Volume One: The Nature of the Devil Does Not Change
Arc: The Great Gang War
Scarlet King remained silent as the image of Emperor Wooden Lotus gradually faded, and the surrounding atmosphere returned to stillness.
(Emperor's Domination is a technique that grants control over gravity, aura, light and darkness, air, and the forces of attraction and repulsion…
It is considered an exceptionally powerful technique.
It is automatically obtained upon reaching the Emperor Realm in the Tenth Dimension. However, before death, an Emperor may pass it down to only one successor.
That monk intends to pass it to me… though in my current state, it will be weak due to my low cultivation level.
The stronger my cultivation becomes, the stronger the technique will grow.)
Ikalates glanced at him curiously.
"Alright, we agreed… but will you truly leave all of that monk's treasures? He might possess far more than just Emperor's Domination."
Scarlet King did not respond.
He sat upon a rock, placed a wooden stick between his teeth, and continued thinking.
(Emperor's Domination will be useful against Thomas Andre…
With it, I may be able to evade his crushing blows—blows capable of shattering countless universes, perhaps even entire dimensions.
In the future memory I witnessed across the River of Time, I saw him use a technique called 'Authority of the Sovereign,' which stands above Emperor's Domination.
He must be the Great Venerable—the Great Yellow Body Venerable—who entered seclusion for eight thousand years to temper his invincible physique.
I heard of him in a previous life, while I was fleeing from the Will of Heaven…
But nothing can defeat him except a convergence of:
the Zombie Physique,
the Eternal Arm of Time,
a sufficiently high cultivation level,
Emperor's Domination,
and the suppression of Hell's power…
And perhaps… just perhaps…
I may have a slight chance of victory.)
Memory from a Previous Life — The Ninth Dimension
Scarlet King was fleeing from the Will of Heaven, from the Twenty-Two Great Concepts, and from existence itself.
He walked through a small village wearing a black robe, white inner garments, and a bamboo hat veiled with fabric.
He entered a tavern and sat quietly.
The room was filled with beings drinking and speaking loudly.
He expanded his sovereign perception in every direction and began listening
"Have you heard about the demon Scarlet King?"
"You mean Qing Yan? The one who slaughtered the Yang Clan and was exposed as the Demon of Rebirth?"
"Yes. I heard the Yellow Venerable was summoned to deal with him."
"Who's the Yellow Venerable?"
"Thomas Andre. One of the disciples of the Great Iron-Blood Emperor Sect—their strongest disciple.
They say he originally came from the First Dimension, but somehow ascended to the Eleventh and suddenly became a disciple.
Even his name sounds strange… unlike ours.
The Western Dragon King, Antares, is said to have brought him here.
And he holds an old enmity with the Great Beast Emperor."
Another voice interjected.
"But the hatred between Western Dragon King Antares and the Beast King is nothing compared to his hatred for the Eastern Dragon Clan. They despise each other blindly."
More voices joined:
"Have you heard? The Demon Extermination Decree has been activated."
"To kill Scarlet King."
"The strongest twenty-two will be assembled—
individuals, sects, clans, and families
from the eleven dimensions beneath the Great Emperors."
"And the amusing part? Every single one of them holds a deep grudge against him."
Scarlet King laughed softly as he sipped his tea.
(Demon Extermination Decree?
How pathetic… merely a desperate gesture.)
Suddenly, armed men burst into the tavern.
"We are here to eradicate the demon Scarlet King under the decree!
Show yourself!"
Scarlet King rose calmly.
(It seems this is the final pursuit…
I will escape and exhaust them.
I will flee to Hell.)
He snapped his fingers.
A gate opened behind him.
Everyone present fell to their knees in terror.
He stepped through the gate—
And vanished.
He returned to the present.
(But I died afterward…
I was killed before I could face Thomas Andre.
In this life, because of the River of Time, our paths will cross.
He will become my enemy.
And with his overwhelming physical power…
I do not know whether I can win.)
He gestured to Ikalates.
"Let's enter the Cosmic Cave and search for the treasures."
Ikalates stopped him.
"Are you truly going to fulfill Emperor Wooden Lotus's request in exchange for the technique?"
A chilling aura radiated from Scarlet King, freezing Ikalates' fingers in place.
Scarlet King looked at him—eyes utterly devoid of humanity.
"Do you expect me to abandon immense benefit for the sake of a few ants standing in my path?"
Ikalates swallowed.
The aura dissipated.
He exhaled slowly.
They entered the Cosmic Cave.
Grass blanketed the land.
Mountains rose in the distance.
Small forests stretched across the terrain.
Suddenly, cultivators from multiple sects appeared, surrounding them with drawn spears and swords.
"Identify yourselves, intruders!"
Scarlet King and Ikalates raised their hands.
Ikalates spoke evenly:
"I am from the Sky-Grasping Sect. My brother is from the Heavenly Food Sect."
One of the soldiers replied:
"Then you are part of the alliance."
Weapons were lowered.
Scarlet King said calmly:
"We will simply enter and explore."
The soldier warned them:
"Be cautious. Powerful beasts dwell deeper within."
Scarlet King placed a hand over his chest, confirming that the girl still breathed.
"Don't worry."
They flew deeper into the cave.
Scarlet King remarked:
"I heard the cave has been opened to all for treasure hunting."
Then he added coolly:
"If we discover a rare treasure, we are supposed to hand it over to the sect… but I have a way to smuggle it out."
"Let's split up."
They parted ways.
Scarlet King paused midair before descending to the ground.
"Shadow… Hybrid."
A spiral black gate opened outward, glowing red within.
Shadow and Hybrid emerged.
"Clean the area."
Shadow vanished instantly.
Hybrid sank into the earth.
Moments later, a massive earth boar beast appeared.
Suddenly—
A black spear erupted from below, impaling the beast through its body.
It shrieked in agony.
The sound was nothing more than meaningless noise to Scarlet King.
His expression did not change.
Hybrid surfaced behind the creature.
Its body split open, revealing twisted flesh and rows of jagged teeth.
It lunged forward, tore apart the beast's hide, devoured its flesh, and absorbed its blood through octopus-like limbs ending in circular maws.
Scarlet King…
Watched.
In complete silence.