Chapter 99: First Steps on the Demonic Path (11) |
"This is insane—even a Great Saint has appeared, and he brought a Quasi-Emperor weapon. Are they really going to sink the entire Western Regions?"
Su Chen cursed inwardly. If the Western Regions truly collapsed under such a cataclysm, nowhere would be safe. As long as he remained here, death would find him no matter where he hid.
The terrifying might of the Quasi-Emperor weapon permeated the starry sky. Countless gazes turned toward it—only to be met with screams of agony moments later.
Though a Quasi-Emperor weapon was not a true Emperor artifact, it still bore the character "Emperor." In an age without an Emperor, a Quasi-Emperor stood as the pinnacle of the universe.
"A Quasi-Emperor weapon… your Yu Clan actually dares?!"
The moment a Great Saint wielding a Quasi-Emperor weapon descended upon the Western Regions, no one could remain calm.
The Yu Clan's Great Saint showed no mercy. He urged the Quasi-Emperor weapon into full power. The crushing pressure—thousands of times more terrifying than ordinary saintly might—surged toward the six Saint Kings.
The six did not hesitate. They scattered in every direction. Yet screams still rang through the stars. One Saint King failed to escape in time and perished on the spot. The scalp-numbing scene laid bare for all to see what true imperial clan foundation meant!
The Yu Clan's Great Saint seized the Yu Clan members in one grasp and prepared to withdraw from the Western Regions. In a distant corner of the Western Regions, a massive hand stretched forth, seemingly enveloping the entire domain in its palm.
Above the firmament appeared an incomparably towering figure. His brilliant golden pupils gleamed like amber, shocking the soul. Plain white robes bore the trajectories of sun, moon, and stars. A single point of golden light flowed between his brows. All heaven and earth bowed beneath his feet.
A Great Saint! The Western Regions' pillar of stability had finally acted!
"Zhenyang, take Shukuang and leave first. Today, I will test the depths of the Western Regions' foundation!"
The Yu Clan's Great Saint set Yu Zhenyang, Yu Shukuang, and the others down. Then he turned, carrying the Quasi-Emperor weapon, and headed into the extraterritorial void alongside the Western Regions' Great Saint.
Both Quasi-Emperor weapons were fully awakened. The fluctuations they released made the world believe a Supreme from some ancient Forbidden Zone had reemerged to hunt.
A long time passed before the imperial might finally subsided. Both Great Saints vanished without a trace. No one knew who had won or lost that battle.
Su Chen returned to the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land. The elders were stunned to see that a disciple had actually survived.
Inside Red Sun Peak, Red Sun Venerable's face lit up with joy.
"Sovereign, did you manage to obtain our Primordial Remnant Clan ancestor's saint artifact from within the ancient ruin?"
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Su Chen nodded. "There was a damaged saint artifact. Unfortunately, it was too severely broken and has lost all saintly might."
Red Sun Venerable's expression instantly turned deathly pale. He shook his head in denial. "Impossible! Bring out the saint artifact. The remnant saint artifact left by our ancestor cannot possibly be damaged!"
Su Chen frowned and spoke in a low voice. "You want me to take it out here? Are you trying to expose everything right under Zhou Hao's nose?"
Red Sun Venerable realized his mistake and quickly composed himself. "Sovereign… it was my lapse."
At that moment, a voice from outside Red Sun Peak interrupted him.
"True disciple of Red Sun Peak, Zhou Chen—summoned by the Sacred Lord!"
Su Chen left Red Sun Peak without another word.
"Disciple Zhou Chen is present!"
The elder who had come smiled faintly. "Zhou Chen, the Sacred Lord has summoned you. Please follow me to the Sun-Devouring Hall."
Su Chen nodded and followed the elder toward the Sun-Devouring Hall.
…
The main peak of the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land was naturally magnificent beyond measure, filled with ceaseless phenomena—including the illusion of a setting sun devouring the moon.
Su Chen had no interest in admiring the scenery. He entered the vast, empty grand hall alone.
Inside stood a single figure with hands clasped behind his back. Long silver hair flowed down, entwined with strands of dark purple lightning. He resembled a god or demon who had stepped forth from the abyss of the ninth underworld. His eyes were like two pools of congealed blood. Wherever his gaze passed, the air twisted into strange, rippling patterns.
The Sacred Lord of the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land.
Zhou Hao! A peak Saint!
"Disciple Zhou Chen pays respects to the Sacred Lord!"
Su Chen bowed with utmost respect.
Zhou Hao stared at Su Chen. His calm voice exploded inside Su Chen's mind like thunder.
"This seat knows your past… now tell me—who exactly are you?"
In an instant, an overwhelmingly terrifying aura locked onto Su Chen. The owner of that aura could crush him to death with a mere thought.
Su Chen cursed inwardly: "Useless Primordial Remnant Clan… they couldn't even handle something this small!"
He understood immediately. Luo Hongying must have left some message that reached Zhou Hao, planting seeds of suspicion. Without a flawless explanation, a ruthless man like Zhou Hao would never let him live.
Su Chen spoke decisively. "Reporting to the Sacred Lord—there are traitors within the sacred land plotting against you."
A flicker of interest appeared in Zhou Hao's eyes. "Oh? Who dares scheme against this seat?"
Without hesitation, Su Chen sold out the Primordial Remnant Clan's elders and remnants completely. "It is the Primordial Remnant Clan. They still hide within the sacred land, waiting for their chance. They wanted this disciple to help them locate a saint artifact. This is the saint artifact I found. This disciple was born of the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land and will die as its ghost. How could I possibly aid them in harming the Sacred Lord?"
He betrayed them without the slightest psychological burden.
When Su Chen produced the tattered soul banner—damaged yet unmistakably radiating saintly might—Zhou Hao reached out and grasped it. After a brief examination, he spoke. "Indeed, it carries the aura of the Primordial Remnant Clan. Though broken, if repaired, it could still unleash several bursts of saintly power. To think survivors still linger… right under this seat's nose. These rats hiding in the gutters truly disgust me."
Zhou Hao stored the soul banner away and continued calmly. "For those old things to trust you so deeply, your bloodline must be extraordinary. You have made the right choice. Had you followed their path, you would have walked straight into eternal damnation… You should know that every disciple of the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land has a soul tether planted within them. Only the pill controlled by this seat can suppress it. Without that suppression, they die without a grave! Now, this seat will give you a chance to live. Show your worth."
The crushing pressure on Su Chen eased abruptly. The Primordial aura around him manifested openly. The phantom of a Taotie appeared behind him.
Zhou Hao narrowed his eyes. His face remained unreadable, betraying neither joy nor anger. The hall fell deathly silent. After three breaths, he spoke evenly. "So it is the Primordial Taotie Physique. No wonder those old fossils revered you as their sovereign. If you had continued down their road, the backlash from the Heaven-Devouring Earth-Swallowing Divine Art would have killed you sooner or later. From this day forward, you belong to this seat. This seat will resolve the flaws of your Primordial Taotie Physique. Now… swallow this Slave Seal Pill."