Chapter 189

The Heaven-Swallowing Demon Lid was unremarkable, its body no different from an ordinary clay pot, but the emperor's aura emanating from within filled everyone with an inexplicable pressure.

Ye Fan and the others felt their souls trembling, as if a great hand had choked their throats, giving them a suffocating sensation.

When Yang Zhu retracted the imperial weapon, that pressure receded like a tide, and everyone instantly felt their bodies lighten.

"Why aren't you leaving yet?"

He looked into the distance; the Golden-Winged Xiao Peng King had not left, following far behind them.

Yang Zhu could sense that the other party harbored no malice, so his tone was relatively calm.

Moreover, the Golden-Winged Xiao Peng King, though proud and arrogant, was upright and open, never deigning to resort to sneak attacks.

For this reason, Yang Zhu still held a measure of admiration for him.

"You..."

The Golden-Winged Xiao Peng King sank his face, his expression complex; he opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat, and finally he sighed helplessly and turned to leave.

Today's battle let him witness Yang Zhu's peerless grace and emperor-like bearing, leaving him far behind in the dust.

After the battle with Wang Teng, he suffered repeated blows, and his Dao heart was no longer steadfast.

Yang Zhu was so overpowering that he became a shadow looming over the hearts of all the proud geniuses of the Eastern Wasteland, impossible to shake, pressing down until they could barely breathe.

Upon returning from the Central Province expedition, news of Yang Zhu spread back, shaking the Eastern Wasteland and boiling the five domains; such a tactic of fighting across time and space—who in ancient or modern times could pull it off? And today, under the Golden-Winged Xiao Peng King's own eyes, in less than an hour Yang Zhu subdued and slaughtered dozens of primeval creatures.

Invincible and unstoppable, crushing everything in its path, displaying an invincible bearing that completely shattered his Dao heart.

"An unsteady Dao heart makes all effort futile."

Yang Zhu left those words behind and then led everyone away.

The Heavenly Prince is just such a case—despite superb talent and vast resources, an unsteady Dao heart leads only to being cut down.

"If you have anything left to settle, do it; otherwise, rush to the Cloud-Break Mountains, and I'll see you off."

"First go pick up Xiao Nannan; afterward I want to go bid farewell to some friends."

Events unfolded suddenly, and Ye Fan momentarily couldn't collect his thoughts, feeling many things remained unfinished, yet nothing could deter his resolve to return.

Before coming here to investigate, several people were worried about Xiao Nannan, so they had Jiang Huairen take the little one and stay in a place several thousand li away.

"It... it's Big Brother!"

Upon seeing Yang Zhu again, the little one's gem-like big eyes lit up instantly, exceptionally clear and lively, endearingly lovable.

The little one ran over all the way, then tightly embraced Yang Zhu, her cheeks flushed with a childish smile that warmed the hearts of onlookers.

"Big Brother lied, saying he'd come see Nannan, but he only arrived after such a long time..."

As Yang Zhu lifted the little one, she pursed her little lips, her face full of grievance.

"Um... Brother had to handle some matters, so he got delayed."

For a moment, Yang Zhu didn't know how to explain; finally he produced a gleaming golden fruit and gave it to Xiao Nannan.

This was obtained from a dragon's den, nourished by dragon qi for tens of thousands of years, extremely rare and precious, even more valuable than ordinary holy medicines.

Not only does it melt upon entry, fragrant and soft, but after consumption it also brings myriad wondrous effects—cleansing the flesh and soul, increasing lifespan, enhancing Dao nature, and so on.

"Wow! Thank you, Big Brother!"

Xiao Nannan's eyes lit up; she happily held it in her palms, kissed Yang Zhu's cheek, and began to grin foolishly.

Yang Zhu ruffled the little one's head, equally indulgent, yet a flicker of reluctance flashed in his eyes.

Now that Ye Fan is about to leave, once Xiao Nannan learns of it she will surely be heartbroken, and for a moment I don't know how to speak.

