Chapter 190

The Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable actually wants to destroy Coiled Dragon Star—we're finished, ah...

Translation: "The Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable actually wants to destroy Coiled Dragon Star—we're doomed!!"

But we need to keep the quotation marks? The Chinese line includes 「... 」. Should we keep them? The instruction: translate faithfully, never skip, summarise, or merge paragraphs. It doesn't say to drop quotation marks. Usually we keep them as they are part of the text. We'll keep the Chinese quotation marks? Better to replace with English quotes? The instruction says translate faithfully, not to add or omit. The Chinese uses 「」 as quotation marks. In English we would use "". Should we keep the Chinese symbols? Usually translation replaces them with English quotes. But the instruction says "Render EXACTLY what the source says — same meaning, same information, nothing added." The quotation marks are part of the source; we should convey that it's quoted speech. Using English quotes is acceptable as translation of the quotation marks. We'll use double quotes.

The Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable actually wants to destroy Coiled Dragon Star—we're doomed, ah!!

Better: "The Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable actually wants to destroy Coiled Dragon Star—we're doomed, ah!!"

We'll keep double quotes around the spoken line.

Thus: 【1】 "The Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable actually wants to destroy Coiled Dragon Star—we're doomed, ah!!"

The Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable actually wants to destroy Coiled Dragon Star, and we're finished, ah...

Let's produce: 【1】 "The Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable actually wants to destroy Coiled Dragon Star—we're doomed, ah!!"

Now line 2:

In the deep void of space, the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable resembled a colossal god who opened up heaven and earth, his five fingers touching the sky, and with a single hand he grasped Coiled Dragon Star.

Translation: "In the depths of cosmic space, the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable was like a giant god who had opened heaven and earth, his five fingers reaching the sky, with a single hand he grasped Coiled Dragon Star."

We need to keep the meaning. Use natural English.

Thus: 【2】 In the depths of cosmic space, the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable was like a giant god who had opened heaven and earth, his five fingers reaching the sky, with a single hand he grasped Coiled Dragon Star.

Line 3:

This terrifying sight made many Great Xuan princes and over ten thousand people who had come to help the princes search for treasure shudder violently, nearly collapsing.

Translation: "Such a terrifying sight shocked the many Great Xuan princes and over ten thousand people who had come to help the princes search for treasure, making their bodies tremble violently, almost causing them to go limp."

Many Great Xuan princes and over ten thousand people who had come to assist the princes in treasure hunting trembled all over, almost collapsing.

Thus: 【3】 Such a terrifying sight shocked the many Great Xuan princes and over ten thousand people who had come to help the princes search for treasure, making their bodies tremble violently, almost causing them to go limp.

Line 4:

Earlier, the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable had no intention of opposing the Great Xuan royal family, so he did not kill them and let them fly away from Coiled Dragon Star on their own.

Translation: "Previously, the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable had no intention of becoming enemies with the Great Xuan Imperial Family; he did not kill them and let them fly away from Coiled Dragon Star on their own."

Thus: 【4】 Previously, the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable had no intention of becoming enemies with the Great Xuan Imperial Family; he did not kill them and let them fly away from Coiled Dragon Star on their own.

Line 5:

But now, if the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable destroys the entire Coiled Dragon Star, the ancient teleportation array on the planet will also be shattered.

Translation: "But now, if the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable were to destroy the entire Coiled Dragon Star, then the ancient teleportation array on that star would also be shattered."

Thus: 【5】 But now, if the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable were to destroy the entire Coiled Dragon Star, then the ancient teleportation array on that star would also be shattered.

Line 6:

Without the ancient teleportation array, how will they return?

Translation: "Without the ancient teleportation array, how could they return?"

Thus: 【6】 Without the ancient teleportation array, how could they return?

Line 7:

This place is an unknown number of light‑years away from the Xuan‑Huang Great World; with their cultivation of divine abilities and secret realms, even flying for thousands of years would not get them back, so they can only drift in this part of the universe, surviving or perishing on their own.

