Chapter 2074: Heavenly Demon Suppresses Prison
In the dim space filled with demonic qi, the three parties sized each other up. None dared to approach the Heavenly Demon Mountain rashly. The air stood still, exceptionally quiet, so silent that a falling needle could be heard.
The seven venerables of the Bone Clan were all greatly displeased. They had been ready to strike and eliminate Zhang Ruochen and Xiao Hei, only for the people of the Blazing Sun Civilization to barge in at this very moment.
If it were just the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son leading people in, even if he brought a hundred, the seven Bone Clan venerables would not have taken them seriously.
But the problem was that the extremely troublesome Twin Kings of Golden Sun were actually following beside the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son, which inevitably made the seven Bone Clan venerables somewhat wary.
Zhang Ruochen was also secretly sizing up the Twin Kings of Golden Sun. The two were twin brothers, connected in heart and mind. Any sacred art they performed together would have its power multiplied, and anyone who encountered them would find it very troublesome.
Under normal circumstances, the Twin Kings of Golden Sun should have entered the depths of the Dragon God Temple ruins at the fastest speed to compete with the top experts from all sides for treasures. Yet they had not done so, instead staying by the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son's side.
The reason was that the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son was the divine grandson of the old Heavenly Lord of the Blazing Sun Civilization, with noble blood and an extremely revered status.
The Twin Kings of Golden Sun had been saved in their youth by the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son's father, who took them in as disciples and spared no effort in training them. This was a tremendous favor.
Therefore, the Twin Kings of Golden Sun had long sworn an oath to do their utmost to protect the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son's safety and assist him in gradually becoming the new Heavenly Lord of the Blazing Sun Civilization.
The Dragon God Temple ruins were fraught with danger. Even though the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son was accompanied by many guards, the Twin Kings of Golden Sun could not rest easy.
If anything went wrong with the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son, they would have no way to answer to his father and the old Heavenly Lord.
The Blazing Sun Heavenly Son stepped forward and declared loudly, "The treasures here belong to my Blazing Sun Civilization. If you don't want to die, withdraw immediately."
With the Twin Kings of Golden Sun by his side, the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son was full of confidence, looking down on Zhang Ruochen and the seven Bone Clan venerables.
Cooperating perfectly, the Twin Kings of Golden Sun released their powerful auras. Behind each of them, a golden divine sun rose, gathering immense power. The moment they appeared, they caused this hidden space to tremble.
At the same time, the several dozen other Saint Kings of the Blazing Sun Civilization quickly formed ranks, a killing aura spreading as they prepared to strike at any moment.
They were the Heavenly Son's Guard of the Blazing Sun Civilization, all with cultivation above the Seven-Step Saint King realm. They had trained in powerful battle formations, enough to match top experts among the Nine-Step Saint Kings.
"Threatening me, a venerable? Do you think that with the Twin Kings of Golden Sun here, I cannot do anything to you?"
Eight-Armed Venerable spoke, emitting a fierce killing intent.
The Blazing Sun Heavenly Son's pupils contracted sharply. He felt his scalp go numb and his body seemed about to crack, involuntarily stepping back two paces.
Seeing this, Zhang Ruochen could not help but shake his head inwardly. Unable to even withstand the killing intent released by Eight-Armed Venerable, this Blazing Sun Heavenly Son's state of mind and will were truly mediocre.
"How dare you!"
The Twin Kings of Golden Sun shouted coldly. Combining their power, they condensed a terrifying golden light that slashed toward Eight-Armed Venerable.
The golden light was extremely sharp and indestructible, appearing before Eight-Armed Venerable in an instant.
Eight-Armed Venerable reacted quickly, instantly producing a shield several dozen zhang high to block in front.
This shield was a top-tier Ten-Thousand-Pattern Sacred Artifact. Driven by dark force, twelve thousand inscriptions surfaced on its surface, forming a powerful defense.
"Crack."
The shield shook violently, unable to stop the golden light, and split directly in two.
When the golden light pierced through the shield, its power had already sharply diminished, and it failed to cause any harm to Eight-Armed Venerable.
At this moment, the other six Bone Clan venerables moved together, gathering around Eight-Armed Venerable. Vast dark qi surged from within their bodies, turning into a dark tide that surged within the space.
"Roar."
Eight-Armed Venerable let out repeated roars, looking up to the sky. A black light flew out from his skull, transforming into a thick black-gold long staff.
