"A wishing stone? Does this get any more ridiculous?"
"This is all just fairy tale stuff!"
Monkey said half-jokingly.
"This is real. Any wish made upon the wishing stone will come true!"
"Whether it's for longevity, to make someone die, or to strike it rich, it can all be done!"
"The Sect Master of the Heavenly Emperor Sect was originally an unknown beggar. He achieved his current status by accidentally obtaining such a wishing stone!"
"You must understand that for any sect to cultivate a prodigy, it's not just about their innate talent and potential, but also requires a vast amount of energy and resources to enhance their strength!"
"Be it pills, cultivation techniques, methods, or artifacts, none of them come without cost!"
"And the sect master is the most elite among countless outstanding individuals."
"Even with heaven-defying talent, a beggar couldn't possibly surpass so many powerful cultivators in a short period and ascend to become the strongest existence in the world within just over a decade!"
Zi Yan said solemnly.
"Alright, I was just making a casual remark..."
Monkey stuck out his tongue.
He was just joking, but Zi Yan took it so seriously that he immediately shut his mouth.
"Since the students are all in the imperial capital, we'll head directly there!"
"And coincidentally, retrieve that wishing stone!"
"Perhaps Xu Ruina and Tang Houde from the Blue Ring can help me unravel the secret of this stone!"
Zhang Chen murmured to himself.
Although he possessed formidable perception, the ability of creation and destruction, and partial temporal control, these abilities offered no assistance in scientific research.
Furthermore, Zhang Chen's aspirations did not lie in that direction, thus necessitating professional help.
Tang Houde from the apocalyptic world had developed the "Apocalypse Termination Machine" that absorbed energy – though it serendipitously aided Zhang Chen in fusing the temporal meteor core shard, he had to admit he was a genius.
Now that this genius had fallen, Zhang Chen had only a handful of scientists he could rely on.
Of course, there was also Xu Linna, sealed within the consciousness symbiont of the Pluto Mushroom.
However, to be frank, Zhang Chen was reluctant to involve this woman.
"I fear the enemy won't allow us to reach the imperial capital so easily. You just injured Elder Tianxuan of the Heavenly Cloud Sect, and the news of the Demon Lord's return must have been relayed by him."
"It's highly likely that the five major sects are currently plotting how to counter you. You must be prepared in advance and not fall into their traps!"
Zi Yan said nervously.
She was afraid that Zhang Chen, their hope, would be extinguished due to carelessness.
"These sects dare to block me? Let them come as they please!"
Zhang Chen sneered.
Suddenly, he paused, his gaze lingering on Zi Yan for a moment, then he asked:
"Do these five major sects also bully you?"
"Of course. They consider themselves righteous sects, so they wouldn't miss an opportunity to bully us. Doing so allows them to gain fame!" Zi Yan nodded and replied.
"Is that so... Announce now that I will be attacking the imperial capital tomorrow. Let's see if they have the guts to show up!"
Zhang Chen said.
"Huh? Exposing our whereabouts directly to the enemy?"
"This... once they are prepared, our attack will be much more difficult!"
"Moreover, the sect master of the Heavenly Emperor Sect is already formidable. If the five major sects join forces... I fear..."
Zi Yan hesitated.
She dared not defy a deity, but she felt that the deity was being too arrogant by challenging all the powerful individuals in the world alone.
What if he lost...
However, Zi Yan dared not voice these thoughts, only speaking half of what she intended.
"Trust me. After all, I won't be staying here for long. Once I find my students, I will return!"
"Therefore, it's necessary to create a clean environment for you."
"Since they perceive us as evil, then we shall show the world just how evil we are!"
Zhang Chen said with a smile.
"A clean environment?"
Upon hearing this, Zi Yan's pupils contracted violently!
She suddenly understood Zhang Chen's meaning. He intended to eradicate them all!
Could it be... he was truly that strong?!
But as the man who legendarily defeated the Nian Beast army single-handedly, she assumed he had his own considerations.
Zi Yan nodded and then let out a whistle.
Immediately, a strangely shaped small bird materialized and landed on Zi Yan's shoulder.
Zi Yan whispered a few words to the bird and then gently shook her shoulder.
"Chirp chirp!"
The little bird chirped, then spread its wings and soared high into the sky.
Similarly, as it flew into the air, it instantly vanished.
"A bird that can spatially traverse, interesting!"
Zhang Chen watched the sky where the bird had disappeared with great interest, sensing that it was already thousands of miles away.
With it to deliver the message, the enemy would surely know soon.
He hoped they would arrive promptly; Zhang Chen did not want to search for them everywhere, as it would be too troublesome.
Zhang Chen first led everyone to eat at a restaurant in the town, rested, paid the bill, and then set off.
Of course, the restaurant owner was quite vexed about making change for a golden crystal.
"Let's go, we're heading to the imperial capital!"
Zhang Chen waved his hand, and a portal instantly opened.
"As expected of the Demon Lord..."
Zi Yan followed Zhang Chen into the portal.
The surrounding students were already accustomed to it and entered in an orderly fashion.
Their destination this time was also the outskirts of the imperial capital.
Zhang Chen had decided to attack the imperial capital tomorrow.
If they teleported directly into the imperial palace today and killed the sect master of the Heavenly Emperor Sect, what if the other sects dared not come?
Therefore, he decided to spend the night in the suburbs, simultaneously allowing passersby to witness the arrival of the demonic army, thereby creating a sense of urgency for the opposing side.
However, as soon as Zhang Chen teleported, he saw blood staining the ground everywhere.
A lavish sedan chair was tilted on its side by the roadside, with maids and sedan bearers lying dead all around.
The chests on the carriage were overturned, clothes strewn everywhere, and a few crystal shards were scattered on the ground.
In a nearby small grove, the sound of a woman's plea for help mingled with men's laughter could be heard.
"Go check it out, what's going on!"
Zhang Chen gently pressed Zi Yan's shoulder from behind.
At the same time, a powerful force was instantly injected into Zi Yan's body, causing her to involuntarily cry out, her body trembling from the surge of energy.
Shortly after, a golden light flashed in Zi Yan's eyes, and her entire demeanor seemed to elevate significantly.
Before she could even depart, a burly man wielding a cleaver emerged from the small grove, speaking menacingly:
"Our Demon Lord is conducting business here. Anyone who doesn't want to die, get lost!"