Chapter 115: Marquis Chu Yu

On the Origin Continent, in the Tianji Ice Plain, there lies a vast territory known as the Black Heaven Realm. For eons, it has been shrouded by an endless expanse of black clouds. The coverage of these black clouds is nearly as vast as the entire territories of second-tier nations like Yu and Shi.

"Luohe?"

Deep within the black clouds, a feathered silhouette lay hidden.

"This Luohe has quite the nerve. He must know the beast behind him is a Divine King, yet he still refuses to show me respect?" The feathered silhouette mused. "His master, Marquis Chu Yu, is a newly appointed first-rank marquis. The struggle among first-rank marquises of the Di Chu lineage is brutal—before long, Luohe will be entangled in trouble."

"Wait for the right opportunity before striking." The feathered silhouette, having lived for eons, had grown increasingly cautious.

Those who reach the peak of the Chaos Realm retain their full memories upon reincarnation.

Even he was unwilling to lightly incur a great enemy.

But he knew well: at critical moments, subtly stirring the pot could drive powerful beings into desperation.

"This beast is secretly enslaved by me—never revealed to the public."

"When this beast's identity was exposed, I concealed the karmic traces with secret arts. Only a handful on the Origin Continent could trace me back…" The feathered silhouette thought. "Yanfeng Ancient Nation's 'Di Qing' and the current Emperor, 'Di Fu'—both excel at tracing karmic threads. They could uncover my identity."

"But the Tianqu Mine I struck was under the control of the Di Chu lineage. Di Chu won't bother summoning Di Qing or Di Fu over such a minor theft."

Long ago, the feathered silhouette had been a Chaos Realm guest minister of Yanfeng Ancient Nation, and in that era, he had even reached the level of "Chaos Realm Transcendence."

Later, upon becoming a Divine King, his power deepened further, and he left Yanfeng Ancient Nation.

Many Divine Kings established their own nations or factions, believing themselves strong enough to stand firm in this world—destroying them was exceedingly difficult. Once, Zuoshan Ke also believed he could defend himself adequately against most dangers on the Origin Continent. He never imagined the Shi Nation's ruler would be so reckless.

"Yanfeng Ancient Nation and Lei Feng Ancient Nation dominate the core territories of the Origin Continent, monopolizing nearly all treasures. What's a little I take? After all, these are natural wonders born of heaven and earth." The feathered silhouette mused. "The other beasts have not yet been exposed."

"Hum."

The feathered silhouette merged into the endless black clouds—the true form of his body.

Within the black clouds covering the entire Black Heaven Realm, countless cultivators and beasts thrived. Each time a Chaos Realm beast was born, he quietly enslaved it, then dispatched it to steal celestial treasures from the two ancient nations.

Chu Capital, Marquis Chu Yu's Mansion.

"Marquis Chu Yu," Luo Feng reported the full details of his mission.

Di Chu Yu frowned slightly: "This Chaos Realm beast is unrecorded in any intelligence. It must have been captured and enslaved shortly after its birth. No one knows who its master is."

"Only someone with immense strength, unafraid of our Di Chu lineage's pursuit, or a powerful figure within our imperial clan, would send a beast to steal celestial treasures." Di Chu Yu knew well: the greatest thieves of treasures were the marquises within the imperial clan.

The marquises competed fiercely; when competition failed to secure sufficient resources, they turned to underhanded schemes.

"If you can uncover the beast's true identity, your mission is already a success." Di Chu Yu smiled. "As for the rest, no need to meddle. Whether the beast's master is a marquis of the imperial clan or some ancient being—you're not suited to intervene."

Luo Feng nodded: "After the beast died, there were no weapons or secret treasures—only some Tianqu Stone essence."

He waved his hand.

Dozens of half-human-tall Tianqu Stone essences and a pile of fragmented grains appeared.

"Twenty-three pieces of Tianqu Stone essence, plus some fragments," Luo Feng said.

