King of Creation

"Void Hunter King!"

As the white light appeared, the Heavenly Patrol Divine General suddenly lifted his head, gazing reverently at the spot where the light emerged, his eyes filled with fervor!

The Void Hunter King is the pinnacle existence in the Heavenly Patrol Department. Within it, the Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters are considered the core strength, and the Heavenly Patrol Divine Generals are extremely powerful entities.

Training Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters is incredibly challenging, requiring exceptional talent. Out of a thousand Hunters, not even one might become a Heavenly Patrol Divine General.

Most of the time, those in the Peak of Ninth Stage Dark Palace Realm and Peak of Ninth Stage Realm King Realm among the Divine Generals represent the top strength of the Heavenly Patrol Department.

However, it is said that beyond the Divine Generals, there is the Void Hunter King, a terrifying existence that breaks through to the Dao Realm from the Divine General path, with exceedingly abnormal combat power.

Once a Heavenly Patrol Divine General breaks through to the Dao Realm, ordinary Dao Realm experts would stay as far away as possible if they encounter them.

Yet, the Void Hunter King remains exceedingly rare. Not to mention outsiders, even the Divine Generals of the Heavenly Patrol Department have never seen one.

But today, Ye Zhen and the others witnessed a Void Hunter King in action with their own eyes.

Even more importantly, Ye Zhen knew very well that only the Grand Celestial Official or individuals like Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long could command a Void Hunter King.

The fact that the Grand Celestial Official and Ren Venerate Emperor sent such a rare Void Hunter King to protect Ye Zhen already demonstrated their stance.

This gave Ye Zhen great reassurance!

And just as the Void Hunter King saved Ye Zhen, a trail of white light flew out like lightning, slicing towards the enormous Dharma Body of Grand Divine Master Shou Hui.

Every time a trail of white light flew out, the Void-Slaughtering Radiance within Ye Zhen trembled violently, resonating with an incredibly intense spatial fluctuation.

The space surrounding Grand Divine Master Shou Hui’s Dharma Body was instantly sliced into hundreds of pieces. If Shou Hui continued to maintain his Dharma Body, it would certainly be cut into several hundred pieces.

With a furious roar, Shou Hui’s Dharma Body shrank rapidly like a deflated balloon, shrinking to the size of a needle tip in an instant, avoiding the Void Hunter King’s slashing.

But at that very moment, the previously launched Ice Cone suddenly exploded, coldness piercing to the bone, instantly permeating the entire world.

Within a radius of a kilometer, it became an ice-sealed world in a flash.

Even Grand Divine Master Shou Hui, reduced to the size of a needle tip, was engulfed in that dark blue brilliance.

"Gui Yu, you’re courting death!" Shou Hui roared, a circle of blazing fire emanating from the needle-sized Dharma Body, swiftly breaking free from the ice seal.

In the void, the blue light flashed again, and the unique spatial power fluctuations of the Void Hunter King arose once more, but at that moment, at least five obscure yet powerful auras appeared behind Grand Divine Master Shou Hui.

Evidently, Grand Divine Master Shou Hui was not alone; he had accomplices.

Ye Zhen’s expression changed dramatically, but in the void, the Great Sun Priest Gui Yu, clad in a dark blue robe, suddenly appeared, coldly staring at the just-released Grand Divine Master Shou Hui.

Sharp lights faintly gleamed behind him.

Even more fatal was the dense void fluctuations that suddenly became frequent from all directions.

Ye Zhen’s Void-Slaughtering Radiance sensed over twenty spatial fluctuations.

No one knew how many Void Hunter Kings and Heavenly Patrol Divine Generals were hidden in the surrounding void.

Moreover, Ye Zhen believed that those from the Ancestor God Temple at the Sun Festival definitely numbered more than just the Great Sun Priest Gui Yu.

"Gui Yu, I am under the Imperial Edict of the Nine Suns God King. Do you dare defy it?" Grand Divine Master Shou Hui said grimly.

"Shou Hui, the Nine Suns Old Ghost’s edict only governs those of your Celestial Temple. What does it have to do with my Great Zhou? My Great Zhou only acknowledges the Imperial Decree of the Holy Emperor. Across the Primordial Continent and all heavens and myriad worlds, only my Great Zhou’s Holy Emperor can command an edict that governs all. Since when did your Celestial Temple have such authority? Do you intend to rebel?" Great Sun Priest Gui Yu retorted with a sneer.

Grand Divine Master Shou Hui sneered several times, "Do you think you can still protect this person who destroyed my Celestial Temple’s shrine?"

After speaking, Shou Hui glanced at Ye Zhen with eyes like heavy hammers, striking at Ye Zhen’s Spirit Palace with this glance, utilizing a Divine Soul attack.

Then, Shou Hui was bewildered to see Ye Zhen acting as if nothing happened, turning around to leave.

