Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 251: Chapter 256: The Great Emperor’s Path

In the grand hall, the expressions of those present looked grim. The Gold-winged Little Peng King was too unreasonable; even the Azure-robed Young Flood Dragon King frowned.

"Why invite Yan Ruyu? Simply call out the Green Flood Dragon King and slap that bird-man to death!" Tu Fei said angrily.

He knew this was impossible. The Gold-winged Little Peng King had an ancestor who was formidable to an "utterly chaotic" degree, known as the Peng King, a prominent figure of the demon clan.

Not to mention the Peng King’s invincible combat power, just the Celestial Roc Extreme Speed alone was enough to give the various Peacock Kings headaches, allowing him to traverse the world with no one able to stop him.

Ye Fan also felt quite aggrieved, wishing he could immediately break through into the Four Extremes secret boundary and then slap the Gold-winged Little Peng King to death.

This Peng bird was too arrogant. Upon meeting, it wanted to snatch his cauldron forged from Origin Qi. It said little, yet directly wanted to take his life. He had never encountered such a madman.

However, the Gold-winged Little Peng King was indeed powerful, standing in the Four Extremes secret boundary, with an unfathomable cultivation base comparable to the Flickering Light Saint Heir.

"You’d better hold back. No one in the younger generation is his match. Even if someone from the older generation could kill him, they wouldn’t dare to act. If they provoke the old Peng King, it would be a monstrous disaster," a Demon Cultivator advised.

"Damn it, this bird-man’s background is too powerful! No wonder he’s attending the Jade Lake Grand Gathering and even wants to battle the Flickering Light Saint Heir. He has nothing to fear," Tu Fei cursed.

"The Gold-winged Little Peng King has fought through the younger generation rarely finding a rival; he indeed has the capital for arrogance. Saying anything else is useless," a demon clan cultivator shook his head.

The Celestial Roc Clan is favored by the heavens. Their physical bodies are strong, capable of fighting dragons and Flood Dragons, and they possess speed unmatched by any race in the world.

The Gold-winged Little Peng King displayed all these strengths: he was unmatched in combat power among his peers, his Celestial Roc Extreme Speed was peerless, and he could even evade divine sense attacks.

Even if Ye Fan had cultivated the old madman’s footwork, he was still far inferior to his opponent and definitely not as fast as the Gold-winged Little Peng King. Unless he broke into the Four Extremes secret boundary, he might have a chance to compete in speed.

After all, the old madman had once used such footwork to track down a king of the Celestial Roc Clan.

"Damn it, this bird-man is really infuriating!" Tu Fei, being a big mouth, spoke without reservation.

"Isn’t it just a little bird? Roast it and be done with it. This Emperor loved roasting little birds back in the day," just then, the Black Emperor, who had been silent all along, murmured.

Ye Fan really wanted to kick it. This dead dog only knew how to boast shamelessly; it hadn’t shown any real capability just now.

"Human brat, I’ll be waiting for you outside!" the Gold-winged Little Peng King transmitted his voice from outside the palace, then fell completely silent.

Ye Fan stood up, walked to the center of the hall, picked up the strand of golden hair, and wrapped it around his fingertip.

"Kid, are you trying to harm someone..." the Black Emperor asked, puzzled.

"Shut up!" Ye Fan didn’t want this dead dog to make wild guesses and put away the golden hair.

Sovereign figures like the Peacock King and Green Flood Dragon King had little remaining lifespan and usually cultivated in seclusion. Therefore, unless a major event occurred, no one would disturb them.

The Gold-winged Little Peng King, although powerful, wasn’t significant enough to warrant inviting them out of seclusion. Not long after, a Heavenly Sound came from outside the palace; Yan Ruyu had arrived.

The palace was filled with exotic flowers and strange plants, its walls inlaid with bright pearls and Beautiful Jade. However, with Yan Ruyu’s arrival, all brilliance dimmed.

She appeared no more than eighteen or nineteen years old, wearing a white dress that trailed the floor. Her black hair danced lightly, long lashes fluttered, and her eyes were misty like water vapor. Blooming like a divine lotus, she possessed an ethereal temperament.

