Chapter 1373: Bull Demon King
A group of Bull Demon Kings, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, each one over three meters tall, standing together like a cluster of small black mountains.
Ye Fan stared at the leading bull demon leader. He really did look like Laozi’s mount—sturdy in build, brimming with vitality, and awe-inspiring in presence.
But he couldn’t be certain. The Great Strength Bull Demon Clan all looked similar, all rough and rugged, covered in foot-long black fur. Perhaps only the Vajra Ring could confirm his identity once it displayed its divine power.
“A stone man, yet you’re taking up half the sky. Move over a bit,” the Great Strength Bull Demon Clan leader said, his voice clanging like a golden bell.
Everyone’s heart skipped a beat. The Bull Demon Clan was indeed as low-key as the rumors suggested—they actively provoked a Sacred Spirit, showing extraordinary courage.
The stone man stood on a very small war chariot, alone under the starry sky. This race was extremely aggressive, and few dared to provoke them.
“Impossible!”
He was only a little over a meter tall, but he exuded the aura of a ferocious beast. Silver light flashed in his eyes as he coldly glanced at the old Bull Demon King, remaining motionless.
“Months ago, a stone spirit killed dozens of my people. Today, I’ll settle accounts with you. They say Sacred Spirits have an indestructible stone body. Let me see how tough it is,” the Bull Demon Clan leader said.
The crowd suddenly understood. There was old enmity, which explained why they were confronting a peak Sacred Spirit, intending to settle it here before the Imperial Mausoleum.
“Don’t force my hand!” The stone man was short but exuded supreme authority. Divine light shot from his eyes like cold blades.
“Moo…” The old Bull Demon was irritable and attacked directly. The Bull Roar erupted, black ripples spreading, shattering the cosmos and pulverizing stars.
This was a terrifying divine art. The divine sound swept through, nearly shattering souls. The starry sky trembled violently, everything collapsing.
A vertical eye opened on the stone man’s forehead, emitting a brilliant silver light—a cluster of silver flames that sealed the heavens, calming the black ripples.
The Bull Demon leader’s black fur flew wildly, murderous aura surging. He flicked his hand, sending the gleaming Vajra Ring flying into the depths of the heavens.
With a rumble, it was like a vast waterfall descending, like an ocean crashing down. The divine sound made even the Human Clan Dao Protectors change color.
The stone man’s gaze exploded as he reached out to meet the attack. One hand captured a dragon, the other subdued a tiger. Dragon and tiger combined, wind and thunder roared, shattering stars.
Clang!
That sound—the gleaming Vajra Ring fell like a vast white ocean, smashing the Sacred Spirit flying backward, dragon and tiger both destroyed.
Everyone present changed expression. This artifact’s divine power was astonishing, far surpassing ordinary Great Saint weapons, with an irresistible, crushing dominance.
Fortunately, this clash was between the Bull Demon Clan and the Sacred Spirit, far from the crowd. Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The most powerful Sacred Spirit lineage, known for their indestructible stone bodies, now had several cracks on their arms. Rare divine blood dripped out, shocking everyone.
What kind of artifact was this? Everyone’s heart pounded. Could it kill a peak Sacred Spirit? It was so supremely strong and hard.
“That old man didn’t lie to me. He took my people as mounts and helped me forge such a powerful artifact. If I’d known, I’d have had him make a basketful, one for each of us,” the old Bull Demon King muttered.
The crowd was speechless. They couldn’t believe their ears. How greedy could he be? But the Bull Demon leader’s words hinted at something—which old man helped him forge it?
Ye Fan’s heart shook. This wasn’t Laozi’s mount, but they had likely crossed paths. He helped forge an artifact that was so world-shaking. Of course, the materials also mattered—it was a Vajra Ring condensed from the clan’s treasury of countless essences, naturally possessing divine power.
Ye Fan searched for the Dragon Horse and quickly spotted it, sending a telepathic message. The Dragon Horse was extremely reluctant but still braced itself and whispered to the Hundred Calamities Daoist.
This notorious old Daoist, capable of any vile deed, nodded and spoke to the old Bull Demon leader: “Brother Bull, what was that old man’s name? Can he forge one for my big nephew too?”
The crowd grumbled inwardly, rolling their eyes. This old donkey was too greedy—how could he even ask? But no one dared say anything. This guy had no limits, bullying the weak without any guilt, and loved doing such things.
