Chapter Eighty: The Azure Emperor

“Haha! No need to worry. I doubt they’ll be able to enter. They are all demons I captured long ago and sealed within this Reincarnation Space. Though they’ve grown much stronger over the years, they’re still incapable of true rebellion.” Only then did Long Yun feel a slight sense of relief. He continued, “Senior, I have already learned the origin of the Reincarnation Mirror. The spirit you forged now resides outside with a sect called Azure Sect. But with my current strength, I’m afraid I cannot bring it here. However, I promise you that once I am strong enough to face the Azure Sect, I will bring the spirit here and fulfill your last wish!”

“Thank you, young master,” the voice replied. “But you need not go to such trouble.”

Long Yun was slightly taken aback by this.

The voice went on, “The sect you mention must be the Azure Sect. Their ancestor, the Azure Emperor, is still trapped here. I have already communicated with him and asked for his assistance in your quest.”

Long Yun frowned. “But senior, the Azure Sect is not as simple as they seem. I trust you know the Azure Emperor’s true purpose for entering this place. To be frank, I have a poor impression of the Azure Sect. I am only here because I was representing my sect in their hunting tournament. If not for an elder of the Azure Sect secretly manipulating things and activating the Reincarnation Space, I would never have been sent here!”

“I know the Azure Emperor harbors ulterior motives, but you must rely on his power to obtain the spirit. He covets the Reincarnation Mirror, and I intend to use this opportunity to make use of him and retrieve the spirit.”

Long Yun replied, “Even if I manage to bring back the spirit, fusing it with the Reincarnation Mirror will make me no match for him. The mirror would fall under his control as well.”

“Do not worry! The spirit is still missing the final step: fusing with my divine consciousness. Only with my consciousness will it become the true Reincarnation Mirror. With me here, there’s no need to fear his schemes. At worst, I can simply trap him here again.”

Long Yun nodded. “But how will I get out? I doubt the Azure Emperor is a match for those demons!”

A hum reverberated as space trembled, and a jet-black light shot toward Long Yun. He reached out and caught it, finding a black pearl the size of an eyeball in his palm.

The pearl’s surface glimmered with a hazy light, but it was wholly suffused with demonic energy.

“Senior, what is this...?”

“This is the Demon-Repelling Pearl. If you channel your sacred energy into it, it will cloak you in demonic aura. At least within the Reincarnation Space, no one will see through you. With it, you may roam here unimpeded!”

Long Yun gripped the pearl, slowly channeling his sacred energy. Instantly, a wisp of demonic aura emerged from the pearl, enveloping him and concealing all his own energy. He now appeared indistinguishable from a true demon.

A surge of joy filled Long Yun’s heart. With this pearl, he could move undetected—it was indeed a priceless treasure.

“The Demon-Repelling Pearl is a divine artifact to ensure your safety. I nurtured it with the power of life and death for many years; it is actually the inner core of a powerful demon, which is why it possesses such properties. Once you are out, to avoid complications, I will negotiate with the Azure Emperor so he will grant you certain privileges and prevent the Azure Sect from harming you.”

Long Yun nodded his gratitude. Senior Zhong Xuan had foreseen everything. If all went as planned, much trouble would be avoided.

“Young master, my life’s work is a technique called the Scripture of Reincarnation. I will now impart this art to you, so that you may better control the Reincarnation Mirror in the future.”

As the words faded, Long Yun felt his consciousness sink. Within his sea of awareness, golden characters swirled and danced, etching themselves deep within his mind like ancient runes.

Shutting out all distractions, Long Yun realized the Scripture of Reincarnation was unfathomably profound. With his extraordinary talent and ninefold breath condensation, he could barely understand a tenth of it. Mastery would not be achieved in a day or a night.

Within the scripture were also three saber techniques, known as the Reincarnation Saber Arts. Their power rivaled even the legendary Dragon God’s Genesis. However, they demanded immense true energy. At his current cultivation, he could only barely perform the first move, and even then, not to its full extent.

Moved by Zhong Xuan’s trust, Long Yun felt deeply grateful. As he was about to express his thanks, Zhong Xuan’s voice resounded once more:

“Haha, I have arranged everything. Young master, I will send you to seek out the Azure Emperor now!”

Long Yun replied, “Then I thank you, senior!”

