Chapter 893 - 686: The Demon Emperor’s Leader
In the countries of Yan and Liang, their foundations would only be deeper.
If not for the chaotic Spiritual Qi and the rampant Evil Qi deep within the Wilderness, making it unsuitable for the Human Race to dwell and cultivate for long.
This vast expanse would have likely been flattened long ago by the allied Sects of various countries.
Even so, the forces of the Human Race have been steadily encroaching on the edges of the Wilderness over the years, advancing step by step.
This is neither right nor wrong, just the instincts of survival and expansion.
Silence returned to Black Rock Valley.
The Divine Power Ape Emperor sat cross-legged like a mountain, with his aura rising and falling like tides, fully absorbing the gains from his tribulation, stabilizing the hard-earned Middle Stage of Transformation Realm.
Purple Yunting and Shen Xuan stood silently to the left and right as guardians.
Half a month passed in a flash.
The overwhelming pressure in Black Rock Valley, which made hearts tremble, finally receded like an ebbing tide, gradually disappearing into nothingness.
The next moment, that towering demonic form over ten zhang tall began to contract and transform.
The dark golden fur faded, the muscular contours reshaped, ultimately transforming into a tall middle-aged man in brown clothes, his arms slightly extending beyond his knees.
Aside from the occasional flicker of dark golden light deep within his eyes, he appeared no different from an ordinary person.
He turned and solemnly bowed to Shen Xuan.
"This calamity, thanks to the True Master’s intervention. Divine Power remembers it in his heart."
His voice was deep and resonant, possessing the timbre of metal and stone.
Between him and the Purple Yunting Tree Emperor, just a glance was enough, needing no more words.
"Fellow Daoist Divine Power, you speak too highly."
Shen Xuan smiled and returned the courtesy.
"This observation benefited me greatly as well."
He was speaking the truth.
Witnessing up close a great demon from the Demon Race undergoing tribulation and understanding the clash between its bloodline and the Heavenly Dao provided invaluable insights for his future Nascent Soul formation.
The Divine Power Ape Emperor straightened, his expression as grim as steel: "In our race’s ten thousand years, only I have reached this realm. Many ancestors perished in the tribulation fire."
He looked towards Shen Xuan: "This success was half due to my own foundation, half thanks to the True Master’s assistance. The Spirit Water of heaven and earth relieved me of my burning crisis, the Profound Ice armor warded off twenty percent of the fire’s might. This kindness is as profound as mountains, unforgettable. In the future, should the True Master have any need, I will not hesitate to leap into boiling water or walk through fire."
His words resounded with certainty, echoing in the valley.
The Divine Power Ape Emperor took out a Jade Box from his bosom, presenting it with utmost solemnity.
"True Master Profound Ice, this is Black Rock Divine Earth, unique to our Black Rock Valley."
"Though it appears simple, it is a Tier Four Spiritual Object. This earth has absorbed the essences of the sun, moon, and stars over countless years, containing the purest earth spirit within. It has extraordinary effects in nurturing Spirit Plants and nourishing roots."
Shen Xuan did not decline, receiving the Jade Box with equanimity.
The assistance this time had indeed taken a toll on him.
The cluster of Taichu True Water within his dantian had diminished by a full thirty percent.
Replenishing and recovering it would take at least thirty years of slow cultivation.
Receiving some recompense was only appropriate.
As his fingertips brushed over the warm Jade Box, he was about to speak.
"Roar."
A tiger’s roar suddenly shattered the heavens and earth!
It did not come from afar, but seemed to explode directly within the depths of the Divine Soul!
In an instant, a gale raged through the valley, the wind like knives, stones flying everywhere.
Ancient trees that required several people to encircle shook violently, their branches and leaves falling like a torrential downpour.
The authority carried within that roar was as vast as the sea, as weighty as a mountain, a warning that brooked no opposition, crushing every inch of space.
The faces of the Divine Power Ape Emperor and Purple Yunting Tree Emperor immediately changed.
Shen Xuan’s heart tightened, as if an invisible giant claw suddenly gripped him, halting even his breath.
"It’s the Zhenyue Tiger Emperor."
The Divine Power Ape Emperor communicated spiritually, his voice extremely low.
His gaze swiftly turned to Shen Xuan, eyes complex.
There was worry, vigilance, and more as a silent reminder.
This top Demon Emperor of the Wilderness visiting Black Rock Valley at this moment was no coincidence.
Shen Xuan made a decisive decision, cupping his hands: "Fellow Daoists, I will take my leave first. Until we meet again!"
Finishing matters with a flick of the sleeves, hiding one’s achievements and fame.
This was certainly not the time to face that presence.
"Good! Until we meet again!"
The Divine Power Ape Emperor and Purple Yunting Tree Emperor returned the courtesy.
As their voices fell, Shen Xuan transformed into a cyan stream of light, shooting forward.
He did not even summon the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse, but pushed his escape speed to the utmost, like lightning tearing through the sky, swiftly fleeing towards the edge of the Wilderness.
The wind roared sharp in his ears.
However, in the next moment.
In front of him, the void seemed to solidify into an invisible mountain.
The cyan light scattered suddenly.
Suspended in the air, Shen Xuan’s pupils contracted.
Above the vast sky, a figure stood silently.
He was a towering man with a tiger head and human body.
Cloaked in a pitch-black robe, his bare arms muscled and knotted, as if cast from gold and iron.
A distinct "king" character on his forehead was not carved but naturally formed from internal dark golden demonic light.
Just standing there, without any radiance flowing around him, it seemed as if he bore the weight of the entire firmament.
His gaze fell like an ancient peak descending, chilling the Divine Soul, forbidding one to stare directly.
Shen Xuan felt a chill in his heart, dispelling all Spiritual Light around him, and solemnly bowed long in the void: "Junior Shen Xuan of the Cyan Cloud Sect greets Brother Zhenyue."
Shen Xuan bent down, cupped his hands, and performed the courtesy meticulously.
Though it was his first meeting with Zhenyue Tiger Emperor, the etiquette was thoroughly observed.
Before him was the head Demon Emperor of the Wilderness, an apex Great Demon at the Late Stage of Transformation.
In the neighboring countries of Yan, Song, and Liang, no Nascent Soul True Monarch would dare claim certain victory in a one-on-one battle.
Perhaps only cultivators of Nascent Soul Perfection from major countries like Jin, Zhao, and Qin had the strength to contest him.
"True Master Profound Ice, please rise."
His voice rolled like muffled thunder through the clouds.
Shen Xuan straightened up, meeting that gaze with equanimity.
Zhenyue Tiger Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, the dark golden "king" character on his forehead naturally exuding majesty, his large, round eyes deep as an abyss.
He did not deliberately release pressure, yet the composed demeanor honed through countless ages as a Demon Emperor weighed heavily like a mountain, encompassing all directions.