For an ordinary Martial Artist, reaching the Grand Martial Artist Realm would take a lifetime of cultivation.
Even Chu Tianxiong was no exception.
Martial Artists in the Eighteen Kingdoms were as common as blades of grass, numbering in the millions, yet the only one who could currently advance to the Martial Monarch Realm was the Heaven-Suppressing King.
And even his success wasn’t guaranteed.
This showed just how difficult a Breakthrough was.
The Martial Emperor Technique Qu Luo had passed down to her could guarantee her advancement to Martial Monarch in three years and Martial Emperor in five. It was freakishly powerful.
Yet, Su Mo had rejected such a powerful Cultivation Technique.
’I wonder if Su Mo is really that foolish.’
Huang Yunan knelt and kowtowed. "Thank you, Ancestor, for passing on this Cultivation Technique! This disciple will not fail her mission and will surely carry your technique to greater heights."
"Mm, as your master, I believe in you."
Qu Luo turned to Chu Tianxiong and instructed, "Huang Yunan is my, this old ancestor’s, disciple. Everyone in the Beast Taming Sect must do their utmost to assist her and help her grow as quickly as possible."
"Yes, Ancestor!"
Chu Tianxiong said respectfully.
After settling all matters, Qu Luo said faintly, "Alright. This old ancestor is merely a Residual Soul and cannot maintain this form for much longer. I’ll leave the rest to you."
"Wait!"
Su Mo suddenly stopped him. "Excuse me, where is the Extreme Yang Spirit Stone?"
Qu Luo asked, puzzled, "What do you want that thing for?"
"Alchemy!"
Su Mo replied.
Qu Luo sneered. "Heh heh, the Extreme Yang Spirit Stone is a material for setting up an Array, and you want to use it for Alchemy? I really don’t know if you’re truly a fool or just acting like one. But it matters not. I’ll tell you. The Extreme Yang Spirit Stone is in the eye of the Array of Ten Thousand Undying Demons."
With that, Qu Luo pointed to a stone platform beside the palace.
Su Mo moved the stone platform and, sure enough, found the eye of the Array of Ten Thousand Undying Demons. In its center was a fist-sized, crimson Spirit Stone.
"The Extreme Yang Spirit Stone!"
Su Mo joyfully dug the crimson Spirit Stone out.
BOOM!
Just then, the world around them began to tremble violently, causing the entire palace to shake.
Everyone panicked.
Qu Luo waved his hand. "Don’t be afraid. This is just a sign of the Array of Ten Thousand Undying Demons collapsing. It won’t harm you."
Hearing this, the crowd managed to calm down.
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the surrounding black mist began to dissipate. A ray of sunlight pierced through the sky, illuminating the palace.
The palace interior instantly brightened.
Qu Luo’s Residual Soul also vanished.
Huang Yunan cried out, "Ancestor..."
"Stop shouting!"
Chu Tianxiong consoled her, "His Excellency the Ancestor has already returned to the cycle of reincarnation. It’s useless to call for him. Let us all send the Ancestor off together."
"We respectfully send off the Ancestor!"
Everyone knelt in unison.
Chu Tianxiong said, "Elder Su, since things here are concluded, let’s head out and let the Ancestor rest in peace."
"Alright!"
Su Mo nodded in agreement and walked out of the palace with the others, preparing to leave Qu Luo’s Tomb.
TSSSST!
The moment the Undying Demon Tiger stepped out of the palace, a ray of sunlight struck its body. It began to emit wisps of smoke and roared in agony, "AHHH..."
"Father, what’s wrong?"
the Striped Demon Tiger asked in alarm.
The Undying Demon Tiger endured the pain and replied, "My child, I’m afraid your father must part with you and enter reincarnation. Remember my words, you must..."
Before it could finish its sentence, the Undying Demon Tiger dissipated.
The Black Demon Wolf patted the Striped Demon Tiger’s shoulder. "Brother Hu, my condolences. Your father will always be with us."
"That’s right. My father will always be with me."
