The young man opposite him was the twenty-seventh son of the Azure Peng King, a Great Power of the Demon Clan. He had fought the Golden-Winged Little Peng King over Yan Ruyu before. They were on a mission from the king this time, and they could not let the young man act on impulse.
The fame of Chaos Palace had now spread throughout the Eastern Wasteland. The Azure Flood Dragon King was at the height of his power, wielding an Inherited Saint Weapon and striding like a tiger through the Northern Region. Such a great power was not one they could afford to offend.
The Azure Emperor's nineteenth-generation descendant was another matter. She was held in little regard.
Among the demon kings of the Southern Region, quite a few had designs on the ancient scripture created by the Azure Emperor.
Two demon kings of fearsome repute had once attacked outright, coveting the Demon Emperor Scripture immensely. Faced with a single finger from an attacker, the Azure Emperor's nineteenth-generation descendant had nearly fallen, becoming a laughingstock among the other demon kings. Though they were all Great Powers, the difference in their strength was as vast as heaven and earth.
The old demon did not care that the young master disliked him. He was a subordinate of the second young master, with a cultivation at the Second Heaven of the Four Extremes, and was highly valued by his master.
The young man, on the other hand, was not favored by the Azure Peng King. He had barely earned some renown among the Demon Clan thanks to his good looks and bearing, but his strength was only at the Dao Palace First Heaven, nothing worth mentioning. Had his looks not won the favor of a Half-Step Great Power, who took him as a disciple, he would not even have been given the chance to serve as an envoy this time.
The Azure Peng King had many offspring, thirty-seven sons in all. So long as they had not entered the Four Extremes Realm, they were merely fledglings, unworthy of his attention.
He was a subordinate of the Azure Peng King, and the Half-Step Great Power behind the young man could not frighten him.
With one worry laid to rest, the white-haired old demon relaxed as well. His expression shifted, and he said with a smile, "I hear that the princess's husband is also a heavenly genius. Only a couple of days ago, he even defeated Demon General Lu Yu of the Dragon Transformation Realm."
"Hmph!"
The handsome young man caught the teasing in the old demon's words and snorted coldly. His previously calm face now resembled a pool of stagnant water, and his presence grew somewhat intense, though it soon settled. He closed his eyes and said no more.
How could he not be angry at being mocked by this old turtle? But he could not voice it. All his power came from the Azure Peng King, and he cared more about this visit than the other man did.
As for Yan Ruyu, he had originally pursued her for the Demon Emperor Scripture, although she truly was flawless, a beauty beyond compare.
But she was not someone he could covet. Even if she fell into the mortal world, a host of demon kings would fight over her. She was simply beyond the reach of the younger generation...
When the carriage passed through a canyon and arrived before a range of mountains green as jade, specks of sacred light rippled toward them. All the plants shone like jade carvings, shimmering with a wondrous radiance. This place was unlike the rest...
At this moment, Su Yu was cultivating in the space inside the Devouring Heaven Demon Jar.
At his current cultivation speed, he would soon reach the next realm, but refining his weapon had to come first. Once he had dealt with the affairs of the Demon Clan in the Southern Region, his next step would be to go to the Fire Domain and use its divine flames to refine it.
Aside from using heavenly tribulation, the best method was the ninth layer of the Fire Domain.
Su Yu silently recited the Emperor Scripture. His five-colored Bitter Sea was unusually tranquil. At its very center, a spring bubbled steadily, releasing a flourishing breath of life. It was the source of divine power flowing forth.
He connected with the Wheel of Life beneath the Bitter Sea, and the boundless life force it contained surged up like a spring. Under Su Yu's direction, it began weaving one divine pattern imprint after another. Ripples spread from the Life Spring across the Bitter Sea, becoming gentle waves that lent it a lively, natural quality. The five-colored Bitter Sea rippled and the divine spring bubbled; the two became one, divine power flowed without end, and life flourished. Streams of life essence Qi welled up between heaven and earth, becoming specks of light above the Bitter Sea.
Su Yu's mind was serene and empty. His body was like a glazed divine lamp, untouched by dust and crystal clear, as he entered a wondrous state. Suddenly, wisps of chaotic Qi appeared in the five-colored Bitter Sea. Streams of chaotic Qi rose from its depths, accompanied by a thousand streaks of auspicious color and ten thousand rays of divine light, dazzling and sacred beyond compare.
The surging sea began to vanish swiftly. Its boundless five-colored surface disappeared, then condensed into a divine seed the color of chaos.
