Chapter 807: Chapter 531: Rare Enlightenment Stele
Many years have passed since we last met.
Wanbang Elders’ Council now numbers 350 members.
Eternal Immortal broke through Eighth Realm, as if opening the Gate of Heaven.
The difficulty of breaking through Martial Arts as a Martial Artist has lessened considerably. In ancient times, reaching Grandmaster meant becoming a Land Immortal, but now, it seems one needs Heavenly Realm cultivation to be called a Land Immortal.
In these years, even with the war costing us many Heavenly Kings, the overall number of Heavenly Kings has actually increased.
The same is true for the Seventh Realm.
In just a few short years, Ye Xiaoyao, Emperor Hanu, and recently a Western powerhouse named Augu have each successively entered the Seventh Realm. Ye Xiaoyao has gone to Mystic Sky Realm to support Lufang.
Emperor Hanu is temporarily staying and guarding the Human World.
Soon, half of the Elders arrived.
Lu Chenzhou also attended the gathering.
The Northern Guardian King said, "The reason I have summoned everyone today is mainly for two matters. First, to commend Elder Lu Chenzhou for rescuing over a hundred Grandmasters and assisting in the hunt for Demon Saints. After careful deliberation by the council, it is our wish to reward him with the [Void Stele] obtained from Void City."
Upon hearing mention of the Void Stele,
the Heavenly Kings’ eyes widened in astonishment.
"Is it truly this item?"
"The Void Stele... our Human Clan from the Xia Realm has, I believe, only discovered three of them in Void City, correct?"
Lu Chenzhou’s heart was also stirred.
Although he had never visited Void City, he also knew of the [Void Stele]. So-called Void City is not actually a city, but a peculiar dimension. Only those above the Fifth Realm can enter; it is said Void City was jointly forged by the Four Emperors, and is filled with the primordial aura of the universe’s birth.
Those who can enter Void City are not just from the Human Clan, but include cultivators from myriad realms throughout the heavens. Different civilizations have built their own cities within the Void, exploring together.
Inside Void City, the greatest danger comes from [Void Beasts], a unique lifeform nearly immune to all physical and even spiritual attacks.
To deal with Void Beasts, one can only rely on Dao Essence to strike at the Level of Dao; thus, this is a place that truly tests one’s Dao understanding. After a Void Beast dies, there is a chance it may yield a so-called [Void Ancient Tablet]. The ancient tablet is imprinted with certain universal rules from the creation of the cosmos. Comprehending them may promote one’s Dao. The [Void Stele] is an even higher level ancient tablet, extremely beneficial for cultivators who are entering the Dao.
The Dao Stele can be compared to Heaven and Earth Treasures.
Even if one does not obtain a Void Ancient Tablet, the unique environment of Void City itself is conducive to comprehending the Great Dao’s rules.
Little Phoenix Immortal is currently comprehending the Dao in Void City.
It’s been nearly thirty years now.
Although Void City is a fine place, it has one flaw: the Heaven and Earth Power there is scarce, making it difficult to raise Qi-Blood through cultivation.
Lu Chenzhou has always led in Dao understanding, never encountering bottlenecks, so he has no particular need for Void City.
"I agree. As fine as the Void Stele is, compared to Fellow Daoist Lu’s contribution, it is hardly worth mentioning."
Old Ghost was the first to declare his stance.
"I also agree."
Hui Fa Abbot pressed his palms together in affirmation.
"Same for me."
Alcohol King had always admired Lu Chenzhou. Back when Lu Chenzhou defeated his disciple Silver Bear with one spear, he had been deeply impressed.
Times have changed.
Lu Chenzhou is now a Heavenly King.
Silver Bear, freshly entered Great Grandmaster.
In the end, 90% of the Heavenly Kings voted in favor.
The Northern Guardian King smiled and said:
"Chenzhou, this Void Ancient Tablet is now yours. In addition, you will also receive twenty thousand Mid-grade Primordial Stones and two High Grade Primordial Stones. It’s not much, but it’s the council’s token of respect."
Lu Chenzhou cupped his hands in salute.
"Many thanks!"
He already possessed 55,000 Mid-grade Primordial Stones and 4 High Grade Primordial Stones. The mid-grade ones he intended to save for participating in the Mountain and Sea Tower’s auctions—after all, with his current cultivation, there was little in the Da Xia Treasure Vault worth exchanging for; only the Heaven and Earth Treasures were worthy of his attention.
