Chapter 42: The Celestial Emperor’s Treasury, The Ancient Crimson-Flame Vermilion Bird

In front of the tree, Qian Mo gazed at the towering giant before him, lost in contemplation about life.

My goodness, this tree is unbelievably large!

Though he was a formidable cultivator, even the strong are capable of surprise. After all, at nineteen, he had only recently reached adulthood; it was only natural to be astounded by the unknown.

“How should I put it? I suppose within this tree lies the rumored treasury of the Celestial Emperor. According to the original tale of ‘The Immortal Executioner,’ inside this gigantic tree is a space created by an unparalleled master, and within that space rests the Celestial Emperor’s treasury, as well as the final volume of the Heavenly Tome.”

Qian Mo analyzed calmly.

He replayed the plot of ‘The Immortal Executioner’ in his mind, not missing a single detail or subtlety.

Legend had it that the Deadly Marsh was inhabited by all manner of poisonous insects and ferocious beasts, its toxic miasma and deadly haze permeating every corner—a place where survival was a thousand to one. Its very name struck fear in the hearts of all. Yet recently, golden pillars of light had surged up from the marsh, piercing the clouds and illuminating half the sky, dazzling even in broad daylight. With the golden light came thunderous roars, as if from creatures unknown. Every sign pointed to the imminent appearance of a secret treasure. Thus, cultivators from across the world gathered in droves, seeking fortune within the Deadly Marsh.

At last, the Celestial Emperor’s treasury, hidden deep within, began to reveal itself to the world.

The treasury was said to be the cultivation site of the Celestial Emperor, containing primordial divine artifacts and mysteries beyond comprehension. For ages, cultivators had sought it in vain. Not only mortals, but even ancient beasts coveted it, growing restless. Yet the treasury sat atop the divine tree of countless millennia, suspended high above the clouds, shrouded in countless wards and guarded by celestial birds. One misstep would spell eternal doom. Time flowed like smoke and clouds; a thousand years had passed, and once more, the season of divine artifacts’ emergence had arrived. Who would obtain the primordial treasures? Who would be the destined one? All waited with bated breath.

“Celestial Emperor? Intriguing!” Qian Mo mused, his eyes alight.

As a master of the Douzong realm, Qian Mo was able to soar through the skies. He flew to the highest reaches, landing upon the thickest branch of the enormous tree. He summoned his spiritual power, forcing open a wormhole within the tree that led to the Celestial Emperor’s treasury.

According to the original story, the treasury appeared at set intervals, but its presence was always fleeting—a detail Qian Mo disliked. He preferred to control time himself; only then did it truly belong to him. He was too impatient to wait, especially since he still had tasks to complete for the system, with one mission card left undone. He wanted to finish quickly and take Biyao and Lu Xueqi to other worlds for adventure.

Qian Mo infused his formidable spiritual power into the trunk; the tree greedily absorbed it, and golden light spread throughout, gathering at its core.

“It’s time,” Qian Mo murmured, eyes closed as he sensed the energy within. Suddenly, he opened his eyes.

With a low cry, he commanded, “Break!”

Crackling sounds erupted, followed by a loud bang.

The heart of the trunk split open, revealing not a hollow shell but a circular portal about two meters in diameter: a spatial wormhole.

Within, deep blue spirals twisted, narrowing as they receded.

“So this is the spatial wormhole created by the Celestial Emperor. It took some effort to open it—if it were anyone else, I’d have broken it with a wave of my hand. Truly, the one they call Celestial Emperor is extraordinary,” Qian Mo remarked, gazing at the wormhole he had just opened.

He looked up at the other branches and then at the sky, which was gradually brightening from its former darkness.

“Well then, let’s finish things here quickly and return to Biyao and Xueqi.”

With that, Qian Mo flew into the wormhole.

...

As Qian Mo entered, the spatial wormhole outside slowly faded away. How he would exit was another matter entirely.

Chirping—
Buzzing—
Thudding—

Within the Celestial Emperor’s treasury echoed the cries of birds, though not birds; the buzzing of insects, though not insects; the tolling of bells, though not bells. All things under heaven carry their own essence—some resemble others, yet are not the same.

“How wondrous this treasury is!” Qian Mo exclaimed as he stepped inside, sensing its strange energies and scanning his surroundings.

Chirping—

A creature that resembled a phoenix soared above the treasury, clearly its guardian. Indeed, this was the guardian beast of the Celestial Emperor’s treasury: the Crimson Flame Vermilion Bird, a mighty ancient divine beast.

“Human! This place is not yet open; your forced entry violates the rules of the Celestial Emperor’s treasury! Prepare to die!”

“Vermilion Flame!”

The Crimson Flame Vermilion Bird attacked Qian Mo without hesitation.

“Oh my, trouble as soon as I arrive? Well, you are the guardian beast here, so it’s not unreasonable for you to fulfill your duty. However... for someone like me, who never cares for rules, this is hardly good news,” Qian Mo replied, a bemused expression on his face.

His aura grew calm as he continued, “Besides, the Celestial Emperor’s treasury... rules? Rules? Let me tell you what rules are! I am the rule! Even the Heavenly King must kneel and call me father—let alone a mere bird like you!” he sneered.

“You’re a Vermilion Bird? I’ll roast you with Phoenix Flame!” Qian Mo extended his hand, summoning Phoenix Divine Flame that blazed in his palm.

“Human, you court death! How dare you slander the name of the Celestial Emperor? You deserve a thousand deaths!” The Vermilion Bird was utterly enraged, murderous intent radiating from him. Anyone who dared defame his master must die—this audacious human had not even deigned to acknowledge his great lord. It infuriated him beyond measure.

“Vermilion Blaze!”

Chirping—

“Phoenix Divine Flame!”

Bang, bang, bang—

One fire raged in the heavens, another in the midair—the Vermilion Blaze above, the Phoenix Divine Flame below.

The two fires collided, unleashing a shockwave of immense power.

The ancient Crimson Flame Vermilion Bird was a being of the early Taiqing realm, formidable to most. Unfortunately for him, he was now facing someone even more monstrous—someone far stronger, and moreover, he had initiated the attack, only to be blasted down by Qian Mo’s Phoenix Divine Flame.

Who was Qian Mo? A formidable cultivator at the third stage of the Divided Spirit realm, far beyond the scope of this world. How could he be harmed by a mere bird at the first stage of the Out-of-Body realm?

If he were, wouldn’t it be an embarrassment to all transmigrators?

A thunderous crash echoed as the Vermilion Bird was smashed to the ground by Qian Mo.

Boom, boom—

Its massive body rolled across the floor, finally crashing into a wall and coming to a stop.

With a spurt, the Vermilion Bird coughed up blood, bright and thick, leaving it exceedingly weak.

...

...

(End of this chapter)