The seed was engraved with exceedingly mysterious Dao patterns of heaven and earth. It floated above the Bitter Sea before finally transforming into dense chaotic Qi. Between heaven and earth, pure Qi rose and turbid Qi sank, as though heaven and earth were being created, an indistinct and illusory sight.
Wave after wave rose into raging billows that struck the heavens. Chaotic Qi surged and intertwined above the plain-colored sea, then rushed from his tailbone along the great dragon of his spine, straight to the crown of his Immortal Platform.
The five-colored Bitter Sea turned plain once more, hazy and dreamlike.
He returned once more to his own origin, transforming his Immortal Phoenix origin into a chaos origin.
Chapter 83: The Azure Peng Lineage
On a divine mountain of the Xuanyuan Sect, vegetation grew lush and green, and clouds and mist billowed. A palace stood at the center of the flat summit, its azure roof tiles dazzling in the reflected sunlight. A peach grove surrounded it.
Mountain flowers bloomed in profusion this season, and peach blossoms opened in a sea of pink. Peach trees in full bloom covered the mountainside, draping it like a veil of pink gauze. Their faint fragrance filled the summit, and even the cold morning breeze carried waves of scent, utterly intoxicating.
A spring-fed pool bubbled before the palace, spilling specks of crystalline light. Several green lotuses grew in the pool, their stems rooted in its bed. They glimmered green, as though carved from jade.
A handsome young man followed a maid into the grounds. He wore golden brocade robes, and his azure hair hung down to his legs. His features were exceedingly handsome.
He paid no attention to the scenery, merely following silently behind the maid. A gaunt old man in azure robes, meanwhile, looked grave, with a trace of worry on his face.
A waterfall cascaded beneath the cliffs, and the ethereal clouds glowed splendidly in purple and gold. Against their backdrop, the glazed tiles of the palace shimmered with flowing colors, a beautiful sight.
Without showing it on his face, the white-browed old demon sent the young man a divine sense transmission. "Young master, when you see the princess, you must not be discourteous."
The azure-haired young man was displeased. Without responding, he strode into the palace.
Inside the great hall, Yan Ruyu sat high above the steps. In a white dress, she was a vision of cold beauty, her figure graceful and her black hair fluttering gently. Her eyes were limpid as water, filled with countless charms, and her jade arms were like mist and snow, with wisps of azure light flickering over them.
Many members of the Demon Clan sat on either side. Several had such powerful presences that even the white-browed old demon frowned slightly. None of them, however, were demon generals of the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm, which put him somewhat at ease.
The moment the brocade-clad man saw Yan Ruyu, his eyes lit up, and he gazed at her in something of a trance. But he was no ordinary man. He soon recovered and bowed with a dignified expression.
"Chong Mu pays his respects to Your Highness!"
The white-browed old demon behind him also bowed. His manner was exceedingly respectful, and his etiquette was beyond reproach, without the slightest fault to be found.
The flawless woman above the steps was as fresh and pure as white snow. Tall and slender, she had a graceful jade body, crystalline skin, and peerless beauty. Her voice was as lovely as music from heaven. "Young Master Chong Mu, it has been a long time!"
Chong Mu rose to his feet with a composed expression. "Your Highness looks even more radiant than before. I never expected that after only a year apart, Your Highness would have found a husband. You have truly broken the hearts of the gentlemen of the Southern Region!"
Yan Ruyu paid no mind to his teasing. Her manner was somewhat cool, and her beautiful eyes opened and closed slightly, as though she were tired. She asked directly, "What business brings you here at the Azure Peng King's command, young master?"
Chong Mu said solemnly, "My king heard that Lord Azure Emperor's tomb had appeared, but that the Demon Clan's Emperor Weapon was taken by a treacherous villain. He was furious. My king is willing to help Your Highness recover the Demon Clan's Emperor Weapon."
Yan Ruyu's hair stirred gently and her sleeves fluttered. Her beauty could make fish sink and wild geese fall, make the moon hide and flowers blush. With a calm expression, she moved her red lips slightly and lowered her head. "Many thanks for the Azure Peng King's kindness. Ruyu appreciates the thought, but this is a family matter of my Green Lotus Lineage. Sorry for troubling the Azure Peng King."
The white-browed old demon stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Your Highness is mistaken. His Majesty the Azure Emperor's Emperor Weapon was taken by an outsider. This is a public matter for the Demon Clan, not a family matter. My king admires His Majesty the Azure Emperor and is willing to do all he can to help Your Highness recover the Emperor Weapon."
