Chapter 176: Demon Emperor City
Under the extremely cold temperature, Hailong City and its surroundings were a vast expanse of white.
The moisture from the south had now settled, forming a layer of hoarfrost on the frozen ground.
At this moment, three graceful women approached, walking towards the burning charcoal fire.
Jiang Yan had said on the way here that when it came to finding a Dao Companion, it was necessary to consider their appearance, otherwise, there would be no interest during Dual Cultivation.
But sometimes, interest doesn't come from appearance; it comes from a strong Physical Body and surging Qi.
Yan Qiubai thought this way, and Jiang Yuerou thought the same.
However, Ji You couldn't show any of it at this moment because he was lying on a wooden board removed from the carriage,
His face was pale, and he had fallen into a coma.
Barbarians are born with unparalleled Divine Power, and the fist strength of a Soldier King Realm is terrifying.
Although that punch did not land on the envoy's carriage but was intercepted by the Forty-Nine Mountain Layers in mid-air, force has always been reciprocal.
Combat is like this: the strength of offensive means determines whether the opponent dies, while the strength of the Physical Body determines whether one can survive.
Jiang Chenfeng was not wrong about one thing: no matter how strong he was, he was still a Tong Xuan Realm.
Whether it was refining the Physical Body or wielding multiple swords, in the face of a true disparity in strength, they could only be considered superficial.
A superficial display due to insufficient strength.
Therefore, the barbarian Soldier King, though caught off guard and repelled, was not seriously injured. Instead, Ji You, whose Sword Qi surged, had his Qi penetrate his body, causing him to fall into a coma.
At this moment, the three women looked at Ji You, their lips slightly pursed.
His current state was very much like the description in the opening act of folk operas.
A scholar on his way to the capital for the imperial examination encounters heavy rain, then develops a high fever, lying on straw casually pulled over in a dilapidated temple, unable to get up, weak and pathetic, without the strength to tie a chicken, groaning for water, water, water. It was impossible to tell that he possessed the Immortal Aura of wielding the Forty-Nine Mountain Layers and having Sword Qi soaring to the sky.
“Is Ji Gongzi alright?”
“His Spirit Origin was severely drained, and he was struck by the opponent's fist Qi, resulting in deep internal injuries. His Divine Thought was already blurry when we entered the city. We just fed him some Medicinal Pills, and now we'll see if he can wake up.”
Gongshu Chou sat by the charcoal fire, leaning on his sword, and spoke indifferently.
Jiang Yan pondered for a moment, then said that Dan Sect had a type of Green Spirit Pill that could rapidly heal injuries, but it was extremely rare.
Jiang Yuerou also mentioned a Spirit Pill called Heavenly Harmony Pill, which also possessed powerful healing abilities and was equally valuable.
It is said that Medicinal Pills of this Rank, if found in some smaller Worldly Families, would be worth placing in a treasure vault under strict guard. Since trade began between the Human Race and Yao Race, the Yao Race has always been very interested in the Human Race's Medicinal Pills. The son of the Demon Emperor even personally went to Dan Sect to seek medicine.
Although that attempt to acquire medicine was unsuccessful, the later Yao Race still indirectly recovered large quantities of Spirit Pills through Worldly Families and Great Xia, transporting them back to the Snow Region.
So they thought that once they entered the Yao Race Imperial City, they might be able to find these Medicinal Pills.
Gongshu Chou glanced at them, picked up two medicine bottles from a medicine box on the ground: “Are these the medicines you're talking about?”
Jiang Yan and Jiang Yuerou took them and looked, their expressions slightly surprised: “These are indeed those Medicinal Pills, but they seem a bit larger?”
“He has many such Medicinal Pills in his storage gourd, and they are all in increased doses.”
“?”
Whether it was the Green Spirit Pill or the Heavenly Harmony Pill, Medicinal Pills that could affect Upper Five Realms Cultivators could only come from Dan Sect, and the dosage was basically standard, unchanged for thousands of years.
Because the dosage used by Dan Sect has always been the most suitable for Human Race use.
However, the difference was that Ji You's Physical Body was too powerful, so he needed a larger dosage than others.
In other words, all the Medicinal Pills in this medicine box had their dosages re-allocated and custom-made specifically for him.
And besides the Medicinal Pills they mentioned, there were also some Medicinal Pills that could rapidly restore Divine Thought, forcefully protect Spirit Origin, boost combat power to its Peak, and ensure absolute clarity of the Dao Heart for two hours.
