Going to Vulture Peak to rescue the surviving Great Sages?
Upon hearing this request, Meng Qi initially found it absurd and laughable. If any Great Sage had truly survived, wouldn’t rescuing them amount to suicide?
In the present era, although humanity appears to be flourishing like flowers in full bloom and burning oil lamps, once confronted with legendary-level enemies, there remains an insurmountable gap. Very few factions can barely hold their ground; all prosperity and future prospects would be crushed.
An initial legendary expert could accomplish it—how much more so for the Great Sages who roamed heaven and earth in ancient times?
Risking his life to gather information and exhausting all efforts to create the “Other Self Seal”—what was it all for? It was precisely to verify his own legend before the return of the legendary experts, to protect those he valued and the things he cherished. If the Great Sages were freed prematurely, wouldn’t it be putting the cart before the horse, contradicting means and ends?
Yet upon further reflection, Meng Qi’s heart grew heavy. The underlying implication behind the Demonic Sage’s heir proposing this request must be that they had reached an agreement with the Luo Sect, paying a certain price and accepting certain constraints to obtain access to Vulture Peak?
Without him, they could still seek cooperation with other powerful beings!
The plan to enter Vulture Peak and rescue the Great Sages had everything prepared, even the favorable winds were present. Seeking him out was merely an extra flourish; whether he declined or accepted seemed inconsequential to the overall situation.
Maintaining his expression unchanged, Meng Qi preserved the shrewdness of the head of the Jade Emptiness Palace on Kunlun Mountain and the aura of the strongest Celestial Immortal as he spoke indifferently, “Entering Vulture Peak? Have you obtained what you wanted from the Luo Sect?”
The Demonic Sage’s heir nodded slightly, a hint of pride in her voice as she replied, “Yes.”
Her response was concise and devoid of further explanation, clearly indicating she did not wish outsiders to know the price the demonic race had paid.
“The demonic race is spread across various realms, has been hiding its strength for many years, and now with the opening of the Demon Emperor Hall’s main gate, communication has resumed. This is a time of abundant talents. Why seek my help?” Meng Qi sat upright on his cloud bed, his voice as light as floating clouds.
The little fox remained composed, her expression calm as she said, “Other demons might not know, but I do. Across the myriad worlds, the Primordial Emperor reigns supreme. Without the emergence of legendary experts, who can rival him? Vulture Peak is full of dangers and hidden secrets at every step. With the Primordial Emperor’s assistance, our chances of success will increase by at least thirty percent. It’s worth the risk to save the Great Sages.”
She must have known about the battle between the strongest Celestial Immortals within the Demon Emperor Hall—how the Primordial Emperor and the Hegemon ended in a draw. In this era, without the emergence of true legendary experts, who could stand against him?
“Aren’t you afraid I might seize the opportunity to sabotage your efforts to free the Great Sages?” Meng Qi asked directly, his surrounding aura dark and swirling like descending auspicious clouds.
The little fox smiled slightly, her charm blossoming, “I believe that when the crucial moment comes, the Primordial Emperor will make the right judgment.”
Hmm, she must be certain that something at Vulture Peak will make me change my initial stance? Or does she believe my sabotage would be futile? Meng Qi’s thoughts churned with confusion.
The demonic race and the Luo Sect had already reached an agreement, and the arrow was already on the string, ready to be fired. If he joined them, he could still act according to circumstances, possibly sabotage or uncover the benefits the Luo Sect had gained. If he refused, he would have to wait for news passively, unable to control whether the information was good or bad.
What to do was self-evident.
Meng Qi formed seals with both hands, placing them on his knees, and spoke in a calm, emotionless tone, “Fine, I shall accompany you to explore Vulture Peak.”
Perhaps he could also recover the Yellow Spring bones, using them as materials for crafting supreme artifacts or as the core of the Jade Emptiness Palace’s protective formation.
“Thank you, Primordial Emperor.” The little fox suppressed her smile and performed a composed bow.
“How should I address you?” Meng Qi asked casually.
