Volume One: The Game of the Master Chapter Sixty-Two: The Pine Stone of the Azure Emperor (Double-length Chapter)

In the Immortal, Demon, and Beast Realm, the other nine holders of the golden tokens also saw the writing appear on their tokens at the same time. Yet, apart from Qin Shuang, none of them knew that beyond their realm, there existed many other spaces equivalent to it.

“Heavenly Heart Realm?” Zong Jue frowned. “What kind of place is that?”

“It sounds like another world as well, but apparently none of us know it,” Ao Wuming remarked with indifference, completely unconcerned.

“Haha, you’re all being too cautious. As long as it’s not the Divine Realm, with the strength of the four of us, is there anywhere we cannot go?” Wu Long laughed heartily. Ever since receiving Qin Yu’s guidance years ago, Wu Long’s understanding of space had far surpassed the limits of this realm. He had delayed his ascension only to deepen his comprehension of spatial laws. He didn’t know the true nature of the Divine Realm, but one thing was certain—upon ascending, he would be at the very bottom. The more he understood of space, the greater his security would be in the Divine Realm.

“It’s the unknown that brings excitement. This time, let’s have a proper battle,” said the strongest of them all, the Violet-Eyed Bull Demon King Man Qian, his eyes flickering with purple light. Clearly, the unknown Heavenly Heart Realm thrilled him.

“Very well. In three months, we’ll know what kind of place this Heavenly Heart Realm truly is,” Zong Jue said, clenching his fists tightly.

On Azure Wave Star, once the holy land of the Immortal, Demon, and Beast Realm, its status had steadily declined ever since Emperor Chi Qing’s ascension. Though it was still the nominal leader of the Immortal Realm, the current Azure Emperor Songshi did not possess the strength to truly command it.

Like his predecessor Chi Qing, Songshi’s power remained at the eighth-level Immortal Emperor. This led many to speculate that Songshi’s strength was on par with the former Azure Emperor, which was why he held the title of leader in name.

Peng Demon Emperor Fang Lan, now a ninth-level Demon Emperor with a lineage treasure, had become one of the absolute powers in the realm.

A month later, a visitor arrived at Azure Wave Star.

“Brother Songshi, I still remember the ease with which Senior Chi Qing passed the Divine Tribulation. He didn’t rely on restrictions or divine artifacts—he just crossed it effortlessly. Such feats are rare in our history,” Peng Demon Emperor praised the old Azure Emperor as he arrived.

“From what I see, Brother Songshi, you’ve been stuck at eighth-level Immortal Emperor for many years. It can’t be that simple, can it?” Fang Lan finished, his eyes fixed intently on Songshi.

Songshi merely smiled, neither admitting nor denying it. “My master truly was formidable. I’ll never compare.”

Inferior to the old Azure Emperor—this was the truth. Back then, the Azure Emperor could easily trap the Peng Demon Emperor Zong Yan, the Yu Emperor, and the Mysterious Emperor.

A ninth-level Demon Emperor with a lineage treasure, and two ninth-level Immortal Emperors—yet in Chi Qing’s presence, they were like children, unable to withstand a single round.

Yet Songshi’s words set Fang Lan’s mind racing.

Not as good as the Azure Emperor! This was perplexing—a normal eighth-level Immortal Emperor was indeed inferior. But even the Dragon Emperor Ao Fang, with the Lineage Dragon Pearl, likely could not compare to Chi Qing.

A Dragon Emperor with the Lineage Dragon Pearl, and a regular eighth-level Immortal Emperor—such a gap was enormous.

“Even if Brother Songshi is not as great as Senior Chi Qing, you’re surely not weaker than me,” Fang Lan said, eyes narrowed, awaiting Songshi’s answer.

“Haha, as a super divine beast and ninth-level Demon Emperor with a lineage treasure, I’m far beneath you,” Songshi replied with a mild smile, his expression unchanged.

Fang Lan found Songshi’s demeanor unfathomable. In his eyes, an eighth-level Immortal Emperor could not be Songshi’s true strength.

