During the days awaiting the end of the White Tiger Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm, Hong Yuan was by no means idle. He spent this time devoted to studying the Temporal Tao heritage obtained from the Time Worm Demon Saint.

The Jade Simple engraved with the Red Lotus Tao Mark was firmly grasped in his hand as he repeatedly probed its secrets.

He was intimately familiar with the concepts within, but knowing the theories did not mean he could apply them directly.

Hong Yuan was extremely envious of the Temporal Tao’s Demon Skills and Divine Powers.

The prowess of the Temporal Tao was well-known to be astonishing.

Year Recede, Foreknowing the Future, Time Halting...

Each Temporal Tao Divine Power was marvelously unique, possessing the Great Power to alter the heavens and the earth.

Especially the ability to halt time. The young Hong Yuan had once fantasized about possessing this Divine Power and using it during exams...

"To know the boundless yet live within bounds, to pursue the boundless with a bounded life, is perilous!"

Feeling the difficulty of studying the Temporal Tao heritage, Hong Yuan suddenly thought of this saying.

It was precisely for this reason that Hong Yuan understood how terrifying the talent of the Dragon Sun Emperor, who created the Temporal Tao, must have been!

He recalled the tortuous life experiences of the Dragon Sun Emperor: losing his father in childhood, his mother in his youth, his wife in his prime, and his son in his old age.

Hong Yuan felt some relief. The Dragon Sun Emperor created the Temporal Tao, it seems, to make up for the regrets in his life. Sadly, it appears he was ultimately unsuccessful.

Quelling his impatience due to the slow progress of his cultivation, Hong Yuan continued his studious research.

Compared to the Dragon Sun Emperor, he, Hong Yuan, was much luckier, so there was no need for undue anxiety.

「Outside the halls of the White Tiger Saint Palace.」

Many Army Chiefs of the Zero Desolate Army were arrayed here, ready to break through the Sword Qi Storm and enter the palace complex of the White Tiger Saint Palace, hoping to obtain greater inheritances or treasures.

"Wow, Army Master Li, is this... could this be the legendary Golden Sword Angry Lion?"

"GASP... It’s said that a well-nurtured Golden Sword Angry Lion not only reaches the Desolate Beast Realm but may also reach the Ancient Desolate Beast Realm!"

"Ancient Desolate Beast!? Isn’t that the realm of a Seventh Order Saint? This is just a small Ferocious Beast..."

The Army Chiefs were discussing animatedly amongst themselves.

They looked at the two white, lion-like Ferocious Beasts beside Li Jianqiu in surprise, unable to suppress their exclamations.

Within the Zero Desolate Army, everyone knew that Li Jianqiu’s achievements in Luck Tao were second to none. After all, she had previously acquired a Blood Wing Dragon Bat in the Green Dragon Monster Territory!

But they would never have imagined that Li Jianqiu’s fortune could be so excessively good.

This was a Golden Sword Angry Lion, after all. If an ordinary Demon obtained one, their clan’s heritage would immediately become as secure as Luopo Mountain.

Even if their Demon Saint ancestors all passed away, with the presence of a Golden Sword Angry Lion, ordinary people would not dare to look down upon that clan.

Having a Golden Sword Angry Lion almost guaranteed three thousand years of prosperity for one’s Demon Clan!

Not to mention that Li Jianqiu had obtained two Golden Sword Angry Lion cubs.

The expressions in the eyes of the Army Chiefs present were unreadable, filled with envy, jealousy, or hatred...

The emotions varied.

Faced with the Golden Sword Angry Lion cubs, Zhang Fan inevitably yearned for them.

Confident in his position as vanguard general, he approached, intending to stroke the white fur of the Golden Sword Angry Lion cubs, and said with a smile, "Army Master Li—"

"ROAR!!!"

Two earth-shattering roars erupted, resembling tiger roars and lion bellows, exceptionally fierce.

This sonic wave was so tangible that it caused many of the Army Chiefs present to cover their ears, their faces contorted in pain.

Powerful, too powerful.

Clearly only Desolate Beast cubs, they already exhibited a profoundly powerful foundation, immensely terrifying.

Even the Army Chiefs standing at a distance felt such discomfort. Zhang Fan, who directly confronted the sonic attack of the Golden Sword Angry Lion cubs, was suffering even more.

A violet aura shield spontaneously activated around Zhang Fan, protecting him.

However, after some time, the violet aura shield was forcibly shattered.

Fortunately, by that time Li Jianqiu had already calmed the two Golden Sword Angry Lions, restoring quietude.

Zhang Fan, however, was still thoroughly disgraced.

