Finally, the Lord of the Demon Court has achieved the status of Great Emperor; no forbidden zone dares to cause trouble anymore.
An older Saint who cultivated the Demonic Art wept tears of joy.
Most practitioners of the Demonic Art shared his feelings, finding it hard to conceal the joy in their hearts.
With the Demon Court above to protect them, they knew that in this era the master of the Demonic Art had no chance of turning things around, and they themselves would never become provisions for the master of the Demonic Art, able instead to live out their natural lifespans.
People within the Forbidden Zones sighed.
Someone outside had become an Emperor, and everything would change.
At least for ten thousand years, the forbidden zones would no longer be transcendent; they would all tuck their tails between their legs and face numerous restrictions.
After all, they were not the true masters of the universe, and they could not compare to a Great Emperor who suppressed the entire world.
With the Demon Court ruling the present age, it became the most supreme place in the entire universe.
Zhang Huan personally repaired the headquarters of the Demon Court, using Imperial Power to re-condense a vibrant, life-filled planet where vital energy surged, far surpassing all other ancient stars.
This place would become the center of the universe, bearing the Mandate of Heaven.
Reopen the Demon Court, gather talents from all ten directions, and jointly build an immortal celestial dynasty.
Zhang Huan issued the order personally, and his verbal decree spread to the edge of the heavens.
Powerhouses from all over the universe heard it clearly, their hearts stirred as they gazed into the distance toward the Demon Court.
The past Demon Court was established to contend with the master of the Demonic Art in the Divine Ruins, and over the past thousand years, several great older Saints achieved abundant battle results, eradicating the other party's minions almost entirely.
Since Zhang Huan became Emperor, the Demon Court no longer needed to fixate solely on the Divine Ruins; all schemes were insignificant in the face of absolute strength.
He could now open his gates wide, recruit talents from the entire universe to collect resources for him, encompass the entire starry sky, and expand the Demon Court to every corner of the universe.
An Emperor did not need to do everything himself; naturally, others would search out and bring him all the rarest treasures in the world.
This was the advantage of a powerhouse personally creating a force; countless people below would handle matters according to Zhang Huan's preferences, forming a powerful and efficient system.
The older Saints had fought bitter battles for many years and made great contributions, and Zhang Huan would not let them truly exhaust the final light and heat of their lives.
He would step up to bear everything himself; whether it was the Divine Ruins, the Underworld, or Supremes who might wish to initiate the Dark Turmoil in the future, they would first have to pass through Zhang Huan's barrier.
The great banners fluttered, emitting deep wind and thunder sounds. Planted across various star domains, the influence of the Demon Court rapidly spread into the sea of stars.
Over the span of several decades, nearly all myriad races submitted to the rule of the Demon Court.
Countless new talents joined, filling the Demon Court with vitality, among whom were monstrous seeds who broke through to become Great Saints at a very young age.
Even the new-star quasi-emperor of the God Clan unexpectedly surrendered and joined the Demon Court.
"Great Emperor, the Son of the Forbidden Zone in the Divine Ruins has sent another letter."
A Great Saint delivered a wrapped piece of white paper, sealed with Imperial Power, which only a being of the same tier could break open.
Zhang Huan glanced at it and asked him.
"How did he deliver the letter this time?"
"Reporting to Great Emperor, this time was not like the last, when a Saint respectfully handed it over to a group of troops.
Upon receiving the letter, they immediately rushed back to headquarters, and it was passed through several layers to reach my hands."
"It seems the people in the forbidden zone are not entirely devoid of manners; this time is much more polite."
Zhang Huan flicked a trace of Dao Rhyme, and the envelope drifted onto his hand of its own accord.
The contents inside were much the same as the last time, both being invitations from the Supreme's son in the forbidden zone, except this time it was chosen to take place in the Divine Ruins.
Just the Divine Ruins; I've long wanted to tour them. Not going would make me look petty and afraid to set foot in a forbidden zone.
Zhang Huan muttered softly.
He had now reached the flawless Great Emperor realm, his body harmonizing with the Heavenly Heart; how could he fear a forbidden zone? It should be the Supremes who feared him coming to their door.
