Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Su Han had not expected that Tongyan, in healing her injuries, would not only recover but also seem to gain new insights, putting her on the verge of a breakthrough.

At this moment, Tongyan sat cross-legged, her demeanor as solemn and dignified as a Bodhisattva in a temple, evoking a sense of reverence that prevented any profane thoughts. Her skin glowed, translucent and lustrous. Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall to her waist, each strand glistening. Behind her, the Destiny Physique materialized, mysterious and holy, like the avatar of a goddess. Rainbows, like ribbons, swirled around her, sanctifying her presence even further.

WHOOSH! Simultaneously, the Phenomenon of Life and Death Reincarnation spontaneously appeared. One black and one white, the forces revolved as if they were about to transform into true reincarnation, governing the rebirth of all living creatures.

BOOM! A powerful aura burst forth from within Tongyan, sweeping in all directions and subjecting even Su Han to a strong sense of pressure. Tongyan had broken through, reaching the Second Layer of the Heavenly King Realm, but it seemed this was not the end. She continued her closed-eye cultivation with no sign of awakening, yet her aura kept soaring as if it would pierce the heavens and reach the clouds above.

Destiny is a profound concept, invisible to the common eye. However, at this moment, red lines like silk threads enveloped Tongyan, making her look like a goddess of destiny. This was her own destiny, so rich that it granted her fortune’s favor, ensuring good luck in all endeavors and making opportunities readily available. While the Qi Holy Body might not be the strongest, it was certainly something countless people yearned for. Who wouldn’t wish for their luck to defy the heavens, for success to come easily, perhaps even attaining enlightenment while asleep?

These red threads of light propelled Tongyan, making her aura even stronger. Finally, she broke through once again, reaching the Heavenly King Realm Third Layer.

At that moment, the intense red light swiftly condensed, ultimately forming an ethereal longsword. This sword, formed from destiny, was exceptionally mystical. The Destiny Physique reached out and grasped the Sword of Destiny, while the energies of Life and Death Reincarnation, one black and one white, swirled around its blade. With a single slash, a CRACK echoed, as if something had been cleaved through. Immediately after, Su Han was shocked to find that Tongyan’s aura surged once more, shattering its bottleneck and reaching the Heavenly King Realm Fourth Level.

From the First Layer of the Heavenly King Realm to the Heavenly King Realm Fourth Level, Tongyan had broken through three realms in just one minute. Furthermore, her realm was incredibly stable, without a hint of instability.

This… this is inconceivable! If not for witnessing it himself, Su Han would never have believed such a thing was possible.

But that was the extent of it. The Sword of Destiny gradually dissipated, the Destiny Physique and the Phenomenon of Life and Death Reincarnation dimmed, and eventually, everything vanished. Tongyan’s aura finally stabilized. After a long while, she slowly opened her eyes, their strikingly clear pupils radiating a dazzling light.

”It turns out I was on the wrong path all along,” Tongyan sighed and murmured to herself. ”I used to think that by seizing other people’s destinies, my own would strengthen. I didn’t realize that everyone’s destiny is different. Seizing too many diverse destinies from others actually corrupted my own, causing me to experience nothing but setbacks.

”Using the Light of Destiny this time to exhaust all the destinies I had seized actually caused my own to burst forth, allowing me to break through three realms in succession.”

This time, Tongyan had truly turned a misfortune into a blessing. Everyone has a greedy side, and she was no exception. She had seized the destinies of many geniuses, thinking it would make her stronger, but it had turned out to be a stumbling block instead. It was a pity she had not realized this before and had been unwilling to let go of the destinies she had taken. In using the Light of Destiny to save Su Han, she had inadvertently found her true path. It was precisely because of this that she was able to break through three realms and achieve her current strength.

”My own destiny is like my Original Body—it cannot be adulterated with any impurities. From now on, the destinies of others will be condensed to become my weapon. This way, I can ensure the purity of my own destiny while also performing special destiny-related techniques!”

A flash of inspiration struck Tongyan’s mind; she had figured it all out. Now, not only had her strength increased, but her understanding of the Great Dao had also greatly improved. Like Su Han, she was at the Enlightenment Stage.

RUMBLE! At that moment, the world shook as if a terrifying earthquake had erupted, but the disturbance was fleeting and caused no harm.

”The Dragon Palace Ruins are about to close. We have only ten days left. Once the time is up, we will be forcibly ejected,” Tongyan, who knew a great deal about the ruins, explained to Su Han.

The Dragon Palace Ruins opened once every millennium, and each opening lasted only three months. Now, most of that time had passed, leaving only the final ten days. Still, both Su Han and Tongyan had already made enormous gains. Not only had Tongyan broken through to the Heavenly King Realm, but she had also comprehended her own path, reaching the Heavenly King Realm Fourth Level. Su Han’s gains were even greater. He had seized the opportunities at all three major locations—Dragon Blood Mountain, Enlightenment Cliff, and Dragon Burial Valley. Compared to when he had first arrived, he was now more than ten times stronger.

But this was not enough.

Su Han and Tongyan exchanged a glance, each seeing the ambition in the other’s eyes. In the Dragon Palace Ruins, the most dangerous and opportune place was the Core Area, where the famed Dragon Transformation Pool was located. Top contenders like Tian Lou Saint and Jun Zhantian had all come for the Dragon Transformation Pool. That was the greatest opportunity the ruins had to offer. The next time the Dragon Palace Ruins opened would be a thousand years from now. By then, the world would have changed immensely, and no one could guarantee what their circumstances would be. Having come this far, they would live with immense regret if they didn’t give it their all.

Furthermore, Su Han had now reached the Heavenly King Realm. With the Ghostly Face Mask, he was comparable in power to an expert at the Heavenly King Realm Fourth Level or the Fifth Layer of the Heavenly King Realm. Tongyan, meanwhile, had directly broken through three realms to reach the Heavenly King Realm Fourth Level. With their combined strength, they could barely set foot in the Core Area. Although they were not yet on par with the likes of Tian Lou Saint, they still had a glimmer of hope.

”Since we’re here, we will regret it for life if we don’t go see the Dragon Transformation Pool,” Su Han said first, expressing his thoughts. He had already overcome one of his three bottlenecks. If he could seize the fortune of the Dragon Transformation Pool, perhaps he could break through another. Shying away was not in his nature. Even though the area was teeming with top geniuses and fraught with immense danger, he was fearless. Besides, with both the Tian Lou Saint and the number one assassin of the Demon Slayer Sect present, how could Su Han not go? Advancing relentlessly and facing challenges head-on—that was Su Han’s true character.

”In these last ten days, let us join forces and brave it together. I believe destiny will be on our side!” Tongyan said with a smile, equally unwilling to show weakness and eager to fight for a chance at the Dragon Transformation Pool.

”Let’s go!”

Swiftly, Su Han and Tongyan left Dragon Burial Valley and joined forces, heading directly for the Core Area.

Tian Lou Saint, I’m coming for you!