Volume One: The Lich's Calamity Day 236: A Sudden Cataclysm, the Primordial Catastrophe

"The two Sages have not come all this way simply to return the primordial spirit imprint to this ancestor, have they?"

Kunpeng looked at the two with sudden vigilance, speaking with practiced caution. As expected, no sooner had Kunpeng finished speaking than he heard Zhunti declare:

"Beyond returning your primordial spirit imprint, there is one more matter we require you to attend to."

Kunpeng wanted to slap himself. Why did he have to bring it up? Now, his premonition had come true; nothing good ever came from these two Sages of the West. Yet, despite his reluctance, he had no choice but to ask:

"I wonder what it is you wish for me to do?"

He watched them warily as they replied:

"We want you to lure the ten Golden Crow princes of Emperor Jun’s Heavenly Court out into the Great Desolate."

Kunpeng refused without a moment's hesitation. Did he not understand the consequences? Such an act would damage his merit and, if he were not careful, could cost him his life. Kunpeng despised Emperor Jun and the Heavenly Court, but he was not about to gamble with his own existence. Furthermore, he would have to face the wrath of Emperor Jun; relations were already strained enough, and this would only escalate the conflict.

"Do not be so hasty. Since we have asked you to undertake this task, we will naturally ensure you suffer no losses or disadvantages."

After further negotiations, the details of which remain unknown, Kunpeng ultimately reached a consensus with the two Sages.

At the shores of the Sea of Abyssal Peace, in the Valley of Sunlight:

Xihe was away on some business, leaving the ten young Golden Crows alone in the valley, resting and playing among the branches of the Fusang tree.

"Big Brother, staying here is so boring! I really want to go and see the Great Desolate," the Fifth Prince complained to the Eldest Prince.

"But Father and Mother forbid us from leaving," the Eldest Prince replied.

"Mother isn't here right now," the Tenth Prince, the most timid of them, suggested. "If we sneak out and come back quickly, no one will know!"

"Big Brother, Fifth Brother, that is wrong!" the Tenth Prince warned. "We should stay here. If Mother finds out, she will punish you again!"

"Tenth Brother, just admit that you are a coward! I heard that recently, Father and our Heavenly Court warriors were bullied by those hateful Wu tribe members again!"

"Exactly! We should go and show those Wu what we are capable of. If we don't, the prestige of our Demon Heavenly Court will vanish! If we teach them a lesson, Father might even praise us!"

The princes plotted to head out to the Great Desolate to have some fun and settle the score with the Wu tribe. They left the Fusang tree and headed toward the boundary.

"Oh, this barrier is too strong. We must all work together to break it!" Seeing their path blocked, the Eldest and Fifth princes called upon the others to attack the restriction.

Just then, a mysterious figure appeared.

"Young princes, what are you doing?" The newcomer watched their antics with amusement, feeling as if heaven were favoring his plans.

"Who are you?" the Tenth Prince asked, eyeing the sneaky figure with suspicion.

The stranger thought to himself that while the little one lacked courage, he was certainly sharp. He smiled at the princes.

"I am someone the Emperor has entrusted to watch over you. What is it you are planning?"

The Eldest Prince answered haughtily, "We want to go to the Great Desolate to help Father teach those arrogant Wu a lesson!"

The man’s eyes brightened, though he feigned concern, "But I hear the Wu are very powerful; they are not so easily dealt with."

"What is there to fear? We ten brothers are powerful enough! Do you know how to break this barrier? Hurry and remove it for us!" the Eldest Prince commanded imperiously.

"But..."

"Enough talk! Or I shall have Father destroy you!"

"Very well, very well, I shall remove the barrier for you!" The man trembled as he dismantled the restriction.

Once the barrier fell, the Golden Crows flew toward the Great Desolate, with the Tenth Prince trailing behind them.

"Brothers, let us go back! If Father finds out, we will be punished again!"

But the princes were lost in the excitement and paid no heed to his warnings. Instead, they mocked him:

"Tenth Brother, you are such a coward. I wonder when you will ever change! As princes of the Demon race, we must have spirit, not be timid like you!"

With that, they flew toward the territory of the Wu.

As the ten Golden Crows emerged into the Great Desolate, countless living beings felt the temperature rising sharply. Even those of considerable strength struggled to withstand the heat.

"What is this weather? Why has it become so hot?"

"Look, why are there ten suns in the sky?"

"No wonder it is so hot, the source is right there!"

As the Golden Crows traveled, rivers dried up, the earth cracked, trees withered, and even the grass began to burn. The princes, the architects of this destruction, were oblivious. Seeing the suffering of the creatures below, they mistook it for a display of their own divine majesty.

When they reached the Wu territory, they began raining down True Sun Fire. Countless Wu were injured, and the weaker ones perished instantly. Wails echoed through the tribe. The Golden Crows, seeing the carnage, were filled with delight.

"What is happening?" In the Kua Fu tribe, the commotion drew attention.

"Great Wizard Kua Fu, fire is raining from the sky! Many of our people have already died."

"What? This is outrageous! Is the Demon race here to cause trouble again?"

Kua Fu was furious. This was an intolerable affront.