"Hey, you're making us look like ungrateful people! No matter how you put it, it's thanks to you that we've gotten so many valuable treasures. Even if the both of us can only contribute a little in terms of strength, you can't make us leave."

Chi Yue patted her chest heroically.

Leng Ningyu nodded her head as well. "Chi Yue is right."

Chu Kuangren stopped speaking after seeing that he could not convince them both to leave.

He never intended to allow them both to join the battle anyway.

Suddenly, Chu Kuangren's expression s.h.i.+fted before he chuckled. "It seems like we have some guests with us today. You guys can stop hiding now. Come out."

Whoosh.

Three figures walked out from the dark void.

Each of them possessed incredibly strong auras that were on a Boundary Emperor's level.

"You dare follow me just with the three of you? You Dark Shadow Religion people really do underestimate me," Chu Kuangren replied lightly.

The three of them were from the Dark Shadow Religion. As for the reason they came to him, Chu Kuangren already had a rough guess.

"Chu Kuangren, are you still ignorant of your impending doom?"

Among the three, a feeble old man spoke.

The moment his voice dropped, Chu Kuangren disappeared into thin air. When he reappeared, his hand was already around that feeble old man's neck, lifting the latter into the air as if he was a little chick.

The old man tried to resist but was suppressed by a dense surge of spiritual power. Both his arms and legs failed frantically in the air as he struggled to free himself. There was a deep panic and fear in his eyes.

"Even a low-tiered Boundary Emperor like you has the guts to act so pretentiously before me. Who gave you the courage? Was it that so-called G.o.d of Darkness?"

Chu Kuangren uttered.

The expressions of the other two cultivators changed. However, they did not do anything except look at Chu Kuangren with fear and horror.

"Brother Chu, let's talk about this nicely. We…"

Boom!

Before he could finish speaking, the feeble old man, whom Chu Kuangren was holding in mid-air, was crushed to pieces by a surge of terrifying energy. His body instantly exploded into pieces, leaving the remaining two cultivators shocked into silence.

"Now, we can talk nicely."

Chu Kuangren retracted his arm casually.

His white robes were still spotless. Paired with his handsome appearance, he looked like an otherworldly Immortal.

Glug…

The two of them gulped with fear written all over their faces.

"Brother Chu, I'm the Dark Shadow Religion's Fourth Elder. We've come here to make a deal with you."

One of the Dark Shadow Religion cultivators said.

"Carry on. What kind of deal is it?"

"Brother Chu, I believe you're fully aware that you've offended too many cultivators in the Forbidden Barren Wasteland. Your existence has become a threat to everyone, so they have decided to dispose of you."

"Regarding this, my Dark Shadow Religion can provide you with information about these people and how they're going to fight you," said the Dark Shadow's Fourth Elder.

"And what do you seek from me in return?"

"We want you to tell us what method you used to make Swordsman Mei submit to your command and hand her over to Dark Shadow Religion."

The Dark Shadow's Fourth Elder said.

They have investigated Swordsman Mei's background and found out that she used to be from the Sword Tribe but eventually betrayed them to serve under Chu Kuangren.

Chu Kuangren must have used some technique to make this happen.

Swordsman Mei stood up beside him, wanting to say something.

However, Chu Kuangren waved his hand and signaled her not to speak. "You guys want Swordsman Mei for her Dark Descent Physique, am I right?"

"That's right. The Holy Light Religion has its own Bachelor and Maiden Sage. However, since we've lost our Dark Shadow Religion's Bachelor Sage, we need some new blood within our ranks. This Dark Descent Physique is no doubt what we need the most."

The Dark Shadow's Fourth Elder openly stated their purpose and intent.

"You want Swordsman Mei? Sure, no problem. However, I don't need you guys to tell me anything. I just need the Dark Shadow Religion to help me with something."

"What kind of help are you talking about?"

"I'll look for you when the time comes."

The two of them looked at each other. Not knowing what Chu Kuangren was up to, the both of them started to feel unsure of his offer.

Chu Kuangren chuckled. "Don't you worry. I can a.s.sure you that the thing I want your help with will not harm the Dark Shadow Religion. You guys might even be happy to help me with it instead."

