Chapter 484
**Chapter 1: Treading the Universe, I Am the Demon Emperor**
"All clans bow down, all spirits submit."
As his words fell, the demon tribe beneath him raised their heads one by one, echoing with fervor:
"Demon Emperor!"
This oath and momentum caused Wu Zhi's expression to change dramatically, a question rising in his heart: "Is it really wise to let the Great Freedom Demon Emperor attain enlightenment?"
But it was clearly too late for doubts now.
The sun, moon, and stars in the sky cast their brilliance down.
Moonlight coalesced into a jade seal.
Starlight transformed into a silver robe.
And the most dazzling sunlight subtly revealed the shape of a golden crown.
Only then did Wu Zhi understand why the Great Freedom Demon Emperor had previously dressed so simply—upon attaining the title of Demon Emperor, the heavens crowned him!
The golden crown, silver robe, and jade seal flew automatically toward the Great Freedom Demon Emperor.
A hint of pride appeared on his face.
But in the next moment, the not-yet-fully-formed golden crown suddenly halted in mid-air and exploded violently.
"…"
With the crown's disappearance, the jade seal and silver robe flickered twice, dimming significantly.
"…"
The cheers of the myriad demons ceased.
They looked up at the Great Freedom Demon Emperor in confusion, feeling as if his face was saying—
Who tampered with my Demon Emperor's enlightenment?
(End of Chapter)
---
**Chapter 378: The Demon Emperor's Resolve, a Clear Entrustment**
The Great Freedom Demon Emperor, clad in a silver robe, gazed at the somewhat dim jade seal before him, his bald head making the scene rather… amusing.
The coronation ceremony had seemingly succeeded, and the myriad demon banner in his hand surged with a mighty aura, causing Wu Zhi to feel a twinge of apprehension upon seeing it.
But looking at the Great Freedom Demon Emperor again, he felt a pang of sympathy:
Because the Demon Emperor's enlightenment… had a broken leg.
"Zheng Fa…"
The Great Freedom Demon Emperor murmured softly, his voice clashing like golden blades, echoing beyond the thirty-three heavens and stirring up dozens of waves on the sea.
Below the heavenly palace, the sea beasts scattered in panic, as if divine punishment had descended.
Wu Zhi felt no fear; instead, he found it somewhat amusing.
During the earlier ceremony, the oath recited by the Great Freedom Demon Emperor had left him quite displeased.
"All clans bow down, all spirits submit…"
Such words would often resonate with the heavens and be heard by the myriad demons.
It was certainly not a casual remark; in Wu Zhi's view, the elders of the Xuanwei Five Sects had underestimated the Great Freedom Demon Emperor's ambition.
…Or perhaps they hadn’t underestimated him, but simply didn’t think highly of this fallen noble.
However, as a transformation stage cultivator, Wu Zhi naturally dared not look down on the Great Freedom Demon Emperor. Now that he had taken a hit, Wu Zhi felt a sense of relief.
"The Demon Emperor's enlightenment in Zheng Fa's hands has changed…"
Wu Zhi's heart skipped a beat, not expecting this to be the reason.
"Isn't that just like you, Demon Emperor?"
The Great Freedom Demon Emperor nodded slightly. Originally a Demon Ancestor with his own enlightenment, his transformation into the Great Freedom Demon Emperor was indeed akin to what Zheng Fa had done.
"This matter is not simple…"
Wu Zhi furrowed his brow.
His wariness of the Great Freedom Demon Emperor did not hinder their cooperation.
He believed the Great Freedom Demon Emperor was also clear about this.
Their goals were quite aligned—Zheng Fa.
Wu Zhi wanted the Qingjing Bamboo, while the Great Freedom Demon Emperor sought to perfect his Demon Emperor's enlightenment.
"We can't wait any longer." The Great Freedom Demon Emperor's gaze darkened, losing the calm demeanor he had before the coronation, now filled with determination. "If we wait any longer, Zheng Fa's Demon Emperor's enlightenment will completely transform…"
"I want to perfect the Demon Emperor's enlightenment; it will be nearly impossible."
Wu Zhi felt strange; hadn't you been scheming to force Zheng Fa to reveal the Nine Mountains?
Now it seemed, who was forcing whom?
"The Demon Emperor intends to…"
"Mobilize the myriad demons and attack the Nine Mountains!"
"What if the Xuanwei Four Sects intervene?"
The Great Freedom Demon Emperor had made up his mind, showing no signs of leaving himself a way out:
"Let it be a fight!" He chuckled again, "Do you think the Taishang Dao will risk their lives for Zheng Fa?"
Wu Zhi shook his head. As far as he knew, Zheng Fa had repeatedly rejected the Taishang Dao's offers, which had displeased some people.
As long as they didn’t hinder him, that would be considered open-minded.
Moreover, they would have to face the desperate Great Freedom Demon Emperor.
