Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 682: Chapter 682: The Secret of the Haoran Sect

The outside world was in turmoil. The Nineteenth Prince’s infamy had thoroughly shocked the Heavenly Sword Dynasty, both within and beyond its borders.

Meanwhile, Su Han had finally emerged from his seclusion, stepping out of the main hall to take a deep breath in the sunlight.

A Golden Crown bound his hair, and a Python Robe graced his body. Although he now presented himself in the guise of the Nineteenth Prince, the temperament he exuded was utterly unlike the prince’s.

Dark, domineering, and murderous—these were Su Han’s true qualities. However, he quickly reined in this temperament, once again putting on the Nineteenth Prince’s characteristic arrogance.

Supreme Realm Seventh Level!

Feeling the Demonic Qi flowing within him, Su Han’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

Although Lu Yuan was only at the Supreme Realm Ninth Layer and his flesh-and-blood energy was limited, Su Han had already accumulated a significant amount. Seizing the opportunity to devour the Flowing Cloud Holy Body, he had leveraged his amassed strength to break through both the Sixth Layer and Seventh Level of the Supreme Realm in one fell swoop.

At this moment, even without revealing his full abilities, he could defeat a Supreme Realm Ninth Layer expert with his swordsmanship alone.

"Origin Technique: Flowing Cloud Waterfall!"

With a wave of his hand, Su Han drew the clouds from overhead, transforming them into a magnificent and awe-inspiring waterfall of mist.

This was the Origin Technique he had gained after devouring the Flowing Cloud Holy Body. The technique was even more powerful when combined with his sword light, and it could also be used to trap enemies.

Nevertheless, Su Han did not plan to display it in front of others. After all, this was Lu Yuan’s technique. If it were discovered, he would be unable to explain himself.

The Devouring Heaven Demonic Art was his greatest secret. Until he had enough strength to protect himself, he wouldn’t reveal it so openly. Otherwise, he would attract the murderous pursuit of countless powerful foes.

A Cultivation Technique capable of devouring Special Physiques to acquire their Origin Techniques was enough to drive even Great Emperor Realm experts into a frenzy!

There are roughly twenty-two days left until the Sword Dao Conference, and the Black Cloud Demon God should be awakening around now. If I can obtain the Black Cloud Demon God’s memory inheritance before then, it might boost my strength even further. Su Han was very much looking forward to this possibility.

"Second Prince, thank you for your Haoran Sect. To show my gratitude, I will kill you personally at the Sword Dao Conference!"

A chilly light flashed in Su Han’s eyes, his killing intent laid bare. With Sword Master Tao Ming and the others present, Su Han had immediately guessed the Second Prince’s scheme. Combined with the attempted assassination in Nanyang City, his killing intent toward the Second Prince surged to an extreme.

Of course, there was also the Third Prince. Since Sect Master Zhao was a vassal of the Third Prince, his presence here meant that the prince had also been involved in the plot.

With new grudges piled on old, Su Han’s killing intent surged like an inextinguishable tide.

I am a demon. I shall slay every enemy in this world!

"Congratulations on your great increase in strength, Your Highness!"

Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue hurried over, offering their congratulations the moment they sensed the enhancement in Su Han’s realm.

By now, the corpses of the Haoran Sect members had been cleared away. Although some bloodstains remained on the ground, unable to be completely wiped clean, they didn’t mar the scenery.

"Have you found the treasury?"

In front of Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue, Su Han had no need to pretend.

The Haoran Sect was, after all, a top-tier second-rate power and had been on extremely close terms with the Second Prince. The treasures in its treasury were sure to be plentiful, and these were now their spoils of war.

"The treasury has been found, awaiting Your Highness to personally open it!"

Li Mingliang had discovered the treasury’s location long ago, but he hadn’t acted on his own initiative. Instead, he waited for Su Han to emerge from his seclusion before taking inventory.

Su Han nodded. Although Li Mingliang’s innate talent was not as good as Li Qingyue’s, he handled himself with great savvy.

The Haoran Sect’s treasury held many treasures, but there were no Holy Artifacts. The only one, the Passing Clouds Holy Sword, had already fallen into Su Han’s hands.

"Pack all of this up and take it with you!"

By Su Han’s current standards, any treasure below the Holy Level couldn’t catch his Dharma Eye. He had Li Mingliang collect them to use as cultivation resources for the two of them.

Soon, Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue had emptied the treasury, but Su Han did not leave just yet.

Rumor has it that the Second Prince once joined the Haoran Sect. There must be something here that caught his interest—something that couldn’t be taken directly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have needed to use joining the sect as a cover.

Su Han mulled this over, still a bit curious, but there had been no special treasures in the treasury.

"Nine Heavens Eye!"

Su Han activated the Nine Heavens Eye to see through illusions, hoping to discover a hidden compartment. Unfortunately, he was disappointed.

"Your Highness, perhaps the treasure was already taken by the Second Prince," Li Mingliang suggested, having guessed Su Han’s thoughts.

Su Han said nothing. He stepped out of the treasury and scanned his surroundings with the Nine Heavens Eye, trying to spot any clues.

Could I have been wrong?

Su Han’s brow furrowed. His Nine Heavens Eye had detected nothing unusual.

The Nine Heavens Eye was a Divine Method. Although Su Han had only cultivated it to the Fourth Layer, it could see through most disguises. His failure to find anything could only mean there truly was no treasure here.

RUMBLE!

The sound of the waterfall thundered in his ears. Su Han’s heart stirred, and he looked up.

This waterfall was the symbol of the Haoran Sect. It flowed day and night, making it extremely prominent, yet its very conspicuousness caused most people to overlook it.

I’ll try one last time.

Su Han decided to give it a try. At most, he would waste a little time, which was no great loss.

He soared into the air and pushed his Nine Heavens Eye to its limit, inspecting inch by inch. Yet, there was still nothing special, not even a grotto hidden behind a curtain of water like a Water Curtain Cave.

Su Han followed the waterfall down, eventually landing in the pool below. The water still carried a faint tint of blood, not yet having recovered its clarity.

The pool held no fish or shrimp, only some stones, and was not particularly deep. Su Han inspected it carefully once more but still came up empty.

It seems the treasure really was taken by the Second Prince!

After a thorough search yielded no results, Su Han had no choice but to give up. He sprang up from the pool, intending to land on the bank.

Just then, however, a flicker of light, so faint it was almost unnoticeable, flashed in the corner of his eye.

Su Han turned his head, but the light was gone. His gaze, however, fell upon the base of the waterfall.

After some thought, he flew over and positioned himself at the base of the waterfall. The water crashed down from above, its momentum translating into a violent force that slammed against his body.

Possessing a Great Accomplished Holy Body, Su Han naturally did not fear such an impact. He stood firm as a rock at the bottom of the waterfall, trying to find the source of the light.

But just then, he sensed something. His pupils shrank, and his eyes widened in shock.

"This is...!"