She embodied perfection. Every gesture and movement was incomparable. In her presence, flowers lost their color and bright pearls their luster, making all other beautiful things seem covered in dust.

"This must be Fairy Yan! There is no such enchanting beauty in the world. It’s a rare fortune to meet her today," Tu Big Mouth approached, continuously flattering and praising.

"A man must be bad to succeed," the Black Emperor, showing no deference, muttered softly on the side.

Tu Fei’s face immediately darkened, but he couldn’t lose his temper. He diligently invited Yan Ruyu to sit, acting as if he were the host.

It wasn’t just him. Even the several young demon clan powerhouses present, who often saw Yan Ruyu, felt a bit dazed at that moment. Everyone appreciates and yearns for perfection.

"Fairy Yan, we meet again," Ye Fan greeted.

Yan Ruyu smiled and nodded gently in response. "Little brother Ye, your cultivation progress is rapid. Congratulations."

"What’s there to congratulate? Junior brother Ye has encountered big trouble; he’s being targeted by a madman. The Gold-winged Little Peng King wants to take his life," Tu Fei said, directly bringing up the main issue.

"Why?" Yan Ruyu’s every frown and smile was captivating. Her voice was like heavenly music, very pleasing to the ear.

"The Gold-winged Little Peng King has set his sights on Junior brother Ye’s Origin Qi foundation, seeking to snatch it and take his life," Tu Fei said indignantly.

"Holy divine relics of heaven and earth entice people. Even without the Gold-winged Little Peng King, others would make an attempt," Yan Ruyu said, light flickering in her beautiful eyes. She too had experienced such situations.

The expressions of the several young demon clan powerhouses present were somewhat unnatural. Though sitting there, they indeed harbored other thoughts in their hearts.

"Being in possession of holy divine relics naturally invites covetousness. You should cultivate in seclusion," Yan Ruyu stated.

She didn’t say Ye Fan shouldn’t be here, but she hinted that the demon clan sovereign’s cave abode wasn’t his Pure Land.

Back when Ye Fan burned the Ji Family’s Grand Elders in the southern region, the cauldron forged from Origin Qi had already been revealed.

As long as he showed his True Body, no matter where he was, he would surely be targeted.

However, this time he had no choice. He had to enter the demon clan’s significant territory in his True Body to reconnect with some old acquaintances; otherwise, there was no way to track down Pang Bo’s whereabouts.

The Azure-robed Young Flood Dragon King said, "Brother Peng is being too unreasonable. When the time comes, I will ask the fairy for help to persuade him."

Yan Ruyu had an extraordinary status as a descendant of the demon race’s Great Emperor, and her own cultivation was impressive. Two years ago, in the southern region, she had fought evenly with the Ji Family’s Divine King Body.

"I’ll attempt to persuade him," Yan Ruyu nodded.

Outside the palace, the mountains and rivers were picturesque, full of beautiful scenery: strange rocks, ancient pines, mist, and flying waterfalls, all magnificent.

The mountains housed many halls and towers. Opposite was a verdant mountain covered with ancient, vigorous pines. At its peak, surrounded by longevity pines, stood a pavilion where the Gold-winged Little Peng King and a few Demon Cultivators sat, drinking together.

The Azure-robed Young Flood Dragon King, Yan Ruyu, Ye Fan, Tu Fei, and others flew over and landed. The Gold-winged Little Peng King suddenly stood up, his eyes fixed on Ye Fan, a murderous intent like a surging tide emanating from him.

"What are you doing?" Yan Ruyu asked, her red lips gently parting.

The Gold-winged Little Peng King cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Fairy Yan. I want to obtain the Profound Yellow Root!" He made no attempt to hide his intentions, stating them directly.

"Ye Fan and I are old acquaintances; he is my guest. You are going too far," Yan Ruyu stated, standing on the mountain peak, her white dress fluttering as if she were about to ride the wind away.

"In our demon clan, the strong are always respected! What connection could a fairy possibly have with a Desolate Ancient Wasted Body like him? Don’t try to fool me," the Gold-winged Little Peng King retorted, his golden hair flying, eyes like lightning.

"He is an old acquaintance of mine. I don’t want you to make things difficult for him," Yan Ruyu said, standing serenely.

