Chapter 1425: Young Emperor

Under Jiang Fan’s gaze, the teleportation array glowed. Ten thousand bolts of lightning, initially faint, intensified rapidly. In an instant, it was as if a scorching sun had appeared right before them! The light was incredibly dazzling, making it impossible to look directly, and the destructive lightning aura it emitted ignited the very atmosphere.

The Commander, standing close by, had visibly scalded and reddened skin. With a hint of pain on her face, she respectfully bowed and said, "Welcome, Young Emperor, to the Myriad Demon Great State!"

Jiang Fan’s heart pounded. It was indeed the Young Emperor! This was the sworn enemy who had sought to kill him ever since Jiang Fan began cultivating the "Void Flow Thunder Force." Now, they finally met!

Dense arcs of lightning radiated in all directions with the Young Emperor’s every step. The Commander was struck by the lightning arcs, her expression grew more pained, and her body developed numerous burns, blurring with blood. Jiang Fan was also hit; wisps of powerful lightning arcs seared his body as well.

Fortunately, he had comprehended the origin of thunder. When he circulated his energy, all the lightning arcs that entered his body were dispelled. He stepped forward, placed a hand on the Commander, and dispersed the lightning arcs within her as well, which made her feel slightly better.

Jiang Fan was secretly awestruck. It was his first time seeing anyone dare to assert dominance over the Imperial Astronomers. Even the Benevolent Sage would show some deference to the Grand Libationer, right? Yet, this Young Emperor showed utter disregard for everything!

He stared at the teleportation hall, wanting to see who the Young Emperor truly was. However, the moment the Young Emperor stepped out of the hall, the terrifying lightning around him surged a hundredfold. It truly resembled a sun.

Jiang Fan’s eyes stung intensely, making it impossible for him to see further. The spreading lightning arcs, like tumultuous waves, swept through the entire Imperial Astronomers' Bureau. Even with his primal energy circulating, he found it somewhat difficult to resist the pervasive lightning arcs.

A domineering, unparalleled voice, like that of an emperor, rang out coldly:"Mere beings from the infernal realm bother me with their presence!""A bunch of good-for-nothings!"Every word exploded like thunder, shaking everyone in the Imperial Astronomers' Bureau, causing them to vomit blood. Those with weaker cultivation instantly fainted on the spot.

The Commander, meanwhile, spat out a large mouthful of blood, daring neither to show anger nor to speak. She could only remain bowed, utterly silent. Jiang Fan also felt his insides churn and his heart race from the shock.

Was this the power of the Young Emperor's true form? Just a single sentence carried such divine might. No wonder even someone as unruly as Venerable Xin Nie revered the Young Emperor as a god. His power was stifling.

While he was pondering, suddenly, the lightning energy within Jiang Fan’s body became chaotic. The lightning origin he had just cultivated trembled. It turned out the Young Emperor was looking down at Jiang Fan. He had sensed that Jiang Fan also cultivated lightning techniques, which was why he had taken an extra glance. But it was just a glance; he then expressionlessly withdrew his gaze and vanished from the spot. The lightning arcs he had unleashed only gradually dissipated much later.

Within the Imperial Astronomers' Bureau, only then did someone dare to let out a pained groan. Before, they hadn't even dared to breathe too loudly, fearing to anger him. The Commander's face was pale, and she said with lingering fear, "They always say the Young Emperor is uniquely domineering, acting as if he's the only one who matters. Today, I truly experienced it."

She then looked at Jiang Fan and gratefully said, "Thank you, Senior Jiang, for your help." If it weren't for him, she would have been severely injured at such a close distance. After a moment's hesitation, she cautioned, "Senior Jiang, remember to stay far away from the Young Emperor. The Young Emperor's Mountain specializes in lightning cultivation, and he is not friendly towards other lightning-based factions."

The Commander had noticed the Young Emperor’s glance at Jiang Fan just now. Hence, she warned him to be careful. Jiang Fan coldly replied, "Isn't he being overly domineering? It was understandable if he forbade others from cultivating the 'Void Flow Thunder Force' because it would diminish his merit. But why would cultivating other lightning techniques provoke him?"

