Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Down below the earth where the 'great sun' was, what lay above was a vast valley. Because of the extremely high temperature, the mud and rock had already started to melt, making it seem like a pool of red soup.

Mountains were lined up all around. They each pierced straight into the heavens, all of them emanating a majestic and imposing atmosphere.

Besides that, the innermost circle of these mountains was shrouded in a red light. The mountain peak was in a semi-melted condition. As long as one approached, they would be covered in a terrifying aura.

Although their auras were restrained and there was no confrontation, the invisible contest that occurred between them still caused this part of the world to almost turn solid.

No wonder the decayed corpse hadn't said anything when he left. He likely knew that there was no way for Qin Yu or Shen Yuanyin to flee.

In this situation if they were to walk down from the mountain peak, they would likely die even faster.

Within the cave, Qin Yu sat down cross-legged. He wasn't cultivating. Rather, thoughts were constantly streaming through his mind.

The spirit veins had gathered down below into a great sun, one filled with unmatched brilliance and dignity. The energy here raged with unbridled turbulence, crashing up and down like stormy seas. He had obtained the inheritance of the Holy Palace and it was a method that used the Demon Body to gather the strength of the world, condensing into an Ancient Demon Body.

However, this method had a very high standard for the amount of world strength required. If the world strength was insufficient, the power of this method would be drastically reduced. Because of this reason, Qin Yu believed this technique was average at best and only provided minor benefits that helped accelerate cultivating the Demon Body.

But in this current environment, just by taking a single deep breath he was filled with a thick spiritual energy. If he condensed the Ancient Demon Body here, its might would surely rise immensely…

Although, even if he managed to condense the Ancient Demon Body, if he were to face the decayed corpse and those others that stood atop the surrounding mountain peaks, he would still collapse with a single blow. Still, even when Qin Yu was weak and lowly, he continued to have a tenacious personality that was never willing to give up.

He had to prepare himself. Perhaps he might be able to preserve his life in a critical moment. Even if he were to die in the end, he would live that much longer.

So, Qin Yu diligently focused his thoughts, causing the phantom of the Ancient Demon Body to become increasingly realistic. Once it fully came into view, he would be able to display his supernatural arts and condense the Ancient Demon Body.

In his mind, a towering ancient demon raced forward. It was over 10,000 feet tall and each step caused the rivers and mountains to quake.

Above his head, two horns gradually solidified, sloping towards the skies. They seemed stubborn and proud, as if they wouldn't bow down even to the heavens.

Within Qin Yu's chest his heartbeat began to accelerate, pushing blood throughout his body, making it howl and rumble.

Like a vast and endless river!

The ancient demon ran faster and faster until it became like lightning. It raced through the world of his mind, becoming increasingly stronger. Still, there was some foundation that was missing.

It was empty and hollow.

The stronger its performance, the emptier it became inside. This striking contrast caused a heavy feeling in Qin Yu's chest, making it difficult for him to breathe.

Suddenly, the world of his mind violently trembled, as if a great bell had been rung.

The world outside fiercely twisted. The mountains and rivers rapidly collapsed. The ancient demon stopped. Without caring about the world that was collapsing around it, it revealed a joyful expression.

Some formidable aura emerged from the collapsing outside world. It was exactly this impact that caused the world of his mind to break apart.

Tyrannical, dignified, formidable, cruel…completely unparalleled in the world!

This momentum of absolute strength could not be provoked, could not be challenged!

Such an aura…

At this time, Qin Yu was suddenly enlightened. He realized just what the ancient demon lacked.

What it lacked was this unprecedented momentum that could crush everything in its path!

Ancient demons were born to support the heavens and earth. They never bowed their heads and refused to bend the knee.

They could fight the heavens! They could battle the earth!

The ancient demon opened its mouth and roared into the skies. Within the world of Qin Yu's mind, a tyrannical aura blazed about, howling into his body.

Hum -

Startled, Qin Yu opened his eyes, his face pale.

The world of his mind had been damaged and he had suffered a minor backlash. But, the terrifying aura outside didn't allow him any time to consider these things.

He stood up. His eyes flashed and he departed the cave, looking upwards.

The bottom of the world had disintegrated. A 10,000 foot bone dragon roared as it tumbled backwards.

Where it passed, everything was broken. A wild strength reverberated through the air, causing one's heart to shake.

