Chapter 572: Personage Treasure, Prison King Follow-up

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Using the Divine Body Martial Art, Dragon Emperor Fist, Wang Yu fused the perfected Yellow Springs and Asura Dharma Intents, simultaneously conjuring two demonic dragons of differing natures. Their bones were formed from vital blood, and their bodies from demonic essence. They struck out instantly, like an apocalypse, consuming the entire Buried City region with chaotic space, leaving behind only a dark void and endless, disorienting time and space.

The Underworld Emperor roared towards the sky. The Six Paths Ghost Emperor's Dharma Idol had barely displayed a fraction of its power before Wang Yu's sudden outburst shattered it into dust. Even with the Dharma Idol's inherent immortality, it would take a significant amount of time to recover.

The deceased inherently possess a stubbornness incomprehensible to the living, or rather, a form of obsession. It was this obsession that sustained the Crown Prince after death, allowing him to become a ghost. In life, what he most desired was to ascend to the throne and witness the immortal dynasty flourish. His transformation into the Underworld Emperor after death was also a result of this lingering obsession.

At this moment, power surged wildly within him like boiling water. The destruction of the Qiankun Minor Realm had driven him into an even more frenzied state. Streams of black, watery Yin Corpse Qi gushed from his body, transforming behind him into the shape of a gaunt flood dragon. Wisps of noble purple-gold energy imbued the gaunt flood dragon with sentience, decorating its pupils with a purple-gold hue. Yet, no matter how it was embellished, it could not change the fact that it was merely a "dead flood dragon" that had yet to fully transform into a true dragon. This symbolism was closely tied to his status and position in his former life, and the ghostly divine abilities he manifested also conformed to this rule.

Wang Yu stood within the Taiyin Demonic Dragon Dharma Idol, quietly observing the scene. Wasn't the Underworld Emperor's unwillingness and tragedy also caused by the Upper Realm Immortal Palace? In fact, his situation was very similar to Wang Yu's current predicament. The ancient immortal dynasty could not resist the Immortal Palace, and neither could Wang Yu resist the Fusion Stage Grand Powerhouses who would descend eventually. Although he was actively preparing for everything, originally, his only target was the Hell King Spirit Official. Outwardly, he appeared as confident as ever, perhaps even more so, but this was because he had become the linchpin. If he lost confidence, all hope would truly be lost. How immense was the pressure?!!

Wang Yu never considered saving the world to be his sole responsibility. However, having been born and raised in this realm, if there were a way to leave safely, what would it matter if he abandoned others? Smuggling out was actually a good path, but he lacked the method. His Taiyin Nether Eyes had been upgraded once via the 'placement slot' effect, advancing from a Tier 4 Nascent Soul secret art to a Tier 5 Spirit Transformation secret art. If it could be upgraded again to a Tier 6 Void Refinement eye technique, Wang Yu believed that the Taiyin Sect's original vision might be achieved: to leave this realm's cage directly via the Taiyin Star. However, without the aid of the 'placement slot,' he couldn't achieve it on his own.

At this moment, the Underworld Emperor was not wailing for his own future, but lamenting the destruction of the Underworld Ghost Realm! A crystal-clear gray tear flowed from the corner of his eye.

The Underworld Emperor rallied. His aura grew increasingly terrifying. He glared coldly at Wang Yu, instantly transforming into a black streak of light, and, wielding an oddly shaped evil sword, swept past the Taiyin Demonic Dragon Dharma Idol. Wang Yu once again activated the Six Desires Heavenly Demon Scroll. The power of the six emotional heavenly demons dispersed as demonic mist, forming a 365-degree omnidirectional defense. The Frost Moon Ring behind him spun rapidly. Thousands of moonlight beams shot out. Wherever they passed, the chaotic space showed signs of solidifying. This was an adaptive technique formed by the transformed Ice Soul Divine Light fused with Taiyin power. Regardless of whether it was a spell, divine ability, or secret art, once perfected, its manifested form could be altered at Wang Yu's will. A single divine ability could then adapt to any combat situation. This was also one of the important reasons for his formidable combat power!

