135. Knowledge Shattered

"Ninth King?"

The Cosmic Evil Devil King repeated the words, seemingly lost in thought, and did not respond immediately.

After a moment, a deep voice erupted from its monstrous mouth:
"You are not Old Nine. Your aura feels different!"

"Take a closer look!"

Chen Xuan had altered his appearance using the Disguise's Cloak.


Normally, given his current cultivation level, it wouldn't work against someone as powerful as the Cosmic Evil Devil King.


However, thanks to the Yimo Emperor Armor he had obtained from the Ninth King and the Devil King's lack of eyes—relying solely on aura—it could be effective.

Hearing Chen Xuan's insistence, the Cosmic Evil Devil King's body surged with demonic energy, which spread around Chen Xuan to investigate.

Moments later, the energy dissipated.

"Old Nine, why have you suddenly come here?"

"No one came before me?" Chen Xuan asked.

"No one."

"Impossible. The First King sent someone ahead," Chen Xuan said with feigned disbelief.

"But truly, no one has come." The Cosmic Evil Devil King shook its massive head.

"It seems they were intercepted," Chen Xuan said, putting on a show of anguish.

He continued with practiced ease, "The Heavenly King has a plan to rescue you!"

Feigning deep contemplation, he pretended to strategize aloud. Technically, it wasn’t entirely false; there was such a plan in the original story.

"The one sealing me is the Flame Master, one of the Eight Ancient Masters. Rescuing me will not be easy," the Cosmic Evil Devil King said solemnly.

"Don't worry; we’ll handle it," Chen Xuan reassured.

Switching topics, he asked, "By the way, have you heard of Ling Qingzhu?"

"Ling Qingzhu?"

"Yes."

"No... no, I haven't."

The Cosmic Evil Devil King fell silent for a few seconds before shaking its massive head.

Chen Xuan frowned.

That doesn’t make sense!

Given the Cosmic Evil Devil King’s status among demons, it should know such information.

If even the Cosmic Evil Devil King didn’t know, the only way to find answers would be through direct contact with the Heavenly King demons.

Noticing Chen Xuan's silence, the Cosmic Evil Devil King asked with a sinister tone, "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious," Chen Xuan replied casually, waving his hand dismissively.

The Cosmic Evil Devil King didn’t press further, though a faint trace of demonic energy lingered around Chen Xuan.

After he left, the Cosmic Evil Devil King’s voice echoed ominously through the dark space:
"My Emperor, the grand plan is nearing fruition!"


---

"You… you actually made it out!"

The Flame Master's spirit, seated atop the stone coffin, sighed in relief upon seeing Chen Xuan emerge.

But he was also deeply astonished.

He had been guarding this space for millennia, and no one had ever escaped from under the Cosmic Evil Devil King’s watchful gaze.

How did Chen Xuan manage it?


[Ding! Flame Master is shocked. Emotion points +999]

Chen Xuan explained briefly before adding, "The Heavenly King might attempt to rescue the Cosmic Evil Devil King soon."

"Rescue? Hmph, not while I’m here," the Flame Master said coldly, exuding confidence.

"With you here, they wouldn’t dare," Chen Xuan agreed. "But just in case, take this spatial jade talisman. If you encounter danger and need help, crush it. I’ll come to your aid immediately."

"This… alright."

The Flame Master accepted the talisman and casually placed it on the stone coffin, not taking it too seriously.

Chen Xuan didn’t mind. After exchanging a few more words, he excused himself and departed.


---

By the lakeside, a bonfire crackled, its flames illuminating the area.

Thanks to the three-headed demon serpent’s corpse nearby, the surroundings were quiet—only the fire’s popping sounds and the sizzling of roasting meat broke the silence.

A mouthwatering aroma filled the air.

As Gu Yan enjoyed her meal, several hunched figures crept cautiously through the forest toward the lake.

"Boss, isn’t that Gu Yan?" one whispered.

"Heh, it sure is! The second miss of the Gu family," the leader chuckled, licking his lips.

"Boss, if we… you know… we could force her into marriage with the Gu family, right?"

The lackey smirked wickedly, his excitement barely contained.

"Not just that—look! The Xuanling on the island is about to ripen. Two birds with one stone!" the leader replied, grinning sinisterly.

"But, boss, what if someone comes back for her?" the lackey asked, suddenly uneasy.

"Don’t be stupid. I heard the lake bottom is dangerous. Whoever went down there is as good as dead!"

Still, the lackey hesitated.

"Afraid? Then scram! I’ll handle this myself!" the leader snapped.

"No, boss, I’m with you!" the lackey said hurriedly.

Meanwhile, Gu Yan, sitting by the fire, seemed oddly flushed, her slender legs shifting restlessly.
She had unknowingly consumed the demon serpent’s meat, which had unique effects.

"Boss, this is our chance!"

The duo waited for the right moment before making their move.

As they reached the lakeside, just as the lackey was about to act, a blinding burst of energy flashed.

"Boss!"

The lackey froze in horror as his leader was decapitated in an instant.

Before he could process what had happened, his own head followed suit.

From the shadows emerged Chen Xuan, his expression cold.

A snow-white hand gently rested on his shoulder, and a faint fragrance filled the air...


Chen Xuan frowned.

What’s going on?

Yun Yun visited me once, and now you’re here too?

Suddenly, soft, delicate lips pressed against him.

Chen Xuan was speechless.
Fine, fine!

I haven’t even handled my important tasks yet, and you’re testing my will power?

What leader could pass this kind of test?