“Brother Songshi, do you recall the golden tokens that appeared recently?”

“The ones that grant the right to compete for the spirit treasure?” Songshi smiled faintly. “I’d wager there’s not a soul in this realm who doesn’t know of them.”

“Sadly, although I am king of the flying beasts, I didn’t obtain a single token.” Fang Lan sighed. “But as far as I know, Brother Songshi, despite being the leader of the Immortal Realm, you didn’t get one either.”

“That’s true. Brother Fang Lan, is there something you wish to say?” the Azure Emperor understood Fang Lan must have an agenda for visiting.

Indeed, Fang Lan smiled mysteriously. “Brother Songshi, do you know who holds the ten tokens now?”

“That… I’m not certain.” In truth, Songshi knew the whereabouts of most.

“Zong Jue of the avians, Man Qian of the beasts, Dragon Emperor Ao Wuming, and Wu Long of the Demon Realm—each holds a token.” The avians’ ability to gather information was unmatched, and Fang Lan, friendly with the Dark Star Realm’s Blackflame Lord, had learned much from him.

“Haha, Brother Fang Lan, as the avian leader, you could just ask Zong Jue to hand over his token. I must say, I envy you,” Songshi joked, well aware of Zong Jue’s reputation.

Fang Lan blushed, then protested, “Brother Songshi, you jest. Zong Jue doesn’t obey my commands. Besides, those four have forged an alliance. To take their tokens, even Chi Qing in his prime would struggle.”

Songshi nodded, entirely agreeing. Wu Long had been at the ninth-level Immortal Emperor for ages, and Songshi couldn’t discern his true strength.

The Violet-Eyed Bull Demon King was said to be the strongest in raw power—his combat ability was on par with ninth-level Sword Immortals. Dragon Emperor Ao Wuming, with the Lineage Spirit Pearl, was nearly unmatched in the realm.

As for the Golden-Winged Peng, Zong Jue, though a rank lower than Fang Lan, wielded a remarkable black saber—he had once cleaved a ninth-level Immortal Emperor’s divine armor in half. His overall strength was not much less than Fang Lan with his lineage treasure.

With these four allied, not even the three Dark Star Lords together could threaten them.

“The other three tokens are now in the hands of the Dark Star Realm. It’s said that Lord Jin Xing Wen Feng, Lord Bai Xuan Bai Ying, and a sixteenth-star emperor from the Blackflame Sect will compete for the spirit treasure,” Fang Lan explained. “Taking tokens from them is a fool’s dream.”

Fang Lan well understood that though the Dark Star Realm had only sent two lords, combined with the third, their power was not far below the previous four.

“What of the last three?” Songshi asked. Only these three tokens’ whereabouts remained unknown.

“As it happens, the last three are all in the Immortal Realm,” Fang Lan observed Songshi’s face closely. In truth, he suspected Songshi was involved.

“Oh?” Songshi’s expression changed. “How so?”

“To be precise, the three tokens are held by three ninth-level Immortal Emperors.”

“Are you saying, Brother Fang Lan, that perhaps one or two of the tokens are in the hands of eighth-level Immortal Emperors?” Songshi’s aura flared, the implication clear: Fang Lan was hinting that Songshi himself might possess a token.

“Indeed, Songshi’s strength is formidable,” Fang Lan thought, feeling Songshi’s pressure.

“Don’t misunderstand,” Fang Lan hastened to explain. “I say ‘should be’ because we can’t determine one of their ranks.”

Hearing this, Songshi realized his mistake and withdrew his aura, smiling lightly. “Many people’s strength can’t be judged by their rank. Like my master, or Wu Long today.”

“True enough, Brother Songshi. In fact, my idea is to seize those three tokens. Of the holders, two are together and one travels alone,” Fang Lan revealed his plan.

Songshi narrowed his eyes and smiled. “Brother Fang Lan, what do you propose?”

Fang Lan grinned. “I have two eighth-level Demon Emperors and three seventh-levels under me. If we join forces, we can quickly take the tokens from those two ninth-level Immortal Emperors.”