Just thinking about how the Great Freedom Demon Emperor had previously sat back and relaxed, but now had to fight for his life, even betting on the attitude of the Taishang Dao, made Wu Zhi look at him with a hint of doubt, feeling increasingly anxious about whether he could seize the Qingjing Bamboo.
---
Yinming Xian and Chen Ting were also deeply worried.
The two stared at the Jiuyou talisman before them, silent for a long time.
Yinming Xian suddenly spoke, "We can't wait any longer."
Chen Ting was taken aback; that sounded familiar. Oh right, hadn’t the Demon Emperor just said that?
"If the Demon Emperor truly seizes the Demon Emperor's enlightenment from Zheng Fa, his strength will greatly increase, making him even harder to deal with." Yinming Xian looked at Chen Ting, a fierce glint flashing across his face. "If we want to fulfill the Holy Ancestor's entrustment, we may only have this one chance."
"If Zheng Fa or the Taishang Dao can… kill the Demon Emperor, at least they must severely injure him."
"Only then will we have a chance."
Chen Ting pondered for a long time before slowly nodding, slapping the Jiuyou talisman onto his forehead…
---
Meanwhile, Zheng Fa in the Jiushan Realm was unaware that he had driven the Great Freedom Demon Emperor and his two close spies to the brink of desperation.
He was still practicing with Xie Qingxue—or rather, practicing swordplay in coordination with her.
Yan Wushuang watched his good brother and his senior sister, feeling that something was off about the scene:
Zheng Fa closed his eyes to adjust his breathing for a moment, then opened them, looking at the Qingping Sword.
Xie Qingxue's figure turned into nothingness, disappearing from sight.
Soon, a familiar aura, one that Yan Wushuang recognized all too well, appeared on the Qingping Sword!
As a true disciple of the Tianhe Sect, he recognized this person-sword unity technique.
The problem was…
Wherever Zheng Fa pointed, Xie Qingxue struck, and the power of the Qingping Sword was magnified beyond measure!
Was this reasonable?
Did he not have such an advantage?
Yan Wushuang looked at Xie Qingxue, his eyes filled with confusion—was there a difference in talent even among traitors?
After trying three moves, Xie Qingxue's figure flashed out from the Qingping Sword, and the two exchanged smiles, both satisfied with each other:
Zheng Fa had already mastered half of the "Jiushan Golden Elixir Technique," gaining deep control over the Qingping Sword.
Xie Qingxue and Zheng Fa had developed a mutual understanding, and their cooperation was even more harmonious.
Of course, what pleased Xie Qingxue even more was that Zheng Fa had already imparted the "Jiushan Golden Elixir Technique" to her:
This way, the power of the Qingping Sword would naturally be even stronger.
In fact, even without Zheng Fa, Xie Qingxue wielding the Qingping Sword would be able to unleash a power that was incomparable to before.
Xie Qingxue could even say that she was probably the one who could best wield the power of this immortal sword among all its previous masters… and spirits!
"Zheng brother, Zheng brother, didn’t you say you would teach me the 'Jiushan Golden Elixir Technique'?"
Suddenly, Yan Wushuang's voice rang in their ears.
His face was filled with eagerness, anticipation, and dreams.
Xie Qingxue's expression changed, staring at this junior brother—
Yan Wushuang's ambition was clear; did she not see through his intentions?
Zheng Fa was taken aback, stealing a glance at Xie Qingxue, and said nothing.
Yan Wushuang grew anxious; hadn’t he contributed to the "Jiushan Golden Elixir Technique" as well?
Was Zheng Fa going to go back on his word?
That wouldn’t do!
After mumbling for a while, Zheng Fa sighed and glanced at Xie Qingxue again.
"I can teach you."
Yan Wushuang was overjoyed, about to nod.
"But if you dare to learn, don’t blame me for being ruthless."
Xie Qingxue said coldly, her words devoid of any sense of camaraderie.
"He… you… I…"
Yan Wushuang pointed first at Zheng Fa, then at Xie Qingxue, and finally at his own nose, saying only three words, but those three words contained a grievance that could never be cleared in three lifetimes.
Xie Qingxue was now very wary of the "Jiushan Golden Elixir Technique," but as she practiced it, Zheng Fa discovered that the Qingping Sword seemed to have its own standards.
At least, that intense reaction seemed to only occur for Zheng Fa, the first-time practitioner of the "Jiushan Golden Elixir Technique."
Even Xie Qingxue found it difficult to fully draw out the sword's power; she could only enhance her rapport with the Qingping Sword.
Even so, without fully understanding whether this could be overcome, Xie Qingxue was unwilling to let the "Jiushan Golden Elixir Technique" spread too widely, especially not wanting Yan Wushuang to learn it…
How would she manage in the Tianhe Sect after that?
"My father…" Yan Wushuang puffed out his chest, unwilling to give up.
"The Sect Master said, if you truly betray the Tianhe Sect, you will be punished on the spot!"
Xie Qingxue said coldly.
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