Inner Demons

Chen Xia achieved the realm of quasi-saint.

The first path he mastered is the Time Grand Dao, which is also known as the Grand Dao of Light and Shadow or the Grand Dao of Years. It goes by many names, but they all refer to the same thing.

Chen Xia's first encounter was with the Time Grand Dao, and he has reached the highest level of attainment in this path. However, there is still room for improvement because time is boundless. Even the Emperor who comprehends the Time Grand Dao faces greater difficulties than other Emperors.

With Chen Xia's level of attainment, it is just right for him to comprehend the Dao and become a quasi-saint. There are no obstacles in his way. His eyes flicker with a grayish-white color, and a faint radiance of a sage appears around his body.

As cultivators in the Transcendence Realm can create their own small worlds based on their understanding of the Dao, the quasi-saints deepen this ability by completely solidifying their small worlds, entering the realm of extraordinary saints.

This also demonstrates another ability of the quasi-saints: self-sufficiency. They don't need to draw extra spiritual energy when casting spells and have a rough grasp of their own Grand Dao, allowing them to harness a tiny bit of its power.

For example, a quasi-saint of the Fire Grand Dao can summon a strand of true Grand Dao fire, which can instantly kill an ordinary Transcendence Realm peak cultivator without giving them any time to react.

Chen Xia's Time Grand Dao already has such an effect, but it is not enough. He conceals the Time Grand Dao within his eyes and raises his hand.

A deep dragon roar reverberates.

The massive head of a celestial dragon, pure white eyes, emerges in the starry sky behind Chen Xia, as if replacing him in observing this dying expanse of stars.

Suddenly, the massive dragon head moves, and from behind it, two star-sized claws extend. With just a gentle pull, it tears open a large portion of the starry sky.

Comprehending the second path.

Buzz!

Three million flying swords appear in unison, hovering behind Chen Xia, densely packed together.

The half-immortal sword serves as the leading sword, positioned at the highest point among the three million flying swords.

The bronze sword serves as the subordinate sword, slightly lower in rank.

This formation is sufficient for the Sword Dao to enter the realm of quasi-saints.

But then, a sword cry resounds.

A faint red flying sword floats out, dancing joyfully beside Chen Xia.

This is the final flying sword, one that carries the great fortune of the Sword Dao.

A faint smile curls up on Chen Xia's lips as he beckons with his hand, and the faint red flying sword hovers by his side.

Thus, with three million flying swords, a half-immortal sword, a bronze sword, and the great fortune of the Sword Dao, he seeks to become a quasi-saint!

Naturally, it is enough.

The Sword Dao, which Chen Xia has not deeply comprehended, unexpectedly becomes the most solid Grand Dao at this moment, steadily breaking through the barriers to quasi-sainthood.

Comprehending the third path.

The sky rumbles with countless tiny thunder serpents intertwining and condensing into a thunderous dragon.

The thunder dragon is composed of dark purple thunderbolts, with a small streak of bright lightning at the top of its head.

Chen Xia raises his hand and snaps his fingers towards the sky.

Snap!

The thunder dragon descends.

It pours into Chen Xia's body, the blue robe enveloped in thunder, standing amidst the thunder dragon like a thunder god, unscathed.

From then on.

Comprehending the fourth path.

The first person to reach quasi-sainthood throughout history.

He takes a step forward, his green robe billowing, and the celestial phenomena in the heavens and earth suddenly become clear. Amidst the dim stars, he stands alone.

The small stars become increasingly fragmented.

Chen Xia gazes at the calm sky, without saying a word.

So what if he comprehends the fourth path? He still cannot leave. Now, he and this Great Death Realm seem to be bound together with an unbreakable bond.

It seemed that because he had absorbed the will of the Great Death Realm, he became bound to the Dao Ancestor and the Great Death Realm. As long as he didn't die, the Great Death Realm couldn't die either.

Although the Great Death Realm was already dead, the residual consciousness of the interface still had some intelligence. So, it definitely wouldn't let Chen Xia go. It even faintly used the residual interface consciousness to protect Chen Xia, preventing him from being affected by any illusions from the Void Land.

Chen Xia's rapid enlightenment of the Dao was also partly supported by the interface consciousness.

But the problem was that he couldn't leave now.

There was no good solution. The Past and Future Law couldn't be used casually anymore, or else he would be waiting to be severely damaged by the backlash of the Heavenly Dao.

Chen Xia lowered his head slightly and looked down at the starry sky.

Unbeknownst to him,

his left eye had already started emitting a faint red light.

---

Immortal Realm.

Today, the Fuyao Immortal Sect was bustling with activity. Disciples were busy back and forth, completely renovating the entire sect and adding some fresh colors, making it more grand.

The elders were also not idle. They used their divine arts to reconstruct the mountain gate, turning it into an imposing gateway of divine arts.

"Why are we suddenly so busy?" a disciple asked in confusion.

"I heard that a big shot is coming."

"Who is this big shot? Wasn't there a Saint who came before? The sect didn't make such a big fuss then."