This served two purposes: If Songshi refused, it would mean the two Immortal Emperors were connected to him. If he agreed, the two could each have a token and ally in the coming contest for the spirit treasure.

Songshi understood perfectly and, after a pause, agreed. “Very well. I accept your proposal. However, Azure Wave Star will send no one but myself.”

“Haha! With you, Brother Songshi, even a thousand armies can’t compare. I thank you, and if you ever need help, the avians will answer your call.”

“But how do you plan to ambush those two ninth-level Immortal Emperors?” Songshi asked.

“Rest assured, three months from now, the token holders will gather on Cloud Righteous Star to open the passage. From the Immortal Realm, the only route is through Glazed Star,” Fang Lan said, his eyes glinting with murderous intent as if the tokens were already his.

“Glazed Star?” Songshi smiled. “Between Glazed Star and Cloud Righteous Star lies a sea of chaotic energies—fires and freezing currents. Even a ninth-level Immortal Emperor must use a teleportation array to reach Cloud Righteous Star.”

“Brother Fang Lan, if we obtain the spirit treasure, who shall keep it?” Even the Azure Emperor could hardly resist its lure, or he wouldn’t have agreed to Fang Lan’s plan.

“Naturally, it belongs to whoever claims it first. But let’s be clear: from now on, we are allies. If anyone attacks me, you must help,” Fang Lan said. The only one he truly feared was Zong Jue. Alone, Zong Jue was not a mortal threat, but with Dragon Emperor Ao Wuming, Wu Long, and Man Qian behind him, there was no one in the realm who could stand alone against them.

“Of course,” Songshi replied. “But if too many come after you, there’s little I can do.”

“Haha, I haven’t that many enemies,” Fang Lan laughed.

**************************

“These days, this realm is far more peaceful than in my father’s time,” Qin Shuang mused as he stood beside the monkey clan’s forbidden land, gazing at the endless disc of cosmic golden currents. He was utterly unconcerned. “I could enter this forbidden land with my physical strength alone.”

With a body akin to a low-grade celestial divine artifact, he had nothing to fear from the golden currents.

“But who would have thought—Sun Yuan never lived to see a super divine beast worthy of the Great Ape Throne.” The Great Ape King had ascended thousands of years ago, yet before his departure, another super divine beast never arose among the monkeys.

“Hmm?” Qin Shuang took out the guest token given to him by Luo Changqing. “This guest token actually has a message function, like a communication talisman.”

“In one month, gather the ten tokens on Cloud Righteous Star to open the passage to the Heavenly Heart Realm.”

“Cloud Righteous Star?” Qin Shuang’s immortal sense swept into his star map, and he smiled. His figure vanished without a trace. With his current cultivation, he could travel the realm freely—cosmic golden currents meant nothing to him. There was no need to use teleportation arrays. With the Great Shift, he was much faster than any array.

Glazed Star had already gathered many high-level Demon Emperors, led by Peng Demon Emperor Fang Lan and Azure Emperor Songshi.

“Brother Fang Lan, when will those two ninth-level Immortal Emperors arrive?” Songshi had reached Glazed Star half a month ago, and Fang Lan had already gathered his forces, but after more than two weeks, there was still no sign.

“Don’t worry, Brother Songshi. Unless they detour through the Demon or Devil Realms, they must pass through Glazed Star. Our operation is secret—only my two eighth-level Demon Emperors and you yourself know our true purpose, not even the others.”

“Haha, those two old fellows are calm in the face of such temptation. Remarkable,” Songshi said with a laugh. He now truly resembled the Azure Emperor of old.

At that moment, a teleportation array on Cloud Righteous Star flared with light, and two blue-bearded elders appeared.

“That’s them!” Fang Lan shouted, rushing forward with his two eighth-level Demon Emperors. The Golden-Winged Peng, with his lineage treasure, was so fast that the space trembled as he passed.

Hu Changfeng and Luo Changqing had just arrived when they saw Fang Lan, who was already upon them.

“Ninth-level Demon Emperor Peng Demon Emperor Fang Lan—your speed is impressive,” Luo Changqing said, seemingly unsurprised.

