He was still somewhat worried about this. What if a Universe Venerable used a soul enslavement secret art?
He was very concerned that his disciple might not be able to withstand it.
"No, I have to find a way to eliminate this hidden danger."
Golden Feather Venerable thought to himself.
After pondering for a moment, he said to Yan Ning,
"For now, spend some time cultivating in seclusion in Chaos City. If anything comes up, I'll call for you."
Yan Ning smiled and nodded.
He bowed respectfully, took his leave, and turned to exit the hall.
After Yan Ning left, Golden Feather Venerable's eyes flickered. His golden wings gave a light beat, and he vanished from where he stood.
Deep within Chaos City, inside a towering Divine Hall wreathed in Chaos Airflow,
Chaos City Lord sat cross-legged on his throne, eyes half-closed. Laws flowed around him, as if he had become one with all of Chaos City.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes and smiled. "Golden Feather, what brings you here today?"
The air rippled faintly, and Golden Feather Venerable appeared. His expression was unusually grave.
He bowed slightly. "City Lord, I have something important to discuss."
Chaos City Lord raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. "Oh? What could be so serious?"
Golden Feather Venerable took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "It concerns my disciple, Yan Ning."
A flicker of interest passed through Chaos City Lord's eyes. "That little fellow? I've heard he's been making quite a name for himself lately—forcing back two Sealed King Invincibles and possessing a divine body a million kilometers tall. He's certainly extraordinary."
As a member of the Yan God Clan, Yan Ning had drawn Chaos City Lord's attention—second only to that of Golden Feather, his master.
His gene level of 4,800 times was still fresh in Chaos City Lord's memory.
Now, he had revealed a divine body a million kilometers tall.
His potential had increased dramatically once again.
Now, Yan Ning's chances of reaching Universe Master had risen further.
Golden Feather Venerable shook his head. "No, City Lord. What you know is only the tip of the iceberg."
Chaos City Lord's expression shifted slightly. "Oh? Tell me more."
Golden Feather Venerable's gaze turned solemn as he said slowly, "His clone... isn't an ordinary Special Lifeform."
"It's Black Hole Life."
"And that divine body a million kilometers tall is only a tiny fraction he separated from himself."
Chaos City Lord furrowed his brow. "A tiny fraction? How big is his main body?"
Golden Feather Venerable enunciated each word. "Over fifty billion kilometers."
"Boom—"
The Chaos Airflow throughout the Divine Hall suddenly froze, as if time and space themselves had been locked in place.
Chaos City Lord's pupils contracted sharply. The laws around him wavered for an instant, then quickly settled. He stared at Golden Feather Venerable, his voice low and grave. "Are you sure?"
Golden Feather Venerable nodded solemnly. "He told me himself. There's no doubt about it."
Chaos City Lord fell silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "A divine body over fifty billion kilometers tall... Isn't he another Netherworld Lord?"
Golden Feather Venerable gave a bitter smile. "Yes. He might even be more terrifying. After all, Black Hole Life itself represents the ultimate in destructive power."
A gleam flashed in Chaos City Lord's eyes. He said slowly, "Such talent is truly astonishing. But you didn't come here today just to tell me this, did you?"
Golden Feather Venerable took a deep breath and said solemnly, "I'd like to request two things from the race."
"First, a Beast God Inheritance Token!"
"Second, a Soul Defense Treasure!"
A flicker of surprise crossed Chaos City Lord's eyes. "The Beast God Inheritance Token shouldn't be a problem. With his talent and potential, the race certainly won't begrudge him one. But a Soul Defense Treasure... Even the most ordinary one is worth an enormous sum. Are you sure you want to redeem one?"
Golden Feather Venerable nodded without hesitation. "I'm sure! Although Yan Ning's divine body is enormous, his soul is still a weakness. If a Universe Venerable-level powerhouse used a soul enslavement secret art on him, the consequences would be unimaginable!"
Chaos City Lord gave him a long look, then suddenly smiled. "You're certainly willing to make sacrifices. Redeeming these things will probably use up all your savings from countless eras."
Golden Feather Venerable smiled calmly. "I have no family or friends in this life. This disciple is the only one I consider a son. What does it matter if I give up everything to keep him safe? Besides, money isn't much use just sitting there."
Chaos City Lord was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "All right. I'll help you redeem the Soul Defense Treasure. Come back for it in a while."
After leaving Chaos City Lord's Divine Hall, Golden Feather Venerable returned to his residence in Chaos City.
He sat cross-legged in his cultivation room, connected his consciousness to the Virtual Universe, and began going through the messages that had piled up over the past few days.
As soon as he logged into the Virtual Universe Network, a string of urgent messages popped up.
[The Zerg Clan, Demon Clan, and Mechanical Clan have jointly issued a bounty—to kill the human "Demon Flame King" Yan Ning. Reward: one Treasure!] [ Bounty level: Highest priority! ] [Note: The target possesses a divine body a million kilometers tall and is suspected of having a Special Life Clone. Universe Venerable-level powerhouses are advised to take action!]
Yan Ning raised an eyebrow, a cold smile tugging at his lips. "Heh, the three races have joined forces to put a bounty on me? And they specifically recommend sending Universe Venerables?"
He wasn't worried in the slightest. If anything, he found it amusing.
"Come and try, if you've got what it takes."
He muttered under his breath.
"Let's see whether your Universe Venerables kill me first, or I kill yours first."
He truly wasn't worried at all. No matter how many Universe Venerables came, they couldn't kill him.
With his Black Hole Clone and the Chaos Bell protecting his soul,
even if a Universe Master came, they couldn't completely destroy him.
He could always self-destruct.
At worst, he'd only lose one clone.
He could nurture another whenever he wanted.
He checked a few more messages.
But the next one made his eyes turn icy in an instant.
[Yan God Clan · Emperor Yan's Decree—] [Yan Ning, you have one hundred years to leave the Human Race and return to the Yan God Clan! Otherwise, I will personally take action and purge the clan!]
Yan Ning's pupils contracted, and his fingers clenched unconsciously.
"Emperor Yan..."
His voice was low, tinged with suppressed anger.
Emperor Yan, leader of the Yan God Clan, was a supreme being at the Universe Master level!
In the original story, Emperor Yan had been domineering and selfish. He had even betrayed Sitting Mountain Guest's hopes, causing the Yan God Clan to be rejected by the Human Race and eventually reduced to a fringe race.
And now, Emperor Yan had personally spoken up, threatening him into returning to the Yan God Clan?
"Heh, are you afraid I'll grow strong enough to threaten your position? Or are you angry that I didn't leave the Human Race and made you lose face?"
Yan Ning sneered.
He knew all too well how petty Emperor Yan was.
Yan Ning closed the Virtual Universe interface, a cold glint in his eyes.
"Emperor Yan... Do you really think I'm afraid of you?"
His current strength wasn't enough to stand against a Universe Master, but with the terrifying divine body of his Black Hole Clone and the Chaos Bell, Emperor Yan couldn't kill him either.
Besides, he had the Human Race's support!
The Human Race certainly wouldn't stand by and let Emperor Yan attack him.
"If you want to play, then I'll play along."
Yan Ning stood up, the aura around him suddenly turning sharp.
"Someday, I'll drive you from your position as leader of the Yan God Clan. You... are unworthy of your place!"
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