Driven by the dark power of the seven venerables together, numerous secret patterns emerged on the surface of the black-gold long staff, and strands of supreme power were activated, as if about to punch a huge hole in the sky.
The Twin Kings of Golden Sun's eyes narrowed, and they communicated their power, offering up a golden ancient cauldron.
The golden ancient cauldron shook, emitting a strong ancient charm. Its entire body radiated brilliant golden light. A pattern of a Golden Crow clearly emerged, and then actually flew out from the ancient cauldron.
"Clang."
The black-gold long staff extended rapidly, striking the golden ancient cauldron heavily.
For a moment, two completely different supreme powers collided violently, like two stars crashing together, releasing a devastating impact force.
A destructive torrent of intertwined gold and black swept directly toward Zhang Ruochen and Xiao Hei.
"Do they not want us to stay out of it?"
Zhang Ruochen's mind stirred, and he instantly summoned the Mountain-Hiding Demon Mirror.
The Mountain-Hiding Demon Mirror quickly revived, releasing thick demonic qi and manifesting the shadows of ancient, towering demon mountains.
"Boom."
The shadows of the demon mountains collapsed one after another, while the destructive torrent was also rapidly worn away.
After this round of fierce collision, the seven Bone Clan venerables and the Twin Kings of Golden Sun had both gauged each other's strength. Eliminating the other side in a short time was nearly impossible.
What if the two sides fought fiercely and both were severely wounded? Wouldn't that let Zhang Ruochen take advantage? After all, Zhang Ruochen was famous and definitely a ruthless character, making them quite wary.
They stopped attacking and turned their gazes to the Heavenly Demon Mountain.
Strangely enough, having been subjected to such powerful force, the Heavenly Demon Mountain stood unmoved. All power, as soon as it approached, automatically dissipated into nothingness.
At the top of the Heavenly Demon Mountain, a dragon-shaped seal imprint appeared, emitting a faint divine light.
"A Suppression Seal."
Instantly, a look of understanding appeared in everyone's eyes.
Suppression Seals were usually used to seal various treasures, or to seal powerful cultivators, or even to seal an entire world. Generally, only talisman masters with strong spiritual power could inscribe them.
Given the complexity of the Suppression Seal on the Heavenly Demon Mountain, it must have been inscribed by an extremely powerful spiritual power Great Saint, using special power to maintain it for a long time.
"I knew it. The treasures collected by the Divine Dragon Clan wouldn't be so easy to take. With the Suppression Seal in place, any power exerted on the Heavenly Demon Mountain would be useless. Outside the Heavenly Demon Mountain, there is a domain that confines sacred qi. To climb the mountain, one can only rely on physical strength."
Then, Xiao Hei transmitted, "Zhang Ruochen, let's climb the mountain quickly. First seize the Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription, then find a way to take the Heavenly Demon Mountain."
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen did not hesitate. He immediately put away the Mountain-Hiding Demon Mirror and, with Xiao Hei, turned into a streak of light heading straight for the Heavenly Demon Mountain.
Seeing this, Eight-Armed Venerable immediately swung the black-gold long staff, smashing it toward Zhang Ruochen.
Unfortunately, he was a step too slow. The Suppression Seal bloomed with brilliant divine light, trapping the black-gold long staff, preventing it from hitting Zhang Ruochen.
"Don't think you can succeed."
Unable to stop Zhang Ruochen, the seven Bone Clan venerables also flashed out and instantly arrived at the foot of the Heavenly Demon Mountain.
By now, Zhang Ruochen had already begun climbing. But the domain enveloping the Heavenly Demon Mountain was very powerful, as if a mountain were pressing down on him, greatly affecting his climbing speed.
As Xiao Hei had said, to climb the Heavenly Demon Mountain, one could only rely on physical strength, and the sacred soul had to be strong enough; otherwise, one could not withstand this pressure.
In other words, only top experts had hope of reaching the top of the Heavenly Demon Mountain. The weak could only look up from the foot.
"Hurry and seize the treasure at the top."
Seeing that Zhang Ruochen and the seven Bone Clan venerables had already started climbing, a look of urgency appeared in the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son's eyes.
The Twin Kings of Golden Sun said nothing, put away the golden ancient cauldron, and then quickly flashed out.
The Heavenly Demon Mountain was a thousand zhang high. For anyone to climb to the top was no easy task.
