Living in the deep palace

"Thump! Thump!" All the demons in the Temple of Slaughtering Gods knelt down!

"Spare us! My lord, spare us! We are willing to surrender!" The demon bat pirate prostrated himself, his soul almost flying away in fear.

"Spare us?" Su Chen's gaze fell on the trembling Hundred Flowers Celestial Venerable and Netherworld Ancient Venerable on the high platform. "You should ask them that."

"Hundred Flowers, Netherworld." Su Chen's voice entered their minds. "The demons of this hall, their paths, their souls, I bestow upon you. Devour them, kill them, it's up to you!"

"What?!" The Celestial Venerable of a Hundred Flowers and the Ancient Venerable of the Netherworld looked up abruptly. They stared at the Fourth Realm and Third Realm cultivators kneeling on the ground, and at the Ten Thousand Demons who had been so arrogant just moments before but were now as humble as dogs. An unprecedented sense of exhilaration exploded within them!
"Hahaha...hahahahahaha!" The Ancient Venerable of the Netherworld burst into wild laughter. His cold and sinister Dao was now tinged with a hint of Su Chen's domineering aura.

"Baihua! What are you waiting for?! This is the feast that Su Zun has bestowed upon us! Netherworld - Devouring Souls!"

"Boom!" The Death Soul Dao of the Netherworld Ancient Venerable's dream shattered on its own at this moment, transforming into the most primal form of devouring!
"Aaaaah! No! Spare me!" the ten thousand demons wailed.

As the Celestial Venerable of a Hundred Flowers watched this scene, her tears of blood slowly ceased. She glanced at the figure in green robes standing with his hands behind his back, his back to all living beings, and a hint of intoxication and fanaticism flashed in her eyes.

"Su Zun, Baihua understands. If the old dream is not shattered, the new will not be born! Baihua, all paths wither!" She too shattered her own path.

The change of direction began at this moment.

Half a day later. The Temple of Slaughter had become a dead zone. All the demons and all the space pirates had been transformed into the foundation stones for the Hundred Flowers Celestial Venerable and the Netherworld Ancient Venerable to change their paths.

Su Chen stood quietly before the Bone Throne. In his hand, he held the terrified demonic soul of the Demon Bat Pirate (mid-stage of the fourth realm).

"[Spirit]. Soul Search."

"Ahhh!" The Demon Bat Pirate's shrill scream was the last sound in this dead zone.

"Holy Son... Ancient Path Starfield... All Demons Pay Homage... Netherworld Phoenix..."

A massive influx of information flooded into Su Chen's mind. After a long while, "Bang!", Su Chen crushed the demonic soul.

"I see." A glint of light flashed in Su Chen's eyes. "The Holy Lord of the Underworld Lotus is not invincible."

From the memories of the demon bat, Su Chen saw the truth. The Nether Lotus Territory was not a monolithic entity. The Holy Lord was not the only one.

In this mortal star sea, in this desolate border region of the Void Domain, besides the Holy Lord of the Underworld Lotus, there are other Fifth Realms.

"The Heavenly Demon Lord... the Lord of Ten Thousand Beasts..."

“And Minglian…” A cold smile appeared on Su Chen’s lips. “He is actually refining stars! He wants to completely refine this mortal star sea (the Azure Sky Star Sea)! To refine it into resources for his advancement to the sixth realm!”

"And that Holy Son and that Yuan Feng are the most crucial keys in his grand plan of refining stars!"

“The Ancient Path Starfield…” Su Chen’s gaze fell upon the deepest part of the star map. “That place is both the site of the Holy Son’s descent and the location of the Nether Lotus’s vital point!”

Su Chen's divine sense swept across the Jianmu Universe once more.

At this moment, there are already eight Venerable Ones in the universe: Donghai, Tianyi, Dayan, Wanjun, Xinghe, Baibao, Baihua, and Youming.