The Striped Demon Tiger wiped away its tears.
The Black Demon Wolf asked in a low voice, "Brother Hu, are we really going to follow Elder Su? We’re not going to be mountain kings anymore?"
"Damn it, are you suggesting I go against my father’s dying wish?"
the Striped Demon Tiger said, displeased.
The Black Demon Wolf scratched its head. "That’s not what I meant. It’s just, we’re both so powerful. Isn’t being kings of the mountain the good life? Why are we shamelessly begging to be someone’s Demon Pet when he clearly scorns us? Aren’t we just asking for humiliation?"
"Then I’ll take the humiliation. No matter what, I’m following Elder Su."
The Striped Demon Tiger said in a low voice, "I’ll tell you the truth. My father secretly told me that Elder Su is actually a reincarnated Martial Emperor, returned to the mortal world to temper himself. He might even break through to the legendary Ten Directions Martial Saint realm."
"A reincarnated Martial Emperor?"
The Black Demon Wolf asked doubtfully, "How did your father know that?"
The Striped Demon Tiger answered, "My father studied fortune-telling. He knew the secrets of the heavens and the earth and could read the hearts of men."
"Fortune-telling?"
The Black Demon Wolf asked, "Then how come your father didn’t predict he would be killed by the Qu Luo Evil Spirit?"
"Fuck, are you trying to argue with me for the sake of it?"
"I’m just speaking the truth."
The Striped Demon Tiger lowered its voice. "Think about it. Elder Su is only at the Martial Apprentice Realm right now, but he’s already this powerful. What if he breaks through to Samurai? Won’t he be even stronger?"
"That’s true!"
the Black Demon Wolf nodded.
The Striped Demon Tiger continued, "And what if Elder Su breaks through to Martial Artist, then to Martial Monarch, and even to Martial King?"
"Then he could probably kill a Martial Emperor."
the Black Demon Wolf replied without thinking.
Above Martial King is Martial Emperor, above Martial Emperor is Martial Sect, above Martial Sect is Martial Venerable, and above Martial Venerable is Martial Emperor.
’If Su Mo can kill a Martial Emperor when he reaches the Martial King Realm, then if he reaches the Martial Emperor Realm himself, wouldn’t he be invincible? He could probably even kill gods who descend to the mortal world.’
The Striped Demon Tiger asked, "So, are you going or not?"
"Going! I’m definitely going!"
The Black Demon Wolf nodded emphatically.
Being a mountain king was carefree and fun, but they could be killed for their demon cores at any moment. Following Su Mo seemed more reliable.
"What if he doesn’t want us?"
the Black Demon Wolf asked worriedly.
Before, the two of them had offered to become Su Mo’s Demon Pets, but he had refused, saying they were too weak.
"Heh heh, that’s easy. We’ll just go plop ourselves down in front of his gate. Is he really going to chase us away then?"
"Wouldn’t that make us gatekeepers?"
"Who cares..."
’Being gatekeepers is better than wandering the wilderness, being hunted down, and killed for our demon cores.’
「Beast Taming Sect」
Roger said respectfully, "Elder Su, I am preparing to return to the Empire to report on my mission. I cannot stay to accompany you any longer. Please forgive me."
"It’s fine. Go back if you wish. There’s no need to mind me."
Su Mo said indifferently.
Roger said gratefully, "Thank you for your understanding, Elder Su. We will surely visit you in person another day to offer our apologies."
With that, Roger left without a backward glance.
This time, although their Daqian Empire had not obtained the Martial Emperor Technique’s inheritance, they had managed to acquire quite a few Elixir Pills and Spiritual Soldiers. They had to hurry back and refine them.
It was the same for Du Feng and the others.
After everyone had left, the Desolate Old Monster suddenly spoke up, "Daoist Brother Xuanqing, don’t you have a favor to ask of Elder Su?"
THUD!
Daoist Xuanqing knelt straight down before Su Mo. "Elder Su, please save my disciple’s life!"
"Save his life?"
Su Mo asked, confused, "What’s wrong with your disciple?"