Translation: "This place is who-knows-how-many light-years away from the Xuanhuang Great World; with their cultivation in the Shen Tong Mi Jing realm, even flying for thousands of years would not get them back—they could only drift in this part of the universe, living and dying on their own."

Thus: 【7】 This place is who-knows-how-many light-years away from the Xuanhuang Great World; with their cultivation in the Shen Tong Mi Jing realm, even flying for thousands of years would not get them back—they could only drift in this part of the universe, living and dying on their own.

Line 8:

Everyone was on the brink of despair.

Translation: "Everyone was almost desperate."

Thus: 【8】 Everyone was almost desperate.

Line 9:

But one of them, instead of despairing, was overjoyed to the point of nearly letting out a triumphant howl to the heavens.

Translation: "But one of them was not only not desperate, he was overjoyed, so happy he almost let out a long cry to the heavens."

Thus: 【9】 But one of them was not only not desperate, he was overjoyed, so happy he almost let out a long cry to the heavens.

Line 10:

This person, naturally, was Ren Huangbi.

Translation: "This person was naturally Ren Huang Bi."

Thus: 【10】 This person was naturally Ren Huang Bi.

Line 11:

Hell knows how discouraged he was after repeatedly failing the plans to rescue Chen Zheng.

Translation: "Who knows how frustrated he felt after experiencing several failed plans to save Chen Zheng just now."

Thus: 【11】 Who knows how frustrated he felt after experiencing several failed plans to save Chen Zheng just now.

Line 12:

Now, with a twist of fate, the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable's act of pinching the entire Coiled Dragon Star in his palm gave him a glimmer of hope once again.

Translation: "Now, with a turn of events, the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable's act of pinching the entire Coiled Dragon Star in his palm let him see hope again."

Thus: 【12】 Now, with a turn of events, the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable's act of pinching the entire Coiled Dragon Star in his palm let him see hope again.

Line 13:

Thus, the Coiled Dragon Star will inevitably collapse, and Chen Zheng, hidden within the stars, faces a grim fate.

Translation: "In that case, Coiled Dragon Star will surely collapse, and Chen Zheng, hidden within the star, will certainly face more misfortune than fortune."

Thus: 【13】 In that case, Coiled Dragon Star will surely collapse, and Chen Zheng, hidden within the star, will certainly face more misfortune than fortune.

Line 14:

And he, with a single strike, can halt the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable, ensuring that Chen Zheng cannot escape the fate of being saved by him!

Translation: "And he, as long as he makes a move, can stop the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable, making it impossible for Chen Zheng to escape the fate of being saved by him!"

Thus: 【14】 And he, as long as he makes a move, can stop the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable, making it impossible for Chen Zheng to escape the fate of being saved by him!

Line 15:

"Chen Zheng, in the end I still have the upper hand!"

Translation: '"Chen Zheng, in the end I am still one move ahead!"'

Thus: 【15】 "Chen Zheng, in the end I am still one move ahead!"

Line 16:

Ren Huangbi threw his head back and laughed, moving with the majesty of a dragon and the stride of a tiger; his whole being radiated the awe‑inspiring aura of an ancient Human Emperor, like the heavens suspended in the void, dazzling and unwatchable, causing those around him to stagger back in shock, mouths agape.

Translation: "Ren Huang Bi raised his head and laughed loudly, striding like a dragon and tiger, his whole body exuding the majestic aura of the Ancient Human Emperor, as lofty as the heavenly way, brilliant and impossible to stare at, startling the surrounding people to retreat again and again, stunned speechless."

Thus: 【16】 Ren Huang Bi raised his head and laughed loudly, striding like a dragon and tiger, his whole body exuding the majestic aura of the Ancient Human Emperor, as lofty as the heavenly way, brilliant and impossible to stare at, startling the surrounding people to retreat again and again, stunned speechless.

Line 17:

No one expected that among us there was a figure so terrifying hidden.

Translation: "Nobody expected that among them lay hidden such a terrifying figure."

