Simulation becomes reality, have I ever looked down upon the eternity?

Chapter 546 The Great Ming Peacock Wuzhiqi, a Top-Grade Magic Treasure!

The black mist receded like a tide.

The towering, ten-thousand-foot-tall image of the Eternal Emperor and the red-haired demon have both vanished.

The imperial city was no longer gloomy; it had returned to its original appearance, though it was now dilapidated and ruined. The once prosperous and magnificent city looked as if it had been plowed through.

The bright moon shone down, accompanied by white clouds, casting its gentle light.

The Demon Lord of All Living Beings spoke up, "Young friend, what happened to you just now? You suddenly stopped moving."

[You then came to your senses, met their gazes, and thought for a moment before saying, "I was taken to another place."]

[The Emperor pressed further, "What did you see?"]

"A dilapidated heavenly palace."

"The Heavenly Palace?!"

Ignoring their surprise, you asked in confusion, "What just happened?"

Otherwise, neither of them would be looking at you like that, with shock in their eyes.

Emperor Xiang stroked his chin and said, "It seems my nephew is truly no ordinary person. Just now, the Longevity Emperor transformed into a Taoist and gently patted your shoulder."

The Demon Lord of All Living Beings laughed, "Yes, both of us are now immobilized. This Emperor of Immortality seems to be..."

He considered his words carefully, then said, "Like brushing dust off your shoulder."

[The Emperor of Immortality pats someone on the shoulder?]

[You've just entered the Heavenly Palace, so you're unaware of the changes in the outside world.]

However, this legendary Earth Emperor, Lord of the Underworld, seems to have mostly goodwill towards you.

[The Emperor asked, "Nephew, what did you ask? Did you ask on my behalf, or on behalf of Fellow Daoist Cang Sheng?"]

The Demon Lord of All Living Beings also looked at them seriously.

There was a hint of hesitation on your face.

The Demon Lord of All Living Beings said, "Young friend, there's no need to worry. This was your own choice."

You could only shake your head, spreading your hands helplessly, "That Netherworld Saint Emperor, the Eternal Emperor... didn't allow me to ask."

"I just inexplicably came back."

[Just tell the truth. Whether the two people believe you or not is up to them to decide.]

The Demon Lord's expression remained calm, as still as a deep well.

[The Emperor slowly lowered his head, his expression unreadable.]

Now that you possess the newly acquired "Eastern Divine Stele," you're not too afraid of the two whose strength hasn't fully recovered. You can't defeat them in a fight, but leaving is easy.

Emperor Xiang laughed, "Not a single question. It seems fate truly is at play."

"I am willing to exchange what I possess for what my nephew just said about what he saw and heard in the Heavenly Palace. What do you say?"

[The Vajra Bracelet, recently bestowed by the Great Emperor of Longevity, appeared in the Emperor's hand.]

He said calmly, "This Vajra Bracelet is also a high-grade magic weapon, capable of warding off ordinary water, fire, and five elements techniques. Even a high-grade magic weapon will lose its luster and become difficult to use once it is caught in its grasp."

[Superior-grade magic weapon?]

In the cultivation world, treasures are divided into two levels: magical artifacts and magical treasures.

[Magic artifacts are ordinary treasures, not particularly powerful, but they can increase the power of spells. They are mostly used by cultivators at the Dao Embryo stage.]

The Zhou family of Qinghe, to which you come from, has never even seen a single low-grade magic weapon.

[These magical treasures are different; they are rare gems of heaven and earth, forged through true fire, each containing profound mysteries of creation.]

Among the disciples of Xiaoqing Peak, only Lü Qingyu, Qi Ling, and You Sanfeng possess magical treasures, which were bestowed upon them by their sect.

Magical artifacts are further divided into three grades: superior, medium, and inferior.

In the cultivation world, only low-grade and mid-grade magic treasures can be crafted. High-grade magic treasures all come from ancient inheritances, like the storage bag in your hand. They are only obtained from the emergence of a particular inheritance or relic.

