Journey of the Fate Destroying Emperor

Chapter 1942: Flesh Source

"Fellow Daoist, I can't talk for too long," Emperor Sui said. "Over there is my Sanctification Method. You can take a look, and I'll even add my personal memories of the experience. Please take care of my sect."

"I'll do my best, but I can't guarantee anything."

"Your best is enough." Emperor Sui nodded.

Wu Hong opened her eyes and exhaled deeply. Taking a moment, she processed everything she had just learned. "If Gu Chang'an is truly responsible for the Red Cloud, then a regular Saint Array will not be enough to deal with him." After realizing the level of power she was dealing with, Wu Hong realized her plan needed to change. So, without wasting a moment, she sent the newly acquired information to the main body.

Now that she knew what she was dealing with, the next step was to take whatever action was necessary to resolve the issue. And what better way than to improve her cultivation? The black Dao tablets contained the Holy Land's inheritance, and Wu Hong did not hesitate to utilize them; she reached for the most shining one — or the one with the most potent Dao Rhyme.

"Hm? That's his Sanctification Method?" Wu Hong thought. She activated her Saint Dao Heart before diving deep into this technique. Surprisingly, Emperor Sui did not condense a Soul Quintessence, but a flesh one, which he aptly labeled the Flesh Source.

Emperor Sui, or Sui Zhe, was born a member of a human subspecies called the Purple Heart Human. Their race had evolved a unique organ called the [Adaptation Heart], which allowed them to imbue items into their hearts and then mimic their properties. For example, placing a rock in the heart would allow a Purple Heart Human to turn their skin and body into a rock state; metals would grant them metallic properties, and unique Qi would also grant them the characteristics of that energy.

For his sanctification, Emperor Sui abandoned his flesh, leaving only the Adaptation Heart. Then, he connected his Dao Sea to the Grand Dao Source to absorb its fundamental essence. The process wasn't simple, but by using his Sovereign Grand Dao Source as a medium, Emperor Sui found what he called the [Essence of the Dao], which, in simple terms, is both the truest manifestation of the rules of Heaven and Earth and also the purest of Grand Dao Qi.

The next step was simple: he had his heart adapted to that essence, mimicking its properties. Then, he regenerated a new body from his heart, which had evolved to a higher state and successfully condensed a Flesh Source, "A Flesh Quintessence Method that doesn't involve the True Power Dao Realm?" Wu Hong thought. "Moreover, this method might have universality potential." Although it appeared this method was not feasible without the [Adaptation Heart], Wu Hong didn't think so. From her perspective, this method is just the evolution of the [Dao Body] to a higher state.

Wu Hong was soon proven correct. As she experienced Emperor Sui's memory, while the Adaptation Heart was condensing the body, she sensed an aura absurdly similar to the Dao Body's. "There is a universal Flesh Method in this technique, but now is not the time to create it," Wu Hong thought. She opened her eyes and immediately contacted the main body to exchange memories and information.

"You're right," Wu Hong nodded, agreeing with the avatar about the flesh method and the lack of time.

"How are things on your side?" the avatar asked.

"Not good," Wu Hong shook her head. "The Three Path Array was way more complex than I thought. This thing did not have two branches as I said, but three."

"Three? There is the one protecting the central area and the one blocking the Source Qi Space: what's the third?"

"That's the problem: I can't tell yet. The third area seems well-protected."

"I'll check on my side," the avatar nodded. "What else?"

"We need to start repairing the Source Qi Branch as soon as possible, and to do that, I need Saint resources."

"I'll talk to the Holy Land immediately. And once we have access, you can also start planning for our own array."

"Don't get me started on that," Wu Hong complained. They already had a plan, but now, they had to scrap it and start over.

"Well, good luck," the avatar chuckled, promptly ending the conversation before she suffered. Then, she summoned the Financial Peak Master and explained the situation.

"It's failing? Impossible. We check every 20-yuan epoch, and there have been no signs."

"My main body is there. Send someone to communicate with her, and she'll show you the problems."

"Yes."

