Chapter 112: Threat from the Grand Supreme

Chapter 112: A Threat from the Great Sovereign

As night fell, Ning Tao’s delicate body curled up, her overly pale little hands still tightly gripping the chains.

“Husband…”

Suddenly, she opened her eyes, cold sweat beading on her forehead.

She gazed at the blood sphere not far away, a flicker of disappointment passing through her eyes.

He had left.

Suddenly, ripples spread through the space.

A blood-red figure appeared, coalescing into a man: “Ning Tao, why are you mixed up with the Blood Demon?”

The man’s head was also shrouded in a black robe, obscuring his face.

He, like Ning Tao, was one of the Thirteen Demons of the North, named He Wu.

“He is not the Blood Demon,” Ning Tao said earnestly.

“All the Sovereigns of the North have deemed him the Blood Demon, so he is the Blood Demon!” He Wu declared.

As members of the Thirteen Demons of the North, they differed from other Sovereigns, unconcerned with the Blood Demon’s grand schemes.

After all, the Blood Demon’s calamity upon the world was a matter of centuries yet to come.

But the crisis they faced was imminent.

He Wu looked at Ning Tao: “In your current state, you’ll likely fall before a hundred years pass.

When the Gate of Ten Thousand Paths reappears, how will you endure?

If you cannot maintain your peak strength and struggle for a hundred days, death is the only outcome.”

Ning Tao fell silent briefly, then did not continue that topic, instead asking: “Have you found who secretly spread the rumor about the Blood Demon being at the Heart Heaven Palace? Which of my great enemies is it?”

The news of the Blood Demon at the Heart Heaven Palace had spread across the North, and Ning Tao had been besieged—there was a hidden hand behind it.

“Suspected to be the Purple Daoist,” He Wu replied.

“Him?” Ning Tao sneered, a murderous glint flashing in her eyes. “I have no enmity with him—why would he frame me?”

“Do we Thirteen Demons need enmity to be targeted? Aren’t we all hated by heaven and man?” He Wu laughed bitterly.

From birth, those like them, with the character for ‘demon’ carved on their faces, had been despised by all.

Did others need a reason to frame them?

It was original sin.

…

In the City of No Return, Qi Yuan returned after slaying demonic spawn, a fierce glint in his eyes.

“Rather than calling that blood sphere the Blood Demon, it might as well be me… who is the Blood Demon,” Qi Yuan said, looking inward.

Within his soul, the source of sin had accumulated more and more, from the size of a grain of rice to the size of a fist.

If Qi Yuan hadn’t exerted full control and let it run free, he would have become a terrifying demonic spawn.

“I’m a player, not some damn Blood Demon,” Qi Yuan cast aside his earlier emotions.

“Big brother, you’re back?” Just then, a frivolous voice came.

Chen Huan, clad in a white robe, leaped down from the city wall, a bright smile on his face.

Seeing Chen Huan, Qi Yuan said helplessly, “I don’t do sworn brotherhood. I’m not that childish.”

The white-robed man before him had arrived at the City of No Return five years ago.

Chen Huan’s identity was also extraordinary—he was one of the three thousand disciples of the White Emperor.

After arriving at the City of No Return, Chen Huan heard of Qi Yuan’s deeds from Yuan Qi and saw Qi Yuan act a few times, then insisted on becoming sworn brothers with him.

How could he, a noble player, become sworn brothers with an NPC?

If word got out, it would be a laughingstock.

“Big brother, look at me—I’m a peak Land Myth. Maybe one day I’ll break through to the Sovereign realm.

Wouldn’t it be impressive for you to have a Sovereign-level little brother?” Chen Huan’s personality was carefree and he was quite familiar.

“I… don’t care about face,” Qi Yuan said, ignoring Chen Huan. With a flicker, he appeared atop the city tower.

Chen Huan followed him up the tower, gazing at the vast desert: “Big brother has guarded the City of No Return alone for seventy years—I truly admire you.

But if I haven’t broken through to the Sovereign realm yet, and if I do, and you come to me for sworn brotherhood, do you think I’d still acknowledge you?”

“You’ve been saying that for five years. Why haven’t I seen you break through to the Sovereign realm?” Qi Yuan looked at Chen Huan with disdain. “No way, someone can be stuck at the peak of Land Myth for a hundred years.”

Chen Huan had been at the peak of Land Myth for a hundred years already.

Chen Huan was not anxious: “Big brother, becoming a Sovereign is no easy feat.

To become a Sovereign, one must comprehend the origin.

First, one must understand the essence of human-demon power; second, one must find one’s own path within that power and awaken an origin divine ability.

