Chapter 9: Nine Virtues Wheel
June 18, 2014 Author: Gu Zhenren
Boom boom boom!
Amidst the world-shattering roars, the bloodthirsty rabbit-tigers scattered and fled, leaving behind a ground littered with rabbit corpses that were dissolving into light. Speckles of white light drifted like dandelions on snow.
Soon, only a pile of Demonic Crystals remained on Snow Top Mountain.
“So strong!” the four young men exclaimed, their mouths agape in astonishment.
Beside them stood several majestic Demonic Plants and Demonic Beasts, exuding an aura of power.
A Green-eyed Lionmane Beast, resembling a fierce tiger but as tall as a horse, possessed powerful limbs and smooth contours. Its entire body was crimson, appearing like a ball of flame standing on the snow, its elegance radiating the supreme majesty of a king among beasts.
A Verdant Treant, its green vines intertwined and woven, looked like a graceful, noble lady adorned in a magnificent gown.
There was also a Six-winged Silver Silkworm, palm-sized and shining with silver light. Three pairs of thin wings extended from its sides, buzzing like a bee as it flew.
These three Demonic creatures were all Supreme grade, with billions of years of cultivation. They had been placed in the Immortal Pouch by the Three Sovereigns to slumber, their purpose being to protect the Heavenly Destiny Child.
With the young men’s current Spirit, they couldn’t possibly control these three billion-year-old Tribulation Demons. However, they had rental contracts that allowed them to communicate with these three Demonic creatures.
“They’re truly too powerful; these rabbit demons were no match for us at all.” Watching the rabbit pack, which had pushed them to the brink of despair not long ago, now flee in disarray, the four young men felt as if they were dreaming.
“What’s so great about that?” the Green-eyed Lionmane Beast said in human speech, scoffing disdainfully.
“To eliminate all the demons on Snow Top Mountain is within my power. However, our master has instructed us not to kill indiscriminately in Xingzhou, except for the Innate Divine Demons. Otherwise, how could these little rabbits have escaped?” the Verdant Treant boasted proudly.
“You guys are amazing! The historical records don’t mention you at all. Are you masters’ hidden trump cards?” Qing Guo cheered excitedly.
The proud expressions of the three billion-year-old Demonic creatures faltered.
The Six-winged Silver Silkworm said in a cold tone, “Among our master’s subordinates, what are the three of us? We’re just the bottom tier. There are many beings far more powerful than us.”
There was no exaggeration in these words. The Emperors had to deal with the ever-increasing number of Innate Divine Demons, and their primary Demonic creatures could not be moved. These three Demonic creatures had merely been boosted to billions of years of cultivation by the World’s original force for temporary use.
Hearing this, the three young men were naturally filled with awe once again.
Suddenly, someone asked, “Is Spirit Emperor strong?”
The three Demonic creatures puffed up with pride again.
The Verdant Treant sneered, “He’s just a Great Emperor. When you encounter more of them later, you’ll understand the vast difference between Emperor level and Sovereign level.”
“The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, in the vast Xingzhou, there are only three Sovereigns and five Emperors. No, there’s also Night Emperor, who has now left Xingzhou,” the Green-eyed Lionmane Beast added with a hint of arrogance.
At their level, they were merely reserves, temporarily summoned by the Three Sovereigns to act as bodyguards. How could they possibly know that Chu Yun had been promoted to Sovereign?
In fact, this news had not been widely publicized. What would be the point of publicizing it? To unnecessarily increase Chu Yun’s fame?
The Emperors wouldn’t do such a foolish thing. Moreover, they harbored feelings of envy and jealousy. Promoting this news during the collection of faith would be like slapping themselves in the face and diminishing their own interests.
Although the Emperors hadn’t discussed it, they had silently reached a consensus and formed an information blockade.
“So that’s how it is,” Hong Fei, Tian Yun, and Qing Guo said, a look of realization dawning on their faces. The pent-up feeling in their hearts immediately eased.
Chu Yun’s spiritual pressure had given them extremely profound and terrifying premonitions, making it difficult for them to even breathe when they thought about it.
But now, with the explanation from the Demonic creatures, they felt much better.
