11: The Heavenly Emperor was enraged.

In the Immortal Realm, ten thousand rays of auspicious light shone above the firmament, and seven-colored clouds flowed incessantly.

The Nine Heavens Palace stood majestically amidst the clouds. Lifelike golden dragons coiled around the white jade columns, and the glazed tiles reflected a brilliant radiance under the immortal light.

Dense Immortal Spiritual Qi transformed into wisps of mist, flowing inside and outside the grand hall. With every breath, one could feel the pure essence of Heaven and Earth.

The Imperial Platform towered high. The Heavenly Emperor sat upon the dragon-patterned throne, wearing a purple-gold crown and a black dragon robe. His eyes were as deep and sharp as the stars, and his entire body radiated a suffocating pressure.

The shadow of the Heavenly Cloud Realm's destruction by the Devouring Demon Emperor two months ago had yet to dissipate, and the entire Immortal Realm was shrouded in an oppressive atmosphere.

"Two months," the Heavenly Emperor's voice boomed like thunder, causing the pearls on the hall's ceiling to tremble slightly. "For two whole months, not even a shadow of the Devouring Demon Emperor has been found. Is this how you all work for me?"

The Immortal Officials in the hall were as silent as cicadas in winter; none dared to look up at the Heavenly Emperor's furious face. A few Immortal Officials with weaker cultivation even trembled under the pressure, fine beads of sweat seeping from their foreheads.

The White Emperor took a step forward, his silver hair like frost, and deep worry etched between his brows. "Your Majesty, we have searched the Abyss of Sin and the Domain of Chaos, and we still have heavy troops stationed at various key passages..."

The Heavenly Emperor suddenly smashed a corner of the dragon desk, jade fragments flying everywhere. "Billions of living beings in the Heavenly Cloud Realm have perished, yet you cannot even find a trace of the culprit."

The White Emperor bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Universe is vast and boundless, with dozens of known major realms alone. Moreover, the Demon Realm and Monster Realm have always been at odds with our Immortal Realm, and the Heavenly Road and the Endless Sea are even..."

"Silence." The Heavenly Emperor stood up, his dragon robe fluttering without wind. "Pass down my decree: Activate the Starry Heavens Detection Array. Even if you have to search through every grain of astral dust, find that Devil Head."

Suddenly, lightning flashed and thunder roared outside the hall, as if even Heaven and Earth were responding to the wrath of this Supreme of the Immortal Realm.

The Immortal Officials all knelt in worship, and their forceful response echoed through the hall: "We respectfully obey the Heavenly Emperor's decree."

...The Dao Realm, a world filled with mystery and spiritual charm.

Between this heaven and earth, purple Qi lingered year-round among the overlapping peaks and ridges, where strange peaks and grotesque rocks were partially visible.

Ancient trees reached for the sky in the mountains, and Spirit Medicines hundreds or thousands of years old emitted a faint fragrance in the secluded valleys.

Every morning, when the first ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds, distant bell chimes would ring out, echoing through the lofty mountains.

The rivers in the Dao Realm were crystal clear, with silver-glinting spiritual fish swimming in the water.

White cranes could often be seen standing by the streams; their bodies were pure white and their eyes were full of spirit, making them the closest companions of the Daoists.

Occasionally, streaks of sword light flashed across the sky, marking the trails of those on the path of Dao flying on their swords.

The Daoists practicing here wore plain Daoist robes with Taiji jade pendants tied at their waists. They often lived in Daoist temples in deep mountains and secluded valleys, meditating and Cultivating every morning to absorb the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

The old Daoists had white hair and beards but were full of vigor; the young Daoists had delicate features and composed manners. They could perform hand seals and chant incantations to summon wind and rain, and also refine Medicinal Pills to cure all diseases.

A day in the Dao Realm often began with the morning bell and ended with the evening drum. The Daoists lived according to the rhythms of nature, existing in harmony with all things in heaven and earth.

In this miraculous land, the Dao follows nature, and all things possess spirits; every corner exudes a Concept of returning to one's true self.

Above the Nine Heavens, a dark shadow tore through the Void Realm, transforming into billions of wisps of dark Devilish Qi before dissipating.

The Devouring Demon Emperor—this title that once made people tremble with fear—had now restrained all his sharp edges, like a lurking venomous snake, quietly fading into the mortal world.

