Chapter 1070: Fire God’s Calmheart
A moment later, Blazing Devil carried a box back and respectfully held it before Li Qiye.
Li Qiye didn't glance at it before he took it and said: "Where is your devil wish?"
Blazing quickly carved it down and gave it to Li Qiye. Li Qiye casually took it and then he got up, wanting to leave.
"My Lord." At this time, Blazing couldn't help but open his mouth to say something.
Li Qiye glared at him and said: "Say it, don't waste my time."
Blazing took a deep breath and bowed towards Li Qiye: "This lowly one wants to ask My Lord, what is waiting for us in the future of this world?"
Li Qiye indifferently stared at Blazing in response: "What do you think? Or rather, what kind of world do you wish for?"
"I, I don't know." Blazing hesitated for a moment to come up with an answer: "A world where we are free."
"It is not difficult to find out. Just personally climb the Evil Slaying Platform, right?" Li Qiye spoke without emotion: "If you want to reach the best step, then take it slow."
Blazing turned silent. In the Devil World, anyone could climb the Evil Slaying Platform. However, there were different levels of steps. No one knew what would happen after going up there.
Li Qiye ignored the guy and went back on his palanquin. The girls immediately carried him away.
After they left, Chen Baojiao smiled cutely: "Young Noble, this is killing two birds with one stone. You found out what you wanted to know and obtained a treasure as well."
"Just part of the process, this treasure is actually incidental. I want Heaven Relinquish to come find me." Li Qiye revealed a faint smile.
"If the Heaven Relinquish Devil King finds out, I'm afraid he will go all out against you." Li Shuangyan commented.
Just looking at the Wooden Sword Dark Saint was enough to know how powerful he was. An existence like him was definitely at the Godking level. However, he was actually afraid of Heaven Relinquish. From this, one can extrapolate how frightening this person must be.
Li Qiye calmly sat there and leisurely replied: "He won't."
With that, he handed the box containing the Fire God’s Calmheart to Chen Baojiao: "Use this item well, it will be quite beneficial to you."
Chen Baojiao opened it to take a look. It surprised her quite a bit because it contained a beating heart.
"Do I have to eat this thing?" She was quite creeped out by the thought of doing so.
"This is not a heart." Li Qiye gently shook his head: "This is a Fire God’s Calmheart. Although it is called a 'heart', it was formed from the fusion of the extreme flames underground. It's powerful but not violent, hence the word 'calm'. It is gentle like jade yet brimming with endless explosive power. It is very suitable for your Tyrannical Spring Physique."
After hearing his explanation, Chen Baojiao carefully checked it again and found that it was not truly a heart. The rhythm was not a heartbeat but rather the pulsing of a divine fire. It seemed to contain an endless fiery power that could explode and destroy an entire world.
"Imperial soldiers embark on an expedition while dark cultivators climb the Evil Slaying Platform." At this point, Mei Suyao who had been quiet added: "Just what kind of worlds are they going to? Is it outside of the nine worlds?"
Mei Suyao knew more than the other girls. Her Eternal River School had several records about the Lesser Imperial Devil World that other lineages were not privy to.
After hearing Blazing Devil earlier, all kinds of feelings rose in her heart. The records back then uncontrollably popped up in her mind, but she had no answer, so she had to ask Li Qiye.
Li Qiye's eyes became serious and full of longing. He answered: "Who knows about what is outside the nine worlds."
"Is it the legendary tenth world?" She asked softly because she knew quite a few things from Li Qiye. He had shown her secrets unknown to others across the eons. Even her school knew very little about them due to their scarce records.
"The tenth world?" Li Qiye gently shook his head: "This is not that simple. Perhaps no one knows where they are going to, outside of the imperial soldiers and dark cultivators who have actually embarked on this journey to a, maybe, different world."
Li Shuangyan and the others listened carefully, especially Bai Jianzhen. She tried her best to understand the secrets within using this rare opportunity from listening.
"Only when one goes to that world would they be able to know what it is." He ended with a profound glimmer in his eyes.
