Chapter 31: Quasi-Emperor Weapon, Saint King-Level Fiend! Seek the Great Emperor (Large Chapter, Please Follow and Vote!)

The tavern, if one could even call it that, was actually a series of courtyards suspended in mid-air, forming a singular pavilion. Each courtyard contained its own unique landscape, some even housing entire star domains or infernos of fire.

The guests continued their hushed debates.

"The Xiyue Holy Land is truly prosperous. I have no words for those who dare to provoke them."

"Not only that, I believe the Xiyue Holy Land will remain prosperous for another millennium. Do not forget, that Great Emperor..."

"Hiss, that is hard to say. But as long as the Great Emperor is alive, I see no one daring to cross the Xiyue Holy Land."

"That is not true—has someone not already crossed them?"

At that moment, they looked up and saw the demonic mist surging from the Xiyue Holy Land. They froze.

"Is this... has the Xiyue Holy Land’s Demon Cavern erupted? Isn't that suicide? The timing is terrible, too—they’ve run straight into the Holy Ancestor of Xiyue."

"Those demons are doomed."

"Wait, isn't this too coincidental?" one person asked, causing those in the courtyard to exchange uncertain glances.

Indeed, it was far too coincidental. The Xiyue Holy Land had just prepared to march, and suddenly, the Demon Cavern within erupted? It was too convenient! This was no coincidence.

"Could it be that the person who provoked them triggered the Demon Cavern?"

"But triggering the cavern is useless. It is merely a resource for the Xiyue Holy Land. Does he think it could cause them any real trouble?"

"Perhaps he hopes to force the Xiyue Holy Land to beg the Great Emperor for help."

"The Xiyue Holy Land can suppress that with a single hand."

They found the idea delusional. The Demon Cavern was just a resource; trying to use it to destabilize the Holy Land was nothing but a pipe dream.

***

Inside the tavern, near Kou Zhong.

"Gulp," the burly man swallowed hard, rubbing his bald head. He stared at the demonic mist rising from the Xiyue Holy Land, his heart trembling with a sense of danger.

"Damn, what is this?! Such dense demonic energy!"

"The Demon Cavern has exploded. Could it be the work of the Senior?"

"Uh, this... the Xiyue Holy Land will surely hunt the Senior to the ends of the earth."

Triggering the cavern might hinder the Holy Land, but it would undoubtedly lead to an irreconcilable blood feud. Perhaps even the Saint Kings of Xiyue would emerge.

Kou Zhong frowned, watching the mist. What was the Senior’s plan? This was incredibly dangerous; he had to find a way to help.

***

In an unknowable realm, someone suddenly let out a sound of surprise. "The Xiyue Holy Land’s Demon Cavern has erupted?"

"A Demon Cavern... that is not something Xiyue can easily handle. Perhaps..."

"Then let two Supremes go and test them. Today might be the day that Great Emperor bleeds."

"A test is necessary. Send the Wolf Clan. Didn't they lose two Saints recently? Tell them it was the Great Emperor who killed them."

"Agreed. Two Supremes are enough. That Great Emperor has been rampaging through the forbidden zones for years—does he really think he is invincible? Does he think he can escape just by hiding?"

The Supremes within the forbidden zones knew exactly what was being discussed. That great war had left a profound impact, forcing many to fall into slumber, allowing that Great Emperor to act as king in the absence of tigers. He had even dared to wander the forbidden zones, plucking precious herbs as if they were his own garden.

Only in this last millennium, as the Supremes began to awaken, had the Great Emperor vanished. If they could not still feel his suppression, they would have assumed he had already been devoured.

"Agreed."

"It should be done."

"What if he does not appear?"

"Not appear? Do you think the Wolf Clan Supreme would go out for nothing?"

A soft chuckle echoed. If the Wolf Clan Supreme went out, he expected a blood sacrifice. If the Human Great Emperor did not show his face, then the human race would have to use their Saint blood and their strongest warriors to satisfy the Supreme’s hunger.

"Excellent."

"Good."

"Good."

"Truly excellent."

A chorus of affirmations rang out.

***

By the small river, Li Xuan’s brow suddenly twitched. His expression turned cold. Could it be that those foreign races were trying to stir up trouble?

Li Xuan extended a finger. Foreigners—no matter who came, they would die. His expression remained indifferent.

[You have shocked the Child of Destiny, Ye Bufan. Obtained 3,333 Villain Points, Lifespan +2!]

