Heaven-Surpassing Divine Emperor

The Cyan Ox was incredibly fast.

A single step carried it across more than half a domain. It only seemed to take a few steps forward.

They were already in the skies above the Heaven-Soaring Saint Sect, in the Cloud Domain.

The moment the Cyan Ox Child appeared, brilliant beams of light shot into the sky from Heaven-Soaring Sacred City. These beams formed light pillars that stood between heaven and earth.

The power was tumultuous, surging endlessly.

At the top of each pillar, golden runes pulsed, weaving together to form an oval shield of light.

The shield of light was like a transparent dome, protecting the Heaven-Soaring Sacred City beneath it.

Meanwhile...

With a series of WHOOSHES, a dark, dense mass of experts appeared in the sky above Heaven-Soaring Sacred City.

It was none other than the Celestial Demon Army!

The innumerable soldiers of the Celestial Demon Army stood suspended in the air, formed into square phalanxes, poised and ready for battle!

The million-strong Celestial Demon Army hovered in mid-air like a primeval behemoth, radiating a terrifying Evil Qi and a frigid aura.

The Cyan Ox Child, mounted on his Cyan Ox, showed a flicker of surprise and raised an eyebrow. "The Celestial Demon Emperor Venerable’s Celestial Demon Army?" He glanced at Jiang Chen behind him, a look of understanding dawning on his face. "I never thought you’d actually manage to obtain the Celestial Demon Emperor Venerable’s inheritance. What incredible luck! However, if those other fellows find out you’ve inherited his legacy, your situation will become... Heh heh..."

"Who goes there!"

A resonant voice boomed from within Heaven-Soaring Sacred City.

Wreathed in pulsating purple-gold lightning, Lui Yifa appeared on the gate tower of Heaven-Soaring Sacred City.

The Cyan Ox Child paused, then smiled. "Little fellow, don’t you remember me?"

"Huh?"

Lui Yifa froze, and then he got a clear look at the Cyan Ox Child’s face.

Lui Yifa’s memory of the Cyan Ox Child—the one who had once repelled Xiang Tianwen with a single word—was still incredibly vivid, as if it had happened only yesterday!

He hurriedly shouted to those at his side, "Deactivate the array! Open the gates! We’re welcoming the Cyan Ox Child!"

RUMBLE!

The city gates swung open, and a stream of powerhouses flew out from within.

Leading the charge were none other than the Black Emperor and Little White.

Following Jiang Chen’s orders, they were controlling the Celestial Demon Army and guarding Heaven-Soaring Sacred City.

Behind them were other experts, such as Lui Yifa and Bai Lingfei.

The Black Emperor and Little White were the first to rush before the Cyan Ox Child. Little White glanced fearfully at the Cyan Ox. Only after seeing the Black Emperor land fearlessly on the beast did it dare to cautiously fly closer.

"What’s wrong with Jiang Chen?" the Black Emperor asked, looking at the Cyan Ox Child.

The Cyan Ox Child smiled. "It’s nothing serious. Just a bloodline awakening."

"Bloodline awakening?"

The Black Emperor froze. An expression of utter disbelief flared in his eyes. Pointing at Jiang Chen with a leathery wing, he asked, "You mean, Jiang Chen possesses the power of a bloodline?"

"Yes."

The Cyan Ox Child nodded. "First, find a quiet room for him," he said. "His bloodline awakening isn’t complete yet, and this is the most critical moment. If he fails, it’s all over!"

"Right!"

The Black Emperor was clearly aware of the terrifying consequences of a failed bloodline awakening.

He immediately ordered Lui Yifa to activate Heaven-Soaring Sacred City’s Defense Array. The Celestial Demon Army and all disciples of the Heaven-Soaring Saint Sect were to guard the Holy City and remain on high alert.

He then led the Cyan Ox Child toward a quiet room within Heaven-Soaring Sacred City, one located beneath the central grand hall.