The destruction of space continued to spread. Simultaneously, a sinister, purplish-black orb, a ghostly supreme treasure appearing to have countless wailing vengeful spirits on its surface, was continuously compressed and solidified within the chaotic space. It seemed as if it would fully form at any moment, a truly peculiar sight. The Underworld Ghost Realm had existed for at least 100,000 years. The immense Yin Qi accumulated over such a long period, coupled with the sacred land environment for ghosts created by that unique purple moon, resulted in a polymerization reaction amidst the realm's destruction. Alternatively, this orb was the solidified essence of the purple moon itself.

An exotic treasure was born. This was entirely unexpected for Wang Yu, but he didn't mind such a pleasant surprise. The Taiyin Demonic Dragon Dharma Idol shook, sending the Underworld Emperor, who seemed like an insect, flying several kilometers away. A Spirit Transformation cultivator whose Dharma Idol was broken was like a firearm without bullets. Lacking the Conceptual Power of a late-stage Spirit Transformation cultivator, he possessed only cultivation power but found it difficult to translate into actual combat effectiveness. His strength had declined to a point where he couldn't contend with Wang Yu and was even being suppressed by him.

How could the Underworld Emperor, who had been a supreme figure and a dragon among men both in life and death, tolerate this? His frenzied consciousness abandoned everything. The withered Yin Flood Dragon transformed into a long sword, which he wielded. Just as Wang Yu approached the exotic treasure, the Underworld Emperor fiercely plunged it into his own heart. What appeared to be an act of suicide was actually a secret art of the Ghost Dao divine abilities, named 'Body Devour'!

Fine dragon scales emerged from his ghostly body. The Underworld Emperor's body visibly transformed into a fifteen hundred-zhang Yin-Nether Demonic Dragon. Although still somewhat gaunt, it was entirely different from its initial skeletal state. Shedding his flood dragon form to become a demonic dragon meant he had advanced further in status, becoming the true Underworld Emperor who ruled over ghosts. The demonic dragon's eyes were blood-red. With just a glance, dense Yin essence transformed into a guillotining blade, directly severing the Asura dragon arm of Wang Yu's Dharma Idol that was reaching for the purple orb exotic treasure. A dragon's roar echoed in the void, and the purple orb exotic treasure vanished instantly, reappearing in a flash before the Emperor Demonic Dragon.

As the Underworld Emperor's status took effect, the purple orb exotic treasure, blessed by the Dragon Orb's status, gained several streaks of noble gold and was firmly embedded in the demonic dragon's brow. The concept of 'status' was originally ethereal and elusive. Only Feng Shui geomancers believed in it deeply, as the extraordinary Feng Shui formations they arranged essentially borrowed the status of heaven and earth, allowing them to achieve many miraculous feats without expending any of their own cultivation power. They couldn't help but believe it.

At this moment, the Underworld Emperor's status was in the process of congealing. Wang Yu, exercising caution, did not immediately counterattack but waited while his Dharma Idol self-repaired, observing using the 'Qi-Gazing Golden Eyes' secret art. He was surprised to discover that the Underworld Emperor's status, now that it had lost the Underworld Ghost Realm, was actually very unstable. It was precisely this semi-congealed state that made it observable. However, as the purple orb exotic treasure was embedded, the congealing status quickly stabilized, vaguely taking the shape of a sword.

"A Fortune Status artifact?" Theoretically, such an artifact held more symbolic meaning than actual power. It was a top-grade material for geomancers to arrange wondrous formations, highly representative. But with the realm's foundation destroyed, the foundation of this symbolic artifact was unstable, with no possibility of it fully forming. Yet, it was compensated by the purple orb exotic treasure, formed from the essence and creation of that realm, transforming into a true supreme status artifact and gaining genuine power.

