Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

"Who are you? Why have you come to my Blood Robe Tower?"

Dressed in black, the dashing and extraordinary Longevity Demon, Lu Changsheng, had just appeared before the small, blood-colored tower when a voice rang out.

The voice was faint and erratic, its exact location impossible to pinpoint.

Clearly, the speaker was extremely cautious and didn't want his location revealed.

But Lu Changsheng seemed completely unfazed.

His gaze fixed on a certain spot.

He stared until a figure hidden there felt his blood run cold, only then did he slowly pull a silver Token from his robes.

"The Silver Moon Order? So it's Lord Silver Moon Envoy! Please forgive me, milord. I will open the restriction for you at once."

This time, the voice came directly from the spot Lu Changsheng was staring at, no longer elusive.

And very quickly, a blood-red gateway appeared before Lu Changsheng.

He stepped through.

Instantly, a mournful cry rang out.

It was just a casual flick of his finger, yet it had instantly killed the Blood Robe Tower guard from before.

The very same one who had just questioned him.

"A mere Tier One True God, showing off in front of me, Lu Changsheng? If I don't kill you, who do I kill? What's worse, you didn't even recognize me. What's the use of keeping you alive?"

Lu Changsheng sneered.

Several auras in the vicinity, initially alarmed, withdrew one by one after sensing who he was.

They allowed Lu Changsheng to walk, step by step, to the small tower in the very back.

"Killing again?"

As he stepped into the small tower, a faint voice spoke.

Lu Changsheng smiled faintly. "He was just an ordinary Tier One True God. Does the Vice Tower Lord intend to take me to task for it?"

"Take you to task? No. As you said, he was just an ordinary Tier One True God. For a minor character like that, what would be the point of punishing you? A complete waste of effort. I summoned you this time because I have a mission for you."

A drab, gray figure emerged from within the tower.

This figure looked utterly ordinary, so plain that even if you stared at him for ten minutes, you would likely forget his face moments later.

And yet, he was the Vice Tower Lord of the Blood Robe Tower.

"What's the mission?"

Upon seeing him, Lu Changsheng subconsciously shuffled back a step, as if trying to put some distance between them.

Clearly, when facing this seemingly unremarkable Vice Tower Lord, even someone like Lu Changsheng didn't dare to be careless, fearing him greatly.

He didn't dare to be too insolent.

"The Immortal Realm's Yuan Yang Immortal Monarch personally came to the Tower Lord with a commission. He wants a boy killed, and he specified that he'll only be at ease if a Silver Moon Envoy or higher handles it. So, I'm giving the mission to you. What do you say? Care to refuse?"

"Yuan Yang Immortal Monarch? A boy?"

Lu Changsheng fell silent.

'Yuan Yang Immortal Monarch… He's one of the most outstanding Immortal Monarchs in the Immortal Realm right now, with a real chance of contending with Profound Mother Emperor for the position of Lord of the Immortal World.'

'Would a mission from him be simple?'

'This might be an incredibly messy affair.'

However, when he saw the image of the target, his expression changed.

"Huh? It's actually this guy? Is this a coincidence?"

"Oh? You've met him? It seems you're the most suitable person for this mission, then."

The gray-robed Vice Tower Lord smiled faintly.

And this time, Lu Changsheng did not refuse.

He accepted.

This surprised the gray-robed Vice Tower Lord, but he still reminded him, "Yuan Yang Immortal Monarch gave specific orders. The job only counts if a Silver Moon Envoy handles it. I know you have many Clones. If any of those Clones have the strength of a Silver Moon Envoy, you're free to use them. Otherwise, you'd better go yourself."

"A Silver Moon Envoy-level Clone?"

Lu Changsheng chuckled.

He didn't say anything.

'I do have many Clones,' he thought, 'but doesn't everyone in the Blood Robe Tower know that every Silver Moon Envoy must have the Combat Power of a Tier Five Divine General?'

