Ch. 235 - Black Emperor

The black dog was as strong as a bull, with a square head and large ears. Its fangs were snow-white and sharp like daggers. It panted with a big red tongue, speaking in a domineering tone, calling itself the Black Emperor.

Ye Fan stared at it but couldn’t figure it out. This big black dog had no demonic aura, no divine energy fluctuations, but its body was as tough as iron, it couldn’t be hurt.

“Let’s go, back to the village for roast lamb,” Master Zhang waved his cane and called out. In this red land of the Northern Region, pork and lamb were the most common meats, delicacies from mountains or sea were hard to come by.

Ye Fan pondered in his heart. Could this big black dog really be the creature that followed him out of Purple Mountain? It looked nothing like he imagined.

“No villagers or livestock have gone missing, right?” Ye Fan asked.

Wang Shu shook his head and said, “Since Sunset Glow was overrun, all the bandits within five hundred miles have vanished. There’s been no trouble at all, it’s been peaceful.”

“What do you mean by that? Think I’m causing trouble around here?” The black dog was indeed very intelligent and immediately caught the meaning of his words.

Ye Fan ignored it. This black dog had an unusual origin. Best not to clash with it.

The evening banquet was lively. Men, women, and children sat on the ground outdoors. Flames danced, meat sizzled, and grease dripped into the fire, releasing a delicious aroma.

The big black dog gobbled down its food, staying far from the bonfire. Ye Fan asked Master Zhang, “Elder, do you know where it came from?”

“No idea. The first time I saw it, it scared me half to death...” Master Zhang slowly recounted.

It was only natural for ordinary people to be terrified of a talking black dog. But the dog never harmed anyone and was quite friendly to Master Zhang.

“I saw it near Purple Mountain. It was wandering around. Lei Bo recognized it as the black shadow that stole our roast lamb before.”

“Does it stay in the village most of the time?” Ye Fan asked.

“Every morning it runs a lap around Purple Mountain. The rest of the time, it’s mostly swallowing sunlight and absorbing moonlight.”

Ye Fan nodded silently. This black dog was clearly linked to Purple Mountain. He could now almost confirm it was the creature that had followed him out.

“It really hasn’t eaten any livestock or caused any harm?” Ye Fan still didn’t trust the black dog. Ancient creatures had left him with too deep an impression.

In this world, Ye Fan had more encounters with unknown creatures than even the lords of sacred grounds.

After all, even over thousands of years, few would see a single one. But he had entered Purple Mountain and awakened several such beings, he’d faced them personally.

As for the Primordial Mine, it was known by all, but few dared enter, usually only Grand Emperors in their old age when their life was nearly over. It was said to be a one-way trip. Their own survival had been sheer luck.

“It really hasn’t done anything bad. I’ve felt its bones, it’s just a domesticated dog that gained sentience. It’s not another race,” Master Zhang confirmed.

“Wang Shu, what do you think of it?”

“Hard to say. It doesn’t feel like a dog. Its personality is no different from a person’s,” Wang Shu replied, shaking his head.

“That bald dog is way too aggressive…” Lei Bo muttered quietly, afraid the black dog might hear.

The first time they met, he was tackled to the ground, his experience was worse than Ye Fan’s. He’d been bitten and bullied multiple times since.

“That bald dog holds a grudge. I just chased it once, but to be fair, it is special. It taught me and Wang Shu some unique cultivation methods,” Lei Bo said.

“It taught you cultivation?” Ye Fan was surprised.

“It always calls itself Black Emperor. If we make the slightest mistake, it slaps us with its paw,” Lei Bo complained.

Ye Fan nearly spit out his drink. This black dog was truly strange.

“What method did it teach you? Let me see.” Ye Fan gestured for Wang Shu to circulate his energy and placed a hand on him.

It was a strange method, specifically tailored to the special physiques of Lei Bo and Wang Shu. It drew out mysterious energy from their brow bones and refined every inch of their flesh.

“This bald dog actually has some skill...” Ye Fan was surprised, nodding. “Keep learning from it. It’s not a bad thing.”

“Brother Ye, don’t call it bald dog. Lei Bo got bitten because of that. Call it Black Emperor,” Wang Shu whispered.

Black Emperor... this dog was really full of itself, did it actually think it was an ancient Grand Emperor?

The black dog ate two whole lambs, its head held high. Its black fur was long and shiny like silk, and its eyes were like bronze bells. The only out-of-place thing was its bald tail.

“Black Emperor, are you full?” Master Zhang patted the soft mat beside him. The black dog lay down comfortably next to him.

This fierce dog ignored everyone else, but was obedient with Master Zhang.

“Why are you always unfriendly to me, brat?” the Black Emperor glanced at Ye Fan with disdain.

Ye Fan really wanted to slap it. This dog had tackled and bit him the moment they met, and still had the same attitude now.

