Chapter 757: Demon Emperor's Hall

The Southern Ridge is characterized by countless towering mountains and numerous steep ridges. As far as the eye can see, it's a vast expanse of peaks and ranges. On this vast and untamed land, plains are almost nonexistent. This unique topography has remained constant through the ages, giving rise to its pervasive miasma, frequent appearances of savage beasts, and the rampant presence of exotic birds.

The Southern Ridge is renowned for producing powerful demonic beings, far outnumbering those found in the Central Plains, Eastern Barrens, or any of the other four regions. This fact is widely known, which is why cultivators from the South are often referred to as "Southern Demons."

After leaving the barbarian tribe, Ye Fan and his companions flew for several days until they discovered an ancient teleportation array on a mountain. Using it, they traversed a great distance and arrived in a relatively densely populated region. "That girl is truly radiant!" Li Tian commented repeatedly along the way, stopping whenever he caught sight of a beautiful woman.

As soon as they entered this populated area, they began to hear numerous rumors, with many people discussing the reappearance of the Sacred Body. The Northern Plains Wang family's forceful campaign against an ancient village, resulting in the annihilation of their expeditionary force, caused a huge sensation. People were discussing it widely, and many found it utterly unbelievable.

"You couldn't be mistaken, could you? How could it be the Sacred Body from twelve years ago? He already embarked on the Ancient Starry Road; it's impossible for him to be in this world." "That battle was too terrifying! Golden blood energy filled the sky, engulfing the mountains. A single roar shattered mountains and rivers. I truly believe that person has returned, far stronger than he was back then!" "If it's truly him, the world will surely descend into great chaos, plagued by endless warfare. He will not let things rest…"

An unconfirmed rumor triggered a massive uproar, with even cultivators in small towns discussing it, which left Li Tian secretly amazed. "Alright, Ye boy," Li Tian remarked, "your popularity on this ancient star is truly remarkable. You've been gone for twelve years, and people are still talking about you." Ye Fan replied, "Let's find a renowned city to gather more information and understand the current situation. After that, we'll go to the Demon Emperor Palace."

In the Southern Ridge, vast, flat plains are nonexistent. Cities are built against mountains, and it's quite peculiar to find large mountains even within their walls, due to the extreme lack of flat land. Phoenix City is a colossal city in the Southern Ridge. Any city bold enough to bear such a name is undeniably a place of immense strategic importance. Its construction is far from regular, winding around mountains and across ridges. The city walls stretch continuously, resembling a phoenix's nest, giving it a very peculiar appearance. Within the city itself, a small mountain rises, like a phoenix coiled and resting.

Phoenix City's main thoroughfares were bustling with constant traffic and an endless flow of people, a testament to its immense prosperity. The cries of buyers and sellers rose and fell in a continuous chorus, and the sight of mortals, cultivators, and members of the demon race mingling was commonplace. In this city, people wouldn't even bat an eye at strange creatures with dog heads, human bodies, and feathered wings, simply because the Southern Ridge is home to an overwhelming number of members of the demon race.

"That demoness is truly enchanting; she's a Nine-tailed Celestial Fox. Her waist is so slender, and her eyes are so alluring they make one want to get drunk." As soon as they arrived in Phoenix City, Li Tian began to appraise his surroundings.

The Demon Emperor Palace was not far from there, located within an ancient mountain range. It was an immortal land, inspiring awe in countless cultivators. Ye Fan had come here to assess the situation before immediately proceeding to kill Wang Chengkun, the head of the Northern Plains Wang family. If successful, it would cause a massive tremor. Even though the world was currently in chaos, the death of the head of an ancient aristocratic family would still be enough to shock the entire realm.

"This old fellow is truly afraid of death," Li Tian remarked. "He brought so many people with him; he's surprisingly cautious coming to the Southern Ridge."

In Phoenix City, they gathered a lot of valuable information: Wang Chengkun was a guest at the Demon Emperor Palace, intending to win over powerful demonic beings and forge an alliance with them. "There's the shadow of a Primordial Race behind this," Ye Fan said, frowning. "This is a very bad omen. No wonder the Wang family is so powerful, acting with such impunity." This time, many members of the Wang family had come to the Southern Ridge to attend a demon race sacrificial ceremony. It was rumored that a certain Primordial Race might be secretly present.

