The reconstruction of the Danxiao Ancient Sect was already well underway. However, due to this unexpected development, Jiang Chen and Su Zhenhuan had both agreed to keep it secret for the time being.
Two days later, Jiang Chen secretly assembled the Four Great True Spirits along with Xia Tianze and the Mad Freak, and slipped away to the Celestial Cicada Ancient Court.
The other inheritors of the Six Palaces — Marquis Hong, Lord Tiankun, Old Man Danfu — were left behind at the Glazed Palace to stand guard against any unforeseen events.
These individuals quickly arrived at the Celestial Cicada Ancient Court in secret. The Mad Freak in particular was practically buzzing with excitement. He was a battle maniac through and through, and Jiang Chen had never once invited him into a fight — something that had been eating away at him for ages. He'd complained to Jiang Chen more than once, grumbling that he was being denied the chance to prove himself.
This time, Jiang Chen had finally called on him.
"Heh heh, Chen Shao, this time we've got a big score, haven't we?" The Mad Freak's voice dripped with battle-hungry eagerness.
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "This time, we're leaving human territory and heading to Abyss Island to fight."
"What? Don't tell me we're going to help those traitors?" Xia Tianze's face darkened the moment he heard. "Chen Shao, I'm not trying to tell you your business, but those people aren't worth helping. Every last one of them is an ungrateful snake."
Jiang Chen sighed. "Right now, Abyss Island and human territory aren't exactly in the same boat, but we're slowly becoming grasshoppers tied to the same string."
"This isn't a relief mission to Abyss Island. We're going to war against the Demon Race. All of you have blood debts with the demons — don't you want to kill a few more of them?" Jiang Chen asked with a smile.
"The Demon Race?" Xia Tianze's eyes sharpened. "What are the demons doing on Abyss Island? Back in the ancient era, they didn't even consider the place worth their time."
"This time is different. Perhaps over in the Wastelands, the Demon Calamity has already officially erupted. But since they couldn't break through the Myriad Heavens Ten Thousand Spirits God-Locking Formation, they had no choice but to change course — invade other territories instead, or penetrate Abyss Island. Their ultimate target, I suspect, is still us."
Human territory had been a juicy morsel on the Divine Abyss Continent since time immemorial. The God-Locking Formation could hold off the danger for a time, but it could never truly eliminate the demonic threat. Block one path, and the demons would simply circle half the continent to strike from the other side.
So there were times when holding out on the defensive simply wasn't enough. A degree of strategic offense was itself a form of defense.
The Mad Freak cackled. "Old Xia, who cares where we fight them? As long as we're fighting demons, I'm in. We're not fighting those ancient deserters — we're fighting the demons themselves."
Xia Tianze snorted coldly. "And the demons on Abyss Island — what's their story?"
Jiang Chen's lips curved into an enigmatic smile. "I don't know the specifics either. But this time, I want to play a big game. Without all of you, though, it's simply not possible."
"Out with it then — what's the play?" Xia Tianze perked up at the mention of killing demons.
"This time, I'm planning to go fishing — lure the demons onto the hook." Jiang Chen's smile grew mysterious as he began laying out his plan.
Everyone present listened in rapt fascination.
When the full plan had been revealed, a wicked grin spread across Xia Tianze's face. "I've come to realize that the Glazed Palace really hit the jackpot with you as its master. In certain respects, I'd say you're even more devious than the Glazed Great God Sovereign."
Jiang Chen was momentarily taken aback. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"A compliment," Xia Tianze replied with perfect sincerity. "The God Sovereign certainly had his own tricks, but his cunning absolutely couldn't match yours. You — one flicker of the brain and a scheme to trap someone appears on the spot. That's genuine genius."
Jiang Chen didn't have the energy to figure out whether that was praise or insult.
"So tell me — is this plan feasible or not?" Jiang Chen swept his gaze across the room.