The ten great elders of the demon race hung their heads in dejection. Each of them had practised the Nine Heavenly Emperor Swords, yet for some unknown reason, they simply could not succeed.
“How can this be?”
“Why can we not even master a single sword form?”
“Where exactly is the problem?”
The elders gathered together, frowning deeply, utterly baffled.
“Could it be that our talent is too poor?” Elder Monkey said.
Elder Sheep suddenly had an inspiration. “I have an idea.”
“What is it?” Everyone looked at Elder Sheep.
Elder Sheep discreetly pointed towards the little white fox. The elders instantly understood.
“Our Majesty’s talent is the strongest in the demon race. If even she cannot learn it, then it is not a matter of talent.” After Elder Bear spoke, he turned and walked to the little white fox. “Your Majesty, none of us can learn Young Master Ye’s swordsmanship. Why not give it a try yourself?”
“Very well!” The little white fox agreed at once.
While the elders had been practising the swordsmanship earlier, she had watched from the side, her heart filled with puzzlement. She could not understand why not a single one of the ten great elders had mastered even one form. It was far too strange.
The little white fox extended her palm. A long sword appeared in her hand. Then, she began practising according to the cultivation method of the first form of the Nine Heavenly Emperor Swords.
After a moment passed.
“I cannot learn it either,” the little white fox said. Her situation was the same as the elders: she had only the sword forms, without any sword majesty.
“Why is this happening?” the little white fox asked Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu shook his head, indicating he did not know.
Elder Bear said, “If it were because our talent is too poor, that might explain it for us. But Your Majesty’s talent is the strongest in our demon race. Logically, there is no reason you should not be able to learn it.”
“I know why it is,” Elder Ox suddenly declared. “It is because this swordsmanship is called the Nine Heavenly Emperor Swords.”
After saying this, Elder Ox saw everyone’s puzzled expressions and asked, “Surely you still do not understand?”
Elder Tiger said, “Old Ox, what exactly are you trying to say? Speak quickly and stop keeping us in suspense.”
Elder Ox chuckled. “I believe only the Heavenly Emperor can master the Nine Heavenly Emperor Swords.”
Heavenly Emperor?
Hearing these two words, the little white fox secretly glanced at Ye Qiu, her heart pounding wildly.
As for the other elders, they were first stunned, then burst into loud laughter.
“What are you all laughing at?” Elder Ox asked, perplexed.
“Old Ox, do you mean to say that Young Master Ye is the Heavenly Emperor?” Elder Dog asked.
Elder Ox nodded. “Exactly. My master is the Heavenly Emperor.”
Elder Dog replied, “I have lived for so many years and only ever heard of Great Emperors. I have never heard of a Heavenly Emperor.”
Elder Rabbit also said, “There is no Heavenly Emperor in the world.”
Elder Monkey even sneered, “Old Ox, you look like you are not very clever, and in fact, you truly are not.”
Everyone laughed again.
Elder Ox’s face flushed red. “Whether you believe it or not, I think my master is the Heavenly Emperor.”
Elder Tiger said, “Old Ox, you are going to make me die of laughter!”
“Setting aside whether there is a Heavenly Emperor in the world, even if there were, what cultivation level would a Heavenly Emperor have?”
“In my view, a Heavenly Emperor would at least be stronger than a Great Emperor. Otherwise, how would he dare call himself Heavenly Emperor?” The other elders nodded in agreement, finding Elder Tiger’s words very reasonable.
Elder Tiger continued, “But Young Master Ye is only at the peak of the Communion realm. Old Ox, do you think Young Master Ye could be the Heavenly Emperor?”
Elder Ox stuck his neck out stubbornly. “Even if my master is not the Heavenly Emperor now, he is the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor.”
Elder Tiger shook his head. “You old ox, everything about you is fine except when you get stubborn, you listen to no one.”
“Fine, think whatever you like.”
Elder Ox was still unconvinced. “Just you wait and see. My master will sooner or later dominate all ages and become invincible in the world!”
Elder Monkey said, “I have a guess. The reason we cannot master the Nine Heavenly Emperor Swords might be related to us being of the demon race.”
“I think Old Monkey’s guess is more plausible.” Elder Bear asked Ye Qiu, “Young Master Ye, have you ever taught the Nine Heavenly Emperor Swords to humans before?”
“No,” Ye Qiu shook his head. “I have never taught the Nine Heavenly Emperor Swords to anyone before.”
Hearing this, the elders felt another wave of emotion. Although they had not mastered the Nine Heavenly Emperor Swords, Ye Qiu had not taught it to others yet had taught it to them. This showed that Ye Qiu already regarded them as his closest friends.
However, reminded by Elder Monkey, Ye Qiu secretly decided that in the future, he would find an opportunity to teach the Nine Heavenly Emperor Swords to Yun Xi and the Hundred Flowers Immortal. He wanted to see if they could master it.
“Very well. Since none of us can learn it, there is no need to search for the reason further. It would only cause unnecessary worry.”
The little white fox asked Ye Qiu, “Changsheng, do you wish to continue learning unique skills, or rest for a few days?”
Ye Qiu replied, “I shall continue learning unique skills.”
“You have been studying unique skills these past days. Are you not tired? Why not rest for a few days?” As the little white fox spoke, she blinked her eyes, carrying a different kind of charm.
Ye Qiu instantly understood what she intended. His heart filled with some anticipation, yet also some fear. He thought to himself, “I fear that if I rest, I will not get any rest at all and instead be tormented thoroughly.”
Thinking of this, Ye Qiu said, “I am not tired. I shall continue with the unique skills!”
How boring.
The little white fox felt somewhat disappointed. She instructed, “Elder Tiger, take Changsheng to your residence and teach him the Tiger Roar technique.”
“Yes.” Elder Tiger responded, then politely said, “Young Master Ye, follow me.”
Before leaving.
Ye Qiu asked the little white fox, “How is the old fellow doing?”
“The Daoist is still gathering divine herbs,” the little white fox said. “He has already gathered two divine herbs.”
“You need not worry about him.”
“This is our demon race territory, and Elder Sheep has also sent experts to protect him secretly. He will be fine.”
“Mm.” Ye Qiu hummed in acknowledgement and followed Elder Tiger away.
Once Ye Qiu and Elder Tiger had left, Elder Sheep said, “Your Majesty, we shall take our leave…”
“Do not leave yet,” the little white fox said. “I have something I wish to discuss with you.”
“Your Majesty, I also happen to have something I wish to ask you,” Elder Bear said. “You had the ten great elders teach Young Master Ye unique skills. Was the purpose not to keep him in the demon race a while longer?”
“You allowed Young Master Ye to learn from Elder Monkey, Elder Rooster, and the others. Why did you not have him learn from Elder Dog and me?”
“Have you changed your mind?”
“Indeed, I have changed my mind,” the little white fox said. “Through these past days, I am sure you all have a clear understanding of Ye Changsheng’s talent. A person like him cannot possibly stay in the demon race long-term.”
“Since we cannot keep him, why try to detain him further?”
“Moreover, Elder Bear excels in defence, and Elder Dog excels in tracking. Ye Changsheng already masters these, so there is no need for him to learn them.”
“So that is how it is.” Elder Bear asked, “Your Majesty, what matter do you wish to discuss with us?”
The little white fox said with a serious expression, “I wish to take Ye Changsheng into the demon race forbidden ground.”
“What do the various elders think of this?”
