Chapter 890: The Childhood of the Ruthless Great Emperor

**Chapter 892: The Great Emperor Ruthless's Childhood**

The Divine City remained, its walls cast like tungsten iron, gleaming coldly. It had endured immortal since ancient times, always the center of the Northern Region.

Now, with the resurgence of the primordial races in the Northern Region, the city became even more prosperous. The proclamations of Taoist Yuanshi and Taoist Tongtian naturally spread rapidly.

The heart of the Ancient Comprehension Tea Tree was a priceless treasure. Cultivating with it by one's side yielded double the results, fostering closeness to the laws of heaven and earth, aiding in comprehension, making it a rare and precious item.

The God Prince's face was ashen, but his words had already been spoken. To renege would be a significant blemish on his status as a divine son. In the end, he reluctantly endured the pain of parting with it and sent someone to deliver it.

It was an elderly man, one of his protectors, who arrived at a small teahouse in the Divine City. He glanced deeply at Ye Fan and Pang Bo, then left a pendant.

It was perfectly round and translucent, the core essence of the Comprehension Tea Tree. It shone with crystal clarity, intricate patterns swirling upon it, inherently connected to the Dao, resonating with it.

The Undying Heavenly Emperor had carved a coffin from the trunk of the Comprehension Tea Tree and refined its core essence, leaving it to his descendant. A second such item was virtually impossible to find in the world; it was a mythical divine treasure.

"I can't believe the God Prince actually endured the pain and sent it," Pang Bo laughed, holding it in his palm and examining it carefully. He felt as if, for that moment, he was connected to the Dao.

"I don't need it; you keep it," Ye Fan said when Pang Bo offered it, explaining that he had a Bodhi seed, which had equally powerful effects.

The Dao Severing barrier was imminent. True enlightenment now depended on one's own efforts to achieve the genuine sublimation of "Dao Self." Neither the Bodhi seed nor the Comprehension Tea Tree Heart were essential.

Pang Bo and Ye Fan had faced life and death together, arriving in this world as companions. Naturally, there was no need for politeness, so he simply kept it with him.

"Are the Diviner's predictions accurate? Can we really leave this world?" Pang Bo asked. In recent days, the two had visited many friends, fearing they might depart at any moment.

"It's hard to say. Perhaps a few months, perhaps a few years, or even decades before we can leave," Ye Fan said, frowning. The next moment, they directly crossed the void and vanished, wishing to avoid being tracked and plotted against by the resentful God Prince.

"Damn it! That foolish bird ate another mouthful; it's a huge loss!" The Black Emperor yelled from Sky Village.

Ji Ziyue, meanwhile, smiled sweetly, her slender hands gently stroking the fluffy little Phoenix chick. It was only the size of a fist, round and plump, with every downy feather shimmering golden, exuding vibrant spiritual energy.

"Chirp, chirp..." It chirped softly, flapping its wings in water mixed with Nine-Orifice Sacred Spirit Liquid, looking very much at ease. Just moments before, it had even snatched a mouthful of the divine liquid.

By now, everyone could discern its potential; at the very least, it could grow into a Demonic Saint. Having learned the circumstances, the Ji family naturally spared no expense in cultivating it, having Ji Ziyue bring a piece of "divine material" in exchange for the Nine-Orifice Psychic Divine Liquid.

This was a piece of flesh no bigger than a finger joint, crystal clear and translucent, possessing an aura of immortality. Divine radiance permeated it, giving it an indescribably bizarre appearance.

However, Ye Fan, Pang Bo, Monkey, and the Black Emperor felt a tremor upon seeing it, almost compelled to prostrate themselves. What was most peculiar was that Duan De's Heaven Swallowing Demonic Pot was ringing vibrantly.

"Don't tell me... this is the flesh and blood of a Great Emperor!?" Li Tian swallowed hard.

Even Qi Luo was alarmed and rushed over immediately, while Yan Yixi, Li Heishui, and others quickly gathered around, all filled with shock and awe.

Duan De rubbed his hands, swallowed, and asked, "Is this the flesh and blood of the Void Great Emperor?"

"No," Ji Ziyue replied, wrinkling her delicate nose and giving him a big eye-roll.

