Chapter 270

A genius from several decades ago?

Yes, several decades ago, we encountered the demon clan at an ancient road node, and they captured many geniuses. Our mission this time is to come rescue those trapped geniuses.

In the underground space, Lu Xun learned the mission of this suicide squad.

This time they came to Yao Xing mainly to rescue the geniuses captured several decades ago.

Rescuing geniuses, yet it requires such great effort... Could there be something fishy, or are these geniuses just too heaven-defying?

Lu Xun couldn't help but think.

Several decades have passed, and Lan Xing has produced no shortage of geniuses.

During Lan Xing's ascension, the strength of heaven and earth keeps increasing, the origin grows stronger, and all beings born there receive great benefits.

Just like those who have opened the Heaven Earth Meridian, there are more and more each year.

In Lu Xun's cohort, before the grand exam, the East already had over two hundred geniuses who had opened the Heaven Earth Meridian.

After the exam, several hundred more gradually opened the Heaven Earth Meridian.

Given the population here, even if one in ten thousand is selected, there would still be several hundred each year.

Yet even those who have opened the Heaven Earth Meridian cannot be said to definitely reach the Six Realms or above.

Now,

Yet the East dispatched a Six Realms cultivator and over ten Five Realms cultivators forming a suicide squad to come to Yao Xing to rescue people.

This mission is extremely dangerous.

If mishandled, the entire force could be wiped out.

Although he sensed something fishy, Lu Xun didn't press further but instead asked about the situation in the Earth Core Prison.

Over the past half year, the suicide squad has not been without gains.

They have thoroughly probed the defensive forces of the Earth Core Prison.

The strongest guardian of the Earth Core Prison is a Seven Realms Great Demon King.

However, according to Flower Demon Ah Hui, there is a teleportation array inside the Earth Core Prison; in case of emergency, those at Eight Realms or above can arrive quickly.

Even without the teleportation array, traveling down that rift at the speed of Eight Realms or above would not take long.

That rift is very difficult for non-demon clan beings to pass through.

Inside, there are layers of open and covert sentries, as well as many guards.

The reason Lu Xun hasn't encountered them is not because the Ancient God, while digging downward, shattered all the layered defenses in the rift, frightening the guards inside.

Moreover, in the magma sea of the Earth Core, there are beings at Eight Realms or above cultivating there.

That is the most dangerous place.

I only have one piece of Mysterious Jade left, which can threaten a Seven Realms cultivator, but earlier we startled an Eight Realms cultivator and used up our only two pieces of Purple Jade to escape; otherwise, now would be much simpler.

The Six Realms Immortal Cultivator sighed.

In the past few months, they have consumed many trump cards, yet still failed to rescue the people.

Now they have few trump cards left.

Only one piece of Mysterious Jade that can threaten a Seven Realms cultivator remains, and it can only threaten the opponent; killing a Seven Realms cultivator is nearly impossible.

Can Purple Jade handle an Eight Realms cultivator?

Lu Xun couldn't help but look at the Six Realms Immortal Cultivator.

Whether Mysterious Jade or Purple Jade, their rarity is not inferior to that of Sword Heart Stone.

Especially Purple Jade, which can store the attacks of Immortal Cultivators at Eight Realms or above, is far more precious than Sword Heart Stone.

They are rarely seen even at ancient road nodes.

Yet he has them.

This mission is quite important.

Lu Xun, to be frank, among the captured geniuses there is a descendant of a Transcend Tribulation senior; this senior is about to face the Heart Tribulation, and if we can rescue this descendant, it will resolve a knot in the senior's heart, so the higher-ups place great importance on this.

Seeing Lu Xun's doubtful expression, the Six Realms Immortal Cultivator finally revealed the truth.

The descendant of a Transcend Tribulation senior!

Now I understand.

In that case, this senior should be an Immortal Cultivator.

Immortal Cultivators enter the Transcend Tribulation stage after the Nine Realms.

The Transcend Tribulation stage lies between the Nine Realms and the Tenth Realm, with fluctuating combat power that is hard to define.

Especially for Immortal Cultivators.

The Five Declines of Heavenly Beings—each decline is deadly; if one happens to be facing decline, this cultivator becomes extremely fragile.