The lively Chen Baojiao asked: "Even though I don't know any of that, why is it that dark cultivators have to go on the platform and imperial soldiers have to go on their expedition?"
Li Qiye couldn't help but smile: "Why is it that cultivators have to compete for the Heaven's Will? Why do so many people break their heads from fighting just to vie to become an Immortal Emperor? You can think of it as our will or an external temptation. In short, this is their aspiration. Just like us who embark on the road to the throne, we tread forward knowing that there might not be a way back, knowing that we might become nothing but heaps of dried bones paving the path for another."
The girls turned quiet after hearing this. For millions of years, too many people had tried to become an emperor, but only one could succeed each generation.
"Let's move on. Does Young Noble need to find a treasure or spirit medicine for Miss Mei as well?" Chen Baojiao didn't wish to dwell on this heavy topic and smiled coquettishly.
Compared to her time back at the Jewel Pillar Sacred School, the current Chen Baojiao had become very lively. She was already enchanting enough, but her youthful fire made people's heart sway even more as they became lost in insanity from her beauty.
"I'm already satisfied with learning so much by following Young Noble." Mei Suyao smiled. She was as pretty as always, especially in her simple yet transcendent state that was so close to the origin.
"Suyao does not lack treasures." He smiled: "If she wants treasures, she actually does not even need to come here."
Mei Suyao smiled back. It was true that she followed Li Qiye and carried his palanquin not for treasures, but because Li Qiye had given her something that was more precious than any artifact.
"Okay, we have traveled for quite a while so we should stop and take a bath." Li Qiye stretched and smiled.
"Nice try." Chen Baojiao coquettishly quipped as her face became red for some reason.
A huge forest could be found in the southern region of the Devil World. It was lush with green vegetation of a single type. These plants resembled an old tree with leaves and thick branches. The most noticeable aspect was that there were crimson fruits growing from these trees. Each of them was only the size of a thumb. They were translucent and red like carnelian gemstones.
The even more shocking part was that these gem-like fruits exuded a fragrance similar to the intoxicating scent of fine wine. Even strong-willed cultivators couldn't help but swallow their saliva after smelling them.
Monkeys were hanging around these trees and fruits. They were around the size of cats. They had golden fur, but when they opened their eyes, an evil energy would surge, as if it could devour the soul of just about anyone.
Many cultivators stood outside of the forest, but no one dared to enter. They could only drool and watch.
The reason was very simple, those monkeys weren't actually monkeys but rather dark cultivators. The moment anyone entered, they would instantly be attacked by the horde.
Someone looked at the red fruits on the trees and murmured: "It would be so nice if those dark monkeys weren't guarding this forest."
A Virtuous Paragon from a great power gulped as well: "Right. According to our sect's writings, these are Dark Wine Fruits, really good stuff that can ferment into immortal wines. This wine can calm the mind and remove evil. It really is incredible."
The cultivators standing outside all wanted to go pick these fruits, but their lack of courage prevented them from doing so. Of course, the numerous corpses under the trees were a deterrence as well.
Prior to this, many cultivators went inside, but they were besieged by the monkeys. Even a Virtuous Paragon would be ripped into pieces in the blink of an eye against a large group.
Thus, they were relegated to mere spectators. At this moment, they saw a young man enter the forest. He was very young and extremely handsome. His eyes were his most outstanding aspect. They looked just like precious gems, profound and moving as though they could speak. Anyone would instantly be attracted to his eyes.
A cultivator from the Grand Middle Territory shouted: "It's Shen Menghui from the Azure Mysterious Ancient Kingdom!"
"Just like the rumors, he truly has unparalleled potential. Unfortunately, he was born in the wrong era, or rather too late. If he was born ten years earlier, I think he would be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with Jikong Wudi's group." An older cultivator commented while watching this young man enter the forest.
Chapter 1071: Shen Menghui
"Shen Menghui is going in." Many people held their breaths while watching this young man enter the thick forest.
