Chapter 82: High-Level Meeting: Unforeseen Disaster

In the Virtual Universe, within one of its dimensional spaces, endless darkness filled the realm, with only distant specks of starlight visible.

Among those specks of starlight floated a simple divine temple.

Inside the temple stood a long stone table, with stone chairs lined on either side; at the head seat sat a single stone chair, occupied by a wild, giant brute.

This man was the Guardian of the Human Race, the Founder of the Great Axe.

With the Founder’s appearance, figures gradually materialized on the stone chairs lining the table—each one a Cosmic Master of the Human Race.

Moments later, all the Human Race’s powerful beings had arrived.

“Everyone is here!”

The Founder of the Great Axe gazed at the chairs on either side and said directly: “I’ve called you all here because the Purple Wind Sovereign, whom I just resurrected, said the one who killed him was Yan Emperor.”

“What?”

“How is that possible?”

“Could it be another powerful being disguised as him?”

Upon hearing this, every Cosmic Master around the table wore expressions of shock.

After all, they were all Cosmic Masters of the Human Race. Though many had flaws—selfishness, tyranny, greed, arrogance, or false kindness with cruel hearts—they would never dream of killing a fellow Zu member.

“Yan Emperor!”

The Founder of the Great Axe turned his gaze to Yan Emperor, seated beside Void Gold Master: “Is this true? Did you kill Purple Wind Sovereign?”

“Yes.”

Yan Emperor glanced around at the assembled Cosmic Masters and said casually: “Purple Wind was indeed killed by me, on a whim.”

“Yan Emperor!” Ice Peak Master, seated beside Dragon Walk Master, erupted in fury at Yan Emperor’s indifference—but Dragon Walk Master held him back.

“Why?”

The Founder of the Great Axe’s voice grew grim: “Yan Emperor, why did you attack Purple Wind Sovereign?”

“He disrespected me!”

Yan Emperor paid no heed to Ice Peak Master’s anger and replied carelessly: “Isn’t that reason enough?”

“Yan Emperor, you are utterly despicable!”

Ice Peak Master could no longer contain himself and shouted: “Purple Wind kept yielding to you at every turn after encountering you, yet you still coveted the supreme treasure on his person and struck him down when he was unprepared! That treasure must be on you now—what more is there to defend?”

“Yan Emperor, is this true?”

The Founder of the Great Axe’s voice deepened again: “Do you have the supreme treasure that belonged to Purple Wind Sovereign?”

“It’s on me!”

Yan Emperor replied offhandedly: “Purple Wind Sovereign disrespected me, so I killed him—his treasure is naturally my spoils of war. What’s wrong with that?”

Hearing this, Ice Peak Master’s fury intensified, and discontent spread across the faces of other Cosmic Masters.

“Yan Emperor!”

A calm voice spoke: “Even if Purple Wind Sovereign disrespected you, a mild punishment would have sufficed—why kill him outright and seize his treasure?”

“Exactly! Purple Wind Sovereign was one of our own Cosmic Sovereigns. If he offended you, assign him menial tasks—that’s enough! Killing him like this only harms our own Human Race’s interests!”

“Yan Emperor, you’ve gone too far with this.”

“I agree.”

As one Cosmic Master after another condemned him, Yan Emperor’s own resentment rose.

At that moment, the Founder of the Great Axe at the head seat spoke again.

“Yan Emperor!”

The Founder of the Great Axe said sternly: “Attacking a fellow Zu member for treasure is excessive! Fortunately, no great harm has been done—Purple Wind Sovereign has already been resurrected by my reversal of time and space!”

“Therefore, you will return all of Purple Wind Sovereign’s treasures, bear the cost of his resurrection, and pay him ten Treasure Points as compensation. Is that acceptable?”

“I think this resolution is fair.”

“I support it.”

“Yan Emperor, this is already lenient—accept it!”

Around the table, Cosmic Masters spoke in unison.

