Chapter 129: Return!
The Myriad Flames Great Emperor had indeed seen the traces of the Myriad Flames Imperishable Body's cultivation on Jiang Yun. But simultaneously, he had also seen the flame within the other's body—both familiar and loathsome.
The Saint Demon Flame!
Others might mistake it, but as the only being across both worlds who, on the path of flame, could surpass the Saint Demon Emperor, he would recognize the Saint Demon Flame even in death.
This result had indeed greatly exceeded his expectations. He had thought he had waited for a fated one who could inherit his mantle. He never imagined this fated one was from the enemy side.
What? You say you're friendly forces? Don't joke around—bearing the Saint Demon Flame, how could you possibly be a friendly force?
Have my old eyes gone dim, or has the Saint Demon Emperor become too weak to lift his blade?
What's more, the question of how Jiang Yun, with the identity of an Extraterritorial Evil Clan member, could cultivate the spiritual energy system—this troubled the Myriad Flames Great Emperor even more.
Jiang Yun also had a Nine-Colored Heaven-Devouring Python and a member of the True Dragon Clan at his side. This made him urgently want to know whether the Extraterritorial Evil Clans had already infiltrated the Divine Beast Continent.
He was an absolute hawk. Toward the Extraterritorial Evil Clans, his principle was better to kill wrongly than let go. And this time, there was absolutely no mistake!
All these factors led the Myriad Flames Great Emperor to a resolution in his heart!
Jiang Yun absolutely could not leave here alive!
What had been unexpected was that Jiang Yun, when faced with a Heavenly Sovereign's inheritance, would be so cautious, forcing him to take action by force, ultimately leading to Jiang Yun flipping the table.
He had summoned the Qing Ming Tower. Facing the Qing Ming Tower's projection—an Immortal-Grade Peerless Sacred Object—the Myriad Flames Great Emperor's incomplete will had clearly suffered a hidden loss.
And just as he was preparing to burn himself up and thoroughly eradicate the opponent, he never expected the Qing Ming Tower to be such a sneaky bastard, pulling a fast one on him, fleeing without a second thought, completely disregarding the face of a Peerless Sacred Object.
A sneaky Sacred Object must surely come from a sneaky maker!
Thwarted once again, the Myriad Flames Great Emperor was so furious he nearly dissipated on the spot. Did the younger generation these days all lack any sense of expert dignity?!
The still-unresigned Myriad Flames Great Emperor had no time for further lament. Behind him, the Flame Demon commander had already finished condensing, advancing toward him with eerie, cackling laughter.
"Let this world offer the most extravagant funeral for my birth!"
The Flame Demon commander, wreathed entirely in sky-surging evil qi, laughed heartily as he raised both arms high, looking at the Myriad Flames Great Emperor as if victory were already in hand.
Had the two clashed earlier, he would have only had thirty percent confidence in refining the other. But now, after the drain caused by that Immortal-Grade Peerless Sacred Object just now, he had seventy percent confidence.
Thinking of the other's inheritance, a surge of heat immediately rose in the Flame Demon commander's heart, as if the gates to the Demon Emperor realm were slowly opening for him.
"Flame Demon Spear!"
Blazing black flames spat from his mouth. A dozen or so breaths later, the Flame Demon commander pulled out a pitch-black flame long spear from within. Upon the spear radiated a heat aura dense to the extreme.
"Slay the demon! Slay the demon!"
Sensing the dangerous aura on that long spear, the Myriad Flames Great Emperor let out a great roar. His entire being blazed completely, his aura surging mightily, as he shot rapidly toward the Flame Demon commander.
As for Huo Du and the others, he could no longer concern himself with them. Besides, dying on the battlefield exterminating Extraterritorial Demons was a worthy death.
Had Huo Du and the others known the Myriad Flames Great Emperor's thoughts, they would absolutely have cursed his ancestors eighteen generations back. You're nothing but a fragment of residual will, a figure who already fell tens of thousands of years ago—what fear do you have of death or not death?
We're still young! Our lives have only just begun!
But this did not affect the Myriad Flames Great Emperor's decision. The clash between two quasi-Heavenly Sovereigns—terrifying fluctuations spread throughout this already broken and battered continent.
It had only just begun, yet the continent was already splitting into fragments. This small world was moving toward destruction.
"Boom—"
Along with a heaven-shaking explosion, this small world shattered completely. Countless void turbulence swept in from the void space, dragging the fragments of this small world into unknown places.
"Damnable old bastard! Won't even let things rest in death!"
Within the vast, boundless void, clutching his chest, the Flame Demon commander, holding the bedraggled Xin Kui, spoke through gritted teeth, his eyes bloodshot with hatred.
He hadn't expected that at the final moment, he'd be stabbed in the back by the Myriad Flames Great Emperor. A mere fragment of residual will—and it could still self-destruct.
His fortuitous encounter! His path to Demon Emperor—all had slipped away from him.
How could this not fill his heart with pain?
