I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 618: Demon Dragon Lair

Upon catching the Thunder Qilin’s remarks, Cao Youqian instinctively raised his head and scanned the imposing peak ahead. A mere glance informed him that this mountain held something special.

White snow blanketed the top, while thick greenery thrived along the slopes. Everywhere one looked, a vast expanse of emerald stretched out, with streams cascading down to form a lengthy river at the base.

Elements of wood, water, and earth were evident, but where did the fire element hide?

A quick probe with his divine sense revealed a fire spirit vein buried inside the mountain. Without the snow capping the peak, the fiery spiritual qi from this vein would have burst forth from the summit long ago.

Besides the fire spirit vein, four saint-grade veins of metal, wood, water, and earth also ran through the mountain. Truly, this spot served as a prime haven for cultivation.

“That Demon Dragon must be an idiot to claim such a valuable site with its current cultivation.”

The Thunder Qilin responded right away, “It’s not entirely foolish. Over thirty years back, it and I were both Demon Kings. After three decades, it has risen to Demon Emperor status.”

“Hmph.”

Cao Youqian let out a scornful huff. “In just thirty years, I’ve advanced to Martial God.”

“How could that be?”

Shock filled the Thunder Qilin’s eyes as it stared at Cao Youqian. To it, reaching Demon Emperor was challenge enough, and ascending to Demon God would demand thousands of years at least. In thirty years, it figured it might peak at Demon Emperor.

“Want to wager on it?” Cao Youqian suggested, eyeing the Thunder Qilin with a grin.

“Wager on what? I’ve got nothing left to bet.”

The thought of its lost freedom left the Thunder Qilin feeling utterly downcast.

“If I don’t reach Saint in thirty years, I’ll grant you your freedom. But if I hit Martial God, you’ll have to guard my sect from then on.”

“Deal.”

The Thunder Qilin agreed without hesitation. A chance like this? It doubted Brother Qian could achieve Martial God in thirty years.

“Excellent.”

With that, Cao Youqian leaped off the Thunder Qilin and headed toward the Five Elements Mountain in front. He added slowly, “Starting now, this will be my immortal cave for cultivation. You won’t mind waiting thirty years, will you?”

“Thirty years is nothing, just a moment. By then, I’ll be a Demon Emperor too.”

Cao Youqian glanced around briefly, then soared into the sky toward Five Elements Mountain. Moments later, he came back down with a huge rock in tow.

He slammed the boulder into the earth effortlessly and carved four bold characters with his finger: Dominant Fist Sacred Land.

The fearsome energy radiating from those words made the Thunder Qilin shiver involuntarily. It whispered, “Brother Qian, do you hold such a grudge against this rock? You didn’t put this much force into pinning the Demon Dragon yesterday.”

Cao Youqian shot the Thunder Qilin a contemptuous look and replied, “If I called you foolish, you’d think I meant you. Now, with this stele here, won’t lowlifes scatter at the sight? It spares us plenty of hassle.”

Realization dawned on the Thunder Qilin’s face. “Got it. Brother Qian, it’s like how wolf clans mark their turf with urine to keep other demons away.”

Thud.

Cao Youqian flicked the Thunder Qilin’s forehead and grumbled, “Can’t you say something sensible? Fine, let’s head inside and check what treasures that Demon Dragon stashed in its lair.”

The Thunder Qilin’s gaze brightened at the words. Dragons were notorious hoarders, so it trailed Cao Youqian excitedly into the mountain.

Once the man and beast ventured inside, they took in the sights as they went. Cao Youqian wasn’t one for refinement and favored straightforwardness, yet this stunning landscape made him ease his steps.

After thirty minutes, they reached a valley revealing a sprawling lake.

This wasn’t like typical lakes; it was stagnant. No inflow fed it, and no outflow drained to the sides.

Its waters gleamed black, tendrils of dark qi curling up from the surface. Even wandering souls drifted visibly within.

Cao Youqian squinted and murmured, “This area pulses with life. How could a zone of death form right here?”

Examining the nearby peaks and the feng shui arrangement, a sly smile crossed Cao Youqian’s face. Five saint-grade spirit veins met at this point, their spiritual qi suppressing the death and demonic qi in the lake. Was something remarkable sealed beneath?

With that in mind, he addressed the Thunder Qilin nearby. “Wait right here without stirring. I’ll dive in and uncover what lurks in this lake.”

Gazing at the water, the Thunder Qilin felt unease creep in and urged quickly, “Brother Qian, I detect something horrifying below. Don’t go down there.”

“See how scared you get. What haven’t I faced? When I was just a novice, I joined my master in a fierce clash against two Martial Gods. Is anything scarier than that waiting below?”

Finishing his words, Cao Youqian strode forward straight into the dead lake.

The instant he submerged, swarms of demonic qi and death qi rushed at him. But upon contact with Cao Youqian, they vanished entirely.

His divine sense swept through, finding the lake modest in width but profoundly deep. As depth increased, the demonic qi grew fiercer, ultimately swallowing his probe whole.

Undeterred, Cao Youqian plunged faster toward the bottom. Deeper he went, and the demonic qi started gnawing at his form.

Fascinating. This turned out to be a solid spot for tempering the body.

Cao Youqian promptly invoked his Immortal Body. Immortal light flared out, forcing the demonic qi back while bathing the lake floor in its glow.

Further down lay a cluster of demonic qi pulsing with dread aura. This was demonic qi at Divine King tier.

He’d encountered Divine Kings before, so he identified its rank instantly. Yet, why did Divine King–level demonic qi show up on this fresh continent? Had extraterritorial heavenly demons found it prior to their Xuantian Continent?

Curiosity piqued, Cao Youqian approached the demonic qi. Beyond it, nine chains thick as colossal dragons anchored a lone hand firmly.

These chains rooted in the ground exactly where the five saint-grade spirit veins intersected.

It was a hand vast enough to support the skies. Even one hand exerted such immense pressure that Cao Youqian, the Xuantian Continent’s supreme talent, felt terror grip his heart.

After what seemed an eternity, Cao Youqian regained composure and whispered, “What being is this, and who bound it here?”

His voice barely faded when myriad eyes snapped open across the arm. As they did, overwhelming demonic godly might engulfed Cao Youqian, and a grand voice boomed in his mind.

“Who dares disturb this one’s sleep?”