The corners of the little fox’s mouth lifted slightly, her dimples adding to her charm, “I no longer use my old name. After becoming the ruler of the Qingqiu Fox Clan, I am known as ‘Qingqiu.'”
“Ruler of the Qingqiu Fox Clan?” Meng Qi repeated the name, his mind naturally drifting to another nine-tailed fox, even more powerful, at the level of a Celestial Immortal.
Had Su Daji returned to the future, or was she in the Eastern Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli, under the ancient lamp beside a Buddha statue, or had she already passed away?
In the dimly lit room, the lamp flickered, casting the little fox’s silhouette as if a dream. Yet Meng Qi secretly sighed. With my help, the success rate will increase by at least thirty percent?
You’re still too naive and innocent, unaware that I am a troublemaker and an expert in unexpected events?
With my involvement, this journey will surely be full of twists and turns, unforeseen complications, and an uncertain outcome…
…
On the appointed day, Meng Qi brushed off the dust of countless years and, dressed in a simple green robe, descended upon the Eastern Sea. His temples were still streaked with gray, his demeanor as tranquil as an ancient well, showing no ripple of emotion.
Passing through the sea’s eye, he arrived at the Demon Emperor Hall. He saw the little fox, Qingqiu, waiting outside with her hands behind her back, her red dress now white, like a transcendent spirit, subtly exuding the noble and commanding aura of a phoenix.
“Master Su,” Qingqiu said as she led Meng Qi into the Demon Emperor Hall, “you will soon meet the supreme demonic deities from Naihe Heaven, Fantasy Heaven, and Yaoyuan Heaven. They have never set foot in the Real World. As long as you follow me, speak little, and do not display your aura, they will not take notice of you.”
After reaching their agreement, she had changed her address of him from “Primordial Emperor” to “Master Su.”
Naihe Heaven, Fantasy Heaven, Yaoyuan Heaven—so when the myriad heavens collapsed and the Sea-Stabilizing Pearls scattered, the demonic race at least obtained three of them? Lost in thought, Meng Qi followed her inside, his green robe deep and dark, like an elder who had weathered the passage of time, seemingly ordinary but unfathomable in reality.
Before its main gate was opened, the Demon Emperor Hall had been in a semi-sealed state. The demonic race could not enter the main hall to retrieve treasures, nor could they use the Demon Emperor Hall to travel between the myriad worlds. They could only enter its inner areas to obtain the inheritances of the Great Sages or to escape calamities. It was only after Taili and Qingqiu, with the assistance of the Master of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, arrived in the Fengshen World and opened the main gate that the Demon Emperor Hall regained its basic abilities of time travel, spatial movement, and spiritual connection, enabling it to link the myriad worlds.
Thus, Taili and others gradually reconnected with the demonic races from the Journey to the West world and those hidden in different heavens like Fantasy Heaven. However, the demonic race was still in a fragmented state, with various factions not recognizing each other’s authority, hence their lack of interference in the Real World.
Of course, even after the Demon Emperor Hall regained its ability to connect past and future, and the myriad worlds, Taili and Qingqiu could not return to the ancient era at will, as they had no control over the Hall itself—it all depended on the will of “the other.” Similarly, even if different demonic races from the ancient and present eras entered the Demon Emperor Hall, whether they could meet depended entirely on the Hall’s “will.” They might even overlap in presence without being aware of each other!
Supreme demonic deities—how powerful could they be? Meng Qi walked slowly with his hands clasped behind his back, following Qingqiu into the first grand hall.
This place was completely different from the last time he fought the Hegemon. The hall now had over a dozen doors on its four sides, and rows of ever-burning lamps had been added. Each candle was shaped like a figure raising its hands to mend the heavens, exuding an ancient and obscure aura.
At that moment, a creaking sound came from the other side of the hall, and a scorching yet overbearing presence rushed toward them.
Meng Qi stood calmly, hands behind his back, following Qingqiu’s gaze as they looked toward the source. From a “side door,” a tall, slender figure in crimson entered. Her neck was long and elegant, like a swan’s, and her aura was powerful, sacred, and filled with a burning intensity. Different parts of her body seemed composed of various stars.