Thus: 【17】 Nobody expected that among them lay hidden such a terrifying figure.

Line 18:

Ren Huangbi then swept his hand dramatically, grasping a crystal pen—his true form, a heavy weapon forged by the ancient Human Emperor himself, reputed to be the sharpest in all heavens.

Translation: "Ren Huang Bi then waved his hand, grasping a crystal brush in his hand—this was his true form, a heavy weapon personally forged by the Ancient Human Emperor, reputed to be the sharpest in all the heavens."

Thus: 【18】 Ren Huang Bi then waved his hand, grasping a crystal brush in his hand—this was his true form, a heavy weapon personally forged by the Ancient Human Emperor, reputed to be the sharpest in all the heavens.

Line 19:

With a single stroke of the great pen, he can command the forces of humanity to slay everything, adjudicate the lives of myriad spirits, and in ancient times he has cut down countless divine races.

Translation: "With a single stroke of the great brush, he could suppress everything with the might of the human way, decide the life and death of all spirits, and in ancient times he had slain countless divine beings."

Thus: 【19】 With a single stroke of the great brush, he could suppress everything with the might of the human way, decide the life and death of all spirits, and in ancient times he had slain countless divine beings.

Line 20:

Swish!

Translation: "Swish!"

Thus: 【20】 Swish!

Line 21:

Ren Huangbi brandished the crystal pen, intending to strike the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable with an unparalleled pen blade, rescuing Chen Zheng within Coiled Dragon Star from fire and water.

Translation: "Ren Huang Bi brandished the crystal brush in his hand, about to attack the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable with its peerless tip, to save Chen Zheng inside Coiled Dragon Star from water and fire."

Thus: 【21】 Ren Huang Bi brandished the crystal brush in his hand, about to attack the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable with its peerless tip, to save Chen Zheng inside Coiled Dragon Star from water and fire.

Line 22:

But suddenly, at that moment, a massive chant rang out across the universe: "All gods shall eventually fall, the Sovereign will cease to exist, and only the supreme True Demon will endure eternally!"

Translation: "But at that moment, a mighty chant suddenly echoed through the cosmos: 'All gods shall eventually fall, the sovereign shall also cease to exist, only the Supreme True Demon shall endure forever!'"

Thus: 【22】 But at that moment, a mighty chant suddenly echoed through the cosmos: "All gods shall eventually fall, the sovereign shall also cease to exist, only the Supreme True Demon shall endure forever!"

Line 23:

One chant after another shook heaven and earth, obscure and indecipherable, understood by none, like demonic music seeping into the mind, making everyone's Daoist heart sink, yearning to fall into the demonic way at once.

Translation: "Chant after chant rang out, shaking heaven and earth, obscure and hard to understand, no one could comprehend, like demonic sounds pouring into the mind, causing everyone's hearts to sink into depravity, as if they wanted to immediately fall into the Demonic Path."

Thus: 【23】 Chant after chant rang out, shaking heaven and earth, obscure and hard to understand, no one could comprehend, like demonic sounds pouring into the mind, causing everyone's hearts to sink into depravity, as if they wanted to immediately fall into the Demonic Path.

Line 24:

Ren Huangbi felt countless chaotic thoughts arise, a sense that a belief was about to collapse, as if innumerable supreme demons were resurrecting from the river of fate, reciting demonic scriptures beside his ear, tempting him toward demonic corruption.

Translation: "Ren Huang Bi felt his mind give rise to endless distracting thoughts, as if his belief were about to collapse; he sensed countless supreme demons resurrecting from the river of fate, reciting the Demonic Scripture beside his ear, tempting him to fall into demonry."

Thus: 【24】 Ren Huang Bi felt his mind give rise to endless distracting thoughts, as if his belief were about to collapse; he sensed countless supreme demons resurrecting from the river of fate, reciting the Demonic Scripture beside his ear, tempting him to fall into demonry.

Line 25:

"Not good!"

Translation: '"Not good!"'

Thus: 【25】 "Not good!"

