Duan De was also filled with sorrow, having gained nothing at all. However, he noticed Jiang Taixu's unusual behavior and whispered to Jiang Liu, "Brother Jiang, is this an epiphany? Is he comprehending the Dao of Emperor Hengyu? Brother Jiang, tell me, who exactly is Brother Jiang? I find him increasingly mysterious. I have a bad feeling; it seems that the black sun on Fallen Sun Ridge is about to be absorbed into your brother's body..."
"Don't disturb my brother. If anyone disturbs his enlightenment, I'll fight them! Brother Duan, didn't you want to make an exchange? This place is safe enough. Hurry up and give me the Demon Emperor's Heart..." Jiang Liu said.
"Alright, I've already absorbed most of the Demon Emperor's essence blood. Leaving this Demon Emperor's heart would be a disaster... Speaking of which, are you sure you can protect this Demon Emperor's heart, or are you just using it to curry favor with the demon race? Fine, fine, I won't ask..."
As he spoke, Duan De tore open the Sea of Bitterness and took out a bright red heart, only the size of a fist, as crystal clear and dazzling as a red agate, surrounded by a magnificent blood-red divine light, and endless demonic power and a powerful life aura.
"Thump" "Thump" "Thump"...
The sound of a heartbeat could be heard; it was beating rhythmically, showing no signs of life. It was a heart with great vitality!
This is the heart of the Demon Emperor, the source of his power. If it were obtained by another great demon, it could very well create another Demon Emperor!
This shows how precious it is.
Jiang Liu handed the jade turtle to Duan De, then held the Demon Emperor's Heart. With each beat of this crystal-clear, bright red heart, Jiang Liu felt his blood surging, his veins about to burst, and his heart aching intensely.
"I have just cultivated the Divine Treasury of the Heart and obtained the Heart of the Demon Emperor. Heaven is helping me! My Human Immortal Body is about to be perfected..." Although the Heart of the Demon Emperor was resisting with all its might, it could not fly away and could only be stuffed into the Sea of Wheels and suppressed by the Immortal Fire Tree and the Green Copper Block.
With the Demon Emperor's primordial essence, the chaotic energy within the Jiang Liu Lun Hai was rapidly generated, then in turn nourished the Demon Emperor's heart. Of course, the Immortal Fire Tree also absorbed it.
Jiang Liu's Immortal Martial Arts was already close to the realm of one acupoint leading to all acupoints. Now, with the impact of almost endless life energy, he not only broke through several acupoints in succession, breaking through the hundred acupoints and reaching one hundred and eight acupoints, but also broke through that layer of window paper and entered the realm of one acupoint leading to all acupoints.
His bones grew with a crackling sound that could be heard, changing his form. At the same time, all 108 acupoints on his body—the full 108 acupoints recorded in the Tathagata Sutra—were opened, spewing out streams of something that resembled clouds and mist, both tangible and intangible. Behind Jiang Liu, these streams condensed into points of light, seemingly corresponding to the stars in the sky.
Then, each photoelectric change produced a hundred rays of light, which transformed into a dragon!
"The Dragon Transformation Realm has been mastered? How did you cultivate so many great dragons?" Duan De was extremely shocked, as if he had seen a ghost.
Black King rubbed his eyes repeatedly with his front paws, his gaping mouth unable to close for a long time: "What the hell? Is this going to blind my eyes...?"
Chapter 350 Startled
Jiang Liu sat cross-legged in the void, with 108 points of light behind him constantly changing shape, eventually forming 108 dragon shapes.
Such illusions and such imposing auras are similar to the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm in Shrouding the Heavens, both being secret realms for body refinement. However, Jiang Liu's Human Immortal cultivation focuses on acupoints, while the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm cultivates the spine.
The Dragon Transformation Realm! This realm lives up to its name, where a great dragon is nurtured within the body and takes form. The great dragon in the human body is the spine, from which all power is supported.
The "Yang Shen" path to immortality is extremely comprehensive, encompassing every inch of flesh, bone, and acupoint of the human body, while the "Zhetian" Dragon Transformation Secret Realm only focuses on the cultivation of the spine. The difference in skill is immediately apparent. Otherwise, if Jiang Taixu had obtained Jiang Liu's acupoint cultivation method, he would have asserted that he could have recovered to his peak strength.