The eight of them sat cross-legged under the sacred Jianmu tree.

The Dao fruits of the Nine Netherworld Governor (Great Perfection) and the Heavenly Fiend Dao Lord (Near Great Perfection) hung high above their heads like two suns. The roots of the Jianmu tree were continuously decomposing, purifying, and infusing the essence of those two suns into the bodies of the eight people.

"Boom!" The true aura of the fourth realm of the Eight Paths is sprouting and growing stronger.

"Not enough." Su Chen slowly shook his head. "Still not enough."

"The Holy Son of the Underworld Lotus is a perfect creation of the Fifth Realm, and his combat power is immeasurable. I alone, and these eight newly born Fourth Realm cultivators, are not enough."

"I need more! I need to find all the Venerables! I need more nourishment!"

Su Chen's gaze fell upon the Heavenly Fiend Star Chart.

"The Ancient Path Starfield is the center, the trap, and the endgame. But before going there..."

Su Chen's gaze swept across the outer edge of the Ancient Path Starfield. On that star map, dozens of large and small star pirate and demon realms were clearly marked.

"These are all the minions of the Nether Lotus! And they are also my nourishment!"

A glint of madness flashed in Su Chen's eyes. "Nether Lotus! You want to refine stars? Then I'll devour your territory! I'll make your myriad demon capitals fertilizer for my Jianmu Rebirth!"

"[Speed]! [King]!"

At this moment, Su Chen's figure transformed into a stream of light that devoured everything. He no longer concealed himself! No longer lurked! His Dao power at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm, his supreme aura that had directly challenged the Fifth Realm, was released without reservation at this moment!

"Boom!" The entire Heavenly Fiend Starfield trembled. The phantom of the Jianmu Divine Tree manifested for the first time in the mortal star sea!
"From this day forward!" Su Chen's icy voice echoed throughout the universe. "This Nether Lotus Territory, I, Su Chen, take over!"

"Boom!" Su Chen, transformed into a streak of azure light, crashed into the next red dot on the star map!
"Black Wind Demon Realm!"

……

……

Su Chen's icy Dao voice, carrying the supreme pressure of directly confronting the fifth realm, instantly spread throughout the outer star systems of the Nether Lotus Territory under the blessing of the [Speed] Origin.

"From this day forward! I, Su Chen, shall take over this Nether Lotus Territory!"

This is no longer a declaration, but a trial.

"boom!"

Su Chen's figure tore through the heavy laws of the mortal star sea, heading towards the "Black Wind Demon Realm" marked on the star map in an instant. His Golden Immortal Dao Fruit, which had been damaged by its direct confrontation with the Nether Lotus, was radiating an extreme thirst for "nourishment".

That crack, imbued with the Daoist aura of the Fifth Realm's "Ruins Domain," could only barely be contained by the Origin of Life, and its repair was extremely slow.

"I need...more!"

……

Black Wind Demon Realm.

This is one of the most chaotic cosmic domains in the Nether Lotus Territory. Billions of "Black Fiend Gale" strong enough to tear apart the bodies of fourth-realm immortals fill this star field, forming a natural barrier.

At the heart of the Demon Realm lies the "eye of the storm," surrounded by fierce winds, where a demonic palace, constructed from the bones of countless dead souls, floats suspended.

"Black Wind Demon," the ruler of this demon realm, a genuine fourth-realm Great Perfection expert, is comfortably reclining on his Wind God Throne.

"Hehehe... That idiot Tian Sha actually let a mere ant in the third realm destroy his lair? What a piece of trash!"

Black Wind Demon's voice was hoarse, "And that Nine Netherworld Governor... they have completely disgraced the Holy Lord."

A demon general at the mid-stage of the fourth realm fawned, "Lord Black Wind is mighty! If that Su Chen dares to come to my Black Wind Demon Realm, he will never return! Our 'Black Fiend Formation' can even defeat a quasi-governor..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

"Om-!"