"The beast likely delivered stolen Tianqu Stone essence to its master on a regular basis," Marquis Chu Yu glanced. "Twenty-three pieces—worth over twenty-three thousand merits. Keep them. All spoils from your missions belong to you."

Luo Feng nodded and took them.

Merits in Yanfeng Ancient Nation held high value, and Cosmic Sand could not be exchanged for merits.

According to Luo Feng's knowledge, one intact Tianqu Stone essence required one thousand merits to exchange. On the open market, it cost nearly three hundred million Cosmic Sand—a fluctuating price, since Tianqu Stone essence was exceedingly rare.

"By the way, I've looked into the perfect-level 'Chaos Layer creature' material you need," Di Chu Yu said. "Our Yanfeng Ancient Nation has seven. Six are in the hands of Divine Kings; one is with Marquis Wu Huang. Wu Huang belongs to the Di Wu lineage… and has a terrible relationship with our Di Chu lineage."

"I'll need to exert considerable effort. Acquiring this Chaos Layer creature material will take considerable time," Di Chu Yu admitted it was difficult.

"If you can't get it, forget it. Don't force it," Luo Feng said.

Because the First Trial of the Eight Trials Lifeform contained no transformation techniques, Luo Feng had to refine his transformation method himself. His progress in "Life Spirit" had been substantial, yet he realized…

The Chaos Layer creatures he captured had overly simple life structures with low ceilings. To theorize more profound life structures from scratch was far too difficult.

Luo Feng naturally hoped to obtain more perfect Chaos Layer creatures to study their life composition.

But now it seemed even Di Chu Yu found it hard to acquire them.

"Take your time," Di Chu Yu smiled. "I've only been a first-rank marquis for a short while. As I make more connections, I'll find a way. In Yanfeng Ancient Nation, there are seven perfect-level Chaos Layer creatures—I refuse to believe I can't get even one piece of material."

Di Chu Yu knew well: the thirty eons after reaching the Chaos Realm were a protected period, with no mandatory missions, granting him ample time to grow.

When the protection period ended, he would face the same competition as the other six first-rank marquises—and he would need Luohe's help.

…

Time passed. Luo Feng had been in Chu Capital for over three eons.

He devoted himself entirely to comprehending the First Trial of the Eight Trials Lifeform. The inheritance was vast as an ocean; Luo Feng absorbed its knowledge, constantly refining his transformation technique.

In an elegant pavilion, Marquis Chu Yu sat facing a woman clad in crimson armor.

"Marquis Chu Yu, rest assured. If I'm granted control of the Northern Sea Beast Forest, I'll secure the perfect-level Chaos Layer creature material you need," the crimson-armored woman said with a bright, confident smile.

"I trust your promise, Lady Lianyu," Marquis Chu Yu smiled. "You should receive your appointment shortly." The two drank and chatted.

Moments later.

"Hmm?" The crimson-armored woman's face lit up. She had received an imperial decree assigning her to oversee the Northern Sea Beast Forest for ten thousand eons.

Without hesitation, she accepted the mission.

"Marquis Chu Yu truly keeps his word," the crimson-armored woman rose immediately. "I'll go to my father now. Within three days, I'll bring you the material you need."

Marquis Chu Yu stood: "Thank you, Lady Lianyu."

Besides the imperial clan's Divine Kings, Yanfeng Ancient Nation also had guest Divine Kings. These guest Divine Kings had fully integrated into Yanfeng Ancient Nation, even been granted fiefs, with their descendants born and raised within its borders.

Lady Lianyu's father was Tian Du Wang, granted a fief by Yanfeng Ancient Nation.

The Yanfeng Ancient Nation looked down on ordinary Divine Kings—not one had the qualification to receive a fief within its borders!

Tian Du Wang was the direct disciple of Yanfeng's founding ancestor, a peer to the Emperor Kings—truly a formidable being.

!.