Ice Peak Master still wore anger on his face, but his gaze now fixed on Yan Emperor.

The Founder’s judgment was fair enough, and Purple Wind Sovereign would receive compensation. If Yan Emperor accepted this, Ice Peak Master, out of kinship, might forgive him once more.

But then—

“Impossible!”

Yan Emperor stood abruptly: “For a Cosmic Master to apologize to a Cosmic Sovereign? Never!”

At these words, Ice Peak Master’s fury surged: “Yan Emperor, you’re asking for death!”

“Ice Peak, you?”

Yan Emperor turned to Ice Peak Master and said coldly: “Even the strongest Cosmic being may not be able to defeat me—what are you, Ice Peak?”

“Both of you, calm down!”

“Yes, we’re all Zu members—this spectacle will only amuse our enemies!”

“Yan Emperor, you’re clearly in the wrong—just back down!”

“Yes, Yan Emperor, back down!”

One Cosmic Master after another pleaded.

“Hmph, Zu members?”

Yan Emperor rose and sneered: “This is non-negotiable! If you force me, I will lead the Yan Spirit Clan out of the Human Race!”

“This…”

“Yan Emperor, you…”

At Yan Emperor’s words, every Cosmic Master froze.

It was just a matter of an apology—how had it escalated to secession?

Yan Emperor said nothing more; he simply shifted his consciousness and severed his link to the Virtual Universe.

Seeing Yan Emperor’s arrogance, Ice Peak Master lost all restraint—his consciousness also severed from the Virtual Universe, and his true body immediately set course for the Yan Spirit Realm, where the Yan Spirit Clan resided.

“This…”

Watching Yan Emperor and Ice Peak Master vanish one after another, the other Cosmic Masters were stunned.

“How did it come to this?”

“Chun, is Ice Peak going to confront Yan Emperor? Can you stop him for now? Let’s deliberate first?”

Before Master of Chaos could speak, Dragon Walk Master could no longer hold back.

“Void Gold!” Dragon Walk Master said gravely: “The right and wrong here are clear! Yan Emperor attacked Ice Peak’s disciple for treasure, showed no remorse, and now threatens to sever the Yan Spirit Clan from our Human Race! If we don’t punish this severely, will other Cosmic Masters follow suit?”

“I agree with Dragon Walk—this precedent cannot be set!”

“Exactly! Our Human Race has worked hard to earn its current standing in the universe. If we break our rules over this, future troubles will follow!”

“Then how do we handle Yan Emperor? If we force him to surrender the treasures, he’ll surely grow alienated—and might truly lead the Yan Spirit Clan away!”

“Yes!”

Qingdong Master of the Cosmic Star Bank spoke up: “Don’t forget—Yan Emperor’s life gene level is nearly ten thousandfold, he wields three peak-grade magic treasures, including the most precious soul-type peak treasure beneath the Supreme Treasure. With only a Ultimate Secret Art created, he already possesses top-tier third-rank power!”

“Once he creates the Supreme Secret Art, his strength will reach top-tier fourth rank! If such a being leaves our Human Race, it will be a catastrophic loss!”

At these words, the surrounding Cosmic Masters fell silent.

Yan Emperor had cultivated for so little time, yet his power already made countless beings across the universe wary—what if he created the Supreme Secret Art, or even fused it?

After a moment of silence, it was Peng Gong Master of the Cosmic River Bank who broke it first.

“All of you!”

Peng Gong Master looked around: “I admit Yan Emperor has great potential—but his selfishness is extreme. He dares kill a Zu member for treasure and still sees no fault in it!”

“If he doesn’t change this nature, I can’t imagine what he’ll become when his power grows further. I would never fight beside such a being!”

Hearing Peng Gong Master’s words, other Cosmic Masters began speaking.

“I agree with Peng Gong! Yan Emperor’s current nature is intolerable. His arrogance is one thing—but killing a Zu Cosmic Sovereign? Unforgivable!”