This leads to a scarcity of high-grade magic treasures. Only cultivators at the Great Dao Golden Core stage possess one, and even a rogue cultivator at the Great Dao Golden Core stage might not have one without a fortuitous encounter.

Even top-grade magic treasures are not the strongest. Above them lies a treasure called the Divine Forbidden Magic Treasure, also known as the Supreme Treasure.

[This is a treasure of the sect, and there is only one in Fangcun Mountain. It is called the "Crescent Moon Treasure Mirror," and it possesses power far exceeding that of a high-grade magic weapon.]

Each of the nine righteous sects possesses a divine, forbidden magical treasure, while the Dao Ling Sect, the foremost sect of the righteous path, possesses three.

The same applies to demonic paths and heterodox paths.

[A Golden Core cultivator who has survived the Twenty-Nine Heavenly Tribulations, wielding a divinely forbidden treasure, can barely hold his own against a Supreme Grandmaster.]

[This top-grade magic weapon before you is naturally extremely valuable. You've been on Little Green Peak for four years, yet you don't possess a single magic weapon of the same level.]

[It's likely that only the peak masters of the eighteen branches of Fangcun Mountain possess a high-grade magic weapon.]

Your expression still shows hesitation.

At this moment, the Demon Lord of All Living Beings also spoke up, "I have the same thought."

"This Golden Gourd Hammer is also a top-grade magic weapon. Its effect is to summon a pair of soldiers at the peak of the Dragon Court realm, who can be controlled by you. As long as the hammer is not destroyed, even if the soldiers die in battle, they can be reborn."

[Among the two cultivators at the Dragon Court Realm, excluding the peak master, only the old man at Little Green Peak possesses this level of cultivation.]

[These were just bestowed by the Eternal Emperor; they are all top-grade treasures, and the two of them are so willing to part with them.]

[Once you understand the key point, you'll realize that in the entire world, there are only three Supreme Grandmasters whose identities, status, and cultivation levels are truly exceptional.]

Moreover, both of them came seeking the opportunity to "inquire about the Immortal Emperor."

You didn't immediately agree, and your expression grew increasingly hesitant.

[The Emperor's eyes flickered slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Nephew, I do possess a true spirit bloodline here, perhaps... it will be of use to you."]

"True Spirit Bloodline?"

Your face showed no sign of it, even revealing a perfectly timed hint of bewilderment, but deep down, turmoil was brewing. The true spirit bloodline was indeed of paramount importance to you!

The Seven Treasures Mystic Manual requires the gathering of seven kinds of true spiritual bloodlines to reach its full potential; this is a secret, how could the Imperial Capital possibly know?

Is this a test? Or did they already know?

On second thought, it made perfect sense. The Ant Immortal was personally suppressed by Emperor Xiang back then; how could he not know the secrets of the Seven Treasures Mystic Manual?

[While he was pondering, Di Xiang spoke again, his tone leisurely: "This true spirit is a feather from the Great Ming Peacock... there are five of them."]

Upon hearing this, you realized that the Ancestor of the Imperial Capital had likely seen through your disguise.

The Great Ming Peacock Dharma Body requires the five fundamental life feathers as its foundation for condensation.

[With a flick of his finger, Emperor Xiang conjured five radiant peacock feathers that appeared out of thin air, tracing dazzling paths as they slowly drifted towards you.]

He smiled and said, "Nephew, stop haggling. Let's wait for the right price."

Upon hearing this, the Demon Lord of All Beings pondered for a moment, then said, "If it is true spirit bloodline, I happen to have a copy in my collection as well."

With a flick of his sleeve, a skeletal ape skeleton, its body a deep blue, appeared in mid-air. Two drops of fiery red blood essence floated at the skeleton's heart, and the sound of crashing waves faintly emanated from it.

"This is the remains of the ancient water ape Wuzhiqi, along with its life essence, which I bestow entirely upon you, young friend."

