Chapter 1329 |
Chapter 1329: The Scent of Water
“This is… this tree… This is the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss!”
The moment he arrived atop Creation Peak, the Ancient Desolate Demon King froze. Then, upon seeing Little Green’s towering tree form, his expression shifted to one of astonishment.
As an Ancient Desolate Demon King expert, he instantly recognized the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. His body trembled with excitement.
Having identified it, he naturally understood its boundless power. With a fragment of his true spirit still intact and now standing within the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, he knew it could grant him rebirth.
Though he harbored no regrets and feared not his complete dissipation—indeed, it would be a liberation—who wouldn’t seize the chance to live again if offered? Especially in a legendary, flawless realm like this.
If reborn here, he might ascend to the pinnacle of power. In his past life, his cultivation had neared that of a Demon God. Starting anew in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, he could perhaps overcome the heavenly tribulation that had once barred his path.
“That’s right, this is the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Given your cultivation, Ancient Desolate Demon King, I assume you’ve heard of this place. With it as a foundation, do you believe there’s a chance for your revival?”
Su Jingzhen regarded the Ancient Desolate Demon King as he spoke.
Ancient Desolate Demon King’s excitement was unmistakable. He bowed deeply to Su Jingzhen. “Thank you, Envoy!”
Words failed to express his gratitude. Beyond the prospect of rebirth, he stood in the legendary Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss—a dream coveted by countless top-tier experts across every era.
“If you’re ready, I can have this realm’s World Spirit send you directly into the cycle of reincarnation. You’ll be reborn as an innate spirit of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.”
Previously, figures like Xue Qianlong had been mere Immortal Emperors, whereas the Demon King Realm stood at the Supreme Immortal Emperor level. If the Ancient Desolate Demon King became an innate spirit here, his potential could far exceed that of Xue Qianlong and the others.
Ancient Desolate Demon King’s excitement surged at this prospect. He nearly agreed without hesitation, but after a moment’s reflection, he shook his head.
“Since you, Envoy, have come here, it’s likely the old relics from the other regions will also enter the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I’ve waited countless ages; a little longer won’t matter. Why not wait until those old friends arrive, so we can enter the cycle of reincarnation together? It’d be nice to have company.”
Su Jingzhen respected his choice.
“In that case, feel free to explore the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. It’s not the perfect world you might envision—it’s still rebuilding. But with the support of this realm’s power, your true spirit won’t fade.”
Su Jingzhen granted the Ancient Desolate Demon King considerable freedom.
At this, Ancient Desolate Demon King gazed into the distance from Creation Peak, then bowed to Su Jingzhen once more before stepping away.
Meanwhile, Su Jingzhen’s main body continued traversing the starry space, clutching the black brick. He collected the countless legacies and treasures of the Ancient Demon Sect one by one, storing them in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Little Green absorbed and refined these Dao-infused treasures, its towering form glowing ever brighter, nearing the 80% threshold.
The first to sense these changes in the Pure Land were its inhabitants. Many elves in the Elf Forest achieved breakthroughs as the influx of energy surged.
At that moment, a streak of white light sped toward Su Jingzhen from the Elf Forest—it was Bai Suzhen!
After the triumph over the northern Purgatory Demon Sect in the Moluo Realm, Bai Suzhen had returned to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss to focus on her cultivation. Aware that her current strength could no longer significantly aid Su Jingzhen, she sought to break through as swiftly as possible.
While in seclusion, she detected the shifts in the Pure Land and the potent aura of Ancient Desolate Demon King, prompting her to investigate.
“Did you just bring in some extraordinary being? It hasn’t even been a month, and you’ve already stirred up something new?”
Bai Suzhen regarded him with astonishment.
Su Jingzhen concealed nothing from her. Smiling, he said, “I’ve recruited another powerful ally under my guise as the Demon God’s Envoy.”
He then recounted everything about the central trial grounds and Ancient Desolate Demon King.