These two tasks are incredibly difficult—like climbing to heaven!”

In the Canglan Realm, to become a Purple Mansion, one must comprehend the essence of spiritual energy.

In the Liufeng Realm, it was the comprehension of human-demon power.

“Is this really that hard?” Qi Yuan felt Chen Huan was still no match for the Four Emperors of Divine Flowers.

Not to mention the Ice Mountain Dominatrix and the Great Sun Flame Emperor, even the Rogue Immortal Venerable, by talent, was probably stronger than Chen Huan.

After all, comparing oneself to an Immortal Venerable—what a great being that was!

Pity the Rogue Immortal Venerable couldn’t enter the game world; otherwise, he would have put the Rogue Immortal Venerable right in front of Chen Huan.

Let the Rogue Immortal Venerable show Chen Huan what a true prodigy was.

“Hard,” Chen Huan said with a grave expression.

Both paths were difficult.

Especially the first—comprehending the essence of human-demon power.

If one succeeded in the first, a cultivator without great ambition, not seeking a powerful origin divine ability, could casually step into the Sovereign realm.

Chen Huan happened to be the type without ambition.

But after a hundred wasted years, he still hadn’t succeeded.

“I find human-demon power simple enough; it’s the later origin divine ability that’s a bit tricky,” Qi Yuan mused.

Having witnessed the Gate of Ten Thousand Paths, his human-demon path had reached a terrifying level.

What was the essence of human-demon power?

Qi Yuan felt he understood it better than the White Emperor or the Venerable One.

As for origin divine abilities, they were more complicated.

Back in the Earth’s End, facing nearly three thousand old men, Qi Yuan had seen all kinds of origin divine abilities.

Every primal divine ability carves its own path upon the foundation of the primal source.

Some primal divine abilities are weak, while others are exceedingly strong.

Qi Yuan naturally does not wish to awaken a primal divine ability too weak when he reaches level 120.

The path of primal divine abilities—Qi Yuan will ponder and weigh it carefully.

Upon returning from the game world, only a portion of his cultivation reverts to his true body.

But the skills remain in his true body.

Skills like Heaven-Slashing Sword Art, Death Radiance, and Overbearing Power are actually divine abilities that can only be performed at the Nascent Soul Stage.

Qi Yuan can execute them at the Foundation Establishment Stage, swiftly slaying Divine Infants—this is largely the reason.

If he steps beyond level 120 in the game world and gains his own primal divine ability,

then at the Foundation Establishment Stage, he can also possess a primal divine ability equivalent to the Purple Mansion Realm.

Without a primal divine ability, Qi Yuan can only passively endure attacks from Purple Mansion Realm cultivators of the Bright Light Palace.

Because only a primal divine ability can wound a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator protected by a primal divine ability.

Thus, a powerful primal divine ability is essential.

As he is now, even if Qi Yuan can evade a Supreme's primal divine ability attack, he cannot harm a Supreme.

When Ning Tao faces danger, all he can do is wag his tongue.

He has not yet seen his own future path and cannot awaken a primal divine ability.

As for the essence of Human-Demon Power, to Qi Yuan it is the simplest thing.

"Brother, you sure can brag—Human-Demon Power simple? If it were really that simple, Supremes would be more common than dogs in this world." Chen Huan looked at Qi Yuan with disbelief.

Qi Yuan ignored Chen Huan, squinting as he gazed ahead.

Chen Huan seemed to notice something too; his smile faded as he looked in the same direction as Qi Yuan.

There, across the sky, a streak of light flashed, exuding a terrifying aura that pressed down upon the heavens.

The streak halted eight li from No Return City; the radiance dissipated, and a woman in a water-blue long dress appeared.

She had sword-like brows and starry eyes, with a sharp sword intent radiating from her.

Standing in the yellow sands, Qi Yuan seemed to see an unawakened sword.

[Huang Mengling, Level 119.]

"Hear the decree, Guardian of No Return City!" Huang Mengling extended her hand, and a golden imperial edict appeared.

Qi Yuan blinked.

Looking for him?

But... I'm a player—why should I obey a decree?

Whose decree?

He did not move.

The air grew silent. Chen Huan then called out, "Senior Sister, why have you come to Yuzhou Region? What's going on?"

Huang Mengling's face remained icy upon hearing Chen Huan's voice.

"The North-South Conflict's situation has shifted. The Five Supremes have decreed that all guardians of Yuzhou Region must abandon their garrison cities and go together to Great Sorrow City!" Huang Mengling's voice rang clear. "Within a hundred days, you must reach Great Sorrow City to defend against the Northern Demon Wardens."

