Translator: CinderTL
"The Five Great Sects..."
Xu Sanyan murmured to himself, wondering if the Supreme Truth and Absolute Stillness Sutra he cultivated was one of the Five Great Sects.
Lan Yue said, "Of course, the Central Continent isn't just about sects. There are also prominent aristocratic families, some of which are no weaker than the Five Great Sects. If you venture to the Central Continent, you must tread carefully."
Xu Sanyan nodded, "Thank you."
Lan Yue then asked curiously, "If I may be so bold, how old are you, fellow Daoist?"
Xu Sanyan paused slightly, "Twenty-five."
In truth, he was only nineteen, but to avoid drawing too much attention, he added a few years. After all, cultivators had long lifespans, and it was difficult to discern their age from appearance alone.
Lan Yue's eyes lit up with admiration, "Fellow Daoist, you truly possess extraordinary talent and remarkable destiny. To have broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage at such a young age—your future is boundless."
Lan Yue herself was already eighty-six years old, though she appeared to be in her thirties. The lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator exceeded three hundred years, and she was still in her prime.
"You flatter me," Xu Sanyan replied modestly.
After exchanging a few more words, Xu Sanyan cupped his hands in farewell.
He planned to set out for the Central Continent soon!
As Xu Sanyan stepped out of the Star Gazing Pavilion, a eunuch was waiting outside with a set of clothes in hand. "Prince Consort, this servant will escort you to Her Highness the Princess."
Xu Sanyan smiled slightly, took the clothes, and draped them over his shoulders. "Let's go."
With a thought, a panel appeared in his vision. Xu Sanyan looked at the remaining thirty-six points of Vitality and, after a moment of consideration, tapped the plus sign next to the Blood Demon Corpse Refining Method.
Thirty-six points of Vitality instantly evaporated, leaving only eight.
In an instant, numerous insights flooded his mind. He gained a clearer understanding of how to better control the Blood Demon, and its abilities were enhanced as well—its body became tougher, its movements swifter, and its fingers sharper...
The old eunuch, seeing Xu Sanyan standing still, dared not disturb him and obediently waited by his side.
After fully absorbing the insights, Xu Sanyan finally took a step forward. "Let's go."
"Yes," the old eunuch replied, bowing and leading the way.
After passing through several long streets, a courtyard came into view. On its gate was a plaque with three large characters:
Mountain Viewing Residence.
Xu Sanyan paused for a moment, closed his eyes to sense his surroundings, then smiled and strode through the vermilion gates. Inside, he saw a figure sitting quietly on a pavilion by the water.
It was Emperor Qi.
"Your Majesty seems to be in good spirits," Xu Sanyan said with a smile as he approached.
Emperor Qi turned his head, tossing the remaining fish food into the water with a calm demeanor. "I am sixty-two this year. I took over the position of Prince Rui at thirty-seven, and in the thirty-five years since, I have served under two emperors. By seniority, I am the granduncle of the late emperor."
Xu Sanyan listened quietly, not interrupting.
"Over the years, I have seen countless outstanding individuals. For example, my eldest son reached the Peak Stage of the Celestial Being Realm at twenty-four, yet after seven years of stagnation, he still couldn't cross that insurmountable chasm."
A hint of melancholy flickered in Emperor Qi's eyes. "And then there's my fourth son, who is adept at biding his time, never showing off his abilities. His talent is even greater, yet he too has failed to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage."
"But... I have never seen anyone with talent as extraordinary as yours. In fact, no one could even come close."
Xu Sanyan remained expressionless, his gaze fixed on the fish swimming in the lake.
Emperor Qi looked at Xu Sanyan. "Do you know if I truly rebelled for the sake of the throne?"
"No, you didn't..."
Before Xu Sanyan could respond, Emperor Qi shook his head and said, "The path to immortality lies before me. How can a mere throne compare?"
Xu Sanyan couldn't help but agree. The weight of the throne paled in comparison to the pursuit of the Dao.
"Qiyuan is dead. You will never see her again," Emperor Qi said, his gaze fixed on Xu Sanyan, as if trying to discern something from his expression.
