The Venerable Monster Tamer – Chapter 312

Section 33: Emperor’s Treasure!

By Author: Gu Zhenren
Published: 2013-02-09

The top floor of the central high tower in Night Emperor City housed a massive black coffin, resting silently before Chu Yun and Xiao Xiaoxian’s eyes.

Shrouded in a dark, ethereal glow, it emanated a noble, mysterious, and unfathomable imperial aura. It was almost certain this was the Night Emperor’s sarcophagus. He had dominated an era, commanded Heaven and Earth, and was unmatched, with even Kings falling before him.

He was a legend, an epic, yet his history in Xingzhou was sparsely recorded. He was the most unconventional of the Four Emperor-level powerhouses.

However, time was merciless. Now, he lay within the coffin, eternally asleep.

“Without achieving Sainthood, all is in vain. Even an Emperor-level powerhouse like him succumbed to the endless power of time. Truly lamentable, yet also admirable!” Chu Yun exhaled a breath of turbid air, his voice filled with genuine emotion.

“It seems the Night Emperor also fell to the trials of the Outer Heavenly Demon. He defied Heaven’s will, deducing the Dao Transformation scripture, and could not even survive in the universe’s expanse,” Xiao Xiaoxian sighed with emotion, his eyes then brightening. “Sect Leader, what are we waiting for? Let’s open the coffin!”

“Very well.” Chu Yun composed himself and approached the black coffin. Together with Xiao Xiaoxian, they pushed against the lid.

The coffin lid was incredibly heavy, as if made of deep-sea black stone or meticulously forged iron. Touching it sent a bone-chilling coldness through their hands.

The black coffin was a Demonic Soldier, equipped with intricate mechanisms. The lid could only be opened in one direction.

With a low grinding sound, the lid shifted, revealing a crack.

“I can’t see anything, it’s pitch black,” Xiao Xiaoxian exclaimed, his eyes shining with impatience as he peered through the gap, but saw nothing.

As they pushed the lid open by a third, both gasped in unison.

Under normal circumstances, sufficient light should allow them to discern objects. Yet, the coffin remained unnervingly dark, like a bottomless abyss or the most concentrated ink, seemingly absorbing all light. They could see nothing within.

After staring for a moment, a chill crept into their hearts, akin to gazing at a starless, moonless night sky, instilling a profound sense of insignificance and a terrifying dread of the unknown.

Chu Yun and Xiao Xiaoxian exchanged glances. Both were intelligent individuals, their expressions reflecting their shock as they speculated on the origin of the darkness before them.

According to fragmented, scarce records, the Night Emperor possessed a primary Demonic Beast named Dark Shadow. Born from darkness, it was pure shadow. Lacking a physical form, it could manipulate the shadows of all things, lurking within them, inseparable. Its sudden assaults were always unpreventable, making it the King of Ambush in Xingzhou history!

“This is Dark Shadow; it’s sealed within the coffin, guarding the Night Emperor’s remains. It’s the purest darkness, which is why we cannot see what’s inside,” Chu Yun marveled.

He couldn’t help but feel both relieved and frustrated. Dark Shadow was the Night Emperor’s main Demonic Beast, its cultivation surely a Tribulation Demon of millions of years. Fortunately, it was sealed; otherwise, they would have met a certain death.

However, even sealed, Dark Shadow now served to protect the Night Emperor’s corpse. If they dared to reach in and search, it would likely awaken Dark Shadow instantly, turning them to ash.

“Sect Leader! It’s alright, haven’t you forgotten about me?” Xiao Xiaoxian declared, eager to try.

Seeing him, Chu Yun’s face lit up.

Indeed, this young man was a descendant of the Divine Thief Gate, possessing the Star Picking Glove and aided by Sky Crane. His thieving skills were peerless – the perfect candidate to resolve this predicament!

However, the Night Emperor’s methods transcended mortal imagination. Proceeding thus still carried immense risks.

“You do it.” Chu Yun’s eyes flickered as he made up his mind. This situation was worth the gamble.

Xiao Xiaoxian nodded, took a deep breath, donned the Star Picking Glove, and simultaneously activated Sky Crane. His hands trembled as he slowly reached into the darkness.

His hands gradually sank deeper; soon, his forearms were submerged in the darkness. Suddenly, his face turned deathly pale, a flicker of panic in his eyes.

“I-I touched a pair of human feet!” he stammered, cold sweat dripping down his face, his hair standing on end, goosebumps erupting.

But in an instant, his expression changed drastically, his eyes flashing with sharp light, his entire body trembling with excitement.

“Wait! Such a treasure!” He continued to feel around, his expression entranced, muttering to himself.

His sudden outbursts made Chu Yun want to smack him. He hissed, “You pervert! Do you have a foot fetish? You like touching dead people’s feet?!”

“N-no. These are boots, definitely treasures! Based on my years of experience, I can guarantee they are Supreme Grade Tribulation Demon Soldiers!” Xiao Xiaoxian explained incoherently.

Suddenly, his expression turned extremely dejected, his brow furrowed. “What a shame! These boots are on the Night Emperor’s feet. If I try to forcibly pull them off, it will definitely alert the Demonic Beast Dark Shadow.”

Similarly, besides the boots, there were robes, a crown, a belt, and ornaments. All these items, buried with the Night Emperor, were priceless treasures. They were likely the Night Emperor’s personal Demonic items, but alas, for now, he could only touch them, not acquire them.

“Stop being captivated. There should be other burial items. Feel around the corners of the coffin,” Chu Yun said, looking exasperated at Xiao Xiaoxian’s expression. He shook his head and gently reminded him.