Such Medicinal Pills, even these Immortal Sect Prodigies had never seen, but they were all neatly arranged in that medicine box.
And at the bottom layer of the medicine box, they also saw some highly poisonous Medicinal Pills, shapeless in water, colorless and odorless, which even those in the Wujiang Realm could not resist, causing several Elders to be greatly alarmed.
But what was most unsettling was that Dan Sect never sold poisons externally.
Because Dan Sect's alchemists had no combat power, selling poisons could indirectly create enemies for them.
Moreover, the art of poison pills was also one of their means of self-preservation, and they would not easily let others know about it.
Yet all these Spirit Pills appeared in Ji You's medicine box, and they were of extremely high quality, naturally formed.
Ji You was not without protection.
And those protections never came from so-called background or Family.
Gongshu Chou turned to look at the half-dismantled carriage behind him, swung his sword to cut off the shafts, and threw them into the bonfire. The paint on the shafts immediately shriveled and crackled.
Smoke and dust drifted towards the white sky, gradually fading into nothingness.
Yan Chuan, with his grizzled hair, sat by the charcoal fire, looking at the living Ancestor with his eyes closed, his face filled with worry.
To protect a Tong Xuan Realm Cultivator, prevent him from getting injured, prevent him from dying, and not let others discover him—this was the task Master Jian personally entrusted to him before departure.
In Elder Yan's view, as a Wujiang Realm Cultivator, protecting a Tong Xuan Realm Cultivator should be effortless.
But despite all his efforts, he never expected that he would actively rush towards death.
He had seen countless people seeking death in his life, but those were mostly Mortals who couldn't live on, driven mad by taxes, unable to support themselves or their Family, thus wishing to end it all.
However, he had heard of Ji You's deeds. It was said that he had entered the Inner Courtyard through his own efforts, and although he had not been accepted by the Immortal Palace of Tianshu Academy, he had established a Worldly Family in Feng Province.
Coupled with Master Jian's meticulous care for him, his future could be said to be bright.
Such a life, could he really just discard it?
You might not want it, but this old man does!
After a long rest, everyone began to move, and Ji You was carried onto the carriage.
This was still merely the border area between the Barbarian Race and the Yao Race. Although the Barbarians did not pursue them due to their delicate relationship with the Yao Race, it did not mean the area was necessarily safe, so everyone decided to depart as early as possible.
During this time, Ji You had opened his eyes once.
He looked at the broken sword in the carriage, remained silent, and then fell back into a deep sleep.
Continuing north from Hailong City, the temperature dropped further, and massive, towering snow mountains were already in sight. However, they did not plan to cross this snow mountain but instead intended to detour west.
After all, nothing grew on the snow mountain, and directions were difficult to discern. Detouring to the west would lead them past many Yao Race cities, where they could temporarily rest.
Meanwhile, a message from Hantie Pass was swiftly dispatched, reaching Shengjing from the Northern Region.
The Human Race had achieved a small victory in the eastern war zone, killing thousands of enemies.
Chong Wang and Wei Li were currently in the Listening Fragrance Water Pavilion in the King's residence's back garden, watching yellow leaves fall, listening to the small attendant in the residence read the war report, their eyes slightly narrowed.
Under normal circumstances, news of a victory outside Hantie Pass would indeed be a good thing, but not at this moment.
Because according to the war report, thirteen Soldier Kings and countless Upper General Realm Barbarians had suddenly left the battlefield in the eastern war zone a few days ago, speeding north.
Without their powerful generals, the Human Race could naturally achieve a small victory.
But where those suddenly departed generals had gone to kill, the answer was naturally self-evident.
So, at the same time, Cao Jinsong's eyelids twitched wildly all night, tossing and turning like a pancake until dawn. When he opened his eyes in the morning, he had a premonition.
Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu also had a restless night and met him by Bi Shui Lake.
“Now, the war outside Hantie Pass is tense. The Barbarian generals would not leave the battlefield for no reason. The only explanation is that they discovered the envoy's tracks and pursued them.”
Wen Zhengxin clenched his fist: “What Realm is Soldier King?”
Ban Yangshu turned to look at her: “I inquired at the Immortal Supervisorate; it is said their strength is between Sky Soaring and Wujiang Realm.”
