Chapter 59: The Heart of the Demon Emperor

Chapter 59: The Heart of the Demon Emperor

An incredibly grand display and imposing aura. Thirty-six divine rainbows led the way, and behind them, twenty-seven powerful cultivators rode twenty-seven savage beasts. Though only a few dozen people, they charged forth like an army of thousands. The sky trembled, as if countless heavenly soldiers and generals were descending.

In the sky, human shouts and beast roars filled the air. Clouds surged and churned, and killing intent soared to the heavens, like a surging ocean arriving. Ye Fan was greatly astonished. There were so many formidable experts, twice as many as those from the Spiritual Ruins Sect.

"The Fluctlight Holy Land? Is that the holy land the Spiritual Ruins Sect is affiliated with?" Ye Fan murmured to himself. Whether in ancient China or on this side of the starry sky, the term 'Fluctlight' held significant meaning.

"What an impressive display from the Fluctlight Holy Land!" Just then, a cold voice came from another direction. That section of the sky rumbled as eighteen ancient chariots rolled forward, their killing intent reaching the sky, causing the heavens to rumble and tremble under the pressure.

"The Ji Family! An ancient aristocratic family descended from the Primordial Era!" Upon seeing the eighteen ancient chariots, the eyes of the Fluctlight Holy Land members all narrowed. Everyone became wary. A solemn killing aura rose, and their imposing presence sharply increased.

Both sides stopped. Each occupied a section of the sky, facing off from a distance.

"Let's compete based on our own strength!"

These were the grand voices of the two groups. After a moment of standoff, they did not start fighting; instead, both sides simultaneously rushed towards the magnificent ancient palace above the volcano.

Ye Fan's heart tightened. The legendary holy lands and ancient aristocratic families had arrived one after another. It seemed the emergence of this Demon Emperor's Tomb was indeed astonishing enough that two colossal powers rushed to Yan State immediately upon receiving the news to participate.

"The Ji Family, descended from the Primordial Era..." Ye Fan showed a thoughtful expression. The Ji surname was considered one of the oldest surnames in China, with a profound origin, leaving behind countless legends in ancient China. He hadn't expected it to be the same on this side of the starry sky, an existence comparable to a holy land.

Rumble, rumble, rumble...

It was as if a flood surged through the sky. The two transcendent great powers, the Fluctlight Holy Land and the Ji Family, surged past and instantly arrived before the magnificent ancient palace.

Around them, the fierce birds and savage beasts scattered. Though they couldn't yet transform into human form, they had long since gained sentience. Sensing the danger, they all decisively retreated.

On the other side, the elders of the Spiritual Ruins Sect all changed their expressions. Although they were affiliated with the Fluctlight Holy Land, they hadn't reported the sudden appearance of the Demon Emperor's Tomb upwards this time. Now that the Fluctlight Holy Land had arrived on their own, it naturally made them uncomfortable. Moreover, the Ji Family, the ancient aristocratic family closest to Yan State, had also received the news and rushed here. With two super-colossal powers present, the people of the Spiritual Ruins Sect felt a wave of bitterness. They knew it would be difficult to gain anything now.

At this moment, the magnificent ancient palace continuously shook. Several great demons, the sect master of the Spiritual Ruins Sect, and the grand elders were locked in fierce combat inside. The muffled sounds from within grew stronger and stronger, and even from a great distance, they caused sharp pains in people's hearts.

The people of the Fluctlight Holy Land quickly surrounded the ancient palace. Dozens of savage beasts wagged their tails, spewed clouds and mist, and continuously stamped in the sky, causing continuous tremors and a clamor throughout the area. The Ji Family showed no weakness. Their eighteen ancient chariots formed a battle formation, blocking the sky and confronting the Fluctlight Holy Land. At the same time, this was to prevent the Demon Emperor's Tomb from suddenly soaring into the heavens.