But if one manages to survive a tribulation, their strength will then surge dramatically.

Heart decline, that is, the heart tribulation, is a relatively later tribulation.

It is also an extremely dangerous tribulation.

If mishandled, one will suffer death and the annihilation of one's Dao.

At this point, if there is any knot in one's heart, even a tiny one, it could prove fatal.

Not to mention the ordeal of descendants being trapped on Yao Xing.

No wonder the higher-ups attach such importance to it, sending such a team and equipping them with ample trump cards.

Immediately afterward, the Six Realms Immortal Cultivator told Lu Xun some of that genius's traits.

As they talked, they all sneaked all the way to the vicinity of the Earth Core Prison.

Strictly speaking, this prison is not yet at the true earth's core; it remains far from it.

Those held here are presumably the geniuses of all peoples.

At the true earth's core, there seems to be another prison, where only the strong are held.

The eight boundaries in the magma sea should already be gone, Lu Xun; how to fight, we'll listen to you.

Six Realms Immortal Cultivation Way.

Lu Xun's earlier ferocious combat power, however, left a deep impression on him.

They have few trump cards left; now they can only hope that Lu Xun is strong enough.

You wait here for me; I'll go ahead in disguise to take a look.

Lu Xun pondered for a moment, then said.

Good.

Everyone had no objections.

Lu Xun rushed along a passage toward the earth-core prison.

As he advanced, demonic power surged forth, demonic aura soaring to the heavens, causing him to once again be perceived as a Great Demon King by the demons.

Who goes there?

Upon approaching the earth-core prison, Lu Xun was stopped.

Here, even a Great Demon King cannot forcefully barge in without cause.

Lu Xun remained expressionless and produced a token.

The token was entirely blood-red, with a strange character on the front that Lu Xun could not recognize.

On the back was engraved a blood-red vine.

Upon activating it with demonic power, a fierce aura instantly burst forth from the token.

It is the token of the Chi Sha Yao Huang... Please enter quickly.

The guards outside the earth-core prison directly let Lu Xun in.

Sir, please.

Not only did they let him in, the guards respectfully invited Lu Xun onto a carriage.

No, it's not a carriage, because the thing pulling it is a bird.

A demonic bird with three heads.

After Lu Xun boarded, the three-headed demonic bird pulled him and rushed into the sky.

It actually works.

Lu Xun just wanted to try it out, but didn't expect it to actually work.

This token was discovered when he cooperated with Ba Ba La to burn out the Demon Emperor's avatar.

Earth-core prison.

Looking through the carriage window, Lu Xun saw the earth-core prison, chained with many iron chains in the middle of the magma sea.

All around the prison is a magma sea, plus the protection of a demonic formation.

No wonder the suicide squad, despite carrying many trump cards and spending months, still had no way to deal with this place.

The bird-carriage thus charged straight in, passing through a curtain of formation, and landed inside the prison.

His Highness the Red Emperor rarely comes to our prison to select blood food; please feel free to pick, though those we imprison are somewhat lower in cultivation, each is a genius, and their blood will surely satisfy the Red Emperor...

A few minutes later, Lu Xun entered the prison's interior under the accompaniment of the Seventh Boundary Great Demon King.

This Seventh Boundary Great Demon King is essentially the prison's warden.

He evidently regarded Lu Xun as a subordinate sent by the Nine Realms Demon Emperor to select blood food, and treated him with extra courtesy.

It's not surprising he thought that.

Lu Xun's aura is pure demonic energy, through and through, that of a Great Demon King.

He also holds the token of the Nine Realms Demon Emperor.

No one would readily suspect otherwise.

Coincidentally, Yao Xing is damaged now, and many powerful beings need replenishment.

Lu Xun's timing is also suitable.

So, the demons' Seventh Boundary is quite numerous, huh.

Lu Xun couldn't help but think.

Like Lan Xing, once one reaches the Seventh Boundary for a while, they generally know of the various Seventh Boundaries, at least aware which ones exist.

Yet this warden did not suspect Lu Xun.

This only shows one thing: the demons' Seventh Boundary is far more numerous than Lan Xing's.