This room connected to the Void Realm, the former location of the First Hall.

It had now been transformed into Jiang Chen’s private cultivation world. The Black Emperor had personally overseen the modifications, and the arrangements inside could only be described as exquisitely ingenious.

Even the Cyan Ox Child raised his eyebrows, looking at the Black Emperor in surprise. "The modifications to this Void Realm are quite impressive. Your handiwork?"

"Of course. Besides me, who else could create such an arrangement?" the Black Emperor said, puffing out his chest.

The Cyan Ox Child grinned. "The Black Emperor, who once followed the Celestial Demon Emperor Venerable and traversed the Qiankun Continent—it would be truly strange if you didn’t have at least this much skill!"

"Hmm?"

The Black Emperor shuddered. A fiercely sharp aura erupted from him, one in no way inferior to that of a typical expert at the Peak of Human King Realm. He stared warily at the Cyan Ox Child. "Who in the world are you? How do you know my identity?"

"Don’t be so tense. If I wanted to harm you, would I have bothered bringing Jiang Chen back?"

The Cyan Ox Child waved his hand dismissively. With a push of his palm, he sent Jiang Chen gently onto a jade bed in the quiet room ahead. A black brocade box then flew from his palm, landing beside Jiang Chen.

He then flew to Jiang Chen’s side himself.

He grabbed Jiang Chen’s finger and, with a slight jolt, squeezed out a drop of golden blood.

The drop of blood was exceptionally viscous.

It emanated a luster like that of pure gold.

The Black Emperor gaped from the side. "Pure golden blood? How is that possible? Even the Holy Blood Spirit Pool my master exhausted all his resources to create before he fell couldn’t possibly turn someone’s blood pure gold!"

The Cyan Ox Child balanced the drop of golden blood on his fingertip.

With a flick of his finger,

he sent it flying into the brocade box. A golden lotus bloomed upon the black box’s surface, and its light grew increasingly radiant. It was like a blazing sun rising in the sky, filling every corner of the quiet room with its warm glow.

Even the Black Emperor and the Cyan Ox Child felt a trace of pressure from this golden light!

The Cyan Ox Child patted his Cyan Ox, then led the Black Emperor out of the room, closing the heavy doors behind them.

Looking at the astonished Black Emperor, he handed over two Mysterious Dharma Bodies. "Don’t worry," he said. "My master had his reasons for telling me to give that box to him. Jiang Chen will be fine. These are two Mysterious Dharma Bodies from Emperor Realm powerhouses. Once Jiang Chen’s bloodline is fully awakened, pass them on to him. They should provide him with considerable help!"

The Black Emperor stared blankly at the two sealed Mysterious Dharma Bodies in his possession, momentarily unable to process what was happening. "Mysterious Dharma Bodies from Emperor Realm powerhouses? And you’re just giving them to the kid?"

"They’re just two Mysterious Dharma Bodies. Consider it an investment in good karma."

The Cyan Ox Child waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, and when he wakes up," he added, "don’t forget to tell him that the real treasure of the Mystic Sect is in the Tenth Layer of Heaven. Also... I know the boy wants to head to Zhongzhou to find Xiang Tianwen. Make sure you tell him he should only go to Zhongzhou once he’s ranked first on the East Continent Celestial Venerable List!"

"Hey, where are you going...?" the Black Emperor called out.

But the Cyan Ox Child had already departed, vanishing into the void.

The Black Emperor scratched his head and narrowed his eyes. "Who in the world is that guy? He actually knows my identity? But in my memory, there’s no one like him in Zhongzhou! Ah, whatever. Now isn’t the time to worry about that. Jiang Chen, oh, Jiang Chen... so you really do have the power of a bloodline? It seems my earlier suspicions were right after all. You’re carrying quite a few secrets of your own, kid."

As the Black Emperor muttered to himself, inside the quiet room, the black brocade box finally began to open...