Chapter 1242: Blackleaf Lake

Dongbo Xueying was astonished.

Most experts would strive to resist illusions, yet this Supreme Monarch Shifang actually allowed himself to be drawn into one—such confidence! However, he clearly suffered for it, forced to expend full effort to break free, causing his terrifying aura to leak out slightly. The aura of the Sinful Dead was inherently malevolent and dreadful, and though Supreme Monarch Shifang usually suppressed it, even its natural diffusion was enough to annihilate all King-class beings. Even the Divine Generals among the Emperor-class would be repelled or injured, with only those at the level of a ‘Divine Emperor’ able to withstand the aura’s impact with relative ease.

“Shall we proceed?” Divine Emperor Beihe revealed a pleased expression. “Thank you, Supreme Monarch Shifang.”

“With Emperor Feixue here, even if I tried to stop you, I wouldn’t succeed,” Supreme Monarch Shifang replied. “Come, I’ll guide you. If you flew on your own, who knows how long it would take.”

Divine Emperor Beihe did not refuse.

At the same time, he discreetly observed Dongbo Xueying and then Supreme Monarch Shifang. He was curious—just how much had Supreme Monarch Shifang’s strength been affected by Emperor Feixue’s soul techniques? But since he dared to willingly enter the illusion, his resistance to it likely remained formidable.

“Teaming up with Emperor Feixue to confront a Supreme Monarch might still be a challenge,” Divine Emperor Beihe mused inwardly. “But at least the gap between me and a Supreme Monarch has narrowed! Moreover, with Emperor Feixue by my side, I fear no encirclement. The only regret is that Emperor Feixue refuses to stay with me permanently—he even aided Wufeng once before!”

“Whoosh.”

Supreme Monarch Shifang’s invisible power enveloped the surroundings, while Divine Emperor Beihe continued to shield Dongbo Xueying and the ten Divine Generals.

Swoosh!

They traversed the void in an instant, arriving at the deepest core of the island.

“We’re here.”

Supreme Monarch Shifang’s voice rang out.

The space before them shifted, and Dongbo Xueying surveyed his surroundings. Beside him lay a fiery-red lake, its scorching waters radiating intense heat that distorted the very void. Floating atop the lake were countless black leaves, spanning tens of thousands of miles in concentric circles. The closer to the center, the larger the leaves grew.

The central leaf was a staggering hundred miles in diameter, while the outermost ones were barely large enough for a few ordinary people to stand upon.

Amidst the black leaves bloomed purple flowers.

At a glance, there were roughly a hundred of these exquisite blossoms. Like the leaves, the flowers grew larger toward the center. The largest purple flower occupied nearly a third of the central black leaf.

“Whoosh—”

The entire lake, with its sprawling expanse of black leaves and purple flowers, exuded an intangible oppressive aura that left the gathered experts breathless.

“Beihe,” Supreme Monarch Shifang said with a faint smile. “The Blackleaf Lake lies before you. I won’t stop you. Take as much nectar as you can—but you should know, the nectar of Blackleaf Lake isn’t so easily obtained.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve long prepared for this.” Divine Emperor Beihe first waved his hand, storing away the ten Divine Generals. He feared they might be attacked by Supreme Monarch Shifang during the nectar collection. As for Dongbo Xueying? To ensure safety, he had brought multiple avatars—some hidden within Divine Emperor Beihe’s spatial treasures.

Even if his external avatars were ambushed and destroyed, it wouldn’t affect the overall situation.

Divine Emperor Beihe and Dongbo Xueying exchanged a glance.

“Go ahead and collect the nectar, Divine Emperor. I’ll just take a look around,” Dongbo Xueying said, his curiosity piqued.

“Very well.” Divine Emperor Beihe nodded before stepping onto the outermost black leaf. He landed gently and began walking toward the nearest purple flower.

Watching Divine Emperor Beihe carefully extract nectar with intricate tools, Dongbo Xueying turned his attention elsewhere. The surroundings were lined with structures, and even the lake itself was part of a vast garden enclosed by walls.

“Only because Emperor Feixue is here did Beihe even make it to Blackleaf Lake,” Supreme Monarch Shifang remarked as he approached Dongbo Xueying. “Emperor Feixue, with your mastery of the soul path, why assist Beihe? I’m sure many Divine Emperors would vie for your favor. Even without helping him, Beihe couldn’t force you.”

Dongbo Xueying smiled faintly.

His aid to Divine Emperor Beihe was primarily to prevent war—though the emperor’s courtesy had also played a part.

