Volume One: The Great Tribulation of the Liches, 223: Di Jun Arrives at Yang Valley, the Fusang Tree Reappears

"But Eldest Brother, are we just going to stand by and let the Demon race run rampant in our Kunlun, doing absolutely nothing?"

Yuan Shi felt that something was increasingly wrong.

"They are nothing more than a bunch of scaled and armored creatures!"

Tai Shang sighed upon hearing this and said, "Very well. Since I was already preparing to head out into the Primordial World, I shall give them a lesson myself. Otherwise, people will truly start to think that our Kunlun can be bullied at will!"

However, just as Tai Shang finished speaking, a grim voice echoed from outside.

"Eldest Brother, I shall go with you!"

It was Tong Tian, having just arrived from the Shangqing Peak.

Thus, Tai Shang and Tong Tian set off together toward the foot of Mount Kunlun.

At the foot of Mount Kunlun, a fierce sword light surged from the east, arriving before the group of Demon race members in an instant.

"Who goes there? Do you not know that this is the territory of the Demon race?"

Yet, at that moment, a cold, sharp voice pierced their ears.

"Oh? And when did I decide that my Kunlun had become your Demon territory?"

The next moment, Tong Tian stood holding his Qingping Sword, his body radiating a dense, formidable sword intent. His left hand was balled into a fist, veins bulging—he was clearly enraged to the extreme.

"Daoist Tong Tian, you show no respect at all. Are you not afraid that our Demon Saint Nuwa might come to hold you accountable?"

"Oh? Then by all means, have her come and try!"

Tong Tian did not yield an inch, his expression icy as he stared at the Demon race contingent.

"Get lost at once, or do not blame my sword for being heartless. Do you truly think that because the three of us rarely show ourselves, the Primordial World has forgotten us?"

With that, Tong Tian swiftly slashed his sword, causing massive casualties among the Demon race; those who survived were either crippled or half-dead.

"This is merely a warning. If such a thing happens again, tell Di Jun to be careful, or I shall tear down his Lingxiao Treasure Hall."

In the end, the members of the Demon race could only slink back to the Heavenly Court in defeat.

"Alas! Why must you be so reckless, Third Brother?"

Tai Shang arrived only after the Demon race members had completely departed.

"Eldest Brother, with people like them, one should not choose leniency or indifference, or it will only fuel their arrogance."

Tong Tian gazed coldly toward the direction of the Heavenly Court, his face masked in frost.

"Since you have already handled the matter, I shall be on my way!"

After saying this, Tai Shang vanished once more. Tong Tian watched him go before returning to Kunlun. He had no idea that this departure of Tai Shang’s would mark the turning point of their destinies.

Meanwhile, in the Heavenly Court's Lingxiao Treasure Hall, Di Jun’s face turned ashen as he looked at the few survivors of the Demon race who had returned after being nearly wiped out.

"The Three Pure Ones!"

His right hand clenched into a fist, and the emotions in his eyes deepened into something tangible, as if they could melt the solid ice of winter.

Below him, the members of the Demon race trembled, not daring to look at Di Jun’s expression.

Just then, Tai Yi walked into the Lingxiao Treasure Hall with a leisurely gait.

"Brother!"

As soon as Tai Yi arrived, he called out to Di Jun softly.

Only then did Di Jun shift his gaze toward Tai Yi, the intensity in his eyes softening somewhat.

"Brother, a Demon King came to me just now, saying he discovered a place where the Hibiscus Holy Tree might be hidden!"

Di Jun stood up abruptly, staring at Tai Yi with excitement.

"Is that true?"

Tai Yi nodded. "If the Demon King’s description is accurate, that is indeed where the Hibiscus Holy Tree is located!"

"Where is it?"

"Yang Valley!" Tai Yi replied directly.

"Of course, Yang Valley! Why did I not think of it before? That is the most suitable place in the Primordial World for the Hibiscus Tree to grow!"

Di Jun swept his gaze across the hall and spoke quickly.

"There is no time to lose. Gather the men at once; we shall go and see for ourselves!"

The Demon race members in the hall seemed pardoned from death, rushing off to carry out the order. Once they had assembled a large force, Di Jun and his retinue headed toward Yang Valley in a grand procession.

In the Primordial World, at Yang Valley, Di Jun looked at the powerful barrier before him. He was annoyed for a moment before speaking with delight.

"It is indeed the Hibiscus Holy Tree!"

The Demon race had never seen Di Jun so happy, and they became curious as to what this tree could be to make their Demon Emperor lose his composure.

"Remove these obstructive barriers for me!" Di Jun commanded.

"Brother, it may not be so easy! I have already inspected it. The techniques used to create this barrier are too unique; ordinary people cannot shake it. Unless one reaches the Quasi-Saint realm, it is impossible to have any effect on it!" Tai Yi cautioned.

Only then did the surrounding Demon race members cast grateful looks toward Tai Yi.

Di Jun’s expression was slightly awkward, but he quickly covered it up.

"Ahem, I did not notice. In that case, let those at the Quasi-Saint realm and above strike together to break this barrier."

After speaking, Di Jun was the first to condense countless strands of True Solar Fire, striking the barrier.

As he condensed the fire, he and Tai Yi felt a presence from within the barrier calling to them. It seemed as if something on the other side of the barrier was also attacking it from within.

Seeing this, the two intensified their efforts, gathering their True Solar Fire to assault the seal. At first, their attacks had no effect, but Di Jun did not lose heart.

After an unknown amount of time, they finally noticed the barrier beginning to crumble, cracks slowly appearing on its surface.

"Attack the cracks!" Di Jun shouted.

It took nearly a thousand years, but they finally ground the barrier into nothingness.

As the barrier fell, all the Demon race members—save for Di Jun and Tai Yi—felt a scorching heat wash over them. They retreated rapidly, while Di Jun looked forward with joy.

"Indeed, it is the Hibiscus Holy Tree!"

The next moment, two pure wisps of origin energy descended from the tree, merging into the bodies of the two brothers. Countless purple-red flames instantly enveloped them.

The Demon race members rushed forward in anxiety, wanting to check on their condition.

"Stay back!"

They heard Di Jun’s command and stopped in their tracks.

The next moment, they saw their Demon Emperor and the Eastern Emperor transform into giant Three-Legged Golden Crows.

"Caw!"

Two piercing cries rang out, echoing across the Primordial heavens and earth.

Immediately after, the two giant birds, wrapped in purple-red flames, flew rapidly toward the Sun Star.

At that same moment, the temperature across the entire Primordial World rose significantly.

Fortunately, the two Golden Crows soon vanished as they reached the Sun Star.

Countless powerful beings in the Primordial World cast their gaze toward the Sun Star, but they found it blocked by a mysterious force, preventing them from probing any further.

One by one, the powerful beings had to give up in regret, though they did not look away, eager to see what would happen next.

A few of them, however, began to harbor their own private speculations.