Chapter 338: Gold Emperor Makes a Move! Emperor Rank Slashes Qin Feng! Shelter of the Weapon Refining King

Chapter 338: The Golden Emperor Strikes! Seal the Emperor and Slay Qin Feng! The Protection of the Weapon King!

The frontiers of the universe, wrapped in endless darkness and deathly silence, were suddenly ignited by unprecedented light and heat.

Here lay the manifestation of the [Eternal Life Mountain].

A towering divine mountain, impossible to measure by any known unit, hung abruptly in the vacuum of space.

It was less a physical entity than a piece of ancient time made manifest, a cosmic wonder condensed from eons of Dao and reason.

Divine light cascaded down the mountain like waterfalls, each flicker projecting an ancient world of birth and destruction onto the cosmic curtain.

Countless profound laws, transformed into visible runic chains, coiled around the mountain, colliding to produce ethereal chimes that resonated like the voice of the Great Dao.

At times, the phantom of a divine weapon would flash across the peaks, its escaping sharpness effortlessly cleaving dimensions.

At others, the silhouette of a divine herb would quietly emerge, its intoxicating fragrance crossing the vacuum to stir the souls of all who caught its scent.

More astonishingly, one could see blurred figures sparring atop the summit, wielding supreme secret arts long lost to the river of time, every movement embodying the ultimate understanding of power.

This was the Eternal Life Mountain.

One of the most prestigious forbidden zones of opportunity in the universe.

Its name, "Eternal Life," did not promise immortality to those who entered, but rather referred to the laws and Dao rhymes contained within—a repository of the undying, lifelong insights of countless brilliant powerhouses who had fallen since the dawn of the universe.

These laws were ownerless, pure crystals of knowledge and power, supreme treasures that any Emperor-level powerhouse in the latter stages of their cultivation would risk everything to claim.

Here, one might find a fragmented secret art perfectly aligned with their own Dao, mending their flaws and causing their combat power to soar.

One might gain enlightenment from the cultivation notes of an archaic master, breaking through bottlenecks that had plagued them for a million years.

Not to mention the heaven-defying treasures born within the mountain, which held miraculous effects even for Emperor-level powerhouses.

The immense temptation drew the universe's top predators.

At this moment, the vast star field surrounding the Eternal Life Mountain was already occupied by dense throngs of figures.

Each figure radiated a terrifying aura capable of making a galaxy tremble. They were the existences at the pinnacle of the cosmic pyramid—the Emperor-level powerhouses.

Over a hundred thousand Emperors!

This was a force of terror capable of overturning any peak race, now gathered here in its entirety.

Excluding those ancient monsters who had long ceased to care for worldly affairs and were trapped in the deepest of death-seclusion, as well as those isolated by the Holy Academy in the Endless Sea, it could be said that over forty percent of the universe's active Emperors had arrived upon hearing the news.

Yet, these hundred thousand powerhouses were not in disarray.

They had formed three distinct, massive camps, maintaining a wary and hostile distance from one another.

The largest, comprising nearly two-thirds of the total, was the Alliance of Ten Thousand Races.

Tens of thousands of Emperors, diverse in form and aura—some brutal, some cold, some divine—gathered to form a terrifying force field that seemed to crush the very stars.

Though divided by internal factions, their cohesion in the face of a common enemy made them the most intimidating side on the field.

Opposite them stood the Human Race camp.

Their numbers were roughly half that of the Alliance, accounting for exactly one-third of the total.

However, the battle formations of the human Emperors were far more rigorous and disciplined; each powerhouse’s aura was as steady as a mountain, and their interconnected strength formed a momentum no less powerful than that of the Alliance.

They were the most powerful single race in this universe, and despite their numerical disadvantage, no one dared to underestimate them.

In the gaps and on the periphery of these two giants, scattered independent Emperors lingered.

They were the fewest in number, either lone wolves or hailing from cosmic nations established by Emperors who refused to align with either side.

They were opportunists and spectators, waiting to seize a glimmer of survival amidst the collision of the two great camps.

The three factions maintained a fragile and dangerous balance under the vast divine light of the Eternal Life Mountain.

The air was thick with a suffocating tension, as if a single spark could ignite a cosmic war involving over a hundred thousand Emperors.