"Clang, clang..." The Heaven Swallowing Demonic Lid within Duan De's glabella struggled, then flew out on its own, hovering above his head, letting down streaks of immortal radiance.

"It's definitely the flesh of an Ancient Great Emperor! Although all the essence within has been completely lost, it's still making the Ultimate Emperor Armament resonate. Could this be... the Ruthless One's corpse!?" Duan De shuddered.

"It's something brought out from the Bronze Immortal Palace countless ages ago," Ji Ziyue stated seriously.

Everyone's hearts pounded, and expressions of shock appeared on their faces. The Ji family's gift was truly immense. Although it was just a small piece of flesh and blood, it was priceless. Having fallen from the corpse of a Great Emperor, it could not only be used to forge immortal weapons but also for cultivation. Its most precious aspect was the Emperor patterns it contained; if one could comprehend them, it would benefit them for a lifetime!

The Great Emperor's power contained within it had naturally long dissipated, having been guided out by the Ji family. Otherwise, no one could approach it without their physical body disintegrating, for no one could profane an Emperor.

The Bronze Immortal Palace was enveloped in a mysterious aura, appearing only once every few millennia to tens of millennia. It could traverse underground ley lines, and its emergence location was never the same.

Legend had it that it contained the secret to becoming an immortal, but no one had ever reached its end. Almost everyone who had entered it throughout history had perished.

Ye Fan and Ji Ziyue were fortunate enough to enter, obtaining a colossal opportunity. With the help of the green copper block, they acquired the Myriad Things Mother Qi Source Root and returned from the brink of death.

The human prodigy Nangong Zheng also returned alive, one of the few survivors recorded throughout history. Besides him, another Great Saint also returned alive; everyone else turned to bones, perishing within.

That Great Saint had the greatest harvest, but unfortunately, he didn't live to enjoy it. Countless ages ago, he was the sole survivor, carrying out some fragmented corpses from the Bronze Immortal Palace.

Alas, an Emperor's corpse was not something everyone could touch; not even a Great Saint could. Furthermore, he was already nearing the end of his lifespan and passed away the very day he carried them out.

What happened afterward was known to many ancient sects in the Eastern Wasteland, as numerous rumors circulated. The most prosperous Sacred Lands at the time had divided those corpse fragments among themselves.

"In the past, the family's ancestors always denied it, saying it was a rumor. But now, they've finally told me the truth; everything is real," Ji Ziyue said.

The Ji family was the most fortunate. They discovered a ring within the flesh and blood. It appeared unassuming, crafted from a polished bronze piece, very crude, as if made by a child's hand.

Yet, it was immortal, existing for countless millennia, sturdier than a Saint Weapon, having withstood the test of time.

It bore no Dao patterns, yet possessed a mysterious, unfathomable power, making it a true secret treasure. Later, a Saint from the Ji family speculated that it was originally just ordinary bronze, but it was the Great Emperor's most cherished possession. Worn for countless years, it was nourished by the Emperor's divine essence and possibly served as a spiritual anchor, thereby transforming into an immortal treasure.

Only an Ancient Great Emperor could possess such a method, transforming a mere piece of ordinary bronze into an immortal ring, eternally indestructible and brimming with divinity!

Whoosh! A flash of light appeared in Ji Ziyue's palm, and an ancient, unpolished ring emerged. It was indeed crude and not at all exquisite, yet it possessed an ineffable charm that could dim the luster of any other treasure.

This ring had originally been lost. Ji Ziyue found it in a corner of the family estate during her childhood. While playing with it in her hand, it emitted streaks of immortal radiance, alarming the clan elders. Later, after a secret deliberation, a group of elders directly bestowed it upon her, warning her never to lose it.

Boom! The Heaven Swallowing Demonic Lid seemed to come alive, emitting wisps of ultimate divine might. It detached from above Duan De's head, rapidly shrinking, and continuously floated above Ji Ziyue's palm.

Everyone was astonished, but what brought a slight relief was that its divine might was contained and did not harm anyone; it merely instilled a sense of dread.

"Did the corpse in the Bronze Immortal Palace really belong to the Ruthless One?" Everyone wondered, astonished.