Chen Huan's expression tightened upon hearing this.

Had the situation in Yuzhou Region become so dire?

The Supremes were actually issuing orders to abandon the cities of Yuzhou Region and shrink back together to Great Sorrow City.

"Senior Sister, can you give me some inside information?" Chen Huan was thick-skinned.

Huang Mengling's face remained unchanged: "On the Thousand Cities Battlefield, three new Supremes have arrived from the North, and one of them is a Grand Supreme."

"What?" Chen Huan's face changed. "A Grand Supreme?" A Grand Supreme was a peak Supreme.

It could be said that aside from the White Emperor and the Sovereign, a Grand Supreme was already the strongest being in the Flowing Wind Realm.

"Why would a Grand Supreme suddenly come to the Thousand Cities Region?" Chen Huan was astonished.

The Thousand Cities Region, among the one hundred and eight thousand cities on the battlefield, was an insignificant one—having a few Supremes stationed there was already remarkable.

And now a Grand Supreme had come—truly bizarre.

"I do not know either," Huang Mengling said coldly. "Please leave No Return City at once and head to Great Sorrow City!"

Hearing this, Chen Huan anxiously turned to Qi Yuan: "Brother, how about we go? If a Supreme descends, our little arms and legs can't withstand it at all."

Qi Yuan showed a nonchalant expression: "I'm not leaving."

He had been stationed in No Return City for so many years; naturally, he would not leave.

Chen Huan quickly urged, "You know how critical the situation is now. A Grand Supreme has descended, and all the cities are shrinking back. If you stay here alone, you'll stand out extremely."

"You can't convince me. Say no more." Qi Yuan refused.

Chen Huan's words made sense—anyone with a normal mind would leave No Return City, go to Great Sorrow City, and concentrate all strength in one place.

Unfortunately, Qi Yuan's mind was perfectly normal, but he was playing a game—how could he leave?

Chen Huan grew a bit anxious.

In the distance, Huang Mengling's eyes showed surprise, but she continued, "Junior Brother, if he won't go, let him be.

I still have to notify other cities. Come with me."

Chen Huan's face twisted with hesitation.

"You go," Qi Yuan said as well.

This Chen Huan talked too much, always babbling in his ear, disturbing the peace.

"No." Chen Huan made up his mind and shouted to Huang Mengling, "Senior Sister, you go first. I'll wait a little longer."

Huang Mengling continued, "The Thousand Cities are retreating, gathering at Great Sorrow City.

If you stay here, no one will support you.

You will be an isolated army hanging outside.

Even if the two of you manage to break through to Supreme, you will surely die."

These words from Huang Mengling were directed at Qi Yuan.

She could not discern Qi Yuan's strength but guessed it was similar to Chen Huan's.

Usually, peak Earthly Myth experts often take risks to break through their realm.

She guessed that Qi Yuan stayed in No Return City to gather momentum, refine a primal divine ability, and break through to Supreme.

But the chance of success was almost nil.

Not to mention that with a Grand Supreme descending, even if he broke through to Supreme, death would be the only outcome.

Having said this, Huang Mengling transformed into a streak of light and vanished into the vast desert.

Qi Yuan gazed at that streak of light and asked, "Is she also a disciple of White Emperor?"

"Yes, she's my senior sister!" When mentioning Huang Mengling, Chen Huan's eyes showed admiration. "She's not like me. I've been a disciple of White Emperor Palace for a thousand years and haven't even seen the master's face. Senior sister is different—she has met him. Her understanding of the Source is nearly complete. It probably won't be long before she steps into the Sovereign realm."

"Oh?" Qi Yuan thought of something and couldn't help asking, "Since your senior sister has comprehended the Source, why don't you ask her to tell you what it is? Then you could become a Sovereign too, right?"

Chen Huan looked at Qi Yuan as if he were an idiot. "Not to mention why she would tell me, but the Source... what others tell you is completely useless. You have to comprehend it yourself. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if there's something wrong with your head. You don't even know such basic things."

"Useless if told by others?" Qi Yuan was surprised. "Isn't it useful?"

When he taught at Nine-Pan Mountain, he had explained some aspects of the Source. At that time, several cultivators with already strong cultivation bases had comprehended some of it. Back then, Qi Yuan had focused more on the *Demon Binding Art*. If he had fully explained the Source of human-demon power, many might have comprehended it on the spot.

"If the Source could be passed down by word of mouth, wouldn't every corner of the world be filled with Sovereigns?" Chen Huan replied.