How could it be possible for someone at the Divine Communication Realm to be unfazed after receiving his Divine Soul attack?

Baffled, Shou Hui transformed into a blazing light and quickly departed, accompanied by the disappearance of those few obscure yet strong auras behind him.

As the Celestial Temple retreated, Great Sun Priest Gui Yu gave Ye Zhen a glance, then vanished into the void, while the previously surrounding Void Hunter King auras also disappeared in an instant.

Everything seemed as if it never happened, except for the kilometer-wide ice seal and the gathering, yet unreleased thunderclouds in the sky.

Ye Zhen looked up at the thunderclouds, feeling somewhat troubled.

Originally, he was ready to fight with all his might, but with the arrival of salvation, there was no need to use such desperate measures.

However, the Small Five Elements Mixed Yuan Divine Thunder was not Ye Zhen’s own power; it was easy to activate and release, yet difficult to handle when left in a limbo state.

Fortunately, Ye Zhen possessed the Acquired Spirit Treasure Thunder Light Whip, cautiously controlling and dispersing the thunderclouds, preventing a backlash.

As they continued onward, the usually reticent Heavenly Patrol Divine General Fengg Jiumo turned into a chatterbox.

"My Lord, I never expected to see a Void Hunter King!"

"Young Master Liuu, do you think I’ll have a chance in this lifetime to become a Void Hunter King?"

Liuu Feng remained silent, leaving Fengg Jiumo a bit crestfallen. Becoming a top-tier Heavenly Patrol Divine General in this life would be an accomplishment; as for the Void Hunter King, well....

"Fengg Jiumo, what is your current cultivation?" Ye Zhen suddenly asked.

"Reporting to my Lord, this subordinate is currently at the Peak of First Stage Realm King Realm." Fengg Jiumo replied.

"What was your cultivation when you first followed me?" Ye Zhen inquired further.

"Reporting to my Lord, Late Stage Ninth Stage Dark Palace Realm!"

"How many years did it take you to reach your current cultivation?" Ye Zhen asked.

"Reporting to my Lord, less than four years!"

"How long does it take others?"

"Under normal circumstances, it takes at least ten years, with the average being around eighteen years...." Mid-sentence, Fengg Jiumo suddenly stopped.

Ye Zhen turned back, giving Fengg Jiumo a meaningful look, "Understood?"

Fengg Jiumo slowly nodded.

"Good to understand; follow me, and everything.... is possible!" Ye Zhen declared.

On the way from Dragon Swimming Plain to Luoyi City, Ye Zhen had already figured it out. Actually, both the Heavenly Temple and Great Zhou were only testing each other’s limits.

The target was not Ye Zhen himself, but rather to find out the other’s bottom line regarding this matter.

Or, it could be said, both sides were showing their attitudes to each other.

In this situation, Ye Zhen turned into a chess piece in the matter.

Though Ye Zhen is currently quite a valuable piece, Great Zhou would definitely not abandon him easily.

However, becoming a chess piece signifies that one’s destiny is already in someone else’s hands, only to be manipulated by them.

To be honest, Ye Zhen disliked feeling controlled, and he knew well that in the short term, he couldn’t become the one playing the game.

But Ye Zhen refused to have his fate controlled by others, and he was contemplating how he might use his own power to influence the game.

Inside the Universe Hall of the Imperial City of Great Zhou, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long slowly withdrew the light screen before him, expression as calm as still water, yet Yu Chaoen, familiar with Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long, knew that this Holy Emperor was already angry.

"Hmph, those thieves from the Heavenly Temple, their audacity grows by the day, even daring to carry out Nine Suns Old Ghost’s orders on my Great Zhou territory.

Their guts are really getting too big, hmph!"

A cold snort covered the entire Imperial City with a layer of chill, frightening Chief Eunuch Yu Chaoen who quickly knelt on the ground, fervently advising, "Your Majesty, calm down, the problem with the Heavenly Temple has been accumulating for several generations; weakening them won’t be an overnight achievement. I beg Your Majesty to take it slowly."

"Do you think I am unaware?" Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long nodded slowly. "However, this time, it is a grand opportunity!"

.....

Inside the lower temple at the east of Luoyi City, Moon Palace Master Baili Fei and the newly returned Grand Divine Master Shou Hui sat cross-legged together.

"Great Zhou’s attitude is even more resolute than we imagined! They even deployed two of their rarely activated Void Hunting Kings." Shou Hui’s expression was somewhat grave.

"Our Heavenly Temple has been competing secretly with Great Zhou for so many years, and also arranging for this length of time. Perhaps this matter could become a turning point, a chance to overpower Great Zhou.

If this child could be dealt with in the Great Zhou Imperial Court, then in the future, those civil and military officials who dare to oppose our Heavenly Temple would have to think twice." Baili Fei said.