Line 26:

Ren Huangbi shivered, quickly using his spirit as a Daoist sword to cut away the myriad distractions, stabilizing his mind and spirit.

Translation: "Ren Huang Bi shuddered, hurriedly using his spirit as a sword of the Dao, he cut away all miscellaneous thoughts and steadied his mind."

Thus: 【26】 Ren Huang Bi shuddered, hurriedly using his spirit as a sword of the Dao, he cut away all miscellaneous thoughts and steadied his mind.

Line 27:

But before he could even catch his breath, puzzled by what those demonic chants were and where they came from, his expression suddenly changed, his face filled with shock.

Translation: "But before he could even catch his breath, wondering what those many demonic sounds were and where they came from, his expression suddenly changed, his face filled with shock."

Thus: 【27】 But before he could even catch his breath, wondering what those many demonic sounds were and where they came from, his expression suddenly changed, his face filled with shock.

Line 28:

In his line of sight, at the center of the Coiled Dragon Star held by the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable, a dark‑gold throne suddenly materialized in the air, slowly rising.

Translation: "Because in his view, at the center of Coiled Dragon Star grasped by the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable, a dark gold throne suddenly appeared out of nowhere and rose slowly."

Thus: 【28】 Because in his view, at the center of Coiled Dragon Star grasped by the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable, a dark gold throne suddenly appeared out of nowhere and rose slowly.

Line 29:

The throne was immensely towering, as if forged from primordial pure gold before the heavens and earth were created, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura.

Translation: "The throne was extremely towering, as if forged from primordial true gold refined before the opening of heaven and earth, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura."

Thus: 【29】 The throne was extremely towering, as if forged from primordial true gold refined before the opening of heaven and earth, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura.

Line 30:

Seated atop it was a figure of absurd height and indescribable grandeur, as if the supreme ancestor of all ten thousand demons had descended upon the mortal world.

Translation: "Upon it sat a figure, towering beyond description, magnificently grand, as if the supreme ancestor of all demons had descended into the mortal realm."

Thus: 【30】 Upon it sat a figure, towering beyond description, magnificently grand, as if the supreme ancestor of all demons had descended into the mortal realm.

Line 31:

The ruler of the ten thousand demons appeared youthful, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Chen Zheng, yet far more domineering and imposing.

Translation: "The appearance of the Lord of Myriad Demons was young, yet looked exactly like Chen Zheng, only more overbearing and more dignified."

Thus: 【31】 The appearance of the Lord of Myriad Demons was young, yet looked exactly like Chen Zheng, only more overbearing and more dignified.

Line 32:

However, his face showed no emotional fluctuation, his gaze likewise indifferent, disregarding all beings of the realms, as if no living creature deserved his attention.

Translation: "Merely, that face showed no emotional fluctuation, and his gaze was likewise, looking down upon all beings of the realms as if no living creature deserved to enter his sight."

Thus: 【32】 Merely, that face showed no emotional fluctuation, and his gaze was likewise, looking down upon all beings of the realms as if no living creature deserved to enter his sight.

Line 33:

This is true contempt for everything!

Translation: "This is truly looking down upon everything!"

Thus: 【33】 This is truly looking down upon everything!

Line 34:

Ren Huangbi could not summon any feeling of that person's excessive arrogance; instead, he felt a sense that such superiority was inevitable.

Translation: "Yet in Ren Huang Bi's heart, he could not feel that the person was overly arrogant; instead, he felt that it was only natural."

Thus: 【34】 Yet in Ren Huang Bi's heart, he could not feel that the person was overly arrogant; instead, he felt that it was only natural.

Line 35:

Even the ancient Human Emperor who forged him, or even the Human Emperor's master Hong Meng Daoist, are still as insignificant as ants compared to that being.

Translation: "Even the Ancient Human Emperor who forged him, and even the Human Emperor's teacher, the Hongmeng Daoist, were still as insignificant as ants compared to him."

Thus: 【35】 Even the Ancient Human Emperor who forged him, and even the Human Emperor's teacher, the Hongmeng Daoist, were still as insignificant as ants compared to him.