“This is ‘Radiance,’ the supreme demonic deity from Fantasy Heaven, a descendant of the Phoenix, endowed with the Five Virtues. She is merely one step away from achieving legendary status. Even Taili, the proud peacock, admits that he is at least one tier beneath her,” Qingqiu conveyed to Meng Qi as she introduced her.
Five Virtues, nine fires burning the world? Meng Qi nodded slightly, keeping his aura concealed as he looked at Radiance.
Radiance was graceful and dignified. Her gaze swept over Meng Qi and settled on Qingqiu’s face. Her voice was like the most melodious celestial music, “You’ve brought a human helper?”
“The demonic race may have traitors, but the human race also has those worthy of trust,” Qingqiu replied calmly.
Radiance did not pay further attention to Meng Qi. Smiling slightly at Qingqiu, she said, “Vulture Peak is dangerous. Even with the favor of the Demonic Sage’s spear, your strength as a newly ascended demonic deity is insufficient. Why take this risk?”
Upon hearing this, Meng Qi immediately understood. As a descendant of the Phoenix, Radiance clearly looked down on Qingqiu and sought to compete for the position of Demonic Sage’s heir.
He smiled and watched the scene unfold like a curious bystander. Radiance paid no attention to his presence, unaware of the identity of the “Primordial Emperor” Su Meng, merely regarding him as a decently strong Celestial Immortal among humans.
Qingqiu lifted her chin slightly, “There’s no need for the Phoenix Demonic Deity to worry. My fate in Vulture Peak rests in the hands of heaven. If I perish there, the Demonic Sage’s spear will find a new master.”
Before her words had fully faded, another grand door creaked open, and a male demonic deity stepped in. He wore moderately ornate armor but exuded a sacred and untouchable aura.
This demonic deity wore golden armor, a phoenix-winged crown on his head, his pale yellow hair and perfectly sculpted features appearing as if crafted by heaven itself. Every movement radiated the demeanor of a ruler of the eight directions.
“This is ‘Luojia,’ the supreme demonic deity from Yaoyuan Heaven, a descendant of the Kirin, a divine beast by nature, always strong and no less formidable than Radiance,” Qingqiu whispered.
Luojia’s gaze swept over Meng Qi without lingering. He merely nodded slightly to Qingqiu and Radiance before walking aside, displaying his aloofness.
Once again, a creaking sound echoed, and a mighty, towering demonic deity, nearly nine feet tall, entered. He wore a black robe, his skin was dark, his mouth large, and his entire body radiated explosive power.
“This is ‘Feixiang,’ the supreme demonic deity from Naihe Heaven. He is not a true descendant of the Kunpeng, possessing only a faint trace of its bloodline. However, through his own efforts and fortunate encounters, he eventually attained the Kunpeng’s true form, capable of devouring all things with terrifying strength,” Qingqiu explained with a hint of wariness.
Feixiang entered slowly, his face breaking into a bright smile as he looked at Radiance, Qingqiu, and the others, saying, “You all arrived early. Let me make one thing clear beforehand: once we enter Vulture Peak, the Golden-Hooped Rod is mine!”
Tsk, he’s not even showing the slightest respect to the Demonic Sage’s heir… Meng Qi, who had been ignored, watched the scene with interest.
At that moment, the peacock demon god Taili, adorned with five-colored feathers, stepped out from behind the hall. Five shimmering beams of light—red, blue, yellow, white, and black—quivered gently behind him, unmistakably signaling a substantial surge in his power, now on par with a Celestial Immortal among mortals.
His gaze swept over the gathered demonic beings, arrogance evident. Although his cultivation level was somewhat lacking, he was not afraid of the Kirin demonic deity Luojia or the Kunpeng demonic deity Feixiang thanks to his Five-Color Divine Light. However, he was somewhat wary of the Phoenix demonic deity Radiance.
Then, he saw Meng Qi. At first, he was startled. As their eyes met, he immediately stopped in his tracks, feeling as if the other’s gaze was like the primordial chaos itself, nearly pulling his very soul into it!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage