Chapter 966: Chapter 985: Whereabouts Shrouded in Mystery
Clang!
One palm, just a single palm, shattered the Myriad Miles Heaven Sword into fragments, and stars exploded in the aftermath. The vast demonic qi raging through the cosmos instantly enveloped the figures of the two combatants.
Boom boom boom!
The Thirty-Three Heavens were in turmoil, and no one could discern the outcome of the battle between the two. Only Ye Xuan gazed at the starry sky, as if he could see the spectacle of their fight.
Time passed quickly, just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. The chaos outside the Thirty-Three Heavens gradually subsided, and two figures returned from the outer realms.
Illusions in the void, Qiankun Shifting.
Ziwei quietly appeared beside Ye Xuan, his expression unchanged without any sign of anomaly, while Luo Hou returned at this moment, unchanged from before, always wearing a gentle smile.
"Luo Hou Daoist truly lives up to his reputation, Ziwei bows in respect." Ziwei cupped his hands in gesture.
"Ziwei Daoist is a Saint of the Heavenly Dao. If the battle lasted longer, I would surely be defeated. Today, we draw even thanks to your concession," Luo Hou said with a smile.
No one knew the outcome of this battle; it seemed like a draw as they claimed, but only Ye Xuan and the two combatants knew that Ziwei had lost, and lost utterly.
One strike, just a single strike, Luo Hou’s earth-shattering blow directly destroyed Ziwei’s physical body. If not for Ziwei’s revival through the power of the Heavenly Dao, he would have already perished.
Ye Xuan witnessed the entire scene, and was astonished by Luo Hou’s terrifying cultivation.
Although Ye Xuan knew Luo Hou was powerful, perhaps comparable to the cultivation of the Heavenly Dao Fifth Tribulation, he never expected him to be so formidable, to kill Ziwei in a single blow.
Moreover, Ye Xuan understood well that Luo Hou did it deliberately, intending to showcase his invincible cultivation to Ye Xuan, and to impose a tremendous sense of oppression.
Luo Hou executed his plan flawlessly, defeating Ziwei decisively, indeed making Ye Xuan witness his fearsome might. But Ye Xuan held no fear of Luo Hou. In the past, he might not have been a match for Luo Hou, but now he had overcome the Heavenly Dao Fourth Tribulation and possessed the Silent Annihilation Battle Armor. Although he couldn’t kill Luo Hou, Luo Hou also couldn’t kill him.
From this battle between Ziwei and Luo Hou, Ye Xuan discovered a great secret: Luo Hou’s physical body was also terrifying, completely not weaker than his own, and Ziwei was no match in close combat.
"Today, Ziwei attains sainthood, Luo Hou Daoist’s presence is an honor for our Heavenly Court. Why not accompany me, sit down together, and discuss Dao?" Ye Xuan invited with a slight smile to Luo Hou.
"I was just hoping for that." Luo Hou agreed with a smile.
"Please."
Ye Xuan gestured invitingly and headed towards the Heavenly Emperor Palace, with Luo Hou following closely, both disappearing from sight.
As they left, the enthronement ceremony finally came to a close, with Ziwei assuming the position of Heavenly Emperor under congratulations from various Daoist sects, accepting the homage of the Daoist sects and members of the Heavenly Court.
Yet everyone’s thoughts were not on this, many were speculating on what Ye Xuan and Luo Hou intended to do after leaving.
...
Heavenly Emperor Palace.
High above the palace, stars filled the sky.
Wisps of auspicious qi spread through the Heavenly Emperor Palace, and bright starlight poured down, illuminating Ye Xuan and Luo Hou seated opposite each other, their figures untouched by dust.
"Myraid Feet Red Dust Technique."
Luo Hou’s expression was serene as he turned and casually tossed a thin book of scriptures to Ye Xuan, who similarly tossed a booklet to Luo Hou.
"Undying Immortal Scripture Summary."
As they exchanged scriptures, each opened the other’s cultivation technique, and the entire Heavenly Emperor Palace fell into silence, as if both were lost in contemplation of the scriptures.