The warden likely regarded Lu Xun as a newly promoted Seventh Boundary subordinate of the Nine Realms Demon Emperor.

That is also normal.

Yao Xing leads by only a few decades; among top-tier experts, it actually isn't much greater.

But regarding the Seventh Boundary and below, the lead is definitely a sheer cliff.

Thus, in the previous war, not long after hostilities began, Lan Xing's space fortresses fell one after another.

The master wants to drink human fresh blood.

Lu Xun hoarsely made a sound.

The demons' language is not much different from humans'; Lu Xun has long mastered it.

Come with me.

The warden led Lu Xun toward the prison's depths.

There aren't many humans in the prison, but they are all genius-level; over the years, about half have died, leaving only eight now.

The warden spoke as he walked.

Only eight left?

Chinese: "Only eight left?" Probably meaning "Only eight left?" We'll translate: "Only eight left?" Keep question mark.

I don't know if the descendant of that tribulation-crossing senior is still alive.

"Don't know whether the descendant of that tribulation-crossing senior is still alive." Could be: "I don't know if the descendant of that tribulation-crossing senior is still alive." We'll keep concise: "I don't know if the descendant of that tribulation-crossing senior is still alive."

If they're already dead, Lu Xun can't do anything.

"If they've already died, then Lu Xun has no way." Could be: "If they're already dead, Lu Xun has no recourse." We'll translate: "If they're already dead, Lu Xun has no way."

"We've arrived."

Quote: "We've arrived." Or "Arrived." We'll keep: "We've arrived."

We've finally arrived.

"Finally we've reached the place." Could be: "We've finally arrived." We'll translate: "We've finally arrived."

Lu Xun looked ahead and saw, sure enough, a human inside one of the cages.

"Lu Xun looked and saw that in a cage ahead there was indeed a human." We'll translate: "Lu Xun looked and saw that in a cage ahead there was indeed a human."

He was an elderly man with a weathered face and a listless demeanor.

"That was an old man with a withered appearance and listless demeanor." We'll translate: "He was an old man with a withered appearance and listless demeanor."

Upon seeing them arrive, the man gave them a numb glance and then curled up, refusing to move.

"Upon seeing them arrive, the other party gave them a numb glance and then huddled there, motionless." We'll translate: "Seeing them arrive, the other party gave them a numb glance and then huddled there, motionless."

"How terrible..."

Quote: "How miserable..." We'll translate: "How miserable..."

At a glance, it's clear this old man is frequently drained of blood.

"At a glance, this old man is clearly someone who is often drained of blood." We'll translate: "At a glance, this old man is clearly someone who is often drained of blood."

Many demons enjoy drinking blood.

"Many demons enjoy drinking blood." We'll translate: "Many demons enjoy drinking blood."

Just like that demonic man.

"Just like that demonic man." We'll translate: "Just like that demonic man."

This old man is not the person Lu Xun is looking for.

"This old man is not the person Lu Xun is looking for." We'll translate: "This old man is not the person Lu Xun is looking for."

He continued forward.

"He continued forward." We'll translate: "He continued forward."

The second cage held a woman who also looked quite aged.

"The second cage arrived; inside was a woman who also looked somewhat withered." We'll translate: "The second cage arrived; inside was a woman who also looked somewhat withered."

"We haven't mistreated them in terms of food; we often give them spiritual items to nourish their bodies, and even train them in dark energy, but they've lost their drive, lack ambition, and over time they've ended up like this."

Quote: "We haven't mistreated them in terms of food; we often give them spiritual items to nourish their bodies, and even let them cultivate Dark Energy, but they've lost their drive, lack ambition, and over time this is what happened." We'll translate: "We haven't mistreated them food-wise; we often give them spiritual items to nourish their bodies, and even let them cultivate Dark Energy, but they've lost their drive, lack ambition, and over time this is what happened."

The warden said.

"The warden said." We'll translate: "The warden said."

No ambition?

"Not seeking advancement?" We'll translate: "Not seeking advancement?"

Locked up here in darkness, there's no hope of escape.

"Imprisoned here in darkness, there's basically no hope of escape." We'll translate: "Imprisoned here in darkness, there's basically no hope of escape."