Line 36:

That feeling was terrifying, causing Ren Huangbi's body to quake wildly, his tiger‑like eyes wide open, unable to believe that everything before him was real.

Translation: "This feeling was too terrifying, making Ren Huang Bi's body tremble wildly, his tiger eyes wide open, unable to believe that what lay before his eyes was real."

Thus: 【36】 This feeling was too terrifying, making Ren Huang Bi's body tremble wildly, his tiger eyes wide open, unable to believe that what lay before his eyes was real.

Line 37:

At this moment, at the center of Coiled Dragon Star, the silhouette on the dark‑gold throne—the true demonic essence of Chen Zheng—finally rose above the surface.

Translation: "And at this moment, at the center of Coiled Dragon Star, the shadow on the dark gold throne—that was Chen Zheng's True Demon Primordial Spirit—finally rose from the ground."

Thus: 【37】 And at this moment, at the center of Coiled Dragon Star, the shadow on the dark gold throne—that was Chen Zheng's True Demon Primordial Spirit—finally rose from the ground.

Line 38:

Rumble!

Translation: "Boom—"

Thus: 【38】 Boom—

Line 39:

There was no discernible movement from the true demonic essence; it simply radiated a vast aura that swept, and in the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable's horrified stare, it erased his gigantic hand that grasped Coiled Dragon Star inch by inch.

Translation: "The True Demon Primordial Spirit made no move, merely sending out a vast aura in a sweep; in the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable's astonished gaze, it erased inch by inch the giant hand that had been gripping Coiled Dragon Star."

Thus: 【39】 The True Demon Primordial Spirit made no move, merely sending out a vast aura in a sweep; in the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable's astonished gaze, it erased inch by inch the giant hand that had been gripping Coiled Dragon Star.

Line 40:

Crush the decayed and uproot the rotten!

Translation: "Destroying the rotten and pulling the withered!"

Thus: 【40】 Destroying the rotten and pulling the withered!

Line 41:

The Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable's entire arm turned to nothingness.

Translation: "The Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable's entire arm turned to nothing."

Thus: 【41】 The Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable's entire arm turned to nothing.

Line 42:

"This... is this a Dharma‑form spirit? Chen Zheng, how could you possibly possess such a terrifying spirit that can span eight great realms to contend with me? No, I don't believe it! State cauldron, give me the unity of the Nine Cauldrons, and extinguish his spirit!"

Translation: '"This… this is a Dharma Aspect Primordial Spirit? Chen Zheng, how could you possibly have such a terrifying primordial spirit, able to oppose me across eight major realms? No, I don't believe it! State Altar Cauldron, give me the Nine Cauldrons Unite, to annihilate his primordial spirit!"'

Thus: 【42】 "This… this is a Dharma Aspect Primordial Spirit? Chen Zheng, how could you possibly have such a terrifying primordial spirit, able to oppose me across eight major realms? No, I don't believe it! State Altar Cauldron, give me the Nine Cauldrons Unite, to annihilate his primordial spirit!"

Line 43:

Having lost an arm, the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable grew a new one, but he recoiled as if seeing a ghost, letting out a startled roar, his voice filled with disbelief.

Translation: "Having lost an arm, the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable regrew a new limb, yet he retreated as if seeing a ghost, shouting wildly, his voice full of disbelief."

Thus: 【43】 Having lost an arm, the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable regrew a new limb, yet he retreated as if seeing a ghost, shouting wildly, his voice full of disbelief.

Line 44:

In an instant he again showed a cruel expression, his whole body brimming with murderous intent, channeling his magical power into the nine bronze giant cauldrons atop his head, each the size of a star, causing them to merge into one, emitting a dazzling brilliance that dimmed countless stars and illuminated a hundred‑billion‑li stretch of sky.

Within the radiance, strange phenomena unfolded: the Nine Provinces and Four Seas, ten‑thousand spirits vying for supremacy, giant demons plucking stars, great monsters devouring the sun, and so on.

