Chapter 112: Empress Yun Xi and Liu Shen Personally Head to the Kunpeng Nest!
Liu Shen did not reply; only her willow branches continued to sway.
Under the reverent gazes of the people of Stone Village, the Double Pupils Woman slowly turned around and commented.
"An interesting child, an interesting village."
The Double Pupils Woman cast one last glance at Little One, as if recalling something. A trace of complexity flashed in her eyes, and she spoke words that neither the villagers nor Little One could understand.
"If the two Shi meet in the future, it will surely be a world-shaking battle."
...
At the same time, elsewhere.
North Sea.
This was the place where Kunpeng had fallen.
At this moment, as Kunpeng's lingering obsession dissipated, storms suddenly arose across the sea.
The terrifying domain formed by Kunpeng's will was also visibly receding.
Very soon, the rules that had restricted high-level cultivators from entering melted away like ice and snow.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, a deep muffled sound came from the depths of the sea, like the heartbeat of the earth, causing the surrounding million miles of ocean to boil.
Immediately after, endless golden light pierced through the black sea surface, shooting straight into the heavens!
In the next moment, an unimaginably vast ancient nest, accompanied by chaotic energy, slowly rose from the seabed!
It was too vast, like an entire continent floating on the sea.
On it stood withered cliffs and towering ancient trees, with faint shadows of immortal birds and exotic beasts circling.
At the deepest part of the nest, a golden bone book could vaguely be seen, emitting an irresistible aura of the Great Dao.
The Kunpeng nest appeared ahead of time!
With that earth-shaking roar from the North Sea, the Kunpeng nest emerged into the world.
A vast golden light pierced the clouds. Even in inland regions billions of miles away, one could feel the supreme pressure originating from one of the Archaic Vicious Ten.
With the collapse of the domain that once suppressed cultivation levels, it meant that anyone could now enter. Whether it was a king of a nation, a pure-blooded creature, or even a rare existence that had ignited divine fire.
For a time, the eight regions of the lower realm were thrown into turmoil.
...
Lower Realm, Wasteland Region.
Imperial Capital of the Stone Kingdom.
This was a grand ancient city so magnificent it took one's breath away. Its walls towered into the clouds, entirely constructed from black starstone.
Above the imperial capital, a golden dragon aura lingered year-round, visible to the naked eye. It was the fortune of a nation, the condensation of imperial human authority, as heavy as mountains, pressing so hard that even passing birds dared not cross.
Deep within the imperial palace, at the Central Heavenly Palace.
"Boom!"
A domineering aura erupted, causing the entire Central Heavenly Palace to rumble.
Then, endless golden light burst forth from within the hall, condensing into a massive five-clawed golden dragon in the sky. It roared upward, its sound shaking the heavens!
At the center of that dazzling golden light, a towering figure slowly rose from the dragon throne.
He wore a golden imperial robe embroidered with the sun, moon, stars, mountains, and rivers. A crown hung with bead curtains obscured his majestic face, revealing only a pair of eyes like golden lamps, shining brilliantly as if they could pierce through space itself.
He was the Human Emperor of the Stone Kingdom, the Stone Emperor!
This unparalleled emperor of the lower realm now gazed toward the North Sea, imperial dragon aura surging around him, making him seem like a supreme being inspecting the heavens.
"The Kunpeng nest has opened ahead of time."
The Stone Emperor spoke, his voice vast like a great bell, echoing through the hall and making the coiling dragon pillars hum.
"And even the domain suppressing cultivation has disappeared?"
As he spoke, he extended a hand and lightly grasped the void.
"Good! Good! Good!"
After saying "good" three times, even his previously steady tone carried a trace of undisguised fervor.
"I have been stuck at the peak of the Venerable Realm for years. Though I possess the Human Emperor's position and unmatched combat power, I have yet to ignite divine fire and transcend."
"Not long ago, that heaven-shaking sword from the upper realm showed me the vastness of this world and made me realize my own insignificance."
"A great calamity is imminent. Only by becoming stronger can I protect the people of Stone Kingdom."
"This Kunpeng Technique, I must obtain it!"
"Transmit my decree!"
With a sweep of his sleeve, imperial authority instantly swept across the entire capital.
