Chapter 47: Three Hundred Years Later

Three hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.

From the depths of the starry sky came news: the prodigy of the demon race, Wan Qing, had defeated all rivals along the ancient demon paths, now firmly established in the realm of the Great Saint. In this era increasingly unsuitable for cultivation, he continued to break through, unrivaled across the world!

Lingtai City, located in the central region of the Eastern Wasteland.

This was a medium-large city.

“Have you heard? The demon race’s prodigy has already swept through the ancient starry paths without a single opponent!”

“The demon prodigy? Could it be Que Yun Jian of the Divine Magpie clan, who rose to fame a hundred years ago? Or perhaps the Heavenly Flood from the Jiaolong clan, who fifty years ago was evenly matched with human prodigies and possessed remarkably strong ancestral bloodline traits?”

“Heh heh… No need to guess! Those so-called demon prodigies you mention are impressive, but nowhere near the one from three hundred years ago!”

“You mean… him? If it’s him, then it’s quite possible! He, at the age of ten, could confront a Saint King from the Forbidden Zone at the half-Saint realm! Such achievements are well deserved!”

Within the Pinxian Zhai restaurant in Lingtai City, many cultivators were passionately discussing the news, debating every scrap of information coming from the far reaches of the starry sky.

“Of course. It is said that two hundred years ago, he single-handedly tore through the demon race’s ancient paths, battling until no one could stand against him. At the time, he was only a Saint! Now, more than two centuries later, who knows what realm he has reached!”

“What higher realm could there be? The Age of the End of the Law has arrived—the golden age for cultivators has ended! If only I had been born three hundred years earlier, I would not be weaker than those so-called saint sons and daughters! Even that peerless hybrid prodigy might not be my match!” A young cultivator spoke bitterly, lamenting how cultivation had slowed drastically in this era of decline.

“You? Hah! Just a failed pessimist! Remember, when the demon prodigy Wan Qing faced this great era, he said only one sentence that has inspired me to this day.”

Another young cultivator grew interested: “Brother, what did he say?”

“Cultivation is by nature an act of defying heaven! The Age of the End of the Law means no enlightenment? Who says? If I defy heaven, so be it!” He spoke with a bright gleam in his eye, as if envisioning a green lotus standing between heaven and earth, everlasting through the ages.

Upon hearing this, the first man’s face flushed red, and he could only stammer one final phrase: “Does he really think he was an ancient great emperor?”

The crowd paid no heed. With the Age of the End of the Law descending, countless cultivators like him grumbled and blamed the times, convinced that if it weren’t for the era’s limitations, they could rival the young great emperors.

Such people lacked resolve, shirking responsibility for their own shortcomings, destined to lead limited, mediocre lives.

Even the fiercest great emperor was but a mortal body, yet could defy heaven itself and ascend to the imperial path with mere mortal flesh.

“Brother, are you from the demon race?” someone asked, surprised to notice faint demonic aura emanating from him.

“Good eye, friend! I grew up in the East and am a member of the Eastern Wasteland’s demon race! I even watched the Azure Emperor grow from youth. In the past, I once exchanged ten fierce blows with him without defeat!” The demon cultivator said proudly.

Though the boast seemed exaggerated, none contradicted him. After all, to have sparred with someone like the Azure Emperor meant he was no weakling.

Due to the Azure Emperor’s closeness with humanity, and the long-standing diplomatic relations between human and demon saints over the millennia, relations between the two races had eased considerably. Though conflicts arose, as long as core interests or grudges weren’t involved, peaceful coexistence was the norm.

Others grew curious and gathered closer: “Brother, could you tell us about the Azure Emperor’s rise?”

These cultivators had only appeared in the last three centuries, born long after Wan Qing’s legendary ventures into the starry paths. They were deeply fascinated by the tales of one hailed as one of the strongest prodigies in demon history.

They had also heard that all demon leaders agreed the Azure Emperor was destined to achieve enlightenment, which was why the title had spread throughout the demon race.

Figures like this always captivated people, especially female cultivators, for whom such histories were intoxicating and irresistible.

Indeed, many female disciples secretly watched, quietly awaiting the story’s continuation.

The demon cultivator calmly began: “Very well, I shall tell you! It is said that the Azure Emperor was actually brought to the Big Dipper by a human expert…”

…

“Hey, you! Stop listening! Come help me clean the private room!” a voice called out behind Luo Yan, interrupting his engrossed attention.

He had no choice but to break away and answered, “Coming, coming!”

“Nan Nan, stay here and don’t run off. I’m going to tidy up the room,” Luo Yan bent down and said to a little girl beside him.

“Okay, big brother, go ahead!” The girl obediently sat quietly, listening as the tale continued.

Meanwhile, several waiters in the Pinxian Zhai expressed their dissatisfaction.

“I really don’t know why the proprietor hired this guy! Bringing a kid is one thing, but he’s always sneaking into the crowd to listen to stories, just freeloading!”

“Right? Taking the same wages but doing nothing all day. If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was the boss of Pinxian Zhai!”

“Better watch your words, or the boss might dock your pay,” one waiter warned kindly.

“I told you! This guy is just here to mooch and mess up our business!” Another was cut off abruptly by a cold glare from behind. Turning around, he saw a stout cultivator staring silently at him.

His face turned pale. “Boss…”

“Pack up your things. Don’t come back tomorrow! The further you go, the better!” The stout cultivator’s expression was grim as he immediately expelled the man from Pinxian Zhai.

“I don’t accept this! I’ve been here five or six years. Why should I be kicked out over a few words because of him?” The man protested, unwilling to concede.

Compared to other places, Pinxian Pavilion offered better treatment. Cultivators without connections dreamed of working here. The wages were twice as much as elsewhere, and its background was formidable—rumored to be founded by a Great Achieved King! Few dared cause trouble, and their lives were protected. Otherwise, given their status, powerful figures with bad tempers could easily crush them.

“What are your five or six years worth? Before I arrived, that guy was already a long-term worker here! Not just me—even Boss Jin would have to show him some respect!” He said, giving no quarter.

“Get lost! The further you go, the better!”

Then he looked at the little girl and took out a vividly red fruit. “Nan Nan, want to try a spirit fruit? Just delivered today!”

The girl thought for a moment and obediently said, “Yes!”

“Here you go!”

She hugged the bright fruit, biting into its juicy flesh happily.

The stout cultivator’s eyes narrowed into slits. This child had looked exactly the same since he first came to Pinxian Zhai. Decades passed, and she remained unchanged. If there were no strangeness, it would be impossible!

He had no intention of capturing her for study. It was said that a waiter named Luo had worked here for a hundred years without aging, clearly a formidable figure who could easily defeat him single-handedly.

Even the owner of Pinxian Zhai, that Great Achieved King, treated him with great respect. Such a person was worth reverence—who would dare offend him?

He then turned to the others: “One last reminder—don’t gossip behind people’s backs, or… heh heh!”

Terrified, the group hurried away to work.