Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

Exceptional talent.

For anyone, this is a tremendous blessing. At times, one person's talent can bring prosperity to a power, or even save an entire race.

But what if a person's talent reaches a level that strikes fear into the hearts of even those with the highest cultivation?

Then it may not be a blessing.

But a curse.

As the saying goes: Heaven is jealous of great talents.

If even ordinary geniuses incur Heaven's envy, what of a Demon Level existence like Yang Xiao?

'I don't know what powerful beings support this young man, Yang Xiao, but for him to have achieved so much at his age and cultivation level is astounding. He can even fuse with Demon Patterns, and it seems he's about to forge his own Dao. With such prowess, even a Saint Emperor in his youth would likely not have been more dazzling.'

'And while our Human Race was established with the support of Celestial Emperor Yuan Shi, he has paid us no heed for many years. Otherwise, how could the Immortal Dao have used our race to flourish? Without a Saint Emperor Level expert backing us, can the Human Race truly protect such a heaven-defying prodigy?'

Human Emperor Xuanyuan sighed internally, his expression filled with immense worry.

At that moment, he even wished that Yang Xiao did not possess such immense talent.

If it were merely a matter of ascending the Ascension Platform and possessing the combat strength of Breaking Nine Prohibitions, Human Emperor Xuanyuan felt he could still protect him. Even if he couldn't, there were the other four Human Emperors.

As well as the other Great Emperors of the Human Race.

He wouldn't have to worry in the slightest.

But things were different now.

Yang Xiao's talent.

He already had the potential to become a Saint Emperor, perhaps even reaching the level of a peak Saint Emperor. Talent like this made Human Emperor Xuanyuan deeply uneasy.

'Back then, my cousin who was reincarnated into the Human Race... how astonishing was his talent? Even with his potential sealed, he still became the Human Race Medicine Ancestor. But in the end, he was plotted against and met his death, causing my uncle, the Flame Emperor, to become heartbroken and despondent. All his grand ambitions were ground to dust, and he hastily retired into seclusion. Now, Yang Xiao's talent is in no way inferior to my cousin's…'

The mere thought of it sent a shiver through Human Emperor Xuanyuan's heart.

The more he thought, the more lost he felt. But what he failed to notice...

...was that at this very moment, a faint wisp of black qi suddenly seeped out of the void around Yang Xiao and drifted onto his body. The instant the qi entered him...

...Human Emperor Xuanyuan's eyes turned crimson.

'Rather than wait for this boy to mature, incur the wrath of the Saint Emperors, and end up dragging down the entire Human Race, it would be better to eliminate him now! That way, our race won't be a source of apprehension for the Saint Emperors, and our situation won't become even more difficult.'

The moment this thought arose, Human Emperor Xuanyuan viciously raised his palm, as if intending to strike Yang Xiao dead.

Meanwhile, the wisp of black qi that had entered his body began to swell, as if it were feeding on something.

It then began to drift toward Human Emperor Xuanyuan's Sea of Consciousness.

Just as the qi was about to breach his Sea of Consciousness, with Human Emperor Xuanyuan's eyes already blazing crimson, he seemed to be completely under something's control. And just as he was about to strike a palm at Yang Xiao, who was still merging with the Demon Patterns...

A sharp cry!

It suddenly echoed in Human Emperor Xuanyuan's mind like a clap of thunder.

In an instant, Human Emperor Xuanyuan came to his senses.

His Heart Spirit saw the wisp of black qi that had drifted in.

'It's Demonic Qi! Such pure Demonic Qi can only be wielded by an expert at or above the Demon Venerable level. Could it be? Has young Yang Xiao been targeted by the Dark Night Demon God Clan? Have they already sent a Demon Venerable Level expert after him?'

Human Emperor Xuanyuan's expression changed drastically.

At the same time, cold sweat beaded on his brow.

He hadn't forgotten that just moments ago, while his Heart Spirit was lost in worry, this Demonic Qi had taken advantage of him, stirring his Heart Demon Power. If his main body hadn't sensed that he was being corrupted by a Demon Thought...

...he would have already struck out and killed Yang Xiao with a single palm.

'No, I have to find this Dark Night Demon God, this Demon Venerable. Otherwise, with Yang Xiao's current strength, it's unlikely he'll survive.'

An idea struck Human Emperor Xuanyuan.

He began to observe Yang Xiao closely.

But no matter how he looked,

he couldn't detect anything unusual around Yang Xiao.

It was as if the Dark Night Demon God had already left,

which left him both angry and frustrated.

'It seems that to root out this Demon Venerable, my main body will have to take action personally. This will-clone of mine is ultimately far too weak, and its power is nearly depleted. I can't stay here and protect him indefinitely. Besides, if I were to keep watch over him, wouldn't all the Great Powers in the world learn of his existence?'

At this moment, Human Emperor Xuanyuan was deeply conflicted.

And caught in a dilemma.

In his view, saving Yang Xiao was a must.

But *how* to save him required careful consideration.

However, his indecisive, hesitant behavior made Li Mubai, who was watching from the side, burn with anxiety.

'Just a moment ago, I clearly saw this scoundrel—er, this senior expert—was about to step in and save the Saint Prince. What's happening now?'

'Is he not going to save him?'

'Or is it that even he can't save him?'

'If even he can't save him, what are we going to do?'

Li Mubai's face drained of color.

Just as he, frantic with worry, was about to question Human Emperor Xuanyuan,

Human Emperor Xuanyuan finally made a decision.

Raising his hand, he pointed at Yang Xiao several times, seemingly laying down some kind of formation.

Then, he turned to Li Mubai and said, "Do not tell Yang Xiao that I was here. Furthermore, since your Sword Pill is gone, you should focus on comprehending the Sword Dao on your own. If, one day, you manage to cultivate the Sword Array Dao to the pinnacle of mastery, I will return and take you as my disciple."

With that said, Human Emperor Xuanyuan's figure flickered and vanished.

Li Mubai was left standing there, completely bewildered, a sense of emptiness welling up inside him.

It felt as though he had just lost an incredibly important opportunity.

But then he had another thought.

'His power may be extraordinary, but his character is questionable. He wouldn't be a good master. I'm better off following the Saint Prince. Besides, the Saint Prince has shown me great kindness, and he's only suffering this calamity because of me. I couldn't repay him even if I died a hundred times. How could I possibly pledge myself to another?'

Li Mubai shook his head.

and turned his gaze to Yang Xiao.

At that moment, the Demon Patterns within Yang Xiao's body were rapidly receding, on the verge of disappearing completely.

Li Mubai could finally sense Yang Xiao's life force growing stronger and more vibrant.

He was overjoyed.

'It seems that although that man has a questionable character, his power is truly extraordinary. The Saint Prince is truly blessed by fortune. He should be able to turn this disaster into a blessing.'

Li Mubai was elated.

And at that very moment, Yang Xiao regained consciousness.

The withered aura around him instantly swelled with power.

His eyes shone with an endless, brilliant light.

His entire demeanor had changed as well,

though it was hard to say exactly how.

The sight sent a tremor through the hearts of both Li Mubai and Yu Xiaodie.

Li Mubai, who was standing closer, felt an unexpected sense of his own inadequacy as he looked at Yang Xiao. He would never have felt this way before, not even knowing that Yang Xiao was the Saint Prince.

He had his own pride, after all.

But now...

...the feeling arose instinctively.

He couldn't help but lower his head,

as if he were in the presence of the noblest creature in the world.