Deep within the chaotic and complex camp of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Races, a terrifying beast, large enough to consume a giant star as a meal, floated in silence.

Its body was covered in brilliant scales that looked like molten gold, each inscribed with natural Dao patterns, shimmering with immortal radiance. Its head was hideous and majestic, its eyes like two burning golden suns, the divine light emitted from their occasional blinking enough to pierce stars.

This was the Golden Emperor, the contemporary sovereign of the Golden-Armored Giant Beast clan, a renowned name among the Starry Sky Beasts.

At this moment, this terrifying existence, enough to stop a child from crying across the universe, wore a face as dark as a gathering storm.

In his mountain-sized claw, a communication jade talisman flickered, and streams of encrypted information flowed through special channels, crossing endless star fields into his mind.

The content was concise and shocking.

"Furnace Township... Primordial Fire... Qin Feng..."

The Golden Emperor’s sun-like eyes narrowed, a flicker of unconcealable suspicion and murderous intent flashing within.

He knew.

The forced intervention of the cosmic will, that public execution-style mission targeting Qin Feng, had laid all secrets bare before every top powerhouse.

The human prodigy he had once viewed as a grave threat, yet could never track, had his next destination announced to the world.

An agonizing choice lay before the Golden Emperor.

His gaze drifted involuntarily toward the Eternal Life Mountain, radiating its endless temptations.

On the mountain, the light of laws flowed and the aura of Dao swirled; for a powerhouse of his caliber, every opening of the Eternal Life Mountain was a feast not to be missed.

He could clearly sense at least three locations within the mountain that resonated deeply with his own Dao. If he could obtain them, his strength would surely advance, perhaps even allowing him to glimpse the legendary realm beyond the Emperor, the Saint-level.

This was a tangible, colossal opportunity right before his eyes.

Yet, the information from the jade talisman was like a poisonous thorn, driven deep into his heart.

Qin Feng!

That name was now almost synonymous with "taboo" for the Golden Emperor.

A monster who had stepped onto the legendary "God's Path."

A fated enemy carrying the revenge contract of the Ancient Luo King.

The Golden Emperor could still clearly remember the gaze he felt from Qin Feng on the outskirts of the Dead Meteor Island—the gaze of the Ancient Luo King, spanning endless time and space, filled with mockery and malice.

It was the final ultimatum from the remnant soul of the Ancient Luo King, issued to his "enemy" after selecting Qin Feng as his successor.

From that moment on, the Golden Emperor knew there was no room for reconciliation between him and Qin Feng; only the total annihilation of one could resolve this karma.

He had simulated Qin Feng’s growth trajectory countless times, and every result left him trembling with fear.

The growth rate of a God's Path prodigy defied all reason.

The time it took for the opponent to grow from an ant he could crush at will into a "fierce god" capable of killing even Marquises was but a fleeting moment in his long life.

He knew clearly that if he allowed Qin Feng to continue growing, the day the boy emerged in triumph would be the day of his own death.

The Ancient Luo King’s promise was a mission that must be fulfilled for Qin Feng, who carried the cosmic artifact known as the "Contract," leaving no room for negotiation.

When that time came, he would face a peerless, fierce god with terrifying combat power and immense destiny.

"Eternal Life Mountain... Slay Qin Feng..."

The Golden Emperor’s massive head let out a low roar, weighing the options repeatedly in his mental sea, the sound causing the surrounding space to ripple.

Go to the Eternal Life Mountain, and he could become stronger.

Yet this requires time, and it requires luck.

He cannot guarantee that, upon emerging from the Eternal Mountain, he will surely be able to suppress Qin Feng.

Because Qin Feng’s unreasonable rate of growth is simply too fast.

The Eternal Mountain will be open for fifty thousand years; what if Qin Feng ascends to the rank of Emperor in that time? He would be slaughtered the moment he stepped out, unless his own fortune were sufficient to ascend to Sainthood, but the odds of that are slim.

This is more like a high-stakes gamble, wagering that his own destiny can outrun the other’s talent.

To go and slay Qin Feng, however, is to strike first, strangling the threat in its cradle.

This opportunity is truly once in a millennium. The Will of the Universe has personally intervened, locking onto Qin Feng’s location and using the "Complete Map of the Seven Heavenly Abyss Temples" as bait to capture the attention of the entire cosmos.

