Chapter 364: A New Heavenly Demon

Chapter 364: A New Heavenly Demon

The moment this person spoke, the various realms' powerhouses who had intruded immediately scattered, as if facing a formidable enemy.

The name Taiyi, the leader of the Four Demons, was as thunderous as ever! Even the other three demons had never questioned his ranking as the leader.

Historical records showed that Taiyi had only acted once in this realm, but that one time nearly caused the downfall of two of the Five Pillars! It was also the first time the Five Pillars had been defeated by the Four Demons.

His authority was nearly unresolvable.

Even the True Emperors of the various realms avoided mentioning his name, only doing so when absolutely necessary.

At this moment.

Taiyi's gaze fell upon Wu Zhou, who had been dragged into this world by Hela to contest for the divine throne.

As the true owner of this divine throne, Hela naturally had the right to compete with Wu Zhou, but she was currently at a disadvantage.

If not for Taiyi's earlier intervention, helping his former Dao companion Hela by striking a blow, the situation might have been even worse.

Wu Zhou shouted coldly:

"Do you really think that the plan against you back then was just me? Taiyi was also involved!"

"Why don't you join forces with me? The two of us can escape this place together!"

"Fool! You are truly beyond redemption! Unreasonable!"

Seeing that Hela was ignoring him, determined to fight to the bitter end, Wu Zhou roared in anger.

In the past, it was like this, and now it is the same.

And at this moment.

Hearing Taiyi's words, Wu Zhou, remembering the precedent set by Mu Shi Tian, became wary, his expression changing sharply. His thoughts rapidly divided into millions, examining himself, but he could not find any trace of Ji Tian Xing.

Was he bluffing?

No!

Wu Zhou soon realized something—Taiyi was the one who had captured Ji Tian Xing back then!

Afterward, Taiyi had handed Ji Tian Xing over to him, allowing him to deal with him as he wished, in exchange for certain things.

Following Taiyi's advice, he had assimilated Ji Tian Xing, using him as the foundation to create a puppet, which he, Taiyi, and Yan jointly controlled, taking over the original Heavenly Demon's divine throne.

But if Taiyi was the one behind today's situation, then the Ji Tian Xing he had given him...

Just as Wu Zhou was about to ask, he suddenly heard a familiar, light laugh from within his body.

Despite the fatigue in the laughter, there was a sense of satisfaction.

"Dao Brother, since I have won, are you willing to admit defeat?"

Amidst the shocked gazes of the crowd, a figure slowly emerged from Wu Zhou's body.

His hair was slightly white, and he exuded a refined and gentle demeanor, like a teacher from a private school or a noble young master from a prestigious family.

Looking at Mu Shi Tian, he said with a sense of long-lost familiarity:

"Shi Tian, it's been a long time. I hope you are well."

Mu Shi Tian clasped his hands together, lowered his head, and remained silent.

Because at this moment.

Ji Tian Xing stood on the divine throne of the Heavenly Demon.

Not the one Wu Zhou was currently standing on, but the original throne of the Heavenly Demon Wu Zhou!

"Ji... Tian... Xing?!"

At this moment, not only Wu Zhou and Mu Shi Tian, but also the powerhouses who had first entered this place, recognized him. They felt as if they had witnessed something ten times more terrifying than the Qing Shan being slashed and his Dao body destroyed!

The Heavenly Demon had usurped the Succubus' divine throne. So, all these years, the one sitting on the Heavenly Demon's throne... was Ji Tian Xing?

There was actually someone who could contest the ownership of a divine throne with the Four Demons and truly take it over?!

Taiyi looked at Wu Zhou and explained kindly:

"I only helped him preserve a seed of his soul. The ability to endure and deceive your assimilation was his own."

"Dao Brother, you have lost this round. When you lose, you must accept it."

Wu Zhou's originally cold and angry expression now returned to its usual state. He looked deeply at Ji Tian Xing, who stood on his old divine throne, and then glanced at Mu Shi Tian and Taiyi, saying indifferently:

"Indeed, I have lost everything."

"I have not suffered such humiliation since achieving Dao."

"But today, the Heavenly Demon has not lost!"

Wu Zhou looked at Ji Tian Xing and suddenly smiled: "Dao Brother, how does it feel to be a Heavenly Demon?"

"Unbearable." Ji Tian Xing sighed.

