Chapter 36: A Curtain of Light

"Uncle, are you being overly cautious?" Niu Mang asked, bewildered. It was clear to him that his uncle possessed the strength to crush that Dao Palace prodigy with a single strike, yet he was acting with such excessive vigilance.

He had repeatedly investigated the origins of the Azure Emperor, even spending a fortune to enlist the aid of a divine beast from the Bai Ze lineage—creatures known for their ability to predict the future. He had even spread rumors of his intent to kill the Azure Emperor, yet he still held back, lurking in the shadows to observe whether there were any shifts in the situation or if any unknown demons had appeared by the Azure Emperor's side.

Niu Mang’s uncle looked at him with an expression of utter ignorance. "When I was young, I was fortunate enough to travel to other planets. I saw peerless geniuses there, each accompanied by terrifying beings. They usually remain hidden, never revealing their true power; they only intervene when those geniuses face life-threatening crises that they cannot overcome on their own."

Niu Mang looked unconvinced. "I think you’re overthinking this, Uncle. The Azure Emperor has escaped from my grasp, teetering on the brink of death, several times. If not for the heaven-defying medicinal properties he possesses, he would have died long ago! If there really were a guardian, why hasn't one appeared until now?"

"That is precisely why I am worried. Beyond the Sendai realm, every stage is a realm of cultivation that cannot be fathomed. The reason no one has shown themselves until now is likely because no one of my level had taken action yet. Now that I have stepped in, it is highly probable that I will draw out a terrifying entity! Besides, do you think just anyone can take a taboo name like 'Azure Emperor'? To name oneself 'Emperor'—this person is likely a prodigy from another world, possessing the ambition of a Great Emperor!"

Niu Mang remained silent. Did a name really hold such weight? Though he called this Pan-Niu "Uncle," he was not much younger than him; otherwise, he would not have been forced to leave the Holy City and retreat to this remote corner. His talent was inferior, and his insight was naturally lacking as well.

His uncle was likely telling the truth. Years ago, he had visited other planets, calling them a paradise on earth—lives there were a hundred times better than on the Demon Star. It was said that the order and regulations of the three Holy Cities were modeled after those places.

Another year passed. This was the fourth year since the Azure Emperor descended upon the Demon Star. His battles with the Pan-Niu demon grew increasingly intense. Because his strength was so transcendent, he defeated many demon prodigies of higher realms, drawing the eyes of many. At the same time, people began to speculate about the Azure Emperor’s true form, suspecting he was a supreme herb that had taken human shape—a source of immense nourishment!

Many powerful demon factions were already growing restless, itching to make their move. That year, the Azure Emperor killed another genius of the Pan-Niu clan, completely infuriating the mighty cultivator. He sent a message to the Azure Emperor: "I give you one last chance. Come to the Holy City to repent, or I will kill you!"

In the shadows, he dispatched ten Transforming Dragon demons to slay the Azure Emperor. Relying on his mysterious blue lotus, the Azure Emperor escaped, severely wounded, his life force flickering like a dying flame. Yet, in an incomprehensible display, he underwent nirvana and was reborn, stronger than before, once again slaying a member of the younger generation of the Pan-Niu clan.

At this, the Great Power of the Pan-Niu clan could no longer restrain himself. He made his move.

The Great Power, accompanied by a host of Pan-Niu demons, locked onto the Azure Emperor's location and charged with murderous intent... and then, right before the eyes of his kin, he suddenly vanished from the face of the land.

Midway through their journey to capture the Azure Emperor, the Pan-Niu Great Power reined in his aura, staring in terror at what lay ahead. Directly in front of him hung a curtain of light, and within that light stood a building.

This curtain of light blocked his path. After several failed attempts to bypass it, he realized the truth. Someone had used unimaginable means to transport that patch of space before him, obstructing his way. Now, he had no path to retreat, and ahead lay a terrifying threat.

"This is an unfathomable, horrific divine ability!" The more he observed, the more his heart hammered in his chest.

So close, yet worlds apart. The curtain of light was right before his eyes, but he dared not step through it, nor could he. How could such a terrifying person exist in this world? This was the territory of the White Tiger Demon Saint; even the Demon Saint could not detect such terror here. This person was likely a Saint himself! And judging by everything within that light, he was, in all likelihood, a Human Saint!

"Senior?" the Pan-Niu demon tried to call out, but no one responded.

"Senior, please spare my life! I swear on my life that I will never harm your junior! Please, for the sake of the White Tiger Demon Saint, grant me a way out!" At this point, the Pan-Niu demon could only hope that invoking the White Tiger Demon Saint would make this person hesitate. He had been thoroughly terrified; the longer he stayed, the more he felt the horror of the person within that house, even though they had not yet revealed themselves!

"Children are playing and fighting; as adults, we shouldn't interfere, don't you think?" A voice drifted from within the light, seemingly coming from an incredibly distant place. It pierced through layers of space, imbued with the truth of the Great Dao, and descended into the Pan-Niu demon's mind.

*Thump!*

Faced with this voice, he knelt without any resistance, even though the speaker had not emitted a shred of pressure.

"Senior is right to teach me..." The Pan-Niu demon finally understood what kind of figure he was facing. Even when standing before the White Tiger Demon Saint, he had never felt such fear, nor such an oppressive, unforced authority. Was this perhaps... a Saint King?!

"However, because you attempted to harm my junior, this matter is not yet settled! Plow the fields for ten years, and I shall let you go. Consider it a punishment. Do you accept?" The voice came again, echoing across the endless void.

"I am willing! I am willing! Thank you, Senior, for sparing my life!" Hearing some good news at last, he thought, what was a little plowing? When he was young, he had been ruthlessly suppressed by geniuses of his generation and ridden time and time again! Now, facing this person, he felt as if he had returned to the feeling of facing a Great Power when he first began his cultivation; a mere wisp of aura was enough to make his heart tremble and force him to his knees.

The Pan-Niu demon’s world spun. When he regained his senses, he was already in a field. He looked around in horror, realizing he had been forced back into his original form, unable to speak or utter a sound. He had been completely reduced to a plow-ox.

That strange house stood not far away, but he understood that while it looked close, he could never truly reach it unless the master of the house permitted it. Even a Cutting Dao King would be helpless here; perhaps only the White Tiger Demon Saint himself would have a chance.

"Moo~"

Better start plowing, lest the one inside changes his mind!

...

"Uncle Niu has vanished!"

"This... a peerless expert just intervened! We didn't even sense a thing..."

The Pan-Niu demons looked around in confusion, a chill creeping from their hooves up to their horns.

Niu Mang sat on the ground, utterly dejected, his entire body trembling. "Uncle was right! There is a terrifying entity behind that person! And now, Uncle has been snatched away!"

"Go back! Go back and report to the Clan Leader! Ask him to intervene; the Clan Leader is a Great Completion King, he will surely be able to save Uncle!" Soon, Niu Mang scrambled to his feet, running toward the Holy City as if grasping at a straw.

His uncle must not die! He was the only one who had ever truly cared for him.