This means he is no longer the sole hunter; Qin Feng is about to face a siege by sixty-four thousand of the universe’s top powerhouses. In such a desperate, inescapable net, the probability of Qin Feng’s fall has been infinitely magnified.

If he goes in person, relying on his Emperor-level strength, he would undoubtedly hold a massive advantage and could easily resolve this thorn in his side.

To miss this opportunity at the Eternal Mountain is, admittedly, a pity.

But as the truth revealed by his long life dictates—time is endless; as long as he lives, opportunities will always arise again.

The Eternal Mountain will open once more in a million years.

But the chance to kill Qin Feng, once missed, may never come again.

"Hmph."

In the moment of weighing the pros and cons, the last trace of hesitation in the Golden Emperor’s giant golden eyes was replaced by resolute killing intent.

A cold snort, laden with infinite chill and fury, erupted from his massive nostrils, transforming into two golden storms that scattered the surrounding asteroid belt into cosmic dust.

He had made his decision.

Compared to a nebulous future, resolving the lethal threat before him was the wisest choice.

"Qin Feng... this time, let’s see how you escape with your life!"

Accompanying a roar that shook the galaxy, the Golden Emperor’s vast, peerless body moved.

His enormous golden wings unfurled, blotting out the sky, and with a single beat, the surrounding space-time was torn and folded like a canvas. His form instantly became a golden streak of light piercing the heavens, ignoring the distances of space, flying directly toward the coordinates of the Furnace Township as indicated by the communication jade.

His massive frame, far from being a burden to his speed, allowed him—through his profound understanding of the laws of space—to display an unimaginable, extreme velocity that defied his size.

The Golden Emperor’s sudden departure caused quite a stir within the Alliance of Ten Thousand Races.

Countless powerful divine senses intertwined, filled with doubt and speculation.

"Why did the Golden Emperor leave? The Eternal Mountain is about to open, the opportunity is right before us; why would he depart?"

"Look at the direction he’s heading... it seems to be where the Artifact Sect resides. What happened there?"

"Could it be..."

Soon, as the mission from the Will of the Universe spread further, the answer became self-evident; many had already received the news.

Before the cosmic-level feast surrounding the Eternal Mountain had officially begun, another hunt of even greater scale and clearer intent had quietly raised its curtain.

...

Meanwhile.

Deep within the [Sector 239781], a million light-years away from the Eternal Mountain.

A streak of light was traveling through the dark cosmos at a speed surpassing all physical laws.

Qin Feng had pushed his own speed to the absolute limit.

The extreme burst of twenty thousand times the speed of light caused the time and space around him to take on a bizarre, distorted quality.

In his eyes, distant galaxies were no longer brilliant star-points, but were stretched into colorful lines, retreating rapidly behind him.

His expression was graver than ever before.

The arrival of the Will of the Universe had completely disrupted all his plans.

What was originally a meticulously plotted "secret treasure hunt" had, in an instant, devolved into a "public enemy" manhunt broadcast to the entire universe.

He had been forced from a hunter lurking in the shadows into the sole target being pursued by sixty-four thousand of the universe’s top powerhouses.

The plan to "fake his death and escape" was not only not abandoned, but needed to be executed even more thoroughly, even more perfectly.

He had to seize the final geographical advantage before all his enemies arrived, capture the "Primordial Fire," and then, amidst this grand "manhunt," stage a magnificent "death" that would deceive everyone.

He was in a race against time, competing with the peak powerhouses of the entire universe.

Finally, at the edge of his divine sense, the silhouette of a familiar star system gradually became clear.

That star system was starkly different from the desolate, dead cosmos surrounding it.

The arrangement of the stars here seemed to contain a certain special rhythm, as if they had been meticulously placed by supreme power according to a precise blueprint.

Countless stars, like enormous natural furnaces, emitted stable and scorching light and heat.

On the planets, traces of mining and smelting were everywhere; massive ring-shaped factory belts coiled around the spheres, exhaling rare minerals from all corners of the universe.

In the void, a faint, mixed scent of cooled metal and the scorching heat of flame-burning permeated the air.

This was the territory of the Artifact Sect, known as one of the holy lands for cosmic artifact masters—the Furnace Township.