Lady Lianyu was the only one among Tian Du Wang's many children to reach the Chaos Realm. Yet governance in Yanfeng Ancient Nation was led by the Thirteen Emperor Kings and managed by imperial first-rank marquises. Guest Divine Kings had no authority to interfere.

"Only Emperor Kings or beings like Tian Du Wang can probe the entire Chaos Layer and capture perfect Chaos Layer creatures," Marquis Chu Yu felt it was no easy feat. "After scheming this long, it's finally accomplished."

Marquis Chu Yu trusted Lady Lianyu's promise.

Whoosh.

Marquis Chu Yu stepped out of the pavilion with his retinue, two of whom were Chaos Realm cultivators. Yanfeng Ancient Nation had some ordinary Chaos Realm cultivators who schemed to approach first-rank marquises, seeking opportunities.

"Di Chu Yu!" A ferocious voice rang out.

Marquis Chu Yu's expression changed. He turned.

Two figures approached with their retinues.

"Di Chu Yu, you refused to help me and Marquis Chu Ji with the Northern Sea Beast Forest mission? You ignore our faces!" A grotesque figure covered in black hair sneered, his eyes crackling with lightning. "I guessed you were aiding Lady Lianyu—and you were."

"For the past three eons, I've been generous in mission assignments. But this Northern Sea Beast Forest mission is vital to me," Di Chu Yu said. "I won't yield again."

"You've grown bold," the black-haired figure chuckled wickedly, a wave of murderous aura slamming toward Di Chu Yu, making him shudder.

Among the seven first-rank marquises, Marquis Chu Yuan was a madman. Born with bloodlines from both Yanfeng and Lei Feng imperial clans, he endured brutal torment in youth, twisting his nature into violent madness.

Marquis Chu Yuan only had a good relationship with Marquis Chu Ji, whose temperament matched his own.

"When you're weak, you should act weak," the burly figure beside him said, staring at Di Chu Yu. "You dare take a Royal-level mission?"

"We first-rank marquises are equals," Di Chu Yu's face darkened. "I've yielded every Royal-level mission in the past—never claimed one! This Northern Sea Beast Forest mission… since I've never claimed one, I naturally have priority."

"Priority?" The black-haired grotesque figure roared. "We told you to give it to us! How dare you fight for it?"

Boom!

A terrifying shockwave struck Di Chu Yu's body, also hitting those beside him. Even the two Chaos Realm cultivators nearby felt the crushing pressure.

The pavilion's protective array instantly activated. Di Chu Yu was blasted backward, crashing into the array. The two Chaos Realm cultivators slammed into it too—thunderous crashes drew the attention of many guests.

As for Di Chu Yu's ordinary attendants? They had already been reduced to ash.

"Oops. Killed a few of your servants," the black-haired grotesque figure chuckled. "Guess I'll be fined a few thousand merits? Hahaha—fine me all you want."

"This is a warning."

"Next time, I won't be so gentle," the black-haired grotesque figure turned and left.

Marquis Chu Ji coldly glanced at Marquis Chu Yu: "Di Chu Yu, you know Chu Yuan's temper! Be reasonable—you'll suffer less. Otherwise, even I can't stop him."

With that, Marquis Chu Ji also departed.

Di Chu Yu and his two Chaos Realm cultivators wore grim expressions.

"Marquis, are we just going to endure this?" a Chaos Realm cultivator with multiple tentacles blurted.

"Return," Di Chu Yu said coldly, turning away.

The many guests in the pavilion held high status, yet seeing the clash among three first-rank marquises, none dared to watch further.

…

Two days later.

Di Chu Yu arrived at Luo Feng's cave dwelling.

"Marquis Chu Yu," Luo Feng emerged from seclusion to meet him.

"I've finally lived up to your expectations, Brother Luohe," Di Chu Yu laughed heartily. "After three eons of scheming, I've secured the perfect-level Chaos Layer creature material."

He took out a jade box, opened it—inside lay a single yellow feather, glowing with an uncanny luster, like a precious gem.

(End of Chapter)