Chapter 128: Myriad Monster Holy City

The spirit boat's tearing-through-the-sky sound ripped open the dim canopy of the Yao Realm; its huge hull flickered with the Jade Mystery Sect's unique clear-light runes as it slowly descended near the ruined altar. Two elders with deep, steady auras leapt out first, quickly setting up defenses and vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

Seeing the scene's devastation and the condition of Lingxiao and the others, the first elder, Qinglin, turned pale and hurried forward: 'Sect Master Ling! You're wounded to this extent? And Xiao Shizi...'

'The three junior disciples are severely injured and need immediate full treatment.' Lingxiao suppressed his surging qi and blood, speaking concisely: 'Most other disciples are exhausted or have damaged origins; they need proper placement.'

Seeing the missing disciples on the verge of death with damaged origins, Qinglin sucked in a breath of cold air and immediately commanded the accompanying medical cultivators: 'Hurry! Carefully move those three inner-sect disciples into the spirit boat's quiet chamber, continuously infusing Yi Wood Vitality Spirit Qi! All injured disciples, treat them at once!'

The well-trained Jade Mystery Sect disciples swiftly acted, carefully lifting the unconscious disciples onto the spirit boat.

'Sect Master Ling, what about you...?' Qinglin gazed at the lightly injured Lingxiao, the over-exhausted Lu Changfeng, and Shi Ran, whose aura was somewhat floating and strange, as well as Wei Yuzhu, who never left Yun Tingliao's side.

'We need to stay temporarily in the Yao Realm.' Lingxiao's tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt.

'What? This place is perilous and unpredictable; that black-robed person might return, and you're in poor condition—how can you linger?' Qinglin exclaimed in astonishment.

'Precisely because the danger is unknown, we must stay.' Lingxiao's gaze swept over the destroyed altar site still retaining an ominous aura, and continued: 'Furthermore, Yun Tingliao, who aided us, has a special injury—the annihilating power erodes the very foundation of his soul; ordinary means cannot save him. We must seek the Yao Emperor Yun Tingcang.'

'The Yao Emperor?!' Qinglin was even more shocked: 'I've heard His Majesty's temperament is unfathomable, he rarely appears, and he bears many grudges against human cultivators—how could he readily intervene?'

'Yun Tingliao is his younger brother; this is our only hope.' Lingxiao said in a low voice.

He paused a breath, obviously not used to speaking much: 'This matter concerns that mysterious black-robed person and the Myriad Source Return to the Void Grand Formation; behind it lie great connections. We must obtain clues or aid from the Yao Emperor as soon as possible. After the elder returns, he should immediately report today's affairs to the other sect masters and prepare in advance.'

Seeing Lingxiao's resolve and sufficient reasons, Qinglin could only nod solemnly: 'If so, please all be extremely careful. I will leave a highest-grade warning talisman and a small teleportation disk; if an irresistible danger arises, trigger it immediately, and the sect will spare no expense to come to your aid.'

'Thank you.'

Soon, the other injured disciples were properly settled; the spirit boat slowly rose, turned into a streak of light, and vanished into the horizon.

Amid the ruins, only Lingxiao, Shi Ran, Lu Changfeng, Wei Yuzhu, and the unconscious Yun Tingliao, carefully guarded by Wei Yuzhu, remained. The atmosphere instantly grew more oppressive and lonely.

'Master, your wounds...' Shi Ran worriedly gazed at Lingxiao's pale face.

'It's fine, don't worry.' Lingxiao said softly, swallowing a few pills to forcibly suppress the chaotic sword qi and residual destructive annihilation power within him: 'The urgent task is to locate the Yao Emperor's residence—the Myriad Monster Holy City.'

The Yao Realm's territory, formed after the Immortal-Demon War, has remained unchanged for thousands of years: it begins in the north at Blackwater Marsh, ends in the south at Undulating Mountain, reaches west to Autumn Cold Lake, and in winter reaches Selenium Snow City.

