Chapter 234

Chapter 234: Sacrificing Allure, the Destitute Pauper’s Rise from Destitution

"Finally back in the Yuan Realm."

A figure tore through the void, returning to the Yuan Realm. This person was draped entirely in black robes, their form cloaked and features obscured, emanating an eerie aura. It was none other than the Poison Emperor, who once ruled over the Poisonous Forest.

After entering Godfall Ridge and obtaining that one-third fragment of the liver, it had achieved cultivation at the peak of the Great Emperor Realm. In recent days, it had been tirelessly gathering treasures across lands, all to return to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and pry the location of "Kui’s" corporeal remains.

"How could the spiritual energy in the Yuan Realm have grown so dense?" The Poison Emperor was astounded. "Its concentration now is at least ten times what it was before I left."

"Did a great change befall the Yuan Realm during my absence?"

Having secluded itself for months, obsessed with archaeology and detached from worldly affairs, the Poison Emperor was unaware of the events following the day of the transformation.

"The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion knows all things under heaven. I’ll learn the truth simply by asking him."

The Poison Emperor flew toward Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

After quite a while, it arrived at Linglong City, where people packed the streets like a flood. Towering within the city stood a bronze divine tablet, radiating divine majesty and brilliant light.

"Secret Realm Ranking?" The Poison Emperor shifted slightly. "Secret Realms ranked by Heaven’s Secret Pavilion are surely extraordinary, what a pity they’re too costly."

After one glance, it withdrew its gaze and entered Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"Esteemed senior."

The Poison Emperor bowed respectfully.

Having learned its lesson the last time, it had long shed its arrogance, demeanor now humble and reverent.

"So it’s you." Ye Xu looked at the Poison Emperor and instantly recognized it. "Congratulations, Daoist friend, on reaching the peak of the Great Emperor Realm."

"Without senior, this humble one would never have broken through. All merits are entirely the grace of senior."

The Poison Emperor was courteous to perfection, its expression etched with obsequious smiles.

"Daoist friend has come this time seeking the whereabouts of the remaining parts?" Ye Xu smiled.

A thought stirred in his mind, piercing memories like reading an open book.

Lacking the profound abilities of Lin Qianmo or Duobao Daoist, the Poison Emperor’s mind was effortlessly bare before Ye Xu.

It wasn’t that Ye Xu couldn’t see through even Lin Qianmo or Duobao Daoist’s memories, but doing so required stronger methods, making detection inevitable. For him, it wasn’t worth the trouble.

After a quick browse, Ye Xu’s expression turned strikingly peculiar.

"Daoist friend’s experiences these past days have truly been… remarkable," Ye Xu mused.

The Poison Emperor was momentarily stunned. The next instant, tears welled hot in its eyes.

Born over a million years ago, it had existed almost entirely confined to the Poisonous Forest—cut off from the world. But the emergence of Unsurpassed Divine Mountain brought two Great Emperors from the Taihao Heavenly Sect, who ravaged its domain and forced its exile.

Since then, consumed by archaeology, the Poison Emperor had toiled in shadowed isolation.

Tsk tsk… Ye Xu’s expression turned odd. Duobao Daoist’s grave-digging motives were his own secret; he didn’t cause random trouble. But the Poison Emperor? It unleashed chaos in its wake. Wherever it went, its ruin reached beyond emptying tombs—nothing remained unscathed.

To obtain information about ancient tombs, the Poison Emperor had even assumed a female form, resorting to seduction. Witnessing that memory, Ye Xu nearly burst out laughing.

Part of a Primordial being, yet for the sake of an Emperor Venerable’s tomb, it had stooped to sacrificing its allure.

It must be noted: lacking defined gender, the Poison Emperor shifted at will between male and female. To it, such acts likely meant little. Yet in Ye Xu’s eyes, this was bizarre beyond measure.

Neither male nor female—is this a transvestite?

"You’ve worked hard," Ye Xu said, suppressing a laugh as he comforted the Poison Emperor.

After all, the Poison Emperor was stealing treasures to boost Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s metrics—such loyal customers must be retained.

"Senior is truly considerate," the Poison Emperor’s voice suddenly shifted into a soft, sugary female tone, dripping with sweetness.

Ye Xu broke out in goosebumps.

"Senior, this junior’s purpose in visiting is to inquire if you might know the whereabouts of the remaining liver and heart?" The Poison Emperor’s eyes brimmed with hope.

Ye Xu nodded with a smile. "Of course. But as for the price—you recall my terms?"

The heart and liver of that being, converted to Heavenly Secrets Points, would likely cost fifteen million—equivalent to the value of an immortal artifact. To Ye Xu’s present self, this was peanuts.

But for the destitute Poison Emperor, it was a colossal sum.

"Senior, please see here."

