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*****
The fundamental reason the three Dragon Kings were willing to defect to the Infinite Immortal Venerable was their desperate desire to escape their entrapment—even if it meant accepting a curse that could strip them of their lives in an instant.
But what if George could help them unlock the Sea-Fixing Dragon-Locking Chains without the need for such a curse, allowing them to regain their freedom with no strings attached? Would they still choose to defect to the Infinite Immortal Venerable then?
Without the restriction of the curse, even if the three Dragon Kings claimed they were willing to defect, how could the Infinite Immortal Venerable possibly trust them?
Both the three Dragon Kings and the Infinite Immortal Venerable understood this point very clearly.
Therefore, what George was employing now was an open conspiracy—a Yangmou.
"What? Black Dragon, can you really help us unlock the Sea-Fixing Dragon-Locking Chains?"
Hearing George's words, Ao Run and the others immediately revealed looks of sheer excitement.
If they could regain their freedom without paying a terrible price, who would willingly hand their life over to the control of another?
None of them were fools, especially Ao Run. She knew that given the Infinite Immortal Venerable's character, no matter how loyal they might be in the future, they would likely meet a grim end.
"Hmph! A mere rogue cultivator thinks he can undo the Sea-Fixing Dragon-Locking Chains of my Jade Void Palace? What a joke!"
The Infinite Immortal Venerable wore a look of disdain on his face. He felt that the opponent was merely trying to stall for time.
But no matter how much they delayed, the outcome would not change.
Hearing the Infinite Immortal Venerable's words, the expressions of the three Dragon Kings darkened.
Indeed, the Black Dragon was just a rogue cultivator; how could he possibly undo a supreme magical treasure like the Sea-Fixing Dragon-Locking Chains?
"Alohomora!"
George did not waste his breath. He teleported directly to Ao Run's side. Then, channeling the Power of the World, he activated the Unlocking Curse—a spell he had modified countless times—and struck the chains binding Ao Run.
Under the effect of the Unlocking Curse, which had essentially become a conceptual, rule-based magic, the Sea-Fixing Dragon-Locking Chains on Ao Run's body immediately began to shake violently, looking as if they might pop open at any moment.
Seeing that George actually stood a chance of opening the chains, the Infinite Immortal Venerable's expression changed drastically.
"Deer Boy, Crane Boy, kill him!"
Crane Boy flapped his wings, transforming into a strange, powerful tornado that swept toward George. Meanwhile, Deer Boy took out his magical bow and arrows, instantly firing countless golden arrows.
Their goal was to kill George before he could unlock the chains. That way, the three Dragon Kings would have no choice but to submit to the Infinite Immortal Venerable.
"Stop them!"
Ao Run was incredibly sharp-witted; she immediately realized the Infinite Immortal Venerable's intent and shouted to Ao Qin and Ao Shun.
Although Ao Qin and Ao Shun were not as cunning, they knew that listening to Ao Run was never a mistake. Without a hint of hesitation, they moved to intercept the attacks of Crane Boy and Deer Boy.
"You seek death!"
Seeing Crane Boy and Deer Boy blocked by Ao Qin and Ao Shun, the Infinite Immortal Venerable flew into a rage. He personally launched an attack toward George to stop him from breaking the chains.
However, he was intercepted by Shen Gongbao, who wielded the Lightning Whip.
Unfortunately, how could Shen Gongbao be a match for the Infinite Immortal Venerable? After just a few exchanges, he was heavily injured and sent flying toward the city walls.
Fortunately, at this moment, Li Jing and Lady Yin had organized the defenders of Chentang Pass. Utilizing large siege weapons and bows, they launched a barrage of attacks against the Infinite Immortal Venerable.
Under the orders of the three Dragon Kings, the sea demons also threw themselves fearlessly in front of the Infinite Immortal Venerable, blocking his path one after another without regard for their lives.
It was precisely because of these obstructions that George gained enough time to work on the chains.
"Sword of Rupture, Enuma Elish!"
Relying solely on the Unlocking Curse was not enough to completely open the Sea-Fixing Dragon-Locking Chains.
