Chapter 973, Ultimately, Just a Pawn

Translator:  Ashish

Translation Checker: Silavin

 

At that moment—

 

*Clap, clap, clap…* Suddenly, the sound of clapping echoed throughout the grand hall, shocking and alarming everyone present.

 

“Who’s there?” A thunderous roar echoed through the hall, laced with fury. Even Sarcosuchus, typically cold and composed, couldn’t hide the trace of murderous intent that shadowed his expression.

 

“It’s been a while, everyone…” A soft laugh, as gentle as a spring breeze, filled the hall, causing all the figures in the hall to momentarily freeze.

 

Then, as if realizing something, one by one, their faces were overcome with disbelief.

 

“M-Master…” Nine Tails was the first to react, turning around to look toward the source of the voice.

 

And in the next instant—

 

What entered her sight was a tall and slender figure. Dressed in pure white like fresh snow, and carrying a silver longsword strapped across his back, the figure exuded elegance and grace.

 

He resembled the legendary Sword Immortals from tales of old.

 

However, between his brows was a faint crimson mark—the trace of an unopened Heavenly Eye.

 

Not only that—

 

Upon closer inspection, two ethereal Dragons, one azure and the other violet, and around a meter in length, could be seen swirling ceaselessly around his body.

 

Even more striking were his eyes. Those who observed closely would notice that deep within his ever-shifting gaze, a boundless starry sky seemed to flow and flicker.

 

This was Yu Zi Yu, the Lord of the Demon Court, whom the many figures in the hall had longed to see again.

 

“Master, you’ve finally returned…” Nine Tails struggled to suppress her shock, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her disbelief.

 

On the other side—

 

“Master… I knew you’d come back,” Sarcosuchus stated with unwavering conviction, his voice carrying a trace of emotion.

 

“Mhmm…” Nodding slightly, Yu Zi Yu’s lips curved into a faint smile, his expression full of warmth.

 

“It has truly been a long, long time…” Yu Zi Yu’s voice carried heartfelt sincerity as he shifted his gaze toward Nine Tails, standing not far away. With a warm smile, he offered his praise: “Very well done, Nine Tails. Even in the face of three Overlords, you stood your ground and upheld the dignity of our Demon Court. Truly commendable.”

 

The repeated praise from Yu Zi Yu made it clear—he was deeply satisfied with Nine Tails’ conduct.

 

[She has truly come into her own over these past ten years. No longer the same as before, she has become someone capable of standing tall amidst great trials.

 

Her cultivation has also advanced to the Late Stage of Tier-5. Clearly, she hasn’t allowed herself a moment of complacency during these years.]

 

“It’s all thanks to your guidance, Master,” Nine Tails replied, bowing her head slightly. Her voice, tinged with excitement, reverberated softly through the hall.

 

Her response deepened the smile on Yu Zi Yu’s face, but he refrained from saying more.

 

[This girl… She always attributes her growth to me. Such humility and devotion are indeed rare virtues.]

 

At this moment, as if struck by a thought, Golden Monkey rubbed his chin and asked curiously, “Master, you must’ve been back for quite a while now, right?”

 

“Quite a while…” Drawing out the words, Yu Zi Yu seemed amused as he calculated.

 

“By Earth’s calculation, I’ve been back for over ten hours now.”

 

As he spoke, he added with a smile, “During this time, I took the opportunity to observe the current state of the Demon Court… and I must say, it’s even better than I imagined.”

 

As he spoke, Yu Zi Yu could not help but feel a surge of admiration in his heart.

 

[In just over a decade, the Demon Court has risen to an astonishing level of power—truly remarkable.

 

At first, I had believed that the Society of Demons and Fiends, or even the Blood Demon Clan, might possess the strength to rival the Demon Court.

 

But now, such notions can be dismissed entirely.

 

Across the Solar System, countless satellites have been transformed into war fortresses. Each is guarded by at least a Tier-4 Peak Transcendent, with vast armies stationed at the ready.

 

On larger celestial bodies, Tier-5 powerhouses have made their strongholds.

 

Even more impressive is the intricate and profound Formation interwoven among the celestial bodies, binding them into a seamless, impenetrable defense.

