NineClouds
patreon
Golden Crow Lightning Flame Valley (1/2)
🕑 Added 2024-10-21 16:55:44 +0000 UTC--- Chapter 288 ---
After leaving her bedroom, Huan Caiyi washed her face and walked to the throne room. She called the patriarchs of Twelve Guardian Families and informed them about her next plan on the Illusory Demon Realm.
However, before Huan Caiyi could speak, Yun Qinghong worriedly asked for her wellbeing.
"Empress, this subordinate might sound rude, but please tell us if you're okay or not..."
"Our heart isn't calm enough."
Even though the patriarchs of Twelve Guardian Families stayed in the Imperial Demon Hall, they defeated their enemies quickly and watched how intense Huan Caiyi's fight was.
They even saw her getting injured, which induced panic in their hearts.
Huan Caiyi waved her hand, "This empress is fine. The fight is intense, but it's not enough to make me neglect this empire."
"I just regained my position... If I left, I would get too embarrassed."
"You should worry about Yun Canghai more."
"My father... How to say it, he's still energetic even after all that beating he took." Yun Qinghong helplessly replied, recalling how mummified Yun Canghai drank wines leisurely after getting Yu Long's medicine.
If Yun Canghai knew Yun Qinghong was revealing his 'embarrassing' side, he would scold his good-for-nothing son with some ass-beating.
"..." The other patriarchs were left speechless.
"..." Huan Caiyi. It seemed Yu Long wasn't lying when he said Yun Canghai would be fine in a few days.
Huan Caiyi coughed awkwardly and praised, "As expected from the man with the 'Demon King' title from the late Demon Emperor, he is one of our Illusory Demon Realm's greatest pillars."
"Well, once Yun Canghai recovers, I will give him the Empire's Grand Commandant position."
"What do you think?"
"We have no problem, Empress!" None of the patriarchs disagreed with Huan Caiyi. "Yun Canghai deserved such a position."
They witnessed Yun Canghai fighting Duke Ming and the Heavenly King of Stone. And he won against them with overwhelming power.
If they don't support Yun Canghai, despite his efforts and sacrifices for the Illusory Demon Realm, then something must be wrong with their fucking eyes.
Huan Caiyi nodded, "Good."
"Now for our next plan..."
"Helian, Jiufeng, Yan, and Lin Family will focus on taking over Duke Huai Faction starting from their home bases and business."
"Xiao, Nangong, Chiyang, and the Bai Family will focus on stabilizing the continent. Make sure the disappearance of the Duke Huai Faction and their evil deeds is known to everyone, even the commoners."
"As for Yun, Mu, Su, and the Elf Clan. Your family will focus on growing and gathering Golden Sunflowers's seeds. You know the importance of this task, so I hope you aren't negligent."
The patriarchs knew the Golden Sunflowers were essential to form the Heavenly Wind Barrier. So, the eight patriarchs couldn't help but give Elf, Mu, Su, and Yun Family's patriarchs an envious look.
Huan Caiyi clearly favored these four clans more, but they couldn't do much about it.
Yun Qinghong and three other patriarchs trembled upon hearing Huan Caiyi's orders.
They kneeled and shouted, "Leave it to us, Empress!"
"Your wish is our command, Empress!" The rest of the patriarchs also followed.
"Mm." Huan Caiyi nodded, waving her hand to keep them calm.
"Where is Duke Ming and his force?"
Yun Qinghong coughed and answered, "My father ordered us to place Duke Ming in the Abyss Cold Prison, Empress. We are waiting for your order to execute them."
"Push the date of execution to a month later." Huan Caiyi replied calmly, but her eyes weren't so calm. Coldness thrived in those eyes.
A month isn't short or long. However, a month is enough for Huan Caiyi to vent her anger on Duke Ming.
After that, Huan Caiyi might keep Duke Ming and his follower's souls in limbo forever. She has learned witchcraft, so creating an artifact capable of trapping and torturing souls should be in the realm of possibility.
Their flesh shall die, and their soul will stay in eternal torture!