At this moment, Gu Yan, having consumed the meat of the Three-Headed Demon Flood Dragon, had lost all self-control.


Her delicate, soft hands, as if guided by instinct, began exploring with precision.

This left Chen Xuan feeling utterly exasperated.

[Ding! Gu Yan has developed feelings of fascination and desire. Emotion Value +600.]

Lust?

Good grief!

This is ridiculous!

Chen Xuan turned around, firmly grabbing her hands. He said in a stern voice, “Stop!”

“Hm?” Gu Yan murmured, her eyes filled with nothing but burning passion.

Even though her hands were restrained, she continued leaning closer to him with increasing force.

Over time, Chen Xuan gave up resisting.
You asked for this. Don’t blame me!

And then...

Two and a half hours later.

“I’m sorry, I... I...” Gu Yan stammered, her face flushed red like a strawberry as she regained clarity. She avoided looking at Chen Xuan, embarrassed by what had happened.

“This is a batch of Lifeblood Xuanling Fruits,” Chen Xuan said, handing her nine emerald-green fruits.

“All for me?” Gu Yan asked, surprised.

Chen Xuan nodded. “I have no use for them. You can keep them.”

“Thank you.”

“I have other matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Wait!”

“What is it?”

“Well…” Gu Yan hesitated for a moment before explaining her request: she hoped Chen Xuan could represent the Gu family in an upcoming battle.

After all, he’d given her gifts and... shared an intimate moment. He had no reason to refuse, especially since his destination, the Chaotic Tower, aligned with their goals.

After reuniting with Gu Ya and others at the base of Xuanling Mountain, Chen Xuan used the power of the Spatial Ancestral Symbol to tear through space. In an instant, they arrived at Martial Gathering Island.

This left Gu Yan and her companions in awe.
Martial Gathering Island was incredibly far from Xuanling Mountain, but he’d transported all of them there almost instantly through such a mystical method.

As soon as they landed, Chen Xuan headed straight for the Chaotic Tower.

“Where are you going?” Gu Yan asked, startled.

“To the Chaotic Tower!” Chen Xuan replied.

“It’s not open yet.”

“That’s because I hadn’t arrived yet. Now that I’m here, they’ll have to open it, no matter the time.”

“Ah?!” Gu Yan froze in disbelief as Chen Xuan vanished from sight. In a panic, she rushed toward her family’s area to report what had happened.

“Mengqi, something terrible has happened!”

“What’s the matter?” A soft, melodic voice answered as Gu Mengqi, dressed in plain yet elegant clothing, stepped out of a small courtyard.

Despite her simple attire, her voluptuous figure was accentuated, and her beautiful, peach-blossom eyes radiated grace and charm. Even her voice was soothing, making anyone who heard it feel entranced.

Gu Yan quickly summarized the situation.

“Why didn’t you stop him?”

“I… I couldn’t stop him.”

“Let’s go quickly! If we’re late, he’s going to get into trouble!” Gu Mengqi exclaimed, her peach-blossom eyes widening as she hurried toward the Chaotic Tower.

The tower was guarded by elders from the Shentu family. Barging in would undoubtedly result in a fight!


---

Meanwhile, at the center of Martial Gathering Island, atop a massive mountain, Chen Xuan arrived at a vast stone plaza.

In a few quick movements, he stood before a towering stone structure—the Chaotic Tower.

“Who dares trespass on the Chaotic Tower? Leave at once!”

Two elderly men suddenly appeared near the tower, their eyes brimming with hostility. Both were in the initial Death Profound Realm.

Chen Xuan glanced at them indifferently. “Leave now if you value your lives.”

“Courting death!” The two elders lunged at him with ferocious auras.

Before they could get close, a terrifying wave of elemental power transformed into a sharp blade and swept toward them.

“Swoosh!”
In an instant, both elders were slain.

[Ding! Gu Mengqi has experienced shock. Emotion Value +200.]
[Ding! Gu Yan has experienced astonishment. Emotion Value +200.]

Gu Mengqi and Gu Yan arrived just in time to see Chen Xuan effortlessly kill the two elders from the Shentu family.

As Gu Mengqi opened her mouth to say something, Chen Xuan summoned the Chaos Ancestral Symbol.

Golden light radiated from the talisman, illuminating the Chaotic Tower.

The tightly shut stone doors slowly began to open, releasing an ancient aura that spread for miles. The air was filled with the primordial essence of a bygone era.

Gu Mengqi’s peach-blossom eyes widened in disbelief. “Gu Yan, where on earth did you find him?”

“We met on the Xuanling Island,” Gu Yan replied, equally stunned.

Chen Xuan’s calm voice brought them back to reality.

“Are you coming inside?”

“Yes, yes!” Gu Yan nodded fervently and dragged Gu Mengqi along as they followed Chen Xuan into the tower. The stone doors closed behind them.

“What an extraordinary primordial aura!” Gu Yan exclaimed, her eyes brimming with excitement.

Gu Mengqi, however, kept her gaze fixed on Chen Xuan.

Who was this young man with such terrifying strength? How could he open the Chaotic Tower so effortlessly?

Under Chen Xuan’s lead, they ascended through the tower. A faint shield enveloped the group, ensuring they felt no discomfort as they progressed smoothly to the seventh floor.

By the time they reached the top, Gu Mengqi was at a loss for words.

Wasn’t it said that ordinary people couldn’t possibly reach the seventh floor?

Yet here they were!

Chen Xuan’s power completely shattered Gu Mengqi’s understanding of the Chaotic Tower.