"You are a descendant of the Great Emperor, with the demon clan’s sacred blood flowing in your veins! You shouldn’t associate with a wastrel. Let me kill him and cut off this meaningless karmic tie for Her Highness, the Princess!" the Gold-winged Little Peng King’s words were resolute, his killing intent skyrocketing.

"Damn it, this bird-man is insane!" Tu Fei cursed under his breath.

"Enough! What kind of reasoning is that?" Yan Ruyu’s face darkened as she said, "He is my friend. What does his cultivation base have to do with anything?"

"He possesses the Origin Qi foundation, such a holy divine relic. Its appearance in our demon clan’s territory is Heaven’s will; this item should fall into my hands," the Gold-winged Little Peng King asserted, unyielding.

"So, you’re willing to kill my friend for your selfish desires?!" A faint, cold smile appeared on Yan Ruyu’s flawless face.

"You can’t put it that way! I harbor the ambition of a Great Emperor. If I obtain this relic and refine it into a peak weapon, it would be tantamount to strengthening our demon clan!" the Gold-winged Little Peng King’s words were unwavering, his mane of golden hair dancing wildly, sharp rays of light shooting from his eyes.

"Aren’t you afraid of biting your tongue with all that boasting? How many Great Emperors have there been in history? And you, a lunatic like you, claim you can become one!" Tu Bigmouth sneered.

"Just based on the fact that I’ve swept through the younger generation of the Eastern Wastelands undefeated, I am already comparable to a Great Emperor in his youth!" the Gold-winged Little Peng King said, his eyes shooting out two icy lights as he stared at Tu Fei as if looking at a dead man. "I can take your life in three moves. You can come and try!"

Madness gleamed in his eyes as he strode forward, truly intending to claim Tu Fei’s life, emanating an aura of utter megalomania.

Tu Bigmouth was furious. He had fought for a long time with the Flickering Light Sacred Lady and still managed to protect himself. Yet the Gold-winged Little Peng King boasted he could kill him in three moves! This was incredibly frustrating. He clenched his teeth and muttered, "Lunatic!"

However, he managed to restrain his impulse and did not charge forward, because the Gold-winged Little Peng King was indeed terrifying. Not long ago, he and Qingyi had teamed up but were easily sent flying by the Gold-winged Little Peng King using only his left hand.

It should be noted that Qingyi was on par with the Saint Heirs of the various Sacred Lands!

The Gold-winged Little Peng King turned, fixing his gaze on Ye Fan. "Come over and meet your death!" he said.

"Before the Ancient Desolation, would you dare kill a sacred body?" Tu Bigmouth challenged.

"Alas, such times are long gone and will never return," the Gold-winged Little Peng King stated with icy indifference.

"That’s hard to say. Perhaps he will be a miracle," Yan Ruyu said, gracefully stepping forward and blocking his path.

The Gold-winged Little Peng King halted and said coldly, "Your Highness, you shouldn’t stop me. Such a person holds no hope. Throughout these endless ages, he isn’t the only one. Haven’t those Sacred Lands nurtured others, only to abandon them eventually?"

"Perhaps there will be unforeseen circumstances," Yan Ruyu stated, her immortal body unmoving as she blocked the way.

The Gold-winged Little Peng King sneered repeatedly and said, "You and I both know, this kind of physique has only one destined path ahead of it..."

His explanation continued, closely matching what Ye Fan himself had surmised.

In the past, several Sacred Lands had discovered sacred bodies and nurtured them in secret, yet they found it extremely difficult to help them open up their Seas of Bitterness.

Later, they finally found a way, overcoming the difficulties and allowing them to cultivate, achieving remarkable feats.

Once a sacred body could cultivate, as long as there were endless spiritual medicines, their cultivation would advance rapidly, and their combat power would be immeasurable. Even the various Peacock Kings in their youth could not compare.

However, for such a physique, every step forward required massive resources, amounts that even Sacred Lands could not provide.

Once, a Sacred Land spent a million catties of Source to forcibly nurture a sacred body to the Fifth Layer Heaven of Dao Palace. But even a Sacred Land with foundations as deep as that couldn’t bear the cost.

