Chapter 139

Chapter 139: Karma’s Wheel Turns Without Fail

After returning from the Burial Soil, the voice of the Green Lotus Demon Emperor lingered incessantly in Lian Jiuyou’s mind. Each time he slept, he dreamed of the scene he had witnessed in the Burial Soil.

That scene had already become his nightmare and his inner demon.

Cultivators at the heavenly god level could go without rest—let alone those at the peak of quasi-emperor level?

Thus, Lian Jiuyou’s condition had but one explanation: a grave flaw existed in his Dao heart, causing him to have nightmares and spawn inner demons.

If left unresolved, this would inevitably become calamitous torment.

"The Green Lotus Demon Emperor isn’t dead?"

Ye Xu explored every memory etched in Lian Jiuyou’s consciousness—and felt a profound shock.

Could the Burial Soil truly hold such profound strangeness?

Was it possible the Green Lotus Demon Emperor achieved a second life?

Yet the Demon Emperor’s circumstances seemed deeply unsettling; whether alive or dead, none could say for certain.

"You allege that the Green Lotus Demon Emperor lives?"

Ye Xu gazed at Lian Jiuyou and spoke solemnly.

Lian Jiuyou shuddered slightly and hastened to shake his head, stumbling over his words: "I would never deny your insight, Esteemed One—yet my father’s state is… perplexing. I implore your guidance."

"System," instructed Ye Xu mentally. "Ascertain whether the Green Lotus Demon Emperor lives or perishes."

[150,000 heavenly secrets points required.]

Ye Xu’s facial muscles twitched faintly. After attaining emperorship, he possessed barely 152,000 heavenly secrets points—this single inquiry would plunge him back to destitution.

But he had no other choice.

Not just for Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s prestige, nor for Lian Jiuyou’s sake.

This was a consequence of his own failings—it had to be settled decisively.

"Proceed," Ye Xu commanded silently.

Ding!

[Green Lotus Demon Emperor: Late-stage great emperor.]

[Identity: Original form—a Green Lotus; founding Demon Emperor of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom.]

[Techniques: Eternal Catastrophe Sutra.]

[Condition: Primordial spirit annihilated; physical form preserved.]

[Conclusion: Cannot attain a second life.]

A torrent of revelations surged into Ye Xu’s mind.

"Demon Emperor," Ye Xu enunciated with steel in his voice, each syllable striking Lian Jiuyou’s heart like a blade’s edge. "I declare with certainty: the Green Lotus Demon Emperor has perished."

"Impossible…"

Lian Jiuyou clenched his fists in utter agony—palm dripping with blood.

Within the Heavenly Battle Burial Site, there clearly existed the body of the Green Lotus Demon Emperor, along with his consciousness, and the Endless Catastrophe Formation stood guard. It was evident these were the Green Lotus Demon Emperor’s preparations for his second life.

Although his mind remained hazy, how could he die?

"You didn’t believe me, so why did you still come to ask?" Ye Xu shook his head with a light sigh. "I understand you well, but the departed have gone. You must accept this grief."

The scene of that day etched itself deep into Lian Jiuyou’s heart.

He found it unforgettable.

He leaned toward believing the Green Lotus Demon Emperor still lived, yet the authority of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion forced him to accept the truth: the Green Lotus Demon Emperor had perished long ago.

Lian Jiuyou suffered severely—his thoughts chaotic, his spirit fragmented.

"Esteemed Senior, could you help investigate… the cause of my father’s death?" Lian Jiuyou inhaled deeply. Calming himself, he posed another question.

"System, how many heavenly secrets points are required to query the cause of the Green Lotus Demon Emperor’s death?"

[Five million.]

Ye Xu’s heart jolted.

News of the Green Lotus Demon Emperor’s death cost only 1.5 million points, yet his cause of death demanded five million points—this was unquestionably abnormal.

Only one possibility remained.

The Green Lotus Demon Emperor’s demise involved secrets buried within the Burial Soil.

Otherwise, for a mere Great Emperor of the demon clan, how could such an inquiry be worth five million heavenly secrets points?

"The price is very steep. You cannot afford it."

Ye Xu sighed softly. He had witnessed Lian Jiuyou’s filial devotion, this son journeying repeatedly for his father’s sake.

But rules were rules. They could not be altered.

He might choose not to profit, but he could never undertake a loss.

"Senior, please just state it plainly."

Lian Jiuyou was thoroughly prepared. Even if he had to sell off all the treasures of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom, he would gather enough to exchange for the information.

