor produced the Gold-Munching Mouse.
The Cult Master glanced at it. "Be more careful next time. It's best not to meddle with Spirit Beasts of unknown origin."
"Yes." The Peerless Great Emperor bowed.
"That will be all, then. Since you've taken it as a Spirit Beast, keep a tight leash on it. Don't let it run around and expose our whereabouts." The Cult Master couldn't find anything amiss, so he said nothing more.
"Yes." The Peerless Great Emperor replied with utmost respect.
Though the Wind Cloud Cult Master was suspicious by nature, finding that this was merely an ordinary Spirit Beast, he harbored no further doubt.
"By my calculations, Jiang Chen's party should be approaching the Nine Suns Heavenly Sect by now. We will launch our attack as early as tomorrow, or at the latest the day after!"
"All of you — prepare yourselves!"
"As the Cult Master commands." All of them spoke in deference, Tunyun Dharma King included.
The Cult Master returned to his base, where Elder Peng asked, "Seventh Young Master, what happened over there?"
"Just a Spirit Beast. Nothing of consequence. That Tunyun Dharma King was trying too hard to curry favor — rather transparent about it." The Cult Master had his own opinion of the Tunyun Dharma King's eagerness.
Among the Eight Dharma Kings, Tunyun was the most opportunistic, the most skilled flatterer, and the most adept at claiming credit to win favor.
Elder Peng, however, smiled. "A man like that is precisely the most useful to have around. At the very least, he won't harbor many thoughts of betrayal."
That was the plain truth.
The Cult Master sighed. "It's a pity. What I need are capable Dharma Kings, not ones who only know how to butter people up. Tunyun Dharma King is too slippery by half, and his strength is simply lacking."
Elder Peng nodded, then said, "Seventh Young Master, the defenses of the Glazed Glass Royal City are not to be underestimated. According to my investigation, the Glazed Glass Royal City has left the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast to guard it."
The Cult Master's expression turned grave. "That Vermilion Bird Divine Beast — last I saw, it was already on its last legs, nearing death. How is it still alive?"
"An ancient Divine Beast possesses tremendous vitality. I'm afraid it won't die so easily." Elder Peng sighed.
"Elder Peng, what do we do then? An ancient Divine Beast is no simple opponent." The Wind Cloud Cult Master feared nothing under heaven, but when facing an ancient being, he could not help feeling at least some degree of unease.
Fortunately, this particular ancient Divine Beast was half-dead and could keel over at any moment. Otherwise, upon hearing the name of an ancient Divine Beast, he would have turned tail and fled without a second word.
He knew full well that his own strength, combined with Elder Peng and Elder Mo, would probably still not be enough to match an ancient Divine Beast.
It wasn't that they were weak — it was that ancient beings were simply that powerful.
And the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast was one of the Four Great Divine Beasts of antiquity. Its bloodline power had been among the very finest even in the ancient era.
Let alone them — even their ancient ancestors, before a peak-state Vermilion Bird Divine Beast, would likely have had to beat a hasty retreat.
"That Vermilion Bird Divine Beast is clearly at the very end of its life cycle. Its combat power must be less than a tenth of what it once was. Last time, in the Sinking Fragrance Valley secret realm, it pursued a human Great Emperor and failed to kill him — even though that human Great Emperor had borrowed secret techniques and treasures from the Heavenly Devil Lord." Elder Peng tried to reassure him.
Elder Mo also nodded. "The Vermilion Bird Divine Beast is an arrow at the end of its flight. Nothing to worry about."
"As for that warrior of the Colossus Clan — simple-minded and all brawn, no brains. Without Jiang Chen at his side, there's no need to fear him either." Elder Peng smiled.
"In the end, it all comes down to that Jiang Chen. Seventh Young Master, I do have an idea. If Jiang Chen learns at the Nine Suns Heavenly Sect that the Glazed Glass Royal City is under attack, he will rush back at any cost. In that case, if we set up an ambush..."
Hearing this, the Wind Cloud Cult Master's face lit up with delight. "Elder Peng, you really have read my mind! I was just thinking the very same thing. Elder Peng, Elder Mo — do you think this plan is feasible?"
"If preparations are thorough, then it is feasible." Elder Mo was as terse as ever.
Elder Peng pondered for a moment. "Jiang Chen's expedition to the Nine Suns Heavenly Sect will certainly include the warriors of the Colossus Clan. Ambushing him won't be easy. However, what is our Xiahou Clan most skilled at? Surprise strikes! Do you remember how we used the Wind Cloud Spirit-Dissolving Powder to wipe them all out at the entrance to Sinking Fragrance Valley?"
The Wind Cloud Laughing Pill was a peculiar poison pill of the Xiahou Clan, specifically designed to manipulate other cultivators.