Chapter 769: Sea Palace Saint Lord
“Lan Zi, Lan Xin, take the two honored guests from the Holy Domain to the Sacred Sea Hall, and you two will personally attend to them. Do not be negligent in the slightest.”
With Mo Chenfeng’s summons, two female disciples of the Sea Palace quickly approached and bowed deeply: “Yes, Grand Elder… Honored guests, please follow us.”
“Why does the Sea Emperor want to see my brother-in-law?” Xia Yuanba asked with curiosity mixed with worry… The Sea Emperor—one of the four great Saint Lords of Tian Xuan, a figure equal in renown to the Saint Emperor!
“Since the Sea Emperor himself has summoned him, do not ask too many questions.” Gu Cang True Person pulled Xia Yuanba by the shoulder: “Rest assured, it won’t be anything bad, let alone dangerous.” He turned his gaze and gave Yun Che a deep look: “For the Sea Emperor to be so eager to meet someone… and a junior at that—it’s unprecedented in the history of the Sea Palace.”
“Brother-in-law, then… I’ll go to the Saint Emperor’s side first. You must be careful. If anything happens, make sure to send me a sound transmission immediately.”
Xia Yuanba was practically half-dragged away by Gu Cang True Person.
“Heh heh, I have long heard that Palace Master Yun and Xia Yuanba have an extremely close bond—closer than blood relatives. It seems the rumors are no exaggeration.” Mo Chenfeng said with a light laugh, but inwardly his heart stirred with turmoil… These two individuals, both destined to shake the world in the future, shared a brotherly affection deeper than kinship. For a sacred land that had dominated for ten thousand years, that was far from good news.
“Snow Princess, the Sea Emperor Hall is the holiest place of our Sea Palace. Without the Sea Emperor’s personal decree, no one may enter. Just now, the Sea Emperor only instructed this old one to bring Palace Master Yun alone. For now, how about I have a disciple take Snow Princess to her quarters? If Snow Princess wishes, she may also go to the Blazing Heart Hall to reunite with her family.”
Mo Chenfeng had steadied his mind, but when facing Feng Xue’er, he still maintained a completely instinctive attitude of respect. This was solely because Feng Xue’er’s profound strength was far too astonishing.
“No.” Feng Xue’er shook her head, her hands still gripping Yun Che’s arm without the slightest intention of letting go. “If I can’t go in, then I’ll just wait for Brother Yun outside.”
“Very well.” Mo Chenfeng nodded, but his heart tightened sharply.
This Yun Che—just what kind of monster is he? His own talent is already terrifying, and behind him stands a master with heaven-defying abilities. Among the current younger generation, the two with the most astonishing talents—one regards him as his closest kin, and the other is deeply in love with him…
And now, these three are barely twenty years old, yet they already shock the world. Give them a hundred years… no, given their rate of growth, a hundred years won’t even be necessary. By then, even the Four Sacred Grounds might have to bow before him.
Mo Chenfeng took a deep breath and walked ahead: “Follow me.”
The deeper they went into the Supreme Sea Palace, the denser the profound energy became. At this moment, the Supreme Sea Palace had gathered nearly all the top-tier experts of the Tian Xuan Continent, yet the entire palace was silent, devoid of any clamor. Along the way, apart from the stationed Sea Palace disciples, no other profound practitioners were seen.
Yun Che was not surprised by this. Back then, whether it was the Cang Feng Ranking Battle or the Seven Nation Ranking Battle, the crowds were bustling and lively. But this place was different… This was the Supreme Sea Palace! The supreme sacred land in the hearts of the world’s profound practitioners! Apart from the other three sacred lands, the forces invited here were all flattered and uneasy. Once inside this legendary holy ground, they would be on edge with every step, filled with apprehension. No matter how bold they were, they would only stay quietly in their assigned lodgings, never daring to wander or make noise.
Every profound practitioner invited here was a renowned powerhouse or overlord. But once inside the Supreme Sea Palace, they were like commoners entering an imperial palace, hardly daring to breathe too loudly.
Mo Chenfeng did not speak to Yun Che again along the way, only increasing his pace. Yun Che and Feng Xue’er followed effortlessly. At that moment, a short, squat figure appeared in Yun Che’s line of sight.