“What method did you teach Lei Bo and Wang Shu?” Ye Fan asked.

“Of course, the supreme ancient scripture I created,” the black dog replied proudly.

“Does it have a name?” Ye Fan asked while clinking cups with the others.

“It’s called the Black Emperor Scripture, an unrivaled secret art through all ages.”

“Black Emperor? You made that up yourself. I’ve read the ancient records of Eastern Wilderness, there are only a few true Grand Emperors remembered. Your name’s not among them.”

The black dog growled deeply. “I don’t care to be remembered in ancient history.”

“Boasting again. Even if you lived three hundred, a thousand, or fifteen hundred years, you’re still just a bald dog.”

That struck a nerve. The black dog immediately stood up, eyes fierce, jaws wide, ready to pounce.

Master Zhang quickly calmed it, stroking its glossy fur. “Don’t be angry, Black Emperor.”

“Brat, watch your mouth!” the black dog threatened, then reluctantly lay down again. “I’ve lived for so long I can’t even remember my age.”

Ye Fan snorted. “I’ve heard of Grand Emperor Eternal Universe, Grand Emperor Infinite Void, and the Western Emperor. But never you. You think you’re on their level?”

The black dog wanted to argue, but those names still carried supreme power despite endless years. It bared its teeth but didn’t dare speak ill of them.

The moonlight was gentle, the bonfire crackled, and the young men and women of the village sang and danced joyfully.

Ye Fan gnawed on a lamb leg and drank a dozen cups of wine. “There are only a few ancient scriptures in Eastern Wilderness. I know one, how about we compare them?”

“You want to challenge me?” the black dog tilted its head, showing its white teeth.

“Don’t be so savage. Let’s have a civil match. We each recite a scripture and see which is stronger.”

The black dog sneered. “Trying to trick me into giving up my supreme scripture? Not happening.”

Ye Fan smiled and shook his head. “I’ll go first then, since you’re so cautious.”

“There are only a few ancient scriptures in Eastern Wilderness. Which one do you know?” the black dog clearly didn’t believe him.

“Ultimate emptiness, hold to stillness...” Ye Fan recited solemnly.

This was indeed part of an ancient scripture, though incomplete. It was from the Ji Clan’s Void Scripture. Aside from the Grand Void Art, he had only obtained fragments of the core method.

It was created by Grand Emperor Infinite Void through observing all things and grasping eternal laws.

“Didn’t expect you to actually know something. Maybe you’re not trying to steal my secret art,” the black dog said, eyes flashing. “Listen well. I’ll recite a passage from the Black Emperor Scripture.”

“Alright, I’m listening.” Ye Fan calmed himself and focused.

“Devour the sun and moon, illuminate divine consciousness...” the black dog chanted a passage. It was indeed profound, difficult to understand.

But the more Ye Fan listened, the more wrong it felt. This wasn’t something humans could cultivate, it was a demon’s scripture.

“Hold on. I can’t practice this, it’s meaningless to compare them,” Ye Fan interrupted.

“My scripture suits me. It wasn’t created for you,” the black dog replied smugly.

“My scripture is known throughout history, only a few in Eastern Wilderness can compare. Even demon sages study it. Your so-called Black Emperor Scripture doesn’t hold up,” Ye Fan said, shaking his head.

“Don’t talk big, brat. You’re trying to trick me into revealing more. Not that easy,” the black dog said, as if seeing through him.

“It’s more like tricking a black dog...” Lei Bo muttered.

“Woof!” The black dog barked, making Lei Bo shut up immediately.

“My scripture shocked all ages, created by Grand Emperor Eternal Universe. I don’t need your scripture,” Ye Fan said, then added dramatically, “At the end of the immortal road, who stands at the peak? One glimpse of Eternal Universe, and the Grand Dao crumbles.”

“Nonsense. Your scripture is clearly the Ji Clan’s Void Scripture, created by Grand Emperor Infinite Void. Why bring up Eternal Universe? And that line wasn’t even about him,” the black dog argued.

“Then who was it about?” Ye Fan asked with a smile.

“Of course, it referred to a world-shaking figure, one of the few true Grand Emperors...” the black dog trailed off.

Through his probing, Ye Fan finally learned something. This black dog was not a primordial creature. It practiced a demon sage’s method and had ties to the Invincible Emperor.

“Brat, you’re not clever enough to outsmart me. Want ancient scriptures? Dream on.” The black dog grew serious. “But I do know where a few of them are. Want to know?”

Ye Fan was speechless. This dog was clearly playing with him.

“What could an old black mutt like you know? The strongest scriptures are in the sacred grounds.”

The black dog showed disdain. “I know where Grand Emperor Eternal Universe attained enlightenment, and I know on which cliff the Western Emperor carved the first draft of her scripture.”

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