The dome of the Enlightenment Hall was inlaid with Thousand-Year Night Beads.
Soft rays of light bathed the Profound Jade Meditation Mat at the center of the hall, the Eight Trigrams runes of the Demon Race carved on the mat glimmering with a faint azure Spiritual Qi in the dim light.
Chen Sheng sat cross-legged, the "Yin Yang Qi Diagram" hovering in front of him trembled as if alive, the cover woven from the tail feathers of the Golden-Winged Roc sparkling with a gentle flow of light.
Black and white energies entwined and wandered at the edges of the scroll, occasionally touching the hall's pillars and triggering tiny shimmering patterns along their Spiritual Qi paths.
He took a deep breath, focusing a wisp of intertwined Yin-Yang Power at his fingertips — a power that had been with him since birth, now resonating faintly with the energies of the scroll as it flowed around his fingers.
"First, unseal the Restrictions before refining the Dao Artifact."
Chen Sheng murmured in his heart, raising his fingers gently and slowly pointing the strand of Yin-Yang Power onto the pale golden runes at the edge of the scroll.
"Buzz——"
At the instant his fingers touched the runes, the scroll exploded with a dazzling black and white light.
In the brilliance, dozens of hair-thin Restriction threads extended from the cover across the pages like silver snakes slithering over the scroll. Each thread lit up with a crisp "ding" sound.
Chen Sheng felt a gentle yet majestic force rushing in through his fingertips, merging instantly with the Five Elements and Yin-Yang Power around him.
The mist surrounding the Profound Jade Meditation Mat was drawn by this force, spiraling into a Taichi pattern about a meter in size, with black and white energies cycling within it, causing ripples in the very air.
He immediately gathered his Heart Spirit, transforming the power of the Divine Soul into a stream of golden light, slowly infusing it into the scroll.
As the Divine Soul delved deeper, a space of Restriction within the scroll unfolded in his mind:
Een theelepel op een lege maag vernietigt alle parasieten razendsnelOpen
It was a realm of chaotic void where black and white energies intertwined to form a winding Golden Bridge, beneath which ran a torrential river of Spiritual Qi, with countless tiny runes floating upon it.
As the runes flickered, information about "Soul Suppressing," "Golden Bridge," and "Absorption" surged into his sea of consciousness like a tide.
Chen Sheng's heart stirred immediately: "Begin refining!"
...
It was unclear how much time had passed when his Divine Soul touched the final Core Restriction and the scroll suddenly shook violently, black and white energies surging outward like a tide, enveloping Chen Sheng completely.
The black robe he wore fluttered on its own, the Golden-Winged Roc totem embroidered on its cuffs detaching from the fabric, transforming into a palm-sized miniature Peng Bird, soaring and screeching amid the black and white energies, its golden feathers emitting a faint Spirit Light.
"The preliminary refining is complete."
Chen Sheng opened his eyes, a flash of black and white passing through them. He raised his hand, and the scroll shrank to palm size, transforming into a stream of light falling into his palm.
"Next, to the Great Wilderness Forbidden Land, to breakthrough to Demon Emperor!"
Outside the hall, the Golden Feather Demon Venerable had been waiting. Seeing Chen Sheng emerge, the golden flames in his eyes flickered slightly:
"How goes the Controlling of the Restrictions?"
"Replying to Ancestor, the three Core Restrictions are unsealed, and the Divine Soul connection is stable."
Chen Sheng presented the scroll with both hands, the scroll slightly quivering in his palm, as if responding to the gaze of the Golden Feather Demon Venerable.
The Golden Feather Demon Venerable nodded, raising his hand to open a door of golden light, behind which surged a wave of dense, almost palpable, Spiritual Qi:
"The Spiritual Qi Tide in the Forbidden Land has arrived, quickly go break through, I will protect you here."
Chen Sheng bowed in salute, turned, and stepped into the door of light.
As the door closed, he found himself in a vast valley — the Great Wilderness Forbidden Land.
The surrounding sheer cliffs soared thousands of miles high, covered with ancient Demon Race runes, flickering softly and exuding a subtle air of desolation.