"This is just the beginning." Wu Zhou said calmly, "I look forward to the day you beg me to take it back."

Ji Tian Xing laughed: "Even on the verge of falling from the divine throne, Dao Brother still loves to joke."

He paused and said: "I heard that you and Shi Tian once discussed staying by his side to observe Dao. Why not this time, Dao Brother, follow me and let me teach you what it means to be a true Heavenly Demon."

Taiyi smiled and nodded:

"I think that's a good idea."

Even though Wu Zhou forced his chaotic mind to calm, his anger could not be suppressed.

Hearing the "joking banter" between the three, the powerhouses of the various realms looked deeply into their eyes, finding it incomprehensible.

Mu Shi Tian said coolly: "Today, Wu Zhou cannot escape. The two of you should think about how you will escape."

Hearing this, the powerhouses' pupils widened. Was this... an internal conflict?

Ji Tian Xing looked at Mu Shi Tian but did not respond. Instead, he turned to Taiyi and said: "High Dao Brother, since I have won, what about our bet?"

"Before that, I have a question for Dao Brother." Taiyi said: "After ten thousand years of torment, has Dao Brother made up his mind?"

Ji Tian Xing slowly replied: "Seven people achieving sainthood is not as good as one person transcending."

Taiyi laughed heartily: "Then I will accept the bet!"

Ji Tian Xing nodded and extended his hand: "Then please, Dao Brother, come along."

The place he pointed to was the Sea of Suffering of all worlds!

At this moment, even Mu Shi Tian could not help but frown, unable to fathom what consensus the two had reached.

Taiyi said sincerely: "I didn't understand before, but now it seems that Dao Brother is asking me to test the fire with my own body."

Wu Zhou had already given up his struggle with Hela. Today, these few people would absolutely not let him escape.

He even willingly returned the divine throne to Hela, hoping to see if Hela, after reclaiming her former divine authority, would add a variable to this battle.

At this moment, upon hearing Taiyi and Ji Tianxing’s words, he couldn’t understand what agreement these two had reached.

Go through it personally?!

Originally, he couldn’t see clearly due to the obstruction of the Sishou Xing.

But after entering this universe, how could Wu Zhou not know that the “Great Opportunity of the Dao” that had been attracting him all along was the Sea of Suffering of all worlds!

It was the opportunity for the You Hai to advance further!

But it was also Wu Zhou’s “life and death tribulation”!

To everyone’s surprise, especially Wu Zhou and Hela, Taiyi actually agreed to the so-called bet without hesitation.

"Are you crazy?" Wu Zhou said coldly.

Even Mu Shi Tian looked at Ji Tianxing with eyes that flickered with light.

Not only was Taiyi willing to enter the Sea of Suffering, but it was also because of the last half of the sentence.

Taiyi shook his head and said something that made Wu Zhou fall silent:

"I’ve always been thinking, is it ‘those who can achieve this fruit should have this heart,’ or ‘those who have this heart should achieve this fruit’?"

...

...

"Understood?"

Ji Jing Qiu followed a majestic figure, standing on the Dao, overlooking the magnificent scenery below.

On the Dao, one person walked alone.

At this moment, Ji Jing Qiu could only sigh. The Dao contest at this level was too complex, and the situation changed in an instant. By the end, enemies became allies, and they even had to step into traps…

Taiyi seemed to be a bit unwell.

He Shi led him to re-examine the entire war, allowing him to see the full picture of this battle.

The Federation’s initial plan was to subjugate at least one more of the remaining three demons.

And the priority target was the Heavenly Demon Wu Zhou.

Because this guy was in harmony with the You Hai Dao, and the current crises of the You Hai were largely due to the Heavenly Demon, who was responsible for at least thirty percent of them.

Subjugating Wu Zhou could significantly reduce the You Hai’s invasion of the present world.

Similarly, the Death Devil was also very important, as this Greater Universe was about to face the largest-scale calamity in history.

If the Death Devil triggered the killing calamity and then took control, the consequences would be unimaginable.

As for the leader of the four demons, his terror was not under the unquantifiable calamity.

The Federation and this leader of the four demons did not have any secret deals. This cooperation was more like a tacit understanding.

Before the situation developed to this point, Mu Shi and others also suspected that it was a trap set by the four demons, a ruse.

But no matter what, this battle ultimately succeeded, subjugating both the Death Devil and the Heavenly Demon in one fell swoop!