"Is it the clan from the Divine Spirit Valley?" Ye Fan's eyes sharpened. "I wonder if their young master has arrived. If so, we'll kill them all!" He had already learned that Dongfang Ye had been pursued and killed by Zi Tiandu and his followers, falling with regret at Eagle's Perch Cliff, his blood staining the stone walls. Outsiders only heard his final, unwilling roar.

In Phoenix City, the most talked-about topic remained the bloody battle at the barbarian tribe, with many people endlessly discussing it. The Wang family's aggressive move to cross from the Northern Plains to the Southern Ridge and attack a small village had caused widespread dissatisfaction. Such a domineering act of crossing regions to exterminate a clan was truly excessive. Upon learning of their crushing defeat, and that not a single person escaped, people were even more shocked. On that day, many people observed the battle, but no one dared to approach, terrified by Ye Fan's immense power. They could only watch from a hundred *li* away and thus did not see his true face. And precisely because of this, people remained uncertain if it was truly him.

"To cross star regions and leave this world, it's virtually impossible to reappear." "What a pity. The Sacred Body ultimately departed. Otherwise, at his current realm, he could probably dominate an entire region!" Ultimately, the consensus of their discussions was that it couldn't have been Ye Fan, but rather someone deliberately impersonating him to confuse public perception. Some prominent sects speculated that someone was trying to destabilize the situation, thereby orchestrating the "re-emergence" of the Sacred Body with ulterior motives. After all, traversing star regions was a feat only ancient Great Emperors and primeval Great Sages could achieve. Ye Fan did not yet possess such abilities; once he had left, it was impossible for him to return, unless a miracle occurred. Yet, because of this, people were reminded of Ye Fan's past, and many sighed with emotion, wondering what kind of power he would wield if he were still present.

"Perhaps he could contend with Fire Qilin Child, Phoenix Xu Dao, Yuangu, the Emperor's Son, Divine Silkworm Daoist, and others!" "Ah, perhaps it's better that he left. This way, at least someone from our human race hasn't been defeated, preserving a shred of dignity."

While in Phoenix City, listening to people's discussions, Yan Yixi found it hard to calm his heart. "Are the many young powerhouses of the Primordial Race truly so terrifying?" Li Tian said, "The more I listen, the stranger it gets. With so many formidable individuals around, will there still be a day when I, Li Tian, the Divine Son, can rule the world? How will my Human Desire Dao Lineage ever flourish?"

The Demon Emperor Palace is an extraordinarily ancient place whose exact age is impossible to verify. People only know that it has endured through incredibly long ages, remaining immortal. It is the sacred sanctuary in the hearts of the Southern Ridge demon race, a place of reverence and closeness to deities. According to incomplete demonic texts, it may have been personally forged by a Demon Sage Emperor.

Majestic mountains towered, giant trees stood erect, and ancient trees reached for the sky. This was a lush and precipitous mountain range. Deep within this ancient mountain range lay the sacred stronghold of the demon race. Under normal circumstances, any trespasser would be killed without question; no one dared to set foot inside. It only opened during certain ancient sacrificial rituals and major celebrations, allowing various demon tribes to enter. Of course, distinguished guests among human cultivators could also seize this opportunity to glimpse its true appearance and learn about this mysterious ancient land.

Ye Fan and his two companions managed to privately exchange a large piece of divine source for an invitation, allowing them to enter this mountain range and ascend as "distinguished guests." The mountain range was very quiet. Many giant trees, whose age was unknown, towered even higher than the peaks, their branches a lush green. Frighteningly thick ancient vines, like coiled dragons, covered the entire mountain range. Flying was forbidden here; ascent was only possible on foot. The various demon tribes, especially, were required to proceed with a pilgrimage mindset. It was cool beneath the tree shade. The ancient stone steps, as one advanced, step by step, conveyed a profound sense of accumulated years and the weight of time.

