“Haha, you’re right. Actually, I am very afraid of you, father Emperor. I have very much feared you over these years. You are a Celestial Immortal and I am just an Earthly Immortal. But do you know what I am most afraid of? I’m afraid you will use me, but I will continue to help you, just like my two stupid brothers!”

“As stupid as they are, they are still your brothers. I am not using them, I am just giving them an opportunity, just like you gave me an opportunity previously.”

“I would rather not have this opportunity!” The cold and distant man’s expression grew colder. “Anyway, I cannot help you. If you want to rule an Omnipotent Sage, or even create one, then do it yourself!” His body started to condense slowly and form a black hole, growing smaller and smaller until it became a little black dot, which disappeared right in front of the Jade Emperor Sage’s face.

“This guy!” A spark of anger flashed in the Sage Emperor’s eyes seeing the cold, distant middle-aged man disappear like that. But he seemed to be pondering on something, and the anger completely disappeared. Instead, a strange smile appeared on his face.

“You might not want to become an Omnipotent Sage under my control, but you certainly want to become a Celestial Immortal. Zhou Bao has the strongest fate of all Tribulation Takers and is the most likely to succeed. My son, it is in your nature to not let him get away with it. But if you get involved, a lot of things will not be within your control.

“But you poisonous Old Bastard, the situation has progressed! It seems we might have to get involved a bit earlier!”

In the depths of the Immortal Realm was an endless ocean and it was clear as glass. The translucent ocean sparkled, and sprayed and splashed about. The water droplets were like small diamond pearls. No one thought that the diamond pearl-like water could have been one of the strongest poisons in the universe.

This was the Chaotic Poisonous Sea, one of the most dangerous places in the Void Universe, is also one of the three great Celestial Immortals of the Immortal Realm and the location of the Nine-headed Fierce Beast Sage’s Taoist rite. It was a prohibited territory for almost every single living creature in the Void Universe.

In the depths of the Chaotic Poisonous Sea was a completely barren island. This small island was shrouded in endless black fog, and there was not a single building. In fact, there was not even a living creature found in there most of the time.

Now all there was were two guys lying on their backs on a big reef, chatting idly.

“Haha. It’s far too early to intervene. This guy has still not reached his limits, why should we intervene? With his situation and combat capability, Yu An probably ranks among the top ten Earthly Immortal Emperors in the world. Defeating him is easy, but taking advantage of him or killing him will be very difficult!”

“Very difficult does not mean it is impossible! As you know, the Dharma Ending Tribulation is just about to arrive, and the Jade Emperor Sage is more desperate than ever to get the Treasure-snatching Rock. If one day he should get hold of it, he would soon meet his end. But do not forget, we are the only two Celestial Immortals in the Void Immortal Realm right now. If we take action against the Jade Emperor Palace, then we need to make the first move. Leading the way is not easy. We could be wiped out by that crazy Way of the Emperor practitioner if we make one mistake. Are you still willing to press ahead?”

“Haha, but he needs to get the Treasure-snatching Rock first. Do you think the Treasure-snatching Rock will sit around and wait? Zhou Bao has just come out from it!”

“If the Treasure-snatching Rock doesn’t sit around and wait, why should we?”

He sighed. “Old Poisonous Bastard! It seems like the Treasure-snatching Rock is our main obstacle, but actually, we share the same plight with that rock and the only difference is the sequence of events. If the Jade Emperor Sage obtains the rock, his fate and his strength will evolve to a completely new state. It’s completely possible he will surpass my Eye of the Storm and your Chaotic Poisonous Sea. And he’s no fool! We would destroy him as soon as he attacks us, and he fears he would pay a high price for it. Although you and I are Celestial Immortals, if the power in the tribulation is enough to completely destroy—”

“What do you mean?”

“I am saying, lure Zhou Bao directly into the Eye of the Storm or the Chaotic Poisonous Sea. He owes the Treasure-snatching Rock a favor. When he starts his tribulation, it would be a perfect time for him to return the favor, and cause trouble for the Jade Emperor Sage!”

“Do you think that after he has succeeded at the Earthly Immortal level, he will be able to cause trouble for the Jade Emperor Sage? The emperor is desperate for the rock!”

“He might even be able to scupper the emperor’s plans!” The Gale Sage smiled. And we’ll think of our own ways to cause him trouble too!”

“That’s not a bad plan, but I cannot endorse it!”

“Why not?”

“Do you think the Jade Emperor Sage has not prepared for our attack? Zhou Bao killed his son. No matter what the reason, seeking revenge for his son would be considered to be just and honorable. If we do not intervene and instead let Zhou Bao get involved himself, the Jade Emperor Sage would have no reason to attack us. But if we make the move, it would give him an excuse!”

