38: Chapter 38 The Protection of the Demon Emperor's Palace

Chen Yuanji stayed in the Yaofeng Pavilion for three days, and his Gang Energy completely stabilized. The martial gods heart was kept close to his body, and the ancient jade resonated with the heart. The two martial god relics warmed slightly in his chest, as if responding to each other. He could feel the blood-Qi power contained within the heart slowly seeping into his body; there was no need to deliberately absorb it, as it flowed like a small stream merging into a river.

"At this rate, I'll be able to reach the threshold of the Gang Energy Middle Stage in less than half a year," Chen Yuanji calculated in his heart.

In the early morning, while he was performing Zhan Zhuang in the courtyard, Granny Hu sent someone to invite him. It was the black-robed Yao Race member, in the Early Stage of the Faxiang Realm, who had taken him to the backyard of the Demon Emperor Palace last time. The black-robed Yao's attitude was much more respectful than before, clearly aware that Chen Yuanji had made a Breakthrough.

"Granny Hu is waiting for you in the main hall of the Demon Emperor Palace," the black-robed Yao said. "There are important matters to discuss."

Chen Yuanji finished his practice and followed him through the northern district to the main hall of the Demon Emperor Palace. The main hall was several times larger than the side hall, with a ceiling tens of meters high painted with a lifelike mural of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, appearing as if it could step out of the painting at any moment. Over a dozen Yao Race members stood on both sides of the hall, all representatives of various tribes with deep auras; the weakest among them was in the Shentong Realm. Granny Hu sat in the main seat, and beside her stood a middle-aged man with a square Face and tiger-like eyes full of authority. He wore golden armor, and his aura was unfathomable, at least at the Peak of the Faxiang Realm.

"Chen Yuanji, you've come." Granny Hu pointed to the seat next to her. "Sit."

Chen Yuanji sat down, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall. These Yao Race members were all sizing him up with eyes full of curiosity, scrutiny, or disdain. Why would Granny Hu place such importance on a Human Race youth?

"I have called you all here today to announce something." Granny Hu's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. "From today onwards, Chen Yuanji officially becomes a Guest Elder of the Demon Emperor Palace."

The hall erupted in an uproar. A Guest Elder was the highest guest position in the Demon Emperor Palace, second only to the Elder Council. The last Guest Elder was a Human Race powerhouse in the Void-Piercing Realm three hundred years ago.

"Granny Hu, he's just a wet-behind-the-ears brat. Why should he?" A burly man from the Tiger Clan stood up, at the Peak of the Shentong Realm, his voice like thunder.

"Because he was able to obtain the martial gods heart from the Golden-Winged Peng at the Peak of the Fourth Order," Granny Hu said indifferently.

The hall instantly fell silent. The martial gods heart. This name was no secret among the high-level members of the Yao Race. Many Yao Race powerhouses had tried to seize the martial gods heart from the Middle-layer Ruins of the Mist Forest, only to die under the claws of the Golden-Winged Peng. This Human Race youth in front of them had actually obtained it? The Tiger Clan man opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing and sat back down.

Granny Hu looked at Chen Yuanji: "Elder Chen, do you have anything to say?"

Chen Yuanji stood up and faced the crowd in the hall. "I know you are not convinced. Why should a human be a Guest Elder in the Demon Emperor Palace?" He paused. "I don't need your conviction; I only need you to know that I will not receive the stipend of the Demon Emperor Palace for nothing."

He extended his right hand, and a wisp of white Protective Aura rose from his palm. The Protective Aura condensed in his palm, transforming into a three-foot-long sword. The sword's body was pure white, emitting a blinding light. With a gentle wave from Chen Yuanji, the long sword left his hand and shot toward a stone pillar in the hall.

"Boom!" The stone pillar was cut in half. The upper half crashed down, smashing into the ground and sending stone fragments flying. The cut was as smooth as a mirror, without a single crack.

There was a dead silence in the hall. The Yao Race powerhouses looked at the broken stone pillar, their eyes changing. The stone pillar was made of Black Ridge Rock unique to Heavenly Demon City, with a hardness comparable to refined steel. Even a full-strength strike from the Peak of the Shentong Realm could only leave a shallow pit on it. Yet, Chen Yuanji had severed it with a casual wave.

"This is Protective Aura," Chen Yuanji withdrew his hand. "I do not Cultivate Elemental Power, only the Physical Body. If you are interested, I can teach you."

No one spoke. The corners of Granny Hu's mouth curled up slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

"Since no one objects, it is settled." She stood up. "Elder Chen, follow me."