According to their estimations, to reach the circle of perfection in the Dao Palace Fifth Layer Heaven and break into the Four Extremes secret boundary, at least tens of millions of catties of Source would be needed. Even Sacred Lands couldn’t sustain that.

Moreover, who knew what difficulties awaited after entering the Four Extremes secret boundary, or whether continued cultivation would even be possible? It was all unknown.

Therefore, sects with some historical foundation knew that a sacred body would inevitably halt at the Dao Palace Fifth Layer Heaven. They simply could not overcome that ’Ancient Desolation’s chasm.’

In this world, even Sacred Lands could not produce tens of millions of catties of Source; it was a despairingly astronomical figure!

Several major Sacred Lands had failed. They concluded that the sacred body had declined, that it could never again display its former invincible prowess, and would never rise again.

Since then, many sects in the world learned that the sacred body had become a wasted physique. No matter how great the cost of nurturing it, it would ultimately halt at the Dao Palace secret realm.

It was utterly impossible to enter the Four Extremes secret boundary, unless several Sacred Lands went mad, jointly nurturing one and providing tens of millions of catties of Source. Perhaps then, this physique could break its shackles.

Obviously, that was impossible. With so many resources, enough experts could be nurtured without needing to squander them in such a way; the benefits simply didn’t outweigh the costs.

As for whether a sacred body’s path of cultivation held further calamities after entering the Four Extremes secret boundary, even the major Sacred Lands did not know, because no one had ever attempted to go that far.

The Gold-winged Little Peng King was supremely indifferent and said, "I think you should all be aware of these circumstances. What awaits him is a dead end. Why not let me help him find release? The Origin Qi foundation should be in my hands, forging my path to becoming a Great Emperor!"

Yan Ruyu’s beautiful body, with an ethereal aura, was like thin clouds veiling a bright moon, or a light breeze brushing a jade flower, akin to a heavenly fairy descending upon the world. She gently shook her head and said, "A Great Emperor cannot be achieved by someone devoid of feelings and compassion. I will not allow you to kill him."

The Gold-winged Little Peng King stepped forward. His strong, demonic aura-filled physique was imposing as he said, "How could I be someone devoid of feelings? I came to the Green Flood Dragon King’s secluded dwelling precisely to propose to the Princess."

"How could Fairy Yan marry a lunatic like you!" Tu Bigmouth exclaimed.

"Other than me, who else could there be?" The Gold-winged Little Peng King scanned his surroundings and declared, "If I become the Demon Emperor one day, the Princess shall be the Demon Queen."

"I’ve never seen such an arrogant bird-man! Wait until you actually possess the aura of a Great Emperor before you make such grand boasts!" Tu Fei retorted angrily.

"You will see it one day!" The Gold-winged Little Peng King’s words were calm, but his killing intent surged to the heavens as he thrust out a large hand toward Ye Fan.

BANG!

The entire mountain peak trembled. Yan Ruyu took action, flicking out a crystalline lotus flower that blocked the Gold-winged Little Peng King’s large hand.

"It’s just killing a Desolate Ancient Wasted Body! Princess, do you really intend to stop me? Is it truly worth it?!" The Gold-winged Little Peng King’s gaze was like a knife.

"You claim to walk the path of a Great Emperor. Then fight a sacred body of the same tier. Let me see if you possess such qualifications," Yan Ruyu said calmly.

"Regrettably, there isn’t a sacred body at my tier for me to kill in this world!" The Gold-winged Little Peng King declared, hands clasped behind his back, disdainfully gazing at everyone present.

"Killing a same-tier sacred body... This bird-man is truly insane, far too arrogant!" Tu Fei couldn’t help but curse.

"I can suppress your cultivation base to the Dao Palace Second Layer Heaven!" Yan Ruyu stated peacefully, extending her jade-like hand. A brilliant light shone in her palm, making it impossible to look at directly.

"A peak weapon!"

Everyone was horrified, feeling an irresistible aura that made them tremble uncontrollably. This was Extreme Dao Power, a sacred weapon left behind by a demon race’s Great Emperor.

"Throughout history, how many Great Emperors have there been? They were all figures of unparalleled magnificence. Do you dare to try and see if you can suppress a sacred body of the same tier?!"