"It's definitely someone even bigger than a Saint. It's hard to say...," the person paused, not daring to continue speaking because the speculation was too grand.

Another disciple didn't dare to ask further and resumed being busy.

Great Sage Chen Xi was already standing at the top of the mountain gate, his brow slightly furrowed, feeling puzzled.

The Fuyao Immortal Sect hadn't received an imperial guest in twenty thousand years. So why would Emperor Wu Xi suddenly want to visit, and his words were even very polite?

This puzzled Great Sage Chen Xi, but he couldn't refuse the request of an Emperor. He could only come out and wait.

The Fuyao Immortal Sect didn't have a cultivator who could correspond to an Emperor, so Great Sage Chen Xi could only step forward. And because of the status of Emperor Wu Xi, he could only wait respectfully.

That's the weight behind the two words "Great Emperor."

Great Sage Chen Xi had been waiting for half a month in advance. At noon after half a month, a divine chariot appeared in the sky, not making much noise and steadily stopping in mid-air.

Some elders of the Fuyao Immortal Sect exclaimed.

"It is said that this divine chariot is Emperor Wu Xi's immortal treasure, capable of traversing interfaces, breaking through the sky, and crushing quasi-emperors and Great Sages!"

After the exclamation, the elders had no further words because Emperor Wu Xi had already arrived.

Dressed in a plain, pure white robe, his appearance was ordinary, except for the slightly strange eyebrows resembling short knives, giving off a hint of sharpness.

If one were to simply judge based on appearances, they would never imagine that this unremarkable figure was a Great Emperor.

Great Sage Chen Xi quickly performed a salute, revealing an awkward yet respectful smile.

"Hello, Fuyao Immortal Sect has been waiting for you, Great Emperor."

Emperor Wu Xi waved his hand, responding with a gentle smile. "No need to be so formal. The Fuyao Immortal Sect is also a top sect that has produced Great Emperors. We can address each other as fellow Daoists."

"Then, Chen Xi will be presumptuous and address you as Fellow Daoist Wu Xi."

"Naturally."

After a brief exchange, they stepped into the Fuyao Immortal Sect together.

Along the way, there was some casual small talk, but no one took the initiative to inquire further.

As they arrived in the grand hall, the elders gradually dispersed. Suddenly, Great Emperor Wu Xi turned his head, his eyebrows slightly raised, and asked with a smile.

"I've heard of the name Xu Zhen, the renowned immortal of the Fuyao Immortal Sect. They say he is the next great emperor after seventy thousand years. I wonder if I could have the honor of meeting him?"

Great Sage Chen Xi's heart tightened, but she remained composed and replied with a smile.

"Sister Xu hasn't been well since returning from the Great Death Realm. She has been in seclusion for these years, and I'm afraid..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the implication was clear.

Great Emperor Wu Xi nodded, clasping his hands behind his back, and continued with a gentle smile.

"There's no need to be too anxious. I have met a fellow cultivator whom I wish to cultivate into a top-tier genius and emperor. Naturally, I will recommend a prodigy from our own immortal realm."

"If you agree, I will certainly lend my full support. When Xu Zhen becomes a great emperor, both the Fuyao Immortal Sect and Xu Zhen will benefit, as well as that fellow cultivator and myself. It will be a win-win situation, haha."

Great Sage Chen Xi furrowed her brow but remained silent. It wasn't something that could be easily explained with just a few words.

Great Emperor Wu Xi smiled faintly, changing the topic and extending his hand, saying with a smile.

"Consider this Divine Pill of Great Sage as a gift. It contains the true essence of an ancient Great Sage, and it will make it easier for Xu Zhen to break through to the quasi-saint realm."

"The strength of that fellow cultivator is unfathomable, even to me. The path of cultivation is always filled with dangers and opportunities. You must understand this. Besides, with the protection of that fellow cultivator, Xu Zhen's path to becoming a great emperor will undoubtedly be smoother, and her future achievements are beyond imagination..."

Great Emperor Wu Xi paused for a moment, placing the Divine Pill of Great Sage on the table, and said softly.

"Think it over carefully."

Then, he disappeared from sight.

Great Sage Chen Xi stood there dumbfounded, but after a while, she raised her eyebrows and directly took the Divine Pill of Great Sage.

If they were truly being schemed against, there was no way the Fuyao Immortal Sect could escape, given its current situation. It would be better to turn the tables and let Xu Zhen become a great emperor. Only then would they have a say in the matter!

As for this Divine Pill of Great Emperor, it needed to be carefully examined to prevent any other means.

If Great Emperor Wu Xi and that so-called fellow cultivator had ill intentions, the Fuyao Immortal Sect would truly be doomed.

"Ah-choo!"

Chen Xia sneezed, rubbed his head, and frowned.

"Who the hell is secretly talking bad about me?"

"It's me."

A voice suddenly sounded in his mind.

Chen Xia was taken aback, then smiled and nodded, whispering.

"It's good to have you back."

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