Chapter 491: Mutual Recruitment, Chu Yang

Forty-five!

The number of demonic runes had surged from twenty-seven to forty-five!

After assimilating the entire Demon Demon Clan and absorbing the primordial demonic qi of the initial-stage Xuan Demon Emperor, eighteen new demonic runes were directly formed!

Even when fully activating the Heavenly Demon Force, with some runes reinforcing the core of the source martial body, it was still sufficient to condense the Twenty-Seven-Rune Heavenly Demon Force—equivalent to the full-power strike of a late-stage Immortal-grade Heavenly Supreme!

Moreover, Chu Yang discovered that the demonic runes had already spread across his entire left arm and were now creeping toward his torso.

Demon-Sweeping Fortress.

When the array of Grand Thousand Palace elites arrived before the fortress, they all halted simultaneously, raising their heads to gaze at the towering stone stele.

At the very top of the stele, a brilliant purple-gold name blazed forth.

Demon-Slaying King—Chu Yang! The first Demon-Slaying King since ancient times, ascending to the top of the Demon-Slaying List! Though the crowd marveled, none were truly surprised.

He had slain three Itachi Demon Emperors and one Xuan Demon Emperor, accumulating over ten thousand Demon-Slaying Points—not to mention the countless Gui Demon Clan members he had assimilated. Everyone knew that when the Demon-Slaying Lists across the Grand Thousand Palace’s branches updated, the entire Grand Thousand Realm would tremble.

But this was only the beginning. Once other powers and elites learned Chu Yang’s true background and his battlefield exploits on the Demon-Quelling Continent, that would be the true uproar! At the top of the black tower, all top-tier warriors who had participated in the battle were present.

Yet only three could sit: the Red and Cloud Emperors, the Western Heaven War Emperor, and Chu Yang.

The four sat facing each other; the rest were mostly Earth Supreme Great Perfection warriors, each far surpassing peers even within their own realm, with several having reached the half-step Heavenly Supreme threshold.

The sole exception was the demure young woman standing behind the Red Emperor.

The Red Emperor was gravely wounded; as his granddaughter, it was natural for her to attend to him.

Yet since arriving here, her gaze had never left Chu Yang for a single moment.

She had seen the Demon-Slaying List; she knew what had transpired on the battlefield—but she could not reconcile this seemingly harmless young man before her with the prodigy who had turned the tide and slaughtered without mercy.

“This incident arose suddenly; we deeply thank Itachi both. Had Itachi not come to our aid in our hour of need, the Demon-Quelling Continent would have fallen to the demonic clans before our Grand Thousand Palace forces arrived...”

The Red Emperor spoke solemnly, rising to bow—but his wounds were too severe, triggering violent coughs and blood spilling from his lips.

The Miss Cheng immediately patted his back; the Western Heaven War Emperor chuckled: “Red Emperor, no need for such formalities. In resisting the outer realm demonic clans, every soul in the Grand Thousand Realm bears equal responsibility.”

“Yet I hope Itachi both understand: my refusal of the Grand Thousand Palace’s proposal earlier was not due to unwillingness to guard the border...”

Here, the Western Heaven War Emperor let out a bitter laugh. “But I have spent years laying plans across the Western Continent. If I abandon them now, my chance to break through to the Saint Realm will vanish into the distant future!”

At these words, the Red and Cloud Emperors both subtly changed expression.

From the War Emperor’s tone, it seemed he had genuine confidence in his Western Continent schemes to break through to the Saint Realm.

If true, this would be a great boon for the Grand Thousand Realm.

Compared to that, his earlier refusal to guard the western border became trivial.

The Red Emperor chuckled: “Then old man hereby wishes Itachi success in your breakthrough!”

The Western Heaven War Emperor waved his hand: “The threshold of the Saint Realm has blocked countless prodigies. I merely have some confidence—I dare not claim certain success!”

The Red Emperor nodded, fell silent, and turned his gaze to Chu Yang.

Simultaneously, all eyes in the room fixed on Chu Yang—filled with awe, admiration, reverence, and worship.

They all knew: the reason the Grand Thousand Palace won this battle was not due to the Western Heaven War Emperor’s timely aid, but Chu Yang’s miraculous turnaround! “Young Master Chu, today’s deeds have left the entire Grand Thousand Palace in your debt!”

The Cloud Emperor rose and bowed solemnly: “Even the entire Grand Thousand Realm owes Itachi a debt!”

“If the Gui Demon Clan had breached our lines, the western regions of the Grand Thousand Realm would have been bathed in blood!”