However, a strange scene unraveled. After he went inside, his gaze swept through the nearest dark monkeys. The monkeys continued to hang on the trees in a sleeping state.
"How can this be?" People found this astonishing since the monkeys closest to him didn't attack.
"One thought for slumber." A paragon from the middle territory murmured: "He is truly the descendant of the Divine Ancestor. After being personally taught by him, Shen Menghui can instantly bring these dark monkeys into a state of dreaming where they can't wake up.
"So heaven-defying! These dark monkeys are so violent, but he can hypnotize this many at once. Maybe he really is qualified to compete for the Heaven's Will against Jikong Wudi's group. If only time waited for people…" A youth commented in awe.
Shen Menghui was the current main descendant of the Azure Mysterious Ancient Kingdom. Back then, their heavenly prince was killed by Li Qiye at the dao academy, so they had to choose another successor.
In the end, the young Shen Menghui actually won the spot. He was able to show off his skills among his many senior brothers and sisters. Outside of being the descendant of the Divine Ancestor, it was also because of his exceedingly high talents that were even greater than the deceased heavenly prince.
Thus, even though he was only eighteen years old right now, he already had extremely incredible achievements. Some speculated that within ten years, he would be able to catch up to the rest of the supreme geniuses.
In fact, many in the middle region held him in great esteem despite his late debut. Both his fame and cultivation were much weaker than Jikong Wudi's group, but since he was taken in as a disciple by the Divine Ancestor, he had an unparalleled advantage compared to the others.
The Divine Ancestor was rumored to be the most powerful existence in the ancient kingdom. He was an untouchable Godking. No one had seen him over the long years, so people didn't know just how strong he currently was.
For someone who didn't come out for many generations to still decide to take Shen Menghui in as a disciple showed just how great his talents were.
Shen Menghui carefully picked the Dark Wine Fruits. Despite putting the nearby monkeys to sleep, he didn't dare to act carelessly lest he wake some of them and get trapped in their siege.
While people were watching him pick these fruits, someone else shouted: "Fiercest is here!"
People turned their heads. Sure enough, a palanquin was being carried closer. They saw Li Qiye sitting on it and didn't dare to share their thoughts.
Li Qiye posed there like a supreme Devil King with an evil flame capable of shattering the sky. Each of his gestures could destroy gods and devils. Even his gaze affected the temperament of this world.
People quickly retreated like a tide since they didn't dare to be close to him. Those with weaker cultivations felt their legs trembling and even had the urge to kneel.
Even though he was in his Devil King form, everyone knew that it was Li Qiye sitting up there just like how he used to be Evil Buddha a while ago.
"In our generation, only Fiercest would enjoy such great treatment." Even an eternal existence was impressed by Li Qiye's style on top of the palanquin.
Of course, envy was in the air. Jealousy ran even more rampant among the younger generation. The Sword Goddess and extremely pretty beauties were acting as palanquin bearers. Just how domineering was this behavior? Such romantic luck drove others red-eyed insane from jealousy. Only Fiercest had the ability to act like this in this day and age.
Li Qiye was in repose and let the girls carry him into the forest. All the dark monkeys jumped down and kneeled on the ground the moment he entered. It was a grand scene. At this time, the horde of monkeys could only prostrate to worship the supreme Devil King.
This sudden change made Shen Menghui jump from shock because even the monkeys that were mesmerized by him woke up right away and joined the ceremony. He didn't dare to linger and decisively left the forest to avoid being surrounded by the monkeys.
He stood outside of the forest and watched Li Qiye's back as Li Qiye was carried into the forest, a scowl on his face. His eyes turned cold while gritting his teeth and clenching his fists. Nevertheless, he refrained from doing anything.
Even though he had never seen Li Qiye before, in his mind, the guy had always been his enemy and the enemy of his kingdom!
For every disciple in the Azure Mysterious Kingdom, Li Qiye was their eternal foe. It was a feud beyond reconciliation.