The next instant, as Wang Yu's Dharma Idol recovered, the Emperor Demonic Dragon acted again, and the second round of combat officially began.

Beyond the Realm: The Great Void. As a domain separating worlds, this place was also known as the Cosmic Sea. The Great Void was boundless, its limits yet undiscovered. Various worlds, distinguished by their supreme rulers, were also divided into Immortal Domains. It was important to know that only races or powers possessing True Immortals were qualified to establish an Immortal Domain. The territory governed by humanity was called the Vast Immortal Domain! Within it were tens of thousands of worlds, linked by ascension as a path of advancement, connecting Great, Middle, and Small Thousand Worlds of different specifications. Additionally, there were many worlds with special functions not categorized by conventional rankings. The dominant power within this domain was the Vast Immortal Palace!

What the cultivators of the Ice Prison Realm called the Upper Realm, the True Spirit Realm, was one of the nine peak realms within the Vast Immortal Domain, directly ruled by the Immortal Palace. It was located near the adjacent Primordial Demonic Domain and frequently engaged in wars with the demon race. The Ice Prison Realm itself was situated in the south-central part of the Vast Immortal Domain.

After suffering a setback in the last battle, the Hell King Spirit Official remained in the Void-Traversing Hall, provided by the Immortal Palace and capable of moving within the Great Void, to heal his injuries. He had forcefully transferred cultivation using the Bridal Gown Secret Art and had Pure Yangzi suppress the Ancient Demon for him. This allowed him to seize a chance at survival. Given the critical situation at the time, his decision could be said to be incredibly decisive. However, he was also somewhat stressed. After all, with the Immortal rules and the Hell King's authority, he wasn't without the power to fight against the peak Spirit Transformation Ancient Demon's body. The reason he fled was actually fear of the Chaotic Cavern Celestial Pivot Warship that the Heaven-Refining Demonic Venerable had pulled out from who knows where. A full-power blast from that thing could effortlessly take his life. Furthermore, the Ancient Demon of Life was relentlessly pursuing him. Abandoning part of his cultivation and spiritual treasures to retreat directly was already an excellent choice.

After several years of recuperation, he finally stabilized his cultivation. The Hell King Spirit Official's face was filled with unwillingness. It wasn't that he didn't try hard; it was that the enemy had cheats. This made him think of the only First Human Emperor who had ever emerged from the Ice Prison Realm. He understood their history better than the natives.

In the past, a True Immortal had preached the Dao, establishing the structure of the Ice Prison. A commander of one of his Dao soldier regiments, the Dragon-Riding Divine General, unexpectedly bore offspring—the ancestor of the First Human Emperor, who possessed the top-tier True Dragon Spiritual Body. After the immortal did not express displeasure, more Immortal Palace Dao soldiers began to reproduce. After an unknown number of years, this eventually formed the structure of the Immortal Dynasty. On the eve of the immortal's departure, for unknown reasons, he took a liking to the First Human Emperor and brought him back to the True Spirit Realm. Now, hundreds of thousands of years have passed. The Human Emperor of that time had already become a Mahayana cultivator, just one step away from transcending tribulation and becoming the strongest tier of cultivator below immortals. He had also long battled on the front lines of the Myriad Races Battlefield, earning the renown of the Azure Blood Dragon Lord. The Chaotic Cavern Celestial Pivot Warship was precisely one of the human race's war-killing weapons on the front lines; it had no obvious weaknesses, whether in single-target or area-of-effect attacks. If there wasn't something fishy going on here, he wouldn't believe it even in death. So... it wasn't that he was incompetent, but that the enemy was too cunning, and he was too honest!