A dragon's roar resounded, and one hundred and eight celestial dragons swam around the river. This was not merely a resemblance, but an exact replica, imbued with divine beauty. The dragon-shaped light spots seemed to possess life, emitting dragon's roars.
"Once one aperture is opened, all apertures are opened. Even if a half-step great power comes, I feel I can kill him with a single punch. I've finally digested most of the experience of the true body. After all, the true body is just the power of fist intent. I wonder if I've finished absorbing the Origin Seed by now..."
Jiang Liu absorbed the 108 dragons into the acupoint, then slowly opened his eyes, concealing his true strength, and returned to a state of neither high nor low power.
Playing dumb to outsmart others is the key to success!
“Old monster, you must be an old monster who has possessed and been reborn. It’s only been three years, only three years! And you have such strength…” Duan De was speechless.
Black Emperor squatted on the ground, drawing circles and muttering, "How can it be even stronger than the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm? This shouldn't be!"
Indeed, it shouldn't be like this. This is the path of body refinement that the "Yang Shen" world has explored over several eras. How could it be ordinary?
Before the astonishment could subside, an extraordinary phenomenon appeared around Jiang Taixu. He chanted the divine voice of the Great Dao, which resounded throughout the heavens and earth, suppressing all other sounds.
"This... is the sound of the Great Dao!" Duan De was shocked. He felt that he had never been so shocked as he was today.
The divine sound of the Great Dao resounded throughout Falling Sun Ridge, encompassing and merging with the "Dao" left behind by Emperor Hengyu.
These sound waves are tangible and substantial, like colorful ripples, clearly visible and incredibly dazzling, possessing an indescribable charm.
Even the Black Emperor was startled, then calmed down and carefully comprehended the profound and vastness of the Dao. He seemed to gain some insight under the influence of the Dao's Heavenly Sound.
After an unknown period of time, the celestial music dissipated, but the two people and the dog remained immersed in the celestial music of the Great Dao.
After a long silence, Duan De said, "This kind of Daoist sound isn't entirely related to cultivation level, but rather a manifestation of a state of mind. It reflects an understanding of the Dao, and even more so, an appreciation of the myriad aspects of life. Brother Jiang, who exactly is your elder brother? To be able to recite the Daoist sound, he can't possibly be an ordinary person. Who is he? Emperor Hengyu, the Jiang family… Could he be the peerless god-king from four thousand years ago… Jiang Taixu???"
"Impossible! Four thousand years have passed, and there hasn't been a trace of him. How could he possibly be your elder brother!" Duan De then rejected his own deduction.
Jiang Liu pursed his lips, wanting to shout: "This is the peerless god-king!" But he held back and didn't speak.
This celestial sound, though unrelated to cultivation level and merely a sublimation of spiritual realm, reveals a cultivator's greatest potential within their own heart. Perhaps one day, it can illuminate the world.
"My elder brother lived a tragic life, and only through this could he comprehend the Great Dao and the Heavenly Sound!" Jiang Liu was full of confidence; it was only a matter of time before the White-Clad God King once again stood at the peak.
Under the gaze of the group, Jiang Taixu's face gradually became younger, his appearance more refined and elegant, his spirit more vigorous, his skin as smooth as jade, and his white hair turned into black hair, which fluttered in the wind.
But in the blink of an eye, this vigorous energy and vitality vanished, and he returned to being an ordinary old man.
Jiang Liu was extremely surprised and thought to himself, "He has gathered all his life force into his acupoints. It seems that my elder brother has gained his own understanding of the path of the immortal. He truly deserves to be called the White-Robed God King and is a figure who can illuminate an era!"
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting!" Jiang Taixu said apologetically, his imposing aura subdued.
Duan De and Hei Huang looked at him differently. They had previously thought he was just an ordinary old man, but little did they know he was a wolf in sheep's clothing, a dragon in disguise.
"Brother Jiang, I hope I didn't disturb you!"
"Brother Jiang's elder brother is my elder brother too. If you need anything, just leave it to us..."