[You have shocked the Daughter of Destiny, Su Wan. Obtained 4,433 Villain Points, Lifespan +2.]

[……]

A series of system notifications appeared, and Li Xuan smiled slightly. Wasn’t today’s preparation meant for exactly this?

At the Xiyue Holy Land, Ye Bufan and the others stared at the sky filled with demonic mist, terrified. Ye Bufan looked at the cavern with resentment. How did it come to this? Shouldn't he have gone to the Li family and killed Li Xuan? Why were things going wrong again?

Just then, his heart skipped a beat. His pupils dilated—he felt the resonance of a Quasi-Emperor weapon. No, it wasn't just resonance... it was...

The Quasi-Emperor weapon was surfacing! It was manifesting on its own!

Ye Bufan was instantly overwhelmed with joy. Forget Li Xuan—that didn't matter anymore. He might be able to obtain the Quasi-Emperor weapon! No, he needed to give it to the Holy Ancestor!

Ye Bufan immediately sent a voice transmission to the Holy Master of Xiyue. Upon hearing this, the Holy Master’s face was filled with shock. "Is it true?"

Ye Bufan nodded fiercely. The Holy Master was overjoyed; she trusted Ye Bufan because he possessed the Heavy Pupils.

She immediately reported it to Hong Wei. "Holy Ancestor, the Ancestor’s Quasi-Emperor weapon has manifested!"

Hong Wei froze, his eyes widening. The Quasi-Emperor weapon?

The two Saints immediately learned of the news. "The news of the weapon's appearance cannot be hidden, but we must be prepared. Have the guests leave," analyzed Xu Geng.

Hong Wei nodded. "Correct. Perhaps we can use the weapon to deter our enemies."

They quickly agreed: Hong Wei would take control of the weapon, while Xu Geng guarded the perimeter. They were not afraid; this was the Xiyue Holy Land, and they possessed a power greater than themselves. Besides, the weapon belonged to them—others could not use it.

Inside the Holy Land, disciples retreated from the cavern. The area was sealed with arrays, but looking closely, those were not just mists—they were countless demons. Countless monsters surged from the earth, swarming up the cliffs of the pit like a festering wound bleeding pus.

"Everyone, please forgive our lack of hospitality. We have a situation with the Demon Cavern that must be addressed. Please, excuse yourselves. Our Holy Ancestor has prepared a token of gratitude for you in the city. Please." The Holy Master smiled, ushering the guests away.

The guests complied. "Naturally, we shall depart." "Holy Master, we are ashamed that we could not assist."

As they reached the city, news of the events in the Holy Land spread: Kou Zhong’s interference, the insults from Ye Bufan’s family, and Li Xuan’s three gifts. It left everyone stunned.

"To think so much has happened in the Xiyue Holy Land today."

"Who is this Li Xuan? How could he trigger the Demon Cavern?"

"It matters not. Look, the Holy Ancestor is moving!"

In the city, everyone looked up. A figure appeared above the Xiyue Holy Land, an immense pressure spreading out.

"Ha! You think triggering our cavern poses a threat? I will show you..." Hong Wei said coldly, throwing a punch. "It is useless!"

Countless demons perished instantly.

Exclamations and screams of awe rose from the disciples of Xiyue. Their Holy Ancestor was terrifying!

Ye Bufan clenched his fists. "This is a Saint. An invincible existence."

In the city, discussions raged. Kou Zhong finished his wine, his expression grave. "Hong Wei is too strong. Is this the power of a Saint?"

He realized the gap between them was insurmountable. This shocked his brothers—Kou Zhong was a Saint himself! If even he was awed, how strong was Hong Wei? As for the others, they couldn't even comprehend it; they only saw the monsters—some of whom were at the Void-Refining or Dao-Fusion levels—die with a single blow.

If Hong Wei could kill those monsters that easily, he could kill them just as effortlessly! They gasped.

By the river, Li Xuan watched the demons with deep, piercing eyes. He glanced at Ye Bufan, then shifted his gaze to the disciples, the elders, and the peak masters of Xiyue. He squinted and waited quietly.

***

Just then.

"Watch out!"

A cry rang out within the Holy Land. A pitch-black figure appeared behind Hong Wei, silent as the grave, a black scimitar slashing toward him!

Everyone’s breath hitched. Would they witness the fall of a Saint today?

Hong Wei remained indifferent. He turned, blocking the blade with a casual, unremarkable punch. There was no sound, yet in the star domain above, countless stars were extinguished.

