Refining the Mountains and Rivers

During these next ten years of suffering, Qin Yu didn't plan to stay within the Demonic Path Holy Land's small world and slowly rot away. Only by placing himself in difficult environments and experiencing tribulations and slaughter could he temper himself to develop a stronger will and resist the backlash of the devil mark.

But the Demon Envoy had a worried expression. His forehead was dripping with sweat as he hurried over and said, "Your Majesty, what problem is there?"

Qin Yu shook his head. "I'm fine." He paused and said, "I'll have to trouble you with handling affairs for me for some time."

The Demon Envoy was startled. He could immediately sense the determination in Qin Yu's words. His lips started to move but he eventually shook his head and said, "To share the worries of Your Majesty is part of my duties."

Qin Yu smiled and said, "I called you here today because I need to tell you that I am going to leave the Demonic Path for a period of time."

The Demon Envoy's complexion changed. "Your Majesty, you must not! The Land of Divinity and Demons is in upheaval right now and your strength has yet to be restored. Right now isn't the appropriate time to take such risks!"

Due to refining the devil mark and suppressing the Netherworld Lotus, over half of Qin Yu's soul strength had been imprisoned.

Qin Yu shook his head, "I've more or less understood the rules for how the devil mark's backlash works. As long as I'm careful there shouldn't be a problem."

Seeing the Demon Envoy still wanting to speak, Qin Yu waved his hand and interrupted him, "That's enough. I understand your intentions but not even half a year has passed. Although I'm fine now, the backlash is becoming increasingly strong. Only by constantly tempering my willpower will I be able to withstand it."

The Demon Envoy's complexion was uncertain, "Your Majesty has a plan?"

Qin Yu said, "That's right, I intend on personally taking action and hunting down those four people who prepared the Immortal Executing Sword Array outside Thistle Capital."

The Demon Envoy subconsciously rejected this idea. Woodchopper Fu and those other old freaks had lived for many years committing all sorts of vile and evil sins. For them to live this long, they all had incredible strengths.

Qin Yu's soul strength had fallen, causing his connection with the Holy Palace to become intermittent. There would be great danger in hunting down those four old freaks. But, the premise of this undertaking to begin with was because he wanted to temper his own willpower through perils and slaughter. If there was no danger then there was no significance to any of this.

"Your Majesty, I only have one condition. Have You Qi go along with you!"

The next day, a remote portal opened up somewhere. One tall and one short Demonic Path cultivator stepped in and vanished from sight.

This sort of small transmission happened hundreds and thousands of times every day in the Demonic Path Holy Land's small world. It was completely normal.

No one knew that on this day, the rumored Demonic Path's Holy Monarch who was severely wounded and struggling on the border of life and death had quietly entered the Land of Divinity and Demons. In the turbulence and chaos, he started a long and difficult hunt.

His first target - Speechless.

…

Wei Empire, the vassal Blue Cloud Kingdom, within the eastern Clear Sun City.

In the City Lord Mansion there was a quiet old steward. Because he had served three generations of the City Lord's family, he was highly trusted and valued and was entrusted with heavy responsibilities.

The old steward was kind and genial. He wasn't greedy for money or power and spoke to everyone with a smile. His only shortcoming was that he was a lascivious old man. Even though he was extremely old he still loved women to the extreme. Every year he had to take in several new concubines.

Not just that, but this old steward remained vigorous even in his elderly years. He continued to have child after child. But, it was unknown whether it was because of his old age, but his children had developmental problems after birth. Up until now, each one would last at most three years before they died. Some people felt regret but there were also those who gloated in his misfortune.

On this day, outside of Clear Sun City, a young couple appeared. The man wore loose robes and had a young face. The hair that was covered beneath his hat had tinges of frost to it.

The woman beside him wore a veil that covered her face. Even so, one could sense the grace and elegance that flowed out from her.

Standing outside the city, the woman turned and blinked her eyes, looking questioningly at the man.

The man nodded, "He's here."

…

Clear Sun City's City Lord was surnamed Xu. His father and brothers had died long ago in the past. It didn't take much effort for him to inherit the seat of City Lord.

His journey thus far had been smooth sailing throughout. Without any pressure he began to indulge in himself. He had countless wives and children. Many people felt that the reason the kind and gentle old steward became the way he was today was because he had been influenced by the City Lord.

Without the luck of the City Lord's father, many Xu Family juniors who were qualified to covet his position began to openly and secretly fight and plot. Every year there were several small disturbances and minor conflicts occurred everywhere. The veterans in the City Lord Mansion were already used to this sight.