With no more hope from the Myriad Flames Great Emperor's side, he shifted his gaze toward Huo Du, the one suspected of having received his inheritance. But just as he was about to strike and seize the other...
The power he had temporarily erupted with had also reached its limit. The supreme might of a Heavenly Sovereign vanished, leaving only his original realm of Ninth-Grade Sovereign.
On top of that, the other had torn a spatial jade slip. The dangerous aura transmitted from within it made him halt in his tracks.
In the end, he could only watch helplessly as Huo Du and the others departed. He himself was left hauling the disheveled Xin Kui through this endless void, watching the distant spatial storms rage, meteor after meteor streaking by from time to time with thunderous booms.
This was accompanied by his enraged roars.
Beside him, Xin Kui glanced at the ill-tempered Flame Demon commander and said indifferently, "You've already obtained what you wanted. Our cooperation is at an end."
After venting his fury, the Flame Demon commander had now calmed down. Looking at Xin Kui, he said in a gruff voice, "This time, I must thank you for your aid. Should there be anywhere I can be of use in the future, I will certainly lend my full strength."
Nodding, Xin Kui thought to himself: After all this busy work, not only did I receive my due compensation, but I also gained the promise of a Flame Demon clansman with considerable potential. This can be considered a rather abundant harvest.
Just as he was turning to leave, something seemed to occur to him. Xin Kui abruptly turned back and asked, "If I recall correctly, doesn't your Flame Demon Clan have some forces in this region?"
Frowning as he thought it over, the Flame Demon commander said quietly, "My clan's ancestral land is in the northern region of the Great Thousand World. This area is within the western region. Although quite far from my clan's ancestral land, there does seem to be one small clan that belongs to our faction."
"I think it's the Fire Evil Clan. What are you planning?"
"Heh—naturally, to properly search for that brat!" Xin Kui sneered coldly, chilling intent flashing within his eyes. Toward Jiang Yun, this fellow who had made him suffer losses, he held a deep, lingering grudge.
"That brat has an Immortal-Grade Peerless Sacred Object protecting him. He's absolutely no simple figure. Are you sure you want to go looking for trouble with him?" The Flame Demon commander naturally had an impression of Jiang Yun. After all, not just anyone had a Peerless Sacred Object protecting them.
Toward Xin Kui's attitude—knowing full well the other's backing was not simple, yet still wanting to stick his nose in—the Flame Demon commander felt some hesitation.
"They're different. Their strength was completely out of place with everyone else—just Heaven-Connecting Realm and the Three Minor Tribulations of the physical body. They absolutely stumbled into that ruin by accident. And don't you find their combination a bit strange?"
Xin Kui shook his head, a shrewd, discerning glint flashing in his eyes as he carefully analyzed.
"It is indeed somewhat strange!" After Xin Kui finished, the Flame Demon commander thought it over carefully. The trio's combination was indeed somewhat peculiar.
A human, a Nine-Colored Heaven-Devouring Python, a member of the True Dragon Clan. Never mind the former for now—though the latter two were both top divine beasts of the Great Thousand World, the relationship between the Nine-Colored Heaven-Devouring Python and the True Dragon Clan wasn't all that great either.
Furthermore, a Nine-Colored Heaven-Devouring Python—even within the Heaven-Devouring Python Clan, that was a top-tier existence. And they had just let it run around outside like that?
Thinking carefully, it really was somewhat hard to understand!
"Your meaning is...?" The Flame Demon commander looked at Xin Kui. Matters requiring brainpower were best left to the professionals!
"I suspect they might come from a Lower Plane." After pondering for a moment, Xin Kui voiced an exceedingly bold conjecture.
"Are you joking? What Lower Plane could gather so many top-tier bloodlines? And don't forget, they have an Immortal-Grade Peerless Sacred Object. Is that something a Lower Plane possesses?" This conjecture of Xin Kui's also startled the Flame Demon commander. He reflexively retorted.
Frowning as he considered it, Xin Kui also began doubting his own judgment. He knew this conjecture was extremely bold. But when all possibilities seemed impossible... the most impossible one might just be the final answer.
Shaking his head, Xin Kui said in a deep voice, "No matter the truth, the remaining fragments of that ancient battlefield have yet to be found. The chances of them being in this region aren't small. If found, that would also be no small harvest."
"Fine. I'll send word to the Fire Evil Clan. I'll have them cooperate fully with you in searching this region. Next, I'll probably enter deep closed-door cultivation. Take care of yourself." Nodding, the Flame Demon commander still agreed. Putting aside everything else, this time he truly owed Xin Kui a great favor. For that reason alone, he would help him.
"Then I wish you an early entry into the Demon Emperor realm!"
"Hahaha! I'll borrow Brother Xin Kui's auspicious words. And I also wish you an early breakthrough in your realm! Let us encourage one another!"
As the two dispersed, this void space returned once more to its eternal, age-old silence.
In the space within the Life-Death Gate, two graceful figures stood beautifully atop a mountain peak, their gazes fixed tightly upon that distorted patch of space.