'Or at the very least, have assassinated ten Tier Five Divine Generals.'

'Although some of my Clones are quite powerful, finding one with the Combat Power of a Tier Five Divine General is simply impossible.'

'It seems I'll have to go myself. That's fine. I was thinking about going back for a look one of these days anyway. Now my wish has been granted.'

Lu Changsheng smiled faintly.

With a flash, his figure disappeared.

「Meanwhile, in the Fire Cloud Mine on the Profound Sun Continent.」

Yang Xiao, who was in secluded cultivation, had no idea that Yuan Yang Immortal Monarch, unable to act himself, would actually hire an assassin from the Blood Robe Tower to deal with him.

Moreover, this assassin was none other than the Lu Family traitor, Lu Changsheng.

At this moment, however, he wore a troubled expression.

The restriction inside his body had suddenly and completely restored itself the moment he returned.

He had just broken free and hadn't even had a chance to fully experience his own power before being sealed again. Although Yang Xiao had been prepared for this, he still felt a keen sense of disappointment.

But he quickly regained his composure.

'On the Path of the Human Emperor, using external force to break the restriction would be against the rules. But what if I break it myself?'

Yang Xiao's eyes lit up.

Putting thought into action, his Third Layer Devouring Secret Pattern began to corrode the restriction within his body.

But the result...

"Hm? It's barely having any effect? 'Looks like I'm still too weak. Wait, the Devouring Secret Technique recorded in Lu Dingyuan's Storage Daoist Ring! If I can comprehend more of the Devouring Secret Pattern from it, maybe that will work?'"

With that thought, Yang Xiao immediately began to examine the Devouring Secret Technique.

As he examined it, he made a discovery.

'This Devouring Secret Technique records the Devouring Secret Pattern from the First Layer to the Ninth Layer, but it's incomplete. However, if I combine it with the Devouring Secret Pattern from the Bloodthirsty Celestial Cyan, it will become whole! This means if I can fully comprehend this Devouring Secret Technique and pair it with the Secret Patterns from the Bloodthirsty Celestial Cyan, I could reach the Ninth Layer of the Devouring Secret Pattern. I might even have a chance to form the Heart of Devouring!'

'If I do that,' Yang Xiao thought, 'breaking the restriction will be much easier.'

Besides, comprehending another powerful Secret Pattern was always a good thing.

Although he had comprehended the Heart of Time and possessed many other Secret Patterns, in Yang Xiao's view, the Devouring Secret Pattern was more powerful than most.

In terms of profoundness, it was likely not the least bit inferior to the Time Secret Pattern.

Even the Greater Yang Secret Pattern was somewhat lacking in comparison.

Especially now, when Yang Xiao had plenty of time and energy to comprehend these Secret Patterns, he certainly wouldn't miss the opportunity.

'Perfect. My first foundational territory still needs some time to stabilize. For now, I'll focus all my energy on comprehending this Secret Technique. The day I succeed will be the day I break this restriction.'

A flicker of determination crossed Yang Xiao's face.

He immersed himself in comprehension.

While he was immersed in his studies, the Fire Cloud Mine developed by leaps and bounds, soon meeting the requirements for a foundational territory. Sensing this, Yang Xiao directly notified his Fire God Clone.

In addition to this, good news arrived in succession.

First, Yan Chixiao's trip to the Yan Family had been a success; he returned with more than ten Daoist Immortal Cultivators.

Second, Lu Yijun and Liu Shangwu had successfully subjugated the forces previously under Lu Dingyuan's command.

Next, all that was needed was for Yang Xiao to step forward and integrate them.

The entire Eastern Domain and Southern Domain—two of the Profound Sun Continent's Five Domains—would likely fall into Yang Xiao's hands.

With this, Yang Xiao would have completed two-fifths of the Path of the Human Emperor.

And seeing this, the will of Emperor Xuanyuan grew a little restless.

'Looks like I need to throw some obstacles in this kid's path! Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep him in check.'