Chapter 360: The Source of the Emperor, Cooperation Established
"The Source of the Emperor!"
As Mo Yu gazed at the radiant seed floating in mid-air, his previously calm eyes couldn't help but show signs of excitement. Among all the people on the Dou Qi Continent, aside from the Wind Emperor before him, no one understood the current state of the continent better than Mo Yu. It was something that had troubled him deeply for a long time.
The issue was that the Dou Qi Continent no longer possessed what was known as the Source of the Emperor, which meant that no one could ever ascend to the Dou Emperor realm again. Tuoshe Ancient Emperor was the last person in tens of thousands of years to achieve the rank of Dou Emperor on the Dou Qi Continent.
In Mo Yu's memory, there were only two ways left for someone to ascend to Dou Emperor in the current age. The only remaining traces of the Source of the Emperor were found in two places: the Emperor Pill inside the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion and the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance.
In the original story, Hun Tiandi (Soul Heaven Emperor) obtained the Emperor Pill, giving him the opportunity to ascend to Dou Emperor. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan placed his hope in the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance and eventually gained the recognition of Tuoshe Ancient Emperor, obtaining the last Source of the Emperor and thus becoming the Flame Emperor.
In Mo Yu's original plan, to return to his peak strength, he would need to seize one of these two sources. However, neither the Emperor Pill nor the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance would be easy to obtain.
The Emperor Pill, for example, was something Hun Tiandi spent a thousand years planning for. He planted countless spies within the eight great ancient clans and eventually mobilized endless resources and manpower to ascend to Dou Emperor. Trying to snatch the Emperor Pill from Hun Tiandi was a risky move, and even Mo Yu wasn't confident he could pull it off without great peril.
As for obtaining the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance, Mo Yu had considered it but felt the chances were slim. It wasn't out of any sentimental feelings for Xiao Yan; rather, he believed that Xiao Yan had a far better chance of gaining the inheritance.
Tuoshe Ancient Emperor, after all, was born from the first-ranked Heavenly Flame on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, and Xiao Yan's cultivation technique, Flame Mantra, had a natural connection to the Heavenly Flames. If Mo Yu, who specialized in lightning, tried to claim the inheritance before Xiao Yan, there was a real risk he could fail. If that happened, not only would he lose the chance to become a Dou Emperor, but he might also jeopardize Xiao Yan's future as the Flame Emperor. And if the Dou Qi Continent were left with only Hun Tiandi as a Dou Emperor, there would be no one left to stop the Soul Clan's ambitions.
That's why, faced with this third Source of the Emperor in the Wind Emperor's hand, Mo Yu was so excited. It presented him with a nearly guaranteed path to the Dou Emperor realm.
Suppressing his joy, Mo Yu steadied his expression and asked the final question on his mind: "Senior Qing, you possess the Source of the Emperor. Why not seek cooperation with one of the eight great ancient clans? Surely you know that the leaders of the top-ranked clans, many of whom are at the peak of Dou Saint, could easily ascend to Dou Emperor with the Source of the Emperor and their millennia of accumulated resources. You could then cooperate with them to return to the Great Thousand World and revive yourself."
Hearing Mo Yu's question, the Wind Emperor stroked his white beard and replied softly, "I've considered that approach before but ultimately decided against it."
The Wind Emperor shook his head and continued, "The eight ancient clans have existed since time immemorial. Even back when I first became a Dou Emperor, they were already well-established. Tens of thousands of years ago, it wasn't as difficult to become a Dou Emperor as it is today because the Source of the Emperor was still abundant on the Dou Qi Continent. The ancient clans, due to their Dou Emperor bloodlines, produced more Dou Emperors than any other group—so much so that back then, they weren't called the 'ancient clans.' They were known as the 'Emperor Clans'!"
The Wind Emperor sighed before continuing, "These ancient clans are proud beyond measure. When I rose to prominence on the continent, I ended up in conflict with them and even killed some of their powerful elders. That's why I can't trust them enough to cooperate."
