Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start
Chapter 993 - 76: Rapid Advance in Strength

Two months later.

In the Gray Domain, capital of the Heavenly Mysterious Imperial Dynasty.

At this moment, within the bedchamber of Crown Prince Gu Yan, a subordinate came to report, saying, "Your Highness, we still have not found any trace of Gu Jiuge."

Dressed in the black robe of the crown prince of the Heavenly Mysterious Imperial Dynasty, Gu Yan sat firmly in his seat of honor. His authority had deepened since becoming the crown prince, but his demeanor had grown increasingly somber.

Within his pupils, one could occasionally see a flow of dense dark energy—this was the power of evil spirits. With the passage of time, both had fused within him, reaching the highest level of symbiosis.

Whenever Gu Yan needed it, he could draw upon the mighty power of the inner evil spirit at any time and place. The allure of that power, along with prolonged life, had deeply intoxicated him, leaving him unable to extricate himself.

Right then, hearing that there was still no news of Gu Chen after two months, Gu Yan was immediately enraged. Behind him, shadows emerged from his upper body, like a ferocious demon.

Hum!

The entire hall trembled instantly, and the subordinate standing below felt whispers of evil ringing in his ears, causing his body to shudder and his eyes to show panic as he involuntarily knelt on the ground.

"Useless fools, all of you are useless! What did the Jiuying Clan say?" Gu Yan's voice was deep, as if two people were speaking at once, the other voice brimming with wickedness and wildness.

"Report... Your Highness," the subordinate said, bearing immense pressure and drenched in cold sweat. He spoke with a trembling voice, "The Jiuying Clan was furious, nearly going to war with the Blood Orchid Clan. But in the end, the chieftain of the Blood Orchid Clan came forward to negotiate with the chieftain of the Jiuying Clan. Whatever price was paid is unknown, but it seems they finally calmed the Jiuying Clan's anger."

The Blood Orchid Clan was one of the four major exotic clans in the Gray Domain, with living supremely strong individuals within. Jiu Li, although a young lord of the Jiuying Clan, could not possibly provoke a war between the two clans.

Even if the Heavenly Mysterious Imperial Dynasty got involved, at most they would make the Blood Orchid Clan pay some price; that would be the limit.

After all, geniuses emerge every so often, but to achieve the status of an ultimate strong person, one must endure countless hardships and dangers.

Upon hearing this, the black energy flowing in Gu Yan's eyes became even denser, and he asked, "Have you traced his final interspatial fluctuation, where did it lead?"

The subordinate bowed respectfully and said, "Your Highness, Gu Jiuge somehow altered the transmission array at the last moment, causing the void to shatter. That's why he did not appear in the capital, but based on subsequent observations, it's highly likely that he could die within the chaotic void streams and won't be able to survive."

After all, cross-domain transmission, once disrupted, could have unimaginable consequences. Even a strong person at the peak of the Earth realm would not survive, being pulverized by the powerful chaotic void streams.

"He can't die!" Gu Yan said firmly.

Because he knew very well that Gu Chen possessed the Nine Cauldrons, treasures of such caliber could definitely keep him safe.

However, Gu Chen's identity was very sensitive. Thus, apart from Gu Yan himself, only a few of his closest confidants and important figures of the Heavenly Mysterious Imperial Dynasty, including the emperor, knew his true identity. Others, even the subordinates handling the matter, were all completely unaware of Gu Chen's real identity.

After all, if word got out, it would also be very troublesome for the Heavenly Mysterious Imperial Dynasty.

"Yes…" The subordinate's body trembled. As Gu Yan's integration with the evil spirit deepened, his temper had become increasingly unpredictable.

"Where is he most likely to have gone?" Gu Yan asked coldly.

"Your Highness, if Gu Jiuge is not dead, then the places he is most likely to appear are in The Hong Domain or the East Profound Region, and possibly..."

The subordinate named several realms because Gu Chen's use of the Nine Cauldrons to alter the void had caused such turbulent spatial fluctuations that even the Heavenly Mysterious Imperial Dynasty found it difficult to investigate afterward.

"By the way, Your Highness, a grand event is about to take place soon in the East Profound Region. Qingyun Academy, which opens once every ten thousand years, will soon recruit students. Does Your Highness have any intention to attend?" the subordinate suddenly asked.

"The old fellow at Qingyun Academy is too dangerous. Father once said that if I went there, staying under that old guy's watch for a long time could lead to my secrets being discovered. Therefore, I will not go to Qingyun Academy," Gu Yan said.

At this moment, the subordinate reported again, "Your Highness, there has been quite a buzz in the East Profound Region recently. Princess Xidie of the Holy Brilliance Dynasty has appeared, but she was almost successfully captured by a local evil power, Devil Cloud Thirty-Six Knights."

"Devil Cloud Thirty-Six Knights?" Gu Yan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, showing that he was somewhat familiar with this force.

The reason was simple: like the Heavenly Mysterious Imperial Dynasty, the Devil Cloud Thirty-Six Knights also belonged to the Sacred Gate!

However, compared to the massive entity that was the Heavenly Mysterious Imperial Dynasty, Devil Cloud Thirty-Six Knights was not worth mentioning. Only the force supporting it from behind could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Heavenly Mysterious Imperial Dynasty.

Though within the Sacred Gate, identities remain unknown even among its members, the old ancestor of the Heavenly Mysterious Imperial Dynasty, an ultimate strong person, also held a high position within the Sacred Gate and naturally knew many secrets about the subordinate forces.

However, exactly who was behind Devil Cloud Thirty-Six Knights, this was something the Heavenly Mysterious Imperial Dynasty was not too clear about.

"There's no need to be concerned. Next, send people out to these realms and search for Gu Jiuge's whereabouts, alive or dead—I must see him!" Gu Yan ordered coldly.