“Exactly! If he dares kill a Cosmic Sovereign now, will he not turn on a Cosmic Master for treasure later?”

“This must be dealt with severely!”

“I agree—but we must handle this carefully!”

In mere moments, every Cosmic Master except Master of Chaos had spoken—and all agreed: Yan Emperor’s murder of a Zu Cosmic Sovereign must be dealt with severely!

“Chun, what do you say?” The Founder of the Great Axe turned to Master of Chaos.

Master of Chaos shook his head: “What can I say? If everyone agrees, I have no objection. This must be handled seriously—but we must not provoke him into feeling we’re targeting him deliberately.”

At that moment, Huang Jian Master’s face suddenly darkened: “In my view, achieving that balance is nearly impossible.”

“Why not act decisively? Crush Yan Emperor outright and send him to the Founder’s small universe for total annihilation! After all, his strength largely comes from his treasures—if those treasures fall into our hands, they’ll serve us better!”

“This cannot be done!”

“Yes! Yan Emperor’s words were likely just rage—he doesn’t deserve such extreme treatment!”

Several Cosmic Masters quickly objected.

Seeing this, Huang Jian Master smiled: “I was only speaking hypothetically—if you all oppose it, then forget it.”

“Chun, Void Gold!”

The Founder of the Great Axe turned to Master of Chaos and Void Gold Master: “You two will handle this.”

“Yan Emperor has recently gained great fame in the Primordial Stars—he’s become overconfident. Let Ice Peak humble him first, then you two step in to reason with him.”

Master of Chaos nodded. Void Gold Master, who knew Yan Emperor best, asked: “Master Axe, what if Yan Emperor insists on leading the Yan Spirit Clan out of our Human Race?”

“Then act and subdue him!”

The greatest of the Great Axe’s faction’s eyes flashed with a sharp gleam: “Peng Gong, the strongest true form of Chaos is currently in the Universe Sea, so if we are to subdue Yan Emperor, you must take your peak-level domain treasure and go—along with the peak-level sealing treasure in Bing Feng’s hands—and we should still be able to subdue Yan Emperor!”

Upon hearing these words from the Founder of the Great Axe, the surrounding Cosmic Lords showed no sign of surprise.

After all, those who led humanity to become one of the supreme factions in the vast universe were certainly not indecisive men!

As fellow clansmen, they naturally wished to persuade Yan Emperor with kind words—but if Yan Emperor insisted on defecting, humanity could not allow itself to gain such a formidable potential enemy!

“I understand!” Peng Gong’s lord immediately nodded.

……

On the other side, as time passed, Lu Qingshan drew ever closer to Yan Shen Star.

“Gilbert!”

In the spaceship’s lounge, Lu Qingshan was reviewing the data on the Yan Shen clan prodigy he was to pick up.

This prodigy, named Gilbert, was currently only a Star-level cultivator, yet he had already crossed the threshold into the Flame Primordial Law!

Such a talent for comprehending the Law might not even rank within the top thousand across all past Peak Prodigy Tournaments, but among the Yan Shen clan, he was among the very best.

And the Yan Shen clan possessed humanity’s strongest bloodline—rumored to surpass even the major royal bloodlines of the demon race—so naturally, they had their own system for cultivating prodigies.

Lu Qingshan had come now because the Yan Shen clan had already applied for Gilbert’s nomination to enter the Initial Universe for enlightenment.

“What a pity that such a race with limitless potential is confined by Yan Emperor to a cosmic secret realm, breeding in isolation!”

Lu Qingshan thought inwardly: “Had it not been for this, the Yan Shen clan might have produced a new Cosmic Lord!”

And as Lu Qingshan sighed inwardly…

“Yan Emperor, come out and face me!”

A furious voice suddenly pierced Lu Qingshan’s mind.

“This is…”

Lu Qingshan paused, then instantly realized: “Could this be the very scene of Yan Emperor’s defection?”