Who has the mind to strive for improvement?

"Who the hell has the mind to strive?" We'll translate: "Who the hell has the mind to strive?"

Moreover, if they truly tried to improve, the warden would certainly not be pleased.

"Moreover, if they truly sought advancement, the warden would certainly not be pleased." We'll translate: "Moreover, if they truly sought advancement, the warden would certainly not be pleased."

What he calls 'improvement' is merely hoping they keep their bodies healthy and plump so he can supply a steady stream of fresh blood to the demon strong.

"What he calls advancement is merely hoping these people keep their bodies healthy, fat and white, so as to provide a steady stream of fresh blood for powerful demons." We'll translate: "What he calls advancement is merely hoping these people keep their bodies healthy, fat and white, so as to provide a steady stream of fresh blood for powerful demons."

Lu Xun examined them one by one.

"Lu Xun examined them one by one." We'll translate: "Lu Xun examined them one by one."

The humans in these cages are all in similar condition.

"The humans in these cages are all in similar condition." We'll translate: "The humans in these cages are all in similar condition."

They were once geniuses of Blue Star.

"They were once geniuses of Lan Xing." We'll translate: "They were once geniuses of Lan Xing."

Now they have fallen to this state.

"But now they've fallen to this state." We'll translate: "But now they've fallen to this state."

"Found them!"

Quote: "Found it!" We'll translate: "Found it!"

Finally, in the sixth cell, Lu Xun found the person he wanted to rescue.

"Finally, in the sixth cell, Lu Xun found the person he wanted to rescue." We'll translate: "Finally, in the sixth cell, Lu Xun found the person he wanted to rescue."

She was a frail woman, appearing younger than the others.

"It was a frail woman, appearing younger than the others." We'll translate: "It was a frail woman, appearing younger than the others."

Others looked like they were in their sixties or seventies, but she appeared to be only about thirty.

"Others looked like they were in their sixties or seventies, but she looked only about thirty." We'll translate: "Others looked like they were in their sixties or seventies, but she looked only about thirty."

"This woman has the strongest will to live; she'll eat whatever you give her. Her blood is what the Nine Prisons Lord loves to drink, but if His Majesty the Scarlet Emperor wants it, he can naturally be supplied first."

Quote: "This woman has the strongest will to survive; she'll eat whatever you give her. Her blood is what the Ninth Prison Lord loves to drink, but if His Highness the Crimson Emperor wants it, he can naturally be supplied first." We'll translate: "This woman has the strongest will to survive; she'll eat whatever you give her. Her blood is what the Ninth Prison Lord loves to drink, but if His Highness the Crimson Emperor wants it, he can naturally be supplied first."

The warden introduced.

"The warden introduced." We'll translate: "The warden introduced."

The Nine Prisons Lord?

"Ninth Prison Lord?" We'll translate: "Ninth Prison Lord?"

He should be an eighth-realm expert.

"He should be an Eighth Boundary cultivator." We'll translate: "He should be an Eighth Boundary cultivator."

So the warden readily handed over this woman.

"So the warden readily let her go." We'll translate: "So the warden readily let her go."

"Let's check the others first."

Quote: "Let's check the others first." We'll translate: "Let's check the others first."

"Okay."

"Okay." We'll translate: "Okay."

Lu Xun pretended to inspect and continued onward.

"Lu Xun pretended to examine and continued on." We'll translate: "Lu Xun pretended to examine and continued on."

Soon, the other two had finished looking.

"Soon, the other two finished looking." We'll translate: "Soon, the other two finished looking."

Among the eight, the one in the best condition is the descendant of the tribulation-crossing senior.

"Among the eight, the one in the best condition is this descendant of the tribulation-crossing senior." We'll translate: "Among the eight, the one in the best condition is this descendant of the tribulation-crossing senior."

Even after spending decades in this lightless place, she has not given up hope.

"Even after spending decades in this lightless place, she still hasn't given up hope." We'll translate: "Even after spending decades in this lightless place, she still hasn't given up hope."

Her ability to endure this long likely stems from being the descendant of that tribulation-crossing senior.