“That old bastard was dishonest. He took a damn name—Laozi. After forging the Vajra Ring, I shut the door and sent him off,” the Bull Demon Clan leader said. Clearly, he was familiar with the Hundred Calamities Daoist to speak so casually.
“How many years ago was that?” the Hundred Calamities Daoist asked.
“Doesn’t feel like long ago,” the old Bull Demon answered offhandedly.
“No, Ancestor, you’ve been in seclusion. You just came out. Eight hundred years have passed,” a bull clan member quietly reminded.
“Oh, I’m confused. It’s been that long,” the old Bull Demon slapped his forehead, his foot-long fur trembling.
In the distance, Ye Fan pondered. Laozi was still alive eight hundred years ago, walking the ancient path. Where was he now? What was he searching for? His movements were too mysterious.
The two Great Saints conversed, indirectly leaving the stone man hanging. The heroes sighed inwardly—only such supremely powerful figures dared to act this way.
The Hundred Calamities Daoist comforted the Dragon Horse: “Big nephew, don’t get your hopes up. I doubt Old Bull will give it to you. That old codger named Laozi sounds like bad news. Don’t count on it.”
The Dragon Horse was furious. Being called “big nephew” left and right was infuriating. Naturally unruly, it wanted to kick him.
The stone man’s divine blood surged into the sky. With a crisp crack, his arms repaired themselves, shining with immortal brilliance. He then stepped forward, facing the old Bull Demon.
“Stone, your life is mine!” The old Bull Demon roared, and the Vajra Ring flew out again. It was a vast silver ocean. Though the ring was small, when it flew, the universe seemed unable to contain it.
This time, its radiance was even more dazzling. The special Dao patterns within emerged. This was an artifact refined by a supreme being, containing some of their essence and spirit!
With a rumble, heaven and earth split, ghosts wailed, and gods howled. The battlefield was crushed, the Vajra Ring turning it into a sea of chaos.
“Ah…” The Sacred Spirit roared, the divine sound piercing minds.
Clang! A brilliant green glow tore through the chaotic mist, rushing into the void. Tear-stained marks, blazing radiance—all intertwined, emitting a vast, majestic aura.
Supreme and sacred—an artifact had emerged!
In the Sacred Spirit’s hand appeared a Measuring Ruler. Immortal light shimmered, green glow radiated, tear stains dotted it—it was forged from Immortal Tear Green Gold.
“It’s a supreme divine treasure!”
People exclaimed. The ruler was small, but in the Sacred Spirit’s hand, it unleashed overwhelming divine power, scattering the chaotic mist and blasting everything apart.
“Without this divine treasure, the Sacred Spirit might have been in danger. The Bull Demon Clan’s artifact is too astonishing, so powerful.”
Now, everyone’s eyes were fixed on the stone man’s artifact. The green light was brilliant, too beautiful and dazzling, yet also carried a hint of sorrow.
Legend said this divine gold was formed from the tears of immortals. Most who possessed it met a tragic end.
Even one of history’s most stunning and powerful women, the Western Emperor, spent her life in sorrow. Her final years were unknown to few.
Among the many divine metals, this immortal material was the most mysterious. Many didn’t believe it, thinking it was coincidence—Immortal Tear Green Gold itself wasn’t ominous.
“Clang!”
The Measuring Ruler flew up, clashing with the Vajra Ring. Green and silver light intertwined, tearing the heavens apart, shaking the starry sky violently.
“This Sacred Spirit is extraordinary. The Measuring Ruler is a divine treasure born with him, nurtured by his divine blood. Even though he emerged early, he may still have a chance to reach perfection,” a Human Clan Dao Protector said.
Sacred Spirits were blessed by the heavens, given many extraordinary traits. Some stone men were born with divine treasures within their stone embryos, evolving into their Dao weapons, emerging together.
But this was an extremely rare heavenly fortune for only the most terrifying Sacred Spirits, seldom seen in history.
The main god holding the cauldron’s eyes flickered. The Underworld’s bronze coffin also trembled slightly. Both experts were moved, seeming to want to act, but they restrained themselves.
Such a Sacred Spirit, such an artifact. If the stone embryo and weapon were not separated, they could continuously nurture and evolve, becoming terrifyingly powerful in the future!
Clang, clang, clang…
The Measuring Ruler and Vajra Ring clashed, various Dao patterns flowing, brilliant and dazzling, tearing through star domains, shaking violently.
“Everyone, why are we here? Don’t let personal grudges delay the opportunity to enter the secret realm,” a Human Clan Dao Protector said.