This bone dragon's bones were pitch black and smooth like jade. They shimmered with a strange luminescence. Brilliant deep purple flames burnt in its eyes sockets. Its terrifying aura was no less than that of the decayed corpse. But right now, its ribs had been broken and one of its horns had been shattered. It was in an extremely distressed situation and looked like a horrified dog.

Qin Yu's eyes widened. He really found it hard to imagine just what kind of existence could force this terrifying ancient dragon into such a situation.

Then, his heart suddenly contracted. It was like an invisible hand had grabbed his chest.

Three figures rushed out from the collapsed space. But right now, all of Qin Yu's attention was focused on the person in front. He was like the center of the world, naturally accepting the attention of all sides as if anyone that looked at him would feel awe and reverence.

Qin Yu stiffened. A paralyzing feeling erupted from the top of his head and swept through his body.

His soul froze and his thoughts seemed to fall into a swamp. It was difficult for him to think, as if his entire brain had gone blank.

Even when he faced a collision between Calamity Immortals at Four Seasons City, Qin Yu had never experienced this sort of feeling.

It was like this person was the incarnation of the heavens and earth, as if he controlled all life and death with a mere thought!

Hum -

Within his soul space, the purple moon suddenly lit up. It sprinkled down a dazzling moonlight. Its rich purple color possessed a formidable dignity, as if it were facing a dangerous opponent.

The Cosmic Seacross Bell shook and cried. Its urgent ringing sounded out, releasing strange fluctuations that counterbalanced the terrifying suppression.

Qin Yu seemed to come back to life. He heaved in great gasping breaths, his forehead covered in beads of sweat and his robes long since drenched. He lowered his head, no longer daring to look up. All that remained in his heart was a single thought - who was this person? Who was this person!?

"Emperor Zhou!"

The first voice rose up, coming from the third mountain peak on the right. This voice was low and deep, as if there was a mountain in each syllable. Although it was calm, everyone could feel the dread and unease in this voice.

"It really is him!"

"He actually hasn't rotted away!"

"How is this possible!?"

Deep shouts filled the air. Terrifying auras appeared one after another, piercing into the heavens!

This wasn't a demonstration of might. Rather, it was more like animals facing their natural enemy, instinctually baring their claws and fangs even though they felt faint-hearted.

Qin Yu revealed a puzzled expression. The Land of Divinity and Demons had seven great empires, so where did this Emperor Zhou come from? Could it be a personal title? He glanced over at Shen Yuanyin. Her face was pale white and it was clear she had also been suppressed. Right now her eyes were still wide and round.

This was the first time Qin Yu had felt such clear fluctuations of emotions from Shen Yuanyin. She clearly knew the origin of this Emperor Zhou.

"Who is Emperor Zhou?"

Hearing Qin Yu's question, Shen Yuanyin was silent for several breaths of time before she responded, "Before the seven empires were born, there existed only one dynasty in the world, and its name was Zhou."

Qin Yu's heart shook.

In this world, the seven great empires divided an infinite territory amongst themselves and they each possessed unfathomable degrees of strength. Within the Land of Divinity and Demons, they were existences only inferior to the Demonic Path and Immortal Sect.

But they had actually been split up from a single Great Zhou…then, just how strong was the Zhou Empire of that era?

Just thinking about it caused his mind to shake.

Perhaps in the face of the Zhou Empire, even the Immortal Sect and Demonic Path could only be overwhelmed and crushed.

If this group of old monsters could lose their composure and call out this person's name, even feeling shock and dread towards him, then this man was definitely not an ordinary emperor…could he be the one who built up the empire front the ground and established his own capital, the founding emperor who created the Zhou Empire?

Just by himself, he faced numerous terrifying existences. With a calm demeanor, he suppressed all sides.

Such momentum and dignity…indeed, only the great founding emperor who created his own nation and ruled the entire mysterious Land of Divinity and Demons could possess something like this.

Qin Yu hadn't guessed wrongly. The ones who arrived at this moment were the founding emperor of the Zhou Empire, as well as the brother and sister siblings, Zhan Lingtian and Lin Weiwei.

Emperor Zhou's eyes were ice cold as he looked at the bone dragon. "I want you to die."

The purple flames in the bone dragon's eye sockets shivered, emitting an intense sense of fear. "Everyone, Emperor Zhou has come here and will definitely seize the good fortune! If we do not join forces, who can hope to compete with him?"

This was a fact.

The atmosphere suddenly changed. Whether or not anyone wanted to believe this, the truth was placed before them.

Emperor Zhou had come!

Without further words, terrifying auras erupted on the various mountain peaks like volcanoes.