Chapter 48: Secret Tunnel, Destiny Demonic Plant
By: Gu Zhenren
February 9, 2013
“This is the architectural layout of the ancient Four Kings Protecting the Emperor.” Chu Yun understood after a glance.
The Demon Soldier Hall beneath their feet was merely one of the Four King Halls, occupying the north. Besides the other three King Halls in different directions, there should be an Imperial Palace on the central high mountain. That was the main focus.
The Yan family ancestor clearly realized this as well. After a moment of thought, he decided to explore the remaining three King Halls one by one, and then delve into the center to explore the Imperial Palace.
After a difficult battle against another Spirit Monster, a Cultivation Method Hall slowly rose into view.
Everyone, filled with hope, pushed the doors open.
However, the only gain was a single sentence from Tu Xingshensou: “There are so many treasures here. King Huode truly lives up to his reputation as an ancient powerhouse.”
“Damn it, Tu Xingshensou is such a scoundrel!”
“It’s one thing to loot everything, but to leave a message to mock us!”
“Tu Xingshensou!” The Yan family ancestor clenched his fists, his anger and hatred palpable. His chest felt incredibly heavy, yet he had no one to vent on.
Tu Xingshensou was from a hundred thousand years ago and had long since passed away. If the Yan family ancestor wanted to settle the score, he’d have to kill himself and have his soul descend to the Underworld, perhaps then he might encounter Tu Xingshensou.
“How many cultivation methods were stored in this Cultivation Method Hall? He actually took them all!”
“Among King Huode’s collection, there must have been Supreme grade cultivation methods. And they weren’t left behind.”
The more the Yan family thought about it, the more dejected they became. Some were on the verge of spitting blood.
In the next King Hall, there was another message on a bronze pillar.
“Later generation, not bad. Congratulations on defeating the Spirit Monsters outside.”
The Yan family ancestor’s face turned ashen, his entire body trembling. The ancient altar was guarded by Demonic Beasts of the Thousand-Year Spirit Monster level, proficient in ancient cultivation methods, making them incredibly difficult to deal with. One wrong move could lead to serious consequences.
Furthermore, his Spirit had reached its limit. He needed to suppress the cultivation of the two great Spirit Monsters from increasing further, otherwise, some Demonic creatures might become disobedient or even rebel.
Therefore, even the Demonic Crystals obtained from killing the Spirit Monsters could not be absorbed by the Demonic creatures under his command. He had to bear the painful loss.
After several fierce battles, his majestic battle robe was scorched with numerous holes, his hair and beard were singed, and his body bore many black burn marks. He was no longer the imposing figure he once was.
Upon reaching the last King Hall, it too had been completely plundered by Tu Xingshensou. Many people ground their teeth so hard they made a creaking sound, cursing Tu Xingshensou’s ancestors and descendants for generations.
Especially after seeing Tu Xingshensou’s message, some people were so enraged that they coughed up blood on the spot.
Chu Yun stepped forward and saw the message, which read: “Alright, don’t be angry. I’m planning to check out the central high mountain. Perhaps I can leave something for you.”
He couldn’t help but chuckle. This Tu Xingshensou was truly remarkable. He lived up to being Chu Yun’s idol.
Based on his calculations, these masterful acts were likely the work of Tu Xingshensou in his later years. It showed that he retained a childlike innocence and found joy in exploring hidden secrets.
“What are you laughing at?” The person who had just coughed blood heard Chu Yun laugh and immediately became enraged, glaring ferociously at him.
“Hmph! A prisoner dares to act so audacious!”
Everyone’s emotions were highly agitated, staring intently at Chu Yun with monstrous expressions. If the Yan family ancestor hadn’t given orders beforehand, they might have already attacked and killed Chu Yun to vent their anger.
“Let’s go to the central Altar.” The Yan family ancestor’s breathing was uneven. With his last shred of hope, he headed towards the central high mountain.
This mountain was bare. In stark contrast to the vibrant underground World, it was an anomaly.
The mountain was eerily silent, with only scorched stones, dark red and black. It resembled a giant tombstone, standing in the center of the underground World.
The Spirit Monster guarding this Imperial Palace was incredibly powerful. It engaged in a fierce battle with the Yan family ancestor. Finally, after three hundred rounds, the Yan family ancestor laid a trap, revealing a flaw, and slowly gained the upper hand.
After six hundred rounds, the Yan family ancestor killed the Altar Spirit Monster, successfully unsealing the Palace on the mountaintop.
Huode Palace
The plaque above the Palace bore these three characters, written in a crimson gold color, exuding an ancient aura.
With a final sliver of hope, the Yan family ancestor entered the Palace.
“Ah, damn you, Tu Xingshensou! I swear that for the rest of my life, if I encounter a descendant of a thief, I will kill them! I will exterminate all your descendants!” The Yan family ancestor stood before a line of inscriptions, his hair standing on end, letting out a roar of extreme hatred.
Everyone else gritted their teeth and entered, searching with extreme reluctance.
The interior was indeed empty, not a single treasure was left behind.
Chu Yun was very curious about what message could provoke such a reaction from the Yan family ancestor. He walked closer and saw that the wall was inscribed with: “Alas, despite the many treasures, none are what I desire.”
“Tu Xingshensou is truly malicious. He’s deliberately trying to anger people to death.” Chu Yun clicked his tongue, looking at the Yan family members with a hint of sympathy.
The Yan family had spent so much manpower and resources searching for the Huode Palace. In the end, it was all for naught. After immense hope came even greater disappointment. How could they accept this?