"It is..." Duan De trembled as he revealed a startling fact: ever since he obtained the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Lid, he occasionally had nightmares, always seeing a crude ring and a ghost-face mask.

Now, upon seeing this crude bronze ring, his hairs stood on end, and he broke out in a cold sweat. It was identical to what he had seen in his dreams.

"The Great Emperor Ruthless's ring..." When everyone learned this, they were all dumbfounded. It was indeed an immortal treasure!

Undoubtedly, the Ruthless One was a miracle, having lived far longer than other Great Emperors, undergoing rebirth multiple times, living for three or four lives or more. This was truly astounding through the ages.

"Are the Heavenly Emperor of the Southern Ridge and the Great Emperor of Chaos also the Ruthless One?" Pang Bo asked.

"The Heavenly Emperor of the Southern Ridge perhaps, but the Great Emperor of Chaos definitely not. One of our Great Saints in the Heavenly Court has seen the Great Emperor of Chaos," Qi Luo shook his head, saying.

There were too many secrets surrounding the Ruthless One; some even suspected she hadn't died, continuously undergoing metamorphosis and existing throughout the ages. Of course, there were more dissenters... for it was impossible for two Great Emperors to coexist in one era among mortals. This awe-inspiring Great Emperor had, in the end, ascended.

"In my dreams, I often experience a feeling of separation. Occasionally, I see a blurry scene: a small girl with pigtails crying as she sees off a boy and a group of people on a long journey, with a five-colored altar ahead." This was the fundamental reason Ji Ziyue showed the ring. Having witnessed this scene, her heart couldn't settle. Knowing Ye Fan would leave, she couldn't help but share the secret of the five-colored altar.

In Ji Ziyue's dream, it was a very remote mountain village.

The little girl's family was poor; her small clothes were patched, and even her tiny shoes had holes for her toes, making her pitiable.

The boy was her only family. They relied on each other, and a ghost-face mask was their only toy. Lacking luxurious jewelry or ornaments, the boy, to amuse the little girl, made her a ring from a piece of bronze. Though crude, the little girl cherished it as a treasure.

Later, a group of people arrived, took the boy as a prodigy, and carried him away. They shook their heads at the little girl's aptitude, and despite her cries, forcibly took the boy.

The little girl cried loudly, losing her tattered shoes. The boy pleaded earnestly, and finally, someone in the group agreed to let her see him off.

Eventually, they arrived before a five-colored altar. The boy, along with a group of people and many young prodigies, boarded it, preparing for a distant journey. Despite the little girl's cries, she could no longer approach.

Before departing, the boy took the ghost-face mask, leaving the ring behind. He waved vigorously at her, finally vanishing upon the five-colored altar.

Years later, the little girl grew up somewhat amidst hardship, always remaining near the altar. One day, she saw many people return. She ran forward desperately, only to see the boy's skeleton. She was forcibly pulled away, unable to even glance at him again. She cried profusely and never saw him again after that.

And all visions stopped there, never reappearing. These were the blurry scenes Ji Ziyue often dreamt of while wearing the ring.

"Was that little girl the later Great Emperor Ruthless?" Waves churned in their hearts.

"A pitiful little girl with no aptitude, who later became the awe-inspiring, supreme Great Emperor Ruthless?!" Upon learning this, they felt not shock, but a sense of pity and lament.

Every time they faced the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Pot, looking at the ghost-face mask on it—a face that seemed neither to cry nor to laugh—they couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow, becoming infected by its emotion.

Many speculated it was an unforgettable experience of the Ruthless One, tears amidst smiles, cherished memories amidst bitterness. Yet, they had never imagined such a hidden secret.

To outsiders, it might have seemed an ordinary and unremarkable past, but for the little girl, it was the most precious thing in her life, a memory the Great Emperor Ruthless could never forget.

What happened after she grew up, no one knew. Perhaps that was the beginning of her glory, sweeping across the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands with no equal—at least, so it seemed to outsiders. Yet, she herself left no record of it. What happened later? No one knew.

Ji Ziyue looked at Ye Fan and whispered, "I know you're going far away. Not long ago, I searched through all the maps of mountains and lands and discovered the current location of that five-colored altar from my dream..."