"Order the War King and Thunder King to gather three thousand Divine Strategy troops and accompany me to conquer the North Sea!"
"King Wu shall remain to guard the capital!"
"Yes!!"
As his voice fell, several terrifying auras outside the hall surged into the sky in response.
They were the princes and marquises of Stone Kingdom, each powerful enough to dominate a region.
At the same time, on the other side of the imperial capital.
King Wu's Mansion.
This was a vast complex of palaces, grand in scale, yet the atmosphere inside was somewhat subtle.
On an ancient pavilion, several white-haired elders gazed toward the North Sea, their eyes filled with regret.
"What a pity, truly a pity!"
An elder in a brocade robe slammed the marble railing, shattering it into pieces. "The Kunpeng nest has opened at such a time! If Yi'er were here, with his dual pupils and the full support of our King Wu's Mansion, we would surely claim a share!"
"Yes."
Another ancestor sighed and looked toward a forbidden area deep within the residence.
It was sealed by layers of formations, with chaotic energy faintly circulating and a sacred aura lurking within.
"Yi'er is at a critical moment."
"He is fully merging with that bone."
When mentioning that bone, the elder lowered his voice, and a trace of anticipation flashed in his eyes.
"Though that bone was excavated long ago, it has never perfectly fused with Yi'er's body."
"Now, with the help of certain foundations, he is undergoing his final transformation."
"Once successful, with invincible dual pupils and the power of the Supreme Bone, Yi'er will perfect his innate deficiencies and become the most flawless supreme being in history!"
"At that time, whether it is the Kunpeng Technique or the Archaic Vicious Ten, all will be suppressed as long as Yi'er grows!"
"Indeed!"
The brocade-robed elder nodded.
Although they regretted missing this opportunity, thinking of that youth they had placed their hopes on restored their confidence.
...
Mysterious Region, Demon Spirit Lake.
This was a strange water domain, shrouded in black mist year-round. The lake water was a terrifying green, highly toxic, and even birds flying overhead would instantly turn into skeletons and fall.
This was the lair of the ancient demonic spider, one of the most notorious forbidden lands in the lower realm.
"Hiss—"
Suddenly, the calm lake surface exploded.
A gigantic spider, as large as a mountain, slowly crawled out from the depths.
Its body was golden, like molten gold, each hair like a golden spear.
A pure-blood creature, the ancient demon spider!
A terrifying existence that had lived for ages, a true Venerable-level fierce beast!
"Kunpeng, one of the Archaic Vicious Ten!"
Sensing the opening of the Kunpeng nest, the golden spider let out a sinister laugh.
"I didn't expect that cursed domain to disappear!"
"Earlier, that decree and that sword intent from above the heavens scared me into hiding at the bottom of the lake."
"Fortunately, it was not from our realm."
"As long as I obtain the Kunpeng Technique, I can break the shackles of my bloodline and perhaps ascend to the upper realm and become a true god!"
With that, its eight pillar-like legs trembled, and a golden web covering hundreds of miles spread instantly.
"Set out!"
"Hiss hiss hiss!"
With its command, Demon Spirit Lake boiled.
Thousands upon thousands of demon spiders surged out like a black tide, following behind the golden spider, sweeping toward the North Sea with overwhelming demonic energy.
...
Elsewhere, the Primordial Divine Mountain.
Heavenly Divine Mountain.
Clouds and auspicious light surrounded this place.
The peaks pierced the sky, covered with spiritual herbs and treasure trees, like a paradise.
Inside a grand hall.
An old man in purple paced back and forth, his expression grave.
Though his hair was white, his spirit was vigorous, and powerful divine energy surged around him.
The master of Heavenly Divine Mountain, a powerful Venerable.
Beside him stood a purple-clad girl.
Her figure was graceful, her curves faintly visible. Her purple hair shone brilliantly, her skin was as white as jade, and she was breathtakingly beautiful.
A red mark between her brows added a touch of sanctity and nobility.
A Celestial Clan maiden, Yun Xi.
"Grandfather, the Kunpeng nest has opened."
After a long silence, Yun Xi spoke, her voice ethereal.