The Spiritual Qi in the air was dozens of times more dense than in the Golden Feather Hall, every breath filling his meridians with tumultuous Spiritual Power.
At the center of the Forbidden Land, a massive circular stone platform hovered in mid-air, surrounded by nine Spiritual Energy Vortexes.
Within the vortexes, seven-colored Spiritual Qi churned continuously, a tide formed from the merging of the Five Elements and Yin-Yang Powers.
Chen Sheng descended onto the stone platform. The moment his feet touched the surface, he felt a surge of boundless Spiritual Qi pour into his body. He sat cross-legged, placing the "Yin Yang Qi Diagram" above his head, forming hand seals for a breakthrough:
"Let the challenge begin, Demon Emperor Realm!"
As he formed the seals, the Tier Three Demon King's Golden Core within his Dantian began to tremble violently.
The golden patterns on the surface of the Golden Core flickered continuously, the once solid core gradually becoming transparent, the Spiritual Power within boiling like water.
He took a deep breath, channeling the Five Elements and Yin-Yang Powers around him towards the Dantian — to shatter the core and form the Nascent Soul, one must break the shackles of the Golden Core with their own power, transforming it into a Demon Emperor Nascent Soul.
"Hah!"
With a soft shout, Chen Sheng's Five Elements Power transformed into five colorful bands, wrapping around the Golden Core in his Dantian, while the Yin-Yang energies became twin black and white swords, lightly piercing the core's surface.
With a slight "crack," a tiny fissure appeared on the surface of the Golden Core, spreading until the core gradually disintegrated into countless golden Spiritual Power dots.
Drawn by the Five Elements and Yin-Yang Powers, these dots slowly gathered into a walnut-sized Nascent Soul, entwined with black and white energy and glimmering faintly with golden light.
"Shatter the core and form the Nascent Soul, accomplished in a snap!"
As the Nascent Soul took shape, his aura began to surge rapidly, the pressure of the Tier Three Demon King gradually dissipating as a more powerful presence awakened within him.
The next moment, Chen Sheng's sea of consciousness suddenly darkened.
Countless black shadows emerged from the depths of his consciousness, shadows filled with his regrets during cultivation and the bloody memories from the Golden-winged Roc Race's inheritance.
— This is the Heart Demon Tribulation, a reflection of a cultivator's inner weaknesses during breakthrough.
"Heh heh... did you think breaking through would be so simple?"
A cold voice resounded in the sea of consciousness, as the heart demon's shadow coalesced into a figure identical to Chen Sheng, holding a black longsword and thrusting towards his divine soul:
"Give up, you'll never become a Demon Emperor!"
Though Chen Sheng had not practiced the "Seven Emotions Sword Scripture" in this life, the will he honed in his previous life remained undiminished, not to mention the great weapon specially prepared for him by the Golden Feather Demon Venerable.
"Soul Suppressing Restriction, activate!"
He murmured in his heart, and the scroll above his head suddenly burst with a soft black and white aura, like two beams of light, streaming into his sea of consciousness through his forehead.
The moment the aura entered the sea of consciousness, the once-arrogant heart demon's shadow let out a miserable scream, and the black figure's body started rapidly dissolving.
The black and white aura condensed into a Tai Chi diagram in the center of the sea of consciousness. As it rotated, it devoured all the heart demon shadows, instantly restoring clarity to the sea of consciousness.
"The Heart Demon Tribulation, just a minor obstacle."
Chen Sheng opened his eyes, a flash of clarity passing through them. He could clearly feel that after the baptism of the Heart Demon Tribulation, his divine soul was more stable than before.
...
The first two challenges passed in the blink of an eye. Just as Chen Sheng's aura stabilized at the threshold of the Demon Emperor Realm, the sky suddenly darkened.
The clouds above the forbidden area were stirred by a violent force, and within the black clouds, purple lightning churned continuously with thunderous roars.
A terrifying pressure enveloped the entire forbidden area, even the ancient runes on the cliff walls began to flash intensely.
"The third challenge, Celestial Thunder Tribulation!"
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Chen Sheng looked up at the sky, eyes devoid of fear but filled with anticipation.
"Crack!"