An indescribable stillness suddenly descended!

The "Black Fiend Gale," which swept across the star field and should have never stopped, suddenly froze in mid-air!
"What?!" The Black Wind Demon suddenly sprang up from his throne, his demonic power at the Great Perfection of the Fourth Realm erupting, attempting to break through the stillness!

"boom!"

He did it. He was at the Great Perfection of the Fourth Realm, and Su Chen's [Tomb] Origin (Stillness) could only freeze him for a moment.

But when he broke free of his restraints, he was horrified to find that the figure in green robes was already standing in the center of his demon palace.

Meanwhile, his dozens of fourth-realm demon generals remained in various poses, "frozen" in place, unable to move.

"You...you are Su Chen?!" The Black Wind Demon's demonic eyes contracted violently.

“Not bad.” Su Chen looked at him calmly.

"Hahaha! How dare you!" After the initial shock, the Black Wind Demon suddenly burst into a ferocious laugh. "I can see it! You're injured! Your Dao Fruit is covered with the Holy Lord's 'corrupted' Dao aura! You're just putting on a brave face!"

He licked his lips greedily: "A severely injured 'Taiyi Seed,' a perfect Dao Body that wields the 'Ten Great Origins'... Su Chen! If you weren't injured, I might still be somewhat wary of you. But now... you dare to trespass into my Demon Realm?!"

"Your origin, your Jianmu tree, your life! I accept them!"

"Black Wind - Demonic Fiend Pierces the Sky!" The Black Wind Demon suddenly opened his mouth, and the original strike that condensed the gale force of the entire Demon Realm for billions of years transformed into a pitch-black pillar of destructive wind, which shot towards Su Chen's head!
He was confident that this strike would be enough to pierce through the Dao Fruit of this seriously injured man!
However, facing this ultimate attack from the "Fourth Realm Perfection," Su Chen simply raised one hand slowly.

"In your eyes, this is a wound."

Su Chen's gaze was frighteningly calm.

"In my eyes..."

He spread his five fingers, and the "cracks" on the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit were not suppressed, but instead "opened" on their own!
"This is a medal!"

"【Kui】!"

boom!
The Devouring Origin erupted with a roar! Su Chen didn't dodge or evade, but instead used his "injured" Dao Fruit to actively meet the pillar of destruction!

"You madman! You're courting death!" Black Wind Demon exclaimed in horror.

"laugh--!"

The jet-black wind pillar slammed into Su Chen's palm. The black hole formed from the origin of [Kui] was frantically devouring the "True Dao" and "Void Domain Demonic Qi" within the wind pillar!
"This...how is this possible?!" The Black Wind Demon was horrified to discover that his primal attack was being consumed by the opponent...as "nourishment"?!

"Your path is too weak."

Su Chen shook his head.

“【芜】”

He uttered a single word softly.

That withering will transcended space and descended directly upon the Black Wind Demon's demonic body.

"Aaaaah!" The Black Wind Demon let out a shrill scream. His once-proud demonic body was weathering away! Withering away!
"No! My Dao is [Wind]! It is extreme speed! You cannot kill me!"

"Black Wind Escape Technique!"

The Black Wind Demon exploded and transformed into billions of "Wind Origins," each smaller than a speck of dust, which were about to escape into the laws of this mortal star sea.

"Trying to outrun me?"

A hint of mockery appeared in Su Chen's eyes.

"The essence of speed: absolute control!"

Su Chen didn't even move. But at this moment, he was the embodiment of "speed." The billions of "Wind Origins" that were about to escape seemed to have crashed into an invisible wall, and were all swept back!

"No! The origin of [Speed]?! You...you..."

The billions of wind essences gathered again in front of Su Chen, forming the terrified face of the Black Wind Demon.

"I accept your nourishment."

Su Chen placed his hand on that face.

"【Kui】!"

"Do not--!"

A piercing scream echoed through the silent Demon Palace.