"Good, good, good! Such a profound method of ’Proving Dao with Power.’ The profound meaning of the Undying Immortal Scripture Summary is incredibly abstruse. No wonder Ye Daoist has achieved such accomplishments today." Luo Hou closed the scriptures, his voice full of praise.
"Myriad Feet Red Dust, a road to the heavens, I didn’t expect this technique to be so wondrous!" Ye Xuan closed the scriptures, his eyes shut briefly as if sensing something. When he reopened his eyes, he let out a long sigh.
"Heavenly Dao Nine Layer Tribulation, each tribulation is life and death. Daoist, your path of ’Proving Dao with Power’ is incredibly difficult. Besides the ancient Pangu God, only you have cultivated to the Heavenly Dao Fourth Tribulation."
"Unfortunately, the Pangu God also died amidst the Heavenly Dao Nine Tribulations. Do you have the confidence to surpass Pangu, Daoist?" Luo Hou sighed softly, his eyes subtly observing Ye Xuan’s reaction.
"Red Dust Nine Tribulations, each tribulation one red dust. Daoist, your Myriad Feet Red Dust Technique is truly the profound meaning of Dao. Though not inferior to my Heavenly Dao Nine Tribulations, I fear you might fall halfway, otherwise I would lose a lifelong friend." Ye Xuan whispered hoarsely.
"The Dao is simple, all laws return to one. Let’s see who will perish on their path first." Luo Hou paused briefly, then coldly smiled and continued, "Ye Xuan, let’s not speak cryptically. We will inevitably face Hong Jun’s tribulation. He acts on behalf of heaven and won’t tolerate us. When the time comes, only by joining forces can we overcome this ordeal."
"If such a tribulation comes, I can join forces with you." Ye Xuan slowly nodded.
"Good."
Luo Hou was waiting for Ye Xuan’s response. He stood up and walked toward the outside, his voice falling into Ye Xuan’s ears.
"Ye Xuan, this so-called Three Realms means nothing to me; it’s merely a prison of heaven and earth. If you truly wish to form a good bond, then you and I are friends, not enemies."
Luo Hou had already disappeared, and Ye Xuan gazed at his departing back, falling into contemplation.
"Friends, not enemies?" Ye Xuan’s eyes moved, and a mysterious smile appeared on his lips. No one knew what he was thinking.
"Sir, why did you exchange the Undying Immortal Scripture Summary with him?"
Suddenly, Huang Fatty walked out from the rear hall, his face full of confusion, having watched the entire exchange.
Huang Fatty had been with Ye Xuan the longest; he knew clearly that the Undying Immortal Scripture Summary was the foundation of Ye Xuan’s cultivation. Wasn’t this benefiting Luo Hou?
"Do you think what I gave him is real?" Ye Xuan spoke indifferently.
"This...?" Huang Fatty was initially stunned, then his face lit up, realizing he’d worried unnecessarily.
"Though I gave him a modified Undying Immortal Scripture, what he gave me in exchange lacked the most vital content."
"We are mutually suspicious, without trust. Our so-called exchange of scriptures only observes each other’s law and Dao. As for how much can be understood from these incomplete scriptures, it depends entirely on individual skill." Ye Xuan whispered softly.
"Sir, Luo Hou is too cunning; even I tremble just seeing him. I’m afraid he’ll...!" Huang Fatty voiced his concern.
"No worries. Having a great adversary in life can be considered fortunate, as it spurs me to continue forward, even until I tread upon him." Ye Xuan smiled slightly.
"How is the task I assigned you?" Ye Xuan shifted the topic, his smile disappearing as he looked at Huang Fatty with some seriousness.
"Sir, the whereabouts of Zhu Jiuyin and Emperor Jiang remain a mystery. We’ve scoured the Three Realms thoroughly but haven’t found any trace of them. I am deeply ashamed." Huang Fatty reported, his face blushing.
Upon hearing Huang Fatty’s report, Ye Xuan showed no disappointment and said, "It’s not your fault. Zhu Jiuyin and Emperor Jiang’s innate divine ability is the Power of Space-Time. Even searching by Saints is exceedingly difficult, so I anticipated that this task may not be accomplished."