Just then, eight or nine old men simultaneously emerged from the ranks of both the Fluctlight Holy Land and the Ji Family. They strode through the void, and with a flash of light, they all vanished at the entrance of the ancient palace and rushed inside.

Boom!

The Demon Emperor's Tomb shook even more violently. The battle inside had reached a fever pitch, with weapons continuously pulsing with divine light, flashing within the hall.

The addition of the ancient aristocratic families and holy lands quickly broke the stalemate. They seemed to have broken many restrictions inside, and before long, streaks of radiant light shot out.

Everyone waiting outside took action. They rode divine rainbows, vying for the radiant glows that shot out. Upon closer inspection, they were weapons shimmering with light, clearly extraordinary items.

Thump!

Suddenly, with a violent tremor, everyone surrounding the ancient palace turned pale and retreated rapidly. A vast and unfathomable power surged out from the ancient palace, like a tsunami, sending all eighteen of the Ji Family's ancient chariots flying. The Fluctlight Holy Land's savage beasts and cultivators were also thrown into disarray, quickly retreating.

Blazing light shot out from the Demon Emperor's tomb, so bright that people couldn't open their eyes. A vast and unfathomable power surged forth like a collapsing mountain. A small crystal coffin, only about a foot long, shot out. The immense power and dazzling light were precisely what it emitted.

Thump, thump, thump...

It was gently pulsating, like a rhythmic heartbeat, filled with immense vital energy. Vast power swept in all directions.

"Stop it!"

An anxious shout came from within the Demon Emperor's Tomb. Then, over a dozen figures rushed out simultaneously. The one leading them was none other than Pang Bo. At this moment, his entire body was enveloped in green energy. The dragon and phoenix symbols on his face had become even denser, and even his arms were gradually covered in symbols resembling mystic turtles and qilin. His eyes shot out green light several meters long; he could be described as having monstrous demon energy, even more so than the great demons behind him. At this very moment, nothing else mattered to him; his eyes were fixed unblinkingly on the foot-long crystal coffin, pursuing it relentlessly.

The experts from the Fluctlight Holy Land and the Ji Family emerged from the ancient palace with grim expressions. They loudly ordered those around them to intercept the crystal coffin. At this time, the sect master and grand elders of the Spiritual Ruins Sect also rushed out with troubled expressions. They didn't want to give up; even though so many people had arrived, they still wanted to contend for it, otherwise all their efforts would have been in vain.

As for the several great demons, they were the most furious. Their faces were filled with unwillingness. However, facing so many human powerhouses, they were willing but powerless. They broke out of the encirclement, ready to act as the opportunity arose.

The Ji Family's eighteen ancient chariots formed a battle formation, blocking the sky and sealing off the area to intercept the crystal coffin. The cultivators from the Fluctlight Holy Land also took action. Some rode savage beasts, others rode divine rainbows, directly charging forward.

The crystal coffin, less than a foot long, was immediately trapped. At this moment, all the experts who had rushed out from the Demon Emperor's Tomb arrived. Almost simultaneously, they reached out their hands, trying to grab it.

Bang!

Over a dozen large hands reached out and grasped the crystal coffin. Of course, these hands were condensed from radiant light, not the actual hands of the individuals. While vying for the crystal coffin, they were also fighting each other.

All eighteen of the Ji Family's ancient chariots surrounded it, while the people from the Fluctlight Holy Land maneuvered freely. At this moment, the sect master of the Spiritual Ruins Sect and the two surviving grand elders wore grim expressions. Their individual strength was immense, but against so many opponents, they appeared isolated and outnumbered.

Of course, Pang Bo was even more isolated. But he didn't give up. His demon energy surged to the sky, and the green light shooting from his eyes was now over ten meters long, even more powerful than his previous aura.

Crack, crack...

Just then, the crystal coffin, unable to withstand the impact from so many powerhouses, slowly cracked and then shattered with a bang.

Boom!