Cao Jinsong looked around with a somber expression: “They have definitely encountered pursuers. My twitching eyelids are never without reason.”
“Is it accurate?”
“Every time Ji You's villainous Heart-Nature suddenly becomes clear and he wants to return to his proper duties, it twitches wildly, as if urging me to run. Do you think it's accurate?”
Wen Zhengxin remained silent for a long time before speaking: “Junior Brother's Dao Heart is clear, and his mind is meticulous. Even if he encounters danger, he should be able to turn misfortune into good fortune.”
Cao Jinsong shook his head: “You don't understand. From what I know of him, if he truly reaches a critical moment, he always makes the most dangerous choice, just like when he was in Yuyang County, he broke through two Realms in one night.”
“?!”
Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu instantly looked stunned, then turned to look at Cao Jinsong.
Everyone in the courtyard knew the reason Ji You entered the academy, saying he was extremely lucky to achieve Perfection at a critical moment and enter Tianshu Academy, but no one ever knew that before that night, Ji You was merely in the Condensing Essence Mid Realm, not even having reached the Upper Realm.
The reason Cao Jinsong hadn't mentioned it was because the matter was too shocking. A private Cultivator from the countryside entering an Immortal Sect was already attention-grabbing, and in his opinion, being low-key was a good thing.
However, after spending a long time together, Cao Instructor had come to understand the Heart-Nature of Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu. Moreover, Ji You had now entered the Inner Courtyard and established a Worldly Family, so concealing it was no longer as important.
“Junior Brother once broke through two Realms in one night?”
“If not for that, how would I dare to bet a hundred Spirit Stones with Instructor Ma and Instructor Ding?”
Cao Jinsong was worried, deeply concerned that Ji You would indeed risk his life without hesitation.
Having a kind Heart-Nature and being willing to establish destiny for the common people is a good thing, but one shouldn't put oneself in a deadly situation.
At this moment, ten li west of State Prefecture, at the former site of Luoxia Villa, Ji Village.
A little girl in cotton clothes was sitting cross-legged on a futon. Faint currents of Qi slowly gathered around her, but before those currents could touch her skin, she suddenly opened her eyes. Seeing no one around, she quietly planned to go out.
This estate was too large; she still hadn't fully explored it, but she remembered the kitchen's location better than anyone.
However, before she could rush into the kitchen, Pei Ruyi grabbed her by the collar and dragged her back into the room,
Frightened, tears flowed from her mouth.
“Master—”
“Cultivate well. Feng Province is vast; ultimately, it cannot rely solely on Ji You to protect it.”
Pei Ruyi carried Qiu Ru to the bed, then walked out of Ji Village alone, heading towards the city outskirts.
It was already late autumn, and the chill of winter was becoming noticeable. The agricultural officials of Feng Province had been working with Qiu Zhong in recent days to delineate the land to be cultivated next year, often rushing to the site.
Among their team were many common folk who, no longer worried about having enough food for winter, spontaneously joined in the planning of the cultivated land.
Another group of women were comparing the grain seeds left after this year's harvest.
In the past, the remaining grain after paying taxes was barely enough to feed the people, so naturally no one cared which seeds would yield better crops; they just planted whatever they had.
If there wasn't enough for sowing, they even had to borrow from the steward's granary at a rate of ten for one borrowed.
But now, with abundant surplus, people naturally began to research which varieties grew well and had high yields.
In summary, the people of Feng Province were eagerly anticipating the coming year, rather than just surviving year by year as before.
All these changes stemmed from Ji You establishing a Worldly Family here and reclaiming the tax quota.
However, these newly relieved common folk might not know that not far from here, in the northern border, an even greater crisis was brewing.
Meanwhile, on the vast, white border of the Snow Region, the carriage, after three days of rapid travel, finally slowed to a stop.
Shi Junhao jumped off the carriage, his face pale. His shoulder had suffered a tearing injury and was now bandaged, but blood still seeped through with arm movements.
The others also bore more or less wounds, looking somewhat fatigued from their journey.
The Snow Region was vast; apart from the Yao Race cities, it was all desolate snowy land, which became a hotbed of murderous intent as the envoy passed through.
The Barbarian Race was unwilling to give up; they dared not act within the Yao Race city, but set up an ambush in this place where there were no Yao Race.