He had killed too many of their kin and even the previous main descendant. The most frustrating part was that he even stole their imperial life weapon, the Imperial Violet Hammer. Getting a defining weapon stolen was a huge humiliation for any imperial lineage. Vengeance must be obtained for their kingdom.
"Buzz!" Not long after Li Qiye entered the forest, a mirror suddenly emerged in the sky. A holy light poured down on Li Qiye's location.
This development left the girls with serious expressions. They were ready to attack at a moment's notice. However, nothing else happened after the holy light fell down.
"Fools." Li Qiye batted his eyes and murmured: "Thinking that I'm a fake Devil King, so they want to disperse my evil aura with that holy light."
So it turned out that someone among the crowd secretly used a treasure to illuminate Li Qiye with a holy light. Everyone here knew that Li Qiye was a fake, so someone wanted to ruin his disguise. Once the dark monkeys discovered that Li Qiye was not a Devil King, he would be torn into pieces by their endless numbers.
It could be said that whoever tried to do this was truly cruel. He wanted to push Li Qiye to his death. However, this holy light was essentially ineffective. Outsiders didn't know that Li Qiye was capable of pretending to be Heaven Relinquish due to his devil heart, not just because of his engulfing evil aura.
At this time, the girls carried the palanquin back. Li Qiye slowly turned around with a sweeping glare.
"Shit, which idiot was it?" Many people were quivering in fear and quickly retreated after seeing Li Qiye turning back.
Some people even raised both hands and cried out: "Young Noble Li, it wasn't me!"
The crowd was pale with fear. Who didn't know about Fiercest's notoriety? This was someone who would massacre a whole race after an unfriendly exchange. The Blood-devil Tribe being slaughtered by him was the best and most recent example.
"Who did it? Come out now, don't make Young Noble Li take action himself." Even the expressions of those from the previous generation paled.
Who could stop Fiercest once he began to rampage? Even a God-Monarch was child's play to him, let alone them.
Shen Menghui was shocked at this moment and looked around as well. People were walking backward to maintain a safe distance. Some even raised both of their hands to show their innocence.
No one dared to escape, however. Once they ran, they would instantly become suspect and there would be no chance for absolution. It wasn't a big deal to be killed by Li Qiye, but if this Fiercest fella decided to bring his anger to their sect as well and start a massacre, then they would be the eternal sinner of their sect.
"I am a reasonable person, come out now and admit your mistake. It is not too late." Li Qiye spoke softly while sitting on his palanquin.
The crowd kept staring at each other, but no one dared to speak up. Eventually, people started yelling: "Whoever did it just come out, don't bring everyone else down with you."
But who would come out at this moment? It was clear as day to everyone that it would be a suicidal move.
"It seems like I have to wash my hands with blood to remind some people about what I can do." Li Qiye's eyes turned cold and he immediately stood straight up.
In the blink of an eye, his terrifying evil flames surged and turned into black wings. They spread, seemingly capable of blotting out the world. At this moment he was a supreme Devil King with complete control over life and death!
"Young Noble Li, it definitely wasn't us! It must be some insidious wretches around here!" Countless people were scared out of their minds. It's not like they hadn't seen Li Qiye's ruthless means before. The cowardly and weak were frightened enough to kneel on the ground. They couldn't handle the terrifying pressure of the evil energy.
The crowd was silently cursing all the ancestors of whoever tried to scheme against Li Qiye just now. This was simply dragging them down as well! They were nothing but fishes in a barrel if Li Qiye decided to unleash his wrath! The pale crowd didn't want to die here, but they didn't dare to run either!
Li Qiye glanced at the group and slowly spoke: "Suyao."
Mei Suyao acknowledged the command and her figure flashed. "Bang!" Next, someone was thrown to the ground.
"Pop!" Her palm flipped and easily took out a treasure mirror from the person's fate palace before throwing it down on the ground.
The paled suspect was lying on the ground, petrified.
After seeing the person's clothes, someone immediately commented: "A disciple from the Azure Mysterious Ancient Kingdom." In just a second, people glanced over at Shen Menghui.