Wei Yuzhu lifted her head, eyes filled with bloodshot veins: 'But, sir, the Myriad Monster Holy City exists only in legend; when the Yao Emperor fell, I only heard that Yun Tingcang alone guarded Blackwater Marsh, Yun Tingche guarded Selenium Snow City, Yun Tingliao guarded Undulating Mountain, and Yun Tinghan guarded Autumn Cold Lake—none of them ever set foot in the Myriad Monster Holy City!'

'No matter what, we must give it a try.' Lingxiao looked at her: 'Let's go.'

Although no one pointed the way, Lingxiao still decided to cross Blackwater Marsh, guessing that in the great war, that strike had also recoiled upon Yun Tingcang, so he certainly wouldn't have strayed far.

Thus, they first had to cross Blackwater Marsh, with Shi Ran and Lu Changfeng guarding left and right, Lingxiao focusing his spirit at the center to coordinate, and Wei Yuzhu carrying Yun Tingliao to bring up the rear; the group turned into several streaks of light and rushed deep into the Yao Realm.

The Yao Realm's land blends desolation with splendor—sometimes a jagged, demonic-qi-filled wasteland, sometimes a vibrant ancient forest with towering trees; occasionally massive demonic birds swoop overhead, casting chilling shadows. The deeper one goes, the denser and purer the demonic qi becomes, and the pressure grows greater.

The journey was far from smooth. They encountered several waves of demonic beasts drawn by the region's abnormal energy fluctuations or the faint yet pure demonic qi on Yun Tingliao's body, among which were not lacking demon generals and even low-level demon kings.

Normally, a single sword strike from Lingxiao could clear them, but now, gravely wounded, each of his attacks left his face a shade paler. Shi Ran's abyssal demonic power, however, became the main force—overbearing and enigmatic, devouring and dissolving, making the demonic beasts wary. Lu Changfeng's talismans and Wei Yuzhu's sword formation provided support from the side, and they painfully carved out a bloody path.

Everyone kept their nerves taut, daring not to slack in the slightest.

After several days, everyone was travel-worn and exhausted. Lingxiao's injury fluctuated, relying solely on willpower and pills to hold on. Though Shi Ran's strength grew after devouring the shadow remnants, the blood color in his eyes came and went, requiring him to divert attention to suppress that violent impulse. Lu Changfeng had expended over half his spiritual power, and Wei Yuzhu was mentally and physically drained, needing to guard the rear while protecting Yun Tingliao.

Finally, after a colossal mountain range that seemed to join heaven and earth, the outline of a magnificently indescribable city appeared on the horizon.

It was the Myriad Monster Holy City.

It was not the orderly layout of a human city; rather, it resembled countless great mountains, ancient trees, crystals, and even demonic beast bones naturally carved and forged together. Its walls towered into the clouds, presenting a dark gold and emerald interwoven hue, exuding an ancient, barbaric yet solemn aura. Powerful demonic qi, like a tangible halo, enveloped the entire holy city, inspiring awe and dread.

The closer they approached, the more they felt that suffocating pressure. At the city gate stood fully transformed demon generals in armor, wielding sharp weapons, their keen eyes scanning every newcomer.

'Halt! The Myriad Monster Holy City—how dare humans intrude!' A leopard-headed humanoid demon general stepped forward, his voice like a bell, openly hostile. The guards behind him also drew their weapons, demonic qi locking onto the group.

Wei Yuzhu immediately stepped forward, producing a feather token flowing with seven-colored auroral light: 'I am Wei Yuzhu of the Heavenly Gap Sect, with urgent business to see the Yao Emperor, Your Majesty! Please relay the request!'

Seeing the token, the demon general's expression eased slightly, but remained icy: 'Ah, it's Miss Wei. However, His Majesty has ordered recent seclusion, refusing outside visitors, especially humans.' His gaze swept over Lingxiao, Lu Changfeng, and Shi Ran, lingering a moment on Shi Ran's strange aura, full of vigilance.

'Not an outsider! He is the Majesty's younger brother; Yun Tingliao's life hangs by a thread, and only the Majesty can save him!' Wei Yuzhu exclaimed, stepping aside to reveal the unconscious Yun Tingliao supported by Lu Changfeng.

