Chapter 287: There Must Be Some Strange Encounters, Right?

As Fang Yu heard these words, the space around him shifted—he was no longer on the ground, but underground, before him stood an old Daoist Priest with kind features.

The old Daoist Priest had extremely long eyebrows and beard, his demeanor utterly gentle.

"Ah, Elder, who are you?"

Fang Yu's heart stirred, yet his face wore an expression of shock and disbelief.

"Young friend, no need to be startled. I will not harm you. After all this time, I've finally encountered someone who cultivates the Five Emperors' Demonic Divine Ability—we are of the same sect."

The old Daoist Priest spoke softly. "As for me, I am the ancient demonic sovereign sealed within the Five Elements land; those of that era called me Chi Yuan, the Demonic Sovereign."

"An ancient demonic sovereign sealed away..."

Hearing this, Fang Yu knew he faced grave peril—in the presence of an ancient demonic sovereign, every word and action must be handled with extreme caution, and respect must be shown without fail, for such beings act with ruthless finality; one misstep could end his life.

Of course, having cultivated the Five Emperors' Demonic Divine Ability, he might also gain some opportunity.

"What you see before you now is merely my projection. My true body is suppressed by the Five Elements' spiritual roots deep within this planet's core; these Five Elements' spiritual roots were formed from the five fingers of a great cultivator."

As Chi Yuan spoke, the space around Fang Yu shifted again—he saw the old Daoist Priest seated upon a mat in the center of an empty palace, and not far from him stood three Five Elements Sacred Beasts.

One of the Five Elements Sacred Beasts was Huang She, an earth-type divine beast, the legendary King of Hell.

The aura emanating from this Huang She surpassed even the 7th Stage of Divine Abilities, nearing the 8th Stage, yet before Chi Yuan, it was utterly sealed.

Besides this Huang She, there was also Xuan Wu, a water-type sacred beast, and a Wood Giant, a wood-type ferocious beast—both also sealed.

"This Huang She, Xuan Wu, and this little wood beast—I have already subdued them all. Your Five Emperors' Demonic Divine Ability still lacks completion in earth, water, and wood. Now, assimilate them."

The Daoist Priest waved to Fang Yu with great warmth.

"What would the Elder require of me? How might I assist you?"

Fang Yu did not immediately absorb them; instead, he hesitated, as if somewhat distrustful.

Fang Yu's current reaction was precisely what a normal person would show—if he had immediately absorbed the three sacred beasts, it would have defied all logic.

Think about it: in a place as vicious as the Five Elements land, encountering a demonic sovereign who offers you gifts—would you simply accept?

Thus, Fang Yu showed hesitation.

Seeing this hesitation, Chi Yuan laughed heartily, as if witnessing something amusing. "I am sealed by the Five Elements' spiritual roots; with your strength, even after ten thousand years of cultivation, you could never free me. But if you reach the Immortal realm, perhaps you could. I help you only to plant a single pawn, a quiet move."

Chi Yuan made no effort to conceal his thoughts—he spoke them plainly before Fang Yu's eyes.

"The other day, a young man came to the Five Elements land—he cultivates the ancient Wushengjian Sword Dao and the Great Carnage Art, where all things under heaven and earth may be slain: kill gods, slay buddhas, cut demons to pieces—his killing intent is invincible. To plant a pawn on him would be useless, for one who cultivates the Great Carnage Art—even if you save him, he will kill you. Nothing in heaven or earth is beyond slaughter; perhaps saving him would make him even happier to kill."

"So that man must be Meng Shaobai."

Fang Yu knew the young man Chi Yuan spoke of was Meng Shaobai, the young immortal of Yuhua Sect, who inherited the Great Carnage Art from Wushengjian Sect, then turned on his adoptive father and master—whomever he took as master, he devoured. He was known as Meng Shaobai, the Man Who Specialized in Killing Adoptive Fathers.

"You seem more reliable than that fellow. You cultivate the Five Emperors' Demonic Divine Ability—same origin as mine. For this reason, I shall grant you some benefits and lend you a hand. Young friend, haven't you noticed you encountered no Heavenly Demon Kings? Otherwise, you could never have reached the heart of the Five Elements land. The peerless treasure you carry has decent material, but it's broken. When you reach the Boundary King realm, there's a chance it may evolve into a peerless Dao artifact."

Chi Yuan studied Fang Yu, then smiled and waved his hand—countless images appeared in the void, each filled with dense, countless Heavenly Demon Kings—over one hundred thousand in total.

"This... thank you, Elder."

Fang Yu, seeing the one hundred thousand Heavenly Demon Kings, felt profound dread—if he had not cultivated the Five Emperors' Demonic Divine Ability, any other cultivator who came here would be dead even if only ten thousand Heavenly Demon Kings unleashed their Body Exploding Art, let alone if they charged outright.