Tenglong Continent, within the Piao Miao Hall of Yin Yue Palace.

At this moment, the Piao Miao Hall was gathering quite a number of experts from the Demon Path. The two with the lowest cultivation levels here were the Third Tribulation Independent Demon Huo Can and the Fourth Tribulation Independent Demon Lady Yan Ji. At this time, Huo Can and Lady Yan Ji were sitting respectfully at the very back of the grand hall.

Lady Yan Ji and Huo Can typically had their way across the Tenglong Continent. The reason for their dominance was that most of the Independent Demons and Independent Immortals above the Fourth Tribulation had entered the Chaotic Star Sea, and even those who remained were all hidden away in secret places of their sects, quietly cultivating.

Today, in the Piao Miao Hall of Yin Yue Palace, apart from Huo Can and Lady Yan Ji, the rest of the gathered Independent Demons were at least at the Eighth Tribulation level, with the strongest even being at the Eleventh Tribulation level.

Lady Lian Yue, the number one expert of Yin Yue Palace, was draped in black gauze. Her beautiful figure was faintly visible under the sheer fabric, but the experts from various Demon Sects below all acted as if they saw nothing.

"Everyone, the Demon Emperor of the Demon World has personally ordered us to do our utmost to protect the current Sky-breaking Map and, at the same time, to strive to seize the other Sky-breaking Maps. I presume all of your sects have also received the order," Lady Lian Yue said indifferently.

Yin Yue Palace and Flame Demon Sect were considered the Mount Tai and Big Dipper of the Demon Path. Huo Can also conveyed the message about ’Immortal Emperor Ni Yang’ to the Demon Emperor, but he was a step slower than Yin Yue Palace. Plus, with Yin Yue Palace obtaining the Sky-breaking Map, the Demon Emperor placed great importance on them. Yin Yue Palace’s status suddenly rose, surpassing the Flame Demon Sect and becoming the absolute number one sect of the Demon Path.

"Lady Lian Yue, there are three Sky-breaking Maps in total: one is with us, one with the Dragon Clan, and another is in the hands of Qin Yu from the Star Pavilion. The Dragon Clan is full of powerful experts, and their Patriarch, said to be the number one expert, is estimated to be matched only by the Island Master of the Chaotic Star Sea’s number one island. Both, being Twelve Tribulations Independent Demons, should have the power comparable to a Golden Immortal, so the Sky-breaking Map with the Dragon Clan is something we needn’t even think about," a representative from the Flame Demon Sect spoke out.

The other sects’ Demon Path experts all nodded in agreement.

The Dragon Clan’s strength was simply too powerful, not only were each of their Elders formidable, but their Patriarch, a Twelve Tribulations Five-clawed Golden Dragon, was an invincible existence.

The Island Master of the Chaotic Star Sea’s number one island was also claimed to be an invincible being, perhaps only these two monstrous figures could match each other.

"If we are to seize one, it can only be the Sky-breaking Map from Qin Yu of the Star Pavilion, but behind him is also an extremely formidable expert. The reason why the Four Great Independent Immortals from the Qingxu Temple returned so dejectedly is related to this expert. Indeed, it is quite difficult to seize the Sky-breaking Map from Qin Yu’s hands," the Flame Demon Sect representative said with detachment.

"Huo Can, tell everyone what happened outside the Nine Sword Immortal Mansion that day," the Flame Demon Sect’s expert instructed his disciple, Huo Can.

Huo Can immediately bowed to the surrounding experts, then said loudly, "Respected seniors, on that day, this junior launched an attack on those minor characters, but unexpectedly, my attack could not harm a Golden Core Stage young maiden from the Star Pavilion. The reason is... she had a Protective Dharma Treasure on her person."

"Impossible!" a red-faced man shouted angrily.

"I too couldn’t believe it, but facts are facts. Lady Yan Ji was present that day, weren’t you?" Huo Can looked towards Lady Yan Ji.

"The idea of a Third Tribulation Independent Demon failing to break a Golden Core Stage’s Protective Dharma Treasure is something I wouldn’t have believed either, had I not seen it with my own eyes that day. Moreover... when we were at the Nine Sword Immortal Mansion, that young maiden even produced a Devouring Rock Thunder Seal," said Lady Yan Ji once again challenging the wits of the gathered Independent Demons.

"The Devouring Rock Thunder Seal!" Lady Lian Yue was also greatly shocked.

The words of Huo Can were somewhat mistrusted by the Independent Demons; they suspected that the Flame Demon Sect was intentionally trying to discredit Yin Yue Palace. But since Lady Yan Ji herself attested to it, they began to believe.

Now a Devouring Rock Thunder Seal had appeared as well.

The Devouring Rock Thunder Seal isn’t to be feared, the terrifying part is... the ability to make the Devouring Rock Thunder Seal. To create one is exceedingly difficult, and a single Devouring Rock Thunder Seal can kill or seriously injure a Fourth Tribulation Independent Demon. If one were to produce several hundred at a time and smash them down all at once, it could severely injure and finish off Independent Immortals and Demons of the Eighth and Ninth Tribulation.