“Oh, I found something!” Xiao Xiaoxian immediately exclaimed. “It’s long, hard, and quite thick. Placed right by the Night Emperor’s feet.”

Then, he carefully retrieved the mysterious object.

It was a stone tablet. The tablet had an ancient design, with simple, unadorned patterns, appearing unpretentious like an ordinary object.

“Why is it a stone tablet?” Xiao Xiaoxian’s eyes showed a hint of disappointment, but in an instant, he noticed something peculiar and exclaimed with surprise, “Sect Leader, doesn’t it look familiar?”

Chu Yun had already sensed it. He took out his passage token for comparison. Clearly, these two items were closely related, as their crafting styles were identical.

He took the stone tablet, broke the seal, and communicated with its spiritual energy, thus integrating the tablet into his use.

The moment of success caused all the dormant palaces in Night Emperor City to erupt with magnificent brilliance, silencing the entire chaotic battlefield.

“So that’s how it is! This is the central control for the entire Night Emperor City, called the Passage Command Tablet. Only the Night Emperor possessed it. Mastering it means mastering the entire Night Emperor City!” Chu Yun rejoiced.

Holding the Passage Command Tablet, standing on the highest floor of the high tower, everything in Night Emperor City was directly reflected in his mind. The palaces, the halls of blades, the numerous pavilions, grand archways, magnificent city walls – the awe-inspiring scenes of battle unfolded simultaneously in his mind.

Furthermore, the Passage Command Tablet faithfully recorded the past and present of Night Emperor City, all events that had transpired. This information also flooded into Chu Yun’s consciousness.

“So the commoner’s passage token was merely an entry permit for civilians. The passage token was held by the palace lords. And the Passage Command Tablet possesses the highest level of control,” Chu Yun suddenly understood.

Night Emperor City was vast and meticulously structured, clearly delineated by rank, created by the Night Emperor. The entire city was composed of immense Demonic Soldiers. Compared to it, Shu Family’s Huode City was as insignificant as an ant to a giant elephant.

“Roar!”

Just then, Ink Qilin let out an enraged roar, its sound like rolling thunder, shaking Night Emperor City and shattering the battlefield’s silence. It understood the source of the recent disturbance and turned, its hooves flying, carrying a terrifying aura as it charged towards the high tower.

Chu Yun’s body jolted, his heart pounding. He quickly cut off the information flow from the passage token.

“Bad news… I’ve attracted Ink Qilin again. Wait, this is Night Emperor City, it should have a great formation protecting it. Is this… the Heavenly Constellations and Earthly Fiends Formation?”

Unnecessary panic would only worsen the situation. Chu Yun forced himself to calm down and quickly found a solution.

Using the Passage Command Tablet, he activated the greatest defensive formation in Night Emperor City.

To everyone’s astonishment, the defensive arrays outside the thirty-six palaces and seventy-two halls reactivated. All one hundred and eight palaces rose from the ground, forming a grand formation that trapped Ink Qilin in the center.

Ink Qilin roared in fury, exhaling an immense torrent of dark light that surged like a great river, causing various palaces to tremble.

This was an incomplete Heavenly Constellations and Earthly Fiends Formation. In the true formation, each palace would have a Hall Master wielding a passage token to preside over it. However, this, at least, could hold Ink Qilin back for a moment.

“What… what is happening?!” The Wanderers watched in bewilderment as the scene unfolded, deeply surprised.

“The palaces in Night Emperor City have surrounded Ink Qilin. We are saved!” Many cheered, only to be immediately pounced upon by demonic beasts beside them. Ink Qilin was contained, but the chaotic battle had already erupted and was still ongoing.

“Someone has manipulated the Ancient City!” White Bone Ghost Lord’s eyes flickered with cold light. “Interesting. They took me as a shield, hmm! Using me comes with a price.”

He soared into the sky, his form like a phantom, cutting through the air as he charged towards the central high tower.

Accompanying him were Sword Friend Li Yu. Both of them were Jun level powerhouses, their internal spiritual energy blazing like homes, their wisdom extraordinary. They instantly saw through the truth of the situation, keenly sensing the importance of the central high tower.

“Damn it!” Chu Yun gritted his teeth. He used the Passage Command Tablet again, mobilizing three nearby tribes of demonic beasts with all his might to defend the central high tower. These demonic beasts that resided in Night Emperor City were its original guardians.

After Night Emperor City fell and was buried beneath the desert, some of these demonic beasts died, while others prospered and multiplied.

The three beast tribes formed three defensive lines, temporarily holding back the two Jun level powerhouses.

“We’re in trouble. Hurry up and search!” After setting these measures in place, Chu Yun urgently instructed Xiao Xiaoxian.

Xiao Xiaoxian was startled. He could hear some of the commotion outside the tower. Seeing Chu Yun’s unusually solemn expression, he knew the situation was dire.

“I’m searching, I’m already searching,” he replied, a hint of anxiety also evident in his expression. Yet, his actions had to be extremely cautious to avoid awakening Dark Shadow. This was a formidable test of his thieving skills.

“I found something, what is this? Round, soft, like a spoiled bun.” He murmured, pulling out a steamed bun.

A look of utter bewilderment froze on both Chu Yun and Xiao Xiaoxian’s faces. In that moment, they even forgot the perilous environment surrounding them, where Ink Qilin could break through the formation at any moment, or the two Jun level powerhouses could breach their defenses and come after them.

“What is this thing? It’s really a steamed bun!” Xiao Xiaoxian exclaimed, kneading it. It felt quite nice.

“Among the Night Emperor’s burial goods, there’s a steamed bun! Plump and white, this…” Chu Yun was dumbfounded. He was speechless. This was beyond the limits of imagination!