He stood up and walked out; the older Saint who had negotiated with Zhang Huan on the ancient path had been waiting for a long time.
He also learned the news that the Son of the Forbidden Zone had sent an envelope, and was specifically waiting here.
The older Saint had old ties with the Jade Pond Saintess and always harbored resentment over her assassination.
Among the two Imperial Weapons that ambushed her back then was the one from the Divine Ruins.
Tears dampening his lapels, he begged Zhang Huan to seek justice for the Jade Pond Saintess.
The older Saint had worked without complaint in the Demon Court all these years, and his contributions were immense.
In truth, given his age, he was not far from sitting and transforming, but all these years he had supported himself purely on a breath of air in his heart, stubbornly refusing to let go of the matter concerning the Jade Pond Saintess.
"Rest assured, this trip to the Divine Ruins will include me asking them a question."
Zhang Huan's reply was resolute and powerful, ensuring the older Saint would not wait in vain for so much longer.
Hearing this, the older Saint hesitated, words hovering on his lips as if he still wanted to say something.
Zhang Huan saw through his thoughts at a glance and shook his head, indicating that he would not rashly engage in a hard collision with the forbidden zone.
The ones who would suffer would still be the common people; now that the Demon Court ruled the present age and myriad races were under his command, Zhang Huan naturally would not commit such a reckless act.
A Golden Light Grand Dao unfolded, tens of millions of order divine patterns constructing Dao Rhyme, charting an infinitely majestic golden path.
The Emperor traveled out, stepping on the Golden Light Grand Dao, brilliant and peerless. Amidst shifting stars and revolving bucket, he descended upon the Big Dispper Star Domain.
Imperial Aura spilled over, and Zhang Huan walked into the Divine Ruins amidst the gazes of all living beings.
"Heavens, something major is about to happen in Big Dipper."
Someone was terrified, and at the same time, a great commotion erupted across the Big Dipper Star Domain.
Since ancient times, Emperors and forbidden zones had never gotten along. If an Extreme Dao conflict erupted, this entire star domain would be destroyed, and even Saints would not survive.
There were such examples in ancient history where two Supremes fought, destroying hundreds of millions of mountains and rivers, shattering vast swaths of stars—even more terrifying than the Dark Turmoil, with all life extinguished beneath the Imperial Aura.
Even the Supreme Dao forces grew nervous, observing the abnormal movements within the Divine Ruins.
The Divine Ruins had brief descriptions recorded in ancient texts.
This place was once a paradise for gods, having a great connection to the Ancient Heavenly Court, and legend had it that it fell from another world.
Upon first entering this place, one saw the Southern Heavenly Gate traversing heaven and earth, standing tall and lofty, the ground covered with residual marks.
The ancient relics here were mottled, and some ruins of the Heavenly Court from the Mythological Era still remained, such as multi-storied pavilions and grand halls, some of their architecture branded with array patterns personally carved by Imperial Venerable.
Zhang Huan crossed the heavenly gate, meeting the master of the Demonic Art in a pavilion whose half-vault had collapsed.
The other party had been waiting here for a long time, seeming to know Zhang Huan would come. A pot of tea and two cups of fragrant tea were placed on the table.
His facial features were delicate, looking no different from a young person at first glance, black hair tied behind his back, his body brimming with vitality.
"Would you like some tea?"
He was very casual, taking a self-assured sip on his own.
"The tea has gone cold."
Zhang Huan kindly reminded him.
The other party appeared carefree, but in reality, his heart was knotted with melancholy, and the faint aura of death between his brows could not escape his eyes.
Dignified as a forbidden zone son, not a single person guarded his side, not even a single servant.
A couple of clues could already be seen from this.
"Is that so? It's cold, then."
He tasted it again, as if reminiscing, and after snapping out of it, he smiled desolately.
"Life is like tea, displaying utter bitterness. It's better a bit colder; it can reduce the bitterness."
"Even a Supreme's son like you can grow so sentimental."
Zhang Huan chuckled with rare amusement.