After all, the Yan Shen Cosmic Nation lay deep within humanity’s territory, and Yan Emperor was a famed Cosmic Lord—who else but humanity’s own Cosmic Lords would dare provoke him within the Yan Shen Secret Realm?

“The one cursing Yan Emperor must be Bing Feng’s lord!”

Though Lu Qingshan had never met Bing Feng’s lord, he knew from the original story that the first to strike after Yan Emperor stole a clan treasure was none other than Bing Feng’s lord.

“Trouble!” A thought flashed through Lu Qingshan’s mind.

Flash!

In an instant, he teleported to the ship’s control room.

“My lord, just now—”

Deloris and the others, having heard the voice, all wore expressions of panic.

“This is beyond our concern—follow me quickly!”

Lu Qingshan ordered, then prepared to activate a temporary divine realm teleportation channel—after all, with his current strength, he had no Zige to even watch a battle between Cosmic Lords!

But the surrounding spacetime had already been completely sealed—he could no longer activate his divine realm teleportation.

“My lord…” Deloris and the others all wore worried expressions.

“I’ll take you into my World Ring—don’t resist!”

Lu Qingshan gave the order, then with a thought, instantly absorbed Deloris and the others into the World Ring, none offering resistance.

“Now it’s up to fate.”

Lu Qingshan sighed inwardly: “But to witness a battle between two Cosmic Lords—this alone is worth it.”

As for his own safety, Lu Qingshan felt no concern.

After all, both his avatars remained within his divine realm—if his main body were obliterated by the battle’s shockwaves, he could simply expend energy to regenerate it.

His original reason for wanting to teleport away was twofold: first, he could not bear to let Deloris and the others perish here; second, he feared the Blood Red No. 3 might be destroyed in the crossfire.

“Bing Feng, you’re asking for death!” At that moment, another authoritative voice echoed into Lu Qingshan’s mind.

“So it really is Bing Feng’s lord!”

Lu Qingshan thought inwardly: “Too bad my strength is still too weak—even within the Yan Shen Secret Realm—I cannot witness the battle between these two Cosmic Lords.”

And just then, Bing Feng’s lord’s voice rang out again.

“Yan Emperor, you deserve death for attacking your own kin over a treasure!”

“We’ll see if you have the ability! By the way, you brought this little worm along again—don’t you fear he’ll perish once more?”

“Hmph! I brought Zi Feng here precisely so he can witness your humiliation!”

“Bing Feng, you seek death!”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Lu Qingshan felt a terrifying power erupt from afar.

“Yan Emperor, fight me in the Dark Universe!”

Though Bing Feng’s lord was furious, he could not fight Yan Emperor within the original universe—there were too many Yan Shen clan members living here.

The Yan Shen clan had not yet defected with Yan Emperor; they were still part of humanity—he could not allow their battle to endanger them.

Beyond Yan Shen Star, in the vacuum of space.

Bing Feng’s lord accelerated briefly, instantly reaching light speed and entering the Dark Universe.

“Do you think I’m afraid?”

Though Yan Emperor cared little for the Yan Shen clan, he had no objection to fighting in the Dark Universe—Bing Feng’s lord had offered the perfect venue.

With a thought, he too accelerated to light speed and followed Bing Feng’s lord into the Dark Universe.

“This…”

With Yan Emperor and Bing Feng’s lord now fighting in the Dark Universe, Lu Qingshan was undoubtedly safe—but he began to regret missing the battle between the two Cosmic Lords.

“Should I try entering the Dark Universe?”

Lu Qingshan quickly left the spaceship and sealed it away, then thought inwardly.

After all, with his current strength, accelerating his body to light speed and entering the Dark Universe was simple enough.

But as Lu Qingshan pondered, a strange, pitch-black artifact suddenly returned through cosmic travel to the original universe, hovering motionless just under a hundred meters from him!

(End of Chapter)