At that very moment, a monstrous demonic power instantly erupted, sending everyone flying. No one could withstand this violent force.

As for the Ji Family's ancient chariots, the four at the very front were directly pulverized. The twelve cultivators on them were like piles of yellow sand, turning into dust in an instant.

The Fluctlight Holy Land also suffered heavy losses. Over a dozen people were shredded by this monstrous demonic power; both humans and savage beasts directly transformed into blood mist, dying tragically.

The sect master of the Spiritual Ruins Sect and the two grand elders turned ashen. They were sent flying hundreds of meters back before stabilizing themselves. Even powerhouses like them were nearly wounded.

From a distance, Ye Fan's heart tightened. He feared that something might happen to Pang Bo. Although his body was being controlled by an unknown entity, it was still Pang Bo's physical form after all.

Demon energy surged. Pang Bo was safe and sound. He retreated farther than anyone else, as if he had already anticipated this outcome.

At this moment, the life essence erupting from the shattered crystal coffin was comparable to an ocean. The combined life force of everyone present was not as powerful as it.

The source of the boundless demonic power was a vivid red heart. It was only the size of a fist, crystalline and dazzling like a red agate. Brilliant crimson divine light swirled around it, and the boundless demonic power and potent life essence were precisely what it radiated.

Thump, thump, thump...

The sound of a heartbeat emanated. It was actually beating with a tremor, not having lost its vitality. This was a heart filled with immense vigor!

At this moment, no one could approach it. Every beat of this crystalline, vivid red heart made those around it feel their blood vessels bulging, as if their veins were about to burst. Everyone's heart was in sharp pain. Many had blood spilling from their mouths, unable to withstand it, and rapidly flew backward.

A terrifying heart! Its mere normal pulsation was unbearable for people!

"The Heart of a Great Emperor... It's the sacred heart of a Great Emperor of our demon race!" In the sky, several great demons were utterly shocked, and couldn't help but cry out in alarm.

The crystalline Demon Emperor's heart beat powerfully. Then it suddenly shot skyward, transforming into a crimson divine light, and streaked towards the distant sky.

"Stop it! It must not be allowed to escape!" An elder from the Fluctlight Holy Land cried out, his face filled with anxiety.

"Intercept it, at all costs!" The powerhouses of the Ji Family also shouted, "That is the Demon Emperor's heart, the source of his power. If it falls into the hands of another great demon, it is highly likely to create another Demon Emperor!"

As they issued their commands, several great demons had already rushed out. However, one figure was faster than everyone else; it was Pang Bo. He merged with heaven and earth, turning into a streak of green light, vanishing in the blink of an eye. He left almost simultaneously with the Demon Emperor's heart.

The Ji Family dispatched eight ancient chariots to pursue it, while the Fluctlight Holy Land also sent half of their forces, rushing down rapidly. They each left half of their remaining personnel to surround the Demon Emperor's Tomb.

"If we had known earlier that it was the Demon Emperor's Tomb emerging, we would have reported it no matter what. Rushing here like this, our current forces are insufficient!" An elder from the Fluctlight Holy Land continuously sighed.

"We thought it was just an ordinary cultivation dwelling. We never imagined it would be the tomb of a Demon Emperor; it's truly beyond expectation. This is a major event capable of shaking the entire Eastern Wasteland!" The powerhouses of the Ji Family also regretted it profusely. They also hadn't reported it upwards, having rushed here directly with their people.

From a distance, Ye Fan was extremely shocked. At least ten of these people were no weaker than the sect master of the Spiritual Ruins Sect. However, it was clear from their words that they were not the true powerhouses of the Fluctlight Holy Land and the Ji Family. This was truly astounding.

The great holy lands and those ancient aristocratic families were indeed unimaginably colossal powers!

"Sect Master Li, have you obtained the legendary Dao Scripture?" An elder from the Fluctlight Holy Land asked the sect master of the Spiritual Ruins Sect. After learning that this was the Demon Emperor's Tomb, he immediately understood what important sacred artifacts were buried here.

