Hun Miesheng looked at Gu Yao with a trace of pity in his eyes and slowly shook his head. In his heart he sighed for this young man. Today it was finally his turn to hand out the card of being a good person. When he thought about it carefully he found the situation quite amusing because in the past he too had once been the one who received this cruel judgment. Life was truly a circle.
He walked up to Gu Yao and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder as if offering comfort yet in truth cutting off his last hope. His tone was steady without a hint of hesitation.
"Your strength has already reached the peak of a six star Dou Zun. From today you should focus on your cultivation in seclusion. As for your position as commander of the Shura Army it will be stripped away. When you reach a higher realm you may come to me again."
Gu Yao stared in confusion. He had not even reacted before he heard his position removed in such a calm tone. His face instantly paled.
"Patriarch I…"
Before he could continue Hun Miesheng cut him again with ruthless clarity.
"Additionally you are indeed a good person. Unfortunately you are not suitable for Xun Er."
The words struck Gu Yao like thunder. His chest seemed pierced by countless invisible arrows. His mind was a blank void and his lips trembled without sound. Before he could gather his breath the black robed figure who carried the guise of Gu Yuan waved his hand at the other Shura Army soldiers.
"You all arrived just in time. Follow me to the Elder Pavilion."
The army responded with respect and transformed into streaks of light that soared toward the inner region of the clan. Only Gu Yao remained frozen.
He collapsed to the ground in a daze. His figure seemed to instantly age decades. Just a few days ago the patriarch had spoken kindly hinting that one day Xun Er might be entrusted to him. Yet today the words reversed like a sharp knife slicing through his heart. Not only had his hope been extinguished but even his position was removed. It was as if the patriarch had become a different man overnight.
The autumn wind blew cold. Leaves scattered across the ground. Gu Yao sat amidst the rustling yellow leaves his gaze hollow and lifeless.
"Hey you are far too cruel."
Xun Er who had been carried all this time could no longer hold back her laughter. She covered her lips and giggled like a mischievous little fox. From childhood she had been the well behaved young lady always following etiquette. Yet watching this scene unfold stirred in her a strange excitement. Doing bad things alongside this so called demon was unexpectedly thrilling.
Hun Miesheng gave her a sidelong glance.
"This was not my idea. Every word and every action came from your instructions. Do not forget your role. For now I am your father."
The evil smile on his face deepened.
"You…"
Xun Er clenched her teeth so hard that her delicate jaw trembled. Her pretty face turned bright red with anger.
The bell of the Elder Pavilion rang loudly across the sacred mountain. The deep echoes shook the hall. A moment later five or six elders with white hair rushed into the hall. Each of them bore the aura of a four star Dou Sheng. They stood respectfully yet confusion filled their eyes.
"The patriarch has summoned us so suddenly. What matter is so urgent"
At the highest seat Hun Miesheng wore the illusion of Gu Yuan. His gaze swept calmly across the elders. He observed that most of the high level elders were here. Those who had accompanied Gu Yuan to the Fallen Mountain were absent but the rest had gathered.
"Xun Er was harmed by Xu Wu Tun Yan. The Golden Emperor Burning Sky Flame within her body is in disorder. I must enter the forbidden ground and inject sub fire into her to stabilize her condition."
He did not bother with lengthy explanations. His tone was blunt and commanding.
The elders muttered among themselves. Their brows furrowed. None dared to deny the truth when they saw Xun Er pale and trembling. As the clan's only potential divine grade bloodline in thousands of years her status was beyond measure.
"If that is the case it is reasonable to let her enter the forbidden ground to heal."
The Great Elder nodded reluctantly.
"Since it is settled hand me the key at once."
Hun Miesheng's voice was cold.
"But according to the ancestral rules at least eight elders must give consent before the forbidden ground may be opened."
The Great Elder hesitated. His eyes revealed doubt as he looked closely at Hun Miesheng's face.