Zhang Ruochen had moved first, so he was temporarily in the lead. In the blink of an eye, he had climbed to a height of a hundred zhang.
"There are words on the mountain."
Xiao Hei, standing on Zhang Ruochen's shoulder, suddenly had his eyes light up.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen looked toward where Xiao Hei was pointing and indeed saw many specially shaped characters, which were seal script from the Middle Ages.
His gaze quickly swept over those characters, and a few gleams of unusual light flashed in Zhang Ruochen's eyes. "This is a ghost-level demonic cultivation technique."
It was quite unexpected that a cultivation technique would be engraved on the Heavenly Demon Mountain, especially one of such a high grade.
"There are more above." Xiao Hei showed a look of surprise.
Zhang Ruochen moved nimbly, climbing quickly up the mountain like a spirit monkey, soon arriving at another place engraved with characters.
Sure enough, this place also had a demonic cultivation technique engraved, also of ghost level, and clearly more exquisite than the one below.
Continuing upward for several hundred zhang, Zhang Ruochen saw five demonic cultivation techniques in a row, all ghost level, each more exquisite than the last.
What he had seen was only one side of the mountain. The other three sides might also have different demonic cultivation techniques engraved.
"Although these techniques are different, their foundation is the same. They should have been created by comprehending the same Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription." A realization dawned in Zhang Ruochen's heart.
Another point was certain: these techniques were all created by the same person.
A slight pity was that these techniques could only be cultivated to the Saint King realm; the subsequent parts had not been created.
However, being able to create so many ghost-level techniques that could be cultivated to the Saint King realm was already extremely rare, something an ordinary person could not accomplish.
If cultivators who practiced the same Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription obtained these techniques, they would surely be overjoyed.
In fact, not many sects and forces possessed techniques that could be cultivated to the Great Saint realm. Techniques that could reach the Saint King realm were already enough to serve as the core techniques of many sects.
Especially since these techniques were all ghost level, their value was immeasurable, extremely precious in the eyes of many cultivators.
After all, king-level and above techniques were extremely rare, the closely guarded secrets of top-tier forces, and ordinary people had no chance to access them.
Anyone would want to cultivate top-level techniques, because the quality of the technique directly affected cultivation speed and the ultimate achievement one could reach.
To cultivate to the Great Saint realm, the technique one practiced had to be at least ghost level.
Zhang Ruochen only glanced at them casually, not paying too much attention. The "Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture" he practiced was a hundred or a thousand times better than these techniques.
Continuing upward, Zhang Ruochen saw more characters, not limited to techniques. There were also sacred arts. The first ones he saw were low-rank sacred arts, and later, mid-rank sacred arts appeared.
"The Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription is truly profound and mysterious, containing infinite demonic truths. Different people can comprehend different demonic techniques and sacred arts from it." Zhang Ruochen sighed inwardly.
For the ancient great god who left behind the Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription, Zhang Ruochen was filled with admiration, unable to imagine to what unfathomable realm that great god had cultivated the demonic path.
Finally, Zhang Ruochen neared the top. Through the thick demonic qi, he could clearly see that Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription.
"Heavenly Demon Suppresses Prison Diagram, it's the Heavenly Demon Suppresses Prison Diagram."
For a moment, Xiao Hei's emotions became extremely agitated.
On the Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription at the top, the image depicted a supreme demon god standing in the cosmic star river, trampling hell underfoot.
Trampling hell underfoot, looking down on heaven and earth—what a domineering aura. Anyone who saw it could not help but feel awe, even wanting to prostrate in worship.
"It's actually the legendary 'Heavenly Demon Suppresses Prison Diagram.' No wonder the Divine Dragon Clan kept it so well hidden." Strange lights flickered continuously in Zhang Ruochen's eyes.
There were thirty-six Heavenly Demon Stone Inscriptions in total, all seemingly similar, but one was the most special, condensing the strongest demonic qi—the one engraved with the "Heavenly Demon Suppresses Prison Diagram."
From ancient times to the present, the number of cultivators who practiced the "Heavenly Demon Suppresses Prison Diagram" had been the smallest, and those who achieved success were even rarer.
The reason was that the artistic conception of the "Heavenly Demon Suppresses Prison Diagram" was too strong. Ordinary people could not even look at it for long, let alone concentrate on comprehending it.
Most cultivators who successfully cultivated the "Heavenly Demon Suppresses Prison Diagram" had done so by comprehending rubbings.