But the most eye‑catching sight was not the giant demons or great monsters, but a great emperor clad in an ancient dragon robe.

The ancient great emperor stood with his feet on the eight directions, his eyes holding the universe, waging war in all quarters, subduing every giant demon, great monster, and myriad spirit, ultimately establishing his throne over the Nine Provinces and unifying the Four Seas.

That great emperor was the spirit of the nine bronze giant cauldrons.

The nine cauldrons are called the Sheji Ding of the Nine Provinces, a half‑absolute‑grade Dao artifact that Jiu Ding Xian Zun relied on to achieve fame.

As the name implies, a half‑absolute‑grade Dao artifact is a half‑finished absolute‑grade Dao artifact, and only cultivators of the King Realm who have mastered the world's rules at the seventh level of the Longevity realm can forge it.

Although merely a half‑finished piece, its power exceeds that of a superior Dao artifact by thousands of millions of times, capable of shattering several stars with a single strike.

Jiu Ding Xian Zun did not believe it; his own half‑absolute‑grade Dao artifact, the Sheji Ding, would be unable to subdue the mere Primordial Spirit of Chen Zheng.

Boom!

The Sheji Ding shot across the sky, radiating boundless brilliance, booming and shaking the world; it was not a cauldron but resembled a sun, vaporizing a massive star, shattering the void, and descending in a single strike from above the True Demon Primordial Spirit's head.

Seeing this, Renhuang Bi whispered in a tone almost of yearning: "After all, Jiu Ding Xian Zun is eight great realms above Chen Zheng and has fully activated the Sheji Ding; even if Chen Zheng is stronger, he cannot stand against it, can he?"

His yearning had no effect.

After refining the treasure of the Dragon Tomb beneath Panlong Star, Chen Zheng had attained 8,000 strands of Primordial Celestial Dragon power—equivalent to 800 billion horses. Though still far below Jiu Ding Xian Zun's two‑trillion‑horse magical power, it was no longer something Chen Zheng could be easily defeated by.

Moreover, the combat power of the True Demon Primordial Spirit cannot be measured by sheer magical power.

When Chen Zheng was on the thirty‑second layer beneath the Zuma Great World, he once summoned this Primordial Spirit to win by weakness over strength, easily crushing the Xiang Tian Patriarch.

Now he can naturally achieve victory by weakness over strength as well.

As expected.

Only saw the True Demon Primordial Spirit extend both hands simultaneously; the two huge palms slammed together against the oncoming ferocious State Altar Cauldron, instantly colliding and erupting in a heaven-shaking roar that made the surrounding millions of stars tremble violently.

It also shot out endless sparks, like a meteor fire rain, spraying in all directions.

Wherever each spark struck, the celestial body it touched instantly melted, even those with diameters of millions of li were no exception.

This terrifying sight terrified the onlookers, making them shiver and gulp saliva.

If not for the Human Emperor's Brush releasing a surge of mana to protect everyone, they would probably have been annihilated by the sparks.

On the battlefield, the massive State Altar Cauldron had been pressed at its center by the True Demon Primordial Spirit's clasped hands; no matter how it vibrated or erupted with unmatched divine light, it could not break free from the spirit's oppression.

"Heavens... the State Altar Cauldron was actually subdued bare-handed by Chen Zheng's Dharma Aspect Primordial Spirit?!"

Everyone stared blankly at the scene, feeling as if they were dreaming.

"How could this be? Chen Zheng and the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable are apart by eight major realms, eight major realms! Someone like him will surely surpass the Heavenly Monarch, no, surpass the Immortal King! I... what have I missed?!"

The Human Emperor's Brush stared blankly at the True Demon Primordial Spirit on the dark gold throne, its crystal brush almost slipping from its grasp and falling into the cosmos.

At this moment, he had forgotten the problem of failing to save Chen Zheng.

Instead, he felt heartache and intense regret.

Back when they were underground at Seal Demon Ridge, Chen Zheng had taken the initiative to befriend him, calling him a fellow Daoist; why did he act arrogant, why treat Chen Zheng that way?

