Chapter Eight: Conquering the Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor

The idea of the Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor was quite good, but after the little dragon swallowed the imperial pill, his cultivation swiftly broke through its limits, and his form began to undergo a drastic transformation. Once a walking flood dragon, he had now become a Azure Dragon, with his divine beast bloodline fully awakened. This caused the Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor’s heart to sink halfway.

It is well known that the Dragon Clan naturally suppresses other demon beasts through their bloodline. Although the Vermilion Bird is also a divine beast, the Azure Dragon’s bloodline suppression over it was not overwhelming. However, the Azure Dragon’s physical defense had greatly increased, and his innate divine abilities had grown stronger, leaving the Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor with little advantage against the little dragon after his advancement.

As a veteran demon emperor, the Vermilion Bird’s only edge over the little dragon was more practical combat experience and greater mastery of the rules. But with the little dragon wielding the Demon Emperor’s Ruler, this immediately leveled the playing field between them.

As the heavenly tribulation descended, the little dragon’s grasp over the world’s rules became clearer; he controlled the space rule, fitting perfectly with his draconic nature.

Yet, after switching his weapon to the ultimate imperial weapon—the Demon Emperor’s Ruler—he unleashed the gravity rule. This meant the little dragon simultaneously commanded both space and gravity rules.

With the support of these two powerful rules, the Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor’s flame rule seemed somewhat insufficient. After all, the little dragon’s physical defense was too high, and the divine flames could not harm him for the time being.

At this moment, the Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor grew anxious. Failing to slay his opponent meant that he himself would soon face disaster.

Escape!

Seeing he could not defeat the little dragon, the Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor immediately turned to flee. But under the heavenly tribulation, escape was impossible, and the little dragon gave chase relentlessly.

Moreover, Liao Chen had long been lying in wait along the Vermilion Bird’s escape path.

Soon, the Vermilion Bird ran into Liao Chen. Seeing a human blocking his way, the Vermilion Bird flew into a rage and immediately unleashed his divine flames to burn Liao Chen.

Liao Chen was unfazed, wearing an imperial-grade magical robe that greatly reduced the damage from the Vermilion Bird’s divine flames. While enduring the demon emperor’s attacks, he wielded the ultimate imperial weapon, the Purple-Gold Thunder God Hammer, and ruthlessly hammered the Vermilion Bird.

The Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor was dumbfounded. This human cultivator was only at the Saint realm, yet dared to strike him. Had the world gone mad?

His mind was in turmoil. Although he looked down on Liao Chen’s cultivation, the human’s attacks truly reached imperial-level power.

“This person actually possesses the strength to leap two realms in combat. What kind of monster is he? Could he be the legendary peerless prodigy?” The Vermilion Bird reasoned internally that this was the only possible explanation; otherwise, no ordinary person could fight across two major realms, or even one minor realm, let alone two.

“Young man, we have no grievances or enmity. Why do you block my departure?” the Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor questioned, puzzled.

Liao Chen replied coldly, “Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor, what do you say about burning me with your divine fire without cause earlier?”

Naturally, the Vermilion Bird would not admit the truth—that he had lost control and acted on a killing impulse when he thought Liao Chen was weak.

“That was just a misunderstanding, so I attacked you this time!” he answered evasively.

“A misunderstanding is cause enough to kill me? Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor, do you think I would believe your smooth talk? Since you want to kill me, then you must die as well!”

“Great Wilderness Prisoning Sky Finger!”

Liao Chen wasted no time with further words and immediately unleashed his ultimate move.

Now, Liao Chen had perfected the Great Wilderness Prisoning Sky Finger, its power sufficient to severely injure or even slay the Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor.

The Vermilion Bird could only endure the attack. However, his previous injuries had not yet healed, and with the added heavy blows from the little dragon, he could not withstand Liao Chen’s assault.

Boom!

With a tremendous explosion, the Vermilion Bird’s body could not take it and instantly shattered. His Nascent Soul immediately fled into a broken short sword blade. The sword looked extraordinary, capable of withstanding Liao Chen’s attack without a scratch.

Then the broken sword blade also resisted the heavenly tribulation from the little dragon, remaining undamaged. It was apparent this blade was forged from supreme refining materials.

The heavenly tribulation soon passed, and the little dragon successfully advanced to the first level of the Imperial realm.