"Very well! I suppose now you can tell us how you made Swordsman Mei betray the Sword Tribe and become your follower?" The Fourth Elder uttered.

If that technique was not made clear to them, they would never dare to take Swordsman Mei into the Dark Shadow Religion. Who knew whether she would betray the Dark Shadow Religion just as she did with the Sword Tribe?

It was too great of a risk.

"With poison. I have a poison pill with me that's used mainly to control people. If they don't wish to die, they'll have to obey my orders."

"What kind of poison pill is this? Is it that powerful?"

Chu Kuangren tossed over two vials of pills to them and said, "These are the poison pill and the antidote. Feel free to test them if you don't believe me."

"We'll test them and see."

"Alright, since the antidote has been given to you too, you can take her with you now."

Chu Kuangren then glanced at Swordsman Mei.

She nodded and went to stand beside both the Dark Shadow Religion's members. The three of them looked at Chu Kuangren and soon disappeared into the night.

Chu Kuangren looked at the campfire and chuckled. "How in the world can a poison pill be more powerful than the Soul-Vanquis.h.i.+ng Slave Seal?"

The poison pill could only control one's body.

On the other hand, the slave seal could modify one's soul.

…

Swordsman Mei left with the Dark Shadow's Fourth Elder.

After that, they arrived at a secluded place, and the Fourth Elder took out the two vials of pills that Chu Kuangren had given them.

One of the cultivators took the poison pill with a determined look in his eyes. "Almighty G.o.d of Darkness, I shall dedicate my whole being to you."

Then, he ate the poison pill, testing it on his own body.

Upon seeing this, Swordsman Mei was a little frightened.

'These religion cultivators are truly a bunch of fanatics.'

"How do you feel?" the Fourth Elder asked.

That cultivator had a pained look on him. "There's indeed an incredibly powerful poison corroding my body from the inside. It's difficult to suppress and contain even with my current cultivation level. This is a terrifying poison pill."

"Alright, now take the antidote."

The Fourth Elder took out the antidote.

The cultivator frowned a little after consuming it. "The poison seems to be under control now, but it's still inside me. It hasn't been completely removed."

"Chu Kuangren said that the poison pill requires seven antidote pills to completely remove it from your system," Swordsman Mei uttered.

The Fourth Elder poured out a few more antidotes.

After taking seven of them, the poison inside the cultivator's body was finally removed.

"Alright, Swordsman Mei, it's your turn to take them now."

"Sure."

Once Swordsman Mei took the antidotes, the Fourth Elder suddenly grabbed her wrist and channeled his spiritual power into her to check her body's internal condition.

"Hmm, what Chu Kuangren said is true. The poison is still inside her body."

After some checking, the Fourth Elder released his grasp and apologized. "Do forgive me for this aggression, Swordsman Mei. For the sake of the Dark Shadow Religion, I have to take extra measures just in case."

"It's alright. I understand."

Swordsman Mei nodded, secretly relieved as well.

Fortunately, Chu Kuangren really did make the poison pill and had her consume it, in hopes that she could keep up the act.

Otherwise, her cover would have been blown.

"Swordsman Mei, once we've returned to the Dark Shadow Religion, we shall hold a coronation ceremony for you. From this day onwards, you shall be the Dark Shadow Religion's Maiden Sage. All of our resources shall be given to you to help you succeed in obtaining the Emperor's Throne!"

The Fourth Elder said solemnly.

"Being able to break free from Chu Kuangren's control is already a great delight for me."

"I'm happy that I get to break free from Chu Kuangren's control'

"Hmph, we will never forget the fact that Chu Kuangren killed our Bachelor Sage. However, he is untouchable these days, so it's best if we avoid going against him. When the time is right, the Bachelor Sage's death will be avenged."

The Fourth Elder snorted coldly.

Beside him, a biting chill appeared in the depths of Swordsman Mei's eyes.

'Hmph, planning to harm my Master?'

'Once I secure my position in the Dark Shadow Religion, getting rid of you will be the first thing I do.'