Chapter 1721: Puppet

The Asura Saint Son smugly declared, "I don't believe I've left any traces!" He was quite confident in his methods of concealment. Having remained undetected by Middle-earth's Sages for eight hundred years was testament to his skill.

Jiang Fan said, "Your biggest giveaway was your search for the *Prison-Pacifying Soul Scripture*."

"This scripture is of no use to a lesser sage!"

"Therefore, when Sage Tianluo revealed the Lesser Sage Black Tablet, I knew he could not be the Asura Saint Son."

Upon hearing this, the Asura Saint Son's eyes flickered. He said, "That still doesn't prove it was me!"

Jiang Fan calmly replied, "Indeed, I once suspected the Ancient Chan Buddhist Venerable from Tianzhou, as I knew the Asura Saint Son commanded astonishing prestige."

"The Ancient Chan Buddhist Venerable fit that description best!"

"However, I then recalled something else: this Asura Saint Son excels at manipulating events from behind the scenes."

"His use of the dream transmission to White Horse Temple to control the Jian family showed that the Asura Saint Son prefers to remain hidden in the background."

"Thus, the most conspicuous figure, the Ancient Chan Buddhist Venerable, was unlikely to be the Asura Saint Son."

"Only four individuals broke through to the Sage realm within the last eight hundred years: you, Sage Tianluo, the Nine Nether Demon Venerable, and the Ancient Chan Buddhist Venerable."

"With them all eliminated, that leaves only you!"

He stared at the Asura Saint Son, having to admit that his disguise had been remarkably effective. Jiang Fan had initially suspected him, but during the decisive battle, the Asura Saint Son's solitary charge towards the Giant Emperor, a clear act of self-sacrifice for justice, directly dispelled his doubts. Afterwards, he frequently spoke out in defense of Middle-earth and righteousness. Even a native Middle-earth Sage like Sage Cixin didn't demonstrate as much dedication as he, an outsider, did. Had Sage Tianluo not exposed the Lesser Sage Stone Tablet, Jiang Fan would never have been certain that Sage Wanyun was the Asura Saint Son.

Today, the truth was finally revealed.

The Asura Saint Son stared intently at Jiang Fan. As someone who prided himself on manipulating all events, being so easily unmasked by a mere Divine Transformation realm cultivator filled him with a stifling sense of frustration.

"So what if you guessed? It's still a dead end for you," the Asura Saint Son coldly stated. "Hand over the *Prison-Pacifying Soul Scripture*, and I'll grant you a swift end!"

"Do not doubt the methods of torment in the Hell Realm."

"Living a fate worse than death is merely the limit for beings of Middle-earth; for us in the Hell Realm, it's only the beginning!"

Jiang Fan's eyes flickered. He said, "I can give it to you, but first, answer two of my questions."

The Asura Saint Son regarded Jiang Fan mockingly: "This Saint Son does not typically negotiate."

"However, for such a troublesome quarry as yourself, I am willing to make an exception just this once."

"Proceed."

Jiang Fan asked, "First, was Sage Tianluo actually a puppet you controlled?"

"Of course." The Asura Saint Son replied readily, "Without my assistance, how could an ordinary individual suffering from the Heavenly Human Three Decays have become a Great Venerable, let alone ascend to the Sage realm through sheer luck?"

Jiang Fan sighed inwardly. It was as he suspected. He had not forgotten the Asura Saint Son's race, the Bloodthirsty Asuras, who grow by absorbing others' vital essence and can even control others as puppets. Over the years, many tasks inconvenient for the Asura Saint Son to undertake personally were carried out through his control of Sage Tianluo. This was also why he had managed to remain so well-hidden.

"My second question: The *Prison-Pacifying Soul Scripture* has already failed to meet your initial objective, yet you're willing to expose your identity to capture me. Surely you have other intentions, don't you?"

The Asura Saint Son chuckled, his gaze growing sharp. "No wonder you managed to grasp even that woman's remnant soul. You truly possess extraordinary insight."