But he was destined to be disappointed. Xu Sanyan's expression remained unchanged, showing no sign of emotion.
"Heh... Indeed, someone who has reached the Foundation Establishment Realm at such a young age would not be troubled by mere romantic entanglements," Emperor Qi remarked.
Xu Sanyan shifted his gaze from the water and looked directly at Emperor Qi. "Your Majesty, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Emperor Qi smiled. "Do you truly not know?"
Xu Sanyan remained silent, shaking his head.
"Half a year ago, when you arrived in Xiang City, I was already at the Peak Stage of the Celestial Being Realm, while you were merely at the Initial Stage. Yet now, you have successfully established your foundation," Emperor Qi said, his eyes gleaming with intense greed. "In just half a year, you have crossed an entire major realm. If you say this was achieved through talent alone, would you believe it?"
Emperor Qi's question hung in the air.
Xu Sanyan's lips curled into a faint smile. "I don't believe it."
Emperor Qi was taken aback by his response, momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter. "Hahahaha... Well said! I don't believe it either."
As his laughter subsided, Emperor Qi revealed his true intentions. "As long as you share this secret with me, I am willing to relinquish the throne. My women, my empire—I will give them all to you!"
"If you are willing, I can even form a brotherhood with you. From then on, we will share our hearts and minds, striving together to achieve the Great Dao!"
Emperor Qi's eyes were resolute, his expression earnest.
Xu Sanyan hesitated, his face showing a trace of doubt. "You..."
"Are you worthy?"
As these words fell, a cold indifference flashed in Emperor Qi's eyes. With a slight wave of his hand, the sound of orderly footsteps and clanking armor echoed from outside the courtyard.
"Xu Sanyan, my army has surrounded this place. No matter how high your cultivation, the Spiritual Power within your dantian will eventually deplete. If you change your mind now, my earlier offer still stands."
Xu Sanyan's eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "An army... heh."
Since establishing his foundation, Xu Sanyan had yet to unleash his full power. Now seemed like the perfect opportunity to test it.
Emperor Qi sighed. "I had no desire to kill you. I hope you will consider this carefully."
Xu Sanyan shook his head. "Your mistake was getting too close to me."
Emperor Qi chuckled. "Heh, it seems I've been underestimated."
Suddenly, a thick, dark mist emerged from behind Xu Sanyan, accompanied by a suppressed roar. A slender figure stepped out from within the mist.
"Come, let me see what you, a man who killed his own children, is truly capable of!" Xu Sanyan stood still, two figures standing behind him—one tall, one short.
The tall figure was entirely black, slightly hunched, with arms that reached past its knees. Its three fingers were sharp like blades, and a vertical eye sat above a gaping, blood-red mouth filled with sharp, protruding fangs.
The short figure was cloaked in black robes, wearing a mask, appearing utterly unremarkable.
Emperor Qi's expression remained calm. He had allowed Xu Sanyan to get close for a reason.
As a gentle breeze swept through, Emperor Qi's golden dragon robe billowed, and his exposed hands gradually turned a pale red.
"Boom!"
The dragon robe exploded, revealing Emperor Qi's naked body. His muscles were taut, his skin a deep crimson, and even his eyes had turned a blood-red hue.
Xu Sanyan pursed his lips, and with a thought, the Blood Demon's dark figure darted like a bolt of lightning. Its three sharp fingers sliced through the air, producing a piercing, ear-splitting sound.
"Screech—"
The Blood Demon's fingers grazed Emperor Qi's chest, creating a grating noise akin to sharp nails scraping against glass.
"Kill!"
Seeing this, the soldiers outside the courtyard brandished their long swords and charged in.
Without turning his head, Xu Sanyan remained focused on the battle between the Blood Demon and Emperor Qi. Meanwhile, the Ferocious Demon, which had vanished from behind him, reappeared, having already pierced the throat of one soldier.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (HB) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c132. [+2]
🔑Early Access at $5.
✍Translated (6) Series, (3.5K+) Chapters, (4.9M+) Words.