Master of Strange Dao

The one who could finally enter the nine-layered tower and gain protection was no longer up for speculation.

In just a few days, Dadui's powerful ministers, top Incense Fire Dao cultivators, and Earth Deity had all entered the nine-layered tower.

Yet, no one knew these individuals of power and authority were all dead, leaving only an empty shell sitting within the towering structure.

As Emperor Dui unleashed a massacre, using the lives and power of these Earth Deities and powerful ministers, the skull of that Exotic Beast within the Earth Deity Origin stele became increasingly visible.

It seemed as if it could be pulled from the stele at any moment.

After killing a host of powerful ministers once more, Emperor Dui reached out to the Earth Deity Origin stele.

The stele appeared to dissolve, slowly dissipating, leaving only the skull of an Exotic Beast hanging there.

Just as Emperor Dui was about to touch the skull, he withdrew his hand.

He left the nine-layered tower, following his memories to an empty space.

To his eyes, it looked deserted; he walked over, finding nothing.

Yet, he knew this was where the mausoleum of the Dadui Imperial Family was.

Only in the Divine Country, he couldn't see or touch it.

He tidied his robes, knelt respectfully, bowing three times with nine prostrations, then knelt there a long time, whispering softly.

"Unworthy descendant Shui Wancheng bows before the ancestors.

I know my abilities are limited, failing your expectations.

However, when I ascended to the throne, I swore a great vow before you, promising to resolve the long-standing ills of Dadui.

To this day, I know my sins are unforgivable.

I still believe the disease is in the bone marrow, and all methods are just drinking poison to quench thirst.

I shall change heaven and earth, transform and reform, paying any price rather than the price of annihilation.

They do not know the secret passed down orally among the Dadui Emperors.

I have long known the Earth Deity Origin.

How could I not know of what lies within the mausoleum of our dynasty's first emperor?

Now this unworthy descendant has resolved the last of his concerns.

He will surely remove the millennial tumor, establishing a foundation for all eternity."

Emperor Dui knelt there again, bowed, then resolutely turned to leave.

Even though he knew he could see the imperial mausoleum in the current Dingmao City, he didn't want to go.

That would just be fine.

As he was about to enter the nine-layered tower, Emperor Dui took out the Jade Seal, stamped it lightly on a sheet of paper, and tossed that sheet, transforming it into a stream of light flying out of Dingmao City.

Emperor Dui once again found himself before the Earth Deity Origin stele, and the stele gradually became transparent and vanished, leaving just that Exotic Beast's skull.

Emperor Dui grasped under the skull, and the Devil Pattern on the skull released some power, forming a black Short Stick.

As Emperor Dui held the Short Stick, a sliver of light suddenly appeared within the eyes of the Exotic Beast skull.

The skull seemed to come to life, its mouth slightly moving, and a voice from the Ancient Era suddenly emerged.

The Devil Pattern at the corner of Emperor Dui's eyes swiftly circulated over his body, then returned, forming several simple Devil Patterns at his eye-corner and between his brows.

The pattern between his brows continuously transformed into an ancient "Earth" character.

In an instant, all of Dadui's accumulated disaster power surged toward him.

His power far surpassed the Ninth Tier, yet he was bound by the world, unable to advance to the Tenth Tier.

Holding the Short Stick, the skull's mouth opened wide, laughing hysterically.

But Emperor Dui seemed to see the history of all Dadui's disasters flashing quickly before his eyes.

A single disaster's power is limited, but when it remains unresolved and does not dissipate, that disaster power continues to accumulate.

At this moment, all the accumulated power was absorbed by Emperor Dui.

There was pain in his eyes, and the Short Stick in his hand showed signs of losing control as expected.

He gritted his teeth, glaring coldly at the Short Stick.

"The era has changed. It's no longer the Ancient Era I knew. If I can't control you, then we will perish together.

The descendants of Dadui have already found that ancient existence. If you want to die, I shall send you."

The skull continued laughing wildly, but the backlash of power was no longer as strong.

Emperor Dui stood quietly, as the Earth Deity Origin stele reappeared, but this time it resonated with the holy sound of ancient sages expounding the Earth Deity Dao.

Emperor Dui listened to the sacred sound, expressionless, while the skull was forcibly suppressed under the holy sound.

"It's coming soon..."

…

A stream of light flew across the sky and fell into a desolate wilderness.

On that sheet of paper was written about the sealing of the current leader of the Faceless Man, Jia Shisi.

The Jade Seal imprint on the paper emitted a faint light, a glow appeared, and suddenly a bald man with no eyebrows, gripping a long blade and exuding Evil Qi, materialized at that spot.

In an instant, a towering Blade Gang rose into the sky like a ten-thousand-zhang blade edge standing there, its domineering aura spreading all around.

Even miles away, perhaps strong individuals could sense the raging energy here.

The bald man suddenly opened his eyes, staring intently at the paper, fixating on the Jade Seal's imprint on the paper.

"Your Majesty, have you dared to release me in person, are you really unafraid, do you truly believe I dare not commit regicide?"

Jia Shisi gazed at the paper for a while, sheathed the long blade in his hand, and picked up the paper.

The Evil Qi around him slowly receded, and he fell into a silent contemplation.

"Your Majesty, do you want me to kill you? Why on earth are you trying to do this? Have you already achieved the position of Earth Devil Venerate?"