Chapter 99: First Steps into the Demonic Path (Part 11)

"Damn it, even a Great Sage has appeared, and they've even brought out a Quasi-Emperor weapon! Are they really going to destroy the Western Regions?"
Su Chen cursed inwardly. If they really wanted to destroy the Western Regions, hiding anywhere wouldn't help; as long as he was in the Western Regions, everywhere was a dead end.
The terrifying imperial might of the Quasi-Emperor weapon permeated the starry sky, and countless gazes shot towards it, quickly followed by screams of agony.
Although a Quasi-Emperor weapon wasn't a true ultimate imperial weapon, it still carried the word 'Emperor.' A Quasi-Emperor was still an Emperor, one of the strongest beings in the universe. In an era before the birth of an Emperor, a Quasi-Emperor was the heavens!
"A Quasi-Emperor weapon... Your Jade Clan really dares!?"
When a Great Sage truly descended upon the Western Regions wielding a Quasi-Emperor weapon, no one could remain calm.
The Jade Clan's Great Sage showed no mercy, activating the Quasi-Emperor weapon. Its extreme pressure was a thousand times more terrifying than that of a Saint Realm expert, directly crushing towards the six people.
Without the slightest hesitation, the six scattered and fled. Yet, screams echoed through the starry sky; one Saint King, unable to escape, perished instantly.
This chilling scene perfectly illustrated the true power of an imperial clan!
The Jade Clan's Great Saint grabbed the rest of the Jade Clan, intending to evacuate the Western Regions.
In a corner of the Western Regions, a gigantic hand reached out, seemingly encompassing the entire region within its grasp.
"Old Jade Ghost, you dare to cause trouble in my Western Regions? You think you can just retreat so easily? You're utterly disrespectful to this old man of the Western Regions!"
A colossal figure appeared in the heavens, his dazzling golden eyes, like amber, awe-inspiring. His white robes were stained with the traces of the sun, moon, and stars, and a golden light swirled between his brows. The entire world seemed to bow before him!
The Great Sage!
The Western Regions' Pillar of Destiny had made its move!
"Zhenyang, take Shukuang and leave first. Today, I'll test the Western Regions' true strength!"
The Jade Clan's Great Sage set down Yu Zhenyang, Yu Shukuang, and the others, then turned and, carrying the Quasi-Emperor artifacts, headed towards the outer starry sky with the Western Regions' Great Sage. The two Quasi-Emperor artifacts fully awakened, their emanating power leading the world to believe that an immortal from an ancient forbidden zone had reappeared to hunt for food.
After a long while, the imperial might subsided. The two Great Sages vanished without a trace, and the world remained unaware of the victor's fate.
Su Chen returned to the Devouring Sun Holy Land. The elders were astonished to find a disciple still alive.
Inside Red Sun Peak
The Red Sun Venerable was overjoyed.
"Master, have you found the sacred artifact of our Primordial Clan's ancestor within the ancient ruins?"
Su Chen nodded. "There is a damaged sacred artifact, but it's too broken and has lost its sacred power."
Upon hearing this, the Red Sun Venerable's face turned deathly pale. He denied it, "Impossible! Show us the sacred artifact! The sacred artifact left behind by our ancestor couldn't possibly be damaged!"
Su Chen frowned and said in a deep voice, "Take it out here. Are you trying to expose everything to Zhou Hao?"
The Red Sun Venerable realized his lapse in composure and regained his composure. "Master, I was out of line..."
Just then, a voice interrupted the Red Sun Venerable's words from outside Red Sun Peak.
"Zhou Chen, the true disciple of Red Sun Peak, is summoned by the Holy Lord!"
Upon hearing this, Su Chen left Red Sun Peak.
"Disciple Zhou Chen is here!"
The elder who arrived smiled upon seeing Su Chen and said, "Zhou Chen, the Holy Lord is looking for you. Please come with me to the Sun-Swallowing Palace."
Su Chen nodded and followed the elder to the Sun-Swallowing Palace.
...
The main peak of the Sun-Swallowing Holy Land was naturally magnificent, with constant strange phenomena, including a sunset eclipse of the moon.
Su Chen had no interest in the beautiful scenery; he entered the empty hall alone.
Inside the hall stood a figure, hands behind his back, with a full head of silver hair, interspersed with dark purple lightning, like a god or demon emerging from the abyss. His eyes, like two pools of solidified blood, distorted the air into eerie ripples wherever they passed.
The Holy Lord of the Sun-Swallowing Holy Land
Zhou Hao!
A peak Saint!
"Disciple Zhou Chen greets the Holy Lord!"
Su Chen bowed respectfully.
Zhou Hao stared at Su Chen, his calm voice instantly resonating in Su Chen's mind.
"I know your past... Tell me, who are you?"
Su Chen instantly felt an extremely terrifying aura fixate on him. If the owner of that aura so desired, they could crush him instantly.
Su Chen cursed inwardly, "Useless ancient remnant... unable to even handle such a small matter!"
Su Chen knew that... Luo Hongying probably had some information in Zhou Hao's hands, arousing Zhou Hao's suspicion. If he didn't have a perfect explanation, this ruthless Zhou Hao wouldn't let him go.
Su Chen decisively reported, "Reporting to the Holy Lord, there are villains within the Holy Land who intend to harm you."
A hint of interest appeared in Zhou Hao's eyes: "Oh? Who intends to harm me?"
Su Chen didn't hesitate, completely disregarding the remnants of the ancient race: "It's the ancient race... They're still hiding within the Holy Land, waiting for an opportunity to strike, wanting me to help them find the Holy Artifact."
"This is the Holy Artifact I found. I was born a member of the Devouring Sun Holy Land, and I will die a ghost of the Devouring Sun Holy Land. How could I possibly help them plot against you, Holy Lord?"
These fools, Su Chen sold them out without the slightest guilt.
Seeing the soul banner Su Chen had produced, though tattered, it undeniably radiated holy power. Zhou Hao grasped the banner in his hand, sensing it for a moment: "It is indeed the aura of the ancient race. Although this soul banner is damaged, if repaired, it can still unleash holy power several times. I didn't expect there to be survivors among the ancient race, hiding right under my nose."
"These rats in the gutter, they truly disgust me."
Zhou Hao put away the soul banner, saying calmly, "Those old fogies of the ancient race trusted you so much; it seems your bloodline is extraordinary."
"You've made the right decision. If you had followed those old fogies down that path, you would have been doomed... You need to know that the Soul Guide of the Devouring Sun Holy Land can only be broken by the pills controlled by me. Every disciple who enters the Holy Land carries this Soul Guide within them; once it's released, they will die a horrible death!"
"Now, I've decided to give you a chance to live, to prove your worth!"
Su Chen felt the pressure lessen dramatically. His primordial aura manifested, and the Gluttonous Beast phenomenon appeared in the outside world.
Zhou Hao narrowed his eyes, his face expressionless, making it impossible to discern his emotions. The air was silent. After three breaths, Zhou Hao calmly said, "So you actually possess the Primordial Gluttonous Body. No wonder those old geezers revered you as their master. If you followed them, you'd die sooner or later from the backlash of the Devouring Heaven and Earth Divine Art."
"From now on, you are my person. I will help you overcome the drawbacks of the Primordial Gluttonous Body."
"This Slave Seal Pill... take it."