"The reason she can endure so long is likely related to her being the descendant of that tribulation-crossing senior." We'll translate: "The reason she can endure so long is likely related to her being the descendant of that tribulation-crossing senior."

Others cannot see any hope.

"Others cannot see hope." We'll translate: "Others cannot see hope."

But she can.

"But she can." We'll translate: "But she can."

Don't underestimate the power of hope.

"Don't underestimate the power of hope." We'll translate: "Don't underestimate the power of hope."

In dire straits, even a sliver of hope can keep a person going.

"In dire straits, even a sliver of hope can keep one going." We'll translate: "In dire straits, even a sliver of hope can keep one going."

"That'll do."

Quote: "Alright then." We'll translate: "Alright then."

Lu Xun pointed at that woman.

"Lu Xun pointed at that woman." We'll translate: "Lu Xun pointed at that woman."

"Alright, I'll have someone draw her blood right away."

Quote: "Fine, I'll have someone draw blood now." We'll translate: "Fine, I'll have someone draw blood now."

The warden waved his hand, and immediately a few prison guards appeared, ready to draw blood.

"The warden waved his hand, and immediately a few jailers appeared, ready to draw blood." We'll translate: "The warden waved his hand, and immediately a few jailers appeared, ready to draw blood."

"Wait, the master wants fresh blood; I need to take her back."

Quote: "Wait, the master wants fresh blood; I need to take her back." We'll translate: "Wait, the master wants fresh blood; I need to take her back."

"He wants fresh? Fine, just consider it a gift for the Scarlet Emperor."

Quote: "Want fresh? Fine, just treat it as an offering to His Highness the Crimson Emperor." We'll translate: "Want fresh? Fine, just treat it as an offering to His Highness the Crimson Emperor."

The warden said.

"The warden said." We'll translate: "The warden said."

If it were anyone else, he might not agree.

"If it were someone else, he might not agree." We'll translate: "If it were someone else, he might not agree."

But since it concerns the Scarlet Demon Emperor, he doesn't want to offend them.

"But since it involves the Chi Sha Yao Huang, he doesn't want to offend them." We'll translate: "But since it involves the Chi Sha Yao Huang, he doesn't want to offend them."

"The Blue Star campaign isn't going well; the master wants to kill a few humans to vent his anger. Since they're going to die anyway, let me take them to let the master blow off steam."

Quote: "The Lan Xing war hasn't gone well; the master wants to kill a few humans to vent his anger. Since they're going to die anyway, let me take them to let the master blow off steam." We'll translate: "The Lan Xing war hasn't gone well; the master wants to kill a few humans to vent his anger. Since they're going to die anyway, let me take them to let the master blow off steam."

Lu Xun pointed to the other cages.

"Lu Xun pointed at the other cages." We'll translate: "Lu Xun pointed at the other cages."

As a human, seeing his compatriots in such misery, Lu Xun is still willing to lend a hand if possible.

"As a human, seeing his compatriots in such misery, Lu Xun is still willing to lend a hand if possible." We'll translate: "As a human, seeing his compatriots in such misery, Lu Xun is still willing to lend a hand if possible."

If the warden disagrees, he can at least take this woman first and then reassess the situation.

"If the warden disagrees, then all we can do is first take this woman and then reassess." We'll translate: "If the warden disagrees, then all we can do is first take this woman and then reassess."

The warden is the Seventh Boundary Great Demon King, although Lu Xun's demonic power has reached the seventh boundary level, he lacks the corresponding means, his combat strength still falls far short of that of a seventh boundary.

Even if he possesses an eighth-grade attack talisman, and a Six Realms immortal cultivator also holds mysterious jade, victory is not guaranteed.

As for Babala, Lu Xun fears the witch might kill her in a fit of rage, so he won't hastily lift Babala's curse in the short term.

Her third curse is likely the most troublesome, the witch's ultimate move.

So, if possible, avoid using force; it's best not to use force.

"Since it's a request from His Highness the Scarlet Emperor, it's naturally possible; please speak a few good words for me in front of His Highness the Scarlet Emperor."

After pondering for a few sentences, the warden agreed.

"Of course, no problem."

Lu Xun agreed.

"Release the people."