"Unfortunately, I cannot answer that question."

"Now, hand over the *Prison-Pacifying Soul Scripture*, and then I will send you to your rightful place!"

Jiang Fan nodded and said, "Very well."

With a thought, the spatial essence within the Nine Dragon Demonic Cauldron, which he held, detonated. With a thunderous boom, the cauldron lid was blasted off.

The Asura Saint Son had already noticed the Nine Dragon Demonic Cauldron in Jiang Fan's possession and, with a swift glance, sent it flying.

"A dying struggle!" The Asura Saint Son's eyes hardened. Blood-red flames surged from his palm and struck Jiang Fan's body.

But at that very moment, a long vine-like tendril suddenly shot out from the airborne Nine Dragon Demonic Cauldron, hurtling towards both of them with lightning speed.

The Asura Saint Son's expression shifted slightly. "What is that?" he questioned. As he peered into the cauldron, he vaguely discerned that its bottom connected to the void, and a humanoid lotus root was attempting to burrow back into Middle-earth via the Nine Dragon Demonic Cauldron.

"The Doom-Breaking Black Lotus?" The Asura Saint Son's face registered horror.

In that very moment of shock and uncertainty, he found his waist entangled. A portion of the tendril branched off, rapidly coiling around Jiang Fan. Unexpectedly, a continent within the void suddenly collided, sending the Doom-Breaking Black Lotus flying. The tendril attempting to ensnare Jiang Fan veered off course, missing him entirely. It only managed to drag the Asura Saint Son into the void.

The Asura Saint Son, no longer concerned with Jiang Fan, immediately directed the blood-red flames in his palm towards the tendril, shouting, "Where did this Doom-Breaking Black Lotus come from?"

"Wasn't the last Doom-Breaking Black Lotus in the Hell Realm eradicated ten millennia ago?"

Realizing the danger posed by the Doom-Breaking Black Lotus, he struggled desperately to break free.

Seizing this opportunity, Jiang Fan shouted, "Close!" The cauldron lid snapped shut, sealing off the void.

Jiang Fan broke out in a cold sweat. Employing the Doom-Breaking Black Lotus had been a desperate, last-ditch effort. What puzzled him, however, was how the Doom-Breaking Black Lotus, when attacking him, had coincidentally been struck by a passing continent and sent flying. What kind of divine luck was that? He felt his luck could now rival Wang Chongxiao's.

Regardless, he decided to leave quickly while the two were entangled in combat. He swiftly moved to the state-level teleportation array, activated it, and promptly teleported to Taicang Grand State. As soon as it was activated, he entered the spatial channel located within the void. Through the spatial barrier, he witnessed the fierce battle between the Asura Saint Son and the Doom-Breaking Black Lotus.

The Asura Saint Son had by now revealed his true form: a blood-red monstrosity with a sanguine face, prominent fangs, and two ferocious horns protruding from its head. It was a stark contrast to the gentle, refined image he typically presented. Jiang Fan, however, was not surprised by his true form. What truly surprised him was the Doom-Breaking Black Lotus.

The lotus root portion of it sent shivers down Jiang Fan's spine. The last time he and Yuemingzhu encountered the Doom-Breaking Black Lotus in the void, it had only just begun to assume a humanoid outline. Its most developed feature had been a spherical top resembling a head, with two indentations where eyes would be. But heaven knew what this entity had experienced recently. It had actually developed clear facial features! Its eyes were closed, it had a high-bridged nose, thin lips, and a pair of ears. Its body had also become fully humanoid. A torso and limbs were visible, and one could even discern pectoral and abdominal muscles. If not for its pitch-black skin, the lotus leaves on its head, and the aura of a spiritual entity, he might have mistaken it for a true human.

Noticing Jiang Fan, the Doom-Breaking Black Lotus decisively released the Asura Saint Son and rapidly flew towards Jiang Fan. Its speed was significantly greater than its previous leisurely drift in the void, now matching the pace of intercontinental teleportation.

In the blink of an eye, it reached the spatial barrier!