The Great Saints nodded. Relatively speaking, everything else could be set aside. The Imperial Corpse was most important. At their level, it was hard to advance further. Perhaps seeing the true body of an ancient Great Emperor and witnessing that supreme, boundless Dao mark would allow them to progress again.
Even if a Great Emperor died, if they didn’t want to dissolve into the Dao, even after countless ages, nothing could destroy them—until this world ceased to exist.
Several Human Clan Dao Protectors acted first, jointly channeling their power, redirecting the Measuring Ruler and Vajra Ring in the sky toward the Yellow Springs, tearing through the void.
“Boom!”
Terrifying divine light shot out, tearing open that area. The original barrier was already unstable. Under the strike of these two extraordinary Great Saint weapons, it cracked.
At the same time, the main god from the Divine Organization sacrificed the cauldron. The three-legged, two-eared round cauldron emitted vast divine power. All the carvings on it lit up, flying toward the crack in the secret realm.
Clang!
The Underworld forces were not far behind. A bronze coffin lid flew up, densely covered with Dao patterns. All the green rust glowed, charging into the main entrance of the Imperial Mausoleum like a fearless sea-filling eye.
The Yellow Springs spanning the starry sky roared, surging like a breached dam. The netherworld aura instantly intensified tenfold, making even Great Saints’ hearts pound.
“Boom!”
The Sacred Spirit, Bull Demon King, Human Clan Dao Protectors, and other Great Saints acted together, temporarily setting aside other matters, striking the main entrance of the Imperial Mausoleum.
A chaotic light flew out, five colors and ten hues shooting forth, crystal clear like jade carvings. The void split open, revealing a pair of stone gates tens of thousands of feet high, wide open.
“It’s open! Under the combined efforts of several Great Saints, no accident occurred. The secret realm opened so quickly!” People couldn’t believe it. Things had gone so smoothly. The Yellow Springs flowed out from the massive stone gates.
Mist drifted. Inside, it looked like a divine realm. Vaguely, a corner was revealed—azure dragons roared, fiery red Vermilion Birds flew, ancient trees and dense forests stretched out.
Chapter 1374: Entering the Imperial Tomb
This pair of stone gates was tens of thousands of feet high, truly awe-inspiring. Standing before them, looking up, one couldn’t see the end, because yellow clouds swirled, layer upon layer, misty and hazy.
The gates were carved with many marks—primitive ancestors worshiping the sun, moon, thunder, and lightning, revering heaven, earth, ghosts, and gods, along with various ancient beasts and strange insects.
Were such high gates prepared for an ancient Great Emperor? A stream of Yellow Springs surged out, carrying deathly aura. Ordinary people approaching would turn to bone, their lives devoured.
Yet deep within the secret realm behind the gates, there was also life fluctuation, contradicting the Yellow Springs’ manifestation.
Whoosh!
The stone man acted first. His chariot rumbled, turning into a hazy light charging forward to enter the Imperial Mausoleum. Though not tall, he was like an Immortal King descending.
A dragon and a tiger, both stone beasts, flowed with luster, pulling the meter-long chariot over the Yellow Springs, about to pass through the massive stone gates.
“Boom!”
Suddenly, the gates shook. The ancient carvings trembled—primitive ancestors, unknown strange beasts, flowers, birds, fish, and insects seemed about to come to life, breaking through the walls.
A powerful fluctuation emerged. The stone dragon and stone tiger roared, as if struck by lightning, then flew backward, dripping strands of divine blood.
With a loud crash, the chariot overturned. The stone man staggered and was also sent flying, divine blood flowing from his mouth, spilling into the void.
He, his chariot, and his two mounts were all blasted back, suffering significant injuries. This shocked everyone—he was a Great Saint, yet couldn’t cross the stone gates even a step.
The ancient Great Emperor had been dead for countless ages. The tomb gates were wide open, yet a Great Saint couldn’t enter. This left everyone stunned, fear in their hearts.
“Stone man, you’re so disrespectful. To enter the Great Emperor’s tomb, you must bow in reverence,” the Hundred Calamities Daoist said, then turned to the Dragon Horse: “Big nephew, go forward and show him how it’s done. You’ll definitely get in.”
The Dragon Horse scowled, wanting to bite him. It turned away, pretending not to hear. It hated being called “big nephew” more than anything now.