Finally, they reached the deepest part of the mountain range. Surrounded by ancient pines, imposing palace structures stretched out. Even before approaching, a vast, wild demonic aura swept over them, as if emanating from primordial antiquity. This was an indescribable might. The palace complex, though not vast in area, seemed to hang high in the Ninth Heaven, emanating wisps of primordial creation energy that suppressed the entire Great World. Ye Fan sighed, realizing that the legendary Demon Emperor must be real, not a fabricated figure. Only an ancient Great Emperor could have left behind such a palace complex.

Upon arriving, the number of people increased dramatically. There were mighty demons who had come for pilgrimage, as well as human sect masters. Yet, few spoke, fearing to disturb the tranquility and sacredness of the place. Ye Fan and his companions' arrival caused no stir. This ancient star was truly immense, and not many people had seen him in the past. Demon attendants served them, guiding them into each ancient palace. All who came were distinguished guests, and the demon race, careful not to cause offense, maintained impeccable courtesy.

The central ancient hall was the most extraordinary, submerged in a terrifying demonic aura, making its full appearance impossible to discern. It radiated the aura of an ancient Demon Emperor, as if someone was sleeping within! The astonishing aura seemed capable of severing three thousand Great Worlds, immediately bringing to mind the legendary Demon Emperor Palace—majestic and grand, like the mythical Ancient Heavenly Court.

Ye Fan and his companions entered a palace located not far from the Demon Emperor Palace. It was incredibly grand and enormous, capable of accommodating over ten thousand people without issue, clearly imprinted with spatial laws. Behind row after row of white jade tables sat powerful individuals, with fruits, immortal wine, and other delicacies already laid out in abundance. Many people were in the hall, each in their designated place. All were mighty demons from various regions, some ancient demons of terrifying age, and, of course, not a few human sect masters. The cultivators permitted to enter this place were all individuals of immense power. Each ruled a region: sect masters, revered elders, demon lords, formidable recluses, imperial lords, and holy monks—all possessed great authority.

Many people were talking; some exchanged cultivation experiences, some discussed ancient secrets, and others spoke of current events. Ye Fan and his companions chose a corner and sat down. They remained silent, listening intently, while also searching for Wang Chengkun, the head of the Northern Plains Desolate Ancient family.

"Today, the demon tribes of the Southern Ridge are flourishing day by day," a human sect master complimented. "This is truly commendable, especially with so many masters emerging from the younger generation; it makes one envious." "Indeed," another living fossil remarked, "if we're talking about the foremost individual of the younger generation, it's likely none other than the Southern Demon." "The human race is truly the protagonist between heaven and earth," an ancient demon said modestly. "With one stunning figure after another emerging, how can our demon race possibly compare?"

"The human race indeed boasts a multitude of formidable individuals. The Central Emperor, who shook both ancient and modern times, is already widely known. Furthermore, new waves of people are rising, astonishing everyone." "Indeed, the rising Saint Son of Yaoguang truly possesses an aura that can contend with the world; who can resist him? One day, he will surely be unrivaled under heaven." "And then there's Hua Yunfei; now, we all have to retreat before him. His Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art has been successfully cultivated, and no one dares to provoke him anymore, leading to helpless sighs." "Indeed, such individuals can be listed: Xia Jiuyou, who cultivated the Immortal Tribulation Song; Ji Haoyue, the Divine King Body of the Eastern Barrens; and that mysterious Innate Dao Fetus girl…" "Ah, and the Primordial Race is also terrifying! Phoenix Xu Dao, Yuangu, Divine Silkworm Daoist, and others truly make my heart tremble with fear!"

Just then, someone spoke up, saying, "Brother Wang, your son, the Northern Emperor, has broken through and established himself anew. He should now possess the qualifications to contend for the title of 'number one under heaven,' shouldn't he?" Everyone looked at a middle-aged man with dark hair. He stroked his beard and said, "My son, having broken through and established himself anew, can indeed look down on the mortal world with pride. However, he is filled with regret, for he longs to kill that Sacred Body but finds no opportunity, only lamenting that he escaped from this world."