Chu Yun’s powerful spiritual pressure, in their current view, was merely that of an upstart flaunting his strength. Behold the demeanor of the Three Sovereigns; that was true substance, demonstrating nobility and elegance without fanfare, making the Spirit Emperor seem superficial in comparison.
“I knew it. Among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Spirit Emperor is the weakest. The great achievements of the others have been documented in at least seven or eight books, and the legends of the Three Sovereigns’ masters can’t even be told completely in three days and three nights. In comparison, Spirit Emperor is like an infant among giants,” Qing Guo pouted.
“Even Long Yanjing once dominated Xingzhou and conquered many countries. Spirit Emperor’s legend is, at best, the unification of the Archipel. It’s said that after he became Emperor, he moved the entire Archipel away. While this feat is miraculous, I always felt it was an act of evasion. It can’t be compared to the achievements of others at all,” Hong Fei commented expansively.
“Enough!” Pan Shi said sternly, his face darkened.
His sudden outburst startled the other three. “Pan Shi, are you alright? You scared us to death!” Tian Yun clutched her chest and rolled her eyes.
“What’s wrong, Stone? Spirit Emperor didn’t even give you an Immortal Pouch, and some inexplicable benefit has won you over?” Seeing the mark on Pan Shi’s forehead, Qing Guo sneered dismissively.
Pan Shi’s face was ashen, and his voice carried a rare anger. “The benefit itself doesn’t matter. I only know that Spirit Emperor is the only great being who extended a helping hand to me. For that reason alone, I respect him. From now on, I will only obey his decree!”
Seeing Pan Shi’s seriousness, the other three felt a sense of ennui, and the atmosphere fell silent. No one spoke further.
They walked in silence all the way down Snow Top Mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, the jungle was dense. The four were tired and decided to make camp, rest, and then continue.
“Let’s split up and search for food within a hundred-mile radius. We’ll regroup in fifteen minutes.” Under Hong Fei’s direction, the four chose different directions and ventured into the forest.
However, in less than three minutes, Hong Fei, Tian Yun, and Qing Guo returned to the makeshift camp with an abundance of food.
With the help of the three billion-year-old Demonic creatures, they had obtained yields far exceeding anything they had before.
“They are truly too strong! Do you know, a Great Spirit Monster Ghost Wolf suddenly appeared and terrified me. I was about to flee when I realized the wolf had collapsed on the ground, whimpering pitifully. It was actually scared to death by the Green-eyed Lionmane Beast!” Hong Fei boasted loudly, his face flushed.
“What’s that? I encountered a large swarm of Golden Needle Poison Bees. Before I could react, they were all wiped out by a sonic wave from the Six-winged Silver Silkworm. I easily raided their nest and found a large amount of Gold Honey. We’ll have a feast tonight. Heh heh…” Qing Guo carried a large beehive, smiling radiantly.
“This is all the masters’ affection for us. With them by our side, we can even fight Innate Divine Demons. Alas, the most pitiful is Pan Shi. He didn’t even receive an Immortal Pouch,” Tian Yun said, raising her eyebrows.
“His temper is truly stubborn and unyielding. Why did he yell just now? We only commented rationally on Spirit Emperor,” Hong Fei said with a hint of displeasure.
“Perhaps he’s in a bad mood. Think about it, among the four of us, we were all taken in by the Three Sovereigns and became their disciples. What did he gain? A mysterious mark, and Spirit Emperor didn’t even say a word to him,” Qing Guo pouted.
“Maybe it’s because his aptitude isn’t good. As friends, we should be more understanding. Didn’t you see I didn’t argue with him on the mountain?” Hong Fei sighed, a sense of superiority welling up within him. This feeling made him feel a bit elated.
“Yes, I feel the same. We’ve been through so much together on this adventure; it hasn’t been easy. However, we consider him a friend, but he might not consider us friends…”
They chatted back and forth, becoming more animated as they spoke.
Pan Shi was indeed in a bad mood, but the reason wasn’t what Hong Fei and the other two assumed; it was the Jin Yang grass.