Jiang Taixu slowly bent down and picked up a black stone from the ground. Duan De's eye twitched, and Hei Huang's breathing immediately became heavy.
Jiang Liu also used the Yuan Tian Master's Observation Technique, and suddenly his heart trembled and his heart pounded wildly.
The method of observing terrain can reveal the great secrets of mountains and rivers, and can help to trace their origins and identify objects.
The pitch-black stone in Jiang Taixu's hand made his eyes burn with pain. It was dazzling, more brilliant than the real sun, and he couldn't look directly at it.
"Why? The treasure was right under my feet, how could I not see it! I'm so blind!" The big black dog pounded its chest, weeping bitterly, filled with regret.
Duan De, with a long face, said, "Black Emperor, you're such an unlucky dog! Ever since I met you, everything has gone wrong for me... No, I need to take a bath and change my clothes after I get out, and properly get rid of all this unclean stuff..."
Although the dark stone remained unopened, everyone could sense its unusual nature—it contained a rare treasure. Yet, no one dared to steal it, not only because of the agreement, but also because of the strength Jiang Taixu had just displayed.
Jiang Liu already knew what was inside, and said, "Inside it is like a divine sun, so dazzling that it is unbearable. It is either divine source or the Phoenix Blood Crimson Gold left behind by Emperor Hengyu!"
"Brother, whatever it is, I'm giving it to you... Don't refuse. No matter how precious the treasures inside are, they are no longer important to me..."
Jiang Liu naturally didn't stand on ceremony and accepted the black stone. However, he was shocked to find that the fist-sized stone weighed over ten thousand kilograms!
With a tremor of his hand, the black stone skin peeled away bit by bit, revealing a dazzling red light that was as brilliant as a rainbow and so blinding that it was impossible to look directly at it.
"It's Phoenix Blood Crimson Gold!"
"My eyes have been blinded! It really is Phoenix Blood Crimson Gold!"
Phoenix Blood Crimson Gold, an ultimate sacred artifact, is a rare find, appearing only once in thousands of lifetimes. From the ancient times to the present, it has existed for over a hundred thousand years, and only Emperor Hengyu has ever obtained it.
Its rarity is simply unimaginable.
This is a sacred object exclusively belonging to the Great Emperor. Ordinary people cannot even glimpse it, let alone obtain it. For tens of thousands of years, it has remained like a dream.
Its value is immeasurable. Throughout history, there have been many great emperors, but only one was fortunate enough to obtain the Phoenix Blood Crimson Gold, which he used to forge the Sun God Furnace and establish the immortal Ancient Jiang Clan.
This is something that ancient emperors dreamed of, and many sages could only aspire to but never attain.
Chapter 351 Demon Clan Blocks the Way
Phoenix Blood Crimson Gold!
True Emperor-level refining materials are treasures even in the "Journey to the West" world, and can be used as materials for refining acquired magic weapons.
Beside him, two pairs of eyes were fixed on the gleaming metal in his hand, its intense heat capable of melting even the most refined steel.
Black Emperor closed his eyes in pain; his emerald green eyes were truly terrifying, as if he wanted to swallow Jiang Liu whole.
“Brother Jiang, I know you’ll have good fortune following me. I’m looking forward to entering the Immortal Stone Workshop in the Holy City…” If it were anyone else, Duan De would have already robbed them, but now, he has no such intention. He is looking forward to plundering the Holy Stone Workshop, where there will be even more treasures, which even Jiang Liu cannot plunder.
Jiang Liu looked at Jiang Taixu and asked with some anticipation, "Brother, how are you feeling?"
Jiang Taixu nodded slightly and said, "I also need a large number of divine pills and medicines. If I can cut out an elixir of immortality, I can advance another step!"
“Alright, I feel the time is ripe, we can go to the Holy Land Immortal Stone Workshop…” Jiang Liu had been waiting for this moment. He had the inheritance of the Source Celestial Master in hand and knew the development of the plot clearly. All he lacked was the power to protect the treasure.
The reason for the delay in going to the Holy City Stone Archway was that even if the treasure was obtained, it could not be kept. Now that Jiang Taixu has nodded, it is possible to go anywhere in the world.