As for the recent conversation between Ji Shuai and the leader of the four demons, it seemed that Ji Shuai deserved the credit.

As for why they didn’t join forces with the True Emperors of the various worlds—

"Among the True Emperors of the various worlds, we cannot trust anyone, and no one is worthy of our trust. Once the information leaks, even a tiny bit, the Heavenly Demon could glimpse the whole picture from a small part."

"Ke Qing Xiu and the others didn’t tell you much of the plan, also fearing that the information might leak from your side."

He Tong Huang sighed lightly:

"Ruling a world as a Tianzun, Dao penetrating heaven and earth as a Dao Zu, enduring countless calamities to become a True Emperor."

"At this level, it is extremely difficult to kill them, let alone Wu Zhou, who once transcended. Even if he fell, he still retained his eternal essence, and no one below the transcendent level could kill him."

Saying this, he glanced at the True Emperors who had retreated beyond the realm and said calmly:

"If beyond this realm, Wu Zhou and others would slaughter them like dogs. Only a few ancient ones could resist to some extent, but they would only have the chance to flee."

"So Mu Shi wants to pull him down from the divine throne?" Ji Jing Qiu asked.

He Tong Huang nodded: "Exactly. True Emperors do not die, let alone the Heavenly Demon? For the Heavenly Demon, being pulled down from the divine throne is equivalent to severing his Dao Path, losing his transcendent essence. This is more painful than losing much of his Dao foundation or being temporarily subjugated."

True Emperors do not die…

Ji Jing Qiu suddenly asked: "Was the loss of the previous Green Robe Saintman only a Divine Body?"

"It was the Main Body," He Tong Huang said calmly, "I cut down his Dao Body with one stroke, making him undergo the calamity early. I estimate that in a million years or so, he will return."

Ji Jing Qiu opened his mouth to speak.

He suddenly remembered a rustic love phrase—“I am your calamity.”

He Shi could cut down a True Emperor with one stroke, making him undergo the calamity early. This kind of killing power was probably even higher than the Death Devil!

Hearing Ji Jing Qiu’s question, He Tong Huang sneered:

"If at the peak, I would personally teach him what it means to have ‘kill power beyond the heavens’."

"Of course, he doesn’t have that chance anymore."

"After today, the Death Devil will be subjugated under the Federation, adding to our Federation’s martial arts foundation. It is also our final gift to future generations."

Ji Jing Qiu fell silent. It was more than that. Before their deaths, the various sages had scattered their Dao throughout the universe, leaving behind Dao veins that now spread across the Federation’s territory.

"As for the Heavenly Demon, he is incredibly cunning. Even after being pulled down from the divine throne, we still do not trust him, so he will be subjugated in the Sea of Suffering’s Eye, which will also help delay the arrival of the Sea of Suffering of all worlds."

Ji Jing Qiu asked: "Is the Sea of Suffering of all worlds related to the You Hai?"

He Tong Huang said solemnly:

"The You Hai invaded this realm to find the Sea of Suffering of all worlds. Once the two merge, in our calculations, even those who have transcended would find it difficult to stop it from continuing to devour the various worlds."

Ji Jing Qiu took a deep breath. The origins and layers of the Sea of Suffering and the Ocean of the Heart far exceeded his expectations.

"Then what about the other one?" Ji Jing Qiu asked, "Should we let the leader of the Four Demons return to the mountains?"

He Tong Huang patted Ji Jing Qiu's shoulder.

With his current state of Sitting in Forgetfulness, enhanced by the Greater Universe, Ji Jing Qiu keenly sensed that He Shi had added a layer of defense deep within his mind.

"That guy is called Taiyi."

"Taiyi, meaning the supreme and the highest, the most ancient and the first; 'one' means the Dao generates one, and one transforms into all things. Therefore, Taiyi is the embodiment of the 'Dao'."

"This person's Dao roots are similar to the 'Macrocosmic Heaven's Will.' He was once the will of another realm, a primordial deity, nearly omniscient."

He Tong Huang suddenly snorted, "This guy is much harder to deal with than the other three, almost like a magnified version of Ji Tian Xing."

"Whether it's a Heavenly Demon or a Death Devil, they all have desires, and with desires come vulnerabilities. But this person is almost without desires, and even transcendence is just a leisurely pastime for him."

Ji Jing Qiu's expression turned grave, as he learned the true name and background of 01 for the first time.