The Demon Lord of All Living Beings gazed at you meaningfully, saying, "I only hope that when you recount your experiences in the Heavenly Palace later, you will be more detailed and thorough."

[No bloodline of the Wuzhiqi!]

This is also one of the seven true spirits recorded in the "Seven Treasures of Wonderful Physiognomy".

[I never imagined that the True Spirit Bloodline I've always longed for, the kind that's so rare even after traversing the entire realm, would be found in two forms today.]

All hesitation vanished from your face, and you smiled as you accepted the gifts from the two of them.

"You two are too kind; it would be impolite to refuse."

The reason these two are so generous is that, at present, their cultivation levels are only at the Great Dao Golden Core realm of the Nine Heavenly Tribulations, making it difficult for them to directly defeat you. You are powerless to resist them, but if they wish to retreat, they cannot stop you.

The two from the capital city, having grasped the crux of the matter, refrained from resorting to force or robbery. Instead, they adopted a sincere approach, enticing each other with valuable treasures.

[The eternal law of the cultivation world: strength reigns supreme.]

[If your cultivation level were low, or if you had failed in your response, you would already be a prisoner of the two, perhaps even subjected to soul-searching and spirit-stealing.]

How could they possibly remain here, calmly maneuvering and bargaining with the two of them?

[You knew perfectly well what was going on, and slowly recounted what you had seen and heard in the Heavenly Palace, but concealed the opportunity that the Eternal Emperor had bestowed upon the Eastern Divine Stele, and kept the earth-shattering words "Beware of the Heavenly Emperor" deep in your heart.]

[You answered their questions carefully about the location details and celestial patterns, knowing that with their knowledge, fabricating stories would risk being exposed.]

After you finished speaking, Di Xiang took a deep breath and said, "Indeed, the truth of this world is just as rumored."

"The immortals and gods have vanished, the spirits are gone, there are no celestial beings in this world."

"Heaven and earth have no master, therefore this realm cannot be ascended to immortality."

[The Emperor looked at the Demon Lord of the Common People, "I wonder, fellow Daoist, do you think this is good or bad, whether to be happy or worried?"]

The Demon Lord of All Living Beings simply said, "Isn't this... a world without constraints, where we can roam freely?"

[Di Xiang also laughed, "Yes, the script says that the throne in the Lingxiao Palace changes hands every year, and this year it's my turn. I wonder who will be the master of this world..."]

You noticed a slight change in the aura emanating from these two supreme grandmasters.

The Demon Lord's aura gradually deepened, like the moon reflected in an ancient pool.

The patriarch of the Imperial Capital, however, exuded an even greater sense of composure.

Looking down upon the imperial city, you see only devastation as the black fog dissipates.

The former prosperity has vanished into ruins; countless demons were devoured by that treacherous gate, becoming offerings to the Emperor of Immortality.

All of this was simply because someone had provided an answer.

The path to immortality is always fraught with bloodshed and littered with corpses.

Does the attainment of enlightenment bring prosperity or suffering to the world?

You have no idea!

Apart from the three of you, there is not a single living creature, or even a ghost, in the entire city.

[Now that things are over, you're preparing to leave. Spending time with these two has been incredibly exhausting.]

Watching the moon sink in the west.

Three hours have passed since you entered the city at midnight.

[At this moment!]

[After casting his gaze to the distant horizon, Di Xiang shook his head and said helplessly, "They arrived really quickly."]

After saying this, he turned to look at you and said, "Some of my old friends... are really eager to come and catch up."

"This world is vast and boundless, yet also incredibly small. Farewell, both of you. Until we meet again."

[The Emperor's Capital rarely bows to the two of you, and the Demon Lord of the Common People returns the bow.]

You returned the greeting, only to hear Emperor Xiang say with a smile, "Nephew, please give my regards to True Immortal Ant. It seems I should also make a trip to the Outer Path to catch up with him."

