Chapter 1674: Strong Rivals
10,000 years apart, Memory Star Immortal Emperor now left Bodhi’s Palace with Wu Yu, full of praise for him.
"Honestly, I did not think it possible. You actually made it out. Congratulations! A blessed day indeed!" Even the usually reserved Memory Star Immortal Emperor was laughing exuberantly, unable to contain his good cheer.
"I have to thank senior brother for his care." Wu Yu said seriously. He was very grateful to Memory Star Immortal Emperor.
Ever since he had come to the Patriarch Bodhi, Memory Star Immortal Emperor had looked after him, even giving him precious information about the Heavenly Devil Battlefield and the heavenly devils.
Memory Star Immortal Emperor must regard Wu Yu as a friend, or he would not tell him all of this!
Besides, being associated with Wu Yu might even run the risk of offending the Four Heavenly Kings and True Lord Erlang. This was also why Wu Yu was shunned by many of the other disciples.
"I’m content with your thanks alone. Go back and rest. Your friends have been thinking of you night and day these 10,000 years." Memory Star Immortal Emperor clapped Wu Yu on the shoulder with an easy smile.
Memory Star Immortal Emperor admired him and also regarded him as a friend. However, they were not old friends who would spend a long time catching up. Therefore, Memory Star did not hold him up, sending him back to Luo Pin and the others.
"Many thanks again, senior brother."
Wu Yu nodded and smiled, turning back towards his own residence.
The residence had been prepared for him by the Patriarch Bodhi. Even after 10,000 years, it was still his, and had not been returned.
Therefore, Luo Pin and the others had been here throughout, waiting for Wu Yu for 10,000 years.
"I’m back."
Wu Yu opened the door and said simply.
Immediately, the cultivating Luo Pin, Full Moon of Nanshan, and Ye Xixi all came swarming over him. They were all moved to tears upon seeing him whole.
"You... you’re really back?"
Luo Pin almost dared not believe it. She came running, making a flying leap into Wu Yu’s arms, crying happily.
She had been worried at every single moment. Memory Star Immortal Emperor would sometimes come to call on them out of concern, but her fears were not assuaged. How could Wu Yu survive a place as horrifying as the Heavenly Devil Battlefield? For 10,000 years?
But now her worries were finally put to rest!
In this time, Luo Pin had not had an easy time of things either. True, Wu Yu had been gnawed at by heavenly devils, in agony the whole time, but Luo Pin had lived in fear and agony for him as well.
Longing was a painful thing.
She had told herself that Wu Yu had overcome so many difficulties before, and that this was nothing. Back when Wu Yu had been a mortal, he had already triumphed over the Yan Huang Ancient Emperor, who was an immortal. This Heavenly Devil Battlefield was just pain. How could it bring Wu Yu low?
Of course, her logic did not ward off all nightmares. What if Wu Yu did not return after 10,000 years?
"Today was the exact day marking 10,000 years. Do you know how worried we were?"
Luo Pin sobbed in his arms.
Wu Yu held her tightly, as if afraid that he would lose her the moment he let go. With warm feeling, he said: "Don’t worry. I will never leave you."
"Alright, alright. Enough with the gushy romance. You’re making me cry as well." Ye Xixi hiccuped, her tears already falling.
"Exactly. So lascivious in public - you’ll lead the kid astray, yknow."
Full Moon of Nanshan said, throwing a mischievous look Ye Xixi’s way and covering her eyes, so she would not see the embrace.
"Still taking things chill, I see." Wu Yu loosened his embrace and laughingly scolded Full Moon of Nanshan. He was still as annoying as ever.
"It’s not chill, it’s cool."
Full Moon of Nanshan smiled impudently.
The four were again reunited after 10,000 years.
Full Moon of Nanshan, Ye Xixi and Luo Pin were all too full of happiness to speak. Although they believed in him, having visual confirmation was still a relief.
"That Dhrtarastra will definitely puke blood!"
Full Moon of Nanshan sniggered. "The Dhrtarastra himself was the one who called Mo Liyin to tail us and punish us. Now we killed Mo Liyin, and Old Wu has made it out of Heavenly Devil Battlefield, they will definitely be furious!"
"Screw them. As long as big brother Yu is fine, then the Dhrtarastra can blow his top and die for all I care." Ye Xixi said, clenching her small fists as she declared boldly.
"Oh you lot."
Wu Yu shook his head, smiling fondly.
Reunited, joyful laughter filled the palace.
