Chapter 282 - - 280 Strangers until we fight_1

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They’ve made a huge blunder!

The younger generation of the Cultivation World felt utterly humiliated, even more so than when Duge had earlier stripped them of their clothes and insulted them. Chen Ziyong was such a good person, how could he possibly be the Heavenly Demon?

But the facts were right there.

Facing Duge’s contemptuous gaze, the pride in the hearts of these rising stars of the Jianghu was completely shattered in that moment.

When Duge looked down on them, they did not take offense, simply assuming he was just an arrogant and ignorant youth;

When Duge stripped them and utterly defeated them, they did not take offense either, for they believed it was purely because Duge lacked martial virtues and had gained the upper hand by launching a sneak attack;

But the revelation that a Heavenly Demon had infiltrated their team, and being chastised by another Heavenly Demon no less, was something none of them could bear…

…

“If he is the Heavenly Demon, then what are you?”

“Don’t think we’re unaware that you’ve long been possessed by the Heavenly Demon.”

“Only an idiot like Su Wen could be deceived by you.”

“Dare to lay a finger on me and see what happens. Today, if any one of us suffers, the majority of the Cultivation World will not let you off the hook…”

…

Watching the crowd suddenly become angry.

Duge was taken aback for a moment, then he remembered the skill he had evolved—Breaking Defense Satire.

Well now.

They had all been subdued by him, and he hadn’t expected that a few words could break through their psychological defenses, stirring up their hatred once again.

This negative skill was getting in the way of making friends!

He had to eliminate this negative impact.

Duge shook his head, looking at them with pity: “This is your own problem. I kindly pointed it out to you, yet instead of hating your own incompetence, you take your anger out on me. Is this the kind of upbringing disciples of prestigious sects receive?”

Duge’s voice was not loud, but it struck directly at the heart of everyone present, like a bucket of cold water poured over their heads.

All along, what they had prided themselves on was their status as members of prestigious families, and now to be told their upbringing was an issue, even an enemy’s words made them lose face.

The most crucial point was that everything Duge said was true, leaving them with no way to retort.

They could neither fight nor outtalk him, stumbling from one foolish act to another…

In this moment, over a dozen disciples from prestigious sects began to question their own past lives. Could it be true, as Cheng Yu said, that they were absolutely worthless?

But they were the chosen talents of their respective sects!

At the same time.

Duge’s personal interface flickered. He reached out and tapped it, and surely enough, a new skill had been added.

Heart Attack: When your opponent is struck to their limit, they will experience intense self-doubt, followed by despair, depression, and self-loathing. If not rescued in time, they will fall into decline, like living dead.

…

The second keyword’s skills are all active!

Indeed, when focusing on a single keyword, efficiency is at its highest.

Next, as long as he finds the world’s main storyline, or eliminates all the candidates, he can end this world.

It’s a pity.

The second skill derived from discrimination doesn’t seem very useful.

After all.

In the real world, he needs more friends, not to beat others into a state of collapse!

Moreover, with the effort it takes to strike an opponent to their limit, wouldn’t it be better to just destroy their path of cultivation?

Alas!

Duge sighed. The derivation of advanced skills was too unreliable, just like Goodness Is Being Bullied, there would always be some useless skills derived.

Of course.

He also needed to work on friendships, otherwise, it would be difficult to explain to others once he went out.

Looking at each of the dejected scions of heaven, Duge’s gaze softened a lot: “Provoking me when you’re in peril does no good for you. There’s a saying that goes, ‘The dog that will bite doesn’t bark.’

Just like you harbor hatred for me in your hearts, those few who haven’t spoken clearly have much deeper schemes. Perhaps what they are thinking is that revenge is a dish best served cold, and not too late even after ten years. But because of your few impulsive clamorings, you might end up dragging them down with you, having me eradicate you completely. Right now, they might hate you more than you can imagine!”

The few who had spoken looked guiltily towards those who had remained silent and apologized, “I’m sorry.”

Those who hadn’t spoken shook their heads helplessly, bitterly saying, “Don’t let him divide us; we’re not that naive. Since he’s pointed it out, in his eyes, we’re all the same.”

“Stay calm and composed, and don’t let the enemy provoke you,” Duge looked at everyone and smiled, “No matter how dangerous the situation, if you can do your best to keep your life, you’ll have a future. Just like you, I’m also a member of the Cultivation World. I’m not here to shame you, but at the request of Daoist Suwen, to awaken you.”

Being taught a lesson by one of our own is much better than being taught by the Heavenly Demon.

After all.

In the future, we will face all kinds of Heavenly Demons who possess inconceivable Divine Skills. Some will make you let your guard down, some will enrage you and cause you to lose your reason, and some may even tempt your desires…

At that moment, only by maintaining one’s true self and keeping one’s mind clear at all times can one possibly see through them and then overcome them. Otherwise, what’s the point even if someone avenges you?

You’re dead, and though you may die with a smile, you’re still dead. Who knows, the ghosts of those your sect has killed might continue to bully you in the Underworld!"