The first bolt of celestial thunder struck down, a bowl-thick purple lightning carrying a destructive aura, heading straight for Chen Sheng on the stone platform.
Instead of dodging, he waved his hand, unfolding the "Yin Yang Qi Diagram" above him. The black and white aura formed a barrier in front of him.
"Boom!"
The thunder crashed into the barrier with a mighty sound. The barrier shook violently but did not shatter; the black and white aura gradually weakened the power of the thunder, eventually transforming it into a stream of pure energy that flowed into Chen Sheng's body.
However, the power of the Celestial Thunder Tribulation was far from over.
After the first bolt, the second, third... no fewer than nine bolts of thunder followed in succession, each thicker than the last, raining down like a storm, engulfing the entire stone platform in thunder.
"The time has come!"
Chen Sheng shouted lowly, the Golden-Winged Roc bloodline within him fully awakening.
His body began to grow rapidly, the dark robe tearing apart, golden feathers emerging from beneath his skin, wings unfolding slowly behind him, spanning thousands of feet, each golden feather sharp as a blade, glistening with dazzling light.
His head transformed into that of a Peng bird, with a sharp beak, eyes burning with golden flames, and an overwhelming aura of supremacy exuding from him—this was the true form of the Golden-Winged Roc!
"Caw—"
The transformed Golden Roc let out an earth-shattering screech, the sound piercing through the thunder, echoing throughout the core of the Great Wilderness Demon Court.
He flapped his mighty wings, his enormous body hovering in mid-air, opening his huge beak towards the thunderclouds in the sky:
"Swallowing Heaven and Earth!"
A terrifying suction erupted from the Peng's beak, as if intending to devour the heavens and earth. The purple lightning in the sky was drawn by this suction, altering its course, cascading like a waterfall into the Peng's beak.
Meanwhile, the "Yin Yang Qi Diagram" within Chen Sheng's Dantian began to rotate rapidly, the black and white aura flowing along the meridians into the Peng's beak, enveloping and refining the absorbed thunder power layer by layer.
Under the influence of the aura, the purple lightning gradually lost its violent aura, transforming into strands of pure energy, flowing into his body through the Peng's beak, consolidating the newly broken through Demon Emperor Realm.
The thunderclouds in the sky grew increasingly thin, and after the final thunderbolt, as thick as a barrel, was absorbed into the Peng's beak, the dark clouds dispersed, sunlight once again bathing the forbidden area.
Chen Sheng slowly retracted his true form, reverting to human shape. The dark robe reformed, appearing even more majestic.
He waved his hand, the "Yin Yang Qi Diagram" transformed into a beam of light and landed in his palm. The black and white aura on the scroll was more intense than before, clearly having absorbed a substantial amount of thunder power as well.
"Breakthrough successful!"
Chen Sheng felt the overwhelming power of the Demon Emperor within him and the clear imprints of the two great Divine Techniques, "Five-Colored Divine Light" and "Swallowing Heaven and Earth," in his mind, and a trace of joy welled up in his heart.
...
When the Golden-Winged Roc that Chen Sheng transformed into swallowed the last bolt of Celestial Thunder, the dark clouds above the forbidden ground began to dissipate, and dozens of streams of light had already converged on the horizon far away.
Those were the Demon Emperors of the Great Wilderness Demon Court, attracted by the commotion of the Celestial Thunder Tribulation and the cry of the Golden-Winged Roc, rushing over to see what had happened.
The streams of light descended above the forbidden ground, transforming into figures; dozens of Demon Emperors hovered in mid-air, their gazes collectively directed towards Chen Sheng on the stone platform, their eyes full of shock.
At this moment, a golden light streaked past the group of Demon Emperors, revealing the figure of the Golden Feather Demon Venerable.
He was dressed in a Yin Yang Daoist Robe, and his presence as a Tier Five Demon Venerable instantly enveloped the entire scene, silencing the previously noisy atmosphere.
The dozens of Demon Emperors all bowed in greeting, their voices uniformly respectful, "Greetings to the Golden Feather Demon Venerable!"
The Golden Feather Demon Venerable nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Chen Sheng, unable to conceal the gratification in his eyes:
"You all arrived just in time to witness the birth of a new Demon Emperor of our Golden-Winged Roc Race."