With a bitter smile, he added, "Back then, I walked the path of cultivation alone, without leaving behind any descendants. If I had, perhaps my bloodline would have given rise to a powerful Dou Emperor clan. Instead, I had to rely on outsiders, which led to the creation of that worthless Yun Lan Sect."
At this point, the Wind Emperor, usually so calm, couldn't help but curse. Though he had died and his ability to nurture Yun Lan Sect was limited, the fact remained that the sect had enjoyed resources comparable to the eight ancient clans in its early days thanks to the Wind Emperor's support. Yet, despite this, the Yun Lan Sect had steadily declined, eventually becoming a minor power in the northwestern part of the continent, and had now been destroyed by Mo Yu.
The Wind Emperor saw his investment in Yun Lan Sect as one of the most embarrassing decisions of his life. If he had been at his peak, he believed he could have even trained a lowly mutt into a divine creature that could shake the continent. But Yun Lan Sect? It had completely let him down, forcing him to abandon it.
It was only when he stumbled upon Mo Yu that the Wind Emperor's hope was reignited. In just a moment, the Wind Emperor sensed a unique aura emanating from Mo Yu—the kind of aura only those who had reached his level could emit. Although the Wind Emperor didn't know Mo Yu's full story or the reason for his current weakened state, none of that mattered to him.
Mo Yu had once been at the Earth Supreme level, and with the Source of the Emperor in his hands, the Wind Emperor saw far more potential in him than in the failed Yun Lan Sect.
Staring at Mo Yu intently, the Wind Emperor asked softly, "So, what do you think? I mean you no harm. I just want to help you achieve your goals. All I ask is that when you ascend to Dou Emperor and shatter the void to return to the Great Thousand World, you help me come back to life. I would be eternally grateful."
Seeing the sincerity in the Wind Emperor's expression, Mo Yu's face remained thoughtful for a moment. After a long pause, he nodded slowly. While he couldn't be entirely sure that the Wind Emperor had no hidden agenda, the temptation of the Source of the Emperor was too great to pass up. This was, after all, the key to becoming a Dou Emperor.
If the Soul Clan or the Gu Clan caught wind of this, they would descend upon Yun Lan Mountain immediately, shaking the entire northwestern continent.
"Senior Qing, if you can help me become a Dou Emperor, I will be eternally grateful. I, Mo Yu, swear upon my soul that after I ascend to Dou Emperor, I will return to the Great Thousand World and bring you back to life!"
Mo Yu's voice rang out like thunder in the stormy world, his expression solemn as he swore to the phantom elder before him.
If the Wind Emperor truly had no ill intentions, Mo Yu was more than willing to repay the favor. Mo Yu lived by the principle of repaying kindness with kindness. Besides, the Great Thousand World was far more treacherous than the Dou Qi Continent, and even as a Dou Emperor, he wouldn't be at the top there. Having an ally like the Wind Emperor, who was familiar with the Great Thousand World, could help Mo Yu establish himself much faster.
Seeing Mo Yu's seriousness and his soul oath, the Wind Emperor's face lit up with joy. After being dormant for a thousand years, he finally had hope for revival.
"Thank you, Mo Yu," the Wind Emperor said, his voice filled with gratitude.
As the Wind Emperor spoke, he waved his hand, and the Wind Spirit Pearl floated over to Mo Yu.
"Take this as a small gift from me. It may not seem like much, but please don't refuse it," the Wind Emperor said with a smile as he stroked his white beard.
After a moment's thought, Mo Yu nodded and waved his hand, storing the Wind Spirit Pearl in his beast ring. While the pearl might be insignificant to a Dou Emperor, it was just right for Mo Yu in his current state.
Seeing Mo Yu accept the pearl, the Wind Emperor smiled and then turned his gaze to the Source of the Emperor. His expression turned serious as he said, "Mo Yu, the Source of the Emperor is a matter of utmost importance. If the ancient clans catch wind of it, you'll face endless trouble, including relentless pursuit. The Gate of Life and Death, being a mysterious object from the Great Thousand World, can conceal the aura of the Source of the Emperor. Until you're ready to ascend to Dou Emperor, I suggest we keep it here for safekeeping. What do you think?"