“Divine Emperor Beihe can provide what I seek,” Dongbo Xueying replied before shifting the topic. “Supreme Monarch, why is the pressure from Blackleaf Lake so overwhelming?”

Even standing on the shore, he felt suffocated.

“On the shore, it’s merely a slight pressure,” Supreme Monarch Shifang said with a chuckle. “But step onto those black leaves and approach the center—the closer you get, the greater the pressure becomes, until it’s unbearable. Even I cannot set foot on the central leaf.”

“Even you can’t?” Dongbo Xueying was stunned.

How powerful was a Supreme Monarch? Yet mere pressure prevented him from reaching the center?

“Blackleaf Lake is connected to one of the two terrifyingly powerful Primordial Chaos creatures that fell long ago,” Supreme Monarch Shifang mused. “Even their residual power, forming this lake, repels me. I can’t imagine how fearsome they must have been in life.”

Dongbo Xueying nodded. If they could wound Yuan, they must have been nearly his equal.

“Though there are over a hundred Blackleaf Flowers, Beihe’s resistance to pressure is inferior to mine. He’ll likely only gather nectar from half—and those will be the smallest.” Supreme Monarch Shifang chuckled softly. The closer to the center, the larger the flowers. The central purple blossom, spanning dozens of miles, likely held more nectar than all the others combined.

“May I take a closer look?” Dongbo Xueying asked.

“Of course,” Supreme Monarch Shifang replied. “But be cautious. Do not touch the lake water—its heat would reduce you to ashes instantly.”

“Understood.”

Dongbo Xueying then flew toward the outermost black leaf.

“He’s going too?”

“Emperor Feixue is heading over?” The Sinful Dead under Supreme Monarch Shifang watched from afar, murmuring among themselves—most were displeased. Few among their kind had gentle temperaments.

Divine Emperor Beihe, still collecting nectar, glanced at Dongbo Xueying and smiled. “Brother Feixue, be careful,” he transmitted before resuming his task.

Landing lightly, Dongbo Xueying’s foot touched the black leaf, which flexed slightly but held firm.

“Such intense pressure.”

He had no interest in the nectar—he neither needed it nor possessed the tools to collect it. Instead, he was fascinated by the lake’s oppressive aura. That even a Supreme Monarch couldn’t reach the center was astounding.

“Tap, tap, tap…”

Dongbo Xueying strolled forward as if taking a leisurely walk.

The countless leaves spanned tens of thousands of miles, and he moved swiftly, stepping from one to the next. The leaves beneath his feet grew larger, and the pressure intensified.

“Incredible pressure,” he mused inwardly.

The pressure bore down directly on the soul.

With each step, it felt as though an endless mountain weighed upon him.

“This is tough.” Dongbo Xueying pressed onward.

“What?”

Supreme Monarch Shifang, watching from the shore, was shocked. “He’s gone so far already?”

“How? He’s walked that far without realizing it?” The Sinful Dead experts were equally stunned.

“How is this possible?” Even while gathering nectar, Divine Emperor Beihe kept an eye on his surroundings. Seeing Dongbo Xueying’s progress, he was astounded. He had studied Blackleaf Lake extensively and knew that even he might not reach that distance.

Gradually, Dongbo Xueying showed signs of strain—yet he had already reached the leaf closest to the center, a massive ten-mile-wide expanse.

“Hmm? Though it’s difficult, I’m just one step away from the central leaf.” Dongbo Xueying was amazed. Though his soul had absorbed a drop of the Mother of Ten Thousand Tentacles’ heartblood, his foundation remained at the Cosmic God’s second level. The heartblood had only elevated his current avatar’s soul slightly beyond that of an ordinary Ultimate realm expert.

Compared to a Supreme Monarch, the gap was still vast.

However, in terms of willpower, Dongbo Xueying far surpassed the Sinful Dead and natives, who relied solely on bloodline power. This was the advantage of cultivators.

Moreover, when he comprehended his Void Illusion Dao killing technique, his soul had undergone a unique transformation. As the undisputed master of the soul path, he could effortlessly manipulate soul energy into vast worlds, resisting the pressure bearing down on him.

“No way!” Supreme Monarch Shifang was dumbfounded.

“Could it be…?” Even Divine Emperor Beihe paused his nectar collection to watch Dongbo Xueying.

Under their gazes, Dongbo Xueying continued step by step—until he finally set foot on the central, largest black leaf of Blackleaf Lake.

“Hum—”

The moment his foot touched the leaf, the colossal Blackleaf Flower at the center erupted with dazzling violet light, illuminating the surroundings and bathing Dongbo Xueying in its radiance.