Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Although the Divine Method of Thousand Changes and Transformations lacked lethal power, it was extremely practical. It was solely because of this Divine Method that Su Han had been able to move with ease under the Demon-Slaying Order. After leaving the Seven Stars Sect, he quickly fled far away.

「Several days later」

Su Han arrived in Ning Country once again. It was Ning Feifan’s homeland and also the first place Su Han had stopped after leaving the Tianqing Dynasty. Ning Country was a small nation, even smaller than the Tianqing Dynasty, and ranked at the very bottom among the many powers in Qingzhou. With a sparse population and few powerful experts, it was the perfect place for secluded cultivation.

Instead of seeking out some deserted wilderness, Su Han went directly to the capital of Ning Country. Although the city was not as magnificent as other Imperial Capitals, it was still densely populated and bustling. Using the Divine Method of Thousand Changes and Transformations to assume the appearance of an ordinary Martial Artist, Su Han purchased a courtyard within the city and began to live a reclusive life.

He understood the truth in the saying that the best way to hide a drop of water is to merge it with the ocean. If he secluded himself in a remote wilderness, any fluctuations from his cultivation would draw attention. It was far better to cultivate in this densely populated area.

First, let’s take stock of the spoils!

Not rushing into secluded cultivation, Su Han took out Zi Qiong’s Storage Ring to tally his loot. Although Zi Qiong was merely a follower of the Tian Lou Saint, she was still a prodigy from a holy land and a top genius featured on the Prodigy Roll. As such, she was considerably wealthy. The treasures within her Storage Ring were of an extremely high Grade. The Spirit Stones were all Superior Grade, completely devoid of any Intermediate or Low Grade ones. Furthermore, the Elixirs and Talismans were also remarkable, and the Earth Thunder Dao Sword had also fallen into his hands.

Beyond these, Su Han discovered another treasure.

SWISH!

With a grasp of his hand, a palm-sized piece of Purple Jade appeared. The jade was uncarved yet seemed naturally perfect. Within it, strands of purple aura flowed, a mesmerizing sight. Yet Su Han’s heart pounded, for the pressure emanating from this Purple Jade was not of the Supreme Realm, but of the Saint Realm. This indicated that it was a treasure bestowed by a Saint, similar in nature to the Supreme Thunder Pearl but far more potent.

If she had activated this Purple Jade, I’m afraid I would have been the one to die. Su Han’s expression was grave, a lingering fear in his heart.

The Saint Realm was an entirely different concept from the Supreme Realm. Experts in the Saint Realm had touched upon the power of time and wielded tremendous Might with every action, far beyond what ordinary people could withstand. Ten warriors at the Ninth Layer of the Supreme Realm could not defeat a single cultivator who had just broken through to the First Layer of the Saint Realm; such was the disparity between them.

However, now that Zi Qiong was dead, this Purple Jade had become his spoil of war. Although it bore a Saint’s imprint, making it difficult for outsiders to activate, Su Han possessed the Secret of the Soldier Character. After a brief attempt, he found that he could indeed activate it.

With this Purple Jade, I might even have a chance of killing Ye Chuanfeng!

Joy gleamed in Su Han’s eyes. He was eager to test it immediately but restrained himself. He only had this one piece of Purple Jade. If he failed to kill Ye Chuanfeng, his whereabouts would be exposed, placing him in grave danger. Only by preserving his own life could he hope for revenge, so he had to be cautious.

After carefully storing the Purple Jade in his Bronze Ring, Su Han took out the Nine Palace Golden Pagoda with even greater care. Forged from Holy Gold and shrouded in myriad rays of light, it had nine layers corresponding to the nine palaces. It emanated an intense Holy Might—this was the Nine Palace Golden Pagoda.

This was a genuine Holy Artifact. Although it was only a Low Grade Holy Artifact, it was incomparable to any Magic Artifact or Dao Artifact, for it contained not Dao Rhyme, but the Power of Laws. Laws are a manifestation of the great Dao; above Laws are rules, and above rules is the Dao itself. Mastering a complete Law allows one to undergo Tribulation Transcendence and ascend to godhood, a testament to the might of the Power of Laws.

This Nine Palace Golden Pagoda possessed Attributes of both Metal and Earth. It had not only the sharpness of metal but also the weightiness of earth, like a great golden mountain capable of suppressing all things in heaven and earth. Moreover, each layer was inscribed with a unique ancient character corresponding to one of the nine palaces.

The Nine Palace Golden Pagoda seemed to possess the dual functions of suppression and sealing. Unfortunately, even with the Secret of the Soldier Character, Su Han could not activate it at will. After all, it was a Holy Artifact, and his current strength paled in comparison.

BOOM!

Suddenly, an aura as sharp as metal and as divine as a spirit burst forth from the Nine Palace Golden Pagoda. It formed a giant golden sword that thrust fiercely toward Su Han’s brow, intent on piercing his sea of consciousness.

Divine Sense Stellar!

Startled, Su Han quickly circulated his Divine Sense to defend, simultaneously employing the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art and the Secret of the Soldier Character. He successfully blocked the Golden Giant Sword, but an unfamiliar voice echoed from within it.

”You dare to snatch this Saint Heir’s treasure? Such audacity! There is nowhere in this world for you to run!”

The voice was grand and commanding, like a deity from the Golden Divine Hall delivering a rebuke, crushing Su Han with immense pressure.

The Tian Lou Saint! Su Han’s heart lurched as he guessed the speaker’s identity.

The Nine Palace Golden Pagoda had been temporarily lent to Ye Chuanfeng by the Tian Lou Saint, so it naturally bore his Divine Sense imprint. Su Han’s attempt to activate it had triggered this imprint, which nearly pierced his sea of consciousness. It was terrifyingly powerful.

So what if he’s a Saint Heir? Once I annihilate this Divine Sense imprint, the Nine Palace Golden Pagoda will be mine.

Judging from the brief clash, the Tian Lou Saint was exceedingly fearsome. A mere Divine Sense imprint he left behind had almost destroyed Su Han’s sea of consciousness. If the man himself were to act, it would be unimaginably more terrifying. But Su Han cultivated the Invincible Tao Xin and would not fear any enemy. It did not matter if it was the Tian Lou Saint or even a true Saint.

However, this Divine Sense imprint could not be erased in a short time, and Su Han was not in a rush. He flipped his hand, storing the Nine Palace Golden Pagoda back in the Bronze Ring. Then, his Divine Sense entered the ring to take inventory of the spoils from the Seven Stars Sect’s treasury.

Although there were no Holy Artifacts, there were Supreme Grade Dao Artifacts and Supreme Grade Dao Elixirs. Even 80,000 of the 100,000 Supreme Grade Spirit Stones that Su Han had previously turned over were there. It was clear Ye Chuanfeng had been treating the Seven Stars Sect’s treasury as his personal coffers. This raid, though extremely risky, had yielded unprecedented rewards. The Purple Jade and the Nine Palace Golden Pagoda alone had netted Su Han a fortune.

My strength is still not enough. I must become stronger!

Su Han felt a strong sense of urgency, a deep longing for greater power.

SWISH!

He reached out, retrieved Zi Qiong’s corpse, and activated the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art to devour and refine it. Passively waiting for death was not his style. He would grow stronger and then take his revenge on them, one by one.

「While Su Han was in secluded cultivation」

Ye Chuanfeng received the news and rushed back to the Seven Stars Sect. When he saw the empty treasury, he ground his teeth nearly to dust, his eyes spewing towering flames of rage.

”Su Han, I will hunt you to the highest heavens and the deepest Underworld! I will kill you!”