"Lady Lian Yue, our Great Elder from the Flame Demon Sect has not yet returned from the Chaotic Star Sea. It’s better not to rush the matter of claiming the treasure. Let’s wait for our Great Elder’s return before discussing this further," the representative from the Flame Demon Sect said with a smile.

Lady Lian Yue frowned and said, "Oh? Are we waiting for that brainless Fire Demon?"

The Fire Demon is the title of the Great Elder of the Flame Demon Sect. His power is immense, also being a demon of the Eleventh Tribulation, he often opposes Lady Lian Yue. Whether it’s individual actions or Sect interests, the two have been at odds for over ten thousand years.

"There’s no need to wait. Claiming the Sky-breaking Map is not a difficult task. In some time, my friend ’Wu Hei’ will return from the Chaotic Star Sea, and with Wu Hei on my side, even the experts of the Twelfth Tribulation are nothing to fear," Lady Lian Yue said coldly.

"Wu Hei?" The present Independent Demons exclaimed in surprise.

These Demon Path experts, mostly of the Eighth and Ninth Tribulation, had heard of the legendary demon giant ’Wu Hei’. The Cultivation Technique practiced by Wu Hei was extremely unique and to this day, nobody knew exactly what kind of technique he cultivated. But without a doubt, Wu Hei’s combat strength is incredibly strong. Furthermore, Wu Hei himself is an Eleventh Tribulation Independent Demon.

The representative of the Flame Demon Sect’s face changed, and then he smiled again, "Oh, it turns out to be Senior Wu Hei. However... that expert from the Star Pavilion is likely not even afraid of a regular Twelfth Tribulation Independent Immortal or Demon. It’s still better to wait a bit longer... Besides, our Great Elder said that the Demon King - ’Wu Kongxue’ has also decided to pledge allegiance to the Demon Emperor of the Demon World," the representative of the Flame Demon Sect said with a smile.

Demon King ’Wu Kongxue’!

Lady Lian Yue abruptly stood up.

The Demon World experts are divided into three levels: ’Heavenly Demon,’ ’Demon King,’ and ’Demon Emperor,’ each with nine ranks, corresponding to the ’Heavenly Immortal,’ ’Golden Immortal,’ and ’Profound Immortal’ of the Immortal Realm.

Wu Kongxue is a Twelfth Tribulation Independent Demon but is revered as a ’Demon King.’

That’s because his strength surpasses the average Twelfth Tribulation expert. The only ones who could defeat him are probably the Patriarch of the Dragon Clan and the Island Master of the First Island of the Chaotic Star Sea.

"Dark clouds cover the sky, blood sprinkles the vast heavens... Wu Kongxue will actually return, it seems that there’s definitely no issue with that Sky-breaking Map from the Star Pavilion," Lady Lian Yue said with a smile.

The Cultivation Technique practiced by Wu Kongxue - its most crucial aspect is - killing.

Unceasingly killing others, while refining their fresh blood. The more people he kills, the more blood he refines, the stronger his powers become. Wu Kongxue has reached the pinnacle of the Mortal World’s Demon Path by treading the Bloody Road.

In front of him, no one dares to be haughty and arrogant.

Wu Kongxue is neither affiliated with Yin Yue Palace nor the Flame Demon Sect. Like Wu Hei, his method of cultivation is strange and different from the ordinary Demon Sects, but both Wu Kongxue and Wu Hei’s strengths are recognized by all Demon Path experts, and Wu Kongxue is even more powerful and terrifying than Wu Hei!

...

Outside Qingxu Mountain, a red-robed middle-aged man and a green-clad lady riding a cloud came flying at extreme speed from above the nine heavens. They were so fast that not a single person from Qingxu Temple even noticed their arrival.

Headed straight for the Upper Heavenly Palace.

At this moment, outside the Immortal Formation of the Upper Heavenly Palace, Shan Qu, Shan Nian, and the other four great Independent Immortals had long been waiting respectfully. As soon as the man in the red robe and the woman in green clothes landed, they immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Disciples pay their respects to Master Ming Shan and True Master Lan Bing."

The man in the red robe waved his sleeve and smiled, "Stand up, all of you. True Master Lan Bing is someone I’ve asked to come and help after much effort. You should regard her as an elder of our sect, understand?"

"The disciples understand," replied Shan Qu and the other four.

The Demon Cultivators had a Sky-breaking Map, the Dragon Clan also had one, but their Cultivator side did not. Of course, those high-ranking sect experts from the Chaotic Star Sea had all hurried back, one after another, legendary experts who had been away from their sects for thousands of years were returning to the Tenglong Continent from the Chaotic Star Sea.

True Master Lan Bing was an Independent Immortal personally invited by True Master Ming Shan. Her cultivation level was almost on par with Ming Shan’s, both of them being Eleven Tribulations Independent Immortals.

Inside the Upper Heavenly Palace.

"Shan Qu, brother has already sent me a message. Right now, there’s only one Lian Yue on the side of the Demon Cultivators, and in a few days, brother will be able to return. By then, we must seize the Sky-breaking Map with the speed of lightning. During this time, you must gather clear and detailed intelligence about the side of the Demon Cultivators," said Ming Shan seriously.