"Jie jie jie..." A low and cold laughter echoed in the void, as if even heaven and earth were trembling. He looked down at the common people below, as small as ants, with mockery and calculation flashing in his blood-red eyes.

"Heavenly Emperor, Demon Ancestor, did you think this Emperor would flee to the Domain of Chaos? Or hide in the Abyss of Sin?" A sinister smile curled at the corners of his mouth. "Fools, the most dangerous place is the safest place."

The Devilish Qi churned, and his figure gradually solidified, transforming into a gaunt Daoist in ragged clothes. His face was weathered and his eyes were cloudy, as if he had experienced thousands of years of wind and frost.

The title of Devouring Demon Emperor would henceforth be hidden from the world; no one would know his true identity.

He gently flicked his sleeve and stepped into a dilapidated Daoist temple in the mortal world, sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat like a true ascetic.

"What if I hide my name for thousands of years?" he sneered in his heart. "When the news dies down and they let their guard down, I will still make a comeback." His fingertips lightly rubbed together, a tiny wisp of black Qi swirling around them before vanishing into thin air. "When that time comes, this world will eventually be mine to roam at will."

"Hahaha..." The low laughter rang out again, but no one heard it. The Devouring Demon Emperor's ambition had never been extinguished; it was merely temporarily restrained beneath this mortal skin.

Under the vast starry sky, six Supreme Immortal Emperors stood in mid-air. Their robes flapped loudly in the astral winds, and the power of Supreme Laws flowed around them.

In their center floated a massive bronze disc—the Starry Heavens Detection Array. It was covered in obscure and difficult-to-understand galactic runes, emitting an ancient and mysterious Aura.

The Heavenly Emperor was dressed in a nine-dragon imperial robe. With cold features, he stood with his hands behind his back, his Aura as deep as an abyss and as vast as a sea, commanding respect without needing to be angry.

He was the Supreme ruler of the Immortal Realm, a single word from whom could make ten thousand worlds submit. At this moment, his gaze was as sharp as a blade, staring at the center of the detection array.

"Begin," the Heavenly Emperor spoke coldly, his voice booming like heavenly thunder, brooking no disobedience.

The White Emperor stepped forward, a wisp of pitch-black Devouring Devilish Qi appearing in his palm. The Devilish Qi surged as if endless malevolent energy was roaring within.

He slowly injected the Devilish Qi into the Starry Heavens Detection Array. In an instant, the runes on the disc suddenly lit up, and countless starlights flowed, as if trying to tear through the Void Realm to peer into the secrets of heaven.

The Destiny Immortal Emperor had a solemn expression. He formed hand seals and whispered ancient incantations.

The Heavenly Emperor, White Emperor, Wanbao Immortal Emperor, Hongmeng Immortal Emperor, and Tyrant Immortal Emperor each released their magic power. The vast immortal power flowed into the star chart like rivers into a sea, attempting to trace the Devouring Demon Emperor's whereabouts.

However, after a long while, the Starry Heavens Detection Array remained silent. The starlight dimmed as if blocked by some irresistible force.

The Destiny Immortal Emperor opened his eyes and sighed, "The distance is too great, and the Devouring Demon Emperor's strength far exceeds our expectations. With only a wisp of Devilish Qi, we cannot lock onto his location."

The Heavenly Emperor's brow furrowed slightly as he said coldly, "Since the star chart is useless, then we shall go to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the other Immortal Emperors changed slightly. The Tyrant Immortal Emperor snorted, "The Heavenly Secret Pavilion? That place is a 'gold-devouring beast.' Every divination requires a tremendous price."

The Heavenly Emperor's gaze was like lightning as he scanned the crowd, finally landing on the Hongmeng Immortal Emperor. His tone was beyond doubt: "Junior Brother, take this Devilish Qi and go to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion in person."

The Hongmeng Immortal Emperor cupped his fists respectfully: "I obey your command."

The Immortal Emperors exchanged glances and dispersed into divine lights, while the Hongmeng Immortal Emperor, holding the Devilish Qi, vanished into the void with a flash.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion—it was rumored that its Pavilion Master was knowledgeable about the past and present and could peer into the secrets of heaven, but every deduction required an unimaginable price.

Countless immortals and gods had come because of its fame, but most returned in defeat. Even those as strong as an Immortal Emperor might not be able to afford the price.