The old steward held his arms behind his back as he walked along a stone path in a garden. Across from him, a number of Xu Family sirs and misses were facing each other. The atmosphere was tense and explosive.

Seeing him walk over, a little 13-14 year old girl from one side ran over. She cutely puckered her lips and sweetly said, "Grandpa Steward, 23rd Brother and the others are bullying me again. You've already seen it today so you must take responsibility for me."

Everyone was well aware of the old steward's status in the mansion. The Xu Family juniors all flattered him greatly.

The old steward smiled. "Be obedient. Grandpa has business to attend to so I have no time to play with you all. Hurry back to the courtyard."

The little girl grabbed his arm, swaying back and forth like a spoiled brat. "No, no, last time you said the same thing to me!"

The old steward helplessly sighed. With a warm expression he raised his hand and stroked her head. "I said I have business to attend to, so how come you aren't obedient…"

Puff -

Like an overly ripe watermelon, her head shattered into pieces. White and red goo splashed out everywhere.

The old steward walked over to a Xu Family junior who had been scared silly by what just happened. He wiped his hand clean and patted the youth's shoulder, saying, "Be obedient and leave."

He turned and continued walking.

"Ahhh!"

Panic-stricken screams filled the air behind him.

Amidst the chaos, the old steward walked out from the mansion's main entrance. He looked at the crowded throngs of people in the street and muttered to himself, "Isn't it good for us to all live here peacefully?"

A man and a woman appeared at the end of his line of sight. The old steward furrowed his eyebrows. This man appeared somewhat familiar.

The woman paused. She turned and vanished off somewhere. The man continued walking forward alone. Although his step wasn't quick, he arrived after several breaths of time.

"Speechless."

A direct statement without any meaning of questioning behind it.

The old steward arched an eyebrow. "It's been a long time since I've heard this name…in truth, I can speak a great deal, I just don't want to. So, this is simply a way for me to hide my identity."

His lips curved up in a smile. "I have no idea who you are nor am I interested in knowing. Because everyone that has found me throughout the years has died."

"Is that so?" The man pushed back his hat to reveal his face. "I am looking forward to that."

Speechless's pupils shrank. "Demon Sovereign!"

With a strange cry he turned and fled. He didn't even have the courage to stay and fight. What sort of ridiculous rumors were there that the Demon Sovereign had been heavily wounded? Those bastards were nothing but a bunch of swindlers!

Drawing back 10,000 steps, even if the Demon Sovereign really was injured, Speechless didn't suspect that he had the absolute strength to crush him to death.

Dang -

There was a deep ring in the void and ripples appeared all around. Speechless's field of vision flashed black for a moment as if he had run into a mountain.

"Space-time Lock!"

This was a treasure of the Demonic Path's Holy Palace. Rumors said it came from an unknown land. By utilizing it, one could block out a part of the world. Or, to be more exact, it instantly duplicated a part of the world. Unless one killed the person who activated the Space-time Lock, they would never be able to come out.

The space ripples continued spreading outwards. Wherever it passed through on the street, people would blow apart like bubbles. Soon, the only ones left in the entire city were Qin Yu and Speechless - the Space-time Lock had completely duplicated the entire Clear Sun City!

"Demon Sovereign, I acknowledge that I shouldn't have been obsessed with my desires and arranged a plan to kill you outside of Thistle Capital. I will give you sufficient compensation!" Speechless shouted out.

Qin Yu shook his head. "You and I both know that words are meaningless, so why waste time?" He paused and then said, "But, I can tell you that the outside rumors of me being severely wounded are true. Otherwise, if I wanted to kill you, I would have no need to use this Space-time Lock."

Speechless's eyes brightened. His intuition told him that Qin Yu wasn't lying. Moreover, there was no need to lie to him.

"Since your injuries have yet to heal, why come and seek me out?"

Qin Yu lightly said, "I've come across some difficulties. If I temper myself, there might be a chance of overcoming this. You are the first grinding stone I've chosen."

Speechless roared, "If that's so, then I must offend you. If I somehow luckily manage to kill the Demon Sovereign, I will be thankful for the rest of my life!"

If the Demon Sovereign was severely wounded then he might have a chance. If he were to succeed, that meant he would obtain a complete sacrifice for the ceremony.

And it would be his all alone!

This meant that he would surely break free from his shackles and free himself from life and death.