This person was only about three feet tall, clad in a pitch-black, unusually tattered cloak. The cloak was too large, with its top covering his entire face and its bottom trailing on the ground, covering his feet.
This was the first profound practitioner Yun Che had seen inside the Supreme Sea Palace who was not from the Sea Palace. His aura was completely different from the Sea Palace disciples they had passed. Moreover, his profound strength was only at the King Xuan Realm, Level 3.
He walked unhurriedly across the faintly glowing blue ground. From the side or behind, it was hard to immediately recognize him as a person moving. In the quiet, empty, and heavily profound-energy-laden Sea Palace, his presence was especially conspicuous… Even from a distance, an extremely eerie aura could be felt from him.
Seeing this person, Yun Che paused slightly, his brow furrowing.
What a heavy poison aura! Under that black cloak, he must be carrying at least two hundred types of lethal poison!
And that aura… Could it be the Gu Worm Emperor!?
Sensing Yun Che’s reaction, Mo Chenfeng turned his head: “Palace Master Yun, have you seen this person before?”
“No.” Yun Che shook his head, his gaze already moving away from the black-clad dwarf. “I’m just curious. I heard this Demon Sword Assembly only invites Overlord Emperors and Emperor Lords. This man’s profound strength seems to be only at King Xuan Realm, Level 3, yet he is invited here. And judging by his demeanor, he shows no restraint even in this Supreme Sea Palace… I suppose he must be an extraordinary person.”
“He is indeed extraordinary.” Mo Chenfeng said indifferently: “He hails from the Heisha Nation. Though his profound strength is only at the King Xuan Realm, even powerful Overlord Emperors and Emperor Lords will give him a wide berth if they know he’s ahead. Within the Heisha Nation, everyone trembles at his name and fears him like a viper. Palace Master Yun may have heard of his title.”
“Ghost Fiend Poison Immortal!”
“Oh…” Yun Che responded, but it was the first time he had heard that name.
“I’ve heard my father mention that name.” Feng Xue’er spoke up: “When my father once told me about the most terrifying people on the Tian Xuan Continent, he mentioned the ‘Ghost Fiend Poison Immortal,’ saying he was the most lethal poison user on the continent… especially with gu poisons—once planted, no one could cure them.”
“Indeed.” Mo Chenfeng nodded. As the Grand Elder of the Sea Palace, even he knew of this man, which spoke to his terror: “He has countless enemies in his life, including many Overlord Emperors and Emperor Lords, yet he still lives to this day. Clearly, compared to his profound strength, his poison arts are no trifling matter. However, this person was not invited by our Sea Palace.”
“Oh?” Yun Che looked puzzled.
“He was invited by the Tian Wei Sword Domain, likely because they need to borrow his abilities for some matter. Perhaps we will find out at the Demon Sword Assembly.”
“The Sea Emperor Hall has arrived.” Mo Chenfeng stopped and turned around: “Snow Princess, please wait here. Palace Master Yun, follow me.”
“Brother Yun, I’ll wait for you here… Please be careful.” Feng Xue’er stopped and called out softly.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be out soon.”
The Sea Emperor Hall was located at the very center of the Supreme Sea Palace—the core hall of the entire palace, embodying ten thousand years of majesty and glory.
Its appearance was not much different from the other halls Yun Che had seen along the way, but the moment he stepped into the Sea Emperor Hall’s domain, his five senses and six consciousnesses all quaked simultaneously… In an instant, it was as if he had stepped from an ordinary world into a celestial palace. A deep sense of awe welled up from the bottom of his heart, compelling him to kneel and worship. His originally sharp instincts became hazy, and even his vision grew increasingly blurred.
After a brief moment of disorientation, Yun Che quickly came to his senses and immediately steadied his mind and heart. He possessed the Dragon God’s Soul—the level of his soul power was extraordinarily high. In the blink of an eye, his five senses regained clarity.
“Below this Sea Emperor Hall, there is a peculiar profound formation arranged. If one’s profound strength and soul power are insufficient, they would likely walk in on their feet and crawl out on their knees.” Mo Li suddenly spoke coldly.
At the entrance of the Sea Emperor Hall, Mo Chenfeng turned to look at Yun Che, only to find him with clear eyes, a composed demeanor, and steady steps. There was not a trace of panic or unease on his face; instead, he was leisurely admiring the surrounding scenery.
