Vol 5 Chapter 72: Using the Demon Emperor as a Practice Dummy

The intelligence brought back by the prodigies left the Seeking the Way cultivators momentarily stunned. Originally, the Tianyuan Realm had sent its Golden Ranking prodigies to the Origin Realm with the simple goal of locating the Cultivation Alliance and securing Tianyuan's membership to gain their support.

Yet now, one prodigy claimed that Tianyuan would not only oppose the Heavenly Demon Realm but also snatch resources from the Cultivation Alliance's grasp? Damn it all! Even these seasoned Seeking the Way experts felt their scalps tingle at this audacity. That brat truly knew no restraint.

"Youran, what exactly is the situation in the Origin Realm?" The Second Ancient Emperor questioned the Ancient Clan princess. "How does Lin Jing dare oppose both the Cultivation Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Sect simultaneously? Has he gone mad?"

Gu Youran glanced around before explaining, "Imperial Father, when we first arrived, the Origin Realm's power structure could be divided among four supreme factions: the Heavenly Demon Sect, the Cultivation Alliance, and two territories ruled by native spirit beasts—the Star Dust Realm and the Vast Sea."

"The strength of Nascent Soul Transformation cultivators in the Origin Realm can be categorized into five tiers."

"The fifth tier comprises ordinary divine physique cultivators. Even top-tier physiques like the Lunar Yin Physique or Solar Physique are considered merely average talents there..."

"The fourth tier consists of some native spirit beasts—an unexpected force. Due to the Origin Realm's dense natural energy, even the weakest among them surpass most divine physique cultivators."

"The third tier includes those who've achieved Postnatal Immortal Physiques through various means. Both Imperial Brother and I belong here, along with spirit beasts possessing superior talent or heritage."

"The second tier holds those with Innate Immortal Physiques. Yan Yunshuang, head of the Cultivation Alliance's Administration Hall, represents this tier with his Innate Five Thunder Immortal Physique, commanding five special immortal thunders. Other notable beings include the sentient Mountain of Lewd Sacrifices and Lady Nethersoil, who controls the Origin Realm's fundamental death energy."

"As for the strongest—Li Tianyi, Young Alliance Master of the Cultivation Alliance, possesses the supreme Chaotic Immortal Physique. Sheng Kun, the Demon Sect's Sacred Son, boasts perfect Lu Clan bloodline and dual immortal physiques from body seizures. Then there's the Meteor Spirit Beast, ruler of the Star Dust Realm—having remained at Nascent Soul Transformation for millennia with abundant rare beast divine abilities—and the Sea Spirit Beast of the Vast Sea. These four are known as the Origin Realm's Four Heavenly Kings."

"We initially underestimated the Origin Realm's situation. Tianyuan's forces would normally struggle to compete for even the most basic Origin Sources..." Gu Youran's words left the Seeking the Way cultivators speechless. Though aware of Tianyuan's relative weakness in the cosmos, hearing of Chaotic Immortal Physiques and dual-physique demons still shocked them.

What monstrous existences! Could even Void Mystical Stage experts easily defeat such prodigies?

The Seeking the Way cultivators now understood why their disciples had returned early. Competing with those prodigies would've been futile.

"So currently, the strongest among you only reach the third tier?" Even talents like the Sun Temple's Buddhist disciple ranked fourth or fifth—bottom-tier existences.

"What about Lin Jing?" The Demon Emperor inquired. "He relies on his Longevity Body's endurance, but I've heard of no spirit beast kings in the Origin Realm—don't they also possess longevity?"

"His current strength should rival Innate Immortal Physiques," the Second Ancient Emperor mused. "Nothing else explains such audacity."

Gu Youran smiled wryly. "Imperial Father, Lin Jing..."

"Years ago, the Meteor Spirit Beast attacked Sheng Kun, forcing his retreat from the Origin Realm."

"When the Sea Spirit Beast assaulted the Cultivation Alliance's capital, Li Tianyi withdrew. Meanwhile, Lin Jing repelled the Sea Spirit Beast with celestial beast remains and rogue cultivators."

"That's when we learned he'd already subdued dozens of native spirit beasts including Lady Nethersoil and the Mountain of Lewd Sacrifices... forming the Heaven-Earth Sect."

"By then, his strength likely equaled the Four Heavenly Kings."

"And before we left, he'd even subdued the Meteor Spirit Beast."

"With Li Tianyi and Sheng Kun eliminated, the Meteor Spirit Beast submitting, and the Sea Spirit Beast alone incapable of causing waves, Lin Jing has essentially become the Origin Realm's undisputed ruler... His incarnations have seized both a Slaughter Immortal Physique and the Dark Emperor—a spirit beast second only to the Meteor and Sea Spirit Beasts—granting him power rivaling the Demon Sect's Sacred Son."

"Thus, Tianyuan's plan to monopolize Origin Realm resources... has already... begun implementation. Lin Jing wasn't seeking our counsel... but rather... issuing a notice."

Silence gripped the Seeking the Way cultivators. They stood frozen, thoughts jumbled.

In the quiet ruins, the elders turned to their disciples, receiving confirming nods.

"Indeed," Shui Lingsu added. "Senior Brother Lin even distributed immortal energy for you elders to experience firsthand, saying you'd naturally agree afterward."

"Including me?" The Tongtian Tower Master suddenly interjected.

"Of course," Xu Qingyao replied. "Junior Brother prepared shares for everyone."

"Excellent!" The Tower Master laughed. "No wonder he's grown so ambitious. Such a prodigy truly blesses Tianyuan! This elder supports him, though..."

His expression darkened. "While avoiding the Cultivation Alliance prevents contact, the Heavenly Demon Sect possesses Tianyuan's coordinates. Who knows when they'll attack? Given current circumstances, wouldn't their invasion force be stronger than anticipated?"

"Without the Alliance's support, how can we resist?"

Xu Qingyao answered gravely, "Junior Brother has learned that the Heavenly Demon Realm's Demon Emperor Tianchou marches alone to conquer Tianyuan—estimated arrival within sixty years."

"Alone?" The Demon Emperor relaxed. "They send just one against all of us? Underestimating us?"

"Then it's nothing to worry about."

Xu Qingyao fell silent before awkwardly clarifying, "Your Majesty... Junior Brother mentioned Demon Emperor Tianchou ranks among the Heavenly Demon Realm's top ten. Seeking the Way cultivators with Innate Immortal Physiques... can't last an incense stick's time against her without special abilities... She's single-handedly conquered numerous cultivation realms."

"Probably..."

The Seeking the Way cultivators' scalps prickled again. That brat truly brought disaster—now even a top-ten Heavenly Demon expert comes!

"But fortunately," Xu Qingyao continued, "Junior Brother provided the Star Heaven Veil Array. This formation can conceal Tianyuan's presence in the starry void—only True Immortals could detect us."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?!" The Demon Emperor exhaled in relief, having nearly imagined himself being used as a practice dummy by that Demon Emperor Tianchou.