Demon Emperor Gu Xu hung in the sky like a blazing sun, looking down upon all things.
Fang Yun leaned against the Water Throne, his head resting against its back. Even breathing was difficult, but he showed not the slightest fear.
Fang Yun said calmly, "My flowers bloom apart from the hundred-flower throng; beside a sparse fence, my solitary joy endures. Better to die on the branch, clasping my fragrance, than ever be blown down by the north wind!"
His voice was as biting as a cold wind. It actually resonated with his Literary Guts, making them give a soft chime.
"Better to die on the branch, clasping my fragrance, than ever be blown down by the north wind! A fine poem! That line alone surpasses all that talk of sacrificing life for righteousness. Encountering such fine poetry has whetted my appetite." Demon Emperor Gu Xu's voice carried delight, yet a flash of bloody light passed through his eyes.
Fang Yun looked at the Golden-Armored Demon Emperor and said, "Do you remember being slain once by the will of the Human Realm and losing your Golden Cicada Escape, Demon Emperor?"
Not long before, Fang Yun had devised a wager with the Demon Emperor and the sages of the Demon Realm. The limit was three years: if Fang Yun could compose sixteen Transmissible Battle Poems and become a Master of the World, the sages of the Demon Realm and the Demon Emperor would lose to him.
Fang Yun had done this to prevent the sages of the Demon Realm from killing him within those three years, and also to obtain the legendary Ancient Star River Tributary.
To the sages of the Demon Realm and the Demon Emperor, three years were merely a snap of the fingers, so they had agreed. Yet