Chapter 127
The Demon God retracted his mocking expression, indifferently sweeping a glance at Hua Shu, who had turned into a demon in the Water Mirror. With a wave of his hand, the Water Mirror dispersed, and the depths of Purgatory returned to silence.
On the Cosmic Altar of the Ancient Divine Realm, the names of the four True Gods flowed quietly across the thick Ancient Disk of True Gods, unchanged for over a hundred thousand years. Blazing Sun stood before the ancient disk and suddenly waved his hand over it. A stream of light flashed, and the faint, mottled name "Profound One" flickered faintly beneath "Blazing Sun."
He gazed toward the direction of Purple Moon Mountain in the Mortal Realm and sighed softly.
Meanwhile, on Eagle Island, Hua Mo had eagerly gone to capture sacrifices for Hua Shu but returned empty-handed.
The four Elders of the Phoenix Clan had manifested their True Forms, guarding the four directions above Eagle Island. Even with Hua Mo's currently unfathomable Demonic Power, he could only leave in frustration. While he could defeat Feng Yun and the others, a prolonged battle would inevitably alert Feng Ran and Feng Yin. With the Celestial Emperor's successor yet to be decided, now was absolutely not the time for him to reveal his identity.
That night, three Elders of the Peacock Clan mysteriously vanished. In the Limestone Cave of Peacock Rear Island, Hua Shu was forced by Hua Mo to absorb all the Spiritual Power of her clansmen.
Three months passed in the blink of an eye in the Immortal Realm. When the Azure Dragon Bell of the Heavenly Palace rang out across the Celestial Realm, reaching the ends of the Four Seas, Feng Ran, the Celestial Emperor who had long resided on Phoenix Island overseas, returned to the Heavenly Palace. He raised the Nine Palaces Tower and announced the candidates vying for the position of Celestial Emperor.
Surprisingly, apart from the four High Venerables of the Heavenly Palace, this time, not a single Sect Leader from the Three Prefectures and Six Caves was absent. Even the Phoenix Sovereign from Wutong Phoenix Island followed Feng Ran to the Heavenly Palace. Only Divine Lord Yuan Qi from Clear Pond Palace still had not appeared on the eve of the Nine Palaces Tower battle.
Hua Shu and her father entered the Heavenly Palace along with the other immortals. After paying their respects to the Celestial Emperor, the two returned to Xiuyang Hall without drawing much attention. However, Feng Ran's gaze lingered on Hua Shu's retreating figure, his brow furrowing.
"Master Sovereign," Feng Yin, though the Phoenix Sovereign, could only stand and serve by Feng Ran's side. Seeing his displeased expression, she said, "Last time I came to the Heavenly Palace, I noticed that the Peacock King's Spiritual Power was unlike any I had seen before. This time, Hua Shu is the same."
Neither of them was unfamiliar with Immortal and Demonic Power, but the heavy, mysterious force emanating from Hua Mo and Hua Shu was something even their Divine Attainment-level Magical Power could not discern.
"Tomorrow, inside the Nine Palaces Tower, the truth will be revealed," Feng Ran's eyes flickered with a faint light. "We have done so much. Given Hua Mo's nature, he should be unable to hold back."
Feng Yin nodded, her gaze also heavy as she looked toward the direction where Hua Mo and his daughter had disappeared.
The Immortal Attendants serving in Xiuyang Hall retreated from the main hall trembling with fear. Even Hong Que dared not linger by Hua Mo and Hua Shu's side. For some reason, after the princess returned from Hundred Birds Island, her temperament had become even more capricious and cruel than before.
"Father, tomorrow the Celestial Emperor will be chosen within the Nine Palaces Tower. With Feng Yin present, I fear I cannot be entirely certain of victory," Hua Shu's face still showed worry.
"No matter," Hua Mo's voice was deep. With a flick of his hand, a Crimson Demon Banner materialized in his palm, which he handed to Hua Shu. "Take this with you into the Nine Palaces Tower tomorrow. When the immortals are locked in fierce battle, raise this banner."
Hua Shu was stunned, her expression drastically changing. "Father, is this the Demon Gathering Banner?"
A thousand years ago, after the Demon Emperor died tragically in Heavy Purple Hall in the Third Heaven of the Demon Realm, the Demon Tribe's Supreme Treasure, the Demon Gathering Banner, also vanished without a trace. How could it be in Father's hands?
Hua Shu's expression was inexplicably complex. Remembering the events of a thousand years ago, her voice turned hoarse. "Father, was it you who entered Heavy Purple Hall and killed the Demon Emperor back then?"At this point, the Peacock King no longer concealed anything and openly admitted, a hint of pride flickering in his eyes. "Yes, I stole Yu Feng's immortal sword and, together with that Demon Venerable, killed Sen Hong."
