Chapter 176 - 101: Zhao Ci: Huh? I’ve Become the Demon Monarch?

Chapter 176: Chapter 101: Zhao Ci: Huh? I’ve Become the Demon Monarch?

Besides, Gu Xiangzhu’s behavior had indeed gone a bit too far.

Shuimo contemplated for a moment before finally nodding. "In that case, telling the four of you is indeed the most prudent course of action."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the Four Guardians turned grave.

Shuimo said coolly, "For many years, people have wondered about the Lord Saint Monarch’s whereabouts. Some believe he’s recuperating and seeking a breakthrough. Others think he’s already dead. But in truth, both theories are correct... and incorrect!"

Huangfu Song’s gaze sharpened. "Miss, you mean..."

Shuimo glanced across the group, her somewhat pale lips moving slightly. "Celestial Demon Dissolution!"

The others all drew in a sharp breath.

The final volume of the Celestial Demon Scripture. It contained the ultimate principle for Demon Cultivators: to be reborn from destruction.

They all yearned for this volume, but none of them were qualified to even practice its techniques, let alone know its specific contents.

Shuimo gazed adoringly at the Divine Pupa Fragment. "Long ago, in the final battle between the Lord Saint Monarch and Xiang Tiange, our lord was defeated and gravely wounded. Many believed that if the Lord Saint Monarch had only been patient and waited for the Divine Cocoon to reach its Eighth Transformation, the outcome would have been completely different.

But in reality, the Lord Saint Monarch was completely unable to break through the demonic barrier of the Eighth Transformation.

After his grave injury, he performed the Celestial Demon Disintegration Technique, stripping away all his past memories and his Divine Soul, sealing them within this Divine Pupa Fragment.

He took only a few clues that could guide him back to his throne as the Demon Monarch, reincarnating along with the very essence of his Primordial Spirit."

"What?!"

The Four Guardians were utterly stunned.

’They’d never imagined that Celestial Demon Dissolution possessed such a miraculous effect as reincarnation.’

’And even more shocking, that the Demon Monarch would be willing to abandon his unparalleled cultivation to be reincarnated.’

’After all, with the Celestial Demon Dissolution Secret Skill, any injury, no matter how grievous, could be healed.’

’Why would he do that?’

Huangfu Song couldn’t help but ask, "Then, Miss Shuimo, do you know how we can find the Saint Monarch?"

Miss Shuimo’s expression turned sorrowful. "If I could find him, I would have done so long ago. Do you think I would have waited for you? The Saint Monarch said that this unusual activity from the Divine Cocoon only means he is approaching the Eighth Transformation.

Once he breaks through, he will be like a dragon escaping its confines and soaring to the heavens. He will then return on his own, fuse with the Divine Soul that was stripped away, and become an unparalleled powerhouse.

To find the Saint Monarch, we must start with the clues he took with him when he reincarnated."

The Guardians asked eagerly, "What clues?"

Shuimo took a deep breath. "If I’m not mistaken, the War God Tower is one of them!"

The others: "!!!"

In the past, the Saint Monarch and Xiang Tiange fought no fewer than a hundred battles.

In their first battle, the Saint Monarch had just completed his Seventh Transformation and stormed the Imperial Palace. A still-emerging Xiang Tiange was only barely able to fend him off with the help of numerous experts from the Imperial Clan Court.

In the subsequent battles, Xiang Tiange’s progress was astonishingly fast. Although he was consistently suppressed by the Saint Monarch, his powerful physique meant the Saint Monarch could never truly defeat him.

This was because when Xiang Tiange condensed his Physical Body Divine Treasure, he had undergone the baptism of the War God Tower.

The Saint Monarch himself deeply regretted that if he had also entered the War God Tower back then, the Great Yu would have long since fallen into his hands.

Now that he is reincarnated, he is bound to carry an obsession with the War God Tower.

However, according to the Court’s rules, only those who participate in the Prefecture Contest can earn the merits needed to enter the War God Tower.

Therefore...

Shuimo continued, "In this year’s Prefecture Contest, the reincarnated Saint Monarch will surely be a participant."

The others: "!!!"

Shuimo took another deep breath. "All of you must observe carefully. Around this time, who among the participants in the Prefecture Contest has experienced a sudden, dramatic surge in their cultivation? Pinpoint their identities and keep them under close watch.

Once you have confirmed a candidate, I do have a method to verify the Saint Monarch’s identity.

There is only one chance, so you must be certain before you come to me.

Furthermore, the Saint Monarch has many lifelong enemies. You must guarantee his safety!"

"We shall do our utmost!"

The Four Guardians’ expressions were all incredibly solemn.

They watched with grave expressions as Miss Shuimo departed.

The other three Guardians also cupped their fists toward Huangfu Song. "As for welcoming the Saint Monarch’s return, may the best man win. Brother Huangfu, we take our leave!"

With that, they left the Main Altar together.

’Lingge was Huangfu Song’s territory. If they worked together to find the Saint Monarch, the lion’s share of the credit would undoubtedly go to Huangfu Song.’

’Only by searching separately could they possibly claim the great honor for themselves.’

Soon, only Huangfu Song remained in the great hall.

Now that he was alone, Huangfu Song’s expression immediately became conflicted. A war was already raging in his heart.

’Hssss...’

’A person whose cultivation has soared dramatically?’

’Could it be that brat son of Gu Xiangzhu’s?’

’I just laid a death trap for him. If he’s really the Saint Monarch, then I’m...’

’No, no, no! After registration for this year’s Prefecture Contest closed, there are a full seventy participants. Quite a few of them have had sudden surges in cultivation.’

’Besides, the Saint Monarch thoroughly detested Gu Xiangzhu. How could he possibly reincarnate as her son?’

’But that’s not right, either! It was only after the Tenth Prince was born that Gu Xiangzhu decided to take Princess Consort Jing’s place. That wasn’t the Saint Monarch’s decision.’

’And... why has Gu Xiangzhu suddenly started being so nice to Zhao Ci?’

’Could it be that she knew the secret of the Saint Monarch’s reincarnation before any of us? And that she’s known all along that Zhao Ci is the one?’

’This is bad!’

’If she actually manages to groom the Saint Monarch into her puppet, we’ll be in deep trouble!’

Practically tearing his hair out with worry, Huangfu Song quickly left the Demon Sect Headquarters. He returned to the temporarily relocated base of the Lingge Sub-Branch.

There, he saw his subordinates looking like a pack of defeated dogs, and his mood soured even further.

He couldn’t stop himself from roaring, "Withered Mountain Old Ghost!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

A gaunt-looking old man hurried over. This was the Withered Mountain Old Ghost, the one responsible for contacting the Crown Prince and Zhao Yong.

One look at Huangfu Song and he knew his master was in a foul mood. He quickly bowed respectfully. "Dharma Protector! What are your orders?"