They had encountered a surprise attack from Barbarian Beasts when skirting the snow mountains, almost causing an avalanche, and were also suddenly ambushed by Barbarian Race in the snow mountain ridge, keeping them on edge the whole way.
Fortunately, this battle was not as tragic as when their whereabouts were exposed.
After all, it was on Yao Race territory; even if they infiltrated without permission, they ultimately did not dare to act overtly. If the ambush failed, they could only leave, lest they lose more than they gained.
At this moment, everyone gazed far into the bitterly cold wind and snow, seeing two majestic snow Peaks rise from the ground, like sharp swords piercing the clouds, their Aura magnificent.
Between these two snow Peaks, a vast and boundless city quietly sat.
Among the Nine Provinces, the smallest in area was the Central Province, and the city before them was already as large as the Central Province, as if embedded in the white snow.
"Demon Emperor City—"
"We've finally arrived."
Everyone gazed at the magnificent city, unable to help but be drawn by its grandeur.
Unlike the Human Race, which was divided into Nine Provinces, each fending for itself, this Demon Emperor City was the power core of the Snow Region Yao Race.
Even from a dozen miles away, they could already feel certain powerful Auras within the city.
And for thousands of years since the Primordial Era, they were the first Human Race to arrive here.
"That's Demon Emperor City ahead, but we still can't let our guard down, because the Yao Race internally has different attitudes towards our Human Race. After all, our Human Race has occupied the fertile Nine Provinces for many years. Although the Yao Race doesn't live as hard as the Barbarian Race, they still harbor hopes for the Nine Provinces."
Peng Dongyang lowered his voice and said, "Among the various Yao Race tribes, some are willing to trade with our Human Race, but others strongly advocate for alliance with the Barbarian Race. We can't even be sure if some of them have already exchanged resources with the Barbarian Race, so we must always be vigilant."
What this Deputy Supervisor of the Immortal Supervision said was actually the true situation of the Yao Race at present.
If some thoughts weren't stirred, then so be it, but once they were, various different choices would emerge.
Some felt that war was bad, but others felt that war was the fastest way to see results.
However, the good thing was that the Yao Race Emperor, unlike the Human Race Emperor, was the true leader of the Snow Region Yao Race, one of the strongest in Qingyun World. The envoy only needed to persuade him not to start a war, and the purpose of this trip would be considered a success.
Jiang Chenfeng couldn't help but ask, "How strong is the Yao Race Emperor?"
The Asked the Dao Sect Elder stroked his long beard, "No one has ever seen the Yao Race Emperor make a move, so no one knows how strong he is."
"Upper Five Realms Perfection?"
"In terms of combat power alone, I believe he is above Upper Five Realms Perfection."
The Mountain and Sea Pavilion Elder also couldn't help but squint his eyes in the cold wind, "Unlike the Barbarian Race, a race that grew up in hunger and cold, the Yao Race is a race that could contend with our Human Race for the world since the Primordial Era. The Yao Race Emperor's lineage even had a chance to rule the world."
Upon hearing this, the Immortal Sect Prodigies couldn't help but look at each other.
The Yao Race had no Dao tradition, so the Yao Race Emperor naturally couldn't achieve Immortal Ascension like the Human Race.
His strength should come from his own Bloodline, like the Barbarian Race's physical cultivation, seeking inward to achieve Realm advancement.
It was a pity that even at such a powerful level, without a Dao tradition, he still couldn't achieve Immortal Ascension and could only lead his people to live in this Snow Region, isolated here.
Peng Dongyang watched them discussing the Yao Race Emperor's strength and couldn't help but speak again, "This place is full of Yao Race. Please be sure to avoid conflicts with them. We are outsiders after all."
Jiang Chenfeng glanced at him, "Lord Peng worries too much. We naturally won't."
"That's good."
"However, if the Yao Race initiates trouble, that's another matter."
Upon hearing this, Peng Dongyang squeezed his hands, and after a long while, swallowed his words back, sighing softly.
He thought to himself, some people dared to cut down a Barbarian Race Soldier King with a sword, while others only dared to be fierce with their mouths.
Then the caravan followed a wide road towards Demon Emperor City, arriving before the city amidst the wind and snow.
At this time, outside Demon Emperor City, someone was already standing on the city wall, looking down at them diagonally.
Just as the Human Race first saw the Yao Race on the streets of Shengjing, the Yao Race here were seeing the Human Race for the first time.
"They look so frail, like they'd break with a touch, but their Aura is very strong."
