Evolution Begins With A Big Tree

Chapter 1246, The ‘Little Demon Emperor’

Translator:  Ashish

Translation Checker: Silvain

This was no ordinary seclusion. It wasn’t just Yu Zi Yu who had entered the seclusion, the entire Demon Court had plunged into the crucible of bitter cultivation.

And this round of bitter cultivation would likely forge a truly immortal legend of the Demon Court.

But why now? The reason was clear: the Myriad Races across the universe had just concluded their devastating campaign against the Heaven-Connecting Divine Tree. And in the aftermath of that war, countless powerhouses had made a name for themselves. Their fame spreading far and wide through the universe.

However, many among them were still unknown. Naturally, these people couldn’t accept to remain in mediocrity, unwilling to remain faceless. They too wanted their name resound through the universe, but not just for fame, but for fate itself.

In fact, even before Yu Zi Yu entered seclusion, word had already reached him: the Dragon Clan, the Phoenix Clans all were expanding rapidly. Even the Gods seemed to be stirring once more.

And at such a pivotal juncture… the powerhouses of the Demon Court chose to retreat into deep cultivation, not for a year or two, but possibly a hundred years, or a thousand.

One could easily imagine what this meant?

Setting everything else aside, if the Demon Court’s elites continued cultivating at this pace, Tier-6s would begin to emerge within their ranks like mushrooms after the rain, all within a mere few centuries.

As for Tier-7? That was still a distant dream.

This current age belonged to Tier-6s. Tier-7 was simply too far out of reach for most.

Under the Heaven, only a scant few, like the Dream Dragon, the Kun Peng Clan’s prodigy, or Ni Shang of the Phoenix Clan—could even dream of stepping into Tier-7 in the near future.

And so, if the Demon Court could truly raise a multitude of Tier-6s, it would not be far-fetched for it to rise above all others, reigning supreme among the Myriad Races.

This too, was one of Yu Zi Yu’s greatest victories from the war against the Heaven-Connecting Divine Tree.

A single battle had earned him eternal renown, establishing him as The Number One in the Universe.

And with that title, came fear.

The Myriad Races dared not provoke him. And as a result, no one dared challenge the Demon Court.

Though their base was still confined to the Western Sector, their influence had already risen above the rest. Even top-tier Forces like the Angels and the Titans regarded the Demon Court with reverence.

..

With no external threats, and no inner turmoil, the Demon Court had now dove deep into cultivation.

Thus, power was inevitable.

The only unknown was just how far that power would rise, and that depended on the talent of Nine Tails, Sarcosuchus, and the others. If they were blessed with astonishing talent, then they would rise en masse, all stepping into Tier-6.

At that point, with dozens of Tier-6s appearing at once, Yu Zi Yu could truly contend for the ultimate fate with the Myriad Races.

And if not? Then they would bide their time and continue to grow.

Yu Zi Yu had never shied from growth. He welcomed it, be it for the individual or for the collective.

For him, to develop was to dominate.

And this… this was the masterstroke Yu Zi Yu had planned all along.

“Master has never failed when it comes to grasping the bigger picture.” A soft laugh escaped Nine Tails’ lips, as she lay upon the tallest peak, a knowing glint flickering in the depths of her eyes.

After days of contemplation, she finally understood her Master’s true intent.

Encouraging the others to cultivate was only part of it.

The real aim… was to prepare for the coming clash for supremacy.

Still, a seed of worry sprouted in her heart. She was worried about the Demon Court, would it still be able to uphold its title as the ruler of the Western Sector now that most of its core elites had withdrawn and entered seclusion.

In the short term, yes.

The Angels, Titans, and others likely wouldn’t realize that 90% of the Demon Court’s strength had disappeared.

But as time dragged on… they would notice.

And that would be the true test.

Hence Nine Tails’ unease.

She did not want to return from cultivation to find the Demon Court in ruins, with buildings ravaged to the ground, lands scorched, and corpses littered everywhere.

Losing their fame was one thing. But losing their foundation? That… would be a wound far harder to heal. After all, a true great power could never stand on the shoulders of top-tier experts alone. It needed a solid backbone of Tier-3s and Tier-4s. They were the seedlings of the future greatness.

They were the ones truly worth nurturing.

*Haaaa…* With a faint sigh, Nine Tails suppressed the lingering worry in her heart and, at last, chose to enter seclusion herself.

There was no point in overthinking it now.

All she could do was cultivate endlessly and tirelessly. Everything else would have to wait until she emerged.

…

And so, as most of the Demon Court’s upper echelon followed Yu Zi Yu into a deep retreat, no one noticed.

No one knew that the majestic Demon Court, whose name resounded throughout the universe, was hollowed out and was quietly nurturing amazing prodigies.

Even less did anyone know… that a figure who would one day shake the Heavens and be known as the ‘Little Demon Emperor’ had already opened his eyes.

“I’ll wait for you… in this mortal world… I’ll wait until you return…”

A soft yet unforgettable voice lingered in the ears of a strikingly handsome young man with crimson hair, and he could not help but clench his fist tightly.

He had made his decision.

“Haha…” A hollow, almost deranged laugh escaped him.

This was Bosun, Yu Zi Yu’s Second Disciple, a man who walked the Dao of Six Desires, whose cultivation demanded immersion in the mortal world and worldly passions.

Surprisingly, tears of blood were trailing down his face at this moment.

He had no tears, only blood.

[I’m not Human, so how can I weep like those weak little Humans? And yet… why? Why does it hurt so much? She was just a girl… yet somehow, she managed to carve herself deep into this supposedly emotionless, heartless core of my very Soul, leaving a wound that throbs with every single heartbeat.]

“So this… is what Humans call an ‘unbreakable bond’…?” With a heavy sigh, he poured Spiritual Energy forth, incinerating the bloodstained tears that had traced paths down his cheeks. All that lingered in the depths of his eyes was an unreadable gleam of profound and immeasurable power.

Only then did Bosun realize he was lying in a pool.

This was the Celestial Realm’s Pool of Immortality, which could nurture one’s body and Soul.

“Senior Brother… You’re finally awake.” A soft voice stirred beside him.

Turning toward it, Bosun caught sight of a black-haired girl with hair cascading down to her waist. She was leaning against a wall, waiting patiently.

“Where’s Master? How long… have I been gone?” Question after question tumbled out as chaotic memories surged in his mind.

“You went to Earth… to temper your heart through mortal experiences. It’s been over twenty years since then.”

“Half a year ago, Master led Nine Tails and the others into seclusion. Right now, the Demon Court is no longer what it once was… Only a few of us remain.” After listening to Shea’s explanation, Bosun gradually pieced his mind back together.

Then, raising one hand, he willingly received the memory transmission she sent his way.

Some things couldn’t be explained through words. Memory was far more direct.

“So that’s what happened.” After a long silence, Bosun finally muttered, his expression a complex storm of emotions.

He had not expected so much to change in his absence; that his Master would slay the Heaven-Connecting Divine Tree; that his Master would now stand as the Number One in the Universe.