"What Supreme's son? Outsiders don't know the details and view me as a noble Heavenly Dragon progeny.
Only I know that nothing about me belongs to me. Named a Supreme's son, I am actually just a piece of my father's property.
Just a tool he uses to pursue the Immortal Dao."
He stood up and slowly looked toward Zhang Huan, as if seeking a release, a helpless light welling up in his eyes.
Zhang Huan was startled.
He had imagined the scene of facing the master of the Demonic Art many times in the past, every instance filled with surging battle intent, yet at this moment his inner self was instead even more tranquil.
"You cultivated the Demonic Art because of him?"
"Indeed. I am an experiment, and in the end, everything will become a part of him."
Before he could finish speaking, an aura awakened, and the fierce killing intent of a Supreme had arrived.
The moment before he was still speaking, the next he died a sudden death on the spot.
His body exploded, transforming into dots of light rain. As his divine soul dissipated, he accepted it all calmly and smiled in release.
"Rebellious son, eating inside and out."
A cold voice resounded through the forbidden zone, the supreme pressure causing all living beings in the forbidden zone to tremble, finding it difficult to endure this aura.
"I wondered who attracted this generation's Emperor over; it turns out someone helped him."
Another splash of blood splattered. It was precisely the Saint who delivered the letter. Regarded as a traitor, he was directly executed on the spot.
The Imperial Weapon did not know about this matter; it was this Saint who had forged the Extreme Dao traces using a rare Forbidden Artifact.
Having been master and servant for a time, he felt a moment of compassion and used his life to help the son of the forbidden zone, ultimately departing along with him.
Zhang Huan watched indifferently. The master of the Demonic Art who had plagued him for a thousand years had just died like this, and he felt only melancholy in his heart.
No, in the other's own words, he was merely an experiment as well, constrained for life with no release, needing to end his own life in such a manner.
The ultimate master of the Demonic Art was a Supreme of the Divine Ruins.
To disregard family affection to such an extent, for the sake of the Dao he had completely lost all human ethics and morality.
"The trouble this person caused has already been paid for. If there is nothing else, please return."
The voice from the forbidden zone began chasing away the guests. When Zhang Huan first stepped foot into the Divine Ruins, Supremes had already awakened, though they were merely watching and had yet to make a move.
Learning that Zhang Huan came here for this Supreme son, someone liquidated the matter on the spot, wishing to draw a clear line with Zhang Huan and interfere with each other not at all.
"Hmph, it won't be that simple. I also came for a public case."
A powerful aura erupted from Zhang Huan's body.
"Emperor of the present age, speak."
The Supreme of the forbidden zone was unwilling to make an enemy of Zhang Huan at this time.
"More than a thousand years ago, an Imperial Weapon ambushed the Innate Dao Embryo. You must give an explanation."
Zhang Huan pressed forward forcefully, seeing that they dared not emerge and would ultimately make concessions, directly issuing a threat.
That Imperial Weapon took the initiative to appear, apologizing to Zhang Huan. The Supreme understood the cause and effect, following which a pink peach exuding immortal mist flew out from the depths of the forbidden zone.
It looked like a living being, containing boundless vitality. Just plucked from the Immortal Medicine, it still radiated vital energy, filled with misty immortal fog, the few leaves it rested upon being emerald green.
"Not enough."
Zhang Huan did not catch the peach.
"That Dao Embryo is someone I watched grow up, whom I've known since youth. At the very least, you must use the true Ancient Peach Tree as compensation."
He directly opened his lion's mouth, demanding the true Immortal Medicine, threatening that otherwise he would go in and look for it himself.
"We are also Emperors and Sovereigns of the past. If you wish to threaten us, you are welcome to try!"
The atmosphere instantly grew exceptionally heavy.
Sovereigns could not be humiliated.
Although the forbidden zone Supremes had self-severed, they were not so easily bullied, especially since they banded together.
Zhang Huan had no intention of truly demanding the Immortal Medicine—that would shake the foundation of the forbidden zone—but merely sought to make them pay a heavier price.
Ultimately, two more peaches flew out, and Zhang Huan swept his sleeve, the three peaches turning into streams of light that flew into his garment.