According to the legacy left by King Guluo, this had been the starting point of his path of cultivation.

He had started as an obscure rogue cultivator, joined the Artifact Sect by chance, learned the art of artifact forging here, and grew step by step, eventually returning to the Feather Empire to become a renowned master.

It was precisely because of this history that, after King Guluo fell, countless powerhouses had followed in his footsteps to this place, attempting to find the treasures and heritage he might have left behind.

However, without exception, everyone had been turned away by the Artifact Sect; some reckless powerhouses had even been personally beaten into a hasty retreat by the Sect Master, and since then, no one had dared to act presumptuously here.

The Artifact Sect, and that mysterious Sect Master, had thus left a deep impression of being low-key yet powerful throughout the universe. Qin Feng reined in his extreme speed, his figure appearing quietly before the outer defensive perimeter of the Furnace Township star system.

He chose not to force his way in, but instead hovered silently in the void, releasing a peaceful yet pure strand of divine sense to indicate his intentions.

Almost the moment his divine sense was released, several streaks of light shot out from within the star system, surrounding him completely.

They were several disciples of the Artifact Sect, wearing uniform attire engraved with the emblem of a flame and a hammer.

Their cultivation was at the Domain Lord level, their auras solid, their eyes sharp.

Most striking were the armors they wore and the weapons they held; every single one was the finest of the fine, the runes flowing upon them far surpassing standard equipment of the same level.

"Who goes there? This is the territory of the Artifact Sect; unauthorized entry is forbidden!"

The lead disciple shouted sternly, his words filled with vigilance.

Qin Feng’s gaze swept over them calmly, not showing the slightest disdain for their cultivation. He cupped his hands, his tone neither humble nor arrogant: "I am Qin Feng, a human cultivator. I have an urgent matter to discuss with the Sect Master of the Artifact Sect, and I hope you can pass on the message."

"Qin Feng?"

The lead disciple was slightly stunned, chewing on the name, feeling it sounded familiar.

Suddenly, a disciple beside him seemed to recall something, his expression changing drastically as he exclaimed in shock:

"Qin Feng... the God of Slaughter, Qin Feng! The one who is first on the Heaven’s Pride List!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the surrounding disciples became incredibly complex.

Shock, horror, curiosity, and a trace of undisguised fear were all intertwined on their faces.

The God of Slaughter, Qin Feng!

This name, in the current cosmos, is known to all and recognized by everyone.

Especially since the Will of the Universe issued that earth-shattering mission, the name "Qin Feng" has become the eye of the storm, the focal point of discussion and pursuit for countless powerhouses.

They never imagined that this legendary figure would appear so quietly right outside their sect.

The lead disciple took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart.

He knew this was certainly not a matter he could handle. Daring not to show the slightest negligence, he spoke respectfully: "So it is the God of Slaughter himself. We were blind and failed to recognize greatness; please forgive our transgression. This matter is of grave importance; please wait a moment while I report to the Sect Master!"

Having said this, he immediately crushed a message-transmitting jade talisman.

A moment later, a gentle yet majestic voice resonated directly within the depths of their souls.

"Bring him to the main hall."

"Yes!"

The lead disciple’s expression turned solemn, his attitude toward Qin Feng growing even more reverent as he gestured: "Lord Qin Feng, the Sect Master invites you. Please, follow me."

Qin Feng nodded and, guided by the disciples, flew toward the central star of the Furnace Home galaxy.

Along the way, he could feel countless divine senses—some curious, some awestruck—projecting from all directions; clearly, the news of his arrival had already caused a massive stir within the Artifact Sect.

The main hall of the Artifact Sect sat atop a colossal planet forged entirely from divine metals and exotic ores.

It was less a hall and more a workshop of ultimate grandeur.

Chimneys towering into the clouds exhaled purified energy filtered countless times, while massive furnaces roared deep within the planet’s core, each vibration echoing like the heartbeat of a giant.

In the deepest part of the hall, Qin Feng finally met the legendary Sect Master of the Artifact Sect.

Contrary to his expectations, the man was not the burly, muscle-bound master smith he had imagined.

He was a somewhat lean old man, dressed in a simple grey linen robe stained with dust and sparks.

He sat before a massive divine metal furnace, holding a small hammer, meticulously striking a glowing red metal embryo, his focus so absolute that it seemed as if only he and his work remained in the world.

