Chapter 1317 |
Chapter 1317: Enemies Meet on a Narrow Path
After stepping through the bronze gate, Su Jingzhen found himself in a vast space that surpassed his wildest expectations. It was immense—almost a miniature secret realm.
Countless stars glimmered in the sky above, each radiating light of varying intensity. Su Jingzhen quickly grasped that these lights represented the treasures concealed within.
The ground sprawled with veins of demonic ores weaving through the terrain. Springs brimming with vibrant life force dotted the landscape. In essence, it held everything one might find in a typical secret realm.
"This truly is a treasure vault," Su Jingzhen thought, his heart thrumming with excitement. His decision to enter felt more justified by the moment.
"I wonder if this place can restore even a fraction of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss," he murmured. Yet he didn’t rush to gather the treasures.
Instead, he reached out to Little Green within the Pure Land.
"Little Green, you must sense where I am. This is the Demon Warrior Guild’s treasure vault, and I can’t empty it entirely. Scan the area and pinpoint what we need. I’ll collect those items, you replicate them, and I’ll return the copies."
Though he bore the mantle of the previous Demon God’s envoy, Su Jingzhen couldn’t afford to seem overly greedy.
Factions loyal to the old Demon God were emerging—beyond just the Divine Flame Family and the Demon Warrior Guild. As his status rose, restraint became essential.
At his words, Little Green’s towering, tree-like form swayed. A mysterious wave enveloped Su Jingzhen, sharpening his vision.
Suddenly, he could discern every star in the vault, each pulsing with dao essence and elements vital to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Without hesitation, he acted.
The black brick in his hand glowed darkly, absorbing treasures rich with dao essence—weapons, pills, ores, anything of value—into the Pure Land. There, they transformed into countless stars strewn across its sky.
Little Green extracted their essence, crafting flawless replicas, which Su Jingzhen then returned to their original spots.
Through this, the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss began to recover swiftly. To an outsider, the Demon Warrior Guild’s vault appeared unchanged.
After an hour, Su Jingzhen had replaced nearly everything. Many replicas, enhanced by Little Green, surpassed their originals in potency.
Yet, to his dismay, even after scouring the vault, the Pure Land hadn’t reached 80% of its peak. Restoring it fully remained a steep challenge.
When Su Jingzhen emerged, the six elders still stood at the entrance. Seeing him return so soon, they exchanged surprised glances. The Grand Elder smiled. "Envoy, did you find satisfactory treasures? Surely our guild’s vault didn’t disappoint."
Su Jingzhen smirked. "There are some fine things, but most aren’t particularly useful to me. Still, if the Demon Warrior Guild acquires items imbued with dao essence in the future, I’d appreciate it if you kept me in mind."
As the new seventh elder—and effectively their superior—this request felt natural. "If the Envoy needs anything, there’s no issue," the elders replied promptly.
Su Jingzhen waved a hand.
"As I said before, call me ‘Jingzhen’ or ‘Young Friend’ around others. We can’t let outsiders glimpse our true connection."
After a brief exchange, he departed, stressing his intent to stay low-key under his usual identity.
The elders didn’t escort him or announce his new role.
Once he’d gone, the six elders stepped into the vault, curious. To their shock, it looked untouched. Their brows furrowed.
"The Envoy didn’t take a thing! Has our vault become worthless?" one elder mused.
"No," another countered.
"He handled several items—I recall them clearly. Now they’re stronger, their dao essence denser and more refined."
"These enhancements are extraordinary. We couldn’t achieve this with our skills," a third added.
Their discussion deepened their awe. Unbeknownst to Su Jingzhen, his standing in their eyes rose further.
Soon after, Su Jingzhen returned to the Barbarian God Demon Arena. You Yue and Huo Yang awaited him, visibly relaxing at his approach.
"Brother Jingzhen, you’re back!" Huo Yang exclaimed, clinging to his arm with a mix of affection and anxiety.
"I thought those six old men might hold you back and keep you from the Divine Flame Family."
Su Jingzhen ruffled her hair. "How could they? I may be the guild’s seventh elder now—but I’m still the Demon Warrior legions’ Grand Commander. The central trials promise rich rewards, and I’ve yet to compete. Why would I linger here in luxury?"
After reassuring Huo Yang, he turned to You Yue. Their eyes met in silent understanding, and golden text flashed before him:
[Emotional Connection +75]
[Emotional Connection +75]
[Emotional Connection +75]
[Remaining Available Points: 58,978]
A triple surge of empathy points spoke what words couldn’t.
Han Lin, Zhan Ye, and the others regarded Su Jingzhen with complex expressions. As the seventh elder, his status now eclipsed many of theirs.
"Congratulations, Seventh Elder," Zhan Ye and the Fourth Elder of the Nine Dragons Demon Sect offered, their tones laced with flattery.
Han Lin gave a grudging bow. Su Jingzhen returned a smile before addressing Huo Yang and the group. "Our business in Demon Arena City is done. It’s time to head back and prepare for the central trials."
They didn’t linger. “Preparation” meant little more than rest—the Demon Warrior legions’ current strength could dominate anywhere without extra effort.
"Thanks again for Elder Han Lin’s generosity," Huo Yang teased as she led the legions from the arena. Han Lin quivered with rage but held his tongue.
For the Divine Flame Family, this was a triumphant peak. Only the Heavenly Water Family bore losses. As Huo Yang’s group exited, they crossed paths with Shui Ze and Shui Wu—the same pair they’d encountered upon arriving.
Spotting them and their legion, Huo Yang smirked. "Small world, isn’t it?"
Unaware of Su Jingzhen’s feats, Shui Ze and Shui Wu remained clueless. They’d seen the arena’s colorful lights earlier but hadn’t linked them to this group. After taunting Huo Yang at the guild entrance, they’d retreated to the Heavenly Water Family, only returning upon hearing of a new Supreme Demon Warrior—too late to witness it.
Now, catching Huo Yang’s challenging gaze, Shui Wu frowned. "Looks like Huo Yang took her Demon Warrior legions to the arena. I wonder if they’ve hit Silver Rank yet."
Her tone oozed mockery, recalling how they’d dismissed Huo Yang’s earlier challenge over her legions’ lack of rank.
"Barely scraped Silver Rank," Huo Yang shot back. "But tell me—do you dare pit your legion against mine?"
The haughty siblings had long relied on their mighty legion to belittle her. Before, she’d had no answer. Now, if either dared reply, she’d crush them without mercy.
Shui Ze and Shui Wu exchanged glances. They knew the Demon Warrior legions’ reputation for fearsome combat and likely could reach Silver Rank. Still, Shui Wu wouldn’t risk a direct clash.
"We recognize your legions’ strength," Shui Ze conceded. "We won’t waste time on pointless fights."
Then, with a smirk, he added, "But Huo Yang, surely someone in your group shone in Demon Arena City. Do you aare to send your top achiever against one of our Heavenly Water Family’s demon warriors? A fight to the death!"
After two run-ins, conflict was inevitable. Envious of Huo Yang’s legions, the siblings sought to shame her another way.
The Demon Warrior legions faltered, startled by the bold challenge. All eyes turned to Su Jingzhen.
"If they’re rude enough to ask, we should indulge them," he chuckled, stepping forward. His aura pulsed as a second-stage Demon Marquis.
"I’m the arena’s top achiever, at the second stage of the Demon Marquis Realm. Who from the Heavenly Water Family dares face me? Shall we settle it on the arena?"
Su Jingzhen savored the chance to cut down a rising star of the Heavenly Water Family. Smiling, he added, "Though I’m only second-stage Demon Marquis, feel free to send a Demon Sage—it won’t matter."