Aside from the demon race's treasures used by the Demon Emperor during his life, there must be three other divine treasures: the Dao Scripture, the supreme treasure of the Eastern Wasteland's human race, and the Demon Emperor's remains.

Among them, the source of the Demon Emperor's demonic power—his heart—had already vanished into the void, and it was hard to say if it could be intercepted. Aside from the Demon Emperor's precious treasures, the other two sacred artifacts of the Eastern Wasteland's human race were objects that the Fluctlight Holy Land and the Ji Family were determined to obtain.

The sect master of the Spiritual Ruins Sect felt a surge of bitterness in his heart. He hadn't reported it to the Fluctlight Holy Land in advance, and as a result, had still gained nothing. Had he known this, it would have been better to offer a great favor. He quickly explained: "The first divine treasure, the Dao Scripture, vanished without a trace, leaving only an empty box. No one saw the true scripture. Unexpectedly, the third divine treasure was opened first, and the Demon Emperor's heart also vanished into the void. Now only the second divine treasure remains, and only half of its restrictions have been broken. I presume the supreme treasure of the Eastern Wasteland's human race is still inside. Additionally, there are likely some of the demon race's precious treasures that the Demon Emperor used during his life."

"The Dao Scripture actually vanished without a trace? How could this be?!" The powerhouses of the Fluctlight Holy Land and the Ji Family all stared unblinkingly at the sect master of the Spiritual Ruins Sect, as if they didn't believe him at all.

The sect master of the Spiritual Ruins Sect felt a bitter taste in his mouth. In the Eastern Wasteland, there were several other ancient scriptures comparable to the Dao Scripture, and it was said that all of them were in the hands of those holy lands and ancient aristocratic families. They already possessed immortal scriptures no less profound than the Dao Scripture, yet they still wanted to seize this ancient scripture. The sect master of the Spiritual Ruins Sect could only sigh inwardly and shake his head helplessly. He said, "We truly didn't see it..."

Just then, from the distant horizon, strains of ethereal immortal music drifted over. Over a dozen women floated gracefully towards them, passing directly over Ye Fan's head, which startled him.

All of these dozen-plus women wore white clothes as pure as snow. Though not peerlessly beautiful, each was exquisitely refined and ethereal, untouched by the mundane world. They were incredibly light, floating gracefully as they arrived, like fairies treading on waves or dancing spirits, appearing otherworldly and transcendent.

Some softly played bamboo flutes, their melodies lingering and exceptionally pleasant to the ear. Others smiled faintly, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze. Each of these picturesque women was like an exiled immortal, exuding an otherworldly aura.

Ye Fan was surprised. He felt that these were truly the cultivators he had imagined: ethereal and graceful in appearance, riding rainbows, transcending the mortal world, and freely roaming between heaven and earth.

"Who would have thought, even the Jade Lake Holy Land, which rarely appears, has been stirred. I presume it won't be long before all other sects and factions in the Eastern Wasteland flock here."

"The Jade Lake Holy Land has always been detached from worldly disputes. Are they also seeking to contend for the Demon Emperor's relics this time?"

The people from the Fluctlight Holy Land and the Ji Family spoke at the same time. It was both a greeting to the dozen-plus exquisite young women and a form of probing.

A white-clad woman smiled faintly. Then she adopted a solemn expression and said, "We didn't expect the Demon Emperor's Tomb to have emerged. We presume that in the coming days, this will shake the entire Eastern Wasteland, and countless sects will send people here."

From a distance, Ye Fan was very surprised. The terms 'Fluctlight,' 'Ji surname,' and 'Jade Lake' were all extraordinary. Especially the Jade Lake, which had a significant presence in ancient Chinese mythology. He hadn't expected it to also have such a formidable background on this side of the starry sky.