The true number one powerhouse of Qingxu Temple, True Master Ming Liang, would initiate the first attack as soon as he, a Twelve Tribulations Independent Immortal, returned.

Instead of attacking the unfathomable Independent Immortal of the Star Pavilion, it was better to attack the Demon Path experts first.

"Rest assured, Master, according to Qian Xu’s intelligence, we can determine that Yan Ji of Yin Yue Palace has obtained the Ink and Wash Painting. We speculate that most high-ranking experts are gathering at Yin Yue Palace, and intelligence confirms our guess; many Devils that haven’t appeared for thousands of years are rushing towards Yin Yue Palace," Shan Qu reverently stated.

Ming Shan smiled, nodding his head in satisfaction.

All they needed to do was wait for the return of True Master Ming Liang. With only the Eleven Tribulations Independent Demon, Lady Lian Yue, on the other side, they would seize the opportunity while the enemy’s powerhouses were still en route from the Chaotic Star Sea and not yet back in force, taking the map first while their enemy was still weak.

The Chaotic Star Sea, spanning over a hundred billion miles, had varying arrival times for the returning Demon Path experts depending on their location within it. And at this very moment, as the Twelve Tribulations Independent Immortals were hurrying back, the spiritual leader of the Cultivators, True Master Ming Liang, had already decided to strike at the opportune time to snatch the Ink and Wash Painting from the hands of the Demon Path experts!

*******

In the Chaotic Star Sea.

Qin Yu was completely clueless about the powers within the Chaotic Star Sea, unaware that experts affiliated with the mighty Demon Cultivating and Cultivating Immortality sects were rushing back to the Tenglong Continent from the Chaotic Star Sea.

The Chaotic Star Sea’s power was mainly divided into two factions, one part consisting of Immortal Cultivation predecessors from the Tenglong Continent affiliated with various sects.

The other part was a mixed bag, such as many avian Independent Demons living in the sea, Independent Demons with scales different from the Dragon Clan, and a few predators that didn’t stay in the Primordial Wilderness. There were also lone wolves among the Independent Demons and Independent Immortals, such as Wu Kongxue, Wu Hei, and True Master Lan Bing.

They had no obligation to serve the Sects of Demon Cultivators or Cultivators. Their participation this time was mostly driven by self-interest, perhaps to gain favor and important positions after their Ascension into the Immortal or Demon Realms.

Within the Chaotic Star Sea, there was a very strict rule: the Chaotic Star Sea did not allow the presence of any sect forces from the Tenglong Continent!

For example, True Masters Ming Liang and Ming Shan, despite their formidable strength, could not dream of establishing a faction within the Chaotic Star Sea. This was a tradition passed down for countless years, and a rule explicitly set by the Three Islands.

The Island Masters of the three great islands of the Chaotic Star Sea were all Independent Demons that were not from the Dragon Clan, or Independent Demons and Independent Immortals that were loners. In any case, the rulers of the Chaotic Star Sea would absolutely not be the esteemed and powerful predecessors of the sects from the Tenglong Continent.

...

No matter how tumultuous the undercurrents of the Tenglong Continent became, as high-level experts of the Tenth, Eleventh, and even Twelfth Tribulations rushed over from the Chaotic Star Sea, Qin Yu still peacefully continued his own journey of Cultivation. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Amidst the endless waves, a figure shot up from the seabed and then wove comfortably through the waves.

Seawater splashed over him as the sea breeze brushed against him. Qin Yu seemed to be strolling forward, his gaze casually sweeping around. Ever since last time, when he refined the inner core of a Great Success Stage Fierce Beast, Qin Yu had reached the peak of the Early Stage of Tribulation Crossing. Once the True Solar Core Energy was completely refined and purified, Qin Yu would step into the Middle Stage of Tribulation Crossing.

For now, Qin Yu wasn’t hasty about slaying Fierce Beasts—his current goal was to capture them.

Capture Fierce Beasts for what reason?

"Now that I have four Spiritual Beast Rings, I should capture some Fierce Beasts, and naturally aim for the ones with strong power," said Qin Yu with a smile on his face, his eyes carefully surveying the surroundings.

Qin Yu’s Spiritual Sense remained at the peak of the Late Stage of Tribulation Crossing, and if it were a Great Success Stage Fierce Beast, he wouldn’t be able to observe it with his Spiritual Sense at all, so he had to rely on his eyes.

Walking among the waves and searching carefully, Qin Yu was in good luck. After spending a day and a half, he finally found his target, and it was even better than he imagined, exciting him greatly.

This water region was dark green to black, and within tens of miles, not a single Fierce Beast could be found. Realizing this, Qin Yu became cautious, knowing that if there were no other Fierce Beasts around, there could be a very powerful one here. Indeed, far within this green body of water, he could see a dark shadow treading the waters.

Approaching closer, the figure was nearly four to five meters long and two to three meters tall, with a dragon’s head and a body covered in black dragon-like scales. However, it had four hooves.

"A Divine Beast, Mo Qilin!"

Qin Yu’s eyes shone with excitement. Seeing the Mo Qilin, he decided that it would be the first Spiritual Beast he captured.

(End of Chapter One...)

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