Bai Suzhen was stunned. Then, golden text appeared before Su Jingzhen:
[Emotional Connection +48]
[Emotional Connection +48]
[Emotional Connection +48]
[Remaining Available Points: 59,398]
Bai Suzhen had triggered three consecutive emotional connections. Su Jingzhen mused that her points were still meager. He wondered when he’d reach level four and finally win her over.
Her serene nature kept her emotions steady, but Su Jingzhen had long been entranced by her beauty and grace, unrivaled among his companions.
“What’s that look in your eyes?” Bai Suzhen narrowed her gaze, catching his stare.
“Nothing, nothing. You know how breathtaking you are in human form. Admiring beauty is only natural. Can’t I linger a bit longer?”
“Humph! I’ll go meet this Ancient Desolate Demon King and see what kind of presence an ancient top-tier Demon King Realm commands.”
With a light snort, Bai Suzhen wasted no more words and flashed away.
Su Jingzhen chuckled and shifted his focus back to the external space.
When he absorbed the final star in the starry expanse, the area became a void. The last glimmer of light vanished, plunging the space into chaos.
A violent tremor followed as the entire space collapsed. The stars had been its sustaining core; without them, it lost all purpose.
This collapse triggered a chain reaction. As the inner space disintegrated, the seemingly intact black palace outside quaked and crumbled into ruins.
Su Jingzhen’s figure burst from the wreckage. Surveying the scene, he sighed softly.
The collapse didn’t end with the palace. Like seismic waves, it rippled through the Ancient Desolate City. Deprived of its core energy, the city lost its protective shield. Structures, long decayed, turned to dust and scattered in the wind.
In mere dozens of breaths, the Ancient Desolate City became a barren desert, indistinguishable from the surrounding wasteland.
At that moment, the Demon Warrior Legion, stationed at the city gates, stared in disbelief.
Even You Yue and Huo Yang blinked in confusion.
After a dozen breaths, their expressions turned to horror.
“What’s happening?”
“Where’s the Ancient Desolate City? How did it vanish? The energy barrier’s gone too. What’s the point of guarding this place now?”
“For countless ages, the energy within the Ancient Desolate City was immense. How could it disappear? Could this be tied to Brother Jingzhen?”
Murmuring among themselves, Huo Yang suddenly recalled Su Jingzhen, who had entered the city earlier.
Their gazes turned toward the depths where the city once stood, and soon, they spotted Su Jingzhen swiftly approaching.
All eyes fixed on him, eager for answers about the Ancient Desolate City’s fate.
“Brother Jingzhen, what… what’s going on?” Huo Yang asked at once.
Su Jingzhen glanced around. He had foreseen this outcome when he began absorbing the palace’s core energy.
With a solemn look at Huo Yang and You Yue, he said, “I reached the heart of the Ancient Desolate City and met the remnant will of the Ancient Desolate Demon King. He entrusted its core energy to me, and once I absorbed it, everything here returned to dust.”
He had previously revealed to You Yue his role as the envoy of the previous generation’s Demon God, so while she was shocked, she could comprehend it. She likely deduced that the Ancient Desolate Demon King was another subordinate of that Demon God.
Still, golden text appeared before Su Jingzhen:
[Emotional Connection +75]
[Emotional Connection +75]
[...]
[Remaining Available Points: 59,623]
Another five emotional connections. His points neared 60,000.
Su Jingzhen’s explanation wasn’t concealed from the Demon Warrior Legion. They exchanged bewildered glances, taking longer to process his words.
“Ancient Desolate Demon King! The Grand Commander actually met the Ancient Desolate Demon King!”
“So all this was caused by the Grand Commander!”
“For countless ages, no one reached the Ancient Desolate City’s core during the trials. Yet the Grand Commander destroyed it in less than half an hour. This is terrifying. Was the city waiting for him all along?”
“And if he could destroy the Ancient Desolate City, what about the other seven regions?”
Amid their discussion, Su Jingzhen didn’t hesitate. He selected legacies from the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss suited to the 2,500 legion members.