Qi Yuan said no more. He looked at Chen Huan, lost in thought.

...

Twenty days passed, and Chen Huan hurriedly came to Qi Yuan.

"All the cities in Yuzhou have been evacuated. Why aren't you leaving?" Chen Huan's face showed anxiety.

Qi Yuan sat as steady as a tortoise in Wugui City. "No rush. By the way, do you know which Great Sovereign has come to the Thousand Cities Region?"

He thought of Wu Tong. When Wu Tong had attacked before, he had brought a Sovereign's Source-powered strike. That incident had been somewhat suspicious. He wondered if it was connected to this Great Sovereign's arrival.

"Purple Daoist," Chen Huan said solemnly. "He is among the top-tier Great Sovereigns."

"Is that so?" Qi Yuan recalled the purple droplet. Was that the one scheming against him? Possibly. Whether or not, he was an enemy!

Qi Yuan pulled a notebook from his bosom.

"What are you doing?" Chen Huan asked in surprise.

"I'm writing him down in my little book."

When someone offended him, Qi Yuan always made a note. After all, his memory sometimes had temporary lapses, but he could never forget his enemies.

"Haha." Chen Huan laughed. "Are you going to pass this book down as a family heirloom, so your descendants can trouble Purple Daoist?"

He didn't believe Qi Yuan would ever have the chance to kill Purple Daoist.

"When I reach level 120, killing him will be like slaughtering a dog!" Qi Yuan said confidently.

Currently, relying on Xiao Jia, he could unleash power beyond level 120. But without a Source ability, he couldn't defeat a Sovereign.

"He's a Great Sovereign. Even if you cultivate for thousands of years, you won't be his match!" Chen Huan said.

Qi Yuan thought for a moment. "You have a point. I can't kill Purple Daoist for now."

"You really dare to think. I say, let's just run. Once we become Sovereigns, we can come back and settle the score." Chen Huan urged again.

As for becoming a Sovereign, he knew he couldn't even hope for it within a thousand years. Even after the North-South conflict ended, he might still not reach that level. In the grand scheme, he was but a grain of sand. Even as a Sovereign, he'd only be a slightly larger grain.

"Run? No! Now I need to devise a meticulous hunting plan against Purple Daoist!" Qi Yuan said seriously.

"...You really dare to think. He's a Great Sovereign! The gap between a Sovereign and a Land Myth is greater than that between us and ordinary people. As long as the Source is not extinguished, we can't even harm a Sovereign!" Chen Huan said helplessly.

"Why don't you listen to my plan? After you hear it, you'll be moved by my wisdom and fully approve." Qi Yuan wouldn't have revealed his plan to an NPC if Chen Huan weren't part of it.

"Tell me." Chen Huan smiled.

"A meticulous plan requires deep thought. If I tell you directly, there might be flaws. I'll write it down for you." Qi Yuan always felt he was poor with words and not good at expressing himself. Important things were better written.

He took his pen and scribbled furiously in the notebook, his expression serious, sometimes pondering, sometimes frowning.

Chen Huan stood by, seeing Qi Yuan so earnest for the first time. Could it really be a super invincible plan? Using a thread to string together multiple Sovereigns, then sowing discord, all sorts of chaos, to scheme and kill a Sovereign.

"Finished!" Qi Yuan held the notebook, growing more pleased as he looked at it. If he were on Blue Star, writing such a perfect plan would have left him drenched in sweat. Now that he was a cultivator, naturally not. But to set the mood, he let a few beads of sweat drip from his forehead.

"Let me see." Chen Huan took the notebook eagerly from Qi Yuan's hands. He held it with both hands and carefully read Qi Yuan's grand plan.

After about ten-odd breaths, he was speechless.

"Is this it?" Chen Huan was exasperated. "A lousy plan, completely unworkable. My great-great-great-granddaughter could write better than this!"

[Day 1 to 10: Teach Chen Huan the Source, help him break through to Sovereign.

Day 11 to 20: Go out to find a lone Sovereign, let Chen Huan hunt with Source abilities while I guide from the side, and finally, I take the kill.

Day 21 to 100: Continue this way, slay Sovereigns, accumulate experience, comprehend the Source, break through to Sovereign, and kill Purple Daoist.]

Hearing this critique, Qi Yuan immediately reflected on himself. After a long while, he had a sudden realization: "I know! I forgot to mark the task difficulty. I'll do it now!"

"……" Chen Huan sighed, "Your plan is far too fanciful. Take the very first step—to impart the Origin to me and help me ascend to the Supreme—is that even possible?"

(The End of This Chapter)