“Hmph, you know more than I expected. I’ll dispense with pleasantries—hand over the two golden tokens and I’ll spare your lives,” Fang Lan snapped, annoyed they recognized him.

“Ha, just you?” Hu Changfeng laughed. “Your speed is impressive, but to think you can kill us brothers with speed alone, even with your men, is to underestimate the power of two ninth-level Immortal Emperors.”

“What if I join in?” A flash of green light, and Azure Emperor Songshi appeared at Fang Lan’s side. In that instant, Songshi’s speed rivaled Fang Lan’s.

Hu Changfeng and Luo Changqing were startled. He called them by their elder titles in the Hu Luo Sect—he clearly knew of their existence.

After hiding for millions of years, believing they were safe, someone knew of them. “Could it be…” Both guessed Qin Shuang had revealed their secrets.

Sizing up Songshi, Hu Changfeng said, “So, you are Azure Emperor Songshi. It seems both Chi Qing and you are outstanding.”

“Haha, my master and I are nothing special. But I didn’t expect Hu Luo Sect, hidden for eons, to finally be tempted by the spirit treasure,” Songshi laughed. Before his ascension, Chi Qing had told Songshi all about Hu Luo Sect, with the warning: unless absolutely necessary, do not provoke them.

A family that had endured for billions of years was not to be underestimated. Even Chi Qing wished to avoid them.

“Hmph, so you know quite a lot,” Luo Changqing’s eyes glinted with murderous intent.

“Tsk, I never imagined such a force existed in your territory, Songshi,” Fang Lan remarked. Even with the avians’ powerful information network and his friendship with the Blackflame Lord, he had never heard of the Hu Luo Sect.

“Gentlemen, if you hand over the tokens, I guarantee not only your lives, but also the secrecy of your sect,” Songshi promised. He had no wish to provoke them either.

“Hmph, we only trust the dead,” Luo Changqing replied coldly.

Handing over the tokens would not be difficult—the clan’s rule was to protect the family above all. But now, with Songshi, Fang Lan, two eighth-level Demon Emperors, three seventh-levels, and more than a dozen sixth-levels, secrecy was impossible.

Moreover, it seemed their existence was already exposed.

“Ungrateful fools. Don’t think you’re invincible just because you’re ninth-level Immortal Emperors,” Fang Lan spat.

“Haha, so two ninth-level Immortal Emperors are nothing, but a ninth-level beast and an eighth-level Immortal Emperor are something special?” Hu Changfeng laughed, showing no fear as he openly insulted Fang Lan.

“Courting death!” Fang Lan raged, turning into a streak of light and appearing before Hu Changfeng, spear thrusting at his chest.

With a crash, the mid-grade divine soul-snatching spear stopped half an inch from Hu Changfeng’s body. The ninth-level Demon Emperor’s attack was easily blocked.

“Haha, Changqing, the rumors are true. The Peng Demon Emperor is fast, but his strength is nothing but a tickle,” Hu Changfeng laughed, mocking Fang Lan’s power.

“How about mine?” Azure Emperor Songshi split in two, each facing one of the brothers, and struck at their chests with a straight punch.

Unlike Fang Lan, Songshi was not to be underestimated. Both men knew better than to take his blows head-on. Yet, as Songshi attacked, they were shocked to find themselves unable to move.

This technique was identical to Chi Qing’s legendary binding art.

Fang Lan realized Songshi must have inherited some of Chi Qing’s skills.

With two loud crashes, Hu Changfeng and Luo Changqing both spat blood, their battle armor shattered completely.

“Azure Emperor Songshi, you are indeed formidable. It seems you are the equal of the old Azure Emperor now,” Luo Changqing said bitterly.

“I didn’t expect both of you to possess divine battle armor,” Songshi sighed. Such armor was a rare treasure, yet both Hu Luo elders possessed one. Still, under Songshi’s punch, both were destroyed and the men injured.

“I’ll say it again. We only want the tokens. Hand them over, and you may leave. We will keep your secret,” Songshi said once more.

(To be continued)