Wu Hong prepared to continue her retreat, but she underestimated how big of a deal her news was. Soon, the Holy Lord and a few other Peak Masters arrived to discuss the topic. Everybody discussed for a while before sending the Array Peak Master to meet the main body; she returned an hour later with a pale complexion.

"Holy Lord, I have failed you." The Array Peak Master immediately knelt on the ground.

"...How bad is it?" the Holy Lord asked.

"If the Saintess didn't do some preliminary repair, it would have been destroyed already."

"How is this possible? There is no way you're that incompetent?" the Battle Peak Master said.

"Yes, I am a sinner."

"Watch your words," Han Guo warned.

"I'm sorry, but —"

"How did you make such a grave mistake?" the Holy Lord asked.

"Apparently, the Red Cloud has affected me even more deeply than I had previously thought," the Array Master sighed. "More importantly, it seems to have prevented the Array Spirit from communicating with me."

Nobody spoke for a moment; their hope had just been rekindled, but as they were about to dare hope, dare dream, this devastating news crushed everything.

"Get up," Wu Hong said. "There is no point in blaming yourself. Instead, focus on making amends for your mistake."

"T-Thank you, Saint," the Array Master said, with tears dripping from the corner of her eyes. Wu Hong glanced at her: such a mistake will probably haunt the poor girl for the rest of her life — her Dao Heart might even be affected.

"You know what to do, right?"

"I'll coordinate with your main body," the Financial Peak Master nodded.

"Go help."

The Array Peak Master nodded enthusiastically. Wu Hong then turned to the Holy Lord. "How is the spread of the Battle Spirit System?"

"We've basically spread it to our territory and even built a few artificial Source Worlds."

"So fast?"

"It's been 13 yuan epochs."

"So long has passed? I remember I was supposed to preach."

"Yes, everybody is waiting for you, and many have become impatient," the Holy Lord said with a wry smile.

Wu Hong frowned. "I have a feeling that an opportunity is awaiting me in this room, so I can't leave yet. So, let them wait."

"Is this a good idea? Members of the Xu Clan and the other two Holy Lands came for the sermon," the Pill Peak Master asked.

"Why have you guys lost the domineering attitude you use against people from the Borderworld? We are a Holy Land — an Emperor Path Holy Land. It's normal for others to wait on us."

"I can see where you're coming from, but should we at least give an excuse?" the Holy Lord asked.

"If you want."

"What excuse?"

Wu Hong looked at the Battle Peak Master. "Do I have to think for you now?"

"We'll tell them you had an epiphany and are now in retreat," Han Guo quickly said.

Wu Hong didn't care. Instead, she condensed a talisman to hand over to the Weapon Peak Master. "This is a method to use the [Power of Hope] to build Dao tablets. Use it to protect your records from the Curse of Forbidden Knowledge."

The Peak Master's eyes lit up; they had just established a system with the sole purpose of gathering the [Power of Hope]. "Don't worry, Saintess, I'll get it down immediately.

"If there is nothing else, you can leave."

The Peak Masters flew away, leaving the dimensions. On their way, the Battle Peak Master couldn't help but ask: "Do you think that's how our founder was? Calm, domineering, and living life as if the world revolved around him?"

"Are you complaining about our Saintess?"

"No, no, no. I wouldn't dare. I just feel like she's how an Emperor is supposed to be, and we…Anyway, I've always wanted to know what the founder was like, and after seeing the answer, I feel like I have my answer."

"You musclehead finally said something I agree with," the Pill Peak Master said.

"Old man, why do you always have to insult me? You want to go at it?"

"Wait, I just forgot to ask the Saintess: should we allow the other holy lands to participate in the sermon or not?" the Holy Lord said. Everyone stopped flying to look at him.

"Should we go back and ask?"

"Absolutely not," Han Guo said. "We can't look more incompetent than we just did."

"Then?"

"Since she didn't mention it, it means she acquiesced."

"Are you sure about this?"

"You said it yourself: she is domineering and confident. She will not care if the Qi Paths intervene or try to study our paths."

"Alright."