The members of the Demon Clan in the hall were angered by these words. One old demon rebuked him, "How dare you! What are you, to speak to Her Highness the princess like that?"
The white-browed old demon's gaze darkened as he glanced at him. The speaker was of the flood dragon kind, with an aged face and two dragon horns on his head. His presence was powerful, even stronger than the white-browed old demon's.
A flood dragon at the Third Heaven of the Four Extremes. Unfortunately for him, the Azure Peng King had made up his mind this time, and no one could stop him...
"So it is Fellow Daoist Qi Mu of Flowing Cloud Mountain. My second young master greatly admires you, Fellow Daoist..."
Before the white-browed old demon could finish, Young Master Chong Mu, somewhat displeased, ordered him back and apologized to Yan Ruyu.
"Your Highness, my father once had some disagreements with the Green Lotus King, but that is all in the past. To show his regret, my father specifically ordered me to come and make amends, in the hope that our two families can become close friends."
When Young Master Chong Mu finished, he waved his right hand, and the white-browed old demon produced a small white jade tower. It was utterly crystalline and shone with a dazzling luster. Terrifying Dao patterns of heaven and earth were even interwoven across its surface; a great terror lay within it.
"This white jade divine tower contains twenty thousand jin of Source, a bottle of Dragon Marrow from the Central Continent, and ten divine weapons fit for senior elders of the Four Extremes Secret Realm. The white jade divine tower itself was made by my king and possesses boundless might."
As soon as the jade tower appeared, the members of the Demon Clan present felt a jolt and looked at the white-browed old demon with some fear.
It was unquestionably a forbidden weapon, made by a Great Power of the Immortal Platform Second Heaven. If it were used, they would have no way to withstand the edge of an Immortal Platform forbidden weapon.
The white-browed old demon looked impassively at the old demon who had rebuked him. The flood dragon frowned as well, his eyes fixed on the small white jade tower in the other's hand.
Seeing Yan Ruyu's calm expression, Young Master Chong Mu felt that something was amiss, but he spoke in the end. "I hope Your Highness will not disappoint my father's good intentions."
"Cough... cough..."
A deep voice came from within the hall. Two maids helped an elderly man in Daoist robes into the hall. He wore a jade crown and yin-yang Daoist robes, and his presence was unworldly, like that of a Human Clan cultivator.
Though the Daoist's vitality had withered, a powerful dragon Qi emanated from him, deep and strong.
Even Chong Mu hurriedly bowed and apologized upon seeing him, saying sincerely, "Why trouble Lord Yellow Dragon to come out?"
When the old flood dragon in the hall saw him emerge, he hurried forward to support him. This old demon had lived for more than two thousand years, a genuine living fossil, and he was also his grandfather.
Unfortunately, he had never crossed the heavenly chasm of the Immortal Platform. Relying on the flood dragon race's physique, he had remained active for more than a thousand years, but in the end he could not withstand the passage of time. His lifespan was nearly exhausted, and he had consumed some divine lifespan-extending treasures in his early years. Now, unless he found the fruit of an Immortal Medicine or a Sacred Fruit and Divine Spring, nothing could save him.
This old demon held an extremely high standing among the Demon Clan, and many demon kings were his juniors. He thought highly of himself and called himself Yellow Dragon. He had encountered some opportunities in his youth and lived until now, but had been trapped at the heavenly chasm of the Immortal Platform for fifteen hundred years.
Daoist Yellow Dragon sat down. His dragon eyes were somewhat clouded as he glanced at Chong Mu and said, "You dare pressure Her Highness the princess like this because the Peacock King is in the Northern Region and has no time to deal with you, isn't that so? The Azure Peng King is so discourteous. Isn't he afraid Chaos Palace will call him to account?"
Chapter 84: Bloodline Sacrifice
Silence fell over the elegantly decorated palace. Only the dim lamps flickered and danced in the breeze.
Chong Mu and the white-browed old demon fell silent before Daoist Yellow Dragon, not daring to speak again, their minds gripped by the pressure of his dragon Qi.
Daoist Yellow Dragon gave them a cold look, then sat down beside Yan Ruyu and said kindly, "Rest assured, Your Highness. So long as this old man lives, I will surely protect you."
Yan Ruyu said nothing and merely nodded. She understood Daoist Yellow Dragon's intentions well.
At that moment, the white-browed old demon slightly activated the white jade tower in his hand. Dazzling divine light instantly appeared in the hall, and he lowered his brows. The divine patterns of the Immortal Platform Secret Realm directly broke through the pressure of the other's dragon Qi.