Having claimed the city’s core energy for himself, it was only fair to share some benefits. Fortunately, their cultivation levels were modest, so the legacies he chose—though low-tier among the Ancient Demon Sect’s treasures—were ideal for them.
With a wave of his hand, glowing orbs floated toward the 2,500 members.
Sensing their contents, the legion’s shock turned to joy. Their gazes toward Su Jingzhen grew more fervent.
The items were perfectly tailored—most could even trigger a minor realm breakthrough.
“Brother Jingzhen, I want some too!” Huo Yang’s eyes sparkled as she extended her hands.
“Of course, you’ll get yours.”
Two more orbs appeared in Su Jingzhen’s hands. One held black armor radiating Demon General Realm power, ideal for You Yue.
“Wife, this is for you.”
The other was a spherical demonic artifact pulsing with fearsome energy.
“This is a one-use treasure. Unleash its power, and it can obliterate most Demon General Realm experts. Use it carefully, little girl.”
Su Jingzhen knew Huo Yang adored artifacts that could decisively defeat foes.
Both You Yue and Huo Yang beamed with delight.
At that moment, a dark mass of troops appeared on the horizon, advancing toward them. From afar, Su Jingzhen and the others spotted the banners of the Divine Flame Family.
It was Huo Yang’s brothers, finally catching up.
“Little sister, you’re too fast! We’ve been searching everywhere for you.”
“Good thing I left a tracking mark on you, or we’d never have found you.”
“But weren’t you headed to the Ancient Desolate City? Why are you still here?”
In moments, six groups arrived—core disciples of the Divine Flame Family’s main branch. They were thrilled to see Huo Yang but puzzled by her presence in such a desolate spot.
They knew of the trial grounds and that the Ancient Desolate City lay at the desolate region’s center, but its exact location eluded them. Gazing at the vast desert, they couldn’t fathom that this was its former site.
“Third Brother, Second Brother, the desert before you was once the Ancient Desolate City. Half an incense stick ago, it stood intact, but now it’s gone without a trace. If you hoped to find treasures there, you’re too late.”
Huo Yang addressed the Divine Flame Family disciples.
Her words only deepened their confusion.
“Little sister, what do you mean? We don’t follow.”
Huo Yang pointed to the desert behind them. “We’ve already claimed the Ancient Desolate City’s core energy, so it vanished entirely. It was right here, beneath our feet. Understand now? You can either follow us or seek other opportunities on your own. We’re off to find the Heavenly Water Family’s army.”
Her voice brimmed with excitement. The thrill of triumph at every turn was intoxicating.
The Divine Flame Family disciples remained dazed.
“Legend says no one reached the Ancient Desolate City’s core during the trials in countless ages. How could it vanish less than an hour into the trial grounds? Little sister, are you teasing us because you couldn’t find it?”
Stunned and skeptical, they glanced back where the city once stood, now a featureless desert swept by wind and sand.
“Third Brother, if you don’t believe me, I can’t help it. Feel free to search here—maybe you’ll find something. As for crushing the Heavenly Water Family, that’s our Demon Warrior Legion’s task.”
With that, Huo Yang led the legion away. She preferred acting solo; a larger group would only alert their foes.
“This…”
“Little sister, is the Ancient Desolate City really gone?”
The group stared after her, still incredulous.
“It’s truly gone. But with the city vanished, the danger here should be minimal. Take your time searching. The desolate region isn’t just the Ancient Desolate City—other hidden treasures remain. In a few days, head to the other regions. By then, we might’ve already wiped out the Heavenly Water Family’s forces there.”
Huo Yang’s tone was earnest, suggesting a sensible plan.
Yet as she finished, You Yue and her brothers suddenly turned west, brows furrowing.
“There’s a scent of water!”
Their high cultivation sharpened their senses.
“Huh?”
Huo Yang tilted her head, puzzled.
But as she spoke, a legion emerged from the west, closing in fast. Their banners bore the Heavenly Water Family’s insignia!
Huo Yang’s eyes lit up.