His purpose in seeking the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors was to obtain Jin Yang grass to cure his mother’s illness. But in the end, he failed.
“Jin Yang grass, Jin Yang grass, how can I possibly find you?” Walking through the dim forest, Pan Shi’s heart was heavy, as if a large stone was pressing down on his chest.
His greatest hope had been dashed. Spirit Emperor hadn’t even spoken a word to him, only bestowing upon him a mysterious wheel, leaving him feeling utterly lost.
However, at that moment, Pan Shi suddenly felt a warmth on his brow. The wheel imprint on his forehead detached itself and flew out, hovering before him, forming a miniature, nine-colored wheel.
The wheel spun around him, then slowly flew towards the southeast.
Pan Shi was stunned by this inexplicable change, but then he jolted, realizing that the wheel was indicating a direction for him to go.
“Could it be leading me to where the Jin Yang grass is?” Hope surged in his heart, and Pan Shi quickly hurried to follow.
What was strange was that when he walked fast, the wheel was fast, and when he walked slowly, the wheel was slow.
But the wheel never left his sight.
They went deep into the forest like this, walking for three hours. Pan Shi had no idea where he had arrived.
He was inwardly astonished. Rationally speaking, strong Demonic creatures should emerge in the forest at night, but he had been walking for so long without encountering a single one.
The entire forest seemed to be devoid of all life except for him and the miniature wheel before him.
Finally, the wheel led Pan Shi to the depths of a valley.
“This, is this a Human Country Begonia?” Here, Pan Shi saw a Demonic Plant ablaze with color, its posture graceful, its hues vibrant and beautiful. The petals were a mix of red and white, exuding sanctity and nobility.
This was an extremely rare Destiny Demonic Plant, exceptionally precious. Legend had it that with it by one’s side, a Beast Tamer would soar to great heights, prosper, turn misfortune into fortune, and be highly lucky.
The nine-colored wheel flew above the Human Country Begonia flower and suddenly expanded, growing from fist-sized to its normal wheel form.
The wheel spun rapidly, sucking in all the mystical aura of the Human Country Begonia. In just a moment, the Human Country Begonia withered at a visible rate, eventually degenerating into a Demonic Plant seed.
Pan Shi watched in stupefaction. He had initially thought the wheel intended to lead him to subdue this flower, but the scene before him completely overturned his assumption.
Whoosh.
As he stood bewildered, the nine-colored wheel suddenly transformed into a rainbow light and re-entered his brow, reverting to an imprint. There was no further movement.
“Nine Virtues Wheel?” Pan Shi’s pupils suddenly dilated as a profound piece of information flowed into his mind like a gentle stream from the imprint.
He then realized that this was a Peerless Destiny Demonic Soldier, personally refined by Spirit Emperor and bestowed upon him, his foremost disciple, to travel the world.
This Demonic Soldier possessed nine attributes: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Lightning, Wind, Light, and Darkness. It also contained the nine virtues: Benevolence, Wisdom, Propriety, Righteousness, Trust, Loyalty, Filial Piety, Integrity, and Courage. It could absorb and seize the Destiny from all living beings, integrating it into itself to enhance its own power. It encompassed the mysteries of heaven and earth, the power to dominate the firmament, infinite potential for growth, and the divine power to interfere with fate.
The more Destiny it absorbed, the more powerful the Nine Virtues Wheel became. Although it could only absorb the Destiny of Lesser Demons now, given enough time to develop, it could even seize the destiny of a Heavenly Destiny Child!
Thump.
Pan Shi knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.
He was a man who knew value. Compared to the Nine Virtues Wheel, what were more Immortal Pouches, more billion-year-old Demonic creatures, or more Stone Coins?
“Master!” Pan Shi cried out emotionally. At this moment, he understood Chu Yun’s good intentions. By only bestowing the Nine Virtues Wheel, he wanted Pan Shi to grow on his own and strive for excellence.
“I, Pan Shi, swear here and now that I will not disappoint you. One day, I will stand at the peak of Xingzhou and be looked up to by everyone else. The Nine Virtues Wheel will become the Lord of Destiny, and its brilliance will lead this entire era!”
(To be continued)