"Father, the Demon Gathering Banner contains many ancient demonic beasts. If I were to release it within the Nine Palaces Tower, the Celestial Emperor and the sect leaders of the various factions..."
"That is precisely what I intend." Hua Mo coldly interrupted Hua Shu, a faint smile curling at the corners of his mouth. "I have already secretly deployed the troops of Peacock Island outside the Heavenly Gate. Tomorrow, when Feng Ran and the other immortals gather at the Nine Palaces Tower, the demonic beasts will emerge, inevitably leading to a fierce conflict between the two sides. Once they have weakened each other, we will reap the benefits."
Hua Shu was deeply shaken. She had never imagined that her father had long planned to eliminate the Celestial Emperor and the other immortals within the Nine Palaces Tower, allowing Peacock Island to dominate the Immortal Tribe.
Seeing Hua Shu hesitate, the Peacock King spoke gravely, "Shu'er, do you truly believe that an immortal tainted with demonic power can remain as the Celestial Emperor without consequence?"
Hua Shu abruptly looked up.
"All these years, I have endured humiliation and disgrace, never once using the demonic power within me, for fear of being discovered. Neither immortals nor demons will tolerate the existence of the Demon Tribe. In tomorrow's conflict at the Nine Palaces Tower, the demonic power within you can no longer be hidden. If we do not make an example of them and intimidate the Immortal Tribe, our father and daughter, along with the Peacock Clan, will have no path to survival."
The Peacock King's words echoed in Hua Shu's ears. Trembling, she took the Demon Gathering Banner and nodded.
"Father, rest assured. For the sake of our Peacock Clan's legacy of ten thousand years, your daughter will not show any mercy."
By the rear pond of Clear Pond Palace, Yuan Qi stood alone, tall and solitary.
Chang Que hurried to his side, bowed, and reported in a low voice, "Divine Lord, the Celestial Emperor and the Phoenix Sovereign have already gone to the Heavenly Palace."
Yuan Qi nodded and called out, "Primordial Spirit."
The Primordial Spirit Sword emerged from Yuan Qi's sleeve, transforming into human form.
"To Purple Moon Mountain."
"Divine Lord." Chang Que stopped them, his expression hesitant, and whispered, "Will you truly not go to the Heavenly Palace once more, to see..."
Yuan Qi's gaze swept over him, and Chang Que fell silent, not daring to speak further.
Yuan Qi extended his hand from within his sleeve. His right hand flickered faintly, nearly transparent.
"In this state, there is no need."
With these words, he turned and flew toward the Demon Realm. The Primordial Spirit Sword slipped back into his sleeve. Chang Que sighed softly and followed Yuan Qi.
Under the bright moonlight, Yuan Qi descended above Purple Moon Mountain, where a tall and imposing figure stood outside the barrier.
The roars and howls of demonic beasts filled the air, and overwhelming demonic qi seemed on the verge of tearing the barrier apart. The figure in red summoned the Nirvana Wheel, barely containing the demonic power within Purple Moon Mountain, ensuring that the situation inside remained hidden from outsiders.
"How long can the barrier hold?" Yuan Qi asked solemnly.
"At most two days." The red figure turned to look at Yuan Qi. "The demonic qi is too intense. With only me and the barrier reinforced by the Celestial Emperor, we can no longer contain them. I once entered Purgatory, and the demonic beasts within are utterly vicious. Once Purgatory is opened, the Three Realms will repeat the chaos of the Demon Tribe from seventy thousand years ago."
"I know." Yuan Qi's gaze fell on the demonic power surging at the edges of the barrier, his expression grave. "Focus on what you must do. Leave Purple Moon Mountain to me."
With that, Yuan Qi waved his hand, and the Primordial Spirit Sword materialized. Pure Primordial Chaos Power enveloped Yuan Qi as he stepped toward the barrier. Wherever the Primordial Chaos Power reached, the demonic qi retreated, shrinking back into the barrier.
Just as Yuan Qi was about to cross the barrier, a deep voice sounded behind him.
"A Jin."
Yuan Qi paused in his step."Ayin, does she still know nothing?"
Yuan Qi shook his head. "A Jiu, Ayin has long been gone. What has returned now is Feng Yin."
"Back then on Great Marsh Mountain, I was wrong."
A thousand years later, the Demon Emperor finally spoke these words to the friend who had once entrusted him with life and death across the Three Realms.
Yuan Qi turned back, the chill in his brows softening as he smiled, no longer carrying the icy indifference of the past millennium.
"Do not blame yourself. Great Marsh Mountain was destined for that calamity—such was the will of heaven." He glanced back toward the Purgatory deep within the Barrier. "Now, I too must fulfill my heavenly mandate."
Having said this, he turned and stepped into Purple Moon Mountain, leaving behind not another word.
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