His aura was restrained to the extreme, making him appear as nothing more than an ordinary mortal blacksmith.

Yet, Qin Feng’s spirit, now evolved to "Pure Black" quality, could keenly perceive that beneath that seemingly mundane frame lay a terrifying energy capable of boiling oceans and scorching the heavens.

That energy was calm, searing, and brimming with unparalleled creative power.

This was the master of the Artifact Sect, ranked in the nineties on the King’s List—the King of Weapon Refining.

A true powerhouse, underestimated by countless others.

Seemingly finishing the final step, the King of Weapon Refining looked at his work with satisfaction and tossed it into a cooling liquid nearby, producing a sharp hiss.

Only then did he turn, wipe his hands with a cloth, and cast his gaze toward the silently standing Qin Feng.

His eyes were as still as an ancient well, yet they seemed capable of piercing the human heart.

"Hmm? A young friend of the human race, coming from billions of miles away—what brings you here?"

The King’s voice, like the man himself, was gentle and mellow, revealing no trace of emotion.

Qin Feng scanned his surroundings; apart from the two of them, there was no third person.

But he knew that a place like this must be riddled with countless formations and restrictions for eavesdropping.

The King understood, and without a word, he simply waved his hand.

In an instant, an invisible force radiated from him as the center.

The space within the grand hall seemed to freeze for a moment, and then, a transparent barrier invisible to the naked eye quietly emerged, completely severing this space from the outside world.

This technique was effortless and natural, far more profound than any King Qin Feng had ever seen.

Only after this did the King look back at Qin Feng, a trace of genuine curiosity in his eyes.

Qin Feng took a deep breath, and without further hesitation, he went straight to the point: "I have come, senior, regarding the matter of King Guluo."

As his words fell, he produced a golden sheet as thin as a cicada’s wing.

The moment the gold paper appeared, a supreme aura transcending the laws and originating from the source of the universe instantly filled the hall. It was the cosmic wonder—the [Contract].

Upon the [Contract], the terms of the agreement once made between King Guluo and Qin Feng flowed like lines of golden divine script.

And at the very bottom of the contract, a wisp of King Guluo’s soul imprint—shattered yet unyielding—emitted a faint glow.

When the King of Weapon Refining’s calm gaze touched that golden contract, and especially when he felt the aura of that familiar soul imprint, his eternal, unchanging expression finally shattered!

His pupils contracted violently, his breath hitched, and for the first time, his eyes—which seemed to see through all the illusions of the world—revealed a complex mix of shock, sorrow, and disbelief.

"This... this is... my junior brother’s aura!"

The King’s voice trembled for the first time.

He took a step forward, appearing instantly before Qin Feng, his eyes fixed intently on the contract as if to etch every word and every wisp of aura into the depths of his own soul.

"Young friend... have you come for my junior brother’s inheritance?"

After a long silence, the King asked with difficulty, his voice heavy with suppressed emotion.

"Yes, I have."

Qin Feng nodded, his expression solemn: "I was entrusted by the late King Guluo to come to Furnace Home and retrieve the core of the inheritance he left behind.

In exchange, I must fulfill one of two things for him: either pass on his complete knowledge of weapon refining to the Feathered Empire, or personally slay the Golden Emperor to avenge him."

He paused, then continued: "However, the situation has changed. The Will of the Universe has issued a mission, making the information about Furnace Home and the 'Primordial Fire' public.

I suspect that before long, countless powerhouses will swarm here.

My intention is to enter Furnace Home as quickly as possible, retrieve the 'Void Black Flame,' and leave immediately. I have no desire to bring disaster upon you and the Artifact Sect because of my private affairs."

His words were frank and direct, filled with respect for the sect and a clear desire not to implicate the innocent.

The King listened quietly, the excitement and sorrow on his face slowly fading, replaced by a deep, resolute determination. He looked at Qin Feng with a hint of approval and affinity.

"No matter."

The King said in a low voice, not loud, yet filled with unquestionable power: "Since it is a contract made with you by my junior brother before his passing, I shall naturally honor his final wish. The person he chose could never be wrong."

He reached out with hands calloused yet imbued with supreme power and gently patted Qin Feng’s shoulder.