Chen Yuanji followed Granny Hu out of the main hall and into a secret room in the backyard. The secret room was not large, containing only a table and a chair. On the wall hung a map—a complete map of the Eastern Desolate Region.

"Sit." Granny Hu sat on the chair and pointed to the stool opposite her. Chen Yuanji sat down.

"Bai Xue told me about the martial gods heart," Granny Hu looked at him. "You passed the trial of the Martial Dao Divine Court, obtained the heart, and achieved a Breakthrough in Gang Energy. But do you know what this means?"

"It means the Tiandao Sect will not let me go."

"It's not just the Tiandao Sect." Granny Hu shook her head. "The Seven Ancient Clans, the various Imperial Dynasties, and even some within the Demon Emperor Palace will covet the martial gods heart. By taking it, you have placed yourself at the center of a storm."

Chen Yuanji remained silent.

"Therefore, I need you to promise me one thing." Granny Hu looked at him. "Until you have sufficient strength, do not leave Heavenly Demon City. The Demon Emperor Palace can protect you, but once you leave Heavenly Demon City, I will be powerless."

"What Realm does 'sufficient strength' refer to?"

"At least being able to defeat the Void-Piercing Realm," Granny Hu said. "Zhou Xuanji is in the Middle Stage of the Void-Piercing Realm. If you can defeat him, you can protect yourself."

Defeating the Middle Stage of the Void-Piercing Realm. Chen Yuanji was currently in the Early Stage of Gang Energy, equivalent to the Early Stage to Middle Stage of the Faxiang Realm. To defeat someone in the Middle Stage of the Void-Piercing Realm, he would need at least the Late Stage or even the Peak of Gang Energy.

Chen Yuanji stood up. "I won't stay in Heavenly Demon City forever, but I will stay until the day I am strong enough."

Granny Hu nodded and took a token from a drawer, handing it to him. "This is the token of a Demon Emperor Palace Elder. With it, you can mobilize all resources under the name of the Demon Emperor Palace—Medicinal Pills, Cultivation Techniques, and weapons for Cultivate; everything you need is available."

Chen Yuanji took the token; it was heavy, made of an unknown metal, and engraved with the pattern of a Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox.

" Thank you, Grandma Hu."

"Don't thank me. I'm doing this for Xiao Hu's Face." Granny Hu waved her hand. "That child talks about you every day, making my head ache. If you were to die, she would definitely make a fuss with me."

The corners of Chen Yuanji's mouth curled up as he turned to leave. When he walked out of the secret room, Su Xiaohu was standing at the door, her ears perked up, obviously eavesdropping.

"Brother Chen!" Caught red-handed, she gave a sheepish smile. "I didn't mean to..."

"What did you hear?"

"I heard everything." Su Xiaohu pulled his sleeve. "Brother Chen, are you really going to stay in Heavenly Demon City for a long time?"

"Yes."

"Great!" Su Xiaohu jumped up happily. "Then I can see you every day!"

Chen Yuanji patted her head without speaking. Su Xiaohu's innocence and simplicity were a rare comfort for him in this world. When he returned to the Yaofeng Pavilion, Lu Yao was practicing her fists in the courtyard. Her Drilling Fist was already taking shape; each punch she threw produced a slight whistling sound in the air. Although the power was still far from enough, her form was very correct.

"Brother Chen, how do you think I'm practicing?" Lu Yao stopped her punches and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"Not bad." Chen Yuanji walked over to her and corrected the angle of her arm. "Keep your elbows down, and your punches should follow the centerline. Don't let them drift."

Lu Yao followed his guidance and practiced again; it was indeed much smoother.

"Brother Chen, Granny Hu wants me to live in the Demon Emperor Palace. She said a branch of the Deer Clan is there, and I can Cultivate with my clansmen."

"That's a good thing."

"But I don't want to leave you." Lu Yao lowered her head.

Chen Yuanji looked at her and remained silent for a moment.

"You can't follow me forever. You have your own path to walk."

Lu Yao's eyes turned red, but she didn't cry. She looked up into Chen Yuanji's eyes.

"Brother Chen, once I become stronger, I will come find you."

"Alright."

Lu Yao smiled, turned, and ran toward the Demon Emperor Palace without looking back. Chen Yuanji stood in the courtyard, watching her silhouette disappear at the end of the street. Niu Dali walked out of the house, carrying a bowl of wine.

"Sending off another one?"

"She has her own path."

"And you? Where is your path?"

Chen Yuanji took the bowl and drained it in one gulp.

"Beneath my feet."

Niu Dali smiled and asked no more.