"Sister Xiao Yi Xian, Senior Qing Ming left earlier—it must be because Brother Jiang Yun is about to... return with Sister Zi Yan, right?" Qing Lin looked at that distorted space, asking Xiao Yi Xian beside her with some excitement and anxious trepidation.
After over a year of cultivation, Qing Lin had advanced from a Da Dou Shi to a nine-star Dou Wang. This speed was absolutely shockingly fast.
Only the Jade-Green Snake Triple Flower Eyes, combined with the large amount of resources Jiang Yun had left behind beforehand, could allow her to advance so rapidly.
By now, the Double-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent and the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor could no longer provide her with the slightest benefit.
Thinking that Jiang Yun might soon return, Qing Lin immediately became extremely stirred. She wanted to be the first to share this good news with him. She could already be of help to him now—she was no longer a little girl needing protection.
"That should be the case!" Xiao Yi Xian was equally excited at heart. But compared to Qing Lin, she was somewhat more reserved. She nodded and said softly.
Her gaze watching that distorted space, she too felt slightly nervous. Though she didn't know where Jiang Yun and Zi Yan had gone to train...
she imagined it must have been extremely dangerous. If anything had happened to the two of them there, she truly didn't know what she would do.
"I wonder if Brother Jiang Yun and Sister Zi Yan will be surprised when they see Qing Lin's current strength. Qing Lin is really looking forward to seeing their expressions!"
Qing Lin suddenly became a bit mischievous, her tone carrying a playful lilt, her words full of hidden slyness.
Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian pursed her lips in a smile. Yes—Qing Lin was like this. And wasn't she the same herself? She wondered what expression Jiang Yun would wear upon seeing her current cultivation.
"Tch!"
Just as the two were conversing, the space before them suddenly split open into a black spatial rift. Then, under the two women's nervous gazes, one man and two women stepped through the void, slowly appearing within their sight.
The three, with outstanding auras and peerless grace, stepped out from the void, then stood steadily upon the sky. A light breeze blew, robes and dark hair gently dancing, as if they were immortal lovers.
As for Qing Ming, after safely retrieving the three, she had returned to Jiang Yun's spiritual sea to recuperate. Did saving people not expend energy? This wave was a 'massive loss'—it would take several months to fully recover!
"Brother Jiang Yun!"
"Jiang Yun!"
Before the three had fully gathered their bearings, two cries of surprised delight rang out one after another. Looking up, they saw Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian rushing over excitedly to greet them.
"It's Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian!" Seeing the two women, Jiang Yun smiled gently, his tightly wound nerves finally fully relaxing.
Medusa watched the two women about to throw themselves onto Jiang Yun, her brows furrowing slightly. Her heart felt somewhat uncomfortable. She turned her head away slightly.
"Qing Lin! Xiao Yi Xian! I've missed you so much!" Just then, an excited voice rang out. In the next instant, Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian, just about to throw themselves into Jiang Yun's embrace, were intercepted by Zi Yan.
Witnessing this, in a corner unseen by the others, Medusa's just-chilled expression immediately curved into a captivating, enchanting smile.
Zi Yan, with one in each arm, hugged the two women tightly to her bosom. For a moment, the sight was quite... spectacular.
Who would have thought that in just over a year, Qing Lin would have grown so quickly, faintly showing signs of catching up from behind. Xiao Yi Xian, on the other hand, set off by the other two, appeared somewhat 'plain and unremarkable.'
"Sister Zi Yan..."
Having been forcibly intercepted, Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian felt somewhat helpless, their muffled voices emerging.
"Alright, Zi Yan, let them go. There'll be time for catching up later. Our most urgent task right now is still to convert the energy within us back!"
Noticing this scene, Jiang Yun chuckled ruefully and shook his head. In the end, he still spoke up to stop it.
Once Jiang Yun spoke, Zi Yan immediately calmed down. Somewhat reluctantly, she released Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian. Truth be told, the two soft, cuddly women were indeed very comfortable to hug—just like two oversized body pillows.
"Jiang Yun, do we have to switch back to the Dou Qi system?" At this moment, Medusa was frowning somewhat. Having experienced the spiritual energy system, she knew that compared to the Dou Qi system, this was the cultivation method with far greater potential. Naturally, she was reluctant to give up the path to greater strength.
Medusa's words made even Zi Yan look at Jiang Yun with pleading eyes. She too preferred spiritual energy, preferred the spiritual energy system!
"Sigh—we're currently on the Dou Qi Continent. There's no source of spiritual energy here. Even if we wanted to cultivate the spiritual energy system, it simply wouldn't work!"
Looking at the two women, Jiang Yun said helplessly. The spiritual energy system was ultimately cultivated on the foundation of spiritual energy. It was completely incompatible with Dou Qi.
He could also create an array that converted Dou Qi into spiritual energy, but the limitations were too great—the gains wouldn't outweigh the losses!