"The token in our hands may prove useful."
"Yes… it has opened."
The old man sighed, his eyes filled with both desire and deep concern.
"Yun Xi, this journey to the North Sea will be extremely dangerous."
"But we have no retreat."
"The Kunpeng Technique must be fought for!"
"Even if we cannot obtain the complete technique, we must use the divine substances within the nest to prolong our clan's survival!"
"Go! Activate the teleportation array!"
"Mobilize the entire clan and head to the North Sea!"
...
Lower Realm, near the ruins of the Heaven Mending Pavilion.
A massive jade boat floated in the clouds, radiant and holy.
At the bow stood a woman in white.
She was stunning, dressed in pure white, untouched by dust. A thin veil covered her face, revealing only a pair of clear, deep eyes.
Like a solitary lotus, to be admired from afar but not approached.
The Saintess of the Heaven Mending Sect, Yue Chan.
"The Kunpeng nest has opened ahead of time."
Yue Chan murmured, her voice like heavenly music.
Looking at the golden light in the North Sea, her brows furrowed slightly.
As a representative of a great upper realm sect in the lower realm, she knew far more than others.
"The sword aura of an Immortal King severed causality, dispersing Kunpeng's lingering obsession."
"That day's scene—even our sect master sounded terrified when transmitting his voice across realms."
"And that Primordial Immortal Court… what kind of existence is it?"
Though filled with questions, she quickly calmed down, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.
"No matter what, the emergence of the Kunpeng Technique is a heaven-sent opportunity."
"With the sect master leading us this time, our sect will surely obtain it!"
With a wave of her hand, the jade boat broke through the clouds and sped away.
Meanwhile, on another mountain peak thousands of miles away.
A girl in a black dress sat barefoot on a rock, her small jade-like feet swaying gently, the bells on her ankles chiming sweetly.
She was extremely beautiful, charming and lively, with bright, cunning eyes.
The Witch of the Sky Severing Sect.
"Hehe, big sister runs quite fast."
Watching Yue Chan leave, she smiled playfully, revealing a small fang.
"With the Kunpeng nest open, those old fellows won't be able to sit still."
"But that's fine."
"Because our sect master has also come out of seclusion, hehe."
...
On this day, the eight regions shook.
Countless ancient monsters awakened, and even beings more terrifying than Venerables opened their eyes.
In the sky, bronze war chariots rumbled across the heavens.
Chariots pulled by ancient beasts blotted out the sun, accompanied by rune-covered treasure ships cutting through the sea.
Divine light blazed, and killing intent soared!
All targets pointed to one place.
North Sea, the Kunpeng nest!
...
Stone Village, night flowed like water, and the bonfire burned brightly.
Though the outside world was in turmoil, this small corner deep in the wilderness remained peaceful.
By the fire, the mysterious Double Pupils Woman did not act aloof.
Instead, she gradually blended in.
Before long, she even spoke more.
She took another piece of roasted Suan Ni meat, golden and dripping with oil. Though her movements remained elegant, she truly took a bite.
"The texture is not bad."
She spoke softly, her eyes, which usually seemed to contain chaotic energy capable of creating worlds, now reflected the flickering firelight.
A few bold children approached, curiously staring at this unrealistically beautiful sister.
"Big sister, why do you have two pupils in your eyes?" one child with a runny nose asked innocently.
She paused slightly. In the outside world, anyone daring to look directly at her double pupils would have been reduced to ashes by the protective chaotic aura.
But now, seeing those clear, innocent eyes, she restrained her overwhelming pressure.
"Because I can see many things you cannot."
She gently reached out and patted the child's head.
"How wonderful…"
She sighed inwardly.
This pure trust and warmth, free of schemes, was rarer than immortal medicine to someone like her who had witnessed the changes of ages.
At that moment, the willow tree at the village entrance suddenly trembled.
Several green willow branches that had hung to the ground began to sway, emitting a faint glow.
Almost at the same time, the Double Pupils Woman set down the roasted meat and stood up.
Her gaze seemed to pierce the endless night, looking toward the far north.
"The Kunpeng nest has opened. I will go there personally."
"I ask fellow Daoist to watch over this village for me."
—
End of Chapter