And then Wu Yu told them the news that the Patriarch Bodhi had just announced about the Immortal Emperor Trials. "Do you know what are the rules of the Immortal Emperor Trials?"
Luo Pin gradually calmed down again, and nodded. "1 on 1 eliminations. The Patriarch Bodhi always chooses 128 names. From the moment the Patriarch Bodhi chose 127, I sensed something. So it was for you."
"I hear the competition for this iteration is very fierce."
Full Moon of Nanshan said, uncharacteristically solemn. He chipped in with some additional information: "First is the True Lord Erlang’s son, name of Yang Qiang. It’s said that the Jade Emperor personally taught him, and he grew up by the side of the Queen Mother of the West. True Lord Erlang is so polite to Patriarch Bodhi because he wants this son of his to compete."
"And there is Lotus Prince Nezha, the God of the Three Seas. His son Li Tianji has a 3-headed 6-legged Mystique. He can fight with the power of three. I hear this Li Tianji is a bit like you, Old Wu. He too killed an immortal emperor and was punished for it as well. Of course, he has an elite immortal emperor as a father, so he wasn’t punished as seriously as you were."
These two had Wu Yu’s full attention.
Whether True Lord Erlang’s son Yang Qiang, or Lotus Prince Nezha’s son Li Tianji, they were not easy to deal with. Firstly, they had copious cultivation resources at their disposal, and powerful epochal immortal treasures would definitely be pressed into their waiting hands. They would come to the Immortal Emperor Trials with full confidence at taking the win.
For Yang Qiang and Li Tianji, it was as if the Immortal Emperor Trials were built for them. As long as they could win it, they could enter the Everlasting Battlefield and become an immortal emperor, rising immediately in one move.
It would not be easy for Wu Yu to defeat them both.
Besides, the competition for the Immortal Emperor Trials was always fierce. Even before he fought them, he would have to get through many other prodigies.
They were definitely not the only opponents that he would have to face.
Before, Wu Yu’s ability to defeat Memory Star Immortal Emperor had shocked the others, but Yang Qiang and Li Tianji were a different breed.
Therefore, the outcome of these Immortal Emperor Trials was not a guarantee. If he wanted to win the right to enter the Everlasting Battlefield, he would have to work very hard.
"Patriarch Bodhi purposely gave me 10,000 years in the Heavenly Devil Battlefield, right before the Immortal Emperor Trials would start. Seems like he intends for me to win this too."
Wu Yu recognized the goodwill of the Patriarch Bodhi.
However, he was not sure why the Patriarch Bodhi would treat him so well.
Since Wu Yu had not died in the Heavenly Devil Battlefield, the Patriarch Bodhi had definitely offended True Lord Erlang and the Four Heavenly Kings. Although it had not been something he controlled, but an unfavorable outcome all for Wu Yu’s sake was an unnecessary fight.
Wu Yu did not understand. Whenever he spoke to the Patriarch Bodhi, he always sensed a gentle kindness from him. Until now, he did not know what he had done to deserve it.
"In any case, I must fight as hard as I can for the Immortal Emperor Trials! If the Patriarch Bodhi wants me to take first place, then first place I shall take. I will enter the Everlasting Battlefield, and become an immortal emperor!"
Wu Yu made this vow to himself.
His spirit had gone through a great chance in the Heavenly Devil Battlefield. His will had grown even stronger.
"The Immortal Emperor Trials takes place in three years. The entire Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars will be preparing to welcome the mighty immortal emperors. I wonder what the Four Heavenly Kings’ faces will look like when they see Wu Yu alive?" Ye Xixi said, eyes narrowed in anticipation.
"Enough dreaming. Back to cultivation we go. In three years, Old Wu will be an immortal emperor, and we’re still in the dust. Shameful, don’t you think? How can we let our ancestors down like that?" Full Moon of Nanshan grumbled tonelessly to Ye Xixi.
"You’re the same, aren’t you?"
Ye Xixi said with a huff and flick of her hair. "If you’re so great, go join the Immortal Emperor Trials too then. See how far you make it."
"Ah, I’m good. Old Wu has the legacy of the Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal, the Victorious Fighting Buddha. I can’t compete. I’m just in charge of being handsome." Full Moon of Nanshan said naughtily.
Laughter filled the air.
Hearing their usual banter revived feelings in Wu Yu that he had put away for a long time.
10,000 years in the Heavenly Devil Battlefield had seemed like an eternity. And finally, thankfully, he was back.