Chapter 44

Tai Cang asked, "The construction of these spatial barriers is not complicated. I can locate their core, and with Your Majesty's power, you can surely destroy them with ease."

A flash of delight crossed Eastern Emperor Tai Yi's eyes.

This was indeed an unexpected boon. As long as they found the core of the spatial barrier, nothing could stop their advance when paired with the power of the Chaos Bell.

Act at once!

Without hesitation, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi turned to Di Jun and said, "Brother, I will first take men to escort Tai Cang and break the barriers. Lead the army to eliminate the natives in these regions and join us as soon as possible."

With that, he seized Tai Cang and shouted, "Demon Guards, heed my command! Follow me!"

"Yes, sir!"

Several dozen Quasi-Sage-level Demon Guards answered in unison, following Eastern Emperor Tai Yi as they escorted Tai Cang toward the nearest spatial barrier at top speed.

They encountered attacks from native cultivators along the way.

This was Tai Cang's first clear look at the natives of this world—they resembled humans, yet possessed Demon Race traits such as scales and single horns, though not a trace of demon aura surrounded them. What was even more surprising was that, in a world so rich in spiritual energy, they had chosen the path of body refinement. Their physiques rivaled those of the Witch Clan beyond this world, though they lacked the Witch Clan's bloodline and its ability to command turbid qi.

"Kill them!"

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi coldly ordered, "Show no mercy."

The Demon Guards moved at his command.

Their Quasi-Sage strength was fully displayed. The attacking natives were slaughtered in the blink of an eye. As they drew ever closer to the spatial barrier, the number of attackers surged, and beings capable of matching Quasi-Sages even appeared. Yet before absolute strength, all resistance was futile.

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi did not even need to act. The Demon Guards annihilated every enemy. Severed limbs littered the land, and the heavy stench of blood permeated the air.

"What do you think, little friend Tai Cang?"

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi proudly asked, "Do my Demon Guards meet your expectations?"

They did far more than that!

They were utterly ferocious.

Tai Cang sighed inwardly, though his face remained calm. "Worthy of being Demon Guards. The battle prowess of all you seniors is truly admirable."

He meant every word.

Quasi-Sage power was terrifying beyond measure. With every gesture, they could destroy all things. Even more astonishingly, unlike the earth-shaking displays when Grand Unity Golden Immortals unleashed divine abilities, the Demon Guards' attacks appeared plain and unremarkable, yet contained even more dreadful destructive force.

A Quasi-Sage's control over power had reached perfection. Even seemingly ordinary moves concealed the might to destroy heaven and earth. Even if one was not struck directly, the residual energy alone was enough to reduce a Grand Unity Golden Immortal to ashes.

This was the realm of returning to simplicity.

It was also the fundamental reason Quasi-Sages stood above Grand Unity Golden Immortals.

"Demon Sovereign, we have arrived!"

A Demon Guard flew over and reported to Tai Cang and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, "All native cultivators obstructing us along the way have been cleared."

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi nodded slightly, gazing at the faintly visible spatial barrier ahead with a trace of gravity in his eyes. He turned to Tai Cang. "Little friend, it is time for you to display your abilities."

"As long as you lock onto the core of the barrier, I can shatter it completely."

The moment those words were spoken, the surrounding Demon Guards all focused their gazes on Tai Cang, their anticipation mixed with unease. Theory was theory, after all. Until they witnessed it for themselves, no one could say with certainty that it would work.

"Understood."

Tai Cang knew this was the crucial moment to prove his worth. The top-grade innate Lingbao promised by the Demon Emperor, along with a favor from the Demon Race, were not opportunities that came easily.

He rose into the air and lightly pressed his palm against the surface of the spatial barrier. The laws of space within his body immediately surged like a tide.

Buzz—

In an instant, a spot on the barrier suddenly burst with dazzling radiance. It was the energy hub of the entire spatial barrier.

"I found it!"

A sharp gleam flared in Tai Cang's eyes. As he retreated, he signaled to Eastern Emperor Tai Yi. "Demon Sovereign, look. That is where the barrier core lies."

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi did not hesitate. Raising his hand, he summoned the Chaos Bell. As vast mana poured into it, the innate supreme treasure shook the void, shattering space inch by inch wherever it passed.

Boom!

Amid a heaven-shaking crash, the Chaos Bell slammed heavily into the core. The entire spatial barrier trembled violently, its thunderous roar spreading across heaven and earth.