Upon returning, they immediately investigated Chu Yang’s background.

But information on him was scarce: they only knew he hailed from a lower realm and had registered as a Demon-Slaying Master with the Grand Thousand Palace.

With this, the Red and Cloud Emperors understood: Chu Yang, from a lower realm, felt no allegiance to the Grand Thousand Realm. For him to intervene at such a critical moment was extraordinary. Chu Yang smiled: “Though I am new to the Grand Thousand Realm, I well understand that when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact...”

“If the Grand Thousand Realm falls, all lower realms will perish as well.”

The Red Emperor wiped the blood from his lips and chuckled: “Young Master, Itachi grasp great righteousness and possess unparalleled talent—your future will surely reach the pinnacle of strength!”

This was no flattery. Chu Yang had reached the lower realm Earth Supreme level at such a young age—his talent was self-evident.

With such talent, his breakthrough to the Heavenly Supreme was virtually assured.

Coupled with his terrifying combat power, capable of slaying enemies across multiple realms, once he reached the Heavenly Supreme level, his actual battle strength would surely secure him a place among the Saint Realm elite.

Chu Yang smiled but said nothing. The Western Heaven War Emperor suddenly asked: “Young Brother Chu, Itachi’re new to the Grand Thousand Realm—what are your plans going forward?”

He never beat around the bush—he cut straight to the most critical question.

The Grand Thousand Palace imposed no restrictions on Demon-Slaying Masters; Chu Yang remained a free agent, belonging to no faction.

In truth, everyone present understood: though they gathered ostensibly to thank the Western Heaven War Emperor and Chu Yang, the real purpose...

Was to probe Chu Yang’s stance and vie for his allegiance.

Though the Grand Thousand Palace nearly encompassed all Heavenly Supreme warriors of the Grand Thousand Realm, most were merely nominal members, answering only when the realm faced crisis.

The true core members were few.

Otherwise, how could the Grand Thousand Palace—the so-called number one force in the Grand Thousand Realm—entrust its border defense to the Red and Cloud Emperors, who were only Spirit Realm cultivators? Ultimately, while the Grand Thousand Palace could rally a hundred responses with one call, its own core strength, though superior to most super-factions, still lagged behind the ancient five clans.

Though the Grand Thousand Palace did not compete for resources or seek dominion, it was always better to have direct strongholds stationed in key regions than to scramble for reinforcements when trouble struck.

Take today’s incident: though the Grand Thousand Palace could summon many warriors quickly, in sudden crises, distant aid was useless.

Had Chu Yang not emerged unexpectedly, and had the Western Heaven War Emperor not arrived in time, the western border would have already fallen.

The Western Heaven War Emperor’s intent was even clearer: he sought to draw Chu Yang into the Western Heaven War Palace.

While all factions stood united against the outer realm demonic clans, daily rivalries never ceased. Yet for a young prodigy like Chu Yang, neither side would resort to coercion or bribery—after all, even if they failed to recruit him, none wished to make an enemy.

Thus, Chu Yang’s stance became paramount.

Chu Yang, of course, understood all this. Hearing the Western Heaven War Emperor’s question, he smiled: “I plan to journey to the Sacred Abyss Continent to seek an old acquaintance.”

At this, the Red and Cloud Emperors’ eyes brightened slightly. The Cloud Emperor chuckled: “The Sacred Abyss Continent is guarded by our Grand Thousand Palace branch. Could Itachi tell us your acquaintance’s name?”

“If your acquaintance is within the Sacred Abyss Continent, the Grand Thousand Palace will surely help Itachi find him!”

Chu Yang shook his head: “My acquaintance’s situation is unusual. He is not on the Sacred Abyss Continent—he was caught in a spatial storm while traversing the dimensional passage to the Grand Thousand Realm and swept into the heart of the outer realm.”

“I go to the Sacred Abyss Continent to use its spatial fissures to enter the outer realm and retrieve him.”

At these words, all the warriors drew sharp breaths. The Red and Cloud Emperors froze; even the Western Heaven War Emperor’s eyelids twitched.

What nonsense? To fall into the outer realm’s heart? Even if he were a renowned supreme of the Grand Thousand Realm, entering the outer realm did not guarantee survival—let alone a low-realm nobody like Chu Yang’s acquaintance.

Thus, they believed Chu Yang’s acquaintance was almost certainly dead.

What stunned them further was that Chu Yang intended to venture alone into the heart of the demonic clans to find him.

What was this but suicide? Even with his extraordinary talent and power, the outer realm teemed with Heavenly Supremes—it was like a lamb walking into a den of tigers!