Mo Yu was momentarily taken aback, but after a moment of reflection, he nodded.
The Wind Emperor's logic was sound. After all, Mo Yu's ancestor, Xiao Xuan, had sacrificed nearly his entire clan in a mad attempt to break through to Dou Emperor. Such extreme behavior showed just how far people would go for the Source of the Emperor. If the ancient clans knew that Mo Yu possessed it, they would stop at nothing to hunt him down.
Even the protection of the Thunder Clan might not be enough to shield him from the combined might of the Soul Clan and the Gu Clan. And even the Thunder Clan leader, Lei Ying, a powerful eight-star Dou Saint, would likely be tempted by the Source of the Emperor, considering it would bring him within reach of Dou Emperor.
Moreover, although Mo Yu had just established a partnership with the Wind Emperor, the Wind Emperor likely had his own reservations. While Mo Yu had sworn an oath, the Wind Emperor still wanted to retain control over the Source of the Emperor, ensuring that if anything went wrong, such as Mo Yu's death or betrayal, he wouldn't lose everything.
Mo Yu understood this but didn't mind. Both sides were quietly aware of each other's concerns. Regardless, knowing that the Source of the Emperor was reserved for him gave Mo Yu peace of mind. As long as he reached the high levels of Dou Saint, he could return to the Gate of Life and Death, claim the Source of the Emperor, and ascend to Dou Emperor.
This knowledge lifted a great burden from Mo Yu's shoulders.
"Since that's settled, I'll take my leave for now," Mo Yu said with a smile, cupping his hands in respect to the Wind Emperor.
This journey had been immensely fruitful. Not only had Mo Yu obtained the Wind Spirit Pearl, a powerful energy source, but he had also secured the Source of the Emperor.
Who could have imagined that hidden behind the small Yun Lan Sect was the legendary Wind Emperor? Not even the Soul Hall had uncovered this secret.
"Hehe, go ahead, Mo Yu," the Wind Emperor chuckled. "After this encounter, I'll need to rest. My soul energy has nearly been exhausted, so once you leave, I'll fall into a deep sleep."
However, before Mo Yu could leave, the Wind Emperor's expression turned grave as he said, "Mo Yu, I can only maintain my soul form for about twenty more years. If you don't reach the level needed to break through to Dou Emperor within that time, my soul will fade, and the Gate of Life and Death will close. You won't be able to access it again."
Hearing the warning, Mo Yu's face grew serious.
Without the Gate of Life and Death, the Source of the Emperor would be lost to him forever. While the Wind Emperor wasn't directly pressuring him, it was clear he was urging Mo Yu to cultivate quickly and not waste time.
Taking a deep breath, Mo Yu nodded and said, "Don't worry, Senior Qing. With my foundation, I should be able to reach the peak of Dou Saint in about a decade. Once I become a Dou Emperor, I'll use some methods to preserve your soul for a few more years, giving you time to return to the Great Thousand World."
"Good, good! If you have that confidence, then I'm relieved," the Wind Emperor replied with a smile, his form becoming more transparent. "Let me give you one final push."
With a wave of his hand, a powerful storm enveloped Mo Yu, making his surroundings spin. His silver eyes blurred, and when his vision cleared, he found himself back in the Yun Lan Sect's grand hall.
Mo Yu stretched out his arms and smiled faintly. Inside his body, his meridians, muscles, bones, and even his cells felt like they were in perfect, peak condition.
He had a sense that if he moved even slightly, the energy within him would explode like a thunderstorm.
Spending just a few days in the Gate of Life and Death had granted him a one-star breakthrough, which wasn't a bad deal at all. And with the Wind Spirit Pearl, he could easily reach the seven- or eight-star Dou Emperor level.
However, Mo Yu didn't plan on using the Wind Spirit Pearl just yet. Breaking through too quickly wasn't always beneficial. He would save it for when he reached the peak of Dou Emperor and use it to break into Dou Saint.
(End of the Chapter)
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