"Furnace Home lies within the forbidden grounds of this sect. Later, I will give you a formation talisman; you may use it to go there yourself. As for... other matters, you need not worry."

A flash of pride crossed the King’s eyes.

"Your master, the Heaven-Swallowing King, and I are old acquaintances; our relationship is quite good.

Since you are his disciple and my junior brother’s successor, you are a friend of the Artifact Sect.

I shall protect you within our territory so you may refine that 'Void Black Flame' in peace.

As long as you remain within the borders of my sect, I can ensure your safety.

But once you leave the reach of the Artifact Sect, that is beyond my control."

"Senior!"

Hearing this, Qin Feng felt a warmth in his heart, but even more, a sense of urgency. He quickly said: "Senior, you must not! Those coming this time are no mere petty thieves.

Previously, the Golden Emperor sensed the aura of King Guluo upon me and hunted me down.

Now that the matter of Furnace Home is exposed, it is highly likely he will abandon the opportunities at the Eternal Mountain to come and hunt me down personally."

"That is a true Emperor-ranked powerhouse we are talking about; once an Emperor strikes, Senior, you..."

"It is of no consequence. A mere Emperor, that is all."

Yet, before Qin Feng could finish his sentence, the King of Weaponry waved his hand dismissively, cutting him off.

His tone was as indifferent as if he were discussing a matter of utter insignificance. But within that nonchalance lay a domineering aura, born of absolute strength, that looked down upon the entire world.

"Focus only on absorbing your inheritance and refining your 'Primordial Fire.' As long as you remain within this territory, no one shall dare lay a finger on you."

The King of Weaponry’s gaze seemed to pierce through the vaulted ceiling of the temple, fixing upon the distant, turbulent stars, a cold, sharp arc forming at the corner of his mouth.

"If they wish to come, let them come. But if I deny them entry, no one—not a single soul—shall pass!"

These words were spoken with the weight of iron, brimming with an unrivaled confidence and sense of duty.

Qin Feng was stunned.

He could sense that the King of Weaponry before him was not merely boasting.

That conviction was etched into his very bones, built upon a foundation of absolute, unquestionable power.

He realized in an instant that the outside world’s speculation—that the King of Weaponry’s strength was merely within the top ten of the King-ranked—was likely true.

The top ten Kings all possessed divine prohibitions, capable of battling Emperors.

Moreover, the connections the King of Weaponry had cultivated across the universe over these many years were surely vast and intricate.

Faced with such profound generosity, Qin Feng knew that further refusal would be nothing more than affectation.

He took a deep breath and bowed solemnly to the King of Weaponry.

"In that case, I offer you my deepest gratitude, Senior."

Yet, deep within his heart, he remained steadfast in his own resolve.

This King of Weaponry had never met him before, yet because of a legacy left by King Guluo, he was willing to shoulder such a monumental karmic burden for him.

He would remember this kindness.

But precisely because of it, he could not allow the flames of war to truly descend upon this sanctuary of craftsmanship, a place dedicated to creation and heritage.

Once he obtained the "Void Black Flame" and perfected his own path—the "Limitless Body"—he would depart immediately.

His own battles must be faced by his own hand. This was his path, and this was his pride.

"Go, quickly."

The King of Weaponry seemed to perceive Qin Feng’s inner thoughts, yet he chose not to expose them.

With a flick of his wrist, he produced a jet-black jade talisman, intricately carved with complex array patterns, and handed it to Qin Feng.

"This is the array talisman for the forbidden grounds. Holding it, none of the restrictions within will harm you."

"The Furnace Village lies at the very heart of those grounds."

Qin Feng accepted the talisman with reverence; it felt warm and substantial in his palm, and the profound mystery of the arrays contained within left him trembling with awe.

He bowed once more to the King of Weaponry, then, wasting no more time, turned into a streak of light and sped toward the forbidden grounds the King had indicated.

Watching Qin Feng’s retreating figure, the King of Weaponry stood still for a long time. The domineering aura of a powerhouse slowly receded from his eyes, replaced by a lingering sense of memory and expectation.

"Junior brother... you have chosen... a truly remarkable successor."

He murmured to himself, then turned and walked back toward the massive furnace.

The storm was approaching.

And he would be the sturdiest, most scorching dam standing before this tranquil Furnace Village.