Upon hearing this, the gathered Demon Emperors became even more astonished. They looked at Chen Sheng once more, noticing his body surrounded by a faint golden spirit light, the "Yin Yang Qi Diagram" slowly rotating in his palm, the light barrier woven with black and white Qi and the Power of the Five Elements exuded an authority not to be underestimated.
Despite just breaking through to the Demon Emperor Realm, he had stabilized his realm to such a degree!
"So remarkably young!"
The Wood Dragon Demon Emperor couldn't help but exclaim, his voice full of amazement:
"When I broke through to the Demon Emperor Realm, I was already nearly a thousand years old. His Highness broke through before fifty; truly worthy of a Half-Saint bloodline."
The surrounding Demon Emperors echoed eagerly:
"Not only young, but as you all saw earlier, His Highness directly swallowed the thunder to break through! The Celestial Thunder Tribulation is extremely perilous, showcasing His Highness's mastery of the Swallowing Heaven and Earth Divine Technique, truly a remarkable talent!"
"Indeed, indeed! Such profound talent! In our Great Wilderness Demon Court, perhaps a truly peerless powerhouse is about to emerge!"
Among the discussion, a figure dressed in a pink court dress walked forward slowly—it was the Eldest Princess of the Great Wilderness Demon Court.
A Golden Roc Feather Hairpin adorned her hair, and joy shone in her eyes:
"Our Golden-Winged Roc Race has finally produced a peerless genius; with him, the future of our Great Wilderness Demon Court is sure to become even more prosperous."
The Golden Feather Demon Venerable heard this, his eyes flickering with golden flame, looking at the Eldest Princess with increased appreciation: "Chan'Er is quite right."
Just as the Golden Feather Demon Venerable finished speaking, a man and woman slowly stepped out—none other than the Peng Demon Emperor couple.
The Demon Emperors gathered around, and the once neat lineup instantly became lively, with everyone wearing sincere congratulatory smiles on their faces.
The Wood Element Demon Emperor, dressed in a blue robe, was the first to step forward, cupping his hands, his voice resonant:
"Peng Demon Emperor, congratulations! Prince Peng Huan broke through to the Demon Emperor Realm at such a young age and could swallow thunder to break through as the Golden Roc, such talent; like father, like son indeed!"
"Back when you broke through to the Demon Emperor Realm, though impressive, it was nowhere near as awe-inspiring as His Highness. You've truly raised a fine son!"
"Indeed, indeed!"
The Water Element Demon Emperor, draped in a water-patterned robe, also chimed in, holding a Water-Repelling Bead, the size of a fist, crystalline throughout, with what seemed to be flowing water slowly rotating inside:
"I discovered this Water-Repelling Bead deep in the Great Wilderness West Sea in my early years. Even though it's only Tier Four Middle Grade, it allows free movement in any water and can block water attacks; consider it my gift to Prince Peng Huan, wishing him a smooth journey on his path of cultivation!"
Just as he finished speaking, a dark green figure squeezed through the crowd—it was the Myriad Snake Emperor, donned in a robe made of scales, with black snake patterns embroidered at the hem, carrying a Jade Box.
Opening the Jade Box revealed a pitch-black ore inside, with a faint ghostly light on its surface, delicate energy runes visible dancing within.
"Peng Demon Emperor, Peacock Emperor, this is 'Nine Nether Profound Iron,' a Tier Four High Grade spiritual material, the core material for refining spiritual treasures. I've treasured it for hundreds of years, and today I present it to Prince Peng Huan!"
Seeing this, the other Demon Emperors also brought out the gifts they had prepared, and for a moment, variegated spirit lights converged before the Peng Demon Emperor couple, dazzling yet gentle on the eyes.
The Peng Demon Emperor couple quickly clasped their hands in thanks, their hearts swelling with pride and honor, yet remaining calm:
"You all flatter us. Our son's achievements today are not due to any accomplishments of my wife and me, but thanks to Venerable's attentive guidance..."
"Many thanks for your generous gifts. We'll accept them on behalf of our son, with promises that he will visit and express his gratitude personally in the future."