The Poison Emperor mustered her magic. Her mouth parted, and streams of treasure light poured forth—a scroll, a Thunder God’s Hammer, a jade seal, over a dozen bottles of pills, and several divine herbs emerged in a dazzling display.

Every valuable item she possessed was laid bare, no expense spared.

The costliest treasure was undoubtedly the scroll, obtained by sacrificing her dignity at an Emperor Venerable’s tomb. This supreme Emperor Venerable’s treasure was worth eight million Heavenly Secrets Points.

"System, how much can these items be exchanged for?"

"Sixteen million two hundred and sixty thousand."

Ye Xu remained impassive. A profit exceeding a million wasn’t bad.

But as he thought this, a sigh echoed inwardly.

After several deals involving billions, his mindset truly had shifted. Earning over a million Heavenly Secrets Points now barely stirred the waters of his heart.

"Daoist friend, these treasures suffice for the knowledge you seek," Ye Xu stated.

"Senior, please enlighten me."

The Poison Emperor was overjoyed. All the hardship and effort had truly paid off.

She’d sustained severe injuries during this period.

But her nature as a Primordial Being granted her immortality, her wounds healing automatically. Otherwise, she’d have been dead as a doornail long ago.

"System, investigate."

Ye Xu swept his sleeve, collecting every treasure.

Ding!

[Liver Information: Two-thirds of the leader’s liver fragments lie scattered in the Star Realm’s Chaotic Demon Palace and Great Dream Marsh.]

[Heart Information: Located in the Heart Devouring Demon Domain within the Tian Huang Realm, where it reigns supreme.]

"The Star Realm’s Chaotic Demon Palace?" Ye Xu frowned slightly. "If I recall correctly, that’s a top-tier power under the guardianship of a Great Emperor, second only to factions like the Moon God Clan."

[Confirmed.]

Ye Xu gave a faint nod. Retrieving the liver shouldn’t pose difficulties for the Poison Emperor.

"And how powerful is that heart?" Ye Xu inquired.

The heart capable of evolving an entire domain and dominating a region must have birthed sentience. With the Poison Emperor’s strength, he was likely no match for it.

When the time came, that sentient heart would absorb the Poison Emperor.

Ye Xu glanced at the Poison Emperor, pity flashing in his eyes. If events unfolded as he anticipated, the Poison Emperor’s consciousness might vanish completely upon this journey.

Ye Xu compiled the gathered information onto a jade slip and handed it to the Poison Emperor.

Accepting the jade slip, the Poison Emperor scanned its contents, his smile broadening with each passing moment.

"Gathering both the liver and the heart brings me one giant step closer to restoring my complete body! My gratitude, venerable sir, my deepest gratitude!" The Poison Emperor uttered with tearful appreciation.

"Daoist friend," Ye Xu spoke lightly, "this heart’s power already rivals the late stage Emperor Venerable Realm. Even after absorbing two-thirds of your liver strength, you yourself would still be assimilated.

Your consciousness would likely fade into oblivion then, forever consumed, forever lost.

Is this truly the outcome you desire?"

He had witnessed the Poison Emperor’s entire journey. While he wouldn’t label the Poison Emperor despicable, it was undeniable.

The Poison Emperor had remained confined to the Poisonous Forest. Were it not for the descent of the Unsurpassed Divine Mountain, his existence would have persisted in monotony.

But the Poisonous Forest lay destroyed, forcing the Poison Emperor into exile and endless quests through ancient ruins. Ye Xu could see the hardship involved, yet only the Poison Emperor truly tasted its bitterness.

In Ye Xu’s view, the Poison Emperor wasn’t merely destitute; he was profoundly pitiable.

To stand by and watch him march willingly to his doom stirred a twinge of compassion within Ye Xu, prompting him to intervene.

The Poison Emperor froze.

He had never once contemplated himself.

From the very moment of his birth, he saw himself as merely a part of that Primordial being, destined to eventually merge back into the whole.

Losing his consciousness within that process was, in his view, an honor he was willing to embrace.

Yet the weight of Ye Xu’s words now shook that deeply-held belief.

Though these recent days skirted the edges of survival, they were rich with new experiences. The thought of vanishing completely if his consciousness extinguished suddenly struck him.

"Venerable," the Poison Emperor replied after a long moment, his voice bitter as if resigned to fate, "this is my purpose."

"I have said enough, Daoist friend. Proceed as you see fit," Ye Xu stated lightly.

Kind words could not restrain a spirit bent on death. If the Poison Emperor remained determined to walk this path, not even Ye Xu could halt him.

"Then I shall take my leave now, Senior."

Executing a respectful bow, the Poison Emperor turned and exited Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Outside, the day was radiant, the sunlight warm and bright.

But within the Poison Emperor’s heart, it felt as though the very canvas of heaven and earth had split open, leaving scars of the heavens across the firmament.

He pondered the words deeply, replaying them again and again.