Why?

He could have befriended Chen Zheng, becoming Dao companions with this heaven-defying monster that kills enemies across eight major realms.

As long as Chen Zheng later becomes an Immortal King, casually promoting him a bit would restore his former King-grade Immortal Artifact strength.

He could even reach the level of the Ancient Human Emperor.

But it was all destroyed by his arrogance, destroyed!

Thinking of this, the Human Emperor's Brush almost vomited blood from regret.

But now it's too late to say anything.

Chen Zheng already possessed strength not inferior to his; he wanted to befriend him, but couldn't.

They simply wouldn't give him a proper glance.

"No! Impossible! My State Altar Cauldron, a half-supreme Dao artifact, how could it possibly be suppressed by you?!"

On the battlefield, the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable was also shocked by Chen Zheng's True Demon Primordial Spirit, frantically channeling mana to try to free the State Altar Cauldron from the spirit's control.

But those two huge hands remained utterly still.

It was as if they had grasped the fate of the State Altar Cauldron; who could break free from fate's bonds?

And the True Demon Primordial Spirit moved once again.

Boom—

The primordial spirit seized the cauldron with one hand, while the other suddenly reached out, covering the sky and shaking the boundless spacetime, grabbing toward the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable.

"Damn it, I'll fight you to the death!"

The Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable's face turned extremely grim; he roared, feigning a full-force attack on the True Demon's giant hand, but secretly turned the power of the world, tore through the void, and flashed away, disappearing into the starry sky.

He actually fled.

Just facing that grab from the True Demon Primordial Spirit gave him an irresistible feeling.

Moreover, knowing the State Altar Cauldron was lost and the situation was utterly hopeless, if he didn't flee now he might perish on the spot.

"Can you escape?"

The Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable fled in one breath an unknown number of billions of billions of li, arriving at a nameless stretch of starry sky; just as he was about to sigh in relief, he suddenly heard Chen Zheng's voice ring out, startling him so much his soul nearly left his body, and he hurriedly tried to escape.

But before he could even begin to flee, the True Demon's giant hand swept across the star river, descended from above, and seized him in its palm.

As the hand clenched, the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable was brought back to Coiled Dragon Star.

"Chen Zheng, I was wrong; I shouldn't have taken revenge for my disciple. I now sever my master-disciple ties with Yu Ji Zi. Spare my life! I control the Nine Cauldrons Pavilion, with countless subordinates, countless pills and treasures, my wealth amounts to tens of trillions of Pure Yang Pills. I'm willing to be your dog, dedicating all the Pavilion's business to you—please don't kill me!"

From the True Demon Primordial Spirit's palm came the Nine Cauldrons Immortal Venerable's heart-rending howl, full of unwillingness.

He step by step cultivated from mortal to Shen Tong Mi Jing, then entered the Longevity Secret Realm, each level harder than the last; it took him ninety thousand years, plus unknown opportunities and precious resources, to reach the present Seventh Heavy of the Longevity Realm King Realm.

Such a realm could be called true favor of the Upper Heavens; among all the myriad worlds, perhaps not one in a trillion cultivators attains it—who would want to die?

If he died, all his efforts would be ruined in an instant; naturally he is unwilling.

"You want to kill me, you've committed a crime of cosmic magnitude; no matter what you say, there's only death ahead. But rest assured, after you die I will take your form and go into the cultivation Great World to claim all your assets," the True Demon Primordial Spirit said, its tone cold.

Murderer, be condemned!

"You… ahhh…"

The Nine Tripod Immortal Sovereign was both fearful and angry, almost so enraged that smoke rose from his seven apertures, fully aware that death was inevitable, so he no longer begged for mercy and tried to scold Chen Zheng.

But the True Demon Primordial Spirit suddenly ignited a raging true fire shaped like the character "Lian," searing him so that his whole body sizzled like a sausage, dripping oil; he could no longer utter any curses, only let out a mournful wail.