A brilliant light instantly enveloped Long Yun. Space twisted, and in the next moment, as he opened his eyes, he found himself back in the burial chamber.

Gazing at the carvings on the stone wall, Long Yun muttered, “Senior, I will not fail you.”

“Boy, come here!” a sudden voice called out. Long Yun looked sharply toward the source. At the very end of the burial chamber was a stone platform a dozen feet across.

The platform rose only a foot or so above the ground. At its center stood a simple altar, upon which sat a statue—none other than the likeness of the golden-armored man.

Beneath the altar sat three meditation mats. On the center mat sat an elderly man in green robes, his eyes fixed on Long Yun.

“Azure Emperor?” Long Yun called out softly.

“So you are the one Senior Zhong Xuan mentioned? You have met with him?” the Azure Emperor asked, a strange gleam flashing—then vanishing—from his aged face.

Long Yun nodded. “Yes, I have met him. Senior Zhong Xuan told me to seek you out.”

The Azure Emperor’s lips curled into a faint smile, yet the sudden flicker of murderous intent in his eyes put Long Yun on guard.

He knew the Azure Emperor’s intentions. Now that only the two of them knew the true secret of the Reincarnation Mirror, whether or not the Azure Emperor succeeded in seizing it, he would never allow Long Yun to live.

Such a secret could belong to only one man.

But Long Yun was no fool. Remembering Zhong Xuan’s words, he was not afraid the Azure Emperor would kill him outright. Zhong Xuan must have offered the Azure Emperor some bait.

A bait that would guarantee his own survival!

“Senior Zhong Xuan told me to help you safely retrieve the Immortal Embryo Spirit sealed within the Sky-Supporting Pillar,” the Azure Emperor said with a smile, his expression shifting swiftly to resemble that of a kindly elder.

Feigning complete trust, Long Yun nodded. “Senior Zhong Xuan explained that I should come to you, Azure Emperor.”

“The secret of the Reincarnation Mirror must be kept safe,” the Azure Emperor said quietly. “After the Sky-Supporting Pillar is opened and the spirit is brought here, I will explain everything to you in detail.”

Long Yun understood—Zhong Xuan must have told the Azure Emperor that he was the key to fusing the Reincarnation Mirror and its spirit. That was why the Azure Emperor acted thus. Pretending ignorance, Long Yun replied, “But Azure Emperor, I have offended many powerful members of the Azure Sect. If you don’t accompany me, I fear I cannot handle them.”

The Azure Emperor frowned. “Don’t worry about that. Those brats won’t dare trouble you. This Azure Blade of Mine is my signature weapon. If anyone seeks to make things difficult, simply show them this sword—none will dare lay a hand on you.”

With that, he extended his arm, and a long sword glowing with pale azure light appeared before Long Yun.

Long Yun accepted the sword. A surge of vibrant life force emanated from it; though the blade was blunt, it exuded a rich and weighty aura. He could not help but praise, “What a fine sword!”

The Azure Emperor smirked inwardly. “Greedy little brat. If not for Zhong Xuan’s request, how could I bear to give you the Azure Blade? Still, compared to the Reincarnation Mirror, it is worth the loss. And perhaps, I won’t lose it at all! Once you’ve served your purpose, why would I let you live?”

With that thought, he stood up slowly and said, “I have guarded this place for over a thousand years. Now that the Death Formation outside is broken, I must help Senior Zhong Xuan defend this place. I shall not relax my vigilance. The Azure Blade contains a strand of my divine consciousness. If anyone from the Azure Sect dares act against you, I will support you. I shall await your return here.”

Long Yun smiled and nodded, his face shining with sincere gratitude as he expressed his thanks repeatedly.

The Azure Emperor waved his hand dismissively. “There is no time to lose. Go now and return soon. I hope you can bring the spirit back safely.”

“I will not fail your trust, senior!” Long Yun thought with a wry smile. There were truly no good men in the Azure Sect—neither the current elders nor the Azure Emperor himself.

Seeing the Azure Emperor reseat himself on the mat, Long Yun did not linger. His form flickered, and he appeared once more before the stone gate through which he had entered.

Summoning the power of reincarnation, Long Yun waved his hand. A surge of energy flowed forth, touching the stone door. The door opened slightly, light flashing forth. Without further hesitation, Long Yun darted through the opening and sped away into the world beyond.