"Patriarch what of the elders who went with you to the Fallen Mountain"
"Xu Wu Tun Yan was gravely injured by me and is now near death. They continue pursuit. I grew worried for Xun Er's safety so I returned first. Is there a problem"
The cold laughter that accompanied the words was followed by a sudden pressure. A wave of Dou Qi energy burst outward covering the hall. The elders were forced to retreat half a step their faces tense.
"Since patriarch has spoken there is no problem. However according to rule at least one Supreme Elder must also confirm identity. Once verified the key may be given."
The Great Elder wiped sweat from his brow.
Hun Miesheng frowned deeply. These men were too stubborn. He was about to speak again when Xun Er suddenly coughed blood. Her delicate body collapsed against him her face twisted with pain.
"If we wait for the Supreme Elder in seclusion to come forth she will not survive. Perhaps in the next life I can be your daughter again."
Her voice was weak her eyes filled with sorrow. It looked utterly convincing.
Hun Miesheng's mouth twitched. Only two words echoed in his mind. Professional actress.
He let out a cold snort. Killing intent filled the hall. The aura he released pressed down like a mountain upon the elders.
"If Xun Er dies then the Elder Pavilion itself will be destroyed. Mark my words."
The Shura Army surrounding the pavilion stepped forward their killing intent merging into a river. The elders could hardly breathe under the suffocating pressure.
The Great Elder finally sighed. His hands trembled as he pulled out a golden token. He threw it forward.
Hun Miesheng caught the token without hesitation. Grabbing Xun Er he vanished leaving only silence and pale faces behind.
"My acting was rather convincing was it not"
Xun Er whispered with a mischievous grin.
"You only lacked a golden trophy to complete the scene" Hun Miesheng mocked.
"A golden trophy What is that"
Hun Miesheng only shook his head and gave her a strange look.
"You helped me without any guarantee of reward. What benefit do you gain"
"You promised that if I helped you you would let me go."
Her big eyes blinked with stubborn determination.
"That depends on my mood." Hun Miesheng answered casually.
"Shameless"
They returned to the forbidden grounds of the Ancient Sacred Mountain. Before them rose the massive array glowing with golden light. Hun Miesheng tightened his grip on the token. His eyes grew sharp.
Just as he prepared to step into the array a sharp pain pierced his mind. His soul trembled violently as if torn apart. He groaned. His vision spun.
"What is wrong with you"
Xun Er's face paled. She looked at him with shock.
Hun Miesheng pressed his finger between his brows. It took long moments before he regained calm. He realized with dread that both of his spiritual puppets had been destroyed. Which meant that Gu Yuan would return soon.
"Go"
Without another word he pulled Xun Er and stepped into the array. The golden light wrapped them and the ancient barrier trembled but did not stop them.
They passed through a long black stone corridor. At the end lay a vast valley sunken hundreds of meters deep.
In the center burned golden flames shaped into a giant face with closed eyes. Its flames illuminated the entire valley like a sea of gold. Heat waves rolled outward layer after layer.
This was the Golden Emperor Burning Sky Flame ranked fourth on the Heavenly Flame list.
The alien flames within Hun Miesheng's body quivered restlessly eager to break free and merge. The golden flame face opened its eyes at the same moment. Its gaze was filled with greed and madness as it locked onto him.
The flame roared and transformed into a dragon of pure fire lunging toward him.
Yet countless invisible chains of golden energy erupted from the valley. They pierced the flame dragon and dragged it back.
"There is another seal"
Hun Miesheng frowned.
"I… I did not know" Xun Er stammered "Father never told me. But I saw once that he carried a token similar to this."
Hun Miesheng shook his head.
"There is no time."
His eyes turned pitch black. He stepped onto the void. His robe fluttered like a demon god. Azure light coated his entire body as he clenched his fist.
He struck with all his might.
The array trembled violently then shattered with a thunderous sound.
Golden flames erupted skyward. The valley shook as eerie laughter filled the heavens.
The Golden Emperor Burning Sky Flame had broken free.
(End of Chapter)
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