He and Ye Fan exchanged a glance; the other shook his head slightly, also at a loss for words.

"Brother, what's wrong?" Xiao Nannan tilted her head at that moment, gazing at Ye Fan, having caught that fleeting emotion, and asked curiously.

"Nothing..."

Being asked thus, Ye Fan felt a bit at a loss; after thinking, he decided to wait a couple days then find a chance to explain clearly to her.

"Then go; we'll wait for you at Jade Pool."

After a brief chat, Yang Zhu decided to head to Jade Pool to wait for Ye Fan there, and moreover it is not far from the Cloud-Break Mountains.

"I want to stay with Big Brother."

Ye Fan nodded, without hesitation, and was about to set off—yet little did he know Xiao Nannan would clutch the hem of Jade Pool's robe, insisting she wouldn't let go.

"Fine, then I'll come find you later."

Upon reflection, not bringing Xiao Nannan is also a good thing—it will speed up the journey, and when bidding farewell to friends there's no need to deliberately avoid her.

The two groups set out immediately; Yang Zhu placed Xiao Nannan on the big black monkey's back, having it carry her, and the big black dog was also happy, with no objections.

"Big doggy, your fur has become smoother." Xiao Nannan stroked the big black dog with her small hand and laughed.

"Of course." The big black dog nodded, then looked at the unscrupulous Daoist: "We've pretty much finished digging in the Eastern Wasteland; it's time to go dig outside the territory!"

"Haha, immortal treasures and supreme riches—Daoist, I can't wait any longer!"

Hearing that, Duan De broke into a wicked grin, his eyes flashing green light.

The big black dog set up a teleportation array, and several people traversed northward across the northern region, heading for the Jade Pool Holy Land.

Upon arriving at Jade Pool, Yang Zhu had the big black dog carry Xiao Nannan while he and Duan De wandered nearby, and he himself went with Yue'er to find the Queen Mother of the West.

"Greetings, Imperial Son."

Upon seeing the two, the Queen Mother of the West started in surprise, which was quickly replaced by joy as she performed a grand salute with utmost respect.

The Jade Pool Holy Maiden stood beside Yang Zhu; unable to bear such a grand ceremony, she stepped aside with lotus steps, slightly bowed her immortal form, and likewise performed a respectful salute.

"I never expected that after a single trip to the Central Province, the Imperial Son would have broken through to Great Ability, and Yue'er as well has already reached the fifth transformation of the Dragon Metamorphosis."

The Queen Mother of the West wore a phoenix crown and robes of rosy clouds, dignified and grand, her joy evident on her face, smiling brightly at the two.

Having entered the realm of Great Ability, she firmly believed that with the Sacred Body Dao Fetus and Imperial Bloodline, no one could be a match for him.

Nowadays primeval creatures are emerging one after another; for the entire human race, this is of immeasurable value.

"Your Majesty, we are about to depart from the Northern Dipper and head outside the territory..."

Yang Zhu told the Queen Mother of the West about their intention to leave, and then gave detailed instructions on some matters.

"The old woman respectfully obeyed the Imperial Son's orders."

The Queen Mother of the West nodded repeatedly, agreeing to each request.

For the next period of time, Yang Zhu and the others stayed at the Jade Pool, waiting for Ye Fan to arrive.

But not long after, the Eastern Wasteland erupted in an uproar.

"What? The nest of the ancient creatures was trampled flat, and even the mountain range they were in was razed to the ground!"

"The dozens of ancient creatures inside were all slaughtered!"

"I heard that at the time, a cultivator nearby felt an extreme Dao pressure, and the person who struck wielded that extreme Dao pressure."

The news spread like a huge storm, quickly passing through the domain gate to every corner of the Eastern Wasteland; all cultivators could not remain calm, and the world was in an uproar and shock.

In an instant, the Eastern Wasteland boiled, and the five domains trembled!

(End of chapter)