“Is your acquaintance truly that important to Itachi?” the Red Emperor asked, stunned.

At this, the Western Heaven War Emperor stared blankly; even the Cloud Emperor thought his wife was asking a foolish question.

If the person weren’t vital, why risk near-certain death?

Chu Yang smiled silently. The Red Emperor snapped out of it, embarrassed: “Young Master, your loyalty and righteousness move me!”

Seeing Chu Yang’s resolve, none urged him to change his mind—they all knew that anyone who climbed from obscurity to the peak of strength possessed unyielding will.

Such a person would not be swayed by mere words. “Since Young Brother Chu has made his decision, I wish Itachi success!”

The Western Heaven War Emperor took a deep breath and rose slowly: “There are many matters on the continent—I cannot linger.”

“When Itachi return from the outer realm, I shall visit your presence on the Western Continent and share wine with Itachi—I look forward to it!”

“Besides, had it not been for Itachi today, I might not have escaped unscathed—this debt I owe Itachi.”

“Should Itachi ever need anything in the future, simply speak!”

Indeed, though the Western Heaven War Emperor was proud and domineering, he was also shrewd.

His words instantly bridged the gap between him and Chu Yang.

Though everyone believed Chu Yang’s journey to the Sacred Abyss would be fatal—he would likely never return.

Yet even a one-in-ten-thousand chance remained: if he returned alive, he would become the Grand Thousand Realm’s next dominant force! On the surface, the Western Heaven War Emperor acknowledged he owed Chu Yang a favor—but was this not also how he forged a bond between them? Favors are always reciprocal, accumulating with every exchange.

The Western Heaven War Emperor acted swiftly, bid brief farewells, and departed the Demon-Quelling Continent alone.

After he left, the Red and Cloud Emperors wished to persuade Chu Yang to stay—but knew it was futile, and remained silent.

The Red Emperor looked at Chu Yang: “Young Master, my wife and I must remain to guard the Demon-Quelling Continent. Once the Grand Thousand Palace elders arrive, we will cross the Sen Luo Realm and launch a counteroffensive against the outer realm demonic clans!”

“But we will alert the Sacred Abyss branch in advance—they will assist Itachi wholeheartedly!”

“Moreover, if Itachi have any needs, speak freely—anything within the Grand Thousand Palace’s power, we will not refuse!”

Chu Yang withdrew his Demon-Slaying Token, gazing at the three large characters: “Demon-Slaying King.” He smiled: “Elders, does this ‘Demon-Slaying King’ title hold weight?”

Their expressions turned solemn. The Cloud Emperor said gravely: “This honor is rightfully yours—it holds full weight!”

Chu Yang nodded, then asked: “If so, what rights does a Demon-Slaying King hold within the Grand Thousand Palace?”

The two exchanged glances. The Red Emperor took a deep breath: “If Itachi wish, Itachi may become a core elder of the Grand Thousand Palace, entitled to participate in all major decisions.”

“If Itachi formally join the Grand Thousand Palace, Itachi may even become its spokesperson!”

It sounded hasty—these two, despite their status, could not speak for the entire Grand Thousand Palace.

But the truth was...

Since ancient times, the Grand Thousand Palace had no ruler—no one had reached the level of the Immortal Emperor.

Yet each age had one spokesperson.

Chu Yang was the first Demon-Slaying King since ancient times. His talent, power, character, and virtue had all been proven on the battlefield—he was unquestionably the rightful choice for this age’s spokesperson!

Chu Yang waved his hand: “No matter my position or title, it does not change my resolve to defend the Grand Thousand Realm against the outer realm demonic clans.”

“I am a free spirit—I have no desire to be a spokesperson.”

“But I wish to exchange my Demon-Slaying Points for rare treasures from the Grand Thousand Palace’s vault.”

Hearing this, the Red and Cloud Emperors understood at once.

No wonder he suddenly produced his Demon-Slaying Token—he wanted the Grand Thousand Palace to grant him maximum vault access privileges and preferential treatment!

Given his power, the treasures he sought would be extraordinary—beyond the Red and Cloud Emperors’ authority to approve.

So they knew full well that even if those core elders were to come, they would absolutely fulfill Chu Yang’s demands to the fullest extent! Thinking of this, the Red Emperor immediately said, “Young friend, rest assured—I will contact the core elders at once. Itachi may exchange for any item in the Grand Thousand Palace’s treasury!”

“Moreover, I have the authority to grant Itachi a twenty percent discount!”