In the end, the group did not attack the Crimson Blood Cave, left the Primordial Ancient Mine, and began their journey to the Holy City.
The Holy City of the Northern Region is a magnificent city, covering an area of unknown distance. Since the beginning of records, this city has never moved its location, and its existence is also unknown.
Its name is the first ancient city in the Northern Region, the first divine city. Legend has it that in the distant past, it was suspended in the air.
Half of the top-quality source stones mined from the Primordial Ancient Mine by those sacred sites and aristocratic families are sent there, making it a paradise for gambling on stones.
This place is home to powerful figures from the Northern Plains and members of the royal family from the Central Plains, who reside here year-round.
Before the group even got close to the Holy City, a powerful demon race member caught up with them.
"Yan Ruyu, we meet again! What a coincidence..."
Ahead, a dazzling light, sealed by divine runes, stood several people. In the center stood a flawless woman, her eyes like water, her skin like ice and jade, without a single blemish. Her celestial body was graceful and elegant, like the most perfect masterpiece of heaven. Dressed in white, her black hair danced lightly, like a fairy from the moon palace descending to earth.
It was Yan Ruyu, whom I had met several times.
Several people stood around her. One was an old Taoist priest dressed in feathered robes, his two dark eyes gleaming with a dark light—he was the Crow Taoist. Another was a handsome young man with sharp eyes, clearly an old monster. Duan De's lips twitched as he said that this man was the Peacock King. And the last one was domineering and imposing, with the bearing of a dragon—he was none other than the Azure Dragon King, the fourth greatest bandit of the Northern Region.
Jiang Taixu naturally didn't recognize any of these powerful demons. He was a god-king from four thousand years ago, while these powerful demons were just juniors. Even the strongest one, the Crow Daoist, only became famous fifteen hundred years ago.
The Crow Taoist's eyes gleamed with dark light, and he made a few crow-like cries, saying, "Little fellow, we meet again."
"Senior, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Jiang Liu smiled slightly, but the Demon Emperor's Heart in the Sea of Bitterness was pounding violently, though it was completely suppressed. Moreover, it was clear that the Demon Emperor's Heart in his Sea of Bitterness was not perceived by these powerful figures of the demon race.
The reason these powerful demons were able to stop Jiang Liu and his group was because of Duan De.
"Hey fatso, where did you hide the Demon Emperor's Heart? Hand it over now, or I'll spare your life!" The Azure Dragon King shouted, causing the void to tremble as the aura of a powerful being swept over.
Yan Ruyu stepped forward and said, "I am acquainted with Fellow Daoist Jiang and consider him a friend. I do not wish to damage our relationship. Daoist Duan De, if you can return the Demon Emperor's Heart, my demon race is willing to exchange it for a great treasure. Moreover... you will gain the friendship of the demon race! Daoist Duan, you should know that you have been desecrating the ancestral graves of various forces, and you are already a pariah."
The Azure Dragon King, however, was extremely domineering. He said, "Princess, there's no need to waste words with him. Just capture him and interrogate him!"
"Old Qing, let's try to win people over with virtue! Of course, if virtue can't win people over, then we'll use our fists!" The speaker was a young man who looked no more than sixteen or seventeen years old, with clear, watery eyes, showing no trace of world-weariness. It was hard to imagine him as the Peacock King. To outsiders, the Peacock King must be as majestic as a mountain, with an incomparably domineering aura. But no one expected him to be so refined, like a clear spring in the deep mountains, a snow lotus on an icy peak, or a gentle breeze in a pure land.
Duan De smiled wryly. Jiang Liu had already given his instructions, so he said what he had prepared: "Everyone, I did obtain the Demon Emperor's Heart before, but it flew away on its own later, so you can't blame me for that..."
"I think we should arrest him and interrogate him!"
The Azure Dragon King grinned maliciously. As the fourth most powerful bandit in the Northern Region, he was known for his domineering nature. Even the lords of holy lands could challenge him, making him a formidable figure. In an instant, a sea of blood energy erupted from his tall and imposing body, a truly terrifying sight.
A dragon claw, formed from condensed blood and qi, reached out and grabbed at Duan De. Even a casual strike from a powerful being was terrifying.