Hong Wei’s expression did not change. He struck the black figure on the head. *Bang!* The figure collapsed, black demonic blood spilling and shaking the heavens. A forbidden zone instantly formed within the Holy Land, where the very grass and trees began to turn into monsters.

Hong Wei held the corpse. It was a grey, humanoid demon with long limbs, naked and hideous. He scoffed. "A Saint-level demon?"

This was the power of a Saint. He had channeled the shockwaves of their clash into the heavens; otherwise, the Holy Land would have been reduced to a wasteland.

*Gulp.*

Everyone stared at Hong Wei holding the corpse, swallowing hard. Was this a Saint? Two punches to kill a top-tier Saint?

Kou Zhong’s face was grim. "That monster was stronger than me!" He worried for Senior Li. Senior Li was in danger!

***

"My god! This is a Saint!"

"No, this is the Saint of Xiyue!"

"Strong! Too strong! Two punches for a Saint! One punch to extinguish stars! I’m going insane!"

The city was in an uproar. Kou Zhong stood up abruptly. He had to get Senior Li to leave. No, he had to take his brothers and leave—leave the Eastern Region, leave the Tianwu Continent, leave this entire star domain! The Xiyue Holy Land was too powerful; they had to run!

Inside the Holy Land, before the disciples could even speak, a bright moon rose from the Demon Cavern. The sky turned black!

"An Emperor weapon? No, a Saint weapon? No, a Quasi-Emperor weapon! The Xiyue Holy Land’s Quasi-Emperor weapon has appeared!"

"Hahaha!" Hong Wei laughed within the Holy Land. He reached out and grasped the moon, revealing a strange, long spear—part black, part white, illusory yet transparent.

*Hum.*

The spear vibrated, but Hong Wei channeled their Dao scripture, and it went silent in his hand. "Hahaha, good! Our Quasi-Emperor weapon has manifested! Celebrate for the Xiyue Holy Land!"

The city fell into a dead silence.

"My god, they still had a Quasi-Emperor weapon?"

"It’s the first Holy Master’s weapon—the weapon of the Great Emperor’s best friend! It was in the cavern all along!"

"This is a disaster! The weapon has appeared!"

"A Quasi-Emperor weapon!"

In the city, someone suddenly remarked, "I wonder what the expression of the person who triggered the cavern would be if he knew he had handed the Xiyue Holy Land a Quasi-Emperor weapon."

"I don't know about his expression, but I feel the Xiyue Holy Land is now invincible!"

Kou Zhong and his group turned pale. They had to leave—now!

***

Inside the Holy Land, Hong Wei gripped the weapon, feeling invincible. "I am invincible," he said calmly. "The Xiyue Holy Land is invincible!"

"Holy Ancestor is invincible!" the crowd roared.

Ye Bufan was overjoyed. With the weapon, he could finally take revenge. He would make the Li family and Li Xuan pay for his brothers' deaths!

"Bufan, you have done well!" the Holy Master smiled at him.

"Master, it is only what I should do!" Ye Bufan said humbly.

"Rest assured, the Holy Ancestor will handle your revenge personally!"

Ye Bufan was ecstatic. He didn't notice the mysterious egg in his storage ring, which he had obtained from the cavern, beginning to tremble violently.

"Holy Ancestor is invincible! Xiyue Holy Land is invincible!" Ye Bufan shouted, raising his arm.

*Bang!*

A massive arm reached out from the depths of the cavern and grabbed Hong Wei.

In an instant, Hong Wei let out a piercing scream. His body was torn in two, his upper half separated from his lower, his heart ripped out!

Saint blood rained down, shattering the mountains. Everyone was stunned, staring at the upper body of Hong Wei, clutching the Quasi-Emperor weapon, rolling in the sky in agony as the giant hand retreated.

A figure walked out of the cavern—a grey, naked humanoid. It held Hong Wei’s torso in its hand, slowly chewing on it. The powerful Saint-level pressure was suffocating.

"A Great Saint-level demon!"

An old man appeared—a Great Saint of the Xiyue Holy Land. He stared coldly at the creature. "You dare appear..."

As he spoke, more monsters emerged from behind the grey creature. Saints, Great Saints, and a Saint King!

Two Saints, three Great Saints, and one Saint King!

The overwhelming pressure plunged the Xiyue Holy Land into a deathly silence. Everyone stared at the six monsters, their throats tight, their bodies chilled to the bone.

"Summon the Great Emperor!"

"Summon the Great Emperor!"