"Ten thousand sacred artifacts."

"Ten thousand?!"

Lian Jiuyou’s face drained of color.

Finding ten thousand sacred artifacts was likely impossible across the entire Yuan Realm.

And this was Ye Xu’s bottom line.

"Demon Emperor, the Green Lotus Demon Emperor’s death… it holds many problems." Ye Xu looked meaningfully at Lian Jiuyou. "With your current cultivation, you must not contemplate uncovering this truth."

"You are far too weak. Even if you uncovered it, what could you truly accomplish?"

"The urgent matter now is to pursue your breakthrough to become a Great Emperor."

Lian Jiuyou trembled from head to toe.

A profound statement had shattered his dreamlike state.

Within the Heavenly Battle Burial Site, that terrifying feeling, like a thorn in his back—truly, as Ye Xu had said: even if he resolved the truth, what waves could those of quasi-emperor-level strength barely create?

It must be known that the Green Lotus Demon Emperor was an expert at the late stage of the Great Emperor realm.

If even he had fallen, what could he do?

"Thank you for your guidance, senior."

Lian Jiuyou bowed deeply.

"Once Godfall Ridge is unsealed, it will be your day to prove your Great Emperor status," Ye Xu added.

Lian Jiuyou had already learned about this from Lin Qianmo, so upon hearing Ye Xu’s words, he only blinked slightly without excessive shock.

"Senior, over this past month, I secretly investigated Bai Yuehong’s whereabouts and have news."

Lian Jiuyou pondered briefly before speaking slowly.

Bai Yuehong’s location was originally a bargaining chip he intended to trade, but the cause of the Green Lotus Demon Emperor’s death involved too many secrets, and the price was prohibitively steep, forcing Lian Jiuyou to hold back.

Ye Xu’s counsel touched Lian Jiuyou deeply, so he took the initiative to share the news.

"Speak."

Ye Xu gave a light smile; he actually knew this from Lian Jiuyou’s memories already, but on the surface, he feigned nonchalance.

"After the Unsurpassed Divine Mountain was destroyed, Bai Yuehong fled to the Sea of All Realms to avoid being hunted by two Great Emperors of the Taihao Heavenly Sect, and half a moon ago, he stealthily returned to the Central Continent."

"However, Bai Yuehong is extremely patient; even when the True Martial God Sect was annihilated, he refrained from rushing out."

"But seven days ago, he revealed traces."

"The sect master of the Pure Yang Heavenly Sect is a great sage he personally supported; this sect was constantly vying for territory with the True Martial God Sect until, seven days ago, it abruptly retreated its forces and held its ground."

"I dispatched the Black Tortoise King to investigate covertly, uncovering Bai Yuehong’s trail."

Lian Jiuyou said solemnly, "If I guess correctly, Bai Yuehong is within the Pure Yang Heavenly Sect."

"Senior, should I take action to eliminate this villain?"

"No need."

Ye Xu waved his hand and said, "Go back now; I will handle Bai Yuehong myself."

He had already attained the Great Emperor realm and was eager to practice his skills; Bai Yuehong’s cultivation was at the peak of the quasi-emperor level and could break through to the Great Emperor realm at any moment, making him the ideal opponent.

"Then I shall take my leave."

Lian Jiuyou clasped his fists in farewell and withdrew.

"Master, will you act personally?" Yang Xuanzhan exclaimed in surprise. "Otherwise, let this servant go? How dare a mere Bai Yuehong trouble your presence?"

"You stay."

Ye Xu said lightly, "I was in seclusion for a moon and will take a walk out."

"Xian’er, would you like to come with me?"

"Yes."

Ye Xian’er smiled brightly like a flower.

"Then let’s go."

Ye Xu surged his mana, activating the Creation Heart Sutra; threads of divine patterns locked his Purple Palace and imprinted onto his primordial spirit, altering all his information.

Even the Heavenly Dao could not perceive his flaws in a short time.

Not even the Concealing Heaven’s Divine Talisman matched the profundity of the Creation Heart Sutra.

Ye Xu and Ye Xian’er walked out of the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion together.

Stepping over the threshold, the sky was blue and the air pure.

Months had passed; it was only his second time leaving the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Ye Xu inhaled deeply; it felt wonderful.

"Today is truly prime weather for killing."

Ye Xu’s gaze was indifferent.

On his last exit, Saint Ziyang attacked him, forging a death feud with the True Martial God Sect.

This second exit would settle that enmity.

A cycle of karma; retribution was inevitable.