Chapter 1072: Azure Mysterious Eight Ancestors
Due to her innate Immortal Bone, such a method couldn't deceive her eyes, so she was able to instantly catch the hidden perpetrator.
The crowd heaved a sigh of relief after seeing the person being caught. It would have been miserable if Li Qiye took it out on them.
They didn't want to say anything after seeing the perpetrator from the ancient kingdom. Earlier, the group was secretly cursing the perpetrator and wanted nothing more than to kick him to the front. But now, they really didn't want to offend the ancient kingdom. It was still a sect with two emperors. Moreover, their descendant, Shen Menghui, was right here.
The captured disciple was pale and horrified. Li Qiye was a mortal enemy of his kingdom. As its disciple, he naturally had the responsibility to eliminate Li Qiye. Thus, after Li Qiye entered the forest, he wanted to reveal Li Qiye's fake identity as a Devil King so that he would fall prey to the dark monkeys. This would have been a great contribution. Alas, he didn't expect that his method was useless. Li Qiye remained unaffected while Mei Suyao caught him.
Shen Menghui was startled as well. This was adding a formidable enemy to the kingdom.
"An imperial lineage having to resort to this type of scheme…" Li Qiye was too lazy to care and commanded: "Since you dared to move against me, learn the taste of death. Slay him."
After hearing this, the crowd could finally breathe easy. They no longer needed to be the scapegoat.
In the face of death, this disciple didn't care for anything else and yelled: "First Brother, save me…!"
Shen Menghui's expression darkened. He quickly walked to the front and shouted: "Wait!"
As the ancient kingdom's descendant, he couldn't stand and watch as a disciple from his kingdom was publicly executed. Moreover, this disciple had asked him for help. If he didn't do anything now and just watched the execution, how could he maintain his place in this world? How could other disciples trust and respect him?
"What, you want to save him?" Li Qiye averted his gaze and spoke dismissively.
Chen Menghui took a deep breath and bowed towards Li Qiye: "Sir, our disciple was ignorant and has offended you, please forgive him."
He knew full well that Li Qiye was a sworn enemy of their sect, but at this point, he had to acquiesce. There was a great saying — as long as the verdant hills remain, there is no lack of firewood. He just needed to endure this anger and bow to the enemy.
"Forgive him? Is it so simple?" Li Qiye spoke dismissively while sitting up high.
Shen Menghui took a deep breath and replied: "Our kingdom is willing to compensate for the disrespect. Just say the words and we will try our best."
"I am someone who does not show mercy to those who want to kill me." Li Qiye smiled: "However, since you are showing such sincerity, I will be a nice guy just once. Bring Immortal Emperor Qing Xuan's true treasure here and I shall spare him."
Shen Menghui's expression soured after hearing this. This was blatant extortion! An emperor's true treasure was a priceless item, the defining treasure of their Azure Mysterious Ancient Kingdom.
Not to mention a common disciple, maybe even a descendant like him was not worth a true treasure.
"Sir, this is unreasonable extortion." Shen Menghui deepened his tone. 1
"Unreasonable?" Li Qiye smiled: "In my eyes, imperial true treasures are no different from scrap metal, but your disciple wished death upon me. Is my life only worth one true treasure? I am willing to forgive him only because you are young yet still possess some sensibility."
At this time, no one dared to interject or utter a single comment. This disciple from the ancient kingdom almost made everyone here die. It was already nice of them not to teach him a lesson, let alone speak on his behalf.
Li Qiye waved his sleeve and coldly declared: "Kill him."
Shen Menghui was startled. If Li Qiye actually killed a member of his sect right now at this key moment, he would appear to be incompetent.
"Sir, everyone should take a step back and enjoy the high sky and vast sea. We are willing to offer a Virtuous Paragon's treasure for his life. As long as Sir is willing to forgive him, everything will be fine." Shen Menghui spoke with a sour expression: "Sir, you do not need to create another powerful enemy for yourself. The grand dao is long, having one more friend is not as good as having one less enemy."