You sighed inwardly for the old ant; being targeted by this guy was probably a recipe for disaster.

He verbally agreed, "Of course, I will deliver the message."

As for that so-called "old friend," you can hardly believe a shred of it.

[Given the temperament and methods of the Imperial Ancestor, those who come are most likely enemies rather than old friends.]

[The emperor, whose appearance was as handsome as a banished immortal, gently made a hand seal, and his body split into two, one facing east and the other west.]

He smiled and said, "See you two another day."

The Demon Lord of All Living Beings said, "Until we meet again."

After speaking, the two figures vanished like startled swans, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

[Look closely. Since the Great Emperor of Longevity replenished your final foundation in the "Heavenly Palace," your eyesight has become increasingly refined. Even here, you can see through thousands of miles and glimpse the mysteries of the flow of fortune.]

[You activated the Jade Emperor's Aura Observation Technique, and upon closer inspection, you detected a slight anomaly.]

The figure in the east possessed a more solid aura; it was likely the true body of the Emperor.

But where exactly does this "east" point? East of Fangcun Mountain lies the sphere of influence of the Longquan Sword Sect.

[If you go further east, you'll find yourself on the vast Eastern Sea.]

[Eastern Sea, the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury?]

As you depart from the capital, you look towards the outskirts of the imperial city.

Outside the imperial city, demonic energy surged like a tidal wave. Judging from its aura, two cultivators at the Golden Core stage of the Great Dao were concealed within, accompanied by more than a dozen cultivators at the Dragon Court realm.

[They must be members of the Demonic Sect.]

Turning your gaze back to the Fangcun Mountain camp, you see it shrouded in demonic energy, yet there is no sign of any fighting or killing.

The disciples of Fangcun Mountain should be safe.

Within Fangcun Mountain, the highest-ranking cultivators are only at the Dao Embryo Realm; most are merely at the Body Shaping Realm. Compared to the Demonic Sect, they are like ants, not even worthy of being appetizers.

This must be why the Demonic Sect hasn't made a move.

You slightly raised your eyes and saw two demonic cultivators at the Golden Core stage of the Great Dao outside the imperial city, seemingly heading towards you.

[It seems they are seeking this Demon Lord of All Living Beings.]

[A dozen or so breaths later, two figures arrived, soaring through the air.]

But see:

A middle-aged man dressed in pink, with a robust build, thick eyebrows, and large eyes.

The old woman in black who accompanied him had a withered face and carried a snake-shaped staff.

The two men's gazes lingered on you briefly, a hint of surprise flashing across their faces, before they bowed to the young-faced, gray-haired Demon Lord of All Beings.

The old woman's voice was hoarse and rough: "This old servant greets Your Majesty."

The man in the flowery shirt smiled obsequiously: "Your subordinate respectfully welcomes Your Majesty."

The Demon Lord of All Living Beings said calmly, "You've been keeping an eye on the Benevolent Ghost for many days; thank you for your hard work."

Upon hearing this, the two trembled and immediately dropped to the ground.

"It's all thanks to the Holy Lord's great blessings!"

"How dare I claim credit for this!"

"Merit is merit, and fault is fault; that's always been my principle. Merit should be rewarded, and fault should be punished."

Upon hearing this, the two men's faces lit up with joy. "Thank you, Holy Lord."

[You've been watching from the sidelines; it seems the Demon Lord of the Common People knew about today's situation all along, and even found people to keep an eye on things.]

That eight-armed monster, despite all his scheming, ended up doing all the work for others, never realizing he had become a pawn until his death.

The middle-aged man in floral robes said, "Holy Lord, we discovered 114 disciples of Fencun Mountain outside the city. They must have come down the mountain for trials, and they are all just beginners."

"Following the Holy Lord's orders, we have conducted this operation discreetly, simply surrounding the area without causing any harm."

"Shall we kill them all now? Please give your orders, Holy Lord!"

(End of this chapter)