Volume One: The Calamity of the Lich Chapter 164: Emperor Jun’s Unusual Manner, Kunpeng’s Actions

“I’ve heard that several plant and flower spirit roots of exceptional power have achieved enlightenment in the Purple Mansion Continent. Have you investigated their backgrounds?”
As this thought crossed Di Jun’s mind, he turned to Bai Ze and the others and asked.

“Your Majesty, we’ve already looked into it! It seems that last time’s events inspired them. Since then, they’ve devoted themselves to cultivation, and only recently have their efforts borne fruit—they’ve just begun to make a name for themselves!”
Bai Ze, upon hearing this, glanced at a demon king standing nearby. The latter immediately understood and stepped forward to answer.

“Oh, so that’s how it is. You may rise. If I’m not mistaken, you’re the one who attained enlightenment as an alien insect, aren’t you?”
Di Jun regarded him, nodding in approval at his brisk reporting.

“To think Your Majesty still remembers such a thing! I am truly honored!”
The demon king replied joyfully.

“It seems you have a knack for gathering intelligence. From now on, the collection of all information for our Heavenly Court will be entrusted to you.”
Di Jun, seeing his delight, did not hold back his rewards.

“Thank you, Your Majesty! I will not fail your trust and expectations!”
The demon king thanked him happily, beaming as he withdrew.

“Well, since that’s settled, let’s discuss the matter of Purple Mansion Continent.”
Di Jun then looked at Bai Ze and spoke.

“Your Majesty, according to Shaodian, the Eastern King has proposed that after the completion of the year, he will come to the Heavenly Court to discuss an alliance with you.”

Upon hearing this, Di Jun raised an eyebrow and said,
“Oh? The Eastern King is not afraid that I might simply destroy him in the Heavenly Court?”

Bai Ze hurriedly advised,
“Your Majesty, that must not be! If we did such a thing, it would mark us as untrustworthy. Who would dare to ally with us afterward? What would become of the Heavenly Court’s reputation?”

“There’s no need to say more, Adviser. I am well aware of that. I was merely jesting.”
Although Di Jun tried to cover it up, Bai Ze, keenly perceptive, was not wholly convinced. He noticed the subtle shift, even if Di Jun hid it well.

“It is good that Your Majesty thinks so. We already face enough difficulty dealing with the Wu Tribe, with no hope of reconciliation. If we add Purple Mansion Continent to our enemies, our troubles will only multiply.”

“If they wish to negotiate, then let them.”
With Bai Ze’s words, and considering all that had happened lately, Di Jun felt increasingly restless and ill at ease. In the end, after discussing matters with Bai Ze, he returned to seclusion, hoping to calm his agitated heart.

Yet Di Jun did not know that, on the one hand, he was being influenced by the looming great calamity, and on the other, ever since he severed his Good Corpse, the malice within him was steadily accumulating.
Eventually, this would have a profound effect on him. If he could use this as an opportunity to sever his Evil Corpse as well, his cultivation would progress smoothly and his power would greatly increase. If he fell to the darkness, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Meanwhile, as Di Jun and the others had long since forgotten about Kunpeng, the old ancestor was quietly undertaking a monumental endeavor in the Northern Sea, unimaginable to Di Jun and his court.
By the time Di Jun learned of it, nearly ten thousand years had passed in his seclusion.

North Sea, the Northern Abyss.

A colossal beast lay sprawled across the waves. With a mere movement, it set off tremendous tsunamis.

“Cursed Hongyun! You ruined my fortune. Once I succeed, I will exact retribution, and that strand of purple qi on you will serve as my compensation!”
This beast was none other than Old Ancestor Kunpeng.

After a flash of black light, Kunpeng transformed into a middle-aged man standing where the beast had been.
A palace-like artifact appeared at his side.

“Countless years spent, and at last this treasure is complete. I only hope nothing goes awry,” Kunpeng muttered. A piece of pure jade manifested before him, and a brush-shaped artifact appeared in his hand.
These two items were what Kunpeng had acquired at the Cliff of Treasure Division.
At first, he thought them useless, for no matter what he tried, neither item could be used for offense.
He tossed them aside, but in the days that followed, he repeatedly received strange messages while at rest.
After careful examination, Kunpeng realized the messages came from these two objects.
Once he had sorted and absorbed all the information, he discovered that these two treasures were the key to an incredible opportunity.
If he could fully decipher their secrets, he stood a chance to gain extraordinary fortune.

When he was at a loss, the demon clan sought him out to invite him to join their ranks and the Heavenly Court.
He refused without hesitation.
At that moment, he sensed joy emanating from the two spirit treasures.

Through repeated experimentation, Kunpeng realized that the opportunity was tied to the newly risen demon clan and their legacy.
At first, he hesitated, knowing that this would create an unbreakable karmic bond with the demon clan, and Di Jun and the others would never let him go.
But after much internal struggle, Kunpeng made up his mind.

“I’ll do it! If I succeed, I’ll possess great fortune and merit. Why should I fear Di Jun and the rest?”
He devoted himself to refining the palace artifact, expending the accumulation of countless years without regret.
Once all preparations were complete, Kunpeng adjusted his state to perfection and began to comprehend the ancient script recorded in the primordial inheritance.

In a moment of inspiration, Kunpeng’s aura and bearing seemed to ascend to new heights.
The jade treasure floated before him, the brush artifact gripped in his right hand, and he began inscribing upon the jade, guided by pure intuition.

“Heaven and earth mysterious and yellow, the cosmos vast and ancient, sun and moon, stars and constellations…”
Character after character appeared on the jade.

As more and more demon script was etched onto the jade, countless thunderclouds began to gather above the Northern Abyss.
This dramatic change drew the attention of many mighty beings across the wilderness.

At the same time, in the Purple Cloud Palace of the Outer Heavens,
Hongjun suddenly opened his eyes. The Dao’s essence shimmered within his gaze as he divined the situation, turning his sight to the Northern Abyss.
Just as he had predicted, it was Kunpeng forging the demon script. His eyes closed once more.

At that moment, Hongjun’s aura and presence underwent a profound transformation, becoming deep and inscrutable.

On Mount Buzhou, Qingxuan also awoke from his meditations and looked toward the Northern Abyss.
“So, the demon script is about to be born? It seems the demon clan is about to flourish—but that’s all there is to it.”
With that, Qingxuan returned to his contemplation.

In the Heavenly Court, Taiyi, Bai Ze, and the others were all alarmed.
Fuxi appeared as well, with Nuwa at his side, her expression grave as she gazed at the assembly within the great hall.