'What? The Third Prince?!' The demon general turned pale, carefully sensing Yun Tingliao's extremely weak, almost extinguishing aura, his face instantly changed: 'This… please wait a moment, I will immediately report to the Inner Court Steward!'

The demon general hurried away. The atmosphere grew so heavy it seemed ready to drip water, while the other guards at the gate remained tigerishly watchful.

The wait was extraordinarily long; each second, Yun Tingliao's aura seemed to weaken a fraction more.

After a long while, a woman in black palace attire, cold and refined in demeanor, beautiful-faced but with knife-like eyes, followed the demon general swiftly over. Her gaze swept over and instantly landed on Yun Tingliao, pupils contracting slightly.

'Who… are you?' Wei Yuzhu asked anxiously.

The woman slightly nodded, her voice clear and emotionless: 'Everyone, His Majesty is already aware and has summoned you for an audience. Follow me.' She gave Lingxiao a deep glance, then flicked her eyes over Shi Ran, said nothing more, turned and led the way.

Everyone's hearts tightened; at last they could see him! They immediately followed.

Inside the holy city, the scene was myriad: wide streets, various demons in differing stages of human form coming and going; sensing the human aura of Lingxiao and company, they all cast curious, wary, or even hateful glances. Powerful demonic qi was nearly everywhere.

The woman led them unhindered through layer upon palace after palace, finally arriving before a colossal palace situated at the highest point, as if inlaid into the mountain itself. Its doors were cast of unknown black metal, engraved with the ancient pattern of myriad demons paying homage, emitting a soul-shaking pressure.

'His Majesty is inside; please enter.' The woman stepped aside, her gaze once again sweeping over Yun Tingliao, flashing a barely perceptible hint of worry.

Lingxiao drew a deep breath and pushed open the heavy doors.

Inside the hall, the light was dim, not pitch black, but as if endless stars flowed and flickered within. In the vast central hall, a figure stood with his back to them, hands behind his back, seeming to merge with the dark starry expanse.

He merely stood there, and a mighty pressure of looking down upon all, supreme nobility, with a trace of lonely desolation, emanated—this was the Yao Realm's new emperor, the wolf clan's Yun Tingcang.

Hearing the footsteps, that figure slowly turned.

It was an extremely handsome yet icy-cold face, its features five-six similar to Yun Tingliao's but harder and more mature; his silver vertical pupils held no human emotion, only endless dignity and depth. A cascade of silver hair fell like a waterfall, and he wore a black dragon-embroidered imperial robe—indeed, the sovereign who rules over all demons, Yun Tingcang.

His gaze first fell upon Yun Tingliao, supported by Wei Yuzhu and Lu Changfeng.

Instantly, the hall's temperature plummeted, as if the flowing stars themselves froze for a moment.

Yun Tingcang took a step, as if shrinking the earth to an inch, appearing directly before Yun Tingliao. He didn't even glance at Lingxiao and the others, merely extending a finger to lightly touch Yun Tingliao's brow.

A thread of utmost purity, containing the supreme Yao Emperor's origin power, probed inward.

After a moment, he withdrew his finger; his icy silver vertical pupils finally lifted, falling upon Lingxiao and the others.

The entire hall's air seemed to turn into mountains weighing billions of catties, pressing so hard that one could barely breathe.

His voice was low and steady, yet carried a chill capable of freezing the soul:

'Has the black-robed person who wounded my brother to this state been killed?'

That low voice was not loud, yet like ten-thousand-year-old ice suddenly shattering, it bore unquestionable majesty and an almost tangible killing intent, instantly filling the star‑filled hall. The air solidified, the flowing starlight seeming to freeze, so heavy that hearts contracted sharply.

Wei Yuzhu bore the brunt, her face turning deathly pale under this terrifying pressure, but she forced herself not to retreat, urgently speaking: "Demon... Emperor, black... robed person..."

Before she could finish, Yun Tingcang's gaze swept over her lightly; Wei Yuzhu felt as if struck hard, the words forced back into her throat, even a trickle of blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. The Demon Emperor's anger—just a trace of its residual might—was more than she could bear.