As for the high grade, they were reserved for maintaining the operation of Aurora Palace.
The meeting continued.
The Northern Guardian King’s expression grew solemn.
"Our war with Demon Palace has lasted two years. Up to now, we have slain 21 Demon Emperors and more than a thousand Demon Kings, but have also lost six Heavenly King comrades and three hundred Grandmasters. We must admit, the Demon Race’s guerrilla tactics have inflicted enormous losses upon us. The Shadow Kill Clan continues to reinforce from the starry sky, and Million Mountains as well as Three Thousand Weak Water incessantly send demon ghosts. President Wan has left us a thorny problem—gentlemen, do any of you have suggestions?"
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Old Man Hanshan said, "The six fallen Heavenly Kings all perished at the hands of the Four Emperors of the Demon Race. If we can eliminate them, the other Demon Emperors are not capable of killing our Heavenly Kings in the short term. Moreover, inside the regions of Wanbang’s Four Regions, each Base City’s Guardian Heavenly Kings can reinforce one another within a quarter of an hour. At present, every large Base City has at least two Heavenly Kings stationed. Even if a Demon Emperor attacks, support will arrive quickly, preventing the city from being destroyed and its people slaughtered."
Lu Chenzhou: "May I ask, who are the Four Emperors?"
The Northern Guardian King explained:
"All are hard cases. Each of them matches, or nearly matches, the strength of our top ten on the Heavenly Person List. If their power is less, they typically possess special skills."
The Four Emperors are:
Qingtian Demon Emperor, the number two figure in Demon Palace, at the Demon Emperor Peak, only one step short of Demon Venerable. Appeared in Nanshan Base City a year ago, ambushed a Middle Realm Heavenly King. True body is a Twelve-Armed Snake Demon, also a Holy Master bloodline, of the Eight-Pattern Demon Clan. Possesses limitless strength and unmatched defense.
Blood Vine Demon Emperor, also Demon Emperor Peak, whose true body is a demon vine. Its location is unknown; it only sends clones to attack small and medium-scale Base Cities, causing countless casualties.
Mo Yun Demon Emperor, Late Demon Emperor, true body unknown, but exceedingly fast, disrupting and fleeing in the blink of an eye.
You Tong Demon Emperor, at peak cultivation, true body unknown, wields the power of curses, capable of killing across endless distances.
After the introductions, Lu Chenzhou felt eager to test himself. As for Mo Yun Demon Emperor, who is truly faster?
"And what about Gu Yue Demon Emperor?"
Lu Chenzhou asked.
He recalled this is the Palace Master of Demon Palace.
The Northern Guardian King said, "Gu Yue has already advanced to Demon Venerable. A year ago, he ambushed Magic City Base City. Fortunately, Emperor Hanu was guarding the Human World and manifested across space to drive him back."
Lu Chenzhou’s eyes narrowed.
"President, how many Seventh Realm enemies are there?"
Although the barrier can block Seventh Realm powers from outside, it does not prevent Six Realms within this world from breaking through to the Seventh Realm. Thinking of Gu Yue Demon Venerable, he couldn’t help but recall the terrifying Red Lotus Demon Venerable.
Now that Eternal Immortal and Dragon King are both away, even if there is a Seventh Realm staying behind in the Human World, it would be no match for Red Lotus Demon Venerable.
Eternal Immortal said:
"Currently, there are two: Gu Yue Demon Venerable, and Myriad-Spider Ghost Venerate of Rashamon Ghost Country. As for others, Blood Hidden Building Master has long been at the Late Sixth Realm. His Martial Arts is flawed, but Heavenly Demon Six Transformations is a Demon Transformation Technique. With help from the Forbidden Zone, it is possible he will abandon his human form and become a Demon Venerable."
"Do we have any countermeasures?"
"Emperor Hanu, as the Spiritual Emperor, can manifest across space, sufficient to deal with one Demon Venerable. Now that breaking through Seventh Realm is easier, both Old Ghost, the Abbot, Daoist Cuishan, and Alcohol King will enter closed-door cultivation in hope of advancing. But with the Four Emperors still at large, we need to remain cautious."
To deal with the Four Emperors, we need strength ranking in the Heavenly Person top ten.
To kill them is even harder.