On the battlefield outside, Di Jun, Kunpeng, Fuxi, and other great powers all turned to look.

Crack—

A crisp sound of breaking rang out. Under everyone's watchful eyes, the barrier core began to disintegrate. In the blink of an eye, the spatial barrier that had covered the sky and earth collapsed, revealing endless mountains and forests beyond it.

"It worked!"

"The barrier is broken!"

The Demon Race soldiers erupted in cheers. The spatial barrier that had obstructed them for so long had finally vanished, removing the final obstacle to conquering this world.

"Glory to the Demon Sovereign!"

"Glory to the Demon Sovereign!"

Ocean-like cries resounded through the clouds, and the Demon Race's morale instantly soared to its peak. Di Jun, high in the sky, was the first to recover. Raising the Demon Emperor Sword formed from the Sun and Moon Essence Wheels, he loudly commanded, "All troops, heed my order! Exterminate the enemies still resisting!"

"Yes, sir!"

A million demon soldiers surged toward the native camp like a tidal wave. Shouts of battle and cries of agony blended together. Though Demon Race casualties occasionally occurred, with Di Jun and the other powerhouses overseeing the battle, every Quasi-Sage native who attempted resistance was instantly wiped out.

"Little friend Tai Cang, well done!"

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi laughed heartily and threw an arm around Tai Cang's shoulders. Only now did this ruler of the Demon Race truly regard the person before him as one of his own.

Otherwise, they could only have continued relying on the Star Array of the Heavens to force their way through. Not only would that have consumed tremendous resources, it would also have cost the Demon Race dearly. With Tai Cang's aid, there were no longer any obstacles to conquering this world.

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi declared, "Little friend, let us continue! Once all the barriers have been destroyed, I will allow you first choice of the spoils. Take whatever you desire."

Spoils! First choice!

A gleam flashed through Tai Cang's eyes. These natives might have lived atop a treasure mountain without realizing it, but their cultivation methods and treasures interested him greatly.

"Thank you, Demon Sovereign." Tai Cang cupped his hands, then set off with Eastern Emperor Tai Yi and the Demon Guards toward the next barrier.

They encountered even more native ambushes along the way. The natives had clearly realized that this squad held the key to the barriers and were determined to stop them even at the cost of their lives. Unfortunately, such resistance was utterly beneath Eastern Emperor Tai Yi—Chaos Bell chimes shook the universe, space and time froze, and more than a hundred Quasi-Sages were burned to nothing by golden flames the instant they lunged forward. Tai Cang personally witnessed Eastern Emperor Tai Yi destroy mountains and rivers spanning countless miles with a flip of his hand, while the Demon Guards slew with equal decisiveness. Natives thousands of miles away were reduced to ashes before they could even approach.

A thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.

With a sharp cry, the final spatial barrier collapsed beneath the Chaos Bell. The Demon Race army flooded into the last untouched land like a tide. Divine abilities and spells rained down, native cultivators fell one after another, corpses covered the ground, rivers of blood surged, and a bloody wind swept across billions of miles of territory.

"Little friend Tai Cang, this victory is entirely thanks to you." Di Jun rushed over with Fuxi and the others, solemnly cupping his hands. "Please accept a bow from us."

Tai Cang stepped aside to avoid it. "Demon Emperor, you flatter me. Destroying the barriers relied mostly on His Majesty Eastern Emperor's power. I merely did my small part."

A thousand years of warfare had made Tai Cang increasingly steady. Not only had he helped break the barriers, but he had also gained much insight amid life-and-death battles, nearly breaking through to the Grand Unity realm several times. Yet to forge a perfect Dao foundation, he had always suppressed his cultivation—until he formed the Supreme Three Flowers, he would never rashly enter the Grand Unity realm.

"Little friend, there is no need to refuse!"

Seeing Tai Cang's reaction, Di Jun smiled faintly, rose, and walked before him. "Without your assistance, how could my Demon Race have accomplished its goal so swiftly?"

As he spoke, a pair of boots shimmering with flowing light appeared in Di Jun's palm. "This is the gift promised to you before—the Nine Heavens Divine Boots, a top-grade innate Lingbao. Not only do they possess astonishing defensive power, they also contain the laws of speed. Combined with the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique, they can multiply one's escape speed."

Tai Cang's pupils contracted slightly as he stared intently at the supreme treasure. The Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique was already one of the greatest escape arts in the primordial world. With these boots enhancing it, he would likely have few rivals beneath the Saints.

