Evolution Begins With A Big Tree

Chapter 978, Demon Palace: The Court of Demons

Translator:  Ashish

Translation Checker: Silavin

At this moment, Yu Zi Yu was unaware that his very existence had already become a source of endless admiration for the younger generation.

Even if he knew, he likely would not have been bothered by it.

After all, the gap between their levels was insurmountable.

Only beings at Tier-6 or even Tier-7 would be worthy of his attention if they held such admiration.

…

Suddenly…

*Booooooom…* With a thunderous roar, clouds in the deepest part of the Celestial Realm began to churn violently.

From within the swirling clouds, an opulent palace, seemingly sculpted from pure white jade, began to rise from the surface.

It was really rising.

This was the Palace of the Demon Court, a structure painstakingly constructed over many years. It symbolized ultimate sovereignty and represented the highest authority.

And this palace had but one Master, the Lord of the Demon Court—Divine Tree.

“We humbly welcome our Master!”

“We humbly welcome our Master…”

…

A resonating chorus echoed across the Heavens as the grand palace, suspended amidst the clouds, unfurled staircase after staircase.

Each step was veiled in ethereal mist, seemingly formed from the very essence of condensed clouds. The entire spectacle radiated an aura of divinity and mysticism.

Standing midair, Yu Zi Yu could not help but pause, momentarily stunned by the breathtaking sight before him.

He had not expected that after only a brief tour of the Celestial Realm, figures like Nine Tails and Sarcosuchus had already prepared such a grand surprise for him.

While this palace might not rival the Celestial Palace of the Heavenly Court in sheer extravagance, which was built with all its hidden resources, it was unmatched in grandeur.

This was thanks to its intricate design: a nine-story palace floating atop the clouds. Each layer shimmered with radiant twinkles, exuding an ethereal beauty. At its summit, a roof adorned with layered eaves and beautiful pillars graced its summit, where the shadows of Dragons and Phoenixes danced in majestic arcs.

If one listened carefully, they could even hear piercing cries that seemed to rend the Heavens.

*Screech… Screech… Screech…* High-pitched cries reverberated one after another, commanding awe.

Looking toward the source, Yu Zi Yu recognized the familiar figure of the long-absent Peregrine Falcons.

Unlike the fist-sized ordinary birds they once were, these Peregrine Falcons had transformed into formidable creatures of fearsome majesty and beauty.

Their black feathers shimmered with a faint, otherworldly glow. Their hooked beaks exuded defiance and power.

Though still the size of a fist, each Peregrine Falcon tore through the sky, leaving trails of immense white airwaves dozens of meters wide in their wake.

These intertwining airwaves formed the words ‘Welcome’ in bold script across the skies.

Yet, this was only part of the spectacle.

Another piercing screech rang out, this one carrying an unparalleled majesty.

Yu Zi Yu’s gaze sharpened, his expression tinged with surprise, simply because, behind the nine-tiered palace, a massive black shadow began to rise slowly.

Its head was pitch-black and resembled a Phoenix. Its fan-shaped wings spread out like the dark diadem  of a monarch, radiating an aura of regal authority and unmatched dominance.

When the Phoenix spread its wings, the colossal shadow it cast seemed to engulf the palace entirely.

At its tail, feathers shaped like butterfly wings swayed gently, creating an illusion of stars sliding off their edges. These stars vanished gradually, leaving behind cold, solitary trails in the void.

For a moment, the entire palace seemed shrouded in a mysterious veil, illuminated by the faint starlight.

“Dark… Phoenix?” Yu Zi Yu murmured, his tone laced with curiosity and awe.

This figure bore a striking resemblance to the Demonic Phoenix he had encountered in the past, sharing about 70–80% of her characteristics.

However, upon closer inspection, this Phoenix appeared even more refined, aloof and elegant.

It exuded an unapproachable majesty, its form edging closer to that of a true Phoenix—noble and unparalleled, like the ultimate manifestation of a Dark Phoenix.

“M-Master…” A soft, reverent voice echoed from the horizon as the colossal Dark Phoenix lowered her head slightly in a respectful gesture.

Moments later, another high-pitched cry pierced the air.

*Screeeeeech…* As the ethereal sound faded, a symphony of cries echoed in its wake.

*Screech, screech, screech…*

*Chirp, chirp, chirp…*

…

One after another, the resonant calls overlapped, filling Heaven with a cacophony of bird songs.

Turning toward the source, one could see countless Mutant Birds soaring into the sky.

They flapped their wings vigorously, their cries overlapping in a chaotic yet celebratory harmony.

It was unclear whether they were celebrating or offering a grand welcome.

In that instant, the entire sky darkened, consumed by the sheer mass of Mutant Birds.

And the one they were welcoming was none other than the slender, radiant white figure in the distance—Yu Zi Yu.

“This humble servant anticipated Master’s return, and so today, I lead the Sky Legion to present this grand spectacle of ‘Ten Thousand Birds Paying Homage’ in your honor,” a soft, melodious voice resonated in Yu Zi Yu’s mind, bringing a slight smile to his lips.

[As expected, even my return had been fully anticipated. Impressive, really impressive!]

Silently marveling in his mind, Yu Zi Yu smiled faintly and responded, “You’ve done well.”

With that, he stepped forward, heading directly toward the floating Demon Palace above the clouds.

*Tap, tap, tap…* Each step he took landed gracefully upon a staircase of clouds.

At this point, Yu Zi Yu realized the staircase was actually an Artifact crafted from condensed clouds. It appeared to be a Tier-5 Artifact, capable of creating a staircase of 999 steps leading to Heaven.

This Artifact, along with several similar creations, supported the entirety of the Demon Palace in the sky.

“This must be the handiwork of Old Nineth…” A soft sigh escaped Yu Zi Yu’s lips as he climbed the staircase.

Despite his unhurried steps, his figure blurred, and within mere breaths, he stood at the entrance of the Demon Palace.

This phenomenon was due to one of the seven Minor Divine Ability of the Heavenly Palace—Phantom Shift.

Though it appeared as an elegant and unhurried gait, it was a profound technique. It allowed one to evade attacks while accumulating Spiritual Energy and even left behind afterimages to mislead opponents.

…

At the entrance, as Yu Zi Yu lifted his gaze slowly, he was met with a breathtaking sight: Brilliant Phoenixes seemed to dance above crimson gates, and mighty golden-scaled Dragons with fiery-red whiskers coiled around the towering pillars.

Although these were mere carvings, their lifelike artistry was striking.

At a glance, one could almost feel the vibrant presence of Phoenixes and Dragons surging toward them.

“From these gates, I can sense the lingering auras of Demonic Phoenix and Ice Flood Dragon…” With this subtle realization, Yu Zi Yu’s thoughts deepened.

[Even the gates bore traces of their aura. These guys must have poured a lot of time and effort into the construction of this Demon Palace. No wonder Nine Tails insisted that I ascend the Heavenly staircase step by step and take my place upon the throne at the heart of the palace.]

[In the past, the Demonic Court was nothing more than a name, lacking formality and grandeur. But now, thanks to the relentless dedication of Nine Tails, Sarcosuchus, and others, the Demonic Court has transformed into the Court of Demons—a supreme presence among the starry skies, fully deserving its place as one of the most elite Forces in existence.]