A deep look of surprise flashed in Mo Chenfeng’s pupils. The entire Sea Palace was enveloped in a massive profound formation—the strongest formation of the Supreme Sea Palace, known as the “Sea God Heaven-Covering Array.” Once one stepped into this formation, they would bear an overwhelming pressure, as if facing a true god descending. Below the Emperor Lord level, one’s entire body would go limp and tremble uncontrollably. Below the Overlord Emperor level, one would immediately kneel, their will collapsing, unable even to walk.
Even he, as an Eighth-level Emperor Lord, felt a persistent palpitation and fear every time he entered the Sea Emperor Hall.
He had thought that, despite Yun Che’s extraordinary talent, stepping into the “Sea God Heaven-Covering Array” for the first time without any preparation would at the very least cause him to stumble, turn pale, and break out in cold sweat… He never imagined that Yun Che would appear completely at ease, calm and composed, as if the array had no effect on him at all.
Wh-What is going on? Could it be that his spiritual power surpasses even mine?
Mo Chenfeng thought in shock.
The doors opened, and the two entered. Mo Chenfeng lowered his head as he entered, but after only three steps, he prostrated himself: “Reporting to the Sea Emperor, Yun Che, Palace Master of the Ice Cloud Palace of the Cang Feng Empire, has been brought.”
Mo Chenfeng did not lift his head once inside the Sea Emperor Hall. Yun Che, however, immediately looked toward the figure standing in the center of the hall.
The Sea Emperor stood with his back to them, his figure exceptionally tall and slender. A long court robe shimmered with blue light, and his high collar reached up to his hair bun…
This silhouette made Yun Che freeze for a moment.
Fe…female?
The Sea Emperor was a… woman?
“You may withdraw.”
The Sea Emperor spoke, and her voice was unmistakably that of a middle-aged woman. The voice was very light, but every word struck like a celestial bell, majestic and awe-inspiring.
“Yes.” Mo Chenfeng retreated backward, closing the doors of the Sea Emperor Hall.
“This junior Yun Che pays respects to Elder Sea Emperor.” Yun Che stepped forward and bowed respectfully, his mind quite solemn. The person before him was the master of a sacred land that had dominated Tian Xuan for ten thousand years! A peerless powerhouse unrivaled in Tian Xuan, and the first sacred land master he had ever met!
But he had never imagined that one of the Four Saint Lords, the Sea Emperor, was a woman!
The Sea Emperor slowly turned around, revealing her true face to Yun Che. It was a middle-aged woman’s face, but it held almost none of the softness typical of a woman. Instead, every angle, every line exuded an immense weight of majesty and sharpness.
She looked at Yun Che, her eyes as deep as the ocean, showing not a trace of emotional fluctuation. After a full ten breaths of oppressively heavy silence, she finally spoke, slowly nodding: “Indeed, seeing someone once is better than hearing of them a hundred times. Before me, and within the ‘Sea God Heaven-Covering Array,’ your eyes are like bright mirrors and your heart like a firm rock. I had always thought that the rumors about you were mostly exaggerated, but now it seems they fall far short of the truth! It’s no wonder that ‘that person’ holds you in such high regard.”
Yun Che did not ask who “that person” in her words was. He smiled slightly and said: “The Sea Emperor flatters me. This junior is unworthy of such praise. My purpose in coming to the Supreme Sea Palace is twofold: first, to participate in the Demon Sword Assembly. Second, to enter the Slay Moon Demon Cave. I beseech Elder Sea Emperor to grant this request.”
“Palace Master Yun certainly gets straight to the point.” The Sea Emperor narrowed her eyes slightly and walked forward slowly. With every step she took closer, the pressure enveloping Yun Che increased exponentially: “I had intended to chat with you a while longer, but it seems Palace Master Yun is not in the mood.”
“To have the honor of meeting Elder Sea Emperor is already a blessing in this junior’s life. As the Sea Emperor, sovereign of the Sea Palace and a hegemon of the world, every moment of your time is worth a fortune. This junior would not dare to delay you further.” Yun Che spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly.
“Is that so?” The Sea Emperor stopped three steps away from Yun Che. Her stature was actually half a head taller than his: “I am already aware of your desire to enter the Slay Moon Demon Cave. But I am very curious: why are you so desperate to obtain a Netherworld Brahma Flower? As far as I know, the Netherworld Brahma Flower is an extremely evil and baleful object. Even an Emperor Lord would suffer damage to their soul if they approach it, and in severe cases, death. Aside from killing without a trace, I have never heard of any use for it.”
