Chapter 694: One of the Twelve Divine Emperors

When Hou Hen saw Ding Huan's expression, he knew Ding Huan had never heard of him, so he said: "I am Hou Hen, one of the Twelve Divine Emperors—my rank is quite high."

But the universe we inhabited was destroyed in a great cosmic calamity; everything collapsed and vanished. If not for a stroke of luck, I wouldn't be alive today."

Twelve Divine Emperors?

It sounds impressive, but honestly, Ding Huan truly had no idea.

He knew about cosmic calamities, but were they really that severe?

Wasn't the Nine Heavens shattered into fragments precisely because of a calamity?

Seeing Ding Huan still showed no reaction, Emperor Hou Hen had to say again: "What about Mingyue Divine Emperor, Guigu Divine Emperor, Hengzuo Divine Emperor? Have you heard of them?"

Ding Huan still shook his head.

Emperor Hou Hen let out a long sigh; he had hoped to use his reputation to start a conversation with Ding Huan.

If Ding Huan knew his name, the rest of the matter would be much easier.

Now Ding Huan clearly knew nothing—even thought he was a fraud. How could they even talk? The conversation was dead.

If things continued like this, how could he possibly ask Ding Huan to cooperate—or even help him?

"Have you heard of the Nail-Head Book? Or the Divine Arts of Shrinking Distance and Ten Thousand Jun Sky-Earth?"

Ding Huan's eyes lit up—the Art of Shrinking Distance was nothing special, he could do it himself. But the Nail-Head Book? That was powerful.

"I've heard of it."

"Good. The Nail-Head Book is Mingyue Divine Emperor's signature treasure."

"I thought it was yours. You use someone else's treasure to talk to me—what's the point?"

Ding Huan's tone carried a hint of disdain.

Upon hearing the Nail-Head Book wasn't Emperor Hou Hen's, Ding Huan's interest vanished instantly.

"Speak plainly—what do you want to trade with me? What can I gain from you?" Ding Huan understood what Emperor Hou Hen meant, and he had no patience for roundaboutness.

Hearing Ding Huan's words, Emperor Hou Hen perked up: "You've seen my situation, right?"

"I've seen it—you're bound up like a turtle, unable to move." Ding Huan spoke frankly.

Though Ding Huan spoke the truth, his tone and manner made Emperor Hou Hen feel deeply uncomfortable.

"Untie these sealing runes for me, and I'll give you one superior-grade Star Spirit Vein."

Ding Huan shrugged: "No need. I don't need you to give me anything—I can absorb Spirit Veins myself to cultivate. Why should I take yours?"

"But it's mine," Emperor Hou Hen was genuinely angry now.

"Then keep your own things. I haven't stopped you." Ding Huan remained calm.

Emperor Hou Hen knew he couldn't pressure Ding Huan. He took a deep breath and said: "Together we both benefit; apart…"

"... I benefit." Ding Huan cut in before Emperor Hou Hen could finish.

Emperor Hou Hen opened his mouth. Though he hated to admit it, he knew Ding Huan was right.

Ding Huan could refuse to cooperate—he had to cooperate with Ding Huan.

"You're right. I, Hou Hen, owe you a favor. Untie these sealing runes for me," Emperor Hou Hen sighed.

"Your favor means little to me, so don't waste words on such trivialities." Ding Huan waved his hand, interrupting Hou Hen without hesitation.

Emperor Hou Hen was utterly helpless; he couldn't utter a single word.

In his prime, just hearing his name would have made countless beings across the vast cosmos scramble to curry favor.

Now he was truly fallen—this young upstart didn't care a bit about his favor.

"If there's nothing else, I'm leaving. By the way, I plan to set up a new cultivation site right here." Ding Huan pointed to a spot no more than ten zhang from Emperor Hou Hen.

Emperor Hou Hen nearly spat blood—setting up a Spirit Gathering Array right beside his own cultivation spot? Was this a slap to his face?

"Then can you at least untie my sealing runes?"

"Maybe. I need to study them first—but with my ability, it's only a matter of time before I break them."

"Fine. If you can break my array runes, name your price."

"Ten top-grade Star Spirit Veins, plus one primordial treasure."

Ding Huan made an outrageous demand. He didn't know what the Twelve Divine Emperors were, but since this man spoke of rank and being an old powerhouse, perhaps he really had such things.

Ding Huan had little memory of "rank," but he'd heard of "position" from Lao Liu.

Lao Liu once said: those without position were forbidden from entering the Cosmic Position Disc.

He didn't know if this "position" was the same as "rank."

"Are you insane?" Emperor Hou Hen, hearing Ding Huan's demand, nearly choked on blood.

Ten top-grade Star Spirit Veins? Plus a primordial treasure?

"You told me to name my price. Then you name yours."

Ding Huan said.

Emperor Hou Hen could easily see through this little trick of Ding Huan's.

But he had no choice. A genius like Ding Huan might not appear again for countless aeons.