Ignoring Daoist Yellow Dragon's somewhat angry gaze, he said, neither servile nor overbearing, "Senior Yellow Dragon, before this humble demon set out as an envoy, my king repeatedly instructed me to respect Her Highness the princess and to make sure to persuade Her Highness to come. Senior, you invoke the Peacock King-is that because you look down on the Azure Peng Lineage?"
Daoist Yellow Dragon fixed his gaze on the white-browed old demon and said expressionlessly, "A mere Four Extremes fish or turtle dares to behave so presumptuously before me? Do you think the Azure Peng King can cover the sky with one hand?"
The white-browed old demon bent and cupped his hands. "I ask Senior to reconsider. Times have changed. Senior would do better not to wade into these muddy waters."
The entire hall fell silent. Daoist Yellow Dragon, who had spoken so confidently before, also said no more. He merely sat cross-legged, silent and motionless as a boulder. Only an occasional long breath showed that he was still there, as though the old flood dragon had but one breath left.
Just as the white-browed old demon was about to speak again, a dazzling beam of purple light shot out from behind the hall and struck down the old turtle's soul. The white-browed old demon shuddered as if struck by lightning, then fell bodily onto the stone floor, lifeless. The small white jade tower fell from his hand to the ground.
A vast pressure from the Immortal Platform Secret Realm filled the palace, leaving every demon cultivator silent as cicadas in winter.
"Have you been running about these past few days for their sake?"
A clear voice rang out. Su Yu entered the hall in white robes, light and graceful. Every movement he made seemed one with heaven and earth, and each step gave rise to Dao resonance. He walked in as though no one else were present.
He nodded slightly to Yan Ruyu, then ignored everyone else and pulled Chong Mu over. The young man had already been forced to his knees under Su Yu's pressure. Su Yu said coldly, "Where are the Azure Peng King and the White Elephant King now?"
Yan Ruyu said, "Your Highness, there is no need for this."
At the words "Your Highness," every member of the Demon Clan changed expression. Even Princess Green Lotus addressed him as Your Highness. Who exactly was this important figure from Chaos Palace?
"Let me handle it. The dignity of the Imperial Clan has been offended; the Green Lotus Lineage cannot be insulted! The Azure Peng Lineage must be exterminated!"
Su Yu's words rang out with force, brimming with killing intent!
He drew the small white jade tower from the ground into his hand. Amid brilliant five-colored light, a hazy presence flowed from the tower. He toyed with it for a moment, then directly broke the divine sense restriction within it.
As the divine tower's Dao patterns were broken, the jade tower shattered. A beam of light shot out and transformed into a tall figure clad in azure battle armor. His imposing presence surged to the heavens, and his expression was fierce and defiant. As soon as he appeared in the void, he sensed the death Qi of the white-browed old demon and shouted, "Who dares kill my subordinate?"
Su Yu looked at the figure. Dark light flashed in the void by his hand, and a chain of the void pierced straight through the figure's heart!
"A mere clone at the First Heaven of the Immortal Platform dares be so arrogant!"
Yan Ruyu was like the Guanghan Fairy descended into the mortal world. Her immortal figure was tall and graceful, and a crystalline luster flowed over her skin. Her eyelashes were long, her eyes deep and filled with poetic charm, and she embodied the spiritual grace of heaven and earth. She descended the steps, stood beside Su Yu, and said, "Your Highness, do not kill too many. The Demon Clan..."
Su Yu did not heed her. He said seriously, "What does the Demon Clan have to do with the Green Lotus Clan? The Imperial Clan cannot be insulted! Stay here and wait for me to return without worry."
With those words, ten thousand rays of rosy light and a thousand streaks of auspicious color appeared, and a hazy great path rapidly unfurled toward the horizon. Su Yu stepped onto it, and in the blink of an eye, he took Chong Mu across the void.
The members of the Demon Clan were left looking at one another, while Yan Ruyu could only sigh. With an "ancient imperial prince" wielding an Ancient Emperor Weapon personally attacking them, the Azure Peng King and the White Elephant King had only death awaiting them.
Su Yu was different from her. Yan Ruyu took into account her past ties with these members of the Demon Clan, but he did not care. The forces of two demon kings were just enough to serve his cultivation of the Indestructible Heavenly Art.
On that day, a great upheaval shook the Southern Region. Even the Yaoguang Holy Land and the Desolate Antiquity Ji Family were shaken.