Yun Che did not hesitate. His gaze was sincere: “The Netherworld Brahma Flower is needed by my master. This matter should not be disclosed to others, but since I am asking a favor of Elder Sea Emperor, I must honestly inform you.”
The Netherworld Brahma Flower was needed by Mo Li, and Mo Li was his master. So his words were spoken with absolute propriety. The Sea Emperor would have no way to find any trace of falsehood in them.
“Your master?” The Sea Emperor’s gaze tilted slightly: “I have long heard that your master possesses earth-shattering abilities, capable of reducing an Emperor Lord to nothing in the blink of an eye. Since it is your master’s need, why doesn’t he fetch it himself? I believe that with your master’s power, there is no place in this world he cannot go.”
“Because obtaining a Netherworld Brahma Flower is a trial set by my master for me.” Yun Che said with a light smile: “Since it is my master’s command, I naturally will spare no effort to complete it, no matter the cost. Over the years, I have been inquiring about the Netherworld Brahma Flower, and luckily I received news that one had appeared in the Slay Moon Demon Cave. That is why I must enter to search for it, no matter what… I earnestly beseech Elder Sea Emperor to grant this request.”
“I see.” The Sea Emperor nodded slowly, her eyes still utterly calm, impossible to tell whether she believed him or not: “Speaking of which, where is your master now? I wonder if I might be fortunate enough to meet him?”
“My master has long been a man beyond the mundane world; he almost never involves himself in worldly affairs and refuses to be bound by anything. Therefore, although I am his disciple, I never know where he is or where he intends to go. Only when I am forced to seek his help does he appear.” Yun Che repeated the same words he had said to Gu Cang True Person.
His fabricated master, the “Duotian Old Man,” had apparently been believed by the Four Sacred Grounds and had become a great deterrent to them. Since this “master” was so useful, he had to maintain the illusion with all his might.
“What a pity.” The Sea Emperor replied casually, then suddenly changed the subject: “The Slay Moon Demon Cave is the greatest taboo of our Sea Palace and absolutely forbidden to outsiders. However, the barrier of the Slay Moon Demon Cave has not been opened for thirteen hundred years, and it is time for me to send someone in to investigate whether any anomalies have occurred. Moreover, our Sea Palace has already received ten of your ‘Six-Flavored Imperial Pills.’ If I were to refuse you, wouldn’t it make the Supreme Sea Palace appear untrustworthy?”
Yun Che’s eyes widened… Huh? Six-Flavored Imperial Pill? What the hell!?
Does she mean… the Overlord Pill?!
Damn! What a ridiculous name Zi Ji came up with!
And… the Sea Emperor’s words completely admitted on her own the relationship with the Black Moon Merchant Guild!
“Thank you, Elder Sea Emperor, for your generosity!” Yun Che said joyfully.
“Don’t be too happy too soon.” The Sea Emperor said coldly: “The seal of the Slay Moon Demon Cave can only be opened once every five hundred years, and each opening lasts only a brief hundred breaths! After a hundred breaths, the barrier will forcibly close. Even our Supreme Sea Palace has no way to force it open within five hundred years. This is to prevent the yin qi inside from leaking out and wreaking havoc on the continent. As for the Netherworld Brahma Flower, legend has it that it only blooms once every twenty-four years, and then withers within three days. For you to encounter a blooming Netherworld Brahma Flower within a mere hundred breaths is nearly a fool’s dream. Moreover, it’s unknown whether there is even a Netherworld Brahma Flower left in there!”
“Therefore, even if you enter the Slay Moon Demon Cave, you will most likely have made a wasted trip.”
“This junior is well aware of all that. But even if there is only the slimmest hope, I must try.” Yun Che said without any hesitation.
“Since you are so persistent… If I were to grant you entry into the Slay Moon Demon Cave, when would you like to go?” the Sea Emperor asked.
“The sooner the better!” Yun Che thought for a moment and said: “If possible, I would like to go today.”
“Good!” The Sea Emperor nodded slowly: “In that case, I shall grant your wish! I will now send someone to escort you to the Slay Moon Demon Cave!”