Chapter 39: A Powerful Being Approaching the End of Their Days
“That space appears to be right before your eyes, but in truth it lies an immense distance away! That house has already been refined by that senior into a spatial treasure comparable to a sacred artifact. Only a Saint could detect its location.”
Another demon of the Great Accomplished King realm approached. Few people ever came here. Usually, the visitors were low-level demons who had yet to develop intelligence; some could not even speak clearly.
When they had first arrived, they too had been unable to speak, but after only half a year, they had learned how.
The four young demon prodigies had already guessed that Senior Wan Qing’s acquaintance was outrageously powerful, but refining an entire house into a spatial treasure was simply too absurd!
At that moment, within everyone’s perception, the house that had originally stood far away suddenly appeared where it should have been. The tightly closed door opened.
“Since you are Wan Qing’s friends, come in.”
The Roc Demon, Little Flood Dragon, Elegant Rabbit, and Fire Fox Horse exchanged glances before finally entering the courtyard.
“You may come in as well.”
The voice continued. Naturally, it was speaking to the powerful demons imprisoned here.
The demons’ hearts tightened.
Was the great reckoning about to begin?
They had known that intercepting and killing the younger generation under the protection of such a powerful figure would end badly. Sooner or later, they would be called to account!
“Greetings, Senior Luo!”
The younger demons bowed respectfully. This was the first time in their lives they had ever met someone of this level.
“Sit wherever you like.”
Luo Yan gently raised a hand, and the four demons were lifted soundlessly to their feet.
They were somewhat stiff and uneasy, but still found places to sit.
Before long, the Roc Demon spoke first. “Senior, Wan Qing is currently…”
Luo Yan listened calmly until he had finished, then explained, “I already know what happened to Wan Qing. He did it intentionally, so there is no need for you to worry. If anything unexpected truly occurs, I will intervene at the critical moment.”
His words eased the four demons’ minds. So long as this senior was not completely unaware of the situation, everything would be fine.
“You have shown great thoughtfulness in coming such a long way. I have nothing suitable to give you, but there are some excellent treasure herbs over there. Choose a few.”
Luo Yan pointed toward an empty patch of ground in the courtyard. It was filled with carefully selected treasure herbs painstakingly cultivated by figures at the Ancestor level. They had now been planted in the corner he indicated.
After all these years, several dozen herbs of excellent quality had accumulated there, and a few were on the verge of advancing to the level of grand medicines.
Luo Yan continued, “Wait a moment. I’ll get some ingredients from the refrigerator and prepare something delicious for you today.”
Cook?
Was that a preference of this senior?
After becoming cultivators, they could absorb the essence of the sun and moon and draw in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to nourish themselves. They could go hundreds or even thousands of years without eating and would never starve.
Before long, Luo Yan emerged from the kitchen carrying dish after dish of exquisite food.
“Have you made your choices? Once you have, sit down and try my cooking!”
The four young demon prodigies were still somewhat dazed. This senior seemed rather different from what they had imagined…
The Old Flood Dragon secretly transmitted, “What are you waiting for? Choose a treasure herb! Do you really intend to keep Senior waiting?”
After the reminder, the four little demons immediately sprang into action.
“I’ll take this one!”
“Then I’ll have this one.”
The four demons tactfully chose several of the less impressive treasure herbs. From behind them, Luo Yan muttered to himself, “Young people these days are hopeless. Their judgment is so poor that they will probably miss good things even when they are placed right in front of them.”
Hearing his mutter, the four demons’ expressions changed slightly.
Had they chosen incorrectly?
After all, they were facing a powerful figure capable of suppressing a Half-Saint. His strength was at the very least on the same level as a Demon Saint, and they were terrified of making even the slightest mistake.
The dozen or so demon powerhouses at the Ancestor level who had entered later secretly shook their heads. These juniors had missed an extraordinary opportunity!
If they had been given the choice, they would certainly have selected the few treasure herbs that were about to advance into grand medicines.