“He’s right. Even if the Great Emperor has passed away, he cannot be desecrated. All races must pay respect,” a Human Clan Dao Protector said. Two of them stepped forward, performing great bows of reverence.
Then, they advanced step by step, bowing at each step. When they neared the ancient stone gates, nothing happened—they weren’t blasted back.
Everyone was horrified. The ancient Great Emperor had been gone for hundreds of thousands of years, yet he could still sense something?
With a loud noise, a massive bronze cauldron shook, protecting the main god as he neared the tens-of-thousands-foot-high stone gates. He paused there, also deeply bowing.
The stone carvings on the gates remained calm, no changes. He stepped inside, succeeding.
Behind, among the Underworld’s ghost soldiers, the bronze coffin trembled, flew up, and shot through the yellow mist toward the gates.
“Clang!”
A deafening metallic sound rang out, like a divine hammer falling, heavily striking the bronze coffin. Green rust fell off as it tumbled away.
Everyone gasped. The Underworld’s peerless expert didn’t follow ancient traditions, trying to force his way in. Sure enough, he was repelled.
Was there really something in the unseen? The Great Emperor was dead—this was common knowledge. How could he still sense things?
With a clatter, the rusted bronze coffin lid opened. A tall figure sat up stiffly, then stepped out.
His appearance filled the cosmic void with a sinister, murderous aura—chilling, bone-piercing cold.
Everyone shuddered, as if seeing the Senluo Hell descend upon the mortal world, chilled from head to toe. Facing him was like facing ancient vengeful spirits, hearts trembling.
He wore black garments, very wide, covering his entire body, even his head, hidden under a mourning crown.
He stood in shadow; no starlight could approach. His clothing was ancient, conservatively estimated to be divine demon robes from hundreds of thousands of years ago.
He moved with a dragon’s stride and a tiger’s step. His black ancient robes fluttered, wide sleeves and hems lifting, revealing a terrifying sight—people saw very long black fur.
A fleeting glance sent chills down spines, shaking hearts. It was a tall figure, seemingly covered in black fur, like a giant ape.
Was this even human? He was tall and imposing, moving with dragon and tiger steps, yet covered in black fur, wearing ancient divine demon robes—fearsome.
This time, he approached the stone gates, bowed deeply in reverence, and didn’t force his way in. He entered smoothly.
The only difference was that the Yellow Springs water sensed his aura, boiling violently, endless murderous aura rising. Yet he was unaffected, seeming to enjoy it.
Everyone grew even more uneasy. What exactly was the Underworld’s peerless expert? What kind of existence were its ancient rulers?!
The main god holding the bronze cauldron and the Underworld’s unfathomable being were naturally opposed. They glanced at each other, standing in separate positions, not approaching.
“Heh, stone man, can you get in without bowing?” the Bull Demon Clan leader said with a grin, his huge bull eyes looking quite terrifying.
He held the gleaming Vajra Ring, paused at the stone gates, performed a bow, and entered safely.
The stone man was silent for a moment. Finally, he stepped down from his chariot, approached, lowered his posture, muttered quietly, bowed, and entered.
Then, other Human Clan Dao Protectors, as well as ancient evil gods from foreign races, appeared one by one. This shocked people—there weren’t just three or five Great Saints present.
The Imperial Corpse was about to appear, shaking the ancient path. Many unfathomable experts emerged from seclusion, rushing here. In total, there were no fewer than eleven or twelve. Such a force could sweep through endless star domains!
Others wanted to enter but couldn’t approach the Yellow Springs. Touching even a trace of the Imperial Corpse’s aura—the most terrifying extreme yin death energy—though only a sliver, was unbearable. Approaching would turn them to dust.
“To enter the Imperial Mausoleum, all beings must follow. Recite the Salvation Scripture to protect all peace. Otherwise, many strange things may occur,” a Human Clan Dao Protector said.
The Great Saints of various races gathered. There was nothing to hide or hold back. In such a great tomb, no one dared act recklessly upon entering; they needed to work together.
“This old monk has a Buddha Bridge to cross the river. Though not an Imperial weapon and not very powerful, it was blessed by Amitabha Buddha’s chanting, capable of transforming boundless evil energy, ferrying all across the river to the divine shore.”
An old monk spoke, with yellow brows, a shiny head, and a worn kasaya. He came from the Amitabha Ancient Star Domain, a supreme Great Saint with boundless Buddhist teachings. Traveling the starry sky, he was now a Dao Protector on the Human Clan Ancient Path.