No wonder some people were angered to the point of spitting blood. Even the Yan family ancestor, a person who had experienced much and weathered many storms, was trembling with rage, completely losing his composure.
“Tu Xingshensou, I curse you to have your soul scattered.” Someone gritted their teeth and cursed.
“You scoundrel, a big liar! You said you’d leave a few treasures for future generations!” Someone, tears streaming down their face, was still fixated on Tu Xingshensou’s message in the King Hall.
“Grandfather, our ancestor’s treasures have all been stolen. What can we do if we can’t find the Destiny Demonic Plant? The one in the family can’t last much longer.” The young master of the Yan family spoke with a heavy tone. This outcome was beyond his expectations, leaving him distraught and panicked.
The Yan family ancestor tried to calm his mind. He swept a cold glance at Chu Yun and said in a low voice, “The reason the Five Ancient Clans have endured to this day is that each family possesses a Destiny Demonic Treasure to suppress their luck. The Yan family cannot be without a Destiny Demonic Plant. Out of necessity, we must exchange Chu Yun for the Dragon Wish Tree in Shu Tianhao’s possession.”
Chu Yun’s heart sank. Only then did he understand the true reason why the Yan family ancestor hadn’t killed him.
“Hmph, the Dragon Wish Tree is the most useless of all Destiny Demonic Treasures. It’s completely useless, and its cultivation can only increase naturally.” The young master of the Yan family was indignant, glaring fiercely at Chu Yun several times.
Chu Yun’s heart sank further.
They didn’t know that the Dragon Wish Tree was actually in his possession. If he were taken to Yan Family Island and they forcefully severed his spiritual connection with the Demonic Treasure, they would discover the Dragon Wish Tree, and he would lose much of his value.
“Let’s go. First, we’ll return to Yan Family Island. You all stay here and guard this place. The Yan family’s reinforcements will arrive in a few days.” The Yan family ancestor sighed deeply and prepared to leave.
“Detestable!” Someone cursed and angrily kicked a bronze pillar.
*Clang*
Suddenly, a floor tile sank, revealing a hidden tunnel.
“What’s going on?” The person was still dazed.
The young master of the Yan family rushed forward and, after examining it, discovered that a piece of the bronze pillar had sunk.
“I didn’t expect a mechanism to be hidden here. You’ve done well. You’ll receive a great reward when we return to the family!” The young master’s eyes suddenly lit up.
“Thank you, Young Master!” The person was ecstatic. Everyone else looked at him with envious eyes. A casual kick revealing a hidden mechanism—his luck was terrifyingly good.
“This mechanism is so hidden, perhaps even Tu Xingshensou missed it. Let’s go down.” The Yan family ancestor’s eyes flashed with brilliance. The Yan family members were instantly revitalized.
As soon as they entered the tunnel, Chu Yun felt a gust of heat wash over him, causing his heart to feel a prickle of unease.
The mysterious tunnel was not dark; it emitted a hazy firelight. As they went deeper, the firelight grew brighter.
After walking for fifteen minutes, the Yan family ancestor stopped abruptly, his expression as dark as water.
“Damn it, this Tu Xingshensou has been here too!” Someone cursed loudly.
Engraved on the cave wall was a line of text:
“This place is strange, and there is great danger ahead. Later generations, do not proceed further. This is Tu Xingshensou’s sincere advice to you.”
“What advice?”
“He’s deliberately trying to disgust us.”
“Fatuous warnings. This Tu Xingshensou is truly a scoundrel.”
After reading the inscription, everyone cursed.
Chu Yun, however, frowned. He sensed a different tone in these words. If it were true, what kind of danger could even Tu Xingshensou be wary of?
“Continue forward.” the Yan family ancestor gritted his teeth and pressed on. He would never give up until the very end.
The group walked for another fifteen minutes and turned a corner, their eyes suddenly brightening.
“Fire everywhere!” The person scouting ahead cried out in alarm.
A fierce heat wave swept towards them, causing everyone to sweat profusely. The flaring flames, blood-red and burning fiercely, sent shivers down their spines.
“This is not ordinary fire.” After carefully observing for a moment, the Yan family ancestor’s expression changed. “This is the legendary Heart Fire!”
Heart Fire is a special heavenly treasure. Its fuel is not matter, but emotion.
“Continue advancing.” The Yan family ancestor made up his mind and stepped forward.
The group entered the sea of fire but remained unharmed. Tongues of flame licked their bodies, but they caused no burns whatsoever.
This was Heart Fire, not a physical, ordinary flame.
“Aaaargh! I can’t stand it anymore! I want to vent, I want to destroy!” After walking for a while longer, someone in the group suddenly shouted, tearing at their clothes, their eyes bloodshot, exuding a brutal aura.
The Yan family ancestor was not surprised. Heart Fire would ignite the emotions within one’s heart. The sea of fire they were currently in was the Wrathful Heart Fire. The deeper they went, the stronger the flames, igniting the anger in people’s hearts.
Beast Masters with weak willpower and unstable souls would experience uncontrollable emotions.
Finally, this person retreated several dozen steps, remaining in place. The rest continued to advance.
Along the way, people were continuously forced to stop, and the number of those continuing to push forward dwindled.
The fire intensified, and Chu Yun also felt his own anger starting to stir, provoked by the Heart Fire. The people around him were even worse off. Many had bloodshot eyes, clenched fists, and were panting heavily, finding it difficult to take a single step.
The tunnel suddenly became level, and the group reached a cave.
Inside the cave was a sea of fire. In the sea of fire stood a tree.
“Ah, we found it! Our Yan family’s inherited Destiny Demonic Plant!” The young master of the Yan family’s pupils widened in excitement as he shouted.