Shou Hui seemed concerned, "Hall Master, simply relying on our Sun and Moon Heaven’s power isn’t enough to overpower Great Zhou."

Upon hearing this, a smile suddenly appeared at the corner of Baili Fei’s mouth, "Naturally. Once this matter is settled, everyone in the Heavenly Temple will benefit, so they also can’t evade involvement from Green Dawn Peak and Thunder Prison Mountain.

A conclusion was reached two months ago, and when the time comes, Green Dawn Peak and Thunder Prison Mountain will send people here as well." Speaking up to here, a mysterious smile appeared on Baili Fei’s lips, "Besides, remember, we have two natural allies and assistants in this matter!"

"Natural allies and assistants? Two even?" Shou Hui looked puzzled.

"Report to Hall Master, Princess Ji Yuan seeks audience." A sound of notification came from outside the door.

Baili Fei smiled confidently and pointed toward the door, "Look, one has already arrived...."

"Please, let them in!"

"No, This Hall Master shall welcome them personally."

....

At the residence of West Patrol Xio Qiangu, who was meditating and having tea, the voice of his confidant Weis Gang sounded from the door.

"My lord, that guy surnamed Ye has arrived and will soon enter Luoyi City." Weis Gang said.

"Good that he’s here, the show is about to begin." Xio Qiangu appeared carefree.

Weis Gang, however, looked puzzled, "My lord, in this matter, how should we position ourselves? Also, when should we recall those agents secretly sent to Shahe City in South River Marquisate?"

"How to position ourselves?"

Xio Qiangu took a slow sip of tea, "As people from the Heavenly Patrol Department, we cannot be too close to the Heavenly Temple.

Even if everyone knows that I, Xio Qiangu, have some connections with the Heavenly Temple, but who has seen me interact with anyone from the Heavenly Temple? Therefore, in this matter, we’ll just spectate."

"Just spectate?" Weis Gang was dumbfounded, "Wouldn’t that be a bargain for that guy Ye Zhen? This opportunity is once in a..." At this, Weis Gang’s expression shifted, "My lord’s intention is...."

"Of course, how could I let such a golden opportunity slip?"

"This won’t have any connection to us; as long as we give them a gentle nudge from behind, we’ll easily remove the nail in our West Patrol on the Emperor’s side.

Such a splendid opportunity, it would be a waste not to use it."

"Certainly, as for our position, we can only spectate! But a spectator, besides cheering, can also add a few extra acts to the show!"

At this point, Xio Qiangu’s expression turned serious, "Organize the intelligence we gathered from Shahe City and the data acquired via internal connections from the Heavenly Patrol Department. At the crucial time, deliver it to those in need."

Speaking, a hint of self-satisfaction appeared on Xio Qiangu’s face, "This way, in the Emperor’s eyes, I am still discreet and prudent; in the Heavenly Temple’s eyes, I am still competent. Heh, brilliant, indeed!"

Upon hearing, Weis Gang silently bowed and retreated; he had a sizeable workload to manage.

In the past three months, the lord dispatched four to five hundred elite troops to Shahe City, and Weis Gang had to sort and filter the useful intelligence they gathered one by one.

As Ye Zhen entered the Luoyi City Gate, he was subject to intense scrutiny. Though the accompanying Liuu Feng and others were easier to deal with, Ye Zhen’s demon servant Cloud Winged Tiger King Kitten and Nine-Headed Beast were subjected to rigorous inspection.

This time, there was no guarantee from Princess Changle.

Nevertheless, they eventually passed through the Luoyi City Gate.

Stepping into Luoyi once again, Ye Zhen felt a different sensation.

The last time he entered Luoyi seemed as if an ant had stepped into the city, everything needed to be looked upon.

But this time, Ye Zhen felt like a lone wolf stepping into Luoyi, though not much in strength, but capable of stirring up tempests.

The current stormy Luoyi was stirred up by Ye Zhen.

According to the Law of Great Zhou, officials from various regions entering Luoyi to report duty all resided in government-provided quarters, the size of which varied according to their rank.

However, upon arrival, Ye Zhen first went to the Imperial City to report.

Declaring that he had arrived according to the scheduled time for duty as per the decree.

Ye Zhen hadn’t returned to his quarters for half an hour before a new imperial decree was issued.

"From Primordial Era above, ruling Ten Thousand Worlds below, the Heavenly Destiny Saint proclaims: Earl of North Sea of third class, West Patrol Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy Ye Zhen, attend court tomorrow to report to the Emperor, thereupon!"

Upon receiving the decree, before Ye Zhen could thank the eunuch who delivered it, the eunuch handed Ye Zhen a Jade Scroll layered with numerous seals.

"The ancestor asked me to give it to you, sir, and asked you to destroy it after reading!"