Even if he did appear, would he ever face-to-face negotiate like this? Ding Huan had constructed such a powerful Spirit Gathering Array, and his method of carving void runes seemed utterly unique.

If Ding Huan truly could break his binding runes, a little sacrifice wouldn't hurt.

"One top-grade Star Spirit Vein, two superior-grade Star Spirit Veins, plus a Falling Star Arrow," Emperor Hou Hen said slowly.

Ding Huan's eyes lit up—his initial demand hadn't been too far off.

Before he could raise the price further, Emperor Hou Hen said coolly:

"This is my bottom line. If you refuse, forget it. Though I can't stop you, I'm certain you can't take the Star Spirit Veins from beside me."

From the man's calm tone, Ding Huan knew he didn't need to raise the offer—this was clearly the old man's limit.

He was a straightforward man—no endless back-and-forth, just laid out his bottom line outright.

Success or failure, I'm done with it.

Emperor Hou Hen continued: "Actually, what's truly precious isn't those three Starlight Divine Veins—it's the Falling Star Arrow. You wanted a primordial divine artifact? The Falling Star Arrow is one."

Ding Huan bowed his fist: "Please, Brother Hou Hen, tell me about the Falling Star Arrow."

In one look /p>

Hearing Ding Huan call him "brother," Emperor Hou Hen felt an inexplicable sense of loss.

Back when I was still one of the Twelve Divine Emperors, who among them didn't stop and respectfully address me as "Divine Emperor above"?

Now even a greenhorn dares call me "brother." Sigh.

Though displeased, he still had to speak: "I don't know how this bow and arrow came to be, only that it's one bow with three arrows."

"The bow is the Heaven-Earth Bow; the arrows are the Falling Sun Arrow, the Falling Moon Arrow, and the Falling Star Arrow. I hold only the Falling Star Arrow—the rest you must find yourself."

Ding Huan frowned. So after all that, he only had one arrow?

Emperor Hou Hen saw through Ding Huan's thoughts and sneered: "If I had the Heaven-Earth Bow, do you think I'd give you the Falling Star Arrow?"

"Even if you were a million miles away, I'd kill you with one shot—would you still have the chance to face me and seize my Divine Source?"

The old bastard speaks truth—if he had both the Heaven-Earth Bow and the Falling Star Arrow, he'd have no need to waste words with me.

"Fine, I agree. Now give me the item," Ding Huan said, knowing when to stop.

Emperor Hou Hen spoke coolly: "I can give you the Falling Star Arrow now. As for the Starlight Divine Veins—you'll retrieve them yourself later."

"Why?" Ding Huan asked instinctively.

Emperor Hou Hen sneered: "Do you think if I could freely take out the Starlight Divine Veins, I'd let you absorb my Divine Source right in front of me without stopping you?"

"That's fair," Ding Huan conceded.

Emperor Hou Hen flung out an arrow steeped in the vast aura of the starry heavens—it instantly appeared before Ding Huan.

Ding Huan opened his hand—the long arrow landed in his grasp.

The vast stellar aura vanished instantly; all that remained in his hand was an ordinary black arrow.

Ding Huan immediately understood—the stellar aura had been activated by Emperor Hou Hen, meant to show him this arrow was no ordinary thing.

Did he think Ding Huan had no eyes?

Ding Huan chuckled, raised his hand, and stowed the Falling Star Arrow, then turned to leave.

"Aren't you going to help me remove the Forbidden Script?" Seeing Ding Huan turn, Emperor Hou Hen feigned a frown.

He knew full well Ding Huan wouldn't remove the Forbidden Script now—and Ding Huan couldn't remove it even if he tried.

But he wanted to give Ding Huan the impression that he was careless, forgetful of details.

"I need time to study this Forbidden Script before I can figure out how to remove it."

Ding Huan didn't turn his head as he spoke.

He didn't ask what caused the Forbidden Script—no matter the reason, he wouldn't help Emperor Hou Hen remove it now.

Until he reached the Divine King realm, no matter how much Emperor Hou Hen promised, he wouldn't come near him.

These old devils are all cunning—take one misstep, and you're trapped in their hands.

"Ding Huan, why did you move again to train?" Ji Luo, newly ascended to World God, saw Ding Huan setting up a Spirit Gathering Divine Array just ten zhang opposite the long-faced cultivator.

"Old Ji, don't you feel we absorb more Divine Qi the closer we get to him?"

Ji Luo grimaced: Do I need you to tell me that?

But what if he casts another net again?

You're not afraid—I, Old Ji, am afraid.

If he locks me up for another few hundred years and you sneak off quietly, where will I even cry?

Though inwardly miserable, seeing Ding Huan still setting up the Spirit Gathering Divine Array, he could only trudge over with a sour face.

Training beside Ding Huan meant at least having Ding Huan as a shield.

If he trained alone, not only would his progress be slow—who knew if this horse-faced bastard might suddenly grab Old Ji?

(Brother, good night! Please support with Moon Tickets!)

(End of Chapter)