During his recuperation, he often pondered these things. Finally, he made up his mind to notify his sect ahead of time, before the Ancient Demon of Life could cause any major disturbance. Sects in the Upper Realm were completely different from those in the lower realms. Smaller ones only had a dozen or so members, while larger ones only had a few hundred. This was partly due to the implementation of an elite system and partly because of the Immortal Palace's rules, which forbade such sectarian groups from expanding within the Immortal Palace. Families bound by bloodlines also weren't numerous; the higher the cultivation, the harder it was to bear offspring, and they sometimes had fewer members than sects. Moreover, in the broader environment of the myriad realms, with various racial conflicts, humanity often identified as a unified whole, rather than distinct sects and bloodline lineages. Wang Yu had once learned that demonic cultivators were not ostracized by the Immortal Palace. This was precisely why: demonic cultivators also practiced the Immortal Dao, merely having learned from demons and adapted it locally. In essence, they were still part of humanity. As long as they accepted the Immortal Palace's governance, no one cared if their methods were sinister.

The Hell King Spirit Official's lineage belonged to the Void Dharma Lineage. It had about a few dozen members. Once he made up his mind, he didn't care about punishment, knowing that even if the sky fell, his seniors in the sect would help him bear the burden. It wouldn't lead to a trip to the Immortal Execution Platform. Therefore, he decisively contacted the previous Hell King Spirit Official, his master Daoist Kongkong, and recounted the entire event in meticulous detail.

The other end of the communication array fell silent."The Ancient Demon has escaped... Disciple, do you know who the Immortal Palace will send down to deal with it?""Those strong figures from the Xuanhuang War Immortal Department?""No," Daoist Kongkong sighed. "Since you've enjoyed the convenience of the Hell King Spirit Official position, allowing you to observe the power of Immortal rules up close, when something goes wrong, it's naturally our Void Dharma Lineage who must send someone to resolve it. Starting from your Martial Uncles: Feikong, Xuankong, Chikong... and then myself, there are very few Fusion Stage Grand Powerhouses left in our lineage."The Hell King Spirit Official: "..."He hadn't expected this history. Why had his master never mentioned it before? Hesitantly, he said, "I heard that Grandmaster works in the Infinite Immortal Prison Department. Could we... ask Grandmaster to conceal the anomaly?""—Nonsense!" Daoist Kongkong suddenly became enraged. "How did I instruct you back then? The matter of the Ancient Demon's escape is no small matter; it even involves the schemes of Immortals. How could your Grandmaster bear that burden? You unfilial disciple, I will come and kill you now, lest you continue to bring disaster upon our sect."

The Hell King Spirit Official immediately broke into a cold sweat and quickly explained, "Master, that's not what this disciple meant. Please listen to me."The communication array fell silent again. Then the Hell King Spirit Official said, "The Chaotic Cavern Celestial Pivot Warship is a world-destroying magical artifact of the Xuanhuang War Immortal Department, and furthermore, it's contraband military supply. Yet it appeared in a prison world. This disciple absolutely refuses to believe that the Azure Blood Dragon Lord has no involvement in this. If Grandmaster merely reveals this matter to this Dragon Lord's competitor, it will make him a target of public criticism and also greatly enhance our lineage's powerful connections."

That reasoning was sound, but what did it have to do with concealing the Ancient Demon's emergence?"Master, that villain Refiner may have caught the Dragon Lord's eye, seeming to have a method to break through to the Void Refinement stage. How about having the Dragon Lord's rival dispatch a Fusion Stage cultivator to the lower realm? This way, we can both gain connections and resolve the Ancient Demon risk. Furthermore, the matter hasn't been exposed yet, so we still have time to maneuver. If that truly doesn't work, then once the Ancient Demon attracts the Immortal Palace's attention, we can just report it directly. Grandmaster won't need to bear any risk; all karma will be borne by this disciple."

Daoist Kongkong pondered for a long time, then suddenly chuckled. "Good disciple, young minds are indeed quick-witted. This method is feasible, but I will personally come over in a few days.""Understood." The Hell King Spirit Official knew clearly that this meant his master would impose a restriction on him, to prevent him from dragging the entire Void Dharma Lineage into eternal ruin if the matter was exposed.