"A month... We will prepare right away!" The patriarchs are eager to see the end of Duke Ming.
Huan Caiyi rubbed her chin, "That's it for now."
"Report your progress once I return from the Golden Crow Lightning Flame Valley."
The patriarchs' eyes widened. "Empress, are you going to enter the Ancestral Ground?"
Golden Crow Lightning Flame Valley is the Demon Imperial Family's ancestral ground. It is also a holy land of cultivation for the Twelve Guardian Family.
The elemental aura around Golden Crow Lightning Flame Valley is dense, and its surroundings contain the strength of pure fire elements and thunderclouds, which led to the constant growth of strong fire spirits, lightning spirits, and other fire and lightning-type demons.
One can easily find rare materials and treasures there.
And this holy land only opened once every five years!
Unfortunately, the key to access the Golden Crow Lightning Flame Valley, the Demon Emperor's Seal, has been lost for over a hundred years.
Yes, that's twenty chances of entering the holy land, a 'huge' loss for the Demon Imperial Family and Twelve Guardian Family.
Knowing Duke Ming was behind all this mess, they couldn't help but hate him even more. They wished to beat him down to a pulp, tear his body apart, and boil him in a pot before feeding him to profound beasts.
At least the Demon Emperor's Seal has returned, allowing them to enter the holy land again.
(A/N: I changed some details about the Golden Crow Lightning Flame Valley)
"Empress, are you going there alone?" Although they knew Huan Caiyi was strong, they were still worried for her safety.
Huan Caiyi shook her head gently, "No. I'm going there with Yu Long."
A collective sigh of relief escaped the patriarchs' mouths. "With Consort Yu's presence, we can't worry less about the Empress's safety."
"Mm! I have never seen Consort Yu's full strength, but seeing him beating Helian Kuang convinced me!"
"Can you guys please stop mentioning that?" Helian Kuang pleaded. He still felt pain from Yu Long's beating at Hidden City.
"Haha, no!" The Greatest Ambition Under Heaven replied, making Helian Kuang look sour.
"You damned Elf..." Helian Kuang mumbled.
"Enough this farce. All dismissed!" Huan Caiyi smiled, allowing them to leave.
Watching the patriarchs bow at her and leaving one by one, Huan Caiyi slumped on her throne. She clenched her hand and thought, 'I did it.'
'I did it, Demon Emperor, Little Demon Emperor!'
...
...
Huan Caiyi calmed her emotions and wiped the tears from her eyes. Then, she saw Yu Long leaning on the wall, staring at her in amusement.
She couldn't help but feel flustered, "How long have you been standing there?"
"I don't know. From the start of your cry?" Yu Long teased her.
Huan Caiyi covered her face in embarrassment, "P-Please forget that and erase it from your memory."
"Hehe, no." Yu Long responded with a chuckle. "Seeing this side of you is quite... Amusing, Caiyi."
"So, are you ready to go?"
Huan Caiyi sighed helplessly. "I can't… with you."
She regained her usual calmness and jumped from her high throne, landing beside Yu Long.
"Let's go." She gave him a pout.
Yu Long suddenly grasped Huan Caiyi's hand, "I don't dislike that side of yours. I found it cute."
"Y-You... Stop teasing me!"
"Fine, fine."
Then, Yu Long and Huan Caiyi exited the Demon Imperial City. They flew past many miles before landing on a vast valley surrounded by a white mist.
"Interesting. The mist is actually just a guise?" Yu Long commented, trying to break the mist with his Divine Sense. He can break it, but something prevented him from inspecting further.
Huan Caiyi took out the Demon Emperor's Seal, and the white mist gradually parted in half, revealing a ravine and path leading to a sea of lava.
"The lava spans over 1,500 kilometers square. And we call it the Sea of Death." Huan Caiyi introduced the area as they walked in like it was a date.
"Is that so?" Yu Long's interest was 'naturally' piqued.
"Tell me more then."
"Of course, I will tell you." Huan Caiyi eagerly responded.
...