"That is the favor of the Heavenly Dao. The Immortal Dao that the Human Race speaks of is like this."
"I prefer the Barbarian Race to the Human Race."
On the city wall, there was a burly, black-eyed Yao General with two large ears standing erect and thick nostrils exhaling white smoke.
There was much discussion on the city wall, just as Peng Dongyang had said earlier, with various attitudes, but no one actually blocked the envoy's entry.
Demon Emperor City was divided into an outer city and an inner city. The outer city was vast, with most buildings having pointed roofs to cope with the continuous heavy snow throughout the year. Every house had towering chimneys constantly spewing thick smoke, blending into the snowy landscape.
The city area was mostly filled with coniferous evergreens, which still thrived in the extreme cold.
At this moment, some of the Yao Race had already come from the inner city, their indigo Yao eyes flickering, greeting them with pleasant expressions.
Three individuals walked at the forefront. The one in the middle was a handsome Yao Race Young Master, and to his left was a woman in an immortal-like gown, both with prominent horns and fine scales on their necks, exuding an air of nobility.
When the Yao Race first appeared in the Nine Provinces, there was someone who once claimed to be the son of the Yao Race Emperor, who was the one before them named Night Chill.
And the other was his biological sister, the Yao Race Gongzhu Feng Yang.
"You have come a long way; it must have been arduous."
Peng Dongyang bowed, "May our Human Race and Yao Race maintain eternal friendship."
Night Chill extended his hand to help him up, "Although our two races have not interacted for thousands of years, we are actually close at heart."
"Your Highness speaks truly."
Night Chill then looked at the two middle-aged Yao Race behind him, "Let me introduce you. These two are Clan Chief Mo Rong of the Claw Tribe and Clan Chief Huang Long of the Fur Tribe, both important ministers by my imperial father's side."
Peng Dongyang maintained his bow, while the other Immortal Sect Elders and Prodigies merely cupped their hands slightly.
Then, the group looked at another person accompanying Night Chill. He was dressed in white, already advanced in years.
His hands were hidden in his sleeves, and his Aura was not as strong as theirs, but his vertical pupils appeared exceptionally profound.
Night Chill raised the corner of his mouth, "This is Dr. Baili, the Saint Doctor from the Imperial Palace. I specifically invited him from my imperial father to examine Ji Gongzi."
"?"
Jiang Yan and the others frowned slightly upon hearing this.
The Yao Race had long known about the Human Race envoy's journey into the wilderness, including the great battle in front of Hailong City, which had been under their observation.
So that night, it wasn't just them and the Barbarian Race Soldier King who saw the Forty-Nine Mountain Layers; these Yao Race also knew.
"I already smell blood."
Dr. Baili didn't wait for a reply and walked directly towards the middle carriage. Night Chill stepped to follow, and the Yao Race Gongzhu Feng Yang also followed, feeling a bit curious.
Gongshu Chou wanted to draw his sword to stop him, but Yan Chuan held his hand, "If the Yao Race intended harm, they wouldn't need to use such methods to deceive us. Let them see."
"Then—all right."
Jiang Chenfeng frowned slightly at this moment, "How would the Yao Race know the name of a Tong Xuan Realm cultivator?"
Gongshu Chou turned to look at him, "When the Yao Race first sent an envoy to Shengjing, the personal guard accompanying this son of the Yao Race Emperor was injured, and that sword strike was given by Ji You."
As his words fell, the Human Race Prodigies couldn't help but be slightly surprised.
However, before they could react, they saw the Yao Race Saint Doctor suddenly walk out of the carriage, at a speed that left people dumbfounded.
Gongshu Chou's brow furrowed, "So fast?"
Dr. Baili spoke indifferently, "Beyond saving."
"?!"
Elder Yan Chuan's face changed drastically; he widened his eyes as if he wanted to bite someone, "How can he be beyond saving? You quack, don't talk nonsense!"
Dr. Baili glanced at him, "Internal injuries are easy to say, but his Heart-Nature is weak. To put it plainly, he himself doesn't really want to live."
Gongshu Chou's mouth twisted, "Heart-Nature is weak? Do you know what you're saying?"
Night Chill and Princess Feng Yang also couldn't help but show a hint of surprise, thinking to themselves that Ji You dared to cut down a Soldier King with a sword, so how could he be described as having a weak Heart-Nature?