"Thank you, Demon Emperor!"

Tai Cang accepted the divine boots without hesitation. No one would refuse such a life-preserving treasure.

"It is merely a humble gift, not worth mentioning."

Di Jun laughed loudly. "Compared to your contributions to the Demon Race, what do these boots amount to?"

"Brother."

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi stepped forward at the right moment. "I once promised Fellow Daoist Tai Cang that, once this world was pacified, he could have first choice of the spoils."

Though this request seemed unnecessary, it was in fact meant to display Di Jun's authority before everyone. The two brothers understood each other perfectly, and Di Jun immediately caught on. "In that case, once the remaining enemies have been cleared, little friend Tai Cang may choose whatever he wishes."

The Demon Sages present all nodded. Given this mysterious cultivator's merits, it was only proper for him to take some spoils.

"Thank you, Your Majesties."

Tai Cang saluted calmly. Opportunities earned through his own ability naturally belonged in his hands.

"Report—"

Bai Shang hurried over, covered in dust. After a thousand years of war, the young general had shed his immaturity. Kneeling on one knee, he reported, "Reporting to Your Majesties, the remaining enemies have all been eliminated. A Bronze Divine Temple has been discovered in the core region. According to the captives, it is the supreme sacred ground of this world and must contain great treasures."

Everyone froze at those words and unconsciously looked toward Tai Cang. This opportunity had arrived at quite a convenient time.

"Lead the way."

A sharp light flashed in Di Jun's eyes. "Let us see what sort of treasures these natives worshipped."

Bai Shang accepted the order and went ahead, while everyone followed closely behind toward the mysterious Bronze Divine Temple.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, let us depart!"

Seeing this, Di Jun and the others did not delay. After signaling Tai Cang, they sped off in the direction Bai Shang had gone.

Before long, the group arrived before a majestic mountain that had been cut in half at its waist. Though only half of the peak remained, it still pierced the clouds and somewhat resembled Buzhou Mountain of the primordial world. Its severed face was smooth as a mirror, as though it had been sliced flat by a sword, and a magnificent ancient bronze hall stood atop it.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Greetings, Demon Sovereign!"

"Welcome, Demon Teacher!"

As soon as Di Jun's group arrived, Demon Race cultivators around them hurriedly saluted. Di Jun waved for them to rise, then led Tai Cang and the others into the bronze divine hall.

Creak—

The instant the hall doors opened, bone-piercing cold qi poured out, only to be instantly dissolved by the golden flames rising around Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi.

With a sharp cry from the two of them, blazing true fire swept through the hall, and waves of miserable shrieks immediately rang out. Countless resentful spirits turned to ashes in the flames, and even the native beings hidden within were not spared.

Di Jun swept his sleeve and entered first, the others following into the great hall. Dozens of dragon-coiled stone pillars stood throughout the vast interior, their reliefs of exotic beasts lifelike and vivid. Most eye-catching of all were the three wooden boxes floating in the center of the hall—crimson, emerald, and azure. All three were cracked, and the innate aura leaking through their fissures made one's heart tremble.

An opportunity!

Tai Cang and the others stared with blazing eyes. Everyone understood that the three wooden boxes must contain the hall's greatest treasures.

"Bai Shang, open the boxes." After a brief pause, Di Jun said, "Fellow Daoist Tai Cang has rendered the greatest service and may choose first among the items inside."

Though he knew they contained great treasures, Di Jun did not alter his original intention. Compared with the treasures before him, he valued this young cultivator's boundless potential even more.

"Yes, sir."

A trace of surprise flashed through Bai Shang's eyes. He gave Tai Cang a deep look before stepping forward to open the boxes.

Crack, crack—

As the lids lifted, three unusual treasures revealed their true forms. The first box contained an ancient token. Though its purpose was unknown, it emitted the fluctuations of a top-grade innate Lingbao. The second held a Red-patterned Spirit Fruit, with surging laws of fire flowing beneath its skin. The last contained an Azure-green Seed, which appeared ordinary yet concealed immense vitality.

"Excellent." Di Jun clapped and laughed. "This little primordial world does possess some foundation. There is no need to mention the top-grade Lingbao, but consuming this law fruit can grant mastery over the Great Dao of fire. As for this seed..." He stared at the third box. Though he could not discern its origin, since it had been enshrined as the treasure guarding the hall, it could not be ordinary.