"You've run, and your Spirit Realm is nothing more than this!" Yun Tingcang's gaze swept past Wei Yuzhu, like two icy silver blades, locking onto Ling Xiao, Shi Ran, and Luo Changfeng.

Luo Changfeng felt his scalp go numb under that gaze, his spiritual power nearly collapsing on its own. Shi Ran instinctively stepped forward half a pace, gold-black light swirling in her heterochromatic eyes, a deep abyss aura faintly surging around her, instinctively resisting this terrifying pressure—yet like a small boat in a storm, she could capsize at any moment.

Ling Xiao drew a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the injury aggravated by the pressure, stepped forward, and shielded his two disciples behind him. His face remained pale, but his waist and back were ramrod straight, like an unyielding green peak, facing the Demon Emperor's wrath.

"The mysterious black-robed person who wounded him has fled, but the Myriad Sources Return to the Void Grand Formation he laid has been broken." Ling Xiao's voice was steady, neither humble nor arrogant, though each word felt like his chest was being torn apart: "We happened upon this, did our utmost to stop them, but the enemy's methods were strange and their power level extraordinarily high; during the battle, Yun Tingliao was gravely wounded in body and soul by the power of annihilation. I, Ling Xiao, am incapable, failing to protect him fully—ashamed."

"Hmph..." Yun Tingcang's silver vertical pupils narrowed slightly, the surrounding chill intensifying, "I too was injured by them, and still cannot find my younger brother's whereabouts; Lord Wanshan, please recount the details, and I will lend you a hand."

Ling Xiao endured the discomfort, concisely and clearly recounting how he discovered his disciples' disappearance, tracked them to the altar, clashed with the black-robed person, destroyed the formation, and how Yun Tingliao was gravely wounded while saving his fellow disciples; he omitted details about Shi Ran's special magical power, emphasizing only the black-robed person's strangeness and strength, and his final words before departing.

During this, Yun Tingcang merely listened silently, expressionless; only when hearing "power of annihilation" and "soul and spirit shattered" did a faint silver glint flicker in the depths of his eyes, the surrounding starlight seeming to dim for a moment.

After Ling Xiao finished speaking, the hall fell into utter silence.

After a long while, Yun Tingcang slowly raised his hand; a gentle yet irresistible force pushed Wei Yuzhu and Luo Changfeng aside, and Yun Tingliao's body was lifted by an invisible power, slowly hovering before him.

He extended his right hand, palm down, hovering above Yun Tingliao's forehead. Pure and vast, like a sea of stars, the Demon Emperor's origin power slowly poured into Yun Tingliao's body.

However, moments later, Yun Tingcang's brow furrowed slightly. He felt that the power of annihilation within his brother's body, like a bone-deep ulcer, was extremely stubborn, continually devouring his faint vitality; the efficacy of the Nine Revolutions Soul-Returning Pill could barely sustain him, but could not reverse it. The nature of that power could not be easily dispelled even by his Demon Emperor's origin, and it even sent back a faint recoil.

He withdrew his hand, his face darkening horribly.

"Annihilation rules... touching the origin..." he murmured softly, his icy killing intent rising again, "Good, very good."

He turned his gaze to Ling Xiao: "Lord Wanshan, though you did not exhaust your effort, you ultimately helped him escape danger, gave him pills to cling to life, and brought him here. I acknowledge your kindness."

Having said that, he did not wait for Ling Xiao's response, flicked his finger, and three streams of light shot toward Ling Xiao, Shi Ran, and Luo Changfeng.

Ling Xiao reached out and caught it—actually a silver pill the size of a longan, containing tremendous vitality and stellar power; inhaling its fragrance refreshed his spirit and eased his injury somewhat.

"This is the 'Myriad Demons Blood Essence Pill,' beneficial for your injury," Yun Tingcang said lightly, then looked at Shi Ran and Luo Changfeng, "The ones for you two can also consolidate the foundation and nurture the origin."

This reward is indeed weighty. It also shows his pride and measure as the Demon Emperor, with clear distinctions between reward and punishment.