"We won't move against him for now."

He Tong Huang paused, then said with a self-deprecating tone,

"We can't move against him either. He is even more troublesome than the Heavenly Demon. Even in my prime, I wouldn't dare say I could definitely defeat him."

"Without his cooperation, we wouldn't have been able to subdue the Heavenly Demon and the Death Devil so smoothly this time."

"Of course, keeping him around is actually a good choice in the future we previously projected."

"His invasion of this realm will keep many forces of the various worlds occupied, reducing pressure on the Federation."

At this point, He Tong Huang suddenly fell silent, and Ji Jing Qiu did the same.

It was because Taiyi had actually walked into the Eye of the Sea of Suffering!

Mu Shi Tian, with a grave expression, was about to seize the opportunity to subdue Taiyi under the Sea of Suffering, but then he suddenly stopped.

He Tong Huang narrowed his eyes, having also heard the message from Ji Tian Xing.

A few moments later, this ancient being who had ventured into the Sea of Suffering slowly returned!

Seeing this, He Tong Huang fell silent for a moment, his gaze locking onto a certain figure, and he slowly said:

"After this battle, many strong figures and forces will target Yanhuang. Xuan Yi and the Qinglian Predecessor will continue to protect Yanhuang for a while, as per our original plan."

"But now it seems..."

"There's also a Ji Tian Xing."

Is this the "future"?

Ji Jing Qiu remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Will General Ji return to the Federation?"

"No," He Tong Huang said softly, "Didn't you hear what he just said? Seven who achieve sainthood are not as good as one who achieves transcendence. So he won't return to the Federation. He will truly ascend to the throne of the Heavenly Demon, pursuing the path of transcendence!"

Ji Jing Qiu was shaken. General Ji was going to ascend to the throne of the Heavenly Demon, completely replacing Wu Zhou's position?!

"It's better if he doesn't return. Being beyond the heavens, his intimidation against the strong figures of the various worlds is greater. Even if the Five Pillars return, they will have to be wary of a Ji Tian Xing who has ascended to the throne of the Heavenly Demon."

"But there is one thing you must remember: you must always be on guard against him!"

He Tong Huang warned, "The phrase 'seven who achieve sainthood are not as good as one who achieves transcendence' means he will stop at nothing to achieve transcendence!"

Ji Jing Qiu felt a chill.

This phrase could be interpreted that way?!

No wonder He Shi, who had a love-hate relationship with Ji Tian Xing, had such a cold and even ugly expression earlier!

He Tong Huang glanced at him and said,

"I've said all I need to say. Later, Mu Shi Tian will find you and brief you on other matters."

Ji Jing Qiu said, "Is He Shi leaving now?"

He Tong Huang shook his head:

"This time, my descent will not last long. Guiding you in the Dao is my duty as a teacher."

"Next, I need to eliminate the current crisis for the Federation and attempt to recast the Federation's Divine Way to resist the invasion of the You Hai."

"Recast the Federation's Divine System?!" Ji Jing Qiu was shocked, "Does this mean the various God Kings, God Emperors, and our predecessors have a chance to return?"

"If there were a choice, who would want to be a deity?" He Tong Huang shook his head, not elaborating further.

Before parting, he said slowly,

"Ji Jing Qiu, under this sky and stars, life is truly insignificant, but insignificance does not mean meanness. In the face of endless time, nothing in this world is eternal, not even true deities. But the brilliance carried by life gives us another form of eternity."

Under his guidance, Ji Jing Qiu looked at the Federation's territory and the human world.

In the face of the You Hai's imminent approach to reality, the light of the hearts of the myriad beings in the world seemed like lone lamps lighting up on the boundless ocean.

Though faint and almost imperceptible, they still connected into a line, converging into a vast ocean, illuminating the endless You Hai.

The myriad beings of the world live and die like ants, yet they possess a silent grandeur.

"They are the most insignificant dust in this universe, but they are also miraculous existences."

"Ji Jing Qiu, if you wish to step into the 'other shore' in the future, you must understand this."

The other shore... beyond sitting in forgetfulness, the shore of the heart's beyond?

Ji Jing Qiu quietly experienced the unique state of sitting in forgetfulness at that moment.

It was said that the reason He Shi and Mu Shi were able to ascend to True Emperors in just a few hundred years, and even strive for transcendence, was entirely because they had stepped into this realm.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end