The crowd was shocked and looked at Duge in astonishment.

After a moment of silence, Xie Zhong completely recovered. He clasped his hands together and gave Duge a serious bow, “Thank you for the teachings, Junior Brother Cheng.”

The others also came to their senses and bowed respectfully towards Duge, “Thank you for the teachings, Junior Brother Cheng.”

With Duge’s timely intervention, he pulled everyone back from the brink of collapse, and their hatred dissipated. One by one, they became calm as if they had matured a lot.

Duge smiled and said, “That’s more like it! Bury the hatred deep inside, deceive the enemy, and when they let their guard down, summon the elders if needed, resort to underhanded tactics if necessary…”

Luo Fan chuckled and scratched his head, “Junior Brother Cheng is joking. We really learned our lesson this time and won’t return kindness with ingratitude.”

“Exactly, Junior Brother Cheng is doing this for our own good,” Shi Dashan said, “Thinking about it, our actions today were indeed childish. Just as Junior Brother said, if you were really the Heavenly Demon, none of us would have survived.”

“But I really am the Heavenly Demon!” Duge said with a smile, “If I were a cultivator, how could I torment you like this?”

The crowd was taken aback.

Even Daoist Qingsong, who had come down, was stunned in place.

Zhao Hongmei’s eyes widened in shock—self-revelation, he actually revealed himself, what is he planning to do?

Xie Zhong was startled for a moment, then laughed, “Junior Brother Cheng must be joking. The Heavenly Demon has only descended for two days; no matter how powerful, it’s impossible to subdue us all on his own in just two days. If the Heavenly Demons were as formidable as Junior Brother Cheng, the Cultivation World wouldn’t even need to fight them; we might as well just wash our necks and let them slaughter us.”

“Exactly, Junior Brother Cheng. The Dao skills you used in our fight just now show what you are,” Luo Xi added.

“Right, we should keep this attitude. You know I’m the Heavenly Demon, I know I’m the Heavenly Demon, but no one else acknowledges it, and they even find reasons why I’m not the Heavenly Demon. You all have grown up so fast!” Duge said appreciatively as he looked at the group.

“…” The crowd was left speechless; with everyone knowing the truth, why state the obvious? Is ‘awkward’ your keyword?

“Junior Brother Cheng has quite the sense of humor,” Xie Zhong laughed heartily, “The lesson has been delivered, so there’s no need to keep on about it. We know we are wrong, please spare our fragile little hearts, Junior Brother Cheng!”

“…” Duge glanced at him and replied with a smile, “Right, right, it’s just a joke, you didn’t take it seriously, did you? How could I possibly be the Heavenly Demon? As the saying goes, ‘No grudges without a fight,’ now are you willing to accept me as a friend?”

“Of course, if someone like Junior Brother Cheng, who is a true talent, doesn’t qualify to be our friend, we must be truly blind,” Luo Fan said.

“No, it should be, it’s our honor that Junior Brother Cheng is willing to be friends with us,” Zhang Ziqing said, “With Junior Brother Cheng at Clear Heart Temple, it is destined to shine in the future Dao Cultivation World.”

“I must say, Junior Brother Cheng’s skills are truly handsomely executed. The way you used the Immobilizing Talisman was simply divine. Whoever says that the Talisman Sect isn’t good at combat, I’ll refute them…”

“Luo Fan, I think you better cover yourself up with a cloth. Even if Junior Brother Cheng says you should have thick skin, you should still have consideration for the ladies present,” Luo Xi said blushing.

After several shocks, Luo Fan had completely forgotten his state of undress. Hearing this, he turned beet red, picked up some torn trousers from the ground, and clumsily put them on.

…

So do you now know whether he is the Heavenly Demon or not?

Watching Cheng Yu become brothers with everyone, Chen Ziyong’s eyes widened in confusion, somewhat bewildered by the group’s antics.

Cheng Yu was right; this group has matured too fast.

He saw it very clearly; Cheng Yu had just made a gesture like opening a personal panel. Who but an examinee would access a personal panel to check information?

But now he couldn’t express his concerns, anxiously unable to do anything.

At this moment, he finally remembered to worry about himself as Cheng Yu had won over this batch of promising individuals from the Cultivation World.

The next step must be Cheng Yu targeting him, right?

Damn it, he had first won over these people’s favor. If only he had struck first; as soon as Cheng Yu appeared, he should have declared himself.

…

Duge was an old fox with a thousand years of cunning; no matter how well these people pretended, they couldn’t escape his discerning eyes.

After all, the character of the Heavenly Demon suited him more; to dominate others in battle after just one day of cultivation was too nonsensical and defied common sense.

But who cares!

He had already obtained the skill of friendship from these people.

No Grudges Without a Fight: An opponent subdued by you becomes a friend who has your best interests at heart.

Having been subdued, even knowing he is the Heavenly Demon, they are still good friends…

However, looking at the newly acquired skill, Duge sighed. It would be great if he could take this skill with him to the real world; it would undoubtedly be more beneficial for his social interactions!

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