Zhang Fan’s face turned dark as he repeated, "Good. Good. Good."

Suddenly, as if something had dawned on him, a crafty smile appeared on his face. "Three Desolate Beast cubs, each comparable to a Holy Artifact, heh heh..."

Hearing this, Lin Wenti, Ye Qing, and other Army Chiefs simultaneously turned their heads away.

Indeed, three Desolate Beast cubs represented a Creation too vast. Honestly, if they were in the position of the ruling powers, they definitely would not allow a subordinate to monopolize such a Creation.

"What do you think you are?"

A flash of sharpness appeared in Li Jianqiu’s eyes.

She twirled her oil-paper umbrella, and her bright red dress fluttered accordingly.

The next moment, her Black Cloud Tribulation Evil transformed into a massive five-fingered palm and slapped down hard towards Zhang Fan.

Zhang Fan quickly cast spells to resist.

BOOM!

An explosion, accompanied by thick black clouds, rang out. Zhang Fan was embedded in the floor, looking utterly disheveled.

The Army Chiefs were startled by Li Jianqiu and hastily distanced themselves from her.

Li Jianqiu, paying them no more attention, took her three Desolate Beast cubs and navigated through the Sword Qi Storm.

In fact, in her heart, she too feared Hong Yuan might take away her Desolate Beast cubs under some unfounded pretense.

Yet she also felt that if Hong Yuan really did so, he would not be worthy of being her lifelong rival!

She trusted Hong Yuan.

"Only a mediocrity is free from envy. This Li Jianqiu certainly has some skill."

"Moreover, conquering a realm is difficult, but defending it is even harder. My Zero Desolate Army has ultimately reached this point..."

Through his Myriad Silence Realm Divine Power, Hong Yuan had a perfectly clear view of the conflict that had just occurred between Li Jianqiu, Zhang Fan, and the other Army Chiefs.

He even had a thorough understanding of Zhang Fan’s petty thoughts. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

However, as a supreme Monarch, there were times when he, Hong Yuan, had to play the role of one who was ’oblivious’.

「Two hours later.」

Li Jianqiu overcame various challenges and seized numerous minor Creations, heading towards the Tiger Head Palace of the White Tiger Saint Palace.

Gazing at the imposing aura of the Tiger Head Palace, which felt as vast as a mountain reaching the Ninth Heaven, and especially sensing the trepidation of the three Desolate Beast cubs beside her, Li Jianqiu took a deep breath and advanced.

I refuse to believe that Xuan Guangqiao is such a short-sighted Demon.

「Inside the palace.」

Hong Yuan was leaning silently on a large white ice chair, quietly observing Li Jianqiu’s approach.

Although the white ice chair was merely crafted from an ordinary ice-type Demon Skill, due to Hong Yuan leaning on it, it now seemed more like an imperial throne than even the dragon thrones that symbolized worldly kingship!

Indeed, the aura emanating from Hong Yuan, one that seemed capable of suppressing mountains and rivers and overwhelming heaven and earth, was simply astounding.

"WHIMPER... WHINE... WHINE..."

The three Desolate Beast cubs beside Li Jianqiu made pleading and timid sounds as they neared the palace door.

They huddled together, hiding closely beside Li Jianqiu, seeking her protection.

Sensing the terror radiating from the Blood Wing Dragon Bat and the Golden Sword Angry Lions, Li Jianqiu’s heart grew heavy.

Xuan Guangqiao... he has become even more terrifying.

Compared to him, even Red Luck Master is likely only this terrifying.

Thinking this, Li Jianqiu felt as though she were bound by an invisible web, unable to move.

She clenched her teeth, almost crawling her way to the palace entrance. Yet, she hesitated, delaying pushing open the grand doors.

Only a door apart, it seemed to divide her and Demonic Body Hong Yuan into two different worlds.

「Inside the palace.」

Hong Yuan raised his gaze, leaning back lazily on the ice chair and sighing inwardly:

Is this all she amounts to?

If you don’t even have the courage to face me directly, then the Supreme Demon Dynasty you establish will likely be nothing more than a burden.

Suddenly, Hong Yuan’s eyes narrowed.

CREAK—

The sound of a door being pushed open echoed in the silent palace.

Li Jianqiu, drenched in sweat, used all her strength to push open the heavy sandalwood door.

She lifted her head high, finally able to see the true face of Demonic Body Hong Yuan.

Xuan Guangqiao... he seems pleased by my arrival?

For some reason, Li Jianqiu had this feeling.

THUMP.

THUMP. THUMP.

Facing the intense gaze of Demonic Body Hong Yuan, Li Jianqiu’s heart missed several beats.

This feeling... how peculiar?!