So, while maintaining the Unlocking Curse, George pulled out the Sword of Rupture. combining it with a full-power strike, he slashed down onto the already trembling chains.
Kacha! Kacha! Kacha!
The three chains binding Ao Run instantly snapped apart. Ao Run was free.
"Black Dragon, thank you!"
Ao Run spun around in excitement. She then transformed into her human form and planted a firm kiss on George's cheek to thank him for helping her escape her misery and regain her freedom.
This wasn't a deliberate act of seduction, but simply because she was too overjoyed at gaining her liberty.
"We are all friends; there is no need for thanks."
George was stunned for a moment, but he reacted quickly, waving his hand with a smile.
"Friends... Good! Then I, Ao Run, accept you as a friend!"
Ao Run knew that the Black Dragon likely helped them unlock the chains because he didn't want them defecting to the Infinite Immortal Venerable, which would lead to the destruction of Chentang Pass.
However, the Black Dragon had genuinely helped them break the chains, and he hadn't used the opportunity to make any demands.
He hadn't even asked them to help fight the Infinite Immortal Venerable.
Therefore, even if the Black Dragon's words contained a bit of calculation, she was still willing to make this friend.
"Ao Qin, leave her to me! You go over there and let the Black Dragon unlock your chains."
Ao Run casually swiped her hand through the air, tearing open a spatial rift. She quickly swapped positions with Ao Qin, taking over the fight to intercept Crane Boy.
George did not dally. He used the same combination of the Unlocking Curse and the Sword of Rupture to open the chains on Ao Qin's body.
"Hahaha! This King is finally free! Good! Black Dragon, I will remember this favor.
I won't say much else, but as long as I, Ao Qin, am here today, I will definitely help you defend Chentang Pass!"
Compared to the highly intelligent Ao Run, Ao Qin's mind was much simpler, and he didn't overthink things.
During their interactions recently, he already felt that the Black Dragon was a decent guy. He spoke nicely, often drank alcohol and ate meat with him, and listened to him brag about the Dragon Clan's past glory.
Now, he had even helped him unlock the Sea-Fixing Dragon-Locking Chains, saving him from becoming the Infinite Immortal Venerable's slave and allowing him to escape the hell of the seabed.
So, he truly regarded the Black Dragon as a good brother. Since his good brother wanted to protect Chentang Pass, he would certainly give his all to help.
"Then many thanks, Brother Ao!"
George patted Ao Qin heavily on the shoulder to express his gratitude.
Among the three Dragon Kings, this guy was the most naive, the easiest to fool, but also the most genuine.
"Little Deer Demon, you dare act presumptuously? Let your Dragon Grandpa teach you a lesson!"
Magma-like flames erupted from Ao Qin's body. Hefting a massive axe, he charged straight at Deer Boy.
Deer Boy's golden arrows struck Ao Qin's body, but for a time, they failed to break his defense.
While Ao Qin was fiercely battling Deer Boy, George also unlocked the chains for Ao Shun, who had swapped out.
Ao Run pinned down Crane Boy; Ao Qin pinned down Deer Boy; while Shen Gongbao, the three seas' demons, and the Chentang Pass defenders led by Li Jing and Lady Yin held back the Infinite Immortal Venerable.
The former two were gaining the upper hand in their one-on-one duels, while the latter group, despite attacking in a swarm, was at an absolute disadvantage.
Even though this wasn't the Infinite Immortal Venerable's true body, he still possessed the cultivation base of a Taiyi Golden Immortal. Meanwhile, the strongest among the defenders was Shen Gongbao, who was barely a Golden Immortal.
"I am not good at fighting, so I hope Brother Ao Shun can go and help them out a bit."
After unlocking the final chains, George made a request to Ao Shun.
Ao Shun wasted no words. Gripping two long blades, he slashed viciously toward the head of the "evil water peach."
Seeing Ao Shun join the siege, the Infinite Immortal Venerable realized that even if he went all out, he likely couldn't conquer Chentang Pass in a short time—especially since Ao Guang had yet to appear.
He immediately signaled Deer Boy and Crane Boy to retreat outside of Chentang Pass, ceasing the battle.
Since the plan could not be completed, there was no point in continuing the fight.
(End of Chapter)