The warden waved his hand, and the prison guards released everyone locked in the cells.

They had been implanted with a demon clan seal; even if they had cultivation, they couldn't use it.

Lu Xun flicked his sleeve, collecting all of them into his inner realm space.

He wasn't worried that the warden would notice.

As a Seventh Boundary Great Demon King, it would be abnormal if he lacked a means to conceal people.

The advantage of doing this is that, if the other side notices something, he can just flee immediately.

"Your Excellency, take your leave."

Fortunately, until Lu Xun left, the warden had no excessive suspicion.

This isn't particularly related to the value of these few humans.

The greatest value lies in the descendant of a tribulation-transcending senior; her blood is favored by an eighth-realm demon.

But an eighth-realm cultivator is still insufficient before that demonic man.

If the demonic man's true form learned of this, he'd probably be furious to death.

Lu Xun first cooperated with Babala to deal with his avatar, and now he's borrowing his reputation to rescue the people.

This is infuriating.

If he knew, the Ancient God was also brought by Lu Xun; he'd probably vomit blood.

"Lu Xun, did you directly rescue them?"

An hour later, when Lu Xun returned to where the daredevil squad was stationed, everyone was both surprised and delighted.

Lu Xun actually managed to rescue everyone so easily.

This far exceeded their expectations.

Originally, they had prepared to forcefully break in.

But the chance of success for a forced entry was too low; even with Lu Xun, they didn't have much confidence.

A Seventh Boundary Great Demon King isn't easy to deal with.

"I just happened to pick up a demon emperor's token, then used a treasure to disguise myself and sneak in; I never expected they'd take me for a subordinate of the demon emperor."

Lu Xun gave a brief explanation.

"Good, good, great, we can go back."

The Six Realms immortal cultivators became excited.

Other cultivators were equally excited.

They also held Lu Xun in especial admiration.

"Lao Fei, you've taken on a fine student."

As for Fei Tai'a, everyone envied him even more.

They had been here for half a year, on the verge of despair, but Lu Xun's arrival easily resolved everything.

This is utterly unbelievable.

"Ning Shu, how do we go back?"

"The spatial rift we came through has already sealed; returning is only possible via the Heavenly Dao talisman."

"Good, I'll take you to the starry sky."

Lu Xun decided to use his inner realm space to take them into the starry sky, then leave the Demon Star.

"Ahui, let's go; I'll take you to Lan Xing."

"Mm!"

Fei Tai'a took Ahui's hand.

She's going to Lan Xing?

Lu Xun isn't doubtful; it's just that the Demon Star's attack has just ended, and Fei Tai'a bringing a demon woman back might cause some trouble.

However, Fei Tai'a has clearly made a decision, so Lu Xun stops urging.

Lu Xun possesses mind-reading ability.

It allows him to sense a person's general good or evil.

Ahui, she is likely sincere toward Fei Tai'a.

In that case, Lu Xun need not say more.

If the higher-ups of Lan Xing truly oppose it, we'll discuss it then.

"Let's go!"

Everyone was collected by Lu Xun into his inner realm space.

Then, Lu Xun flew upward at high speed along the giant hole dug by the Ancient God.

After flying for a while, Lu Xun changed direction and rushed into the rift.

He glanced with the Heavenly Dao Eye and saw what seemed like the Eighth Realm above the giant cavern, so he left through another part of the fissure.

Fortunately, the Ancient God's earlier actions frightened the guards in the fissure, so the guards there are now not strict.

Lu Xun thus smoothly made his way to the surface of Yao Xing.

Then he again used the Heavenly Dao Eye to find a safe area, then shot up into the sky, flying toward the starry heavens.

All along the way was quite smooth.

Yao Xing is now utterly chaotic, with many Yao tribe flying about, and no one noticed Lu Xun.

"How miserable."

After flying to high altitude, Lu Xun looked and couldn't help but exclaim how miserable Yao Xing was.

He wasn't feeling sympathy, but rather taking pleasure in others' misfortune.

After flying away from Yao Xing all the way, Lu Xun released the Star Sea Vessel, continuing to distance himself.

Only when he could use the Heavenly Dao Talisman did Lu Xun take it out and depart proudly.