Volume One: The Cataclysm of the Lich Chapter 128: Rahu Reappears—Calamity or Opportunity?

While several star gods were engaged in a secret discussion with Chang Geng, deep within the Ziwei Star Palace, something unimaginable was unfolding. If any of the star gods were to witness the current state of the Emperor of Ziwei, they would be utterly shocked.

His face was ashen, as though he were fiercely resisting some unknown force.

"Get out of my body! What exactly are you?" the Emperor of Ziwei roared hoarsely.

Yet, no matter how he struggled or shouted, there was no response.

A sinister laughter echoed, "What a wonderful, perfect vessel! I can hardly resist the urge to take it for myself. What a pity!"

Had Hongjun or the others been present, they would have immediately recognized this voice. They were all too familiar with its owner.

Indeed, the presence lurking within the Emperor of Ziwei was none other than the Demon Ancestor, Luo Hou.

But was he not supposed to exist only in the parallel Demon Realm, apart from the Great Desolation? Why had he appeared here?

The Emperor of Ziwei was in the dark, and perhaps even Hongjun would not dare to dwell on the answer.

After the war between Dao and Demon, Luo Hou was supposed to have no further opportunity to manifest in the Great Desolation, a restriction imposed by Qing Xuan with the authority of Heaven and Earth.

And yet, he now truly resided within the Emperor of Ziwei's body, coveting it openly.

After the transformation by the Sacred Star Tree, and with his cultivation in the Dao of Stars, the Emperor of Ziwei's physical form was no weaker than that of the Ancestral Witches.

However, since becoming the Progenitor of Heavenly Demons, Luo Hou had existed as the antithesis of the Heavenly Dao and could never possess a physical body again.

"No matter who you are, my body is not so easily invaded. I will make you pay for this," the Emperor of Ziwei declared, his eyes growing clearer and more resolute with each passing moment.

This turn of events left Luo Hou astonished. Once, as the greatest Demon Ancestor the Great Desolation had known, few could withstand his bewitchment. Now, as the antithesis of the Heavenly Dao, his powers and methods surpassed even his prime.

And yet, he was being resisted by a junior far beneath him in strength. If word of this were to spread, where would his dignity lie?

"Very well, this only makes things more interesting for me! The thrill of conquest is sweeter when not so easily won. If it were all too simple, I might lose interest altogether."

Like a child discovering a fascinating new toy, Luo Hou found himself more intrigued by the Emperor of Ziwei than ever before.

Yet the events transpiring on Ziwei Star remained unknown to the outside star gods and much of the Great Desolation.

Since the Emperor of Ziwei's last appearance, he had sealed off Ziwei Star, activated its restrictions, and entered seclusion to cultivate.

Even if others discovered the truth, there would likely be nothing they could do.

On Chenlong Star, a gathering was taking place.

"Is the news you sent to everyone true, Lord Tiangang?" asked Lord Sisi, the Snake Star, joined by Lord Yinhu, the Tiger Star.

"Fellow stars, we are all Lords of the Yuanchen Stars, yet we receive no favor from Ziwei. I suspect we've all come here today with the same thought," responded Tiangang, Lord Chenlong, his gaze sweeping across the other twelve.

"Indeed. The twelve Yuanchen are not inferior to the Seven Luminaries in power, and we outnumber them. Why then should we be considered lesser?"

Clearly, the twelve Yuanchen were deeply resentful of the Emperor of Ziwei's favoritism and the Seven Luminaries' long-standing dominance.

"Rest assured, you won't be disappointed by the news I bring. Should there be any error, I would face the consequences just as much as you," Tiangang replied with confidence.

At that moment, Lord Maotu, the Rabbit Star, revealed a piece of information that left them all stunned.

"I've heard that even the Lunar Star Lord is considering the same course as we are!"

"What? Is that true? Where did you hear it?" someone exclaimed.

"You all ought to keep your ears open. By now, many star gods are likely aware of this. I am hardly the only one," Maotu replied, seeing their disbelief.

Their astonishment was palpable.

"If that's the case, then the Seven Luminaries' reputation is undeserved! Should we reach out to the Lunar Star Lord? That would greatly increase our chances."

"No, it's enough that we know of this. We must not contact her," Tiangang interjected hastily when someone suggested an alliance with Xihe, the Lunar Star Lord.

It was not that he doubted Maotu's intelligence, but the Lunar Star Lord had always been too distant from them. He was unwilling to take such a risk—who could say what was truly in her heart? Indeed, he did not fully trust even those present before him.

His reasoning was persuasive, and the suggestion was dropped.

As the time for the second sermon drew near, the Great Desolation grew unexpectedly calm.

The expected clash between the Wu and Yao clans, which many had anticipated, never materialized.

Instead, something unforeseen was taking place in the eastern region of the Eastern Sea, on the continent of Zifu.

Countless beings—renowned mighty ones, obscure cultivators of the Taiyi realm, and innate spirits alike—were converging upon this place.

Suddenly, a great azure bird swept down from the sky, drawing envious glances from the crowd.

"Stop staring. That is the steed of the Grand Queen Mother of the West from Western Kunlun. It is said that this blue bird has reached perfection in the Taiyi realm," someone knowledgeable whispered, seeing so many fixated on the majestic creature.

Just then, several more figures approached from the distance.

"Fellow Queen Mother of the West, thank you for gracing my humble birthday feast with your presence!" called out a handsome man in purple robes, greeting her warmly.

"Fellow King Father of the East, after all, we once listened to the Dao together in the Palace of Purple Firmament. How could I refuse your gracious invitation?" the Queen Mother replied, alighting from the blue bird and fanning herself with a treasured fan.

"Please excuse me for a moment," she said, as the Three Pure Ones arrived after her.

"Welcome, honored friends. The King Father of the East thanks you for coming," he said, bowing.

"You are too kind," responded the Elder Lord of the Supreme Purity, offering a jade gourd as a gift.

"I did not expect not to see Fellow Zhenyuanzi here," the Elder Lord remarked, glancing around with some disappointment.

"Fellow Supreme Purity, as I hear it, after his return from Heaven, Zhenyuanzi has not visited Mount Longevity. No one knows his current whereabouts," the King Father explained, appearing genuinely uncertain as to why Supreme Purity would be so concerned.

"So that's how it is. It's well-known that Zhenyuanzi seldom leaves his abode. How surprising to learn that he's out traveling now," Supreme Purity replied with a gentle smile.