Li Qiye stared at him and smirked: "Are you saying that being enemies with your ancient kingdom is me courting death?"
Li Qiye laughed and glanced at him casually to say: "Earlier, I thought you were a smart prodigy. But now, I don't know what to say to you except for one thing: the Azure Mysterious Ancient Kingdom is nothing in my eyes!"
Such words were full of disdain for the ancient kingdom. However, the present was completely different from the past; who would dare to mock Fiercest Li Qiye nowadays?
Shen Menghui's expression turned ugly at Li Qiye's response. How could he, the kingdom's successor, quell this anger rising from inside?
"Sir, our kingdom is a lineage with two emperors, not just anyone can knead it or take a bite." His cold expression was accompanied by a tough attitude.
"A lineage with two emperors is nothing to be proud of." Mei Suyao slowly interjected. Her demeanor was natural without any arrogance. She simply used the most ordinary tone to state the truth.
Alas, she was still transcendent and extraordinary, like a fairy lost in the mortal world. Her words were as pleasant as immortal hymns, but her plain response left people breathless. Who could act arrogant after hearing Mei Suyao say this? Regardless of their own noble upbringing and background, they were not worth mentioning compared to Mei Suyao's own.
Not to mention that she was from the Eternal River School, a sect with three emperors, she herself was enough to carry herself with pride across the land. In the eyes of many, the low-profile Mei Suyao was even more powerful than Jikong Wudi!
They naturally felt that she was qualified to make such a statement. Moreover, her words were without embellishment or underlying intents.
Shen Menghui was tongue-tied by her claim. He felt his face burning like he’d been slapped.
"Kill." Li Qiye lowered his glare and commanded: "Kill anyone who tries to save him as well."
Shen Menghui's expression took a turn for the worse. He was currently riding a tiger and had to follow through with saving the disciple. However, not to mention Li Qiye, he wasn't even a match for Mei Suyao standing in front of him. The wiser choice, alas, would leave him with a stained reputation.
"Who dares to kill my kingdom's disciple!" At this second, eight figures descended from the sky. A terrifying aura swept through the world, causing people to shudder uncontrollably.
The eight old men immediately stood in front of Shen Menghui. They were quite aged and didn't have much time left, but the auras exuding from their bodies were still quite formidable.
Someone blurted out: "Azure Mysterious nine ancestors, no, eight ancestors."
The crowd quickly created a gap between themselves and these old men because they knew a battle was about to begin.
"Ancestors…" Shen Menghui was ecstatic to see the eight ancestors and became relieved.
The ancient kingdom had a group referred to as the Nine Ancestors. These were nine extremely powerful beings. Of course, it didn't include the most powerful one, the Divine Ancestor.
However, there were only eight left in this group because back at the Heavenly Corpse Burial Ground, the eighth ancestor died to Li Qiye's hands.
It was precisely for this reason that the two sides had an irreconcilable feud.
"You are Li Qiye…" One of the eight ancestors coldly glared at Li Qiye who was sitting haughtily on his palanquin.
"And?" Li Qiye gave him a look.
Another ancestor threatened: "Junior, it is not too late to let go of our disciple. Otherwise, you shall suffer the consequences."
The ancestors naturally wanted to kill Li Qiye. However, they weren't completely confident.
Li Qiye didn't want to waste his breath with these ancestors and commanded: "Too much nonsense, kill him."
The eight ancestors weren't happy with this response. They were famous characters that were treated with respect no matter where they went, but right now, even though they were personally here, Li Qiye didn't give them any consideration at all. It was simply a slap to their faces.
"Goddess Mei, you must think twice." Another of the eight ancestors stepped up and raised his voice.
Suddenly, the atmosphere was tense to the extreme. The crowd moved even further away from the inevitable battlefield. Once they were at a safe distance, their apprehension turned into an eagerness to watch the fight that caught the breath in their throats.
The idiom is talking big like a lion, meaning starting with an exceedingly unreasonable demand; it also describes a greedy person. ↩