Luo Yan looked toward them again. “Go to the kitchen and get bowls and chopsticks. Eat with us.”
At this, the dozen demons immediately transformed into human form and headed skillfully toward the kitchen. Clearly, this was not their first time here.
The Little Flood Dragon asked the Old Flood Dragon suspiciously through a secret transmission, “Ancestor, is this really just an ordinary meal? Does Senior have no other intentions?”
Luo Yan caught their transmission and said with a smile, “Relax. I have no other intentions. Stop overthinking it!”
The Little Flood Dragon’s expression froze.
This senior could actually intercept his spiritual transmission!
Only after observing for a long while and confirming the situation again and again did the Little Flood Dragon finally pick up his chopsticks.
They all came from the Sacred City and were unlike the demons beyond its borders, who lived on raw flesh and blood.
He had barely placed a piece of meat into his mouth when his expression changed violently. His heart filled with astonishment.
This meat… was actually the flesh of a cultivator at the Great Adept realm!
For cultivators, it was an extraordinary tonic.
For demons in particular—creatures that cultivated their physical bodies—it was comparable to an immortal pill or divine elixir.
Looking at the Old Flood Dragon and the other demon powerhouses again, one saw that they had fallen strangely silent. They ate in muffled concentration, afraid that even a moment’s delay would leave the food on the table gone, as though they had never seen the world before.
The demons had nevertheless tacitly agreed upon one rule: they would only touch dishes that Senior Luo had already sampled.
While the Little Flood Dragon was distracted, the Old Flood Dragon had already lifted the dish in front of him and muttered, “Is the food not to your taste? Children are so picky. Never mind—I, your ancestor, will help you finish it.”
What a shameless old bastard!
The Little Flood Dragon nearly cursed aloud.
He had already realized that the ingredients in every dish were extraordinary. Eating more could bring enlightenment and accelerate one’s cultivation.
He immediately joined in. Unfortunately, his cultivation was not high enough. After only a few mouthfuls, he felt his entire body brimming with power and could eat no more.
The demons ate their fill, then turned to look at Luo Yan.
Senior Luo must have something to command them to do. Otherwise, he would not have summoned everyone.
“You were all once outstanding figures among the demon race. I believe you are unwilling to remain suppressed here. I will not waste words with you. I need all of you to do me a small favor,” Luo Yan said.
“Please give us your instructions, Senior.”
“I believe you already know the origins of my junior. He is the human incarnation of an Immortal Green Lotus. I would like to ask you to do me a favor: travel to the Northern Dipper Star and visit the various great clans, spreading this news far and wide.”
“What!”
The four little demons were shocked.
Was Senior Luo trying to make Brother Wan Qing the enemy of the entire world?
“Senior, do you intend to use those great clans to temper Young Master Wan Qing?” asked one of the mighty demon Kings.
Luo Yan nodded slightly. The current Azure Emperor was nearly invincible among his peers on the Demon Star. This place was no longer suitable for him.
Even before arriving on the Demon Star, Luo Yan had gazed toward the Northern Dipper and begun making preparations. That place was filled with countless heroes and exceptional talents. The disciples cultivated by ancient sacred grounds with profound foundations would be the Azure Emperor’s finest opponents. In the end, this world’s foundation was still too weak.
“Once you complete this task, your freedom will be restored.”
“We will not fail Senior’s trust!”
The demons’ thoughts were difficult to discern, and each harbored private schemes.
They had remained here the longest and knew a great deal—for example, that this senior was nearing the end of his lifespan and would not live much longer.
Now that they had heard Luo Yan himself acknowledge the Azure Emperor’s origins, countless thoughts began to stir in their minds.
After all, he was a walking immortal medicine!
Who could possibly remain unmoved?
Luo Yan saw through their thoughts but did not expose them. In his heart, he already had a complete plan.
These demons would become the Azure Emperor’s future mortal enemies and whetstones, giving him sufficient pressure to grow.