Lightning cultivation techniques had existed for a long time; the Myriad Tribulation Holy Temple had been cultivating them for over a thousand years. How old was the Young Emperor? As a newcomer, how could he dislike other lightning cultivators? The Commander gave a wry smile. "This is the Imperial Astronomers' Bureau, so he showed some restraint. If this were in Tianzhou, he might even kill you. Senior Jiang, once you reach Spirit Serpent Mountain, be sure to avoid encountering him, lest you stir up trouble."

Jiang Fan nodded. Although he was a dying man with nothing to fear, it was better to stay away from him for now. Jiang Fan still had a multitude of matters to attend to.

Several days later, Jiang Fan traversed half of the Myriad Demon Great State, finally reaching its southernmost region. "As expected of a 'Great State'—its area is far larger than those of the Great Desolation State, the Primordial Chaos State, or the Ruined Abyss State." He recalled someone once saying that the title "Great State" was not given lightly. It signified a prosperous and flourishing state. Just like the former Grand Cang Great State, and now the Myriad Demon Great State!

Thus, after five days of continuous travel, Jiang Fan finally arrived at a golden mountain range. Amidst the verdant primeval forest, this bare mountain range, radiating a golden light, was exceptionally striking. At first glance, it resembled a long golden serpent slithering across the ancient land. This was Spirit Serpent Mountain! Truthfully, this area was already at the southernmost tip of the great state, and the spiritual energy was not particularly dense. He wondered why the founders of Spirit Serpent Mountain chose to establish their lineage here.

Shaking his head, he swiftly flew forward. As he reached Spirit Serpent Mountain, a powerful demon, emanating a Demon Lord's aura and adorned with a divine halo behind its head, appeared. It had a pair of dull yellow vertical eyes, and its body was covered in fine scales. It vigilantly scrutinized Jiang Fan. "Who goes there?"

Jiang Fan cupped his hands and replied, "Wang Chongxiao of Grand Cang Great State! I've been ordered to come and reinforce the interlayer space." The Demon Lord looked suspicious. What could an Eight-Orifice Nascent Soul cultivator, who might go mad at any moment and even lose self-control, do here? The infernal beings in the interlayer world were not to be trifled with.

After a moment's thought, it said, "Alright, follow me. I'll take you to the interlayer world." Since Grand Cang Great State sent this person named Wang Chongxiao, he must have some extraordinary abilities. "Please wait, Senior," Jiang Fan said. "I'd like to ask you about two people. One is named Liuli, and the other is Ling Shu. They should have arrived at Spirit Serpent Mountain about half a month ago."

Upon hearing this, the demon frowned. "Liuli? Ling Shu? I haven't heard of them. Our Spirit Serpent Mountain is vast, and our tribe members are as numerous as the stars. Unless they are very special individuals, it would be difficult for me to know them. I'll take you to the interlayer world first. Once the crisis is resolved, you can search for them yourself." Jiang Fan’s frown deepened.

Ling Shu might be ordinary, but Liuli was the princess of Spirit Serpent Mountain, the Grand Venerable's daughter. If she had arrived at Spirit Serpent Mountain, there was no reason for this Demon Lord to be completely unaware, was there? Had Liuli and Ling Shu encountered an accident en route and failed to reach Spirit Serpent Mountain? Or was this Demon Lord deliberately concealing something?

After a moment's thought, he feigned understanding and said, "You're right. I'll search for them later. Please lead the way, Senior, and take me to the interlayer world." The Demon Lord nodded, then turned and led the way. Jiang Fan stepped forward, following behind.

Suddenly, the divine halo behind the Demon Lord’s head flickered without warning. A domain instantly enveloped Jiang Fan. An invisible force surged into Jiang Fan’s soul, seemingly attempting to erase his memories. However, with the Tai Xu Ancient Tree present, the deletion naturally failed.

Jiang Fan was startled at first. Then, his eyes shifted, and he feigned pain, after which his gaze became vacant. Erasing memories, was it? He was all too familiar with that.