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

Upon listening to the Thunder Qilin's remarks, Cao Youqian instinctively raised his head and scanned the imposing peak in front of him. A single glance revealed its exceptional nature.

White snow blanketed the top, whereas the slopes below burst with thick, vibrant foliage. In every direction, a vast expanse of greenery stretched out, with cascading brooks snaking down to form a lengthy stream at the base.

Elements of wood, water, and earth were evident, but fire seemed missing.

A quick probe with his divine sense uncovered a fire spirit vein hidden inside the peak. Without the snow capping the summit, the fire spirit qi from this vein would have long burst forth from the peak.

Besides the fire spirit vein, four saint-grade spirit veins representing metal, wood, water, and earth also lay within the mountain. This spot truly served as a prime haven for cultivation.

“That Demon Dragon is such a fool for claiming a treasure like this with its meager cultivation level.”

The Thunder Qilin responded right away upon hearing that. “It's not entirely foolish. Over thirty years back, it and I were both Demon Kings. After all this time apart, it's advanced to Demon Emperor status.”

“Hmph.”

Cao Youqian let out a scornful huff. “In just thirty years, I've risen 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 might demand thousands of years. Within thirty years, its peak would likely be Demon Emperor.

“Want to place a wager?” Cao Youqian suggested, his eyes twinkling with amusement at the Thunder Qilin.

“Wager on what? I've got nothing left to stake.”

The thought of its current lack of freedom left the Thunder Qilin deeply downcast.

Cao Youqian proposed, “Should I fail to reach Saint in thirty years, I'll grant you your freedom. But if I achieve Martial God, you'll safeguard my sect going forward.”

“Deal.”

The Thunder Qilin nearly shouted it without thinking. Was there really such a favorable offer? It doubted Brother Qian could hit Martial God in thirty years.

“Excellent.”

With those words, Cao Youqian leaped off the Thunder Qilin and headed toward the Five Elements Mountain in front. He added leisurely, “Starting now, this will serve as my immortal cave for cultivation. Surely you can endure thirty years without issue, right?”

The Thunder Qilin shot back, “Just thirty years—gone in an instant. By that point, I'll have become a Demon Emperor too.”

Cao Youqian surveyed the area briefly, then soared skyward toward Five Elements Mountain. Moments later, he descended to the base hauling an enormous rock.

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

The Thunder Qilin trembled at the sight of those four words radiating a fearsome presence. It whispered, “Brother Qian, do you hold some massive grudge against this rock? You didn't exert half this force when pinning down the Demon Dragon yesterday.”

Cao Youqian eyed the Thunder Qilin with contempt and replied, “Even calling you foolish might make you feel singled out. Think about it—with this stele standing here, won't lowly troublemakers scatter just by looking? It'll spare us plenty of hassle.”

Realization dawned on the Thunder Qilin's face instantly. “Got it. Brother Qian, it's just like how wolf clans mark their turf by urinating around it, scaring off other demon races from getting close.”

Thud.

Cao Youqian flicked the Thunder Qilin's forehead sharply and grumbled, “Must you always say something so bizarre? Fine, let's head inside and check out whatever treasures that Demon Dragon stashed in its lair.”

The Thunder Qilin's gaze sparkled at the words. Recalling the dragon clan's obsession with collecting riches, it hurried after Cao Youqian into the mountain.

As the man and the qilin ventured inside, they took in the stunning views en route. Cao Youqian favored straightforwardness over refinement, yet this breathtaking landscape made him linger and ease his steps.

Half an hour later, they reached a valley revealing a sprawling lake.

This lake differed from typical ones—it was stagnant and lifeless. No inflows fed it, and no outflows drained to the outside.

Its waters gleamed inky black, tendrils of dark qi curling up from the surface. Even wandering spirits were visible drifting in the depths, as Cao Youqian noted.

His eyes narrowed while he murmured, “This area overflows with life force. So why has a domain of death sprung up right here?”

After studying the nearby peaks and the feng shui arrangement, Cao Youqian's face lit with intrigue. Here, five saint-grade spirit veins met, their spiritual qi suppressing the death qi and demonic qi in the lake—perhaps sealing something remarkable within?

This idea prompted him to address the Thunder Qilin nearby. “Remain here without stirring. I'll dive in to uncover what's truly lurking in this lake.”

Gazing at the water, the Thunder Qilin felt an involuntary chill and quickly warned, “Brother Qian, I detect something horrifying in there. You really shouldn't descend.”

“Such cowardice. What tempests haven't I weathered? In my early days as a disciple, I joined my master in a fierce clash against two Martial Gods. Is there anything scarier than a Martial God below?”

With that, Cao Youqian stepped ahead and plunged straight into the lifeless lake.

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

His divine sense probed the lake, revealing its modest size but profound depth. As depths increased, the demonic qi grew more menacing, eventually consuming his sense completely.

Rather than withdraw, Cao Youqian sped toward the bottom. Deeper he went, with the demonic qi starting to gnaw at his form.

Fascinating. This turned out to be an ideal spot for refining the body.

Cao Youqian promptly invoked his Immortal Body. As immortal light flared, the demonic qi recoiled at once, bathing the lake floor in its glow.

Further down lay a dense cluster of demonic qi pulsing with dread. It matched the potency of Divine King demonic qi.

Cao Youqian had encountered Divine Kings previously, identifying this qi level immediately. But how could Divine King-tier demonic qi emerge on a freshly unveiled continent? Had extraterritorial heavenly demons found it prior to their Xuantian Continent?

Curiosity driving him, Cao Youqian approached the demonic qi. Breaching it, he beheld nine chains, each as massive as a colossal dragon, securing a lone hand firmly.

These chains anchored deep in the earth at the exact convergence of the five saint-grade spirit veins.

This hand seemed capable of upholding the skies. Its mere presence exerted such immense pressure that even Cao Youqian, the unrivaled prodigy from Xuantian Continent, quaked inwardly with terror.

Time passed before Cao Youqian regained composure and whispered, “What being is this, and what force imprisoned it here?”

No sooner had he spoken than myriad eyes snapped open across the arm. The moment they did, an overwhelming demonic divine pressure engulfed Cao Youqian, while a grand, resonant voice boomed in his mind sea.

“Who dares disturb this one's repose?”