Chapter 371: Marking the Enemy

With the Endless Emperor's assurance,

Lu Ye relaxed considerably.

He never expected things to go this smoothly in the Endless Secret Treasure, actually securing the Endless Emperor’s mark so easily.

Even if it was only an Emperor’s mark,

inside the Endless Secret Treasure, in the Fifth Heaven, it was an unstoppable force.

The Endless Secret Treasure was a special place. Technically, it was under the Great Sage of the Nine Heavens’ rule.

But it had a lot of freedom.

As long as the Endless Emperor stayed inside the Endless Secret Treasure, the Great Sage wouldn’t bother with the Emperor’s doings.

Even though an Emperor and a Sage were separated by the Celestial Lord realm, a Sage would never look down on an Emperor. Instead, they would regard the Emperor as a true fellow Daoist.

An Emperor bends all Daos to their will.

Anyone who becomes an Emperor is worshipped by all.

Well, except for the eight female Emperors.

And Shangguan Huanling? She was in a league of her own.

The Endless Emperor stared at the Dao of Protection on the Dao Enlightenment Tree. Was this what it meant to be a Celestial Lord?

Protection…

The NineLives Celestial Lord was truly a man of deep feeling.

But something about this felt wrong…

But whatever—he was dead now!

"Fellow Daoist, mind if I fuse my mark into this Dao Enlightenment Tree? Would you mind?" the Endless Emperor asked.

Lu Ye smiled.

"Of course, go ahead."

"I’ll call Little Tower over. If you need anything, just talk to it."

"You may also take Little Tower with you. Please look after it for me," the Endless Emperor said with a smile.

He had already perished.

The Endless Heavenly Tower was now ownerless. Serving a reborn Celestial Lord wasn’t a step down—it might even help the tower grow stronger.

Lu Ye nodded.

He didn’t mind that either.

A moment later, a huge man appeared in front of Lu Ye, but despite his size, his eyes were full of tears.

"Master, are you leaving me behind?"

It had already sensed that the last trace of the Endless Emperor’s existence in this world was about to vanish completely.

"My Tower, our time together has come to an end, and fate has decreed it so. The Endless Secret Treasure has not yet concluded, so heed this fellow cultivator's advice. Once it's over, you shall be free."

"All good things must come to an end. A lifetime of fighting together is more than enough!"

"As I depart this world, I still have the chance to witness the Dao of the Celestial Lord. I have no regrets left!"

"You should rejoice for me."

The Endless Emperor wore a smile as he gently patted the burly man's head.

"Master..."

The burly man's face twisted in grief.

"Don't cry, don't cry. Life and death, illusion and dissolution—such is the way of existence. I must go now."

With these words, the Endless Emperor resolutely turned and transformed into a streak of light, streaking into the Dao Enlightenment Tree.

The Dao Enlightenment Tree's trunk shook violently.

A brilliant light erupted, and the Dao was fully activated.

The burly man watched this scene, his eyes were red, but no tears fell.

As if he had come to some realization, he turned to Lu Ye and gave a peaceful smile.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist, for helping my master's final wish come true."

Lu Ye regarded the burly man.

"You may follow me," Lu Ye said.

The artifact spirit of the Endless Heavenly Tower shook its head gently.

"I belong to the Endless Emperor as his Endless Heavenly Tower. The Emperor forged me, nurtured me, and walked the Dao with me. Now that the Endless Emperor has departed, the Endless Heavenly Tower has no reason to exist. I must follow my master."

Lu Ye opened his mouth to speak.

"Fellow Daoist, no need to persuade me further," the artifact spirit said with a simple, honest smile.

So Lu Ye fell silent.

With nothing else to do, Lu Ye asked, "Can I see the conditions of those within the tower? That way you can finish them off more easily."

"Of course!"

Outside the tower, it was merely an Emperor's weapon. But within the Endless Heavenly Tower, it was Providence—all-knowing and all-powerful.

A glowing screen materialized before Lu Ye.

In a flash, the screen divided into ten, then a hundred, then a thousand.

Within each small screen, a human figure appeared.

Just as Lu Ye thought, the so-called Trials of Battle, Trials of Dao, and Trials of Will were nothing more than slaying the enemies the Endless Emperor had once faced, debating the Dao with the Endless Emperor, and enduring the calamities the Endless Emperor had once suffered.

For Lu Ye, none of this was any trouble.

Slaying the Endless Emperor's enemies meant wielding the same power the Emperor had when facing them. For someone like Lu Ye, who could fight two realms above his own, it was child's play.

He spoke of the Dao, quoting the Infinite Emperor: “To hear the Dao in the morning and die in the evening would be enough.”

Finally, the calamities and sufferings that the Infinite Emperor endured???

For Lu Ye, even if it wasn't enjoyment, it was close enough.

So saying that the Infinite Secret Treasury was his for the taking, there really wasn't the slightest problem.

Lu Ye looked at the figures on the light screen and began to mark them.

Demons, kill!

Eternal Sect members, kill!

Ink City residents, kill!

Linglang Demon Cliff inhabitants, kill!

The Bright Buddha Temple hasn't arrived yet? But no need to worry, when it comes to something like the Infinite Secret Treasury, no one can be missing, especially not the Bright Buddha Temple.

Because the Infinite Secret Treasury is surely destined for the Bright Buddha Temple, so when they arrive, they will also be killed!

No rush,

just wait!

Lu Ye closed his eyes and began to cultivate.

Time ticked by, second by second.

Lu Ye didn't wait long, as more and more people arrived. When they realized there were no strict power requirements for the trial, even more entered.

Where exactly did An Li run off to?

To be honest, not seeing An Li now, Lu Ye really missed her.

And what was An Li doing right now?

She was waiting for Vermilion Bird to recover.

Yes, she was waiting for Vermilion Bird to recover.

Because she felt that if she didn't wait here for Vermilion Bird, the Reincarnation Celestial Worthy might return the moment she left.

And then seize Vermilion Bird to examine her thoroughly.

She figured that, since her backing was the Dark Origin, as soon as Lu Ye saw her, Providence would attack the Dark Origin behind her.

Although the Dark Origin held vast power, it was finite and couldn't withstand constant attacks from Providence. Thus, she had to choose an ally that Providence couldn't use to attack.

And Vermilion Bird was simply the ideal choice.

First, Vermilion Bird came from impressive origins—one of the Four Celestial Guardians.

Second, Lu Ye had killed Vermilion Bird and would never forgive her, so betraying An Li to side with Lu Ye would gain her nothing.

Third... well, the first two reasons were already sufficient.

If she used Vermilion Bird right, she could still kill Lu Ye.

Just waiting for the Vermilion Bird to return to her soul state.

Lu Ye was training relentlessly because the Endless Heavenly Tower now answered to him completely, allowing him to find any resources he needed.

Especially starstones, which greatly aided the Star Realm—the more, the better.

Lu Ye's cultivation progressed joyfully.

People were still entering the Endless Secret Treasure in a steady stream.

It must be said, this Wuxin Demon Lord was truly formidable. He had already conquered over half of the Trial of Will, enduring all kinds of calamities and suffering that fell upon him.

Because his heart seethed with boundless ambition.

The moment was nearly at hand.