"It seems the Four Emperors are crucial."
Lu Chenzhou mused.
Old Ghost of Yellow River said:
"Yes, the Four Emperors are all tough adversaries. They refuse to fight us head-on, relying on the Shadow Kill Clan to roam and plunder. Even the Seventh Realm may not be able to restrain them."
The meeting ended.
Lu Chenzhou gained a general understanding of the council’s current situation.
In a conventional war, defeating Demon Palace would not be a problem—perhaps it would take twenty years or so—but this would inevitably result in catastrophic loss of life, even if only a third of the Demon Race perished, it would still be a tremendous loss.
Because the Demon Race possesses Forbidden Zones.
Although humanity still has Martial Arts prodigies, growth takes time. To welcome the coming era after the barrier’s shattering, every effort must be made to preserve living forces.
Thus, the council needs a breakthrough; to exterminate the Four Emperors and remove the greatest threat to the Heavenly Kings.
"I also know some escape skills. If you find the whereabouts of Mo Yun Demon Emperor, try to lure him to Yun Meng District, and I will see if I can deal with him." Lu Chenzhou said.
The Northern Guardian King nodded.
He knew Lu Chenzhou possessed Fourth Rank Lightning Dao.
Some unknowing Heavenly Kings were puzzled.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, two years ago when Gentleman Sword had just broken through Seventh Realm, he personally made a move, yet still could not hold him. Luring him to Su City is risky—after all, you’ve only just entered the Middle Realm, even if your combat strength is considerable, you may not be able to deal with him."
"The worry is, if Mo Yun is not captured, he may bring danger to other Base Cities in Yun Meng District."
Other city guardians were somewhat concerned.
They also had their own people’s safety to consider.
The Four Emperors, notorious under the council’s encirclement, are definitely not renowned without reason—who dares actively provoke them?
Old Man Hanshan’s gaze grew sharp.
He, too, was guardian of Su Town.
Though he believed in Lu Chenzhou’s strength,
nonetheless, it was indeed a risk.
Seeing this, Lu Chenzhou sent a voice transmission to Old Zhang.
A moment later, Old Zhang’s expression relaxed.
"I agree as well."
The Northern Guardian King said, "Very well, let Lu Chenzhou try first. If he can slay Mo Yun Demon Emperor, there shall be a generous reward. Take down one of the Four Emperors first, to intimidate the other three."
...
After the meeting,
Lu Chenzhou returned to Su City.
He took out a ring given by Yaochi Immortal.
A fresh, fragrant scent assailed his nose, refreshing his spirit.
"Let’s see what’s inside."
He took stock and was happily surprised.
Inheritance Jade Scroll of [Tathagata Divine Palm].
Inheritance Jade Scroll of [East Mountain Swordsmanship].
...
A total of eight Supreme Divine Skill inheritances.
All from various Martial Arts disciplines.
Of course, he would use these only for reference.
There were also over a million Mid-grade Primordial Stones.
This was more than enough to buy plenty of Heaven and Earth Treasures.
Finally, there was a basket of fruit.
On the basket was Yaochi Immortal’s handwriting.
[I heard that your cultivation of [Mountain Moving Scripture] requires Father Lifting Fruit. These I gathered in passing in the Mystic Sky Realm—a total of over a thousand pieces, more than enough for you to reach the Fourth Level in your cultivation.]
Father Lifting Fruit is only truly useful for the first three levels.
Beyond that, mainly Star Oddities are needed.
"How did she know?"
Lu Chenzhou pondered.
"Perhaps Bai Feng told her."
In his heart, Lu Chenzhou silently nodded praise for Yaochi Immortal.
Women are indeed more attentive.
Other strongmen only gave money.
She had instead sought out exactly what he needed most.
Lastly, Lu Chenzhou produced a piece of ancient tablet.
To call it an ancient tablet would not be entirely correct—it was more like an irregular slab of stone.
It radiated an aura of primal antiquity.
"Void Stele—supposedly a marvel of the cosmic dawn, containing the profundities of Heaven and Earth. If one can comprehend it, it will benefit any Dao."
He shut his eyes tightly.
Using Dao Essence, he focused on perceiving the Dao Stele.
In an instant, his spirit seemed drawn into the scene of the universe’s creation, countless laws tangled and indistinct.
"This feeling is much like Unity of Heaven and Man."