System: “Ding! Congratulations, host’s spiritual pet cultivation has advanced to the first level of the Imperial realm. Rewarding host with ten million experience points. Upon reaching 100 million experience points, host’s cultivation can directly advance to the first level of the Great Sage realm. Rewards granted: a Broken Immortal-Slaying Sword, a wisp of Chaos Fire, ten top-grade Enlightenment Tea Trees, ten Bodhi Trees, ten top-grade Imperial Pills, one thousand Divine Spirit Pills, one thousand Divine Beast Pills, one hundred thousand top-grade Spiritual Beast Aptitude Pills, one hundred thousand Transformation Pills, one hundred thousand Saint Essence Pills, ten million Heavenly Spirit Pills, ten tons of Foundation Establishment Pills. Rewards have been issued. Please check your inventory.”

Liao Chen did not expect the system to reward him with so many valuable items after the little dragon’s breakthrough. Although the Immortal-Slaying Sword was just a broken sword, its power rivaled that of an ultimate imperial weapon.

If the Immortal-Slaying Sword were intact, it would likely be a celestial sword of supreme quality, though Liao Chen wasn’t sure of its exact tier.

However, he was unsure what use the wisp of Chaos Fire had, so he asked, “System, what is the purpose of this Chaos Fire? At my current cultivation, I cannot control it. I might burn myself to ashes.”

System: “Host, this fire is a key ingredient for forging top-grade celestial weapons. You will need it for dealing with the Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor.”

Liao Chen was impressed by the system’s thoroughness. Since the Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor’s Nascent Soul had fled into the broken sword, he had been wondering how to kill this great demon. Now the problem was solved.

“Master, this Vermilion Bird Demon Pill has taken refuge within the broken blade. What shall we do next?” the little dragon asked after trying to attack the broken blade, finding his efforts futile.

Liao Chen withdrew the Chaos Fire from his storage ring and said, “Little Dragon, watch closely. Next, I’ll give you a barbecue feast of Vermilion Bird!”

The little dragon did not recognize the Chaos Fire but could clearly sense its extreme danger. Luckily, the flames were contained within a specially made furnace; otherwise, he would have fled without hesitation.

“You brat, what are you trying to do?” The Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor was terrified by the Chaos Fire. Though hiding inside the broken blade, his danger perception remained keen. He cried out in panic.

Liao Chen chuckled, “Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor, you like hiding inside, don’t you? Now I will roast you along with this broken blade. Let’s see what you can withstand.”

The Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor did not want to die and immediately begged for mercy, “Young man, don’t kill me. I can be your protector!”

Liao Chen shook his head, “You’re just an Imperial realm first level demon beast. How could you qualify as my protector? My little dragon here is also at the Imperial realm, first level, and he’s only my spiritual pet.”

Seeing Liao Chen’s refusal, the Vermilion Bird steeled himself and lowered his pride, “I can also be your spiritual pet, just don’t kill me!”

Liao Chen considered for a moment. This was a good deal, after all, having a demon emperor as his spiritual pet was quite impressive. He nodded and said, “I agree, but hand over your soul seal!”

The Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor, no longer daring to be cunning, immediately surrendered his soul seal. From this day forward, he was Liao Chen’s spiritual pet.

Just then, the system’s voice rang out: “Congratulations, host, on successfully taming the Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor as your spiritual pet. Rewarding host with fifty million experience points. Host now has eighty million experience points, requiring twenty million more to automatically advance to the first level of the Great Sage realm. Additional rewards: a sect shrine, ultimate weapons—Undying Heavenly Saber, Golden Crow Bell, Purple-Gold Pine Tower; quasi-imperial weapons—Purple Lightning Golden Knife, Flame Scepter, Infinite Ice Blade, Gravity Mountain River Seal; ten sets of imperial-grade robes; ten top-grade Enlightenment Tea Trees; ten Bodhi Trees; ten top-grade Imperial Pills; one thousand Divine Spirit Pills; one thousand Divine Beast Pills; one hundred thousand top-grade Spiritual Beast Aptitude Pills; one hundred thousand Transformation Pills; one hundred thousand Saint Essence Pills; ten million Heavenly Spirit Pills; ten tons of Foundation Establishment Pills. Rewards have been issued. Please check your inventory.”