The Black Wind Demon, a fourth-realm Great Perfection expert, transformed his life's cultivation, his understanding of the "Wind" Dao, and his condensed "Ruins Domain" origin into the purest torrent of energy, which surged into Su Chen's body.

"Click..."

After absorbing this massive source, the cracks on Su Chen's Golden Immortal Dao Fruit were healed by 30% at a speed visible to the naked eye!

His aura, which had been slightly pale from the hard-fought battle against the fifth realm, had recovered to about 70-80%.

"First."

Su Chen slowly exhaled a breath of stale air. He released his grip, and the Black Wind Demon had turned to ashes.

He unlocked the stillness of the origin of the [tomb].

"The old...the old demon is dead?!"

"Escape!"

The dozens of fourth-realm demon generals had just regained their mobility when they witnessed this scene that shattered their Dao hearts.

"Ah."

Su Chen only glanced at Jianmu Universe.

"It's your turn."

"boom!"

The portal to the Jianmu Universe has been opened! Badao has successfully changed course, and his figure, exuding a terrifying aura of "early stage of the True Fourth Realm," bursts out!

It was none other than the Dragon Emperor of the East Sea, the Heavenly Venerable of Ten Thousand Jun, and others!
"Hahaha! Finally out!" Wan Jun Tianzun felt the "real" "Wan Jun Dao" within his body and unleashed a punch!
"Boom!" A demon general in the middle stage of the fourth realm, along with his demonic body and Dao fruit, was instantly blasted into a bloody mist!
"This...this is the power of 'truth'?!" The Heavenly Venerable Wan Jun was overjoyed.

"Kill!" The Dragon Emperor of the East Sea swept across the Demon Palace with his ten-thousand-foot-long dragon body!

The eight Venerable Ones who successfully "transformed" were like tigers entering a flock of sheep, beginning their first massacre after their "rebirth"!

Su Chen stood quietly before the throne of the Wind God, his spiritual essence probing into the dissipating remnant soul of the Black Wind Demon.

"The Ten Thousand Gu Dojo... Blood Sea Demon Palace..."

"The Mother Ancestor of Ten Thousand Gu... The Blood Sea Demon Lord..."

"Four more Venerables... are trapped in the Myriad Gu Dojo?!"

Su Chen's eyes suddenly turned cold.

"very good."

He took a step forward, and his figure disappeared into the Black Wind Demon Realm, which had become a purgatory.

"Second target: the Myriad Gu Dojo!"

---
The Ten Thousand Gu Dojo.

This is not a "Taoist temple," but a star field that has been completely distorted by "life."

Looking around, there were no stars, no meteorites. Only insects.

Billions, trillions, and even hundreds of millions of "Gu worms".

They range in size from as small as dust to as large as galaxies. They devour and evolve each other, turning this star field into the most terrifying "nest of poison."

Deep within this Gu nest lies a "mother planet" formed from the glued-together remains of billions of Gu worms.

At the core of the mother planet, within a gigantic, pulsating heart of flesh and blood, dwells a terrifying being beyond description.

"Mother Ancestor of Ten Thousand Gu".

She has no fixed form, resembling a "mountain of flesh" made of writhing flesh and shells, and on this "mountain of flesh" grows a stunningly beautiful face that closely resembles the "Celestial Venerable of a Hundred Flowers".

"Jie Jie Jie..."

That stunningly beautiful face was now emitting a chilling laugh.

On her "mountain of flesh" body, four withered figures were clearly stuck.

Divine Mechanism Celestial Venerable, Five Elements Celestial Venerable, Creation Celestial Venerable, Yin Yang Celestial Venerable!
These four Venerable Ones, renowned throughout the Mythical Era, were now like "nutrient packages," their Dao Fruits pierced by countless fleshy tentacles. Their "false" "Dream Dao" was being continuously drained by this "Mother of Ten Thousand Gu." (End of Chapter)