“Does it matter whether or not it is an excuse? Do you really fear the Jade Emperor Sage that much?”

“Haha, do you think I would be afraid of that bastard?” The Nine-headed Fierce Beast Sage burst out laughing. I just do not want the original plan to be altered. It depends on Zhou Bao’s luck whether he can break into our territory while avoiding the Jade Emperor Palace’s war path. For the time being, we would not intervene. But if he can get out of this tribulation, we can help him and get some good karma. What do you think?”

“He is your favored successor, you said so yourself! I have no reason to be against it. Anyway, if he dies, you will lose more than me!” the Gale Sage said wryly. He put his arms behind his head and gazed at the black fog filling the sky. “I say, Poisonous Old Bastard, you have many days left in the Immortal Realm. After this tribulation is over, I assume you will go to an Extraterritorial Area to perform your own Taoist rite, right?”

“What’s up? Are you after my Poisonous Sea?”

“It looks pretty bad on the outside, but it is a good location for a Taoist rite. Anyway, giving me the Chaotic Poisonous Sea is better than me staying in this Void Immortal Realm for ten million years or more!”

“That is optimistic! If Zhou Bao can cross this tribulation, I will give the Chaotic Poisonous Sea to him. As for you, you should return to your Eye of the Storm like a good boy!”

“So are you not afraid that I will go behind your back and kill off Zhou Bao?”

“If you killed Zhou Bao, then I would find someone else to inherit my Chaotic Poisonous Sea. I would not give it to you, so forget about it!” The Gale Sage was unconcerned. “Besides, you have reached a crucial moment. How could you wish to treat Tribulation Takers as wantonly as the Jade Emperor Sage? You would not do something so stupid!”

“You know as well that I have reached a crucial moment?”

“Do you even need to ask?” The Nine-headed Fierce Beast Sage laughed. “Right now I can feel the universe being filled with a deathly stillness. Why would you do such a stupid thing and destroy your fate just as the Dharma Ending Tribulation is about to arrive?”

“You understand clearly, Poisonous Old Bastard. Yes, I would not destroy my fate just before the great tribulation is about to begin. You do not know how many old freaks will be watching this tribulation, how many old guys will drop dead, and how many will use this tribulation to be reborn. Poisonous Old Bastard, you are really optimistic about this Zhou Bao, are you? And are you perhaps preparing to be reborn in a future era?”

“Haha, do you really reckon I am thinking that far ahead? I am still very young. If you were to kill me, you would not wait for several eras!” The Nine-headed Fierce Beast Sage roared with laughter. “But you have reminded me, I really need to get this sorted out before the next era. If not, and I drop dead, then I will miss an opportunity to be reborn. You also need to think carefully and prepare!”

“Are you cursing me?”

“No, you are cursing me!”

“Hahahaha—!”

It was not that clear whether Zhou Bao had become one of the three great Celestial Immortals of the Immortal Realm. He was now worried about finding the Sky-walking Emperor!

The Sky-walking Emperor was not the most famous person in the realm. He had a slight reputation that is only confined within a small group. The most annoying thing was that he enjoyed strolling around the realm most, and could use this opportunity to temper his Great Way of Heavens and Realms. It would not be easy for a guy like Zhou Bao to find him.

However, he had Wang She’s help. At the moment, Wang She controlled the most perfect and powerful intelligence network in the realm. If he wanted to, he could find the Sky-walking Emperor wherever he was.

“Junior Leopard, the Sky-walking Emperor has stopped for a rest in the Fallen Leaf Lake. You should go straight in there. If he leaves before you get there, it would be very difficult for you to find him again!”

Where is the Fallen Leaf Lake?

“It is very far from here. But I do know the nearest Transmitting Formation that can get you there!” said Wang She.

Wang She stopped after he and Zhou Bao went through a Transmitting Formation and entered a market in the Immortal Realm. “Head west for 1,200 miles, and you will find the lake. It should not be too far for you, right?”

“Of course not!” Zhou Bao nodded, knowing that Wang She did not want to leave any trace for others to follow. He flew off in the direction in which Wang She had pointed.

1,200 miles was not far for Zhou Bao. Although it was similar here to the Immortal Realm, he needed to be careful. He got there in less than an hour. The thing was, he had not expected that once he entered the Fallen Leaf Lake, he would have entered a pitch black part of space.

“Welcome to the Fallen Leaf Lake, Tribulation Takers of the mortal world! I am Yu An, The Jade Emperor’s Great Crown Prince!”