In less than a moment the Nine Tripod Immortal Sovereign was burned to death, leaving a pool of essence, as well as the Great Statecraft Technique and the Great Tracking Technique—two of the Three Thousand Dao.

There were also numerous fragments radiating the essences of space, time, creation, celestial rank, and the world.

These were the laws the Nine Tripod Immortal Sovereign had comprehended in life, which turned into fragments after his death.

As long as a cultivator of lower attainment than the Nine Tripod Immortal Sovereign obtains these law fragments, they can use the fragments to accelerate their comprehension of the laws at each realm.

In fact, those previously killed by Chen Zheng—such as Deng Ao, Xiang Wanxu, Xiang Tianzushi, and others—also left behind law fragments.

However, for laws of this sort, Chen Zheng must cultivate to the second peak of Eternal Life before he can begin to comprehend them, so he collected all the law fragments he obtained.

The Nine Tripod Immortal Sovereign's law fragments were no exception; Chen Zheng gathered them together with the Statecraft Tripod and stored them in a chaotic space.

His essence and divine abilities were absorbed into his body along with the True Demon Primordial Spirit, causing his internal magical power to surge dramatically, jumping from eight thousand Primordial Celestial Dragon forces to eighteen thousand dragons—equivalent to 1.8 trillion horses—now almost matching the Nine Tripod Immortal Sovereign's power in life.

However, the Nine Tripod Immortal Sovereign was at best a low‑tier Realm King; the more powerful Realm Kings possessed far greater magical power, ranging from four to five trillion, even up to seven or eight trillion.

Some especially strong Realm Kings could wield power equivalent to several tens of trillions of the mysterious Xuanhuang fiery horses.

With such strength, given Chen Zheng's current power, he is still unlikely to be able to contend with them.

So after he refined the Nine Tripod Immortal Lord, he still sat cross‑legged in the Dragon Cemetery beneath Panlong Star, contemplating the Shen Tong Tenfold Defying Heaven, Changing Fate Realm.

As long as he ascends successfully, relying on the True Demon Primordial Spirit, few in the King Realm can deal with him.

Even Tai Hun Tian is not beyond his ability to slay.

Outside Panlong Star.

Ren Huang Bi sighed deeply, glanced once at the star, then with a forlorn expression flew into the cosmic sky, destination unknown.

The many Great Profound Princes and others, having survived the calamity, hurried back to the scarred Panlong Star crushed by the Nine Tripod Immortal Lord, and lost any desire to hunt treasure, lingering at the location of the ancient teleportation array they came from.

This ancient teleportation array they cannot activate; they must wait for the Great Profound Thus we have Title: Elder guarding the depths of the Xuan Huang Xuan Xuan Huang Da Shijie Shijie Xuan Xuan Huang Da Shijie Shijie to use magical crystal jade stone to energize that array, allowing a link so they can teleport back.

Before arriving at Panlong Star, the Great Profound Thus we have Title: Elder had told the many princes that after they have been on Panlong Star for twelve hours, the way back would be triggered.

Now, counting precisely, less than one hour has passed, so they still need to wait over eleven more hours in place.

Time passes.

Within the Dragon Cemetery.

As his contemplation deepened, Chen Zheng felt an unprecedented understanding of Heaven and Earth, and of his own fate.

He could sense his exact lifespan: 135,999 years and three months.

He could even feel that with each fleeting instant, his lifespan loses an instant of time.

His lifespan diminishes every moment.

He clearly "saw" his destiny.

This indicates he has finally entered the final Tenfold of Shen Tong Mi Jing, the Defying Heaven, Changing Fate Realm.

His magical power more than doubled, reaching four trillion.

"I wonder if this Sheep Skin Scroll now bears a new calamity character?"

Chen Zheng briefly sensed the subtlety of the Defying Heaven, Changing Fate Realm, then sank his mind into the Sheep Skin Scroll deep within his mind.

To his delight, the Sheep Skin Scroll indeed displayed a new calamity character.

(End of Chapter)