It would be a waste of his turn as Great Emperor if he didn't suppress the forbidden zone a little; it was an old tradition.
Stepping out of the forbidden zone, as the starlight grand dao reappeared and Zhang Huan left Big Dipper, all living beings finally exhaled.
The scene of tit-for-tat confrontation with the forbidden zone just moments ago frightened the major powers of Big Dipper immensely; some patted their chests, rejoicing that an Extreme Dao war had not broken out.
When returning to the Demon Court, the older Saint was still standing in the same spot. Zhang Huan waved his hand, and a miniature, fragrant Peach Fruit appeared.
He handed it to the older Saint. The Immortal Medicine could reverse and seize the fortune of an era, and the longevity divine matter within it could repair the Dao Embryo's Dao injuries.
Refined directly into the Dao Embryo's body by Jade Pond's Western Emperor Pagoda, barring accidents, the Dao Embryo would rise once more.
With hot tears in his eyes, the older Saint bowed in gratitude to Zhang Huan and immediately rushed toward Jade Pond.
The matter of the master of the Demonic Art in the Divine Ruins was temporarily settled. Sitting cross-legged within the vast heavenly palace, Zhang Huan felt a wave of loneliness wash over him for no apparent reason.
In his mind's eye, he could still vaguely see the helpless smile of the forbidden zone son. Born in an imperial household, he had no choice of his own, acting as a wedding dress his entire life, until the very end doing just one thing for himself.
He was sympathizing with the other party; once upon a time, he too was like him, bound by spiderwebs.
Fortunately, he knew the "plot" and had ways to break free, unlike the forbidden zone son who could only seek death for release.
In the ensuing years, Zhang Huan created his own Dao.
He still cultivated the Indestructible Heavenly Art; every Emperor possessed a scripture entirely unique to themselves that suited them best, capable of unleashing their greatest combat strength.
His Azure Gold Cauldron had already advanced to an Imperial Weapon after surviving the Great Emperor Tribulation. Though it felt a bit unnatural to use, Zhang Huan had no intention of changing it again.
It was an artifact after all, inferior to one's own strength, unless Zhang Huan could nurture it into an immortal artifact.
The Imperial Scriptures I once obtained include the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art, the Indestructible Heavenly Art, and a portion of Heavenly Venerable inheritance.
With the realm I have ascended to at this moment, I can be described as overlooking from a commanding height, already discerning all kinds of things within secret realm cultivation.
The scripture I create will be tailor-made, inevitably suited to myself in all aspects.
Every ancient scripture was the painstaking effort of a Great Emperor, embodying their supreme insights and understandings of a lifetime.
Using them for reference was most appropriate; coincidentally, the demonic path cultivated by the Ruthless Emperor held even greater reference value for Zhang Huan.
Spending several centuries nurturing the Dao with his body, Zhang Huan created an Imperial Scripture that severed the external to preserve the self.
The Law matched him, and the moment it appeared, it triggered anomalies. All kinds of terrifying spectacles descended, foreshadowing the extraordinariness of this Law.
Everything external could be used as material to be inversely severed, thereby transforming into provisions and becoming fortune for oneself.
Myriad living beings, human body origins, worldly treasures, and even the most terrifying lightning tribulations—as long as one's cultivation level was sufficient, all could become targets to be intercepted.
This Law was simply heaven-defying and harmed the harmony of nature, hence the Great Dao sensed it, and cultivators practicing this Demonic Art were not embraced by the Dao, the lightning tribulations they encountered upon advancing being several times that of cultivators in the same realm.
The Great Dao left no way out at all, ruthlessly restricting such cultivators, even more mercilessly than practicing the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art.
Zhang Huan had already reached the Emperor throne, invulnerable to laws and unrestricted, but if any cultivator wished to start from scratch learning this cultivation method, the probability of living to the end could be neglected entirely.
Either dying beneath the heavenly tribulation or being killed by righteous cultivators, the further along, the harder it was to advance.
It could be called a dead end; this Law was one that only he alone could cultivate!
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