 

With such a formidable structure in place, how could the Blood Demon Clan hope to contend?

 

Even if the Demon Court were to dispatch only a third of its forces, it would suffice to obliterate the entire Blood Demon Clan.]

 

Reflecting on all this, Yu Zi Yu could not help but feel an immense sense of satisfaction.

 

[My time and effort nurturing talents like Nine Tails, Sarcosuchus, Golden Monkey, and Ling Er has not been in vain.

 

Now, they have truly grown strong enough to stand on their own.

 

Even without me , they can hold their ground in the vast expanse of the starry skies.]

 

At this moment, as Yu Zi Yu quietly reflected, Golden Monkey could not help but smirk faintly.

 

After a moment of thought, he stepped forward and asked, “So, Master, does that mean you’ve been in the hall the entire time, watching those three Overlords?”

 

“Of course…”

 

Hearing Yu Zi Yu’s response, Golden Monkey’s expression grew a bit peculiar.

 

[The Master has been in the hall all along, yet not a single person has noticed? It’s one thing for Tier-5s like us to fail to sense him, but even those Eternal Overlords hadn’t detected his presence?]

 

Considering this, Golden Monkey’s heart trembled.

 

[Just how terrifying is Master’s current power?] Suppressing his astonishment, Golden Monkey took another careful look at the Master. But as he sensed the unfathomable aura surrounding Yu Zi Yu, like an endless ocean, Golden Monkey fell into silence once more.

 

Even with his sharp perception, he could not discern the depth of Yu Zi Yur’s strength.

 

As a matter of fact, Golden Monkey could at least partially gauge the abilities of those three Eternal Overlords. Yet now, looking at Yu Zi Yu, it was like staring into a boundless abyss.

 

At this moment, Yu Zi Yu glanced teasingly at Golden Monkey but did not dwell on the matter.

 

It was not the time to focus on such things.

 

Instead, what intrigued Yu Zi Yu more was what those three Eternal Overlords had mentioned—the ‘Demonic Tree’ and ‘the Primordial Realm of Heaven and Earth.’

 

“The Demonic Tree must refer to the Heaven-Connecting Jianmu… and the Primordial Realm of Heaven and Earth likely points to the universe—or more specifically, the convergence at its center,” Yu Zi Yu murmured, his expression contemplative.

 

[This aligns with what Golden Monkey mentioned before—the Myriad Races uniting to oppose the Heaven-Connecting Jianmu. As the universe’s sentinel, Jianmu’s existence is a direct threat. Her presence strengthens the Consciousness of Cosmic Source, reinforcing its grip over the cosmos and deepening its control.

Once the Consciousness of Cosmic Source achieves absolute dominance, cultivation will inevitably grow more difficult. After all, cultivation and evolution are struggles against Heaven and Earth itself. The further one progresses, the greater the resistance from the universe. At the pinnacle of cultivation lies Transcendence—but Transcendence from what? Naturally, Transcendence from this era and this universe.

Such a notion directly opposes the Consciousness of Cosmic Source, whose goal is to maintain the cosmos’ equilibrium. Its tightening control stifles such ambitions. Under these circumstances, how could the Consciousness of Cosmic Source allow such defiance? Hence, the Myriad Races uniting against the Heaven-Connecting Jianmu is not just predictable—it is inevitable.

As for openly opposing the Consciousness of Cosmic Source itself? That is a futile notion.

First, none would dare.

Second, the Consciousness of Cosmic Source is the universe itself. To defeat it would mean the collapse of the universe and the annihilation of all within. The universe and the Myriad Races are locked in a paradoxical relationship—eternally in conflict, yet inseparable. In this intricate contradiction, the Heaven-Connecting Jianmu, caught at the crossroads, becomes the sacrificial pawn of this cosmic game.

This generation’s Heaven-Connecting Jianmu has long understood her role. Otherwise, she would not have shared the secret of One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones with me.]

 

“The Heaven-Connecting Jianmu… just another pawn in the grand scheme,” Yu Zi Yu muttered, letting out a deep sigh. His gaze darkened as complex emotions flickered across his face.