But in reality, the demonic techniques comprehended that way were far from the original, making it difficult to grasp the true essence.
"No matter what, this Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription must not fall into the hands of the Hell Realm or the Blazing Sun Civilization." Xiao Hei said with extreme seriousness.
The Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription was one of the six great strange books of the Kunlun Realm, the most important inheritance, and the foundation of the Kunlun Realm's rise.
Zhang Ruochen naturally knew this as well. Therefore, without hesitation, he exerted all his strength to climb upward, wanting to reach the top faster than the seven Bone Clan venerables and the Twin Kings of Golden Sun.
A hundred zhang, seventy zhang, fifty zhang... Zhang Ruochen was getting closer and closer to the Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription, but his climbing speed was also slowing down.
The closer he got to the top, the greater the resistance. Every step upward required tremendous effort, and a single misstep could cause him to fall.
At the last ten zhang, a row of stone steps appeared before Zhang Ruochen, leading straight to the top—exactly one hundred steps.
As soon as he took the first step, Zhang Ruochen's body shook violently. A terrifying demonic qi rushed toward him.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze was firm, and he muttered, "Is this a test? Let's see if it can stop my steps."
At that moment, the seven Bone Clan venerables and the Twin Kings of Golden Sun also stepped onto the stone steps.
Zhang Ruochen calmly glanced left and right, then stopped thinking about it, focused his mind, and concentrated on climbing the steps.
Now everyone faced the same test. Whoever reached the top first would obtain the Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription.
"Damn it, the qi emitted by this Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription actually has a suppressive effect on us Hell Realm cultivators."
After climbing just a few steps, the seven Bone Clan venerables all stopped, each furious.
The qi emitted by the Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription made them feel very uncomfortable. Their sacred souls trembled, showing signs of shattering.
If they insisted on climbing, they would likely be severely injured or even lose their lives before reaching the top.
Though unwilling, the seven Bone Clan venerables could only choose to give up.
With a movement, the seven Bone Clan venerables flashed down the mountain at great speed.
Compared to climbing, descending was much easier.
"Let's deal with that damn Blazing Sun Heavenly Son first. Just looking at him makes me furious."
The seven Bone Clan venerables all emitted terrifying killing intent and, without warning, pounced toward the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son.
Clearly, they had anger in their hearts and urgently needed an outlet to vent it.
A look of alarm appeared in the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son's eyes, and he quickly retreated.
The guards beside him immediately stepped forward, formed a battle formation, condensed a golden divine sun, and blasted it toward the seven Bone Clan venerables.
"Break."
Eight-Armed Venerable swung the black-gold long staff, borrowing the power of the other six venerables, and smashed down with all his strength.
The black-gold long staff erupted with terrifying supreme power. Dark qi surged out like a tide, engulfing the battle formation formed by the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son's guards.
"Boom."
The golden sun instantly shattered, appearing extremely fragile.
The black-gold long staff was unstoppable, brutally destroying the battle formation formed by the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son's guards.
"Pfft."
All the guards spat blood and flew backward.
The golden sun on the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son's brow shone brightly, dazzling and brilliant, turning the entire space golden and extremely glaring, making it impossible to open one's eyes.
A brilliant golden sun flew out from between the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son's brows, releasing an extremely scorching aura, causing the temperature in the entire space to suddenly rise, as if one were in a sea of fire.
Ripples appeared in the surrounding space, as if it could not withstand the high temperature of the golden sun and was about to melt.
Protected by the golden sun, the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son managed to neutralize the supreme power released by the black-gold long staff, and he himself was not severely injured like the guards.
"Don't act wild."
The Twin Kings of Golden Sun sensed this immediately and let out a furious shout.
Under these circumstances, they naturally could not continue climbing the stone steps. They immediately turned around and swooped down at great speed.
Even from a distance, the Twin Kings of Golden Sun offered up the golden ancient cauldron, activated its powerful supreme power, and blasted it toward the seven Bone Clan venerables.
The Blazing Sun Heavenly Son's face was ashen, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "How dare you attack me, the Heavenly Son? You all must die."
With that, the Blazing Sun Heavenly Son gathered the injured guards again and had them help him activate the golden sun to attack the seven Bone Clan venerables.
This golden sun was refined from the core of a withered star, containing vast and boundless power. If fully activated, it could burn the heavens and boil the seas.
(End of Chapter)