“Excellent.” Others nodded. In this world, when it came to the power of faith and blessings, few in history could compare to Amitabha Buddha.
Many were shocked. They never expected this old monk to carry a secret artifact blessed by an ancient Great Emperor.
A purple-gold bridge appeared in the old monk’s palm. He flicked his hand, and the bridge rapidly expanded, spanning the Yellow Springs, reaching the land inside the gates, flowing with golden light.
Throughout this process, he continuously chanted “forgive me,” bowing toward the great tomb, and was not attacked.
“It’s truly a divine treasure!” The Hundred Calamities Daoist’s eyes gleamed, looking like he wanted to snatch it.
Others also saw it—this was an artifact blessed by an ancient Great Emperor’s chanting. Though not powerful in attack, its Buddha light was incredibly intense.
It was made from leftover material from Amitabha’s refining of the Demon-Subduing Pestle Imperial weapon. Though only the size of a fist, after being forged into the Purple-Gold Bridge by later holy monks, it still possessed heaven-defying, creation-like power.
It didn’t focus on attack but on saving all beings, able to gather the faith power of Buddhist followers—a rare ancient treasure.
Various camps, different races’ armies, team after team, covering the sky, boarded the Purple-Gold Buddha Bridge, bowing to the great tomb as they passed through the stone gates.
This scene was terrifying. Countless troops all entered a single tomb. Yellow mist flowed, like many heavenly soldiers descending into the Nine Netherworlds.
This time, besides the Human Clan, many other races also sent strong experts. The numbers were endless, yet the Purple-Gold Buddha Bridge accommodated and carried them all.
“While protecting ourselves, we must also ensure the chanting groups don’t encounter accidents. They must be protected,” a Human Clan Dao Protector said.
“Naturally.” The Bull Demon King was generous, sacrificing the Vajra Ring, suspending it high in the sky, letting down a silver ripple that not only protected the Bull Demon Clan but also shielded others.
Clang!
The stone man opened his mouth and spat out the green, shimmering Measuring Ruler, which flew high, letting down chaotic energy and endless immortal tears, divine light auspicious, covering the area.
Even with grudges, they were temporarily set aside. Nothing was more important than seeing the ancient Great Emperor. For Great Saints who had cultivated for thousands of years and could no longer advance, this was an immortal opportunity.
This was a secret realm. Ancient trees and dense forests were everywhere, not lacking in essence, accompanying the deathly Yellow Springs.
Everyone entered, stepped ashore, and before them were towering mountains, stretching in ranges, surrounded by white immortal mist, making them doubt if they were dreaming.
Was this really a great tomb? It felt like entering the Immortal Domain.
“Too shocking. There are Dao marks hidden here. If we can comprehend them, we might break through.” A Great Saint immediately sat cross-legged, facing countless immortal mountains, his face solemn, seeking enlightenment here.
People advanced cautiously, moving away from the Yellow Springs, entering the immortal mountains. Mist swirled, filled with sacred and peaceful energy.
Ahead, the sound of water came. A silver divine river flowed. By the riverbank stood a giant stele, inscribed with ancient divine script: Imperial Weapon Mountain.
Everyone’s heart trembled. They hadn’t been inside long before arriving at the place where the ancient Great Emperor buried his Imperial weapon!
At this moment, no one could remain calm. Their hearts surged. This place was full of treasures. If nothing unexpected happened, they would see an Imperial weapon emerge.
“What is that?” Suddenly, someone shouted in surprise.
Upstream of the silver divine river, a massive creature crouched, coldly watching them, exuding a supreme majesty.
“It’s a horse, with dragon features!” People were shocked, all stunned. They didn’t expect to find a living being here.
It was a crimson horse, with a dragon’s head and a horse’s body, limbs thick. It suddenly leaped up, as huge as a mountain, crimson glow flying.
Ye Fan was startled, looking at the Dragon Horse in human form. Their true forms were too similar, almost identical.
With a dragon’s roar, this Dragon Horse transformed into a stream of crimson immortal energy, disappearing on the spot, reforming in the sky as a crimson dragon, shaking its head and tail, charging deep into the immortal mountains.
“Heavens, is this real? The ancient Great Emperor’s exclusive mount—has it lived to this era?!”
“How is this possible? The